Smart machine tool lubrication system
AssigneeHaas Automation, Inc.
InventorsGene F. Haas, Kurt P. Zierhut, Michael A. Teitel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A smart machine tool lubrication system monitors the distance traveled by a motion component in a machine tool. A predetermined amount of lubricant is dispensed at a lubrication point of the motion component when the monitored distance exceeds a first threshold value. The smart machine tool lubrication system may further monitor the duration of time the motion component is in motion and dispense the predetermined amount of lubricant with the monitored duration of time exceeds a second threshold value.
Claims24
A method for lubricating motion components of a machine tool, comprising the steps of:
- automatically monitoring a linear distance traveled by each of a plurality of motion components of the machine tool, wherein the travel for each motion component is movement along a respective one of plural axes, and wherein a lubrication delivery system of the machine tool includes a separate connection to each of the plurality of motion components;
- determining that the monitored linear distance exceeds a first threshold value for at least one of the plurality of motion components;
- and
- dispensing, in response to the determination, a predetermined amount of lubricant at a lubrication point of the at least one motion component, via the separate connection of the at least one motion component to the lubricant delivery system.
A computer-readable storage medium containing computer-executable instructions for implementing a method for lubricating motion components of a machine tool, the method comprising the steps of:
- automatically monitoring a linear distance traveled by each of a plurality of motion components of the machine tool, wherein the travel for each motion component is movement along a respective one of plural axes, and wherein a lubrication delivery system of the machine tool includes a separate connection to each of the plurality of motion components;
- determining that the monitored linear distance exceeds a first threshold value for at least one of the plurality of motion components;
- and
- dispensing, in response to the determination, a predetermined amount of lubricant at a lubrication point of the at least one motion component, via the separate connection of the at least one motion component to the lubricant delivery system.
A machine tool lubrication system, comprising:
- a delivery system configured to dispense lubricant at respective lubrication points for a plurality of motion components of a machine tool, wherein the delivery system includes a separate connection to each of the plurality of motion components of the machine tool;
- and
- a control system configured to:
- automatically monitor a linear distance traveled by each of a plurality of motion components of the machine tool, wherein the travel for each motion component is movement along a respective one of plural axes,
- determine that the monitored linear distance exceeds a first threshold value for at least one of the plurality of motion components, and
- signal, in response to the determination, said delivery system to dispense a predetermined amount of the lubricant at the respective lubrication point of the at least one motion component, via the separate connection of the at least one motion component to the delivery system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.