Patents by Inventor Thomas Engelfried

Thomas Engelfried has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7103441
    Abstract: A method for calibration of grinding and/or erosion machines assumes an initial calibration process and corresponding re-calibration processes. Calibration of the machine is performed with a reference piece and a reference tracer in an initial calibration process. Grinding tests follow the first tracing process from all directions during which tests deviations are determined and made ineffective with the iterative procedure. The machine-internal measuring system is calibrated immediately after performing the machining tests and thereby immediately after the initial referencing of the machining apparatus whereby the machine tracer and a test piece is traced from all coordinate directions and the resulting position values are stored. Subsequent re-calibrations supply measured values, which are compared to the stored values whereby correction values are determined then from the deviations for additional machining of workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Walter Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Engelfried, Heinz Häckh, Christian Dilger
  • Publication number: 20060074511
    Abstract: A method for calibration of grinding and/or erosion machines assumes an initial calibration process and corresponding re-calibration processes. Calibration of the machine is performed with a reference piece and a reference tracer in an initial calibration process whereby the reference piece is fastened to a working spindle or a workpiece carrier and the reference tracer is fastened to the workpiece carrier or the working spindle. Grinding tests follow the first tracing process from all directions during which tests deviations are determined and made ineffective with the iterative procedure, especially deviations based on the tolerance of the tracer, which are an integral part of the tracing process. The machine-internal measuring system is calibrated immediately after performing the machining tests and thereby immediately after the initial referencing of the machining apparatus whereby the machine tracer and a test piece is traced from all coordinate directions and the resulting position values are stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Applicant: WALTER MASCHINENBAU GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Engelfried, Heinz Hackh, Christian Dilger
  • Patent number: 6958588
    Abstract: A machine for machining a workpiece with at least one revolving or rotating tool has a work spindle with a shaft (5), whose temperature is monitored by means of at least one temperature sensor (26). The temperature sensor is detected in contactless fashion. The sensor (26) is preferably a radiation-sensitive sensor, which detects the temperature radiation output. by the shaft (5). In triggering the positioning drive mechanisms, the control unit (35) of the machine (1) takes into account the temperature expansions of the shaft (5) that result from the temperature changes in the shaft. The positioning drive mechanisms serve to position a tool (6), carried by the shaft (5), relative to the workpiece (2). A machining precision is thus achieved that is independent of the temperature and temperature changes of the machine (1) overall, of temperature changes in the coolant—lubricant, and of temperature changes in the tool (6) and the shaft (5), that can all be caused by the power converted at the machining site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Walter AG
    Inventor: Thomas Engelfried
  • Publication number: 20040113580
    Abstract: A machine for machining a workpiece with at least one revolving or rotating tool has a work spindle with a shaft (5), whose temperature is monitored by means of at least one temperature sensor (26). The temperature sensor is detected in contactless fashion. The sensor (26) is preferably a radiation-sensitive sensor, which detects the temperature radiation output by the shaft (5). In triggering the positioning drive mechanisms, the control unit (35) of the machine (1) takes into account the temperature expansions of the shaft (5) that result from the temperature changes in the shaft. The positioning drive mechanisms serve to position a tool (6), carried by the shaft (5), relative to the workpiece (2). A machining precision is thus achieved that is independent of the temperature and temperature changes of the machine (1) overall, of temperature changes in the coolant-lubricant, and of temperature changes in the tool (6) and the shaft (5), that can all be caused by the power converted at the machining site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas Engelfried