Automatic workpart centering mechanism for a chuck
AssigneeBryant Grinder Corporation
InventorRichard H. Gile
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automatic workpart centering mechanism for a magnetic or other chuck of a machine tool is provided. A computer microprocessor controls a digital air pressure regulator and/or an air solenoid valve to supply air pressure to a pneumatic centering hammer to control striking force on a workpart as it is rotated by the chuck and held thereon by a given chuck holding force with the location of the striking force on the workpart also under control of the microprocessor.
Claims58
In combination with a workpart chuck having a chuck axis of rotation for rotating a workpart about its workpart axis when the axes are substantially aligned, apparatus for centering each workpart in a series of workparts successively positioned on the rotating chuck from an initial offset position where the workpart axis moves in an eccentric path relative to the chuck axis, comprising:
- (a) centering means for striking each workpart positioned on the chuck with multiple, successive blows, including means for applying a force to the workpart that is varied in magnitude as the axis of the workpart is moved in increments toward the chuck axis of rotation,
- (b) means for sensing the magnitude of incremental displacement of each workpart on the chuck resulting from each applied force and blow to the workpart,
- (c) means for generating an applied force magnitude versus workpart displacement magnitude relationship from the sensed magnitude of incremental displacement of each workpart on the chuck and the magnitude of the applied force corresponding to the incremental displacement, and
- (d) means for updating said relationship based on the centering of preceding workparts and estimating from said relationship the magnitude of the next force to be applied to a workpart then on the chuck to effect movement of its axis closer to the chuck axis of rotation when struck with said blows.
In combination with a workpart chuck having a chuck axis of rotation for rotating a workpart about its workpart axis when the axes are substantially aligned, apparatus for centering each workpart in a series of workparts successively positioned on the rotating chuck from an initial offset position where the workpart axis moves in an eccentric path relative to the chuck axis, comprising:
- (a) centering means for striking each workpart positioned on the chuck with multiple, successive blows whose strike force is varied as the axis of the workpart is moved in increments toward the chuck axis of rotation,
- (b) means for sensing the magnitude of incremental displacement of each workpart on the chuck resulting from each strike force,
- (c) means for generating a strike force magnitude versus workpart displacement magnitude relationship from the sensed magnitude of incremental displacement of each workpart on the chuck and the magnitude of the strike force causing the incremental displacement, and
- (d) means for updating said relationship based on the centering of preceding workparts and estimating from said relationship the magnitude of the next strike force to be delivered to a workpart then on the chuck to effect movement of its axis closer to the chuck axis of rotation when struck with said blows.
In combination with a workpart chuck having a chuck axis of rotation for rotating a workpart about its workpart axis when the axes are substantially aligned, apparatus for centering each workpart in a series of workparts successively positioned on the rotating chuck from an initial offset position where the workpart axis moves in an eccentric path relative to the chuck axis, comprising:
- (a) centering means for striking each workpart positioned on the chuck with multiple, successive blows whose strike force is varied as the axis of the workpart is moved in increments toward the chuck axis of rotation,
- (b) computer means,
- (c) means for sensing the magnitude of incremental displacement of each workpart on the chuck resulting from each strike force,
- (d) means for inputting for each workpart the magnitude of incremental workpart displacement and magnitude of the strike force to effect said displacement into the computer means to develop a strike force magnitude versus workpart displacement magnitude relationship, and
- (e) said computer means updating said relationship based on the centering of preceding workparts and estimating from said relationship the magnitude of the next strike force to be delivered to a workpart then on the chuck to effect movement of its axis closer to the chuck axis of rotation when struck with said blows.
In combination with a workpart chuck having a chuck axis of rotation for rotating a workpart about its workpart axis when the axes are substantially aligned, apparatus for centering the workpart in a series of workparts successively positioned on the rotating chuck from an initial offset position where the workpart axis moves in an eccentric path relative to the chuck axis, comprising:
- (a) centering means for striking each workpart positioned on the chuck with multiple, successive blows whose strike force is varied as the axis of the workpart is moved in increments toward the chuck axis of rotation,
- (b) computer means,
- (c) means for sensing the magnitude of incremental displacement of each workpart on the chuck resulting from each strike force,
- (d) means for sensing rotational cycles of the chuck and inputting signals representative of said rotational cycles into the computer means,
- (e) means for inputting for each workpart the magnitude of incremental workpart displacement and magnitude of the strike force to effect said displacement into the computer means to develop a strike force magnitude versus workpart displacement magnitude relationship, and
- (f) said computer means updating said relationship based on the electrical signals received from centering of preceding workparts and estimating from said relationship the magnitude of the next strike force to be delivered to a workpart then on the chuck to effect movement of its axis closer to the chuck axis of rotation when struck with said blows,
- (g) said computer means determining the angular position of maximum eccentricity of each workpart on the chuck based on the sensed magnitude of maximum eccentricity and rotational cycles of the chuck and actuating said centering means to strike each workpart at a selected location relative to the location of maximum eccentricity.
In combination with a workpart chuck having a chuck axis of rotation for rotating a workpart about its axis when the axes are substantially aligned, apparatus for centering each workpart in a series of workparts successively positioned on the rotating chuck from an initial offset position where the workpart axis moves in an eccentric path relative to the chuck axis, comprising:
- (a) centering means for striking each workpart positioned on the chuck with multiple, successive blows of constant strike force,
- (b) means for varying chuck holding force on the workpart as the axis of the workpart is moved in increments toward the chuck axis of rotation by said blows,
- (c) computer means,
- (d) means for sensing the magnitude of incremental displacement of each workpart on the chuck resulting from each chuck holding force and blow applied to the workpart,
- (e) means for inputting for each workpart the magnitude of incremental workpart displacement and magnitude of the chuck holding force corresponding to said displacement into the computer means to develop a chuck holding force magnitude versus workpart displacement magnitude relationship, and
- (f) said computer means updating said relationship based on the centering of preceding workparts and estimating from said relationship the magnitude of the next chuck holding force to be applied to a workpart then on the chuck to effect movement of its axis closer to the chuck axis of rotation when struck with said blows.
In combination with a workpart chuck having a chuck axis of rotation for rotating a workpart about its workpart axis when the axes are substantially aligned, apparatus for centering the workpart in a series of workparts successively positioned on the rotating chuck from an initial offset position where the workpart axis moves in an eccentric path relative to the chuck axis, comprising:
- (a) centering means for striking each workpart positioned on the chuck with multiple, successive blows of constant strike force,
- (b) means for varying chuck holding force on the workpart as the axis of the workpart is moved in increments toward the chuck axis of rotation by said blows,
- (c) computer means,
- (d) means for sensing the magnitude of incremental displacement of each workpart on the chuck resulting from each chuck holding force and blow applied to the workpart,
- (e) means for sensing rotational cycles of the chuck and inputting signals representative of said rotational cycles into the computer means,
- (f) means for inputting for each workpart the magnitude of incremental workpart displacement and magnitude of the chuck holding force corresponding to said displacement into the computer means to develop a chuck holding force magnitude versus workpart displacement magnitude relationship, and
- (g) said computer means updating said relationship based on the electrical signals received from centering of preceding workparts and estimating from said relationship the magnitude of the next chuck holding force to be applied to a workpart then on the chuck to move its axis closer to the chuck axis of rotation when struck with said blows,
- (h) said computer means determining the angular position of maximum eccentricity of each workpart on the chuck based on the sensed magnitude of maximum eccentricity and rotational cycles of the chuck and actuating said centering means to strike each workpart at a selected location relative to the location of maximum eccentricity.
A method for centering a plurality of workparts of the same type in succession on a rotating chuck having a chuck axis of rotation, comprising:
- (a) rotating the chuck with the geometrical axis of each workpart offset from the chuck axis of rotation such that the workpart moves eccentrically,
- (b) striking each workpart positioned on the chuck with multiple, successive centering blows, including applying a force to each workpart that is varied in accordance with an applied force magnitude versus workpart displacement magnitude relationship developed from the centering of preceding workparts on the chuck to effect movement of the axis of the workpart toward the chuck axis of rotation when struck with said blows.
A method for centering a plurality of workparts of the same type in succession on a rotating chuck having a chuck axis of rotation, comprising:
- (a) rotating the chuck with the geometrical axis of each workpart offset from the chuck axis of rotation such that the workpart moves eccentrically,
- (b) striking each workpart positioned on the chuck with multiple, successive centering blows whose strike force is varied in accordance with a striking force magnitude versus workpart displacement magnitude relationship developed from the centering of preceding workparts on the chuck to effect movement of the axis of the workpart toward the chuck axis of rotation when struck with said blows.
A method for centering a plurality of workparts of the same type in succession on a rotating chuck having a chuck axis of rotation, comprising:
- (a) rotating the chuck with the geometrical axis of each workpart offset from the chuck axis of rotation such that the workpart moves eccentrically,
- (b) centering a plurality of workparts in succession on the chuck by striking each workpart with multiple, successive centering blows including sensing the magnitude of incremental workpart displacement resulting from each strike and using for each workpart the magnitude of each incremental workpart displacement and magnitude of each strike force to effect said displacement as each workpart is centered to develop a strike force magnitude versus workpart displacement magnitude relationship wherein in centering the workparts, the force of the strikes delivered to each workpart then on the chuck is estimated from said relationship to effect movement of the axis of that workpart closer to the chuck axis of rotation with said blows until each workpart is substantially centered thereon.
A method for centering a plurality of workparts of the same type in succession on a rotating chuck having a chuck axis of rotation, comprising:
- (a) rotating the chuck with the geometrical axis of each workpart offset from the chuck axis of rotation such that the workpart moves eccentrically,
- (b) centering a plurality of workparts in succession on the chuck by striking each workpart with multiple, successive centering blows of constant strike force, including applying a chuck holding force to each workpart and sensing the magnitude of incremental workpart displacement for each chuck holding force resulting from each blow and using for each workpart the magnitude of each incremental workpart displacement and magnitude of each chuck holding force for said displacement as each workpart is centered to develop a chuck holding force magnitude versus workpart displacement magnitude relationship wherein in centering the workparts, the chuck holding force applied to each workpart then on the chuck is estimated from said relationship to effect movement of the axis of that workpart closer to the chuck axis of rotation when struck with the next blow until each workpart is substantially centered thereon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.