Rotary flexure and air bearing support for rotary indexing system
US8132966B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 3, 2009 |
| Grant date | Mar 13, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 8, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C2322/39
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A highly position-stabilized indexable table or “dial” in which the dial is supported relative to a steel surface on a frame by one or more air bearings. A flexure mechanically connects the indexing motor to the dial in such a way as to be torsionally non-compliant, but axially compliant to decouple the dial from the motor shaft along the Z-axis. In one embodiment, the air bearings are mounted to the frame at uniformly angularly displaced positions under the dial. In another embodiment, the bearings are partially integrated into the dial. Negative (suction) preload can be used in either embodiment to increase air bearing stiffness and/or to allow inverted processing; i.e., mounting part fixtures on an undersurface of the dial.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.