Spindle squaring tool

Abstract

An instrument for aligning the spindle of a vertical milling machine perpendicular to the milling machine table or work surface. The instrument comprises a first right circular cylinder member that is coaxially attached to the machine spindle about a first axis. This is typically accomplished with the use of a spindle collet. A second pivotal member contains that portion of the first member protruding from the spindle collet. The second member allows rotational and axial freedom of the first member, and the first member is so contained that radial clearance between the first and second member is held to be negligible. The second member is constructed to provide for pivotal attachment to a third or main frame member about a second axis which is orthogonal but not necessarily coplanar with the first axis. The third member has provision for contact with the milling machine table at two points that define a third axis which is orthogonal but not necessarily coplanar with the second axis. A displacement indicator is affixed between the second and third members such that both acute and obtuse departures from perpendicularity between the first and third axes can be quantified.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.