Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Product assembly or manufacturing
Reexamination Certificate
2005-12-27
2005-12-27
Patel, Ramesh (Department: 2121)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Product assembly or manufacturing
C700S160000, C700S163000, C700S186000, C700S195000, C700S193000, C318S569000, C318S568110, C318S568210, C318S560000, C901S030000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06980881
ABSTRACT:
Large machines, especially those having working envelopes in excess of fifteen feet, exhibit unacceptable errors because of thermal expansion and mechanical misalignments between the axes. The errors have traditionally been minimized by enclosing the machine in a thermal enclosure, by careful calibration, or by mounting a laser interferometer on each axis. These solutions are costly, may require frequent recalibration, and do not correct for small rotations of one axis relative to another axis due to wear etc. The present invention uses an interferometric laser tracker or a comparable 3D position sensor to measure the position of a retroreflector attached to the end effector, e.g. a machine head when the machine comes to rest. A computer compares the measured position to the desired position according to the machine media, and adds the appropriate correction with trickle feed media statements to move the machine to the correct position prior to further machining.
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Greenwood, T., Pastusak, T, “Optical End-Point Control for NC Machinery”.SAE Proceedings97MP-12. Presented at the 1997 Aerospace Manufacturing Technology Conference.
Greenwood Thomas A.
Pastusak Thomas W.
Hammar John C.
Patel Ramesh
The Boeing Company
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