Telemetry gage system
AssigneeThe Valeron Corporation
InventorsRichard O. Juengel, John D. Begin, John Khalaf
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Abstract
An optically coupled in-process gaging system is disclosed for use with numerically controlled machine tools wherein a battery-powered gage unit is enclosed in a housing adapted for retention in an automatic NC program controlled selection from the NC tool magazine. The gage unit can be placed in a machine tool device, such as a spindle, whose movement is directed by the NC program to place a gage transducer of the gage unit in contact with a workpiece to perform dimensional gaging. The gage unit converts an electrical transducer signal into an infra-red optical FM signal for wireless transmission to a receiver unit coupled to a microcomputer-based control unit.
Claims10
Apparatus for performing in-process gaging of an object undergoing machining at a numerically controlled machine tool comprising:
- gaging means having a housing adapted for removable retention in a tool magazine of the numerically controlled machine and for automated selection from the magazine and insertion into a machine tool device movable relative to the object via numerical control, the gaging means including transducer means for generating an electrical signal proportional to displacement of the transducer means caused by a physical characteristic of the object, and means for converting the electrical signal to an infra-red optical signal of predetermined frequency,
- means for remotely wirelessly receiving and converting the optical signal to a digital signal related to displacement of the transducing means, and
- control means responsive to the digital signal to provide a visually perceptible display thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.