Tool position control
US5904867A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 6, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 18, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 6, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K26/04
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus with a tool position control has a base located adjacent the workpiece. A tool support is mounted with respect to the base and is movable linearly in a first direction with respect to a curved surface of the workpiece. A tool is mounted on the tool support a desired distance from the curved surface and is movable linearly in a second direction with respect to the curved surface. A tool position control mounted on the tool support includes a sensor disposed at a predetermined position with respect to the curved surface. The sensor moves in the second direction as a function of changes in the curvature of the curved surface in response to the tool support and the tool position control being moved in the first direction. The sensor is mechanically coupled to the tool, so that as the sensor moves through a displacement in the second direction in response to the tool support moving the sensor in the first direction, the tool is moved through an approximately equal displacement in the second direction, thereby causing the tool to follow the motion of the sensor in the second direction and maintain the tool the desired distance from the curved surface of the workpiece.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.