Abstract: The device is a precision motion right angle drive for use with linear and rotary stages which employs a combination of globoid worm and small diameter star gear. Coaxial with the star gear, on the same shaft, is a spur gear which drives the rotary stage gear or a linear rack. The thin star gear achieves meshing accuracy with the globoid worm permitting a large tooth angle for direct preloading without jamming. This gear combination eliminates backlash, allows a low gear ratio for low globoid worm speed, and enables the use of an ordinary spur gear to engage the stage gear without backdrive or backlash. Further, it allows for gear contact area to compensate for the thinness of the star gear. An embodiment including an integrated bearing rotary stage permits flexibility of application and avoidance of need for custom bearing designs by achieving high motion precision at low cost.

Abstract: An integrated bearing assembly comprising first and second cylindrical members radially spaced apart from one another along an axis of rotation. The first cylindrical member supports a first portion of a first bearing track while the second cylindrical member supports a second portion of the first bearing track. The first and the second portions face one another and a plurality of bearing elements are retained therein to facilitate relative rotation. At least one of the first and second portions comprises a pair of adjacent V-shaped bearing surfaces. One of the first and the second cylindrical members supports a retaining element which has a bearing surface that forms at least a portion of one of the first and second portions of the first bearing track. The retaining element is adjustable, in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, to adjust a pressure to be applied to the plurality of captively retained bearings.

Abstract: A fruit coring device including a handle and a tubular member having first and second ends. The tubular member defines a longitudinal axis and has an interior region. One end of the circular tubular member is integral or fast with the handle and the second end defines a member cutting edge. The fruit coring device includes a blade with a cutting edge supported within the circular interior of the circular tubular member substantially normal to the member cutting edge.

Abstract: A mechanism for determining the position of a point relative to a coordinate system defined by coordinate scales aligned along coordinate axes includes a coordinate reference plane and a coordinate read plane and a read mechanism associated with each coordinate scale. Each read mechanism is engaged with the coordinate read plane and the coordinate reference plane to be responsive to relative motion between the coordinate read plane and the coordinate reference plane to indicate a position of the point on the along the corresponding coordinate scale, and is coupled to the coordinate read plane and to the coordinate reference plane to allow relative transverse motion between the coordinate read plane and the corresponding coordinate axis. Each read mechanism includes a guide mechanism for retaining the read mechanism at a predetermined position along an axis transverse to the corresponding coordinate axis with transverse motion between the coordinate read plane and the coordinate reference plane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the distributed programmable control of multiple devices, each capable of independent operation and of performing a set of related functions or operations, to operate concurrently or sequentially and in cooperation to perform a predetermined task or operation. A device controller is associated with each process device wherein each device controller controls the operations of the associated process device and includes a process step memory for a storing a device process. Each device process includes one or more device steps wherein each device step corresponds to a process step and controls one or more corresponding operations of the associated process device.

Abstract: A microscope stage supported on a base for movement in a direction of travel relative to the base by a resiliently biased support and guide structure disposed adjacent one edge of the stage, an opposed edge of the stage being supported on the base without guidance.

Abstract: A fruit coring device including a handle and a tubular member having first and second ends. The tubular member defines a longitudinal axis and has an interior region. One end of the circular tubular member is integral or fast with the handle and the second end defines a member cutting edge. The fruit coring device includes a blade with a cutting edge supported within the circular interior of the circular tubular member substantially normal to the member cutting edge.

Abstract: A fruit coring device comprising a right circular tubular member having an interior defining a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends, the first end being fast with a handle and the second end defining a circular cutting edge, and a flat blade having a length disposed diametrically transverse of the member, a width extending along the axis, from a straight cutting edge, of the flat blade, disposed adjacent the circular cutting edge, and extending normal to the axis, diametrically across the interior of the member.

Abstract: A goniometer comprising a rotor and a support base having therebetween three or four balls or rollers constrained to follow arcuate paths to provide rotation of the rotor, relative to the support base, about an axis of rotation external to the rotor, the balls being constrained to be spaced apart in at least two dimensions to ensure a three point spaced contact with the rotor and the support base.

Abstract: A microscope stage supported on a base for movement in a direction of travel relative to the base by a resiliently biased support and guide structure disposed adjacent one edge of the stage, an opposed edge of the stage being supported on the base without guidance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the distributed programmable control of multiple devices, each capable of independent operation and of performing a set of related functions or operations, to operate concurrently or sequentially and in cooperation to perform a predetermined task or operation. A device controller is associated with each process device wherein each device controller controls the operations of the associated process device and includes a process step memory for a storing a device process. Each device process includes one or more device steps wherein each device step corresponds to a process step and controls one or more corresponding operations of the associated process device.

Abstract: A compensation mechanism for correcting component fabrication and assembly deviations in component precision positioning stages utilizing a planar mounting table arranged to slide between two rails consisting of a pair of grooves disposed adjacent one edge of the table and a single groove adjacent an opposite edge of the table, a spring arrangement being provided to provide spring bias between the grooves and the rails.

Abstract: A goniometer comprising a rotor and a support base having therebetween three or four balls or rollers constrained to follow arcuate paths to provide rotation of the rotor, relative to the support base, about an axis of rotation external to the rotor, the balls being constrained to be spaced apart in at least two dimensions to ensure a three point spaced contact with the rotor and the support base.

Abstract: A rotary stage having a rotary table mounted by a bearing on a shaft defining a table axis of rotation and supported on a base plate by an optically polished surface, the bearing comprising a ball bearing pre-loaded axially by an axially adjustable split ring in engagement with an annular chamfer on a race of the bearing to center the bearing relative to the table axis.

Abstract: A compensation mechanism for correcting component fabrication and assembly deviations in component precision positioning stages utilizing a planar mounting table arranged to slide between two rails consisting of a pair of grooves disposed adjacent one edge of the table and a single groove adjacent an opposite edge of the table, a spring arrangement being provided to provide spring bias between the grooves and the rails.

Abstract: A compensation mechanism for correcting component fabrication and assembly deviations in component precision positioning stages utilizing a planar mounting table arranged to slide between two rails consisting of a pair of grooves disposed adjacent one edge of the table and a single groove adjacent an opposite edge of the table, a spring arrangement forming slot being provided in close proximity to opposite edge to provide spring bias of the grooves against the rails.

Abstract: A compensation mechanism for correcting component fabrication and assembly deviations in component precision positioning stages utilizing a planar mounting table arranged to slide between two rails consisting of a pair of grooves disposed adjacent one edge of the table and a single groove adjacent an opposite edge of the table, a spring arrangement forming slot being provided in close proximity to opposite edge to provide spring bias of the grooves against the rails.

Abstract: A rotary stage having a rotary table mounted by a bearing on a shaft defining a table axis of rotation and supported on a base plate by an optically polished surface, the bearing comprising a ball bearing pre-loaded axially by an axially adjustable split ring in engagement with an annular chamfer on a race of the bearing to center the bearing relative to the table axis.

Abstract: An anti-backlash device for a positioning stage arranged for the precise movement of components composed of a pair of plates having rail receiving grooves, a pair of rails joining the plates and attached thereto and a work piece mounting table, the anti-backlash device, having a plurality of circumferentially spaced elongate spring members for biasing an interrupted thread into zero clearance engagement with a threaded rod rotatable to move the table along the rails.

Abstract: A compensation mechanism for correcting component fabrication and assembly deviations in component precision positioning stages utilizing a planar mounting table arranged to slide between two rails consisting of a pair of opposed grooves disposed in one edge of the table and a single groove in an opposite edge of the table, a leaf spring forming slot being provided in close proximity to opposite edge to provide spring bias of the grooves against the rails.