Automatic position-locking tool carrier apparatus and method

A tool carrier, comprising:

• means for carrying a tool;
• means for moveably supporting the carrying means having a longitudinal axis along which the carrying means translates;
• means for rotating mounted to the carrying means and rotationally coupled to the supporting means to rotate in proportion to a translational movement of the carrying means in a direction along the longitudinal axis;
• means for sensing a rotational position of the rotating means to create a position signal;
• means for braking coupled to the carrying means and to the rotating means to selectively inhibit rotation of the rotating means;
• and
• means for controlling linked to the sensing means and to the braking means to control the braking means in response to the position signal;
• wherein the supporting means is relatively stiff in bending about a first bending axis and relatively flexible in bending about a second bending axis orthogonal to the first bending axis, and the supporting means is releasably attached to a workpiece such that the first bending axis is substantially normal to a workpiece surface and the second bending axis is substantially parallel to the workpiece surface.

A method of positioning a tool, comprising the steps of:

• moveably supporting a carriage on a rail having a longitudinal axis along which the carriage translates;
• sensing a rotational position of an axle that is mounted to the carnage and rotationally coupled to the rail to rotate in proportion to a translational movement of the carriage in a direction along the longitudinal axis;
• creating a position signal based on the sensed rotational position of the axle;
• controlling a first brake mechanism coupled to the carriage and to the axle in response to the position signal;
• and
• selectively inhibiting rotation of the axle with the brake mechanism;
• wherein the rail is relatively stiff in bending about a first bending axis and relatively flexible in bending about a second bending axis orthogonal to the first bending axis, and the rail is releasably attached to a workpiece such that the first bending axis is substantially normal to a workpiece surface and the second bending axis is substantially parallel to the workpiece surface.