APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING AN ACCESSORY TO A COORDINATE POSITIONING APPARATUS

• US 20110198790A1
• Filed: 09/28/2009
• Published: 08/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Original Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Inventors: Ronald, Keith, Taylor, John Philip Laurence
• Granted Patent: US 9,895,781 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 269/54.4
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/102 for fixing elements in slots
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/103 Constructional elements used for constructing work holders

Abstract

An apparatus for mounting a coordinate positioning apparatus accessory, such as a tool setter, to the workpiece mounting surface of a coordinate positioning apparatus, the workpiece mounting surface having a slot formed in it. The apparatus includes an insert for inserting into the slot of the workpiece mounting surface, and a mount attachable to a coordinate positioning apparatus accessory. The insert includes structure to fix the insert within the slot; the insert is substantially contained within the slot when inserted therein. The mount includes at least one protruding member for engaging the insert when contained within the slot, thereby fixing the mount, and therefore any coordinate positioning apparatus accessory attached to the mount, to the workpiece mounting surface of the coordinate positioning apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus for mounting a coordinate positioning apparatus accessory to the workpiece mounting surface of a coordinate positioning apparatus, the workpiece mounting surface having a slot formed therein, the apparatus comprising:

an insert comprising means for fixing the insert within a slot, wherein the insert is substantially contained within the slot when inserted therein; and

a mount attachable to a coordinate positioning apparatus accessory, the mount comprising at least one protruding member for engaging the insert when contained within a slot, thereby fixing the mount to the workpiece mounting surface of a coordinate positioning apparatus.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 for mounting a machine tool accessory to the workpiece mounting surface of a machine tool.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for fixing the insert within a slot comprises an expandable member, such that the insert is held within the slot by friction.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for fixing the insert within a slot comprises one or more screws.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for fixing the insert within a slot comprises an adhesive.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for fixing the insert within a slot comprise means for fixing the insert within a tee slot formed in the workpiece mounting surface of a machine tool.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for fixing the insert within a slot comprises means for fixing the insert within a U-shaped slot formed in the workpiece mounting surface of a machine tool.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mount comprises a plurality of protruding members.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the mount comprises two protruding members.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of protruding members is moveable relative to the mount.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the at least one protruding member moveable relative to the mount is a hand moveable member.

12. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of protruding members is fixed relative to the mount.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the action of engaging the at least one protruding member of the mount with the insert urges the mount into contact with the workpiece mounting surface.

14. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insert is a longitudinal insert having first and second ends.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the insert comprises at least one receiving means for receiving the at least one protruding member of the mount.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the insert comprises two receiving means, the first receiving means provided at the first end of the insert and the second receiving means provided at the second end of the insert.

17. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the at least one receiving means provides one point of contact.

18. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the at least one receiving means provides two points of contact.

19. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the action of engaging the at least one protruding member of the mount with the insert urges the at least one protruding member of the mount against at least one wall of a slot in which the insert is contained.

20. An apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a coordinate positioning apparatus accessory attached to the mount, wherein the coordinate positioning apparatus accessory comprises a tool-setter.

21. An apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a coordinate positioning apparatus accessory attached to the mount, wherein the coordinate positioning apparatus accessory comprises a measurement probe.

22. An apparatus according to claim 1, for mounting a coordinate positioning apparatus accessory to a workpiece mounting surface on the bed of a coordinate positioning apparatus.

23. An apparatus according to claim 1, for mounting a coordinate positioning apparatus accessory to a workpiece mounting surface on a pallet.

24. An insert having means for fixing the insert within a slot in a workpiece mounting surface of a coordinate positioning apparatus, wherein the insert is substantially contained within the slot when inserted therein.

25. An insert according to claim 24 having means for fixing the insert within a slot in a workpiece mounting surface of a machine tool.

26. An insert according to claim 24, wherein the means for fixing the insert within a slot in a workpiece mounting surface of a coordinate positioning apparatus comprises an expandable member, such that the insert is fixed within the slot by friction.

27. An insert according to claim 24, wherein the means for fixing the insert within a slot comprises screws.

28. An insert according to claim 24, wherein the means for fixing the insert within a slot comprises glue.

29. A mount attachable to a machine tool accessory, the mount comprising at least one protruding member for engaging an insert substantially contained within a slot in the workpiece mounting surface of a coordinate positioning apparatus, the at least one protruding member, when engaged with an insert, holding the mount to the workpiece mounting surface.

30. A mount according to claim 29 comprising at least one protruding member for engaging an insert substantially contained within a slot in the workpiece mounting surface of a machine tool.