Abstract: A positioning device includes a computer including a stored design file, such as a CAD file, for positioning a selected portion of the design on a workpiece. In a first embodiment, a base unit houses an extensible cable including a free end for placement by a user at a design point on the workpiece. A turn carriage freely rotates about a turn axis to follow cable movement. In output mode, the user is directed to move the cable free end toward the portion of the design and a cable tensioning motor adjusts the tension in the cable sufficiently to indicate when cable free end is at a distance to the portion of the design. Other embodiments include: a turn carriage servoed motor for rotating the turn carriage to follow the cable; and a pitch carriage and servoed motor for rotating the pitch carriage for following the cable.

Abstract: A method preparing for tiling a surface generally includes the steps of: measuring the surface with a cable measuring device to produce a digitized plan of the surface; displaying a plurality of possible tile layout for the surface on a display of a computer containing the produced digitized plan and programmed to display tile layouts for the surface depending on parameters including tile size, grout width, and tile orientation; selecting a tile layout, and placing the selected tile layout on the surface with the device. The method may include using the device for placing cut lines on the tiles.

Abstract: The method uses a cable measurement and cable positioning or laser projection device to measure a structure to produce a digitized design of the structure and to put the design on a panel by laser pointer projection or by cable positioning so that the panel can be marked and cut for fitting on the structure.

Abstract: A measuring device generally comprises a base unit housing an extensible cable; the cable including a free end for placement by a user at a point being measured. The base unit, placed in line of sight of the point, includes: a base; a first carriage rotationally attached to the base about a turn axis; and a second carriage rotationally attached to the first carriage about a pitch axis. Servoed motors rotate the carriages to align them with cable path to the point. The turn angle, the pitch angle and the cable length are measured to determine the point's location. A plurality of points determines a surface. The user uses a programmed PDA with a radio to communicate with the base unit. An alternative embodiment only has a first carriage.

Abstract: A method preparing for tiling a surface generally includes the steps of: measuring the surface with a cable measuring device to produce a digitized plan of the surface; displaying a plurality of possible tile layout for the surface on a display of a computer containing the produced digitized plan and programmed to display tile layouts for the surface depending on parameters including tile size, grout width, and tile orientation; selecting a tile layout, and placing the selected tile layout on the surface with the device. The method may include using the device for placing cut lines on the tiles.

Abstract: A positioning device includes a computer including a stored design file, such as a CAD file, for positioning a selected portion of the design on a workpiece. In a first embodiment, a base unit houses an extensible cable including a free end for placement by a user at a design point on the workpiece. A turn carriage freely rotates about a turn axis to follow cable movement. In output mode, the user is directed to move the cable free end toward the portion of the design and a cable tensioning motor adjusts the tension in the cable sufficiently to indicate when cable free end is at a distance to the portion of the design. Other embodiments include: a turn carriage servoed motor for rotating the turn carriage to follow the cable; and a pitch carriage and servoed motor for rotating the pitch carriage for following the cable.

Abstract: The method uses a cable measurement and cable positioning or laser projection device to measure a structure to produce a digitized design of the structure and to put the design on a panel by laser pointer projection or by cable positioning so that the panel can be marked and cut for fitting on the structure.

Abstract: A measuring device generally comprises a base unit housing an extensible cable; the cable including a free end for placement by a user at a point being measured. The base unit, placed in line of sight of the point, includes: a base; a first carriage rotationally attached to the base about a turn axis; and a second carriage rotationally attached to the first carriage about a pitch axis. Servoed motors rotate the carriages to align them with cable path to the point. The turn angle, the pitch angle and the cable length are measured to determine the point's location. A plurality of points determines a surface. The user uses a programmed PDA with a radio to communicate with the base unit. An alternative embodiment only has a first carriage.

Abstract: A device for measuring the length of a cable under tension moved through the device generally comprises a frame, a measuring pulley rotatably mounted on the frame; an anti-slip device for rollingly holding the midsection of the cable in a non-slipping manner against the measuring pulley such that movement of the cable rotates the measuring pulley, and a rotation sensor for sensing the rotation of the measuring pulley and producing a signal indicative of the rotation thereof. The anti-slip device generally comprises one or more loading rollers and a loading assembly including a flexible tension member for applying loading to the loading rollers such that movement of the cable rotates the measuring pulley. A location measuring device incorporating the cable length measuring device determines the direction and distance from the location measuring device to a free end of the cable.

Abstract: A device for measuring the length of a cable under tension moved through the device generally comprises a frame, a measuring pulley rotatably mounted on the frame; an anti-slip device for rollingly holding the midsection of the cable in a non-slipping manner against the measuring pulley such that movement of the cable rotates the measuring pulley, and a rotation sensor for sensing the rotation of the measuring pulley and producing a signal indicative of the rotation thereof. The anti-slip device generally comprises one or more loading rollers and a loading assembly including a flexible tension member for applying loading to the loading rollers such that movement of the cable rotates the measuring pulley. A location measuring device incorporating the cable length measuring device determines the direction and distance from the location measuring device to a free end of the cable.

Abstract: A measuring device generally comprises a base unit housing an extensible cable; the cable including a free end for placement by a user at a point being measured. The base unit, placed in line of sight of the point, includes: a base; a first carriage rotationally attached to the base about a turn axis; and a second carriage rotationally attached to the first carriage about a pitch axis. Servoed motors rotate the carriages to align them with cable path to the point. The turn angle, the pitch angle and the cable length are measured to determine the point's location. A plurality of points determines a surface. The user uses a programmed PDA with a radio to communicate with the base unit.

Abstract: A measuring device generally comprises a base unit housing an extensible cable; the cable including a free end for placement by a user at a point being measured. The base unit, placed in line of sight of the point, includes: a base; a first carriage rotationally attached to the base about a turn axis; and a second carriage rotationally attached to the first carriage about a pitch axis. Servoed motors rotate the carriages to align them with cable path to the point. The turn angle, the pitch angle and the cable length are measured to determine the point's location. A plurality of points determines a surface. The user uses a programmed PDA with a radio to communicate with the base unit.