Method and apparatus for changing operating modules on a coordin

Details Method and apparatus for changing operating modules on a coordin Method and apparatus for changing operating modules on a coordin

1998-01-22

1999-10-26

Briggs, William

Tool changing

Process

483 59, 483901, B23Q 3155

Patent

active

059719036

ABSTRACT:
A system is disclosed enabling the automated exchange of touch probes (34,38) on an articulating probe head 40. The touch probes are mounted to adaptors 32, and are housed in storage ports 20 of a magazine. An adaptor 32 is repeatably located upon the retaining module by the mutual engagement of kinematic support elements 50,52 on the probe head 40 and adaptor 32 respectively. The support elements 50,52 are urged into mutual engagement by a locking mechanism having a spigot 60 on the probe head 40 which engages a cam 62 on the adaptor 32; rotation of the cam 62 locks/unlocks the support elements into mutual engagement. During an exchange operation the cam 62 is rotated by a screwdriver 80 in the storage port. Rotation of the screwdriver 80 is caused by relative movement of the storage port and the support plate 14, which is part of the support structure of the magazine. This relative movement is powered by the motion of the arm of the machine (to which the probe head 40 is mounted) along a path B,C,D,E, during an exchange operation.

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Renishaw Electrical Limited (Sales Brochure), "Autochange: Flexible Probing System for Co-ordinate Measuring Machines", Issue 1, Aug. 1984.

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