Positioning systems
AssigneeUnited Innovations Division of United Engineers, Inc.
InventorsChristopher A. Parent, James R. Voss
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A combination X-Y positioning mechanism includes a first guide means linearly reciprocable relative to a frame and a second guide means linearly reciprocable relative to the first guide means with the directions of relative reciprocation being substantially mutually perpendicular. A first carriage means is slidable along the respective first guide means and a second carriage means is fixed to the second guide means responsively to the actuation of a closed loop driven by a pair of stationarily fixed bidirectional drive motors and engageable with a series of strategically placed pulleys. A carrier is slidably supported on the second guide means.
Claims1
In an automated plotting apparatus, an acutating assembly for positioning an axially elongated engraving stylus relative to a workpiece supported on a plotting surface responsively to command signals from a computer and transferred to the actuating assembly comprising:
- a stepping motor driven responsively to intelligence from the computer and a pulley associated therewith and driven thereby,
- a stylus holding means for holding the stylus in a non-operative position away from the workpiece and in an operative position relative to the workpiece,
- a bowden wire and first and second spring means directly connected thereto at opposite extremities thereof, the first spring means being connected to the stepping motor pulley and movable therewith,
- the second spring means being directly connected to the stylus holding means, and
- a potentiometer for measuring the extension of the bowden wire spring means,
- with the difference between the computer controlled measured motion of the potentiometer and the length of the extension of the first spring means reflecting a measure of the movement of the bowden wire and according the work force upon the stylus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.