Positioning apparatus and method incorporating modular gimbal unit and jewelry processing system incorporating the positioning apparatus

A positioning apparatus, comprising:

• a gantry unit having a frame, a horizontal work plate mounted on the frame, a first slider slidably mounted on the frame for movement in a first linear direction, a second slider slidably mounted on the first slider for movement in a second linear direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a third slider slidably mounted on the second slider for movement in a third linear direction perpendicular to the first and second directions;
• a gimbal unit mounted on the third slider above the work plate, the gimbal unit having at least two perpendicular rotational degrees of freedom and a mounting device for mounting a part on the gimbal unit;
• and
• a controller for controlling movement of the first, second and third sliders and rotation of the part mounted on the gimbal unit about two perpendicular axes of rotation;
• whereby the part can be located at a selected position on the work plate and at a selected orientation.

A processing system for processing parts, comprising:

• a gantry unit having a frame, a horizontal work plate mounted on the frame, a first slider slidably mounted on the frame for movement in a first linear direction, a second slider slidably mounted on the first slider for movement in a second linear direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a third slider slidably mounted on the second slider for movement in a third linear direction perpendicular to the first and second directions;
• a gimbal unit mounted on the third slider above the work plate, the gimbal unit having at least two perpendicular rotational degrees of freedom and a mounting device for mounting a part on the gimbal unit;
• a plurality of work stations mounted on the work plate;
• and
• a controller for controlling movement of the first, second and third sliders and rotation of the part mounted on the gimbal unit about two perpendicular axes of rotation, whereby the part can be located at a selected work station to address a tool at the work station and at a selected orientation relative to the tool.

A method of positioning a part, comprising the steps of:

• mounting a part to be manipulated on a gimbal unit having at least two rotational axes, the gimbal unit being suspended from a linear slider of a gantry unit having a first linear slider movable along a first axis, a second linear slider mounted on the first linear slider and movable along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third linear slider mounted on the second linear slider and movable along a third axis perpendicular to the first and second axes;
• controlling drive means for the three linear sliders to move the part to a location adjacent at least one work station;
• and
• controlling drive means for the gimbal unit to manipulate the part into desired orientations in order to complete a procedure at the work station.