Device and method for calibrating swivel assemblies, particularly on cutting machines

Abstract

A device and method for calibrating swivel assemblies (21), particularly on cutting machines. Calibration of a tool on the machines mentioned above, portal robots, and the like, to the so-called Tool Center point (TCP) is done by a single movable measuring tip on the device, which has a direct operational connection of the tool, and a soft-ware-controlled measuring method for recording and repeatability of initial positions of a tool to be optimally adjusted. Determination of the TCP can be necessary after maintenance and repair work or after collisions on a machine tool or cutting machine. The device for calibrating swivel assemblies (21) includes a combination, as viewed from the frame (1), of three members, a first member (3), a second member (4), and a third member (5), displaceably connected among each other, with no play, to the frame (1) with no backlash by sliding joints (12, 13, 14) in all three axes of a Cartesian coordinate system. No mechanical reference position is present on any axis, and the third member (5) is connected to the frame (1) by the sliding joint (14), the second member (4) to the third member (5) by the sliding joining (13), and the first member (3) to the second member (4) by the sliding joint (12). The members (3, 4, 5) are monolithic, such that each member is made of a single component not formed by joining individual components. A holder (3b) is present on the first member (3), furthest from the frame, for connecting a measuring adapter (16) in a non-positive manner opposite the direction of gravity, and in a positive manner in a plane orthogonal thereto, rotary measuring sensors (6, 7, 8) are associated with the first, second, and third members (3, 4, 5) and determining the relative motions thereof to the neighboring members (4, 5) and/or the frame via the measuring pinions (9, 10, 11). Measuring toothed racks are present on each member (3, 4, 5), the measured values of which are used in a conversion component (2) and an online connection is provided between the conversion component (2) and a computer (24) via a data line (23).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.