Method of detecting the position of an inner surface of a workpiece on a machine tool, and machine tool implementing such a method
AssigneeFiatavio S.p.A.
InventorMaurizio D'Ambra
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The position of the inner surface of a hollow metal workpiece on a machine tool is detected by connecting an operating member of the machine, preferably a tool, to a first terminal of an electric power source; connecting the inner surface to a second terminal of the power source; moving the operating member gradually towards the inner surface to detect the emission of a signal generated by an emitting device interposed between one of the terminals and the inner surface, and corresponding to a condition in which initial contact is established between the operating member and the inner surface; and determining the position of the operating member at the instant the signal is emitted.
Claims12
A method of detecting the position of the inner surface (19) of a hollow metal workpiece (5) on a machine tool or measuring machine (1);
- the method comprising the steps of inserting an operating member (14) of the machine (1) inside said hollow workpiece (5), and moving the operating member (14) gradually towards said inner surface (19);
- and being characterized by connecting to a first terminal (22) of an electric power source (21) a metal portion of said operating member (14), which is to be brought into contact with said inner surface (19);
- connecting said inner surface (19) to a second terminal (23) of said power source (21);
- determining the instant of emission of a signal generated by emitting means (26) interposed between one (23) of said terminals (22) (23) and one (19) of said operating member (14) and said inner surface (19), and corresponding to a condition in which initial contact is established between the operating member (14) and said inner surface (19);
- and determining the position of said operating member (14) at said instant of emission.
A chip-forming machine tool (1) comprising a bed (2);
- retaining means (3) for retaining a hollow metal workpiece (5) defined by an inner surface (19);
- an operating member (14) having at least one metal portion for at least contacting said inner surface (19);
- and actuating means (6) for moving said operating member (14) to and from said inner surface (19);
- characterized by also comprising an electric power source (21) having a first (22) and a second (23) terminal;
- first electric connecting means (24) interposed between said first terminal (22) and the metal portion of said operating member (14);
- second electric connecting means (25) interposed between said second terminal (23) and said inner surface (19);
- emitting means (26) interposed between one (23) of said terminals and one (19) of said operating member (14) and said inner surface (19), and for emitting a signal the instant initial contact is established between the operating member (14) and said inner surface (19);
- and display means (12) for indicating the position of said operating member (14) at said instant of contact.
A measuring machine (1) comprising a bed (2);
- retaining means (3) for retaining a hollow metal workpiece (5) for measurement defined by an inner surface (19);
- an operating member (14) having at least one metal portion for at least contacting said inner surface (19);
- and actuating means (6) for moving said operating member (14) to and from said inner surface (19);
- characterized by also comprising an electric power source (21) having a first (22) and a second (23) terminal;
- first electric connecting means (24) interposed between said first terminal (22) and the metal portion of said operating member (14);
- second electric connecting means (25) interposed between said second terminal (23) and said inner surface (19);
- emitting means (26) interposed between one (23) of said terminals and one (19) of said operating member (14) and said inner surface (19), and for emitting a signal the instant initial contact is established between the operating member (14) and said inner surface (19);
- and display means (12) for indicating the position of said operating member (14) at said instant of contact.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.