Coordinate measuring machine construction
US5257461A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 27, 1992 |
| Grant date | Nov 2, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 27, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B5/008
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A coordinate measuring machine is described including a vertical probe shaft mounted on an X-axis carriage in turn mounted on a Y-axis carriage for movement along three orthogonal axes, in which the Y-axis carriage is guided and supported on a first guide beam fixed extending along one side of a machine base with air bearings mounted to the lower end of one upright engaging all four sides of the first guide beam. The Y-axis carriage is also supported on a second guide beam fixed extending along the other side of the base, with air bearings mounted to the lower end of the other upright engaging only the top and bottom surfaces. A lower crossmember beam connects the lower ends of the upright to increase stiffness of the Y-axis carriage. A cast aluminum table is supported on the base with three cast in support features projecting from the underside, configured to minimize thermal distortion, with a steel plate bonded into a recess in the upper surface. A particular releasable lead screw drive for the carriages and probe shaft is described as well as a counterbalance for the probe shaft, and a preloading pin assembly for some of the air bearings.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.