Non-contact tool setting apparatus and method
US11224954B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 13, 2018 |
| Grant date | Jan 18, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 13, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/30164
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A non-contact tool setting apparatus, suitable for use with machine tools and the like, is described in which a transmitter emits light that is received by a receiver. An analysis unit is provided for analysing the light received by the receiver and generating a trigger signal therefrom. The receiver includes an imaging sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD sensor, having a plurality of pixels. The analysis unit generates the trigger signal by analysing the light intensity measured by a first subset of the plurality of pixels. This analysis may involve, for example, determining a resultant received light intensity or performing edge detection. The non-contact tool setting apparatus can thus emulate the operation of a laser based non-contact tool setting apparatus whilst also permitting imaging of cutting tools.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.