System for active error compensation during machining
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for controlling the positioning of an object comprising:
- a table adapted to be supported in a desired position;
a table spaced from said table base;
means for coupling said table to said table base comprising flat spring flexure means, said spring flexure means having flexure straps attached at opposite ends of the straps between said table and said table base and permitting movement of said table relative to said table base through said spring flexure means upon flexing of the spring flexure means;
means for establishing a reference position of the table relative to the table base at location spaced from said spring flexure means to directly control movement in at least one direction of movement of the table relative to the table base permitted by the spring flexure means; and
means coupled to the table base and the table for sensing deviations in positions of the table from the reference position relative to table base and for providing a signal for adjusting the means for establishing a reference position.
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Abstract
A control system for precision machine tools and similar devices provides a precise position during active operations on a table supported workpiece or part. The present system provides a support table on which a machine part or specimen is mounted that is controlled in its position through a friction free spring type hinge relative to a base, and which is held therein with a piezoelectric actuator operated in an active closed loop system to maintain a set position without any backlash.
30 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling the positioning of an object comprising:
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a table adapted to be supported in a desired position; a table spaced from said table base;
means for coupling said table to said table base comprising flat spring flexure means, said spring flexure means having flexure straps attached at opposite ends of the straps between said table and said table base and permitting movement of said table relative to said table base through said spring flexure means upon flexing of the spring flexure means;means for establishing a reference position of the table relative to the table base at location spaced from said spring flexure means to directly control movement in at least one direction of movement of the table relative to the table base permitted by the spring flexure means; and means coupled to the table base and the table for sensing deviations in positions of the table from the reference position relative to table base and for providing a signal for adjusting the means for establishing a reference position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. In a machine tool having a work tool spindle and a tool base and slide for movement relative to the tool spindle, the improvement comprising:
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a table assembly and control system for controlling the positioning of a work piece relative to the work spindle including; a table base adapted to be mounted on a tool base of a machine tool; a table spaced from said table base and overlying at least a portion of the table base; spring means for coupling said table to said table base and for forming at least one frictionless backlash free pivot axis that determines direction of movement of the table relative to the table base; an actuator having a housing and an extendable actuator plunger, said actuator being mounted directly to the table and the table base so that movement of the actuator plunger will cause a reactive movement about said at least one pivot axis between the table and the table base; first sensor means adapted to be mounted to sense position of the table relative to a work spindle in direction along the axis of such work spindle for sensing deviations of the table from a reference position in direction along such axis; second sensor means mounted on the table base and table for sensing the position of the table relative to the table base; and control means responsive to both the first and second sensor means for controlling position of the table relative to the work spindle to a reference location and for adjusting the actuator to return the table to its reference position when deviations of the table relative to its reference position are sensed by the respective sensor means. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. In a machine tool having a support frame and a tool base and slide for movement relative to the support frame, the improvement comprising:
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a table assembly and control system for controlling the relative positioning of a member and work spindle member including; a table base for mounting on a tool base of such a machine tool; a table spaced from said table base and aligning with at least a portion of the table base; means for coupling said table to said table base and for forming at least one frictionless backlash free pivot axis that determines direction of movement of the table relative to the table base; an actuator having a housing and an extendable actuator plunger, said actuator being mounted directly between the table and the table base so that movement of the actuator plunger will cause a reactive movement about said at least one pivot axis between the table and the table base; first sensor means adapted to be mounted to sense position of the table in direction along a work spindle axis relative to a machine tool frame on which the table assembly is mounted; second sensor means mounted relative to the table base and table for sensing position of the table relative to the table base for controlling the actuator; and control means responsive to the first and second sensor means for controlling position of the table relative to the machine tool frame at a reference position in direction along the work spindle axis and for adjusting the actuator to return the table to its reference position when the table deviates therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification