Machine tool vibration isolation system
AssigneeGiddings & Lewis, Inc.
InventorEdward E. Kirkham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A machine tool isolation system is disclosed. The preferred system includes a pair of platforms connected by a plurality of legs. A tool is typically connected to one platform, and a workpiece to the other. The legs are able to move one platform with respect to the other which can create vibrations. A base, typically formed by a plurality of legs, is mounted to one of the platforms to support the two platforms and legs connected therebetween. A vibration isolator is disposed between the base legs and the floor or other support on which the entire system is mounted.
Claims21
A machine tool isolation system in which a machine tool assembly cooperates with a vibration isolation assembly, the machine tool assembly including a base platform having a plurality of base legs, the base platform being configured to receive and hold a workpiece;
- a tool platform configured to receive and hold a tool;
- and a plurality of extensible legs connected between the base platform and the tool platform to move the tool platform with respect to the base platform, the vibration isolation assembly being configured to be mounted between a supporting floor and the machine tool assembly to raise the natural frequency acting between the base platform and the tool platform, comprising:
- vibration isolation means, disposed between the base legs and the floor, for decoupling the base platform from the supporting floor.
A vibration isolation system including a machine cooperating with a vibration isolator configured to isolate the machine from its support structure and to thereby raise the natural frequency within the machine, comprising:
- a base machine component configured to hold an object;
- an operator machine component configured to hold an operator for interaction with the object, wherein the ratio of the mass of the operator machine component to the mass of the base machine component is in the range from approximately 0.5 to 2.0;
- an actuator mechanism connected between the base machine component and the operator machine component to move the operator machine component with respect to the base machine component;
- and
- a vibration isolator connected between the machine and its support structure to raise the natural frequency of the actuator mechanism acting between the base machine component and the operator machine component by a factor of at least 1.20.
A vibration isolation system including a machine cooperating with a vibration isolator configured to isolate the machine from its support structure and to thereby raise the natural frequency within the machine, comprising:
- a base machine component configured to hold an object,
- an operator machine component configured to hold an operator for interaction with the object, wherein the ratio of the mass of the operator machine component to the mass of the base machine component is in the range from approximately 0.5 to 2.0;
- an actuator mechanism connected between the base machine component and the operator machine component to move the operator machine component with respect to the base machine component;
- a vibration isolator connected between the machine and its support structure to raise the natural frequency of the actuator mechanism acting between the base machine component and the operator machine component by a factor of at least 1.20;
- the vibration isolator including a material having spring characteristics effective to decouple the machine from its support structure, the material comprising a resilient pad disposed between the base machine component and the support structure the resilient pad being a polymer pad having damping characteristics sufficient to reduce the amplitude of vibrations established between the base and operator machine components;
- wherein the base machine component includes a plurality of legs and the polymer pad is split into sections, further wherein at least two sections are disposed between each leg and the support structure, the sections being oriented at an angle to receive vibrational forces substantially in compression.
A method for raising the natural frequency of a machine tool supported on a support structure and for raising the maximum relative acceleration of one machine tool platform with respect to the other machine tool platform, the machine tool being configured to rigidly hold a workpiece relative to one of the platforms and to hold a tool with respect to the other platform, the platforms being connected by an actuator mechanism capable of moving the platforms with respect to each other, comprising the steps of:
- forming a pair of platforms for supporting the workpiece and the tool, respectively;
- establishing the mass of each platform so the ratio of the mass of one platform to the mass of the other is in the range from 0.5 to 2.0;
- and
- separating the pair of platforms from the support structure by a vibration isolation device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.