Tail stock for a long vertically suspended workpiece that will experience heat expansion

Abstract

A tailstock for supporting a workpiece along a vertical rotary axis includes a base member, and a housing having a wall including a first end, and a second end, an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a central passage extending between the first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis. The second end is coupled to the base member. A workpiece support extends through the central passage. The workpiece support includes a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. A linear bearing is coupled to the base member in the central passage. The linear bearing slideably receives the second end of the workpiece support. A displacement sensor assembly includes a stationary portion mounted relative to one of the base member and the housing, and a moveable portion mounted to the second end of the workpiece support.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.