Tool communications method
First Claim
1. In a computer numerically controlled machining center having a spindle, a control rod passing through said spindle, a sliding element, said control rod coupled to said sliding element, a linear motor and transducer connected to said sliding element to control the position and force on said sliding element, a tooling device secured in said spindle, a tool actuating rod operable in said tooling device, the position of said tool actuating rod set relative to said tooling device prior to insertion in said spindle, the position is determined by the type of said tooling device in said spindle, the method of establishing tool presence and type of tooling device by advancing said control rod through said linear motor and sliding element with a controlled force until said spindle control rod stalls against said tool actuating rod and said transducer signals position of said tool actuating rod to said computer numerical control.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An intelligent Tool System used with Computer Numerical Controlled machining centers consisting of a method of establishing tool presence and type of tooling device and a method of eliminating any error due to thermal growth.
The spindle mechanism provides CNC Communicating and Operating means with spindle mounted devices for establishing tool presence and type of tooling for eliminating error due to thermal growth and for determining the function of tooling devices such as telescoping tool holders for determining work surface location with random length tools and for sensing tool condition; automatic boring tools for high precision boring and contouring; probing devices for work surface location, measurement and definition; combination boring and probing tools for boring and measuring a hole without removing the tool from the spindle.
24 Citations
6 Claims
- 1. In a computer numerically controlled machining center having a spindle, a control rod passing through said spindle, a sliding element, said control rod coupled to said sliding element, a linear motor and transducer connected to said sliding element to control the position and force on said sliding element, a tooling device secured in said spindle, a tool actuating rod operable in said tooling device, the position of said tool actuating rod set relative to said tooling device prior to insertion in said spindle, the position is determined by the type of said tooling device in said spindle, the method of establishing tool presence and type of tooling device by advancing said control rod through said linear motor and sliding element with a controlled force until said spindle control rod stalls against said tool actuating rod and said transducer signals position of said tool actuating rod to said computer numerical control.
Specification