Machine alignment system

• US 7,788,814 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2007
• Issued: 09/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rtx Corporation
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Collins, Kevin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson; Amy Cohen
• Application Number:
  US11/960,882
• Publication Number:
  US 20090162156A1
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 33/1.BB, 332/01, 332/86, 335/02, 335/06, 335/16, 336/13, 336/26, 336/27, 336/38, 336/41, 336/42, 336/45, 336/55, 336/77, 335/49, 335/67, 335/73, 33D/IG.21, 332/27, 332/28, 332/93, 408/13, 408/16
• US Class Current: 33/286
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/2233 for adjusting the tool relative to the workpiece
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/24 using optics or electromagnetic waves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 33/21 with laser
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/175 to control relative positioning of Tool and work

Abstract

A machine alignment system is disclosed that includes a support member. A workpiece is supported by the support member during a machine operation. A robot includes a tool that is spaced from the support member. A laser is associated with the tool and is configured to provide a laser beam. An alignment tool is arranged on the support member. The laser and alignment tool cooperate to ensure alignment of the tool relative to the workpiece. The alignment tool includes an aperture. An adjustment member is associated with one of the tool and the support member. The adjustment member is configured to adjust a relative position between the tool and the support member to enable the laser beam to pass through the aperture and onto a target surface during an alignment procedure.

Claims

1. A method of aligning a machine comprising the steps of:

providing a tool and a target;

arranging an alignment tool with a plurality of apertures between the tool and the target, wherein the alignment tool includes multiple plates spaced from one another, each of the plates including an aperture of the plurality of apertures, the apertures aligned with one another, the multiple plates supported on a common fixture;

directing a laser beam between the tool and the target; and

aligning the tool and target to ensure that the laser beam passes through the aligned apertures in multiple plates and onto one of the tool and target.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the arranging step includes providing the target on the alignment tool.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the directing step includes supporting a laser near a tool and directing it toward the fixture.

4. The method according to claim 1, comprising the step of removing the alignment tool from the fixture and mounting a workpiece onto the fixture.

5. A machine alignment system comprising:

a support member;

a tool spaced from the support member;

a laser associated with the tool and configured to provide a laser beam;

an alignment tool arranged on the support member, the alignment tool including a plurality of apertures wherein the alignment tool includes multiple plates spaced from one another, each of the plates including an aperture of the plurality of apertures, the apertures aligned with one another;

an adjustment member associated with at least one of the tool and support member, the adjustment member configured to adjust a relative position of the tool and the support member to enable the laser beam to pass through the aperture and onto a target during an alignment procedure; and

a multiaxis robot supporting the tool and in communication with the adjustment member, the adjustment member adjusting the position of the tool in response to an input during the alignment procedure.

6. The machine alignment system according to claim 5, wherein the target is provided on one of the plates spaced from the apertures.

7. The machine alignment system according to claim 6, wherein the target includes a dimple aligned with the apertures.

8. The machine alignment system according to claim 5, comprising locating features arranged between the support member and the alignment tool for providing a desired orientation there between.