Automatic tool deflection calibration system

A computer controlled machine tool system for calibrating the force deflection characteristics thereof comprising,

• a tool,
• an object firmly supported upon a base,
• means for moving said tool towards said object,
• means for sensing contact of said tool with said object,
• means for measuring deflection forces at a first tool position in contact with said object,
• means for measuring deflection forces at a second tool position in contact with said object and spaced from said first tool position,
• and means for calculating deflection forces as a function of tool displacement between said separate positions.

A method for operating a computer controlled machine tool system for calibrating the force deflection characteristics thereof comprising,

• moving said tool towards an object firmly supported upon a base,
• sensing contact of said tool with said object,
• measuring deflection forces at a first tool position in contact with said object,
• measuring deflection forces at a second tool position in contact with said object and spaced from said first tool position,
• and calculating deflection force as a function of tool displacement between said separated positions.

A computer controlled machine tool system for measuring the tool size of a tool comprising

• a machine tool,
• a tool in said machine tool,
• an object firmly supported upon a base secured to said machine tool,
• means for moving said machine tool to a predetermined position with said tool spaced from said object,
• means for driving said tool into contact with said object,
• and means for measuring displacement of said tool between said predetermined position and the position at which said contact occurs,
• calculating means associated with said means for measuring for calculating the tool size of said tool as a function of the output of said means for measuring.

A machine tool system for calibrating the force deflection characteristics thereof comprising,

• a tool,
• an object firmly supported upon a base,
• means for moving said tool towards said object,
• means for sensing contact of said tool with said object,
• means for measuring deflection forces at a first tool position in contact with said object,
• means for measuring deflection forces at a second tool position in contact with said object and spaced from said means for determining deflection forces as a function of tool displacement between said separate positions.

A method for operating a machine tool system for calibrating the force deflection characteristics thereof comprising:

• moving said tool towards an object firmly supported upon a base,
• sensing contact of said tool with said object,
• measuring deflection forces at a first tool position in contact with said object,
• measuring deflection forces at a second tool position in contact with said object and spaced from said first tool position,
• and calculating deflection force as a function of tool displacement between said separated positions.

A method for measuring the tool size of a tool with a machine tool, a tool in said machine tool, an object firmly supported upon a base secured to said machine tool, comprising

• moving said tool with machine tool to a predetermined position with said tool spaced from said object,
• driving said tool into contact with said object,
• measuring displacement of said tool between said predetermined position and the position at which said contact occurs, and
• calculating the tool size of said tool as a function of said displacement.

A method of operating a machine tool system for calibrating the force deflection characteristics thereof in a system including, a tool, and an object firmly supported upon a base, the steps including

• moving said tool towards said object,
• sensing contact of said tool with said object,
• measuring deflection forces at a first tool position in contact with said object, and
• measuring deflection forces at a second tool position in contact with said object and spaced from said means for determining deflection forces as a function of tool displacement between said separate positions.

A method for operating a machine tool system for calibrating the force deflection characteristics thereof comprising:

• moving said tool towards an object firmly supported upon a base,
• sensing contact of said tool with said object,
• measuring deflection forces at a first tool position in contact with said object, and
• measuring deflection forces at a second tool position in contact with said object and spaced from said first tool position,
• whereby calculation of deflection force as a function of tool displacement between said separated positions can be performed.

A method for measuring the tool size of a tool with a machine tool, a tool in said machine tool, an object firmly supported upon a base secured to said machine tool, comprising

• moving said tool with machine tool to a predetermined position with said tool spaced from said object,
• driving said tool into contact with said object, and
• measuring displacement of said tool between said predetermined position and the position at which said contact occurs,
• whereby the tool size of said tool can be calculated as a function of said displacement.