US 7,023,550 B2 · Aligning optical components of an optical measuring system

Abstract

Apparatus for aligning an optical measuring system to a desired direction comprises two housings (42,48) attachable to two relatively movable parts of a machine. The housings (42,48) have engagement means (53) such that when they are engaged together the optics inside (44,50) are aligned. The first housing (42) may be provided with attachment means, such as a ball (46), which may be located in a mount (54) on the machine table (56). The position of this ball (46) is determined and the machine spindle housing (48) to be attached to the spindle (60) when the two housings (42,48) are joined and such that the apparatus is aligned with the desired direction. The engagement means (53) between the two housings (42,48) may be compliant along an axis of the apparatus.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An optical measuring system, for a machine having two relatively movable parts, the measuring system comprising:

two housings attachable to the two relatively movable parts of the machine;
wherein each of the housings is provided with a complementary part of an engagement device being such that when the two parts of the engagement device are engaged together, the housings are mutually aligned;
and wherein at least one housing is rotatable relative to its machine part to enable the optical measuring system to be aligned with a desired direction.

A method of aligning optical components of an optical measuring system in a desired direction on a machine having two relatively movable parts, said system comprising two housings containing optical components of the measuring system, each housing being provided with complementary parts of an engagement device arranged so that when said complementary parts are engaged together the housings are mutually aligned, the method comprising the steps, in any order, of:

engaging together the complementary parts of the engagement device of the two housings;
mounting the first housing on the first machine part;
determining the location of the centre of rotation of the first housing when said housing is mounted on the first machine part;
positioning the second machine part at a distance from the centre of rotation of the first housing to enable the second housing to be mounted on the second machine part when the two housings are connected, and wherein the line between the first and second machine parts is aligned with the desired direction;
and
mounting the second housing on the second machine part.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Aligning optical components of an optical measuring system

Life of this patent

Aligning optical components of an optical measuring system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17