Micropositioning system
First Claim
1. A micropositioning system for carrying out manufacturing or inspection operations on an article, said system comprising:
- a radiation source for projecting an image onto a surface of said article, the image being part of a manufacturing template obtained directly from a CAD model of the article and the image representing a predetermined position on the surface of the article where said manufacturing or inspection operations are to be undertaken;
a radiation detector for detecting the projected image;
tool conveyancing means for carrying a tool adapted to perform said manufacturing or inspection operations;
processor means for calculating at least two dimensional co-ordinates of the projected image detected by the radiation detector relative to the tool and control means for controlling the tool conveyancing means so as to position the tool in a pre-defined spatial relationship with the projected image in response to a signal from the processor means.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for accurately positioning tools for use in manufacturing or inspection operations whilst reducing the need for costly tooling such as jigs.
The method for accurately positioning tools comprises at least the steps of
projecting an image onto a surface, detecting the projected image, processing the projected image, calculating at least two dimensional co-ordinates of the projected image relative to a tool, and moving the tool so that it is positioned in a pre-defined spacial relationship with respect to the projected image.
The micropositioning system comprises
a radiation source for projecting an image onto a surface, a radiation detector for detecting the projected image, tool conveyancing means for carrying a tool, processor means for calculating at least two dimensional co-ordinates of the projected image detected by the radiation detector relative to the tool, and control means for controlling the tool conveyancing means so as to position the tool in a pre-defined spacial relationship with the projected image in response to a signal from the processor means.
-
Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A micropositioning system for carrying out manufacturing or inspection operations on an article, said system comprising:
-
a radiation source for projecting an image onto a surface of said article, the image being part of a manufacturing template obtained directly from a CAD model of the article and the image representing a predetermined position on the surface of the article where said manufacturing or inspection operations are to be undertaken;
a radiation detector for detecting the projected image;
tool conveyancing means for carrying a tool adapted to perform said manufacturing or inspection operations;
processor means for calculating at least two dimensional co-ordinates of the projected image detected by the radiation detector relative to the tool and control means for controlling the tool conveyancing means so as to position the tool in a pre-defined spatial relationship with the projected image in response to a signal from the processor means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
- 12. A micropositioning system as claimed in claim wherein the control means comprises a motion controller for controlling the movement of the tool conveyancing means.
-
14. A micropositioning system comprising:
-
a radiation source for projecting an image onto a surface of an article, the image being part of a manufacturing template and the image representing a predetermined position on the surface of the article where a manufacturing or inspection operation is to be undertaken;
a radiation detector for detecting the projected image;
tool conveyancing means for carrying a tool adapted to perform manufacturing or inspection operations;
processor means for calculating at least two dimensional co-ordinates of the projected image detected by the radiation detector relative to the tool and control means for controlling the tool conveyancing means so as to position the tool in a pre-defined spatial relationship with the projected image in response to a signal from the processor means, wherein the tool conveyancing means comprises a tool holding device mounted on a moveable stage, and the moveable stage is mounted on a platform, wherein the platform comprises attachment means for allowing the platform to be releasably attached to the surface.
-
-
15. A micropositioning system comprising:
-
a radiation source for projecting an image onto a surface of an article, the image being part of a manufacturing template and the image representing a predetermined position on the surface of the article where a manufacturing or inspection operation is to be undertaken;
a radiation detector for detecting the projected image;
tool conveyancing means for carrying a tool adapted to perform manufacturing or inspection operations;
processor means for calculating at least two dimensional co-ordinates of the projected image detected by the radiation detector relative to the tool and control means for controlling the tool conveyancing means so as to position the tool in a pre-defined spatial relationship with the projected image in response to a signal from the processor means, wherein the tool conveyancing means comprises a tool holding device mounted on a moveable stage, and the moveable stage is mounted on a platform, wherein the platform comprises one or more adjustable feet for adjusting the distance between the surface and the platform.
-
-
16. A micropositioning system comprising:
-
a radiation source for projecting an image onto a surface of an article, the image being part of a manufacturing template and the image representing a predetermined position on the surface of the article where a manufacturing or inspection operation is to be undertaken;
a radiation detector for detecting the projected image;
tool conveyancing means for carrying a tool adapted to perform manufacturing or inspection operations;
processor means for calculating at least two dimensional co-ordinates of the projected image detected by the radiation detector relative to the tool and control means for controlling the tool conveyancing means so as to position the tool in a pre-defined spatial relationship with the projected image in response to a signal from the processor means, wherein the micropositioning system comprises normalisation means for checking that the tool is substantially normal to the surface prior to a manufacturing operation being carried out;
wherein the normalisation means automatically controls at least one adjustable foot.
-
-
17. A micropositioning system comprising:
-
a radiation source for projecting an image onto a surface of an article, the image being part of a manufacturing template and the image representing a predetermined position on the surface of the article where a manufacturing or inspection operation is to be undertaken;
a radiation detector for detecting the projected image;
tool conveyancing means for carrying a tool adapted to perform manufacturing or inspection operations;
processor means for calculating at least two dimensional co-ordinates of the projected image detected by the radiation detector relative to the tool and control means for controlling the tool conveyancing means so as to position the tool in a pre-defined spatial relationship with the projected image in response to a signal from the processor means, wherein the tool conveyancing means comprises an extendable arm for holding a tool.
-
-
18. A method for accurately positioning tools comprising at least the steps of:
-
projecting an image onto a surface of an article, the image being part of a manufacturing template obtained directly from a CAD model of the article and the image representing a predetermined position on the surface of the article where a manufacturing or inspection operation is to be undertaken;
detecting the projected image processing the projected image calculating at least two dimensional co-ordinates of the projected image relative to a tool adapted to perform said manufacturing or inspection operation; and
moving the tool so that it is positioned in a pre-defined spatial relationship with respect to the projected image. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
Specification