TWO-WAY ROUNDNESS DEVICE

• US 20140360035A1
• Filed: 06/05/2014
• Published: 12/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cedarflat Precision Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cedarflat Precision Inc.
• Inventors: MONTGOMERY, Darcy Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 9,347,761 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/550
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/201 for measuring roundness

Abstract

A two way roundness device can be configured as a device in which a tool, such as an indicator rotates or as a device in which the part to be measured or cut rotates. This ability to alternate between these two configurations is enabled by a combination of a rotating spindle assembly and a two-axis stage that can be oriented, in use, with the two-axis stage under the spindle assembly or with the two-axis stage on top of the spindle assembly.

Claims

1. A two way roundness device operable in two different configurations comprising:

a two-axis stage, movable in two perpendicular directions and having a first side with a planar portion sufficient to support the two-way roundness device when the first side is resting on a flat surface, the planar portion being parallel to the two directions of movement;

a spindle assembly attached to the two-axis stage in the center of a second side opposite the first side, the spindle assembly being rotatable about longitudinal axis of rotation perpendicular to the two directions of movement of the two axis stage; and

an arm having a tool receiving portion and being attachable to the spindle assembly, whereby, in a first configuration, the two way roundness device is operable with the spindle oriented above the first side, with the arm attached to the spindle and the spindle assembly being rotatable; and

in a second configuration, the two way roundness device is operable with the first side oriented above the spindle assembly and the two-axis stage being rotatable.

2. The roundness device of claim 1, further comprising a base attachable to fixed earth on one side and attachable to the spindle assembly.

3. The roundness device of claim 1, wherein the spindle assembly comprises an attachment for receiving the arm such that one end of the arm is held at a distance from the axis of rotation.

4. The roundness device of claim 3, wherein the arm extends at an angle from the axis of rotation.

5. The roundness device of claim 1, further comprising an indicator for measuring roundness and wherein the tool receiving portion is configured to receive an indicator for measuring roundness.

6. The roundness device of claim 1, wherein the first side is attachable to a base.

7. The roundness device of claim 1, wherein the first side is attachable to fixed earth.

8. The roundness device of claim 1, further comprising a platform attachable to the first side.

9. The roundness device of claim 1, comprising components made of non-magnetic material.

10. The roundness device of claim 1, wherein the spindle assembly comprises a bearing assembly comprising rolling element bearings for causing rotation of the spindle assembly.

11. The roundness device of claim 1, wherein the spindle assembly comprises a bearing assembly comprising an air bearing for causing rotation of the spindle assembly.

12. The roundness device of claim 11, further comprising a rotary joint for supplying pressurized air to the air bearing.

13. The roundness device of claim 1, wherein the bearing assembly comprises a bearing housing and one or more bearings.

14. The roundness device of claim 1, further comprising an encoder for measuring angular movement.

15. The roundness device of claim 1, comprising a motor for turning the spindle assembly or the two-axis stage.

16. The roundness device of claim 1, further comprising:

a rolling element bearing in the bearing assembly;

a mechanical device to limit rotation of the spindle assembly to a predetermined angle;

an indicator for measuring roundness.

17. The roundness device of claim 1, further comprising:

a rolling element bearing in the bearing assembly;

a mechanical counter to measure the absolute angle of rotation of the spindle assembly; and

an indicator for measuring roundness.

18. The roundness device of claim 1, wherein the two-axis stage is an XY stage.

19. The roundness device of claim 1, wherein the two-axis stage is an XZ stage.

20. The roundness device of claim 1, wherein the spindle assembly comprises a bearing housing, the bearing housing also being an integral part of the two-axis stage.