Milling machine with a smart clamp for automatically determining the Z origin of a work piece
US9517540B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 2015 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/49134
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A milling machine and method for automatically determining the Z origin are provided. In one embodiment, a milling machine comprises a support surface; a clamp comprising a first clamp portion and a second clamp portion to accept and secure a work piece, wherein the second clamp portion comprises a sensor; a spindle movable in a Z direction; and a controller. The controller is configured to automatically determine a position of a top of the work piece by having the spindle be positioned over the sensor and then moving the spindle in the Z direction until the controller receives a signal from the sensor indicating that a tool held by the spindle contacted the sensor. Other embodiments are provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.