Abstract: A space frame system for use with a machine, such as a machine tool, is disclosed. The system as used with a machine tool includes a base and a machine component, such as a workpiece support, mounted to the base. A first space frame is mounted solely to the workpiece support. A second and separate space frame is connected to the first space frame by a plurality of extensible legs. Another machine component, such as a tool holder, is rigidly mounted to the second space frame for cooperation with a workpiece mounted on the workpiece support. Thus, as the extensible legs are independently controlled, the tool holder is moved along a desired path with respect to the workpiece support to perform various cutting operations on the workpiece.

Abstract: A machine tool isolation system is disclosed. The preferred system includes a pair of platforms connected by a plurality of legs. A tool is typically connected to one platform, and a workpiece to the other. The legs are able to move one platform with respect to the other which can create vibrations. A base, typically formed by a plurality of legs, is mounted to one of the platforms to support the two platforms and legs connected therebetween. A vibration isolator is disposed between the base legs and the floor or other support on which the entire system is mounted.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a metrology framework for determining the position of a first object, such as an operator, relative to a second object when the first object is moved relative to the second object. The metrology framework comprises a plurality of extensible instrument arms that are operatively connected in proximity to the first object and the second object. A sensor is in communication with each extensible instrument arm to provide a signal indicative of the extension of the instrument arm. The combination of the signals can be used to determine the position of the first object relative to the second object in all six degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A pivotable joint usable, for instance, with a multi-legged machine tool, is disclosed. The basic design of the joint includes a central block to which is connected a first yoke pivotably mounted for motion about one axis. A second yoke is also pivotably mounted to the central block for motion about a second axis. The central block includes an opening extending therethrough between two surfaces, and the cross-sectional area of the opening decreases towards the central region of the block. This type of opening permits the use of an extensible mounting leg having a rod that moves through the opening during pivoting of the joint.

Abstract: A machine such as a machine tool includes a pair of spaced platforms. One platform (11, 31, 185, 72, 159, 142) may mount an operator such as a tool in a spindle and the other platforms (10, 20, 180, 170, 144, 163) may mount an object such as a workpiece. The spaced platforms are joined by six powered and extensible legs (20-25, 40-45, 64-69, 145-150, 166, 182-84, 187-89) joined to the respective platforms by universal joints. The length of the legs is individually manipulated to vary the position of the platforms and, therefore, the object and operator relative to each other in six axes. The powered legs may be hydraulic cylinders (20-25) or recirculating ball screw driven (195, 197, 198). The distance between the spaced platforms may be measured by separate extensible instrument arms (130, 131, 171) which join the platforms. The instrument arms may use a digital position device (238, 240) to measure the extension and contraction of the instrument arms or may use a laser interferometer (267) for that purpose.

Abstract: This invention relates to a six-axis machine for locating an operator with respect to an object, and more particularly to a versatile machine tool in which the tool can be moved in three lineal directions and three rotational directions in relation to the surface of a workpiece.

Abstract: A machine includes a pair of spaced supports, one of which may mount an operator such as a tool in a spindle and the other of which may mount an object such as a workpiece. The spaced platforms are joined by six powered and extensible legs joined to the respective platforms by universal joints. The length of the legs is individually manipulated to vary the position of the platforms and therefore the object and operator relative to each other in six axes. The powered legs may be hydraulic cylinders or recirculating ball screw driven. The distance between the spaced platforms may be measured by separate instrument arms which join the platforms. The instrument arms may use a digital position device to measure the extension and contraction of the instrument arms or may use a laser interferometer for that purpose. The changes in the instrument arm's lengths may be used to generate signals which are used to control the extension and contraction of the powered legs.

Abstract: A composite for constructing an article which is composed of a nonmetallic substance as represented by igneous rock of different particle sizes which are compacted and then surrounded by a solidified plastic resin. In a preferred manner, the igneous rock material is a selected type of basalt with the basalt particles being of different mesh sizes to be compacted into a mold. After compaction, the plastic resin as represented by an epoxy resin is introduced into the mold so as to displace air from any voids surrounding the basalt particles and to surround them with a resin which later solidifies. A novel resin delivery system is also presented.

Abstract: An automatic dynamic error compensator for compensating the position error arising within a servo drive system includes a measuring head which is operative to measure the relative indicated position of two or more measuring vanes on the movable member. The measuring head, together with a feedback transducer, that measures indicated movable member position, are coupled to a feedback system. The feedback system determines the indicated movable member position from the feedback transducer reading and then compares the indicated movable member position to the known vane position upon occurrence of a vane crossing to yield a compensating value.

Abstract: An adaptive control system for a machine tool or the like includes a temperature sensor for measuring spindle bearing temperature and two pairs of thrust sensors for measuring radial and axial spindle deflection. Data processing apparatus, typically comprised of a microcomputer, is coupled to the temperature and thrust sensors and regulates the percentage of oil in the oil-air mixture lubrication mist sprayed on bearing contact surfaces in accordance with bearing temperature. The microcomputer simultaneously regulates the spindle bearing preload and spindle axis feedrate in accordance with radial and axial spindle thrust, thereby assuring optimum machine tool performance.

Abstract: An adaptive control system for a machine tool or the like includes two pairs of thrust sensors for measuring radial and axial spindle deflection and a temperature sensor for measuring spindle bearing temperature. Data processing apparatus, typically comprised of a microcomputer, is coupled to the thrust and temperature sensors and regulates the spindle bearing preload and spindle axis feed rate in accordance with the radial and axial spindle thrust. The microcomputer simultaneously regulates the percentage of oil in the oil/air mixture lubrication mist sprayed on bearing contact surfaces in accordance with bearing temperature, thereby assuring optimum machine tool performance.

Abstract: A voice actuated control system suitable for use on a computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tool includes a pair of radio frequency transmitters and a pair of radio frequency receivers, one of the radio frequency receivers and one of the radio frequency transmitters being located at the machine tool site and the other radio frequency receiver and radio frequency transmitter being carried by the human machine tool operator. Operator-spoken commands are transmitted through the operator's transmitter to the machine tool receiver which outputs an audio signal to a voice interpreter that converts the received voice commands into digital signals which are transmitted to the CNC machine tool control system to control machine tool operation.

Abstract: A Drawbolt is rotatably mounted within the spindle of a machine tool to secure a toolholder to a socket in the front end of the spindle. First and second spur gears are formed on the rear end of the spindle and drawbolt, respectively, and are positioned side by side. The two spur gears are equal in diameter, but have differing numbers of teeth. A planetary gear cage surrounds the spur gears and has pinion gears which are meshed with both spur gears. The planetary gear cage is attached to the armature of an electric motor which, when energized, rotates the cage and thus causes rotation of the drawbolt at a reduced speed. The speed reduction depends on the difference in the number of teeth in the two spur gears. The armature is axially shiftable to move a locking ring on the planetary gear cage into and out of engagement with the spur gear on the spindle.

Abstract: The tape in a tape reader is braked to a stop relatively slowly instead of being stopped on one character. Two sprocket reading photocells are mounted on the tape reader to provide quadrature sprocket waveforms which are applied to a bi-directional sprocket counter coupled to the address conductors of a buffer memory. The data read off the tape by the tape reader is written into the buffer memory at the addresses indicated by the sprocket counter. An output pointer counter is also coupled to the buffer memory address conductors in parallel with the sprocket counter through a time division multiplexer. During the time interval in which the output pointer counter is connected to the buffer memory address conductors, data can be read out of the buffer memory at the address indicated by the output pointer counter independently of the sprocket counter.

Abstract: An inspection probe is mounted in the spindle of a numerically controlled machine tool and is moved toward a workpiece therein by the numerical controls until it makes contact with the workpiece. Contact with the workpiece is indicated by change in the output signal of a portable transmitter mounted within the toolholder that carries the inspection probe. The change in output amplitude causes the instantaneous position of the spindle to be recorded in the numerical controls at the instant of contact between the inspection probe and workpiece to indicate the corresponding dimension of the workpiece. Movement of the spindle is stopped after contact between the inspection probe and workpiece to avoid damage to either the inspection probe or the workpiece.

Abstract: In apparatus for controlling the speed and torque of a multiphase a.c. motor in accordance with digital control signals, a first regulation circuit regulates the frequency of the a.c. electrical signal applied to the motor and another regulation circuit regulates the voltage of the a.c. signal. Both regulation circuits are controlled by digital control signals in a series of discrete steps over a range of control values and the control signals are supplied periodically to the regulation circuits. The speed and torque are controlled in accordance with an algorithm relating speed and torque to the frequency and voltage of the source of electric power which is applied to the motor, calculated by computing apparatus on a periodic basis. In one embodiment the position of the magnetic flux of the stator is controlled directly.

Abstract: In apparatus for controlling the speed and torque of a multiphase a.c. motor in accordance with digital control signals, a first regulation circuit regulates the frequency of the a.c. electrical signal applied to the motor and another regulation circuit regulates the voltage of the a.c. signal. Both regulation circuits are controlled by digital control signals in a series of discrete steps over a range of control values and the control signals are supplied periodically to the regulation circuits. The speed and torque are controlled in accordance with an algorithm relating speed and torque to the frequency and voltage of the source of electric power which is applied to the motor, calculated by computing apparatus on a periodic basis. In one embodiment the position of the magnetic flux of the stator is controlled directly.

Abstract: In apparatus for controlling the speed and torque of a multiphase a. c. motor in accordance with digital control signals, a first regulation circuit regulates the frequency of the a. c. electrical signal applied to the motor and another regulation circuit regulates the voltage of the a.c. signal. Both regulation circuits are controlled by digital control signals in a series of discrete steps over a range of control values and the control signals are supplied periodically to the regulation circuits. The speed and torque are controlled in accordance with an algorithm relating speed and torque to the frequency and voltage of the source of electric power which is applied to the motor, calculated by computing apparatus on a periodic basis. In one embodiment the position of the magnetic flux of the stator is controlled directly.

Abstract: In apparatus for controlling the speed and torque of a multiphase a.c. motor in accordance with digital control signals, a first regulation circuit regulates the frequency of the a.c. electrical signal applied to the motor and another regulation circuit regulates the voltage of the a.c. signal. Both regulation circuits are controlled by digital control signals in a series of discrete steps over a range of control values and the control signals are supplied periodically to the regulation circuits. The speed and torque are controlled in accordance with an algorithm relating speed and torque to the frequency and voltage of the source of electric power which is applied to the motor, calculated by computing apparatus on a periodic basis. In one embodiment the position of the magnetic flux of the stator is controlled directly.