Positioning means and method of use thereof

A positioning device for producing a light signal to position a robot tool relative to a workpiece, comprising:

• a frame having first and second opposite ends and a channel, the first end of the frame being attachable to an end of the robot tool;
• a lighting means for producing at least a pair of light beams projecting away from the second end of the frame;
• the lighting means comprises at least a pair of light sources and arranged for directing the light beams therefrom in converging directions so that the light beams intersect with each other and provide a light signal at a predetermined distance from the second end of the frame,
• characterized in that the lighting means comprises at least two pairs of light sources to generate at least two pairs of intersecting light beams, wherein said two pairs of intersecting light beams intersect at substantially the same point and wherein the light sources are positioned around the channel and mounted at or adjacent the second end of the frame.

A positioning device for producing a light signal to position a robot tool relative to a workpiece, comprising:

• a frame having first and second opposite ends and a channel, the first end of the frame being attachable to an end of the robot tool;
• a lighting means for producing at least a pair of light beams projecting away from the second end of the frame;
• the lighting means comprises at least a pair of light sources and arranged for directing the light beams therefrom in converging directions so that the light beams intersect with each other and provide a light signal at a predetermined distance from the second end of the frame,
• characterized in that the lighting means comprises at least two pairs of light sources to generate at least two pairs of intersecting light beams, wherein said two pairs of intersecting light beams intersect at substantially the same point and wherein adjustment means are provided for adjusting the longitudinal position of the frame and/or light sources mounted on the frame relative to the second end of the robot tool to adjust the distance of the intersection point of the light beams from the second end of the robot tool.

A positioning device for producing a light signal to position a robot tool relative to a workpiece, comprising:

• a frame having first and second opposite ends and a channel, the first end of the frame being attachable to an end of the robot tool;
• a lighting means for producing at least a pair of light beams projecting away from the second end of the frame;
• the lighting means comprises at least a pair of light sources and arranged for directing the light beams therefrom in converging directions so that the light beams intersect with each other and provide a light signal at a predetermined distance from the second end of the frame,
• characterized in that the lighting means comprises at least two pairs of light sources to generate at least two pairs of intersecting light beams, wherein said two pairs of intersecting light beams intersect at substantially the same point and wherein the frame is rotatably mounted on the end of the robot tool.

A method of using a positioning device for producing a light signal to position a robot tool relative to a workpiece, the positioning device comprising:

• a frame having first and second opposite ends and a channel, the first end of the frame being attachable to an end of the robot tool;
• a lighting means for producing at least a pair of light beams projecting away from the second end of the frame, the lighting means comprising at least a pair of light sources providing at least a pair of light beams;
• characterized in that the method includes the steps of
• directing two pairs of light beams in converging directions so that the light beams intersect with each other and provide a light signal at a predetermined distance from the second end of the frame, wherein said two pairs of intersecting lighting beams intersect at substantially the same point and wherein the light sources are positioned around the channel and mounted at or adjacent the second end of the frame.