US 6,647,840 B2 · Combined video camera and toolholder

Abstract

A method and apparatus for indicating a reference point on a workpiece for a program in a CNC machine tool is disclosed. A camera is mounted in a CNC toolholder so that the lens of the camera is coaxial with a rotational axis of the CNC toolholder. A pair of crosshairs or other indica are provided in the view from the camera, the crosshairs being centered in the view so that when the camera is mounted in the toolholder, the crosshairs indicate the center of rotation of the toolholder. The camera may then be positioned with respect to the workpiece so that it images an area of the workpiece containing a reference point with respect to the coordinate system of the CNC program. The toolholder is then adjusted so that the crosshairs are directly on the desired reference point, and this reference point entered into the CNC program.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A system for establishing a reference point in a CNC machine with respect to a workpiece comprising:

a CNC toolholder adapted to receive a tool or implement in coaxial alignment with a center of rotation of said CNC toolholder,
a first housing configured to be received in axial alignment with said CNC toolholder,
a camera mounted in said first housing, said camera providing video signals to a monitor, and
centering indica signals in said video signals, said centering indica signals aligned with said center of rotation of said CNC toolholder.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Combined video camera and toolholder

Life of this patent

Combined video camera and toolholder

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17