Machine tool
First Claim
1. A machine tool comprising:
- a lambda rotary motor comprising a lambda shaft and an associated lambda axis collinear with the lambda shaft;
a theta rotary motor comprising a theta shaft and an associated theta axis collinear with the theta shaft;
a build surface at a predetermined distance from a fixed reference plane;
a baseplate comprising an opening through which the lambda shaft passes;
a machine tool head having a tool head axis;
a connection arm affixed at a proximal end to the theta shaft and affixed at a distal end to the lambda motor;
wherein the lambda and theta axes are parallel and offset;
wherein the reference plane is normal to the lambda and theta axes;
wherein the reference plane is at a predetermined distance from the baseplate;
wherein the lambda motor is disposed on a first side of the base plate and the build surface is disposed on a second side of the base plate;
wherein the build surface is adapted to accept a removably affixed part;
wherein the tool head axis passes through the machine tool head, is normal to the reference plane and is fixed relative to the theta axis;
wherein the lambda shaft is configured to rotate the build surface around the lambda axis;
wherein rotation of the theta shaft is configured to revolve the lambda motor, the lambda axis, and the build surface in an arc around the theta axis; and
wherein the rotations of the lambda and theta shafts are configured to move the build surface such that any desired point on the build surface is intersected by the tool head axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A machine tool incorporating two angular axes as an inverted SCARA arm and a vertical, linear Z-axis, is described. A build surface on which a 3D object may be additively built is rotated around a lambda axis and also revolved around a theta axis. Embodiments are described that: (i) are free of belts, pulleys, cables and other soft drive mechanisms; (ii) place all three axis motors below a base plate; (iii) direct drive the build surface from shafts of a lambda and theta motor; (iv) are free of a rectangular box frame; (v) use angle sensors mounted directly on motor drive shafts; (vi) measure and compensate for build surface skew; (vii) incorporate a single element for both Z-axis support and a bearing surface. Both device and method embodiments are claimed.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A machine tool comprising:
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a lambda rotary motor comprising a lambda shaft and an associated lambda axis collinear with the lambda shaft; a theta rotary motor comprising a theta shaft and an associated theta axis collinear with the theta shaft; a build surface at a predetermined distance from a fixed reference plane; a baseplate comprising an opening through which the lambda shaft passes; a machine tool head having a tool head axis; a connection arm affixed at a proximal end to the theta shaft and affixed at a distal end to the lambda motor; wherein the lambda and theta axes are parallel and offset; wherein the reference plane is normal to the lambda and theta axes; wherein the reference plane is at a predetermined distance from the baseplate; wherein the lambda motor is disposed on a first side of the base plate and the build surface is disposed on a second side of the base plate; wherein the build surface is adapted to accept a removably affixed part; wherein the tool head axis passes through the machine tool head, is normal to the reference plane and is fixed relative to the theta axis; wherein the lambda shaft is configured to rotate the build surface around the lambda axis; wherein rotation of the theta shaft is configured to revolve the lambda motor, the lambda axis, and the build surface in an arc around the theta axis; and wherein the rotations of the lambda and theta shafts are configured to move the build surface such that any desired point on the build surface is intersected by the tool head axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of manufacturing a part comprising the steps:
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(a) providing a machine tool, wherein the machine tool comprises; a lambda rotary motor comprising a lambda shaft and an associated lambda axis collinear with the lambda shaft; a theta rotary motor comprising a theta shaft and an associated theta axis collinear with the theta shaft; a build surface at a predetermined distance from a fixed reference plane; a baseplate comprising an opening through which the lambda shaft passes; a machine tool head having a tool head axis; a connection arm affixed at a proximal end to the theta shaft and affixed at a distal end to the lambda motor; wherein the lambda and theta axes are parallel and offset; wherein the reference plane is normal to the lambda and theta axes; wherein the reference plane is at a predetermined distance from the baseplate; wherein the lambda motor is disposed on a first side of the base plate and the build surface is disposed on a second side of the base plate; wherein the build surface is adapted to removably affix the part; wherein the tool head axis passes through the machine tool head, is normal to the reference plane and is fixed relative to the theta axis; wherein the lambda shaft is configured to rotate the build surface around the lambda axis; wherein rotation of the theta shaft is configured to revolve the lambda motor, the lambda axis, and the build surface in an arc around the theta axis; and wherein the rotations of the lambda and theta shafts are configured to move the build surface such that any desired point on the build surface is intersected by the tool head axis; (b) providing a controller configured to receive data that defines a shape of the part and configured to control the machine tool based on the received data; (c) controlling the machine tool such that it manufactures the part via additive manufacturing or subtractive manufacturing.
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Specification