Generative measuring system
First Claim
1. A monitoring system having a stylus mounted for movement along a controlled travel path for monitoring an object'"'"'s shape comprising:
- a) a stationary base having a generally level support surface for mounting structure supporting a stylus for movement along a controlled travel path;
b) a moveable frame having an arm that extends away from said frame and supports the stylus to orient the stylus relative to the base;
c) structure supported by the stationary base to define a travel path for the moveable frame relative to the base comprising;
i) a guide attached to the stationary base that defines the travel path for said frame;
ii) a moveable base coupled to the guide for constrained movement along the travel path; and
iii) a flexure plate at attached to the frame and connected to the moveable base by means of multiple spaced connectors which can be loosened and tightened to adjust an orientation of the frame relative to the stationary base during set up of the monitoring system; and
d) a motor supported by the stationary base and coupled to the frame for moving the frame relative the stationary base along the travel path defined by the guide.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A monitoring system having a stylus mounted to a support that controllably moves the stylus along a travel path as it contacts an object of interest. The object is supported by a rotating turntable and held in place by a manually actuatable retainer that exerts a repeatable downward force on the object. A frame that supports the stylus is supported by a flexure plate that makes the task of orienting the frame easier. The frame supports a saddle that can be raised and lowered by a belt system driven by a D.C. pancake motor. The entire monitoring system achieves a required degree of accuracy in monitoring object shape at a reduced manufacturing cost.
119 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A monitoring system having a stylus mounted for movement along a controlled travel path for monitoring an object'"'"'s shape comprising:
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a) a stationary base having a generally level support surface for mounting structure supporting a stylus for movement along a controlled travel path; b) a moveable frame having an arm that extends away from said frame and supports the stylus to orient the stylus relative to the base; c) structure supported by the stationary base to define a travel path for the moveable frame relative to the base comprising; i) a guide attached to the stationary base that defines the travel path for said frame; ii) a moveable base coupled to the guide for constrained movement along the travel path; and iii) a flexure plate at attached to the frame and connected to the moveable base by means of multiple spaced connectors which can be loosened and tightened to adjust an orientation of the frame relative to the stationary base during set up of the monitoring system; and d) a motor supported by the stationary base and coupled to the frame for moving the frame relative the stationary base along the travel path defined by the guide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of monitoring an object'"'"'s shape comprising the steps of:
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mounting an object support for rotation about a vertical rotation axis; fixing a support column relative to the object support and connecting an object retaining member to the support column for linear up and down movement along a travel path that brings the object retaining member into contact with an object on the object support; manually moving the object retaining member into engagement with the object to fix the object in place relative to the column and activating a visual indicator corresponding to a downward force of engagement between the object retaining member and the object to indicate to a user when the object is secured for inspection; and rotating the object support while contacting the object with a stylus having a position sensor for monitoring the object'"'"'s shape. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A monitoring system having a stylus mounted to a support that can be moved along a controlled travel path as the stylus contacts an object comprising:
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a) a stationary base having a generally level support surface for mounting structure supporting a stylus for movement along a travel path; b) a moveable frame having an arm that extends away from said frame and supports the stylus to position and orient the stylus relative to the base; c) track means supported by the stationary base to define a travel path for the frame and attached stylus; d) a rotating turntable including a motor for rotating the turntable and an object supported by the turntable; and e) structure for securing the object on the turntable as the stylus contacts the object comprising; i) a rotatable center for contacting the object after the object is placed on the turntable; ii) a vertical column supporting the rotatable center so that the rotatable center can be raised and lowered relative the turntable to hold the object between the turntable and the rotatable center; iii) a user-operated actuator having a pneumatically operated cylinder and piston attached to the support for raising and lowering the rotatable center; and iv) a first visible indicator and means for actuating the first visible indicator to indicate when an appropriate force is applied by the rotatable center to an object on the turntable. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A monitoring system having a stylus mounted for movement along a controlled travel path for monitoring an object'"'"'s shape comprising:
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a) a stationary base having a generally level support surface for mounting structure supporting a stylus for movement along a controlled travel path; b) a moveable frame that supports the stylus and positions the stylus relative to the base; c) structure supporting the moveable frame that orients the frame relative to the base and includes a guide attached to the stationary base to define a travel path for relative movement between the stationary base and said frame; and d) a motor supported by the stationary base and coupled to the frame for moving the frame relative the stationary base along the travel path; e) said frame comprising; i) a pair of vertical supports that extend upward from the stationary base; ii) a vertically moveable probe support; iii) a driven pulley coupled to said vertical supports at one end; iv) an idle pulley coupled at an opposite end of said vertical supports; and v) two overlapping belts that engage the driven and idle pulleys and connect to the moveable probe support to move the probe support up and down; and vi) a motor for rotating the driven pulley to move the probe support up and down relative to the stationary base.
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21. A monitoring system having a stylus mounted for movement along a controlled travel path for monitoring an object'"'"'s shape comprising:
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a) a stationary base having a generally level support surface for mounting a stylus for movement along a controlled travel path; b) a moveable frame comprising; i) a pair of vertical supports that extend upward from the stationary base; ii) a vertically moveable probe support to which the stylus is attached; iii) a driven pulley coupled to said vertical supports at one end; iv) an idle pulley coupled at an opposite end of said vertical supports; and v) a drive belt that engages the driven and idle pulleys and connect to the moveable probe support to move the probe support up and down; and vi) a motor for rotating the driven pulley to move the probe support up and down relative to the stationary base; c) structure supporting the moveable frame that orients the frame to the stationary base comprising; i) a guide attached to the stationary base to define a linear travel path for relative movement between the stationary base and said frame; and ii) a flexure plate connected to the frame by means of connectors which connect the plate to the frame which can be loosened or tightened to orient the frame and up and down movement of the probe support; and d) a motor supported by the stationary base and coupled to the frame for moving the frame relative the stationary base along the linear travel path.
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Specification