With Measuring, Indicating Or Control Means Patents (Class 279/126)
  • Patent number: 11253931
    Abstract: A device (1) for controlling operation of a chuck (2), the device (1) comprising a chuck (2) for centering a workpiece (3) to be machined; at least one electric motor (6) connected to at least one moveable clamping jaw (4), the at least one movable clamping jaw (4) being configured to be selectively moved by the at least one electric motor (6); a first inductive transmission device; a second inductive transmission device (8) disposed in alignment with the first inductive transmission device (7) such that measurement signals and/or electric power are inductively transmitted between the first transmission device (7) and the second transmission device (8); and an external control device (11) by means of which command and monitoring data required for the operation of the at least one clamping jaw (4), and for the operation and locking of the electric motors (6) can be entered and/or read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: SMW-Autoblok Spannsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Eckhard Maurer
  • Patent number: 11130182
    Abstract: A replaceable tool holder includes a connector adapted to be engaged with and driven to rotate by a spindle, a tool chuck, of which an end is detachably engaged with the connector and another end is adapted to engage a tool, and an electronic component provided in a chamber inside the tool chuck. The connector is provided with a non-contact power transmission device. A passage is provided in the connector and the tool chuck, wherein a wire is disposed in the passage, transmitting electric power to serve the need of the electronic component. With such design, one connector can be used to connect tool chucks of different types or models. Therefore, a user could, as required, replace the connecting interface between the tool holder and the spindle or the connecting interface between the tool holder and the tool. Furthermore, the electronic component could be steadily supplied with electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventor: Jenq-Shyong Chen
  • Patent number: 11123832
    Abstract: A workpiece holding device includes: a chuck including a chuck body, and a plurality of chuck claws openably supported on the chuck body and configured to hold a workpiece; an operation rod configured to drive the plurality of chuck claws for opening and closing with movement of the operation rod; and a measuring apparatus configured to measure an opening dimension of the plurality of chuck claws based on a movement amount of the operation rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: NAKAMURA-TOME PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Sawada, Naotsugu Nishimura
  • Patent number: 11117237
    Abstract: A machine tool includes: a hollow spindle including a hollow portion along an axial direction; a plurality of chuck claws openably mounted at a distal end portion of the hollow spindle, and configured to hold a workpiece; an operation rod inserted into the hollow portion of the hollow spindle in a movable manner, and configured to close the plurality of chuck claws with movement of the operation rod toward one side in the axial direction and open the plurality of chuck claws with movement of the operation rod toward the other side in the axial direction; and a measuring apparatus configured to measure an opening dimension of the plurality of chuck claws based on a movement amount of the operation rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: NAKAMURA-TOME PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Sawada, Naotsugu Nishimura
  • Patent number: 10189128
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tool magazine (1) for a manipulator (4) comprising a plurality of tool holding fixtures (2) which are distributed in a preparation area (7), especially in a substantially vertical preparation plane (11). The tool magazine (1), on one side (9) of the preparation area (7), comprises a first access opening (10) facing the manipulator (4) and, on the other side (15) of the preparation area (7), a second access opening (16) facing an operator (13) and the first access opening (10) is associated with a first protective device (17) and the second access opening (16) is associated with a second protective device (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TRUMPF Maschinen Austria GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventor: Thomas Denkmeier
  • Patent number: 9662778
    Abstract: A rotary hammer includes a motor, a spindle coupled to the motor for receiving torque from the motor, a piston at least partially received within the spindle for reciprocation therein, and an anvil received within the spindle for reciprocation in response to reciprocation of the piston. The anvil imparts axial impacts to a tool bit in response to reciprocation of the piston. The rotary hammer also includes a bit retention assembly for securing the tool bit to the spindle. The bit retention assembly includes a collar with an indicator thereon. The indicator is at least partially visible to a user of the rotary hammer when the tool bit is improperly inserted within the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeremy R. Ebner
  • Patent number: 9475161
    Abstract: A vertical machining center in gantry construction may comprise a machine frame having two side walls configured to receive a tool-carrying assembly and a workpiece-carrying assembly, a moveable pickup tool magazine store within the two side walls of the machine frame configured for a tool change by the pickup method, and a machine enclosure which completely encloses the machining center. Below the moveable pickup tool magazine store there may be a free space in which there is additionally at least one further spare magazine, equivalent in construction to the pickup tool magazine store. A force-driven reloading handling system, with which machining tools can be reloaded from the spare magazine into the pickup tool magazine store and vice versa, may be provided within the machine enclosure at an access opening of the machine frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Berthold Hermle AG
    Inventors: Franz-Xaver Bernhard, Tobias Schwörer, Bernd Ramsperger
  • Patent number: 9403250
    Abstract: A vertical machining center in gantry construction may comprise a machine frame having two side walls configured to receive a tool-carrying assembly and a workpiece-carrying assembly, a moveable pickup tool magazine store within the two side walls of the machine frame configured for a tool change by the pickup method, and a machine enclosure which completely encloses the machining center. Below the moveable pickup tool magazine store there may be a free space in which there is additionally at least one further spare magazine, equivalent in construction to the pickup tool magazine store. A force-driven reloading handling system, with which machining tools can be reloaded from the spare magazine into the pickup tool magazine store and vice versa, may be provided within the machine enclosure at an access opening of the machine frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Berthold Hermle AG
    Inventors: Franz-Xaver Bernhard, Tobias Schwörer, Bernd Ramsperger
  • Patent number: 9366299
    Abstract: A handheld drill/driver device having a mechanical torque coupling that is provided to limit a maximum torque that can be transmitted to an insertion tool. The handheld drill/driver device have at least one monitoring unit that is provided to electrically output a characteristic quantity that is a function at least of a torque transmitted to the insertion tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Heiko Roehm
  • Publication number: 20150113790
    Abstract: A clamping device for machine tools, the device provided with a power-operated chuck, an electrical drive motor, and a movement converter, with force accumulator. An output element is rotatably mounted on the output shaft of the drive motor, and is in driving connection with the movement converter. The output element is adapted to be connected to the output shaft by a servo device, and the movement converter can be interlocked with the spindle of the machine tool by a second servo device. It is thus possible to clamp or unclamp a workpiece. During working procedures, the drive motor is stopped. There is no need for elaborate control functions, rather the servo devices are actuated to make a driving connection between the drive motor and the movement converter, or to release this connection, and to block the movement converter during working procedures by means of its connection to the spindle of the machine tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Karl Hiestand
  • Publication number: 20140327214
    Abstract: An instrument holder for holding an instrument having a body and a tip in a plotter. The instrument holder comprising a body portion, a tensioner portion for centering the instrument within the instrument holder and for gripping the instrument, and a cap portion for allowing a user thereof to adjust the grip provided by the tensioner portion on the instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: JEREMY SIMON VANDER WOUDE
  • Publication number: 20140319786
    Abstract: A device for locating and engaging a notch on the perimeter of a circular wafer includes a notch locating component and a first plate. The notch locating component is configured to move linearly along a first axis and includes a front elongated component extending along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and having a front surface, a back surface opposite to the front surface and a first protrusion extending from the front surface of the elongated component. The first protrusion has a shape complementing the shape of a notch formed on the perimeter of a circular wafer. As the notch locating component is driven toward the perimeter of the circular wafer along the first axis, a distance between the back surface of the elongated component and a front surface of the first plate is measured and the value of the measured distance is used to determine engagement of the first protrusion with the notch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: SUSS MICROTEC LITHOGRAPHY, GmbH
    Inventors: HALE JOHNSON, GREGORY GEORGE, MICHAEL BRENNEN
  • Publication number: 20140319784
    Abstract: A wafer chuck holds a wafer on a surface thereof such that an image of the wafer can be formed from light reflected by the surface of the wafer chuck. The surface of the wafer chuck is a planar surface that has a reflectivity equal to or greater than 40%, and/or a whiteness index value equal to or greater than 90. The wafer chuck can include a ceramic containing aluminum oxide having a purity equal to or greater than 95%. The planar surface of the wafer chuck is such that light illuminating the surface of the wafer chuck is reflected by the surface of the wafer chuck through the wafer. The wafer chuck can be used with an apparatus for cutting the wafer, and the light reflected by the surface can be used to form an image of the wafer used identifying cutting lines on the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hwa Seob CHOI, Yu Sung JANG, Tai Young EUM, Jee Ho LEE
  • Patent number: 8764026
    Abstract: A device for centering circular wafers includes a support chuck for supporting a circular wafer to be centered upon its top surface, left, right and middle centering linkage rods and a cam plate synchronizing the rectilinear motion of the left, right and middle centering linkage rods. The left centering linkage rod includes a first rotating arm at a first end and rectilinear motion of the left centering linkage rod translates into rotational motion of the first rotating arm. The right centering linkage rod comprises a second rotating arm at a first end, and rectilinear motion of the right centering linkage rod translates into rotational motion of the second rotating arm. The first and second rotating arms are rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the top surface of the support chuck and comprise a curved edge surface configured to roll against the curved edge of the circular wafer. The middle centering linkage rod includes a third alignment arm at a first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Suss Microtec Lithography, GmbH
    Inventors: Gregory George, Hale Johnson, Dennis Patricio
  • Publication number: 20140167369
    Abstract: A chuck includes a chassis, a support member, a number of jaws, and a number of bolts. The chassis includes a mounting portion secured to a target machine. The support member is rotatably connected to the chassis and includes a support plate defining a number of radially extending first slots. The jaws each include an engaging surface. The bolts each include a head with a diameter greater than a width of the first slot and a shank connected to the head. The shank extends through one of the first slots of the support plate and is screwed into one of the jaws for securing the one of the jaws to the support plate. The engaging surfaces of the jaws is configured to contact a top surface of a workpiece placed on the support member for holding the workpiece in position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FU TAI HUA INDUSTRY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: LING-HONG ZENG
  • Publication number: 20140049011
    Abstract: A chucking device, which includes a rotationally-drivable spindle, a chucking means for mechanical chucking of a chucked object arranged on the spindle, a drive gearwheel, and a drive for rotationally driving the gearwheel. The chucking means has a rotating body, which has gear teeth and allows, through rotational movement, the chucked object to be chucked or unchucked. The drive gearwheel has gear teeth configured for complementary engagement with the gear teeth of the rotating body. The gear teeth of the rotating body and drive gearwheel are designed to provide flank play, such that the drive gearwheel can assume a neutral angular position with respect to the rotating body so that the gear teeth of the rotating body and drive gearwheel do not touch each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Klingelnberg AG
    Inventor: Gunter Mikoleizig
  • Publication number: 20140011356
    Abstract: A chuck, a system including a chuck and a method for making a semiconductor device are disclosed. In one embodiment the chuck includes a first conductive region configured to be capacitively coupled to a first RF power generator, a second conductive region configured to be capacitively coupled to a second RF power generator and an insulation region that electrically insulates the first conductive region from the second conductive region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventor: Manfred Engelhardt
  • Publication number: 20130319982
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing a workpiece can be exemplarily characterized as including a processing tool having a processing region within which a workpiece can be processed, and an illumination system configured to direct detection light into the processing region. In this embodiment, detection light directable by the illumination system has a wavelength to which the workpiece is at least partially opaque. The apparatus may further include an image sensor configured to detect a characteristic of the detection light transmitted through the processing region and a chuck configured to support a workpiece such that at least a portion of the workpiece is disposable within the processing region and is illuminatable by the detection light. Methods for processing a workpiece are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: ELECTRO SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph G. Frankel
  • Publication number: 20130277923
    Abstract: A power tool having a tool portion, a chuck and a lock. The tool portion has a housing, a motor, and a spindle driven by the motor. The chuck has a body coupled to the spindle for rotation therewith, and a sleeve rotatably disposed about the body. The lock has a first lock structure pivotally coupled to the housing about a pivot axis, and a second lock structure. The first lock structure has a first locking feature. The second lock structure has a second locking feature and is coupled to the sleeve for rotation therewith. Pivoting the first lock structure into a first pivot position positions the first locking feature in a rotational path of the second locking feature. Engagement of the first and second locking features inhibits rotation of the sleeve so that rotation of the spindle will cause corresponding rotation of the body relative to the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: David C. Campbell, Steven J. Phillips, Derek E.T. Muir, Fugen Qin
  • Patent number: 8499431
    Abstract: A clamping apparatus has been developed for coupling a tool member to the output shaft of a power tool without the use of auxiliary hands tools or a shaft-lock lever. The clamping apparatus includes a clamp member and a piezoelectric element. The clamp member is coupled to an output shaft of a motor. The piezoelectric element opposes the first clamp member and is configured to change from a first state to a second state in response to being coupled to a source of electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Krondorfer, Roland Hund, Alexandre Maciel
  • Publication number: 20130193654
    Abstract: A chuck has a chuck body rotatable about an axis, a plurality of jaws radially displaceable on the body for gripping a workpiece, a chuck drive for rotating the chuck about the axis, and a center point axially shiftable in the body and axially engageable with the workpiece gripped by the jaws. An electric drive is coupled to the center point for axially shifting same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventor: Johann TAGLANG
  • Publication number: 20130147133
    Abstract: A power-operated chuck for a tool spindle of a machine tool includes a chuck body and at least one chucking device which is guided in a radial guide of the chuck body and which, for exerting a desired chucking force on a workpiece chucked in the chuck, can be adjusted relative to the chuck body by a chucking-force generator via at least one drive member arranged in the chuck body. At least one chucking device has a measuring device for measuring a chucking force exerted by the chucking device on the workpiece chucked in the chuck and an evaluating device for evaluating the chucking force measured by the measuring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: ILLINIOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Bodo Kaleja
  • Patent number: 8376671
    Abstract: An ID tag (27) is attached to a bottom surface (31) of a hollow portion (17) of a tool holder (11) having a hollow taper shank. Concretely, a circular recess (33) is formed on bottom surface (31) of hollow portion (17), and ID tag (27) is attached in recess (33) by means of adhesive or the like. The center of circular recess (33) coincides with a rotation axis of tool holder (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Makino Milling Machine Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hiroo Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20130038866
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a high speed, spinning chuck for use in a semiconductor wafer inspection system. The chuck of the present disclosure is configured with a turbulence-reducing lip. Spinning of the chuck produces radial airflows proximal to a surface of the wafer and proximal to the bottom of the chuck. The turbulence-reducing lip of the chuck of the present disclosure directs the radial airflows off of the top surface of the wafer and the bottom surface of the chuck in a manner that minimizes the size of the low pressure zone formed between these radial airflows. The minimization of the low pressure zone reduces air turbulence about the periphery of the chuck and substrate, thereby reducing the possibility of contaminants in the system being directed onto the surface of the substrate by such air turbulence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: KLA-TENCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: George J. Kren, Paul Doyle, Alexander Belyaev
  • Publication number: 20130033010
    Abstract: In a clamping device for machine tools, the device is provided with a power-operated chuck and clamping jaws actuated by a draw rod, the clamping device having an electrical servomotor with a changeover function, a movement converter, and a force accumulator for maintaining clamping force, the movement converter and the force accumulator being integrated in a tube-shaped jacket piece inserted in a housing of the clamping device and divided into two parts connected together. A spindle nut of the movement converter is rotatably supported between the two parts by a projection, and spring packs of the force accumulator are clamped between stop rings and a cover on the jacket piece. The jacket piece is mounted within the housing as to be moved axially by the draw rod via the movement converter. It is possible to determine the clamping force prevailing in the power-operated chuck using only one measuring point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventor: Karl Hiestand
  • Publication number: 20130001898
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention disclose an exposure apparatus and a method of tuning parameters of a chuck, which may reduce a time taken to level the chuck by previously tuning parameters of the chuck. The method of tuning parameters of a chuck includes detecting a tilt component of the chuck, performing chuck tilt adjustment to minimize the tilt component of the chuck, and tuning the parameters of the chuck if a residual tilt component is present after performing the chuck tilt adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ja Yul KIM, Sang Don JANG, Tae Kyu SON
  • Publication number: 20120324711
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and a device for titling, which can achieve automatic correction when deviation occurs between a real titling position of a product to be titled and a preset titling position, so as to avoid an ID shift phenomenon, and thus ensure accuracy of titling positions and improve titling efficiency. The titling method provided in the present disclosure comprises: determining a real titling position of a product to be titled; comparing the real titling position with a preset titling position; and titling the product to be titled in accordance with the comparison result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Fengguo WANG
  • Patent number: 8308169
    Abstract: A chucking fixture for a tool or a workpiece, comprising a chuck and a toolholder or workholder matching the chuck, wherein the chuck has posts having bearing surfaces for orienting the tool or workpiece in an X and Y direction and having end faces for establishing a plane perpendicular to the Z direction, wherein devices for measuring the distance between the chuck and the toolholder or workholder are formed in the bearing surfaces and in the end faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: System 3R International AB
    Inventor: Håkan Dahlquist
  • Patent number: 8272645
    Abstract: A tool replacing device including a case member is disclosed. In the case member, engaging balls supported between a holding member and a movable member is projected into the holding member by an extruding surface of the movable member, resiliently urged by a second spring, thereby allowing a tool to be engaged. By pressing the movable member against a resilient urging force of the second spring, the engaging balls can be moved in the movable member. Also, since there are provided shock sensors for detecting a moving distance of the holding member holding the tool, collision or the like of the tool can be detected. Even if power supply is stopped, the present tool replacing device can hold the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Kondo, Tatsuji Minato
  • Patent number: 8256773
    Abstract: A clamping fixture features a chuck provided with a locking mechanism for releasably locating a workpiece pallet. The locking mechanism comprises a plurality of clamping members which in the locked position are engineered to engage a clamping spigot connected to the workpiece pallet. Each clamping member, or alternatively an actuating member assigned to a clamping member, is provided with a feedthru bore which on correct locking and/or release of the corresponding clamping members is closed off at one end. The feedthru bores are connectable by a common connecting conduit to a compressed air source. In addition, at least one sensor is provided for sensing air flow in the connecting conduit by means of which it can detected whether the clamping members are correctly released or locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Bruno Sandmeier
  • Publication number: 20120205880
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool having a machine frame, a motor-driven machine spindle rotatably mounted on the machine frame, and at least one exchangeable processing head on the machine spindle. The processing head comprises a coupling element compatible with a receiving portion of the machine spindle. Furthermore, a rotary transmitter for data transfer between a stator fixed to the frame and a rotor fixed to the spindle is provided. The invention is characterized in that the machine spindle comprises a plurality of function modules on the spindle side as well as a line system forming a component of a spindle bus to which the function modules on the spindle side are connected to form subscriber stations of the spindle bus and wherein the spindle bus communicates via the rotary transmission path with a field bus fixed to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Juergen Fronius, Heiko Graf, Ewald Hasselkuss
  • Publication number: 20120119451
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of clamping a tool or a workpiece, using an electric actuator (1) having a housing (2) attached to a work spindle of a machine tool and in which a threaded spindle (3) for moving jaws of a chuck is axially displaceable, and an electric servomotor (4) having a rotor connected with a drive wheel (6) that moves a nut (7) on the threaded spindle (3), a first sensor being associated with the threaded spindle (3) for detecting the axial position thereof, and a second sensor being associated with the spindle nut (7) for detecting the axial position thereof, and including the method step of determining the position of the threaded spindle (3) by the first sensor when a slight axial force occurs due to contact of the clamping jaws with the tool or the workpiece, and continued movement of the spindle nut (7) until a specified sensor difference (12) between the first sensor and the second sensor is determined by the second sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Eugen Hangleiter, Peter Schenk
  • Publication number: 20120074656
    Abstract: A power tool constructed in accordance to one example of the present teachings can include a housing having a handle and body portion. A motor can be disposed in the body portion and a drive spindle drivingly connected to the motor. A chuck can comprise a chuck spindle that supports a plurality of chuck jaws. A first sleeve can rotationally communicate with the chuck jaws to move the chuck jaws between a clamping position and a non-clamping position. An indicator mechanism can be disposed on the chuck having a first and second visual indicator. The indicator mechanism can move from a first position to a second position upon rotation of the first sleeve to a location that corresponds to a predetermined clamping force attained by the chuck jaws.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: David C. Campbell, Christopher J. Murray
  • Publication number: 20120068420
    Abstract: A method for centering a circular optical element using a non-self-centering chuck adapted to grip the element at two grip strengths. The element is rotated in the chuck while measuring the lateral position of the element's outer rim with a probe. The positions of maximum and minimum run-out of the element as a function of its angular position are determined. Chuck rotation is stopped at an angular position with the maximum rim run-out positioned at a predetermined point. The grip of the chuck is reduced such that the element is still held in the chuck but can be moved in a lateral direction without damaging its surface. The element is moved in a direction connecting the predetermined point of maximum run-out and the axis of rotation of the chuck, in order to reduce the run-out of the element. The procedure is repeated until the desired centering is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: OPHIR OPTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Baruch Ben-Menachem, Mordechai Gilo
  • Patent number: 8100414
    Abstract: A piston is displaced by a pressure fluid supplied to a chuck body, whereupon a pair of first and second fingers that constitute a gripping member are operated to open and close along a base body. Further, a shaft-shaped bobbin is inserted through the interior of the first and second fingers, and a coil is wound around a small diameter portion of the bobbin. Accompanying opening/closing operations of the first and second fingers, an opening/closing amount thereof is detected based on a change in impedance of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki Minbuta, Katsuhiko Kato
  • Publication number: 20110304108
    Abstract: A chuck device is disclosed having two or more jaws for gripping an object, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the rotational centre of the object gripped in the jaws. The adjustment mechanism can have two adjusting devices, which can adjust the position of the rotational centre of the gripped object after it has been gripped in the chuck, and optionally a sensor mechanism for detecting the position of the object gripped within the jaws. The chuck device can typically sense the actual rotational centre of the gripped device at the location to be cut, by obtaining the measurement information from the sensor devices, and can then move the rotational centre of the jaws gripping the object to ensure that the object is centred at the position to be cut, and not necessarily at the chuck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: Stewart Robb
  • Publication number: 20110272898
    Abstract: A clamping device for machine tools is provided with a chuck, the clamping jaws of which are actuated by a draw rod, the clamping device having of a servomotor, a movement converter and a force accumulator, the servomotor is connectable to the movement converter for triggering clamping movements. The movement converter and the force accumulator are disposed in a housing connectable to the machine spindle, and in clamping position of the clamping device, the sliding sleeve can be decoupled from the servomotor, and the housing can be connected to the movement converter by means of the sliding sleeve. The servomotor is operated only to clamp and unclamp a workpiece, and is in a driving connection with the clamping device in operating conditions. All components of the clamping device involved in power transmission are in driving connection with the machine spindle during the machining of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Karl Hiestand
  • Publication number: 20110143679
    Abstract: A polling system for a moved machine component comprises a polling subunit that is to be disposed at the machine component end and is provided with at least one switch which operates without power in a certain state of the machine component or a certain position of a part of the machine component, a radio transmitter unit that evaluates the switching modes of the switch and transmits the evaluated switching signals with digital radio switching signals, and an electric power source for supplying the radio transmitter unit. The polling system further comprises a radio receiver unit which is stationary relative to the polling subunit and is used for receiving and evaluating, forwarding and/or displaying the signals received from the radio transmitter unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Andreas Schuster, Bruno Fellhauer
  • Patent number: 7891918
    Abstract: A drill has a housing, a drivable drill spindle rotatably mounted in the housing, a chuck body coaxially connected and rotationally fixed to the drill spindle, a tightening sleeve rotatable on and relative to the chuck body, and jaws moveable relative to the chuck body by the tightening sleeve. A coupling between the housing and the tightening sleeve has a sleeve held on the housing so as not to rotate with the chuck body and movable relative to the chuck body chuck between a coupling position in which it connects the tightening sleeve to the spindle housing angularly in a friction-fit manner and a decoupling position into which it is urged by a decoupling spring when torque between the tightening sleeve and the coupling sleeve in the coupling position exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Rohm GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Mack
  • Publication number: 20110006490
    Abstract: A rotatable chuck for securing a workpiece in a machine includes a base element having a center and a plurality of jaw elements movable relative to the center. The jaw elements are movable to clamp the workpiece. The jaw elements exert a measurable clamping force on the workpiece. The clamping force exerted on the workpiece is measured and the jaw elements are moved relative to the center to vary the clamping force exerted on the workpiece. A comparator compares the measured clamping force to a predetermined clamping force and the jaw elements are moved, as the chuck is rotating, to adjust the clamping force on the workpiece relative to the predetermined clamping force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Madhav Puppala, Jyi-Jiin Luo, Christof Rauen, Erwin Bohler, Bodo Kaleja
  • Publication number: 20100295258
    Abstract: Substrate support apparatus and methods are disclosed. Motion of a substrate chuck relative to a stage mirror may be dynamically compensated by sensing a displacement of the substrate chuck relative to the stage mirror and coupling a signal proportional to the displacement in one or more feedback loops with Z stage actuators and/or XY stage actuators coupled to the stage mirror. Alternatively, a substrate support apparatus may include a Z stage plate a stage mirror, one or more actuators attached to the Z stage plate, and a substrate chuck mounted to the stage mirror with constraints on six degrees of freedom of movement of the substrate chuck. The actuators impart movement to the Z stage in a Z direction as the Z stage plate is scanned in a plane perpendicular to the Z direction. The actuators may include force flexures having a base portion attached to the Z stage plate and a cantilever portion extending in a lateral direction from the base portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Salam Harb, Kent Douglas, Marek Zwyno, James Haslim, Jon Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20100230908
    Abstract: A handler includes a table which supports an electronic device, a socket which is arranged to face the table, and a transport mechanism which transports the electronic device. The transport mechanism includes a contact head having a lead press with a recess for storing the electronic device, and a chuck sleeve which extends through the lead press, is arranged relatively movable from the lead press in a direction in which the chuck sleeve extends, and chucks the electronic device, an elevating mechanism which moves the contact head between the table and the socket, a pivot mechanism which pivots the contact head within the vertical plane, and a control unit which controls chucking and release of the electronic device by the chuck sleeve, and vertical movement and pivot of the contact head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Susumu Akahoshi, Michio Kato
  • Publication number: 20100187776
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method which is used to actuate a tensioning apparatus (3) for tensioning a tool or workpiece. The tensioning apparatus comprises an electric drive (2), in which devices for measuring motor currents and motor positions are integrated in order to monitor tensioning processes carried out using the tensioning apparatus (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Rolf Speer, Thomas Vetter
  • Publication number: 20100119320
    Abstract: A spindle device of machine tool includes a pressure sensor (31) that detects a pressing force to a rod (18) by a drive (25), a displacement sensor (32) that detects displacement of the rod (18), a tool clamping-force detector (33) that detects a clamping force to a tool (19) by a collet (20) based on the pressing force to the rod (18) and the displacement of the rod (18), and a spring-replacement-timing determining unit (36) that determines a replacement timing of disc springs (24) based on the tool clamping force and a preset biasing force characteristic value of the disc springs (24), thereby allowing highly accurate determination of a replacement timing of a biasing unit by appropriately detecting a tool clamping force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Atsushi Inoue, Mutsumi Yoshikawa, Hiroyuki Tauchi
  • Publication number: 20100084828
    Abstract: A cylindrical pressure-receiving member 34b is arranged in a space between a ring-shaped clamp sleeve 34a and a frame 31b such that the clamp sleeve 34a is fitted around a shaft 38b being integral with a rotary shaft 39. In an outer peripheral portion 34a2 of the clamp sleeve 34a, an annular groove 34a1 provided continuously over the entire circumference within an axial area of the outer peripheral portion 34a2 fitted into an inner peripheral portion 34b3 of the pressure-receiving member 34b provides a thin-wall portion 34a5. Also, a space surrounded by the annular groove 34a5 and the pressure-receiving member 34b provides a pressure chamber 34d communicating with a fluid control circuit. A predetermined gap 34d2 is provided between an inner peripheral surface 31b4 of the through hole 31b1 of the frame and an outer peripheral surface 34b2 of the pressure-receiving member 34b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: TSUDAKOMA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tatsuda, Youichi Nishida
  • Publication number: 20100072713
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical stressing means having a housing (2) which can be attached to the drive spindle of a machine tool and in which a threaded rod (3) for adjustment of the clamping jaws of a chuck is mounted such that it can be moved axially, and having an electric actuating motor (4), whose rotor is connected for drive purposes to a drive wheel (6). The drive wheel (6) is connected to the shaft generator (7) of a harmonic drive, and the internal gearwheel (8) of the harmonic drive is connected to the housing (2), with the steel bush (9) (flexspline), which has an external tooth system, of the harmonic drive being provided as a drive for the spindle nut associated with the threaded rod (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Johann Taglang, Thorsten Kusnik
  • Patent number: 7677844
    Abstract: A power driver may include a motor that rotates upon receiving an input current. A tool chuck may have chuck jaws to hold an accessory. The tool chuck may be coupled to the motor. A power take off mechanism may be connected between the motor and the tool chuck. The power take off mechanism may be adjustable into a CHUCK MODE to one of open and close the chuck jaws while the motor rotates. An electronic clutch may interrupt the input current to the motor if the power take off mechanism is in the CHUCK MODE and if the input current exceeds a trip value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Schell, Robert S. Gehret, Daniel Puzio
  • Patent number: 7654178
    Abstract: A method of dialing a workpiece having an axis into a chuck includes providing a chuck assembly having a plurality of independent hydraulically controlled jaws distributed about a central axis, each jaw having first and second hydraulic chambers. The method further includes the steps of inserting a portion of the workpiece into the chuck assembly, pumping hydraulic fluid uniformly into each of the first chambers until the jaws are substantially touching the perimeter of the workpiece, and adjusting one or more of the jaws to align the axis of the workpiece with the central axis of the chuck assembly by pumping hydraulic fluid into at least one of the chambers of at least one of the jaws. The method also includes the step of pumping hydraulic fluid uniformly into each of the first chambers until the jaws are clamped around the perimeter of the workpiece at a predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Jay Reynolds, Ryan Wach
  • Publication number: 20100013170
    Abstract: A tool holding force measuring system 1 comprises a main shaft held part 21 having substantially the same shape as a held part 402 of a tool 400, a slide member 28 displaced by taking the main shaft held part 21 in a clamping mechanism 304, a load cell 23 detecting the displacement amount of the slide member 28 so as to calculate the holding force of the clamping mechanism 304 based on the displacement amount, and a radio transmitter 24 outputting the holding force of the clamping mechanism 304 calculated by the load cell 23 by transmitting it on radio. Accordingly, one operator can measure the holding force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Hideto Ooshima, Jun Nojiri, Takayuki Ishihara, Takeo Hoshi, Atsushi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7647855
    Abstract: An electrically-operated chuck opening-closing device includes a chuck that grasps workpiece, a conversion device with a control gear provided to the outer circumference, a drawbar that couples the conversion device and the chuck, a transmission gear provided to a main spindle, a second rotary shaft rotatably pivoted to be parallel to the main spindle, a first gear and a second gear rotatably provided on the second rotary shaft, an auxiliary motor that drives the first gear, a first clutch that can couple and decouple the auxiliary motor and the second rotary shaft, and a second clutch that can couple and decouple the second rotary shaft and the second gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Ichimura