Robot alignment system and method
First Claim
1. In a system having an operating member and an article that are alignable such that the article can be processed by the operating member, a method of establishing a predetermined alignment position between the operating member and the article before processing of the article is begun by the operating member comprising, a) supporting a laser transmitter on one of the operating member and the article, and providing the laser transmitter with means for emitting a focused laser beam, b) supporting a target means for the focused laser beam from the laser transmitter, on the other of the operating member and the article, c) providing a signaling means in cooperation with the target means to produce a detectable signal when the operating member and the article are aligned, d) providing a laser beam communication site at a selected location on the target means for receiving the focused laser beam and transmitting the focused laser beam to the signaling means to enable the signaling means to produce the detectable signal when the focused laser beam is received at the signaling means, and e) moving one of the operating member and the article to a position wherein the focused laser beam from the laser transmitter is received at the laser beam communication site for transmission of the focused laser beam to the signaling means to enable the signaling means to produce the detectable signal, whereby the production of the detectable signal by the signaling means, in response to reception of the focused laser beam at the laser beam communication site, signifies the establishment of the alignment position between the operating member and the article that is processed by the operating member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The robot alignment system is used for establishing a predetermined alignment position between a movable robot member and an article that is processed by the robot. The system includes a laser transmitter that emits a focused laser beam and a target against which the focused laser beam is directed. The laser transmitter is preferably supported by the robot and the target is supported by the article that is processed by the robot. A signaling device cooperates with the target to produce a detectable signal when the focused laser beam is received at a predetermined location on the target. The detectable signal signifies establishment of a predetermined alignment position between the robot and the article that is processed by the robot.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. In a system having an operating member and an article that are alignable such that the article can be processed by the operating member, a method of establishing a predetermined alignment position between the operating member and the article before processing of the article is begun by the operating member comprising,
a) supporting a laser transmitter on one of the operating member and the article, and providing the laser transmitter with means for emitting a focused laser beam, b) supporting a target means for the focused laser beam from the laser transmitter, on the other of the operating member and the article, c) providing a signaling means in cooperation with the target means to produce a detectable signal when the operating member and the article are aligned, d) providing a laser beam communication site at a selected location on the target means for receiving the focused laser beam and transmitting the focused laser beam to the signaling means to enable the signaling means to produce the detectable signal when the focused laser beam is received at the signaling means, and e) moving one of the operating member and the article to a position wherein the focused laser beam from the laser transmitter is received at the laser beam communication site for transmission of the focused laser beam to the signaling means to enable the signaling means to produce the detectable signal, whereby the production of the detectable signal by the signaling means, in response to reception of the focused laser beam at the laser beam communication site, signifies the establishment of the alignment position between the operating member and the article that is processed by the operating member.
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8. For a system having a movable operating member and an article that is processed by the movable operating member, an alignment kit for establishing an alignment position between the movable operating member and the article, the alignment kit comprising,
a) a laser transmitter having means for emitting a focused laser beam, the laser transmitter being of a first predetermined size and shape to permit the laser transmitter to be carried by one of the movable operating member and the article, b) target means against which the focused laser beam is directed, the target means being of a second predetermined size and shape to permit the target means to be carried by the other of the movable operating member and the article, and c) signaling means cooperable with the target means for producing a detectable signal when the focused laser beam is received by the signaling means, whereby the production of the detectable signal by the signaling means in response to reception of the focused laser beam signifies establishment of the predetermined alignment position between the movable operating member and the article that is processed by the movable operating member.
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10. A method of establishing a predetermined alignment position between a movable robot member and an article that is processed by the movable robot member comprising,
a) supporting a laser transmitter on one of the robot member and the article, and providing the laser transmitter with means for emitting a focused laser beam, b) supporting a target means for the focused laser beam from the laser transmitter, on the other of the robot member and the article, c) providing a signaling means in cooperation with the target means to produce a detectable signal when the operating member and the article are aligned, d) providing a laser beam communication site at a selected location on the target means for receiving the focused laser beam and transmitting the focused laser beam to the signaling means to enable the signaling means to produce the detectable signal when the focused laser beam is received at the signaling means, and e) moving one of the robot member and the article to a position wherein the focused laser beam from the laser transmitter is received at the laser beam communication site for transmission of the focused laser beam to the signaling means to enable the signaling means to produce the detectable signal, whereby the production of the detectable signal by the signaling means, in response to reception of the focused laser beam at the laser beam communication site, signifies the establishment of the alignment position between the robot member and the article that is processed by the robot member.
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13. A robot alignment system for establishing a predetermined alignment position between a movable robot member and an article that is processed by the movable robot member comprising,
a) a laser transmitter having means for emitting a focused laser beam, the laser transmitter being of a first predetermined size and shape to permit the laser transmitter to be supported by one of the movable robot member and the article, b) target means against which the focused laser beam is directed, the target means being of a second predetermined size and shape to permit the target means to be supported by the other of the movable robot member and the article that is processed by the movable robot member, and c) signaling means cooperable with the target means for producing a detectable signal when the focused laser beam is received at a predetermined location on the target means, whereby the production of the detectable signal by the signaling means signifies establishment of the predetermined alignment position between the movable robot member and the article that is processed by the movable robot member.
Specification