Patent · US Expired

Workpiece micro-positioning apparatus

US6637737B1 · kind B1 · utility

37Cited by
12References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 31, 2002
Grant dateOct 28, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 31, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB24B41/06
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A workpiece micro-positioning apparatus for correcting small pitch and yaw location errors in a workpiece supported on a fixture for a manufacturing operation such as precision machining or assembly comprises a biaxial micro-positioner that includes pitch and yaw motion mechanisms that support a workpiece for rotation about respective pitch and yaw axes. The yaw motion mechanism supports the pitch motion mechanism for rotation about a yaw axis generally normal to the pitch axis. A base supports the yaw motion mechanism. A fixture fixed to the micro-positioner releasably holds a workpiece. The micro-positioner allows the fixture to rotate about the pitch and yaw axes to correct any pitch and yaw deviations from a desired workpiece attitude relative to the base and to releasably lock the pitch and yaw motion mechanisms following such correction. A manufacturing tool releasably supports the micro-positioner and rotates the micro-positioner, fixture and a workpiece mounted in the fixture, about a roll axis generally normal to the pitch and yaw axes as required to correct any roll error in workpiece attitude. The manufacturing tool then performs a manufacturing operation on the workpiec…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.