Machine alignment compensation actuator system
AssigneeGiddings & Lewis, Inc.
InventorsCharles J. Kis, James K. Jourdan, Paul A. Huck, Peter A. Beyer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A machine alignment compensation actuator system is disclosed. The system is designed to selectively orient the tool head of a machine tool to maintain the tool along a desirable axis of alignment. The system includes a framework and a machine slide assembly configured to hold the tool. An actuator assembly having a plurality of actuators is disposed between the machine slide assembly and the framework. Each actuator is disposed at a unique location to permit selective reorientation of the machine slide assembly and tool with respect to the framework.
Claims29
A machine alignment compensation system for aligning a tool head of a machine tool, the machine tool having a framework having at least one sliding way and a tool holder assembly slidably engaged on the sliding way, the tool holder configured to receive a tool for operation along a desired axis with respect to the framework, the machine alignment compensation system comprising:
- at least three actuators disposed at separate locations and fixed between the sliding way and the tool holder assembly, each actuator including a flexible diaphragm for varying the distance between the sliding way and the tool holder assembly, wherein actuation of selected actuators pivots the tool holder assembly along at least two different alignment paths to realign the tool for operation along the desired axis.
A machine tool system of the type that moves a tool to perform an operation on a workpiece, the machine tool system being designed to maintain precise orientation of the tool with respect to the workpiece, the machine tool system comprising:
- a framework;
- a plurality of ways mounted to the framework;
- a plurality of way trucks slidably engaged along the ways with a least one of the way trucks mounted on each way;
- a machine slide assembly configured to orient the workpiece and tool with respect to each other;
- and
- an actuator assembly having a plurality of actuators, each actuator disposed between and rigidly attached to the machine slide assembly and at least one way truck, wherein each actuator includes a diaphragm assembly, each diaphragm assembly including an expandable diaphragm bounding a cavity for receiving pressurized fluid, wherein each actuator is independently expandable to adjust the distance between its corresponding way truck and the machine slide assembly to reorient the workpiece and tool with respect to each other.
A machine tool comprising:
- operating means for contacting and operating on a workpiece, the operating means having a preferred alignment orientation in three-dimensional space with respect to the workpiece;
- first support means, fixed to the operating means, for supporting the operating means;
- second support means for supporting the first support means and the workpiece;
- and
- mounting means, having at least a portion thereof disposed between and fixed to the first support means and the second support means and having a certain thickness therebetween, for at least partially mounting the first support means to the second support means and for adjusting the alignment orientation in at least two dimensions of three-dimensional space, the mounting means including bending means for varying the thickness of the portion of the mounting means by bending a solid member in response to a control signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.