Temperature compensation system for a coordinate measuring machine
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A machine, such as a coordinate measuring machine, having an element and a structure movable with respect to each other along rails, wherein the rails have a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the structure to which they are attached. In one embodiment, a bar is disposed on the structure opposite the rails. This bar has a coefficient of thermal expansion, a stiffness, a spacing from the neutral axis of the structure, and a cross-sectional dimension such that the bar balances any thermal stresses in the structure caused by differential expansion or contraction of the structure and the rails with temperature changes to minimize any bending of the structure. In one embodiment, two rails are disposed on a beam, and a carriage travels on the two rails. For each rail, there is an associated bar disposed on an opposite surface of the beam. In another aspect, a pin extends into an elongated slot on a slide associated with the structure to allow the structure to expand and contact. In yet another aspect, a movable element, such as a carriage, is coupled to an associated slide riding along the rails by a leaf spring to accommodate expansion and contraction of the element.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1-16. -16. (canceled)
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17. A machine comprising:
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a beam;
two generally parallel rails disposed on said beam, said rails extending in a first direction;
a carriage movable along said rails in said first direction;
slides associated with each of said rails for permitting said carriage to move along said rails; and
a flexible coupling between said carriage and at least one of said slides to permit said carriage to move with respect to said at least one slide in a second direction generally perpendicular to said first direction. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22-26. -26. (canceled)
Specification