Method of machine tool calibration
AssigneeRenishaw PLC
InventorsPaul Maxted, Marc Thomas Berkeley Saunders, David Roberts McMurtry, Christopher Ray Watson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods are described for calibrating a turning machine having a first rotatable portion or chuck for holding a workpiece. The first rotatable portion has a first feature associated therewith. The method comprises the steps of using a measurement probe to determine the position of the first feature, rotating the first rotatable portion through an angle, and using said measurement probe to determine the new position of the first feature. The extension of the technique to swivel head mill-turn machines is also described.
Claims38
A method of calibrating a turning machine having a first rotatable portion for holding a workpiece and a second rotatable portion for holding a measurement probe, the first rotatable portion having a first feature associated therewith, the method comprising the steps of;
- (i) using the measurement probe to determine a position of the first feature,
- (ii) rotating the first rotatable portion through an angle to a new position,
- (iii) using said measurement probe to determine the new position of the first feature, and
- (iv) rotating the second rotatable portion through an angle.
A method of calibrating a turning machine having a first rotatable portion for holding a workpiece and a second rotatable portion for holding a measurement probe, the first rotatable portion having a first feature associated therewith, the method comprising the steps of;
- (i) using the measurement probe to determine a position of the first feature,
- (ii) rotating the first rotatable portion through an angle to a new position, and
- (iii) using said measurement probe to determine the new position of the first feature,
- wherein the second rotatable portion is carried by a swivel head, the swivel head being rotatable about an axis.
A method of calibrating a turning machine having a first rotatable portion for holding a workpiece and a second rotatable portion for holding a measurement probe, the first rotatable portion having a first feature associated therewith, the method comprising the steps of;
- (i) using the measurement probe to determine a position of the first feature,
- (ii) rotating the first rotatable portion through an angle to a new position,
- (iii) using said measurement probe to determine the new position of the first feature, and
- (iv) determining the relative displacement of the axes of rotation of the first rotatable portion and the second rotatable portion.
A method of determining a position of an axis of rotation of a first rotatable portion as a function of displacement along a translational axis of a turning machine, the turning machine having a first rotatable portion for holding a workpiece, the first rotatable portion having a first feature associated therewith, the method comprising the steps of:
- (A) determining the position of the axis of rotation of the first rotatable portion, the determining comprising the sub-steps of:
- (i) using a measurement probe to determine a position of the first feature,
- (ii) rotating the first rotatable portion through an angle to a new position, and
- (iii) using said measurement probe to determine the new position of the first feature,
- (B) translating at least one of the measurement probe and the first rotatable portion along said translational axis, and
- (C) repeating step (A).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.