US 5,004,930 AGranted

Method and device for setting the angular position of a workpiece on a machine-tool by means of a laser beam

AssigneeFrancis Rollier SA

InventorsHenri Gremaud, Martial Gremaud, Michel Rollier

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Abstract

The invention concerns a method of precisely setting a workpiece (3) having a non-circular contour in a predetermined angular position. The workpiece (3) is placed in the path of a mobile laser beam (F) produced by a laser generator (10) and sweeping an area (P) in which the workpiece produces a shaded zone (Z) whose width (L) depends on the orientation of the workpiece. The width (L) is measured by a laser receiver (11) and the workpiece is turned until the measured width reaches a reference value (L1) when the workpiece is in the desired predetermined position. This method is advantageously used for angularly positioning, with a precision of about a 6 minute arc, a roughly-cut drill bit in a grinding machine for sharpening its tip.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A method of angularly setting a workpiece (3) that is rotatably mounted about an axis (xx') of a machine-tool and wherein the position of the workpiece is defined by an angle (X), in a predetermined position corresponding to a given angle (Xl), said method comprising:

sweeping with a mobile laser beam (F) an area (P) passing through at least a part of the workpiece (3) in such a manner that said part, by intercepting said beam, produces in said area a shaded zone (Z) defined by a characteristic quantity (L) varying with said angle (X), said quantity taking a reference value (L1) at said given angle (Xl):
measuring said characteristic quantity (L);
turning said workpiece (3) about said axis (xx') until the characteristic quantity (L) reaches said reference value (L1), which corresponds to the workpiece being in said predetermined position;
and
stopping the workpiece (3) in said predetermined position.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.