Abstract: A mounting bracket arrangements for an optical component (10) which must be precisely oriented on a base structure (12) and held securely against vibrations, the arrangement including a bracket assembly (14) having first and second bracket plates (24, 26) extending orthogonally with respect to each other. The component (10) is secured to subplate (20) in turn attached to the first bracket plate (24) with a pivot screw (38) and a pair of locking screws (34, 36) so as to enable pivoting adjustment, secured by tightening all of the screws. The second bracket plate (26) is attached to the base structure (12) by a pivot screw (56) and a pair of locking screws (52, 54) so as to enable pivoting adjustment, thereafter secured by tightening all of the screws. A torque plate (50, 62) is installed beneath each set of locking screws to prevent disturbing the adjusted position as the locking screws are tightened.

Abstract: A machine tool (100) has a spindle (101) and a turret or toolholder (124) which are disposed at the front of a base (134).A workpiece (W) is rotated by the spindle (101). The turret (124) is movable toward and away from the workpiece (W) along a path which has vertical and horizontal components. A conveyor assembly (200) is operable to move workpieces between the rear of the base (134) and the spindle (101) along a path (A) which extends through a plane (E) which contains the axis (C) of rotation of the spindle. The plane (E) is parallel to vertical and horizontal components of movement of the turret (123). An alternative embodiment (100a) of the machine tool includes a pair of spindles (101a, 301) and a pair of turrets (124a, 324) disposed at the front of a base (134a, 334). Workpieces (W9, W10) are moved two at a time between the rear of the base (134a, 334 ) and the two spindles (101a, 301) along a path which extends through a plane which contains the axes (C, J) of rotation of the spindles (101a, 301).

Abstract: A circuit and a process for converting the output signal from a half bridge transducer to that from an LVDT transducer to enable direct use of either signal in an electronic column. The circuit subtracts the transducer exciting signal from a half bridge transducer output signal according to a formula to provide the conversion. A movable jumper allows the circuit to alternatively operate as a unity gain follower to pass an LVDT transducer output signal unchanged.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine (10) having a horizontal probe shaft assembly (20) in which a cover system is provided for the X and Y axis ways (46, 108) and carriages (50, 106), including inwardly slanted X-axis cover members (26) mounted atop granite exposed way members (24) defining a gap through which the Y column (88) moves, a pair of upstanding side covers (32) mounted over the Y-axis column (88) defining a gap through which the probe shaft assembly (20) moves in its vertical movement. a recirculating cover belt (28) fills the X-axis gap and pleated upper and lower covers (34, 36) cover the vertical gap lying between the side covers (32) at the front and rear, while a top cap (38) atop side covers (32) and end caps (30) are fit over the X-axis cover members (26), X-axis way members (24) and base portion (18).

Abstract: A rotary workpiece support table (12) for a horizontal arm coordinate measuring machine (10) having a retractable datum ball (144) for determining the axis of rotation of a table top plate (36) on a table base (40). A frictional drive mechaism (38) has a drive wheel (72) urged into engagement with a perimeter surface (74) and rotates the table top plate (36), with a counterforce roller (98) neutralizing the side loading on an air spindle (116). The table base (40) is positioned on a machine base (30) and spacer (32) by a rotational connection (46) and a diametrically opposite block and cam follower connection (48) to avoid the effects of differential thermal expansion between the table base (40) and the machine base (30) and spacer (32).

Abstract: A linear bearing (20) with a height adjustment mechanism (58) including a stud (64) fixed to the bearing (20) and a tubular bushing (72) received over the stud (64) and mating with a threaded bore (86) in an end wall (88) of a mounting structure (12). A reaction nut (80) threaded to a protruding end of the stud (64) bears on a protruding end of the bushing (72), the other end bearing against the bearing (20) so that rotation of the bushing (72) in either direction causes a shift of the bearing (20) in either direction. A locking nut (92) threaded onto the bushing (72) is selectively advanced against end wall (88) to lock the bushing (72) in an adjusted position.

Abstract: Axis correction or machine charateristic data is stored (108) in memory (110) within a control or measurement processor (36) of a CMM (10) (FIG. 8). The axis correction data includes error data representing 21 different geometry errors (FIG. 4A through 4C) of the CMM. As position information is required, the measurement processor captures the actual position signal from each machine axis sensor and uses this position signal to locate (112) a set of the axis correction data which describes the machine characteristics at that position. The measurement processor then mathematically combines (114) (FIG. 9) the position signal with the subset of axis correction data to obtain a corrected position signal having a corrected set of cooridinate values which describe the probe position in a true Cartesian coordinate system.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine (10) having an improved carriage drive system including a flexible toothed belt (89) mounted on a rigid spar member (88) to be stretched along the carriage (X) axis. The spar member (88) absorbs the tension loading of the stretched flexible belt (89), while the connection (198, 152) of the spar member (88) to the base (12) precludes stressing of the machine (10) by the belt tension or by thermal stresses. A drive package (118) is mounted to one end of the carriage (40) and includes a toothed drum (126) engaging the flexible belt (89) so that upon being rotated by a drive motor (120) acting through a double reduction pulley system (254, 258, 260, 268, 272, 274) to rotate the toothed drum (126) and cause the carriage (40) to be driven along the ways (32, 34). Flexures (86a, 86b) mounting the belt (89) accommodate side to side movement as the carriage (40) is driven along the axis while being rigid to the tension exerted by the belt (89).

Abstract: A linear bearing installation in which a plurality of linear bearings (20) are mounted in a series of recesses (18) formed in a structure (12) to be supported on a way surface (38), the position of each of the bearings (20) in the respective recess (18) adjustable lengthwise by an adjustment mechanism (58). A lubrication system is provided to direct lubricant to each bearing (20) by an injector assembly (60) mounted in an endwalls (88) of the structure (12) adjacent each bearing (20) and having an injector tube (96) telescoped into a receptor (98) on the bearing to accommodate the lengthwise adjustment. A wiper cover (36a) is formed with a supply channel (108) feeding lubricant from a single quick connect fitting (114) to all of the lubricant injector assemblies (60).

Abstract: A bearing arrangement for a coordinate measuring machine having a horizontal probe arm assembly (16) extending to the front of the machine and supported for movement along X,Y, and Z orthogonal axes. The bearing arrangement comprised of opposing sets of supporting or guiding and preloading air bearings (48a,b; 46a,b; 66a,b; 64a,b; 76a,b; 78a,b) for the X carriage (40), the YZ carriage (17) (17a,b; 180a,b; 182a,b; 184a,b; 204a,b), and for the probe shaft (186) (188a,b; 190a,b; 192a,b194a,b). The air bearings each ride on way surfaces formed on the base (12) a column member 160, and the probe shaft (186) and are arranged to most efficiently distribute the load and minimize the effects of inaccuracies in the way surfaces, and make more efficient the accurate machining of the way surfaces.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine (10) of the horizontal arm type having an improved way arrangement for a carriage (40) mounted for movement along one of the orthogonal axes (X) of the machine including a pair of angled upstanding granite way members (24,26) detachably mounted spaced apart atop a granite base member (22), extending parallel to each other and the axis of movement. The way members (24, 26) have inwardly turned opposing overhang portions (28, 30) formed with upper horizontal way surfaces (32,34) and under way surfaces (36,38). The carriage (40) is received in the space between the way members (24,26) and is formed with flanges (42,44) extending over the upper way surfaces (32, 34) with pairs of air bearings (46a,b; 48a,b) interposed.

Abstract: A sorter-stacker arrangement for sheet part pieces (17) such as are produced by a punch press (18), in which part pieces are unloaded onto a sorter table (50) in a located position against any one of a row of stops (52), and conveyed along an X-axis as by translation of the conveyor table therealong. A pair of storage racks (36) are disposed on opposite sides of the sorter table (50), each having a vertical array of open spaces facing the sorter table (50). The sorter table (50) is elevated to the preselected position, and advanced into the appropriate storage space (38). After lowering of the stripper gates (104), the sorter table (50) is retracted to align the part piece 17 by contact of the stripper gate (104) with the inside edge of the part piece (17) and stripped on to the stack as the sorter table (50) returns to the central position.

Abstract: A roller bearing installation, in which one or more roller bearing assemblies (30A, 30B, 30C) are prepackaged in a housing (18) having corresponding recesses (28A, 28B, 28C) receiving each bearing assembly (30A, 30B, 30C). An angled gib plate (52A, 52C, 52C) is bedded in each recess, each gib plate (52) including an inclined section (54) mating with an inclined surface (58) on a bearing assembly cover (72) to allow a bearing depth adjustment by lengthwise adjustment of the bearing assembly (30) in its recess, enabling position adjustment of the supported structure (10) and bearing preload adjustment. Accurate alignment of the bearing assembly (30) is achieved by a ball plunger (100) urging the same against a guide surface (57) of the gib plate (52). A fixture (110) is used to precisely locate each gib plate (52A, 52B, 52C) in a recess (28) while a moldable bonding material (109) in which each gib plate (52) is bedded sets up.

Abstract: A roller bearing installation, in which one or more roller bearing assemblies (30A, 30B, 30C) are prepackaged in a housing (18) having corresponding recesses (28A, 28B, 28C) receiving each bearing assembly (30A, 30B, 30C). An angled gib plate (52A, 52B, 52C) is bedded in each recess, each gib plate (52) including an inclined section (54) mating with an inclined surface (58) on a bearing assembly cover (72) to allow a bearing depth adjustment by lengthwise adjustment of the bearing assembly (30) in its recess, enabling position adjustment of the supported structure (10) and bearing preload adjustment. Accurate alignment of the bearing assembly (30) is achieved by a ball plunger (100) urging the same against a guide surface (57) of the gib plate (52). A fixture (110) is used to precisely locate each gib plate (52A, 52B, 52C) in a recess (28) whjile a moldable bonding material (109) in which each gib plate (52) is bedded sets up.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rotatably supporting a workpiece WP includes a bearing ring 300 which extends around a center support member 204. The bearing ring is deflectable inwardly at a plurality of spaced apart locations 310 to engage the center support member at these locations during machining of a workpiece. At each of the locations where the bearing ring is deflected inwardly into engagement with the center support member, the bearing ring has a reduced thickness to thereby reduce the resistance of the bearing ring to deformation at these locations. Fluid pressure applied against the outside of the bearing ring deflects the bearing ring inwardly at the locations of reduced thickness. The deflected portions of the bearing ring engage the center support member to securely hold it during machining of a workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in machining a workpiece includes a housing (102) which is operable between a closed condition enclosing a chuck (101) and an open condition. When the housing (102) is in the open condition, an opening (117) extends across the top of the housing and down opposite sides of the housing to provide access to the chuck (101) from both sides of the housing. A workpiece transfer assembly (200) has a downwardly extending structure (204) which is movable along a path (A) extending through the housing (102) when the housing is in the open condition. This enables the transfer structure (200) to move unfinished workpieces (W) to the chuck (101) from one side of the housing and to move finished workpieces from the chuck to the opposite side of the housing. The transfer structure is supported on tracks (201) which extend above the housing.

Abstract: Method (FIGS. 4A through 4C) and system (FIG. 3) are disclosed for automatically calibrating a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) (10). The system guides an operator through instrument set-up and data collection procedures. The system automatically converts the collected data into error compensation or axis correction data which represents 21 different geometry errors (i.e. pitch, yaw, roll etc.) of the CMM (10). The error compensation data is then transferred to a CMM measurement processor (36) for subsequent use by the CMM (10) during operation thereof to thereby compensate the CMM (10) for its entire measuring volume (102).

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine (10) having a pneumatic probe counterbalance system housed within the probe shaft (14) is disclosed, the system including a piston (54) fit into a cylinder (30) extending along the length of the probe shaft (14). The piston (54) is fixed so that air pressure acts on a cylinder end cap (32) to counterbalance the weight of the probe assembly (12). A stationary tube (34) extends into the cylinder (30) from above the piston (54) and directs a source of regulated air pressure to the cylinder interior (58) from a fluid pressure fitting (48) connected to the upper end of the tube (34). The piston (54) is at least partially spherically shaped and the tube (34) is supported by a spherical bearing (42) to accommodate misalignment of the tube (34) and cylinder (30) without binding during movement of the probe shaft (14). A length of wire (56) is connected at one end to the piston (54) and extends upwardly through the tube (34), and is fixed at its upper end to anchor the piston (54).

Abstract: A joystick controller (38) for three axis control of a powered element such as a probe shaft (24) of a coordinate measuring machine (10) is disclosed in which a joystick handle assembly (40) is mounted for pivoting movement along either of orthogonal horizontal X or Y axis, with a plunger (64) mounted within a hollow joystick shaft (58) for up and down movement along a vertical Z axis orthogonal to the X and Y axes. Control signal generators, such as potentiometer assemblies (84, 106, 134), are drivingly engaged with the hollow joystick shaft (58) and plunger (64), each generating control signals corresponding to each motion of the joystick handle assembly (40). These signals are used to produce corresponding controlled movement of the probe shaft (24) of the coordinate measuring machine (10) along respective X, Y and Z axes.