Geometrical instruments – Gauge – With calibration device or gauge for nuclear reactor element
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-07
2003-08-05
Bennett, G. Bradley (Department: 2859)
Geometrical instruments
Gauge
With calibration device or gauge for nuclear reactor element
C033S503000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06601310
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for transferring a testing master block, so called an “interim testing artifact” for inspecting accuracy or checking operation to a measurement table of a three-dimensional measuring machine, so called a “coordinate measuring machine” or other measuring machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the past, to measure the dimensions of automobile engines or machine parts such as transmission cases, a measuring machine of the type which measured the dimensions by bringing the front end of a probe into contact with a work piece set on a measurement table has been used widely.
As for this type of measuring machine, there is for example the one disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2-306101. As shown in
FIG. 13
, the measuring machine A
1
has a gantry-type moving member A
4
moving in the X-direction along rails A
3
at the two sides of the measurement table A
2
. The moving member A
4
has attached to it a moving member A
5
able to move in a Y-direction perpendicular to the X-direction.
Further, the moving member A
5
is provided with a spindle A
5
able to move in the vertical direction, that is, a Z-direction perpendicular to the plane formed by the X-direction and Y-direction. A probe (stylus) A
6
, to which a ball is affixed, is attached to the front end of the spindle AS. The probe A
6
is slid in the X- and Y-directions with the ball in contact with the top surface of the work piece W mounted on the measurement table A
2
to detect the dimensions in the Z-direction.
In the measuring machine A
1
, when the ball at the front end of the probe A
6
becomes worn, precise measurement of the dimensions becomes no longer possible, so a V-block is set as a reference gauge on the measurement table A
2
, the ball is brought into contact with it to detect the dimensions of parts of the V-block, for which error due to the wear of the ball is inspected.
Summarizing the problems to be solved by the present invention, in the measuring machine of the related art disclosed in the Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2-306101, since the reference gauge is set-by hand on the measurement table between ordinary measurement operations, there was the problem that the inspection of the accuracy of the measuring machine itself required time and trouble due to the set-up work, the ordinary work of measurement of the work piece was suspended for a long time for the inspection of accuracy, and therefore the work efficiency ended up dropping.
Further, to eliminate the trouble of setting the reference gauge at the time of each inspection of accuracy, it is possible to place the reference gauge at a predetermined position on the measurement table at all times and move the probe to the position of the reference gauge for measurement only when inspecting the accuracy, but this means the reference gauge will occupy the space of part of the measurement table at all times, so there was the problem that the location where the work piece could be set on the measurement table ended up becoming limited.
On the other hand, the Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 11-44527 discloses the art of using a conveyor designed for conveying a work piece to a measurement position of a coordinate measuring machine so as to move a testing master block serving as a reference in the accuracy of the dimensions to the measurement position and then measuring the dimensions by the measuring machine. According to this coordinate measuring machine, it is possible to automatically transfer the testing master block to the measurement position and thereby inspect the accuracy quickly.
This coordinate measuring machine, however, has a conveyor attached to convey a work piece mounted on a pallet and the testing master block, so installation of the coordinate measuring machine requires a large space with an enclosed air-conditioning system and temperature control system and therefore there was the problem of a higher capital cost.
An object of the present invention is to provide a transfer apparatus of a testing master block for a measuring machine which enables a testing master block to be transferred onto a measurement table of the measuring machine quickly without human intervention and can be easily attached to an existing measuring machine with a small installation space.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
To achieve the above objective, according to the present invention, there is a provided transfer apparatus of a testing master block for a measuring machine provided with a moving member for moving a testing master block for a measuring machine between a retracted position near an end of a measurement table of the measuring machine and a measurement position on the measurement table.
Preferably, the moving member is comprised of a trolley moving between a retracted position set inside a storage housing arranged adjoining an end of the measurement table and a measurement position on the measurement table, and the trolley is provided with a lift mechanism having an elevator frame which is driven to be raised or lowered so as to lift up and hold the testing master block at an ascended position and to lower it onto the measurement table by a descending operation.
More preferably, the storage housing and the trolley are connected through pantograph mechanisms comprised of a plurality of pairs of links, each link of a pair pivotally axially attached to the other at a center position, pivotally connected at their ends to ends of adjoining pairs of links, so as to keep the trolley in line; pairs of nuts formed with female threads in mutually opposite directions to each other are axially attached to be changeable in direction to the ends of the pairs of links positioned at the storage housing side of the pantograph mechanisms; these nuts are engaged with pairs of male threads formed in mutually opposite directions at the outer circumference of a drive screw shaft supported by the storage housing and driven to rotate in both the forward and reverse directions; the pantograph mechanisms extend or contract along with rotation of the drive screw shaft; and thereby the trolley is moved between the retracted position inside the storage housing and the measurement position on the measurement table.
Alternatively, a drive source is mounted on the trolley for driving at least one wheel to propel the trolley between the retracted position in the storage housing and the measurement position on the measurement table, and the storage housing and the trolley are connected by a guide member extendable and contractible in the direction of trolley movement so as to keep the trolley in line.
More preferably, a first positioning means is provided at the bottom of the testing master block, and the first positioning means engages from above with a second positioning means fastened detachably at the measurement position of the measurement table to position the testing master block with respect to the measurement table.
The transfer apparatus of a testing master block for a measuring machine of the present invention (hereinafter referred to simply as a “transfer apparatus”) has a measurement table (bed) for setting a workpiece and can be used attached to a measuring machine for measuring the dimensions etc. of a workpiece placed on that measurement table.
The measuring machine includes for example a coordinate measuring machine which has a probe able to be moved in the X-, Y-, and Z-directions relative to the measurement table and measures dimensions by bringing the front end of the probe into contact with parts of a workpiece on the measurement table.
The transfer apparatus of the present invention moves the testing master block from the retracted position near an end of the measurement table where it does not interfere with ordinary measurement work to the measurement position on the measurement table by a moving member only when inspecting the measuring machine between ordinary measurement operations of workpiece
Asanuma Giken Co., Ltd.
Bennett G. Bradley
Browdy and Neimark , P.L.L.C.
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