Automated and integrated apparatus for three axis processing
AssigneeBlack & Decker Inc.
InventorsGiuseppe Cuneo, Carlo Rosa
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A processing machine comprises at least three powered guides (13,15,27) for movement along Cartesian axes for a support (12) to hold a tool (21) on a horizontal table (11). Motors (14,16,19) for movement along the three guides are connected to an integrated control device in the machine comprising a microprocessor sending to the motors movement signals reading data for position and moving from memories connected thereto, at least one of said memories being enclosed in an external module (125) connected in a removable manner to the microprocessor through a connector arranged toward the outside of the machine. To the microprocessor are also connected a keyboard (130) for sending command signals and means (131) for display of operating information.
Claims16
A processing machine comprising:
- a) a tool;
- b) a first carriage for the tool;
- c) a vertical guide in which said first carriage runs;
- d) a first motor to drive said first carriage along said vertical guide;
- e) a second carriage supporting said vertical guide;
- f) a first horizontal guide in which said second carriage runs;
- g) a second motor to drive said second carriage along said first horizontal guide;
- h) a third carriage supporting said first horizontal guide;
- i) a second horizontal guide, perpendicular to said first horizontal guide, in which said third carriage runs;
- j) a third motor to drive said third carriage along said second horizontal guide;
- k) a worktable over which said tool is moved by said motors, carriages and guides along three Cartesian axes;
- l) a jointed orientation arm connected to said machine;
- and
- k) a control module integrated in said machine and supported by said jointed orientation arm for controlling said motors, said control module further comprising;
- i) a microprocessor to send movement signals to said first, second, and third motors;
- ii) memories containing position and movement data, at least one of said memories being enclosed in a case which is connected in a removable manner to said control module through a connector of said module, which connector is arranged towards the outside of said module;
- iii) a keyboard for sending command signals to said microprocessor, wherein said keyboard comprises at least three zones of keys, a first zone controlling predefined functions, a second zone directly controlling input of movement of the motors, a third zone controlling input of movement and position data in the memories connected to said microprocessor;
- and
- iv) display means for displaying operational information.
A method of operating a machine, said machine comprising
- a tool;
- a worktable over which said tool is moved by three motors, three carriages, and three guides along three Cartesian axes;
- a jointed orientation arm connected to said machine;
- and
- a control module integrated in said machine and supported by said jointed orientation arm for controlling said motors, said control module further comprising;
- i) a microprocessor to send movement signals to said three motors;
- ii) memories containing position and movement data, at least one of said memories being enclosed in a case which is connected in a removable manner to said control module through a connector of said module, which connector is arranged towards the outside of said module;
- iii) a keyboard for sending command signals to said microprocessor, wherein said keyboard comprises at least three zones of keys, a first zone controlling predefined functions, a second zone directly controlling input of movement of the motors, a third zone controlling input of movement and position data in the memories connected to said microprocessor;
- and
- iv) display means for displaying operational information,
- said method comprising the steps of:
- a) supplying said machine with electrical power;
- b) inserting a memory module containing prememorized programs into said case thereby informing said microprocessor of the presence of said module, at least one of said programs directing movement of said tool;
- and
- c) commanding said keyboard to select and start said at least one of said programs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.