GB2047133A - Tool connecting mechanism for machine tools - Google Patents
Tool connecting mechanism for machine tools Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2047133A GB2047133A GB8010726A GB8010726A GB2047133A GB 2047133 A GB2047133 A GB 2047133A GB 8010726 A GB8010726 A GB 8010726A GB 8010726 A GB8010726 A GB 8010726A GB 2047133 A GB2047133 A GB 2047133A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- members
- connecting member
- elements
- support elements
- axially
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
- G01B5/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of mechanical techniques
- G01B5/004—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of mechanical techniques for measuring coordinates of points
- G01B5/008—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of mechanical techniques for measuring coordinates of points using coordinate measuring machines
- G01B5/012—Contact-making feeler heads therefor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23Q—DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
- B23Q3/00—Devices holding, supporting, or positioning work or tools, of a kind normally removable from the machine
- B23Q3/155—Arrangements for automatic insertion or removal of tools, e.g. combined with manual handling
- B23Q3/1552—Arrangements for automatic insertion or removal of tools, e.g. combined with manual handling parts of devices for automatically inserting or removing tools
- B23Q3/15553—Tensioning devices or tool holders, e.g. grippers
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- A Measuring Device Byusing Mechanical Method (AREA)
Abstract
The mechanism comprises two connecting members (22,23) including respectively, three equiangularly spread radial arms 25 and three pairs of balls 30, each pair adapted to receive a respective arm. The members are connected by passing the arms between spaces defined between adjacent pairs of balls against a spring pressure, causing relative rotation of the members to the align the arms with respective ball pairs, and causing relative axial movement of the members to locate each arm between a respective ball pair. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Tool connecting mechanism for machine tools
This invention relates to a tool connecting mechan
ism for machine tools. The tool to be connected may
be a probe for measuring a workpiece held in the
machine tool or it may be a cutter for machining the
workpiece.
It is known from United Kingdom Patent No.
1,445,977 to provide a probe for use in measuring
workpieces, the probe comprising a first and a
second member, one of the members having three
first support elements arranged at each of three
locations spaced about an axis, the other member
having three second support elements engageable
with the respective first support elements, means for
axially urging the members into engagement at said
first and second elements, the first and second
elements being constituted a kinematic support
means locating the members against relative dis
placement transversely to or rotationally about said
axis, One of the members is adapted to be secured to
the head of a coordinate measuring machine and the
other one of the members is a holder for a stylus for
sensing a workpiece to be measured.
Such machines may be operated to carry out
measuring operations automatically under the con
trol of a programmed computer, and the need has arisen to be able also to change the stylus by an
automatic operation. Automatic tool change appar
atus is known in machine tools for example from
United Kingdom Patent No. 1,429,049 but such
apparatus is relatively complicated.
According to the present invention the tool sup
port mechanism is characterised in that:
the first support elements (25) extend radially
outwardly and define open spaces (25B) angularly
therebetween,
the second support elements (30) extend radially
inwardly and define open spaces (;3or) angularly
therebetween,
the connecting members (22,23) are relatively
displaceable axially to effect disengagement at said
first and second elements
and, consequent on said disengagement, the
members (22,23) are relatively rotatable about said
axis (10A) to axially align one of the first and second
elements (25,30) with the spaces (30B,25B) between
the other of the first and second elements to enable
the members to be separated axially.
An example of connecting mechanism according
to this invention will now be described with refer
ence to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is an elevation of a machine tool including
the connecting mechanisms.
Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional detail of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a section on the line Ill-Ill in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing a
modification.
Figure 5 is a circuit diagram.
Figure 1 shows a coordinate measuring machine
having a probe assembly 10 supported for move
ment in the X,Y and Z dimensions of the orthogonal
coordinate system. To this end the assembly 10 is connected to the bottom end of a vertically disposed elongate member or quill 11 supported for longitudinal motion in the Z direction in a bearing 12 integral with a carriage 13 supported for motion in the X direction along a beam 14 itself supported for motion in the Y direction on a track 15 mounted on a table 16 on which a workpiece 17 to be measured is supported. The table also supports a storage rack 18 being a support for different stylus units 19 to be used in the probe assembly for different types of measuring operations. The quill 11 is driven to pick up any one of the units 19 and to return the unit 19 to the rack.To this end the quill 11 is driven by motors controlled by a computer in a manner well known per se.
Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the probe assembly 10 has an axis 10A and comprises a said unit 19 and a support unit 20. The unit 19 comprises a stylus 21 and a first connecting member 22. The support unit 20 comprises a second connecting member 23 engageable with the member 22. The member 22 comprises a disc-shaped head 24 and three cylindrical arms 25 extending radially outwardly from the head 24. The arms 25 define open spaces 25B angularly therebetween. The member 23 comprises a generally cylindrical housing 26 concentric with the axis 10A. The lower end of the housing 26 has three radially inward flanges 29, and each flange has secured thereto a pair of spherical supports 30 defining between them a pair of converging surfaces 30A. The pairs of supports 30 define open spaces 30B angularly therebetween.The upper end of the housing 26 has secured thereto one end of a compression spring 31. The arms 25 and supports 30 define first and second support elements respectively.
Figure 2 shows the units 19,20 in the disengaged condition but in alignment on the axis 1 OA. The unit 19 is supported in a socket 32 of the rack 18, the head 24 resting on a support surface 33 of the socket 32.
When it is required for the quill 11 to pick up the unit 19, the quill is lowered so that the elements 25,30 pass through the spaces 30B,25B and the lower end of the spring 31 abuts the top of the head 24. Further lowering of the quill 11 compresses the spring and brings the arms 25 into a position above the level of the spherical supports 30. The unit 20 is then rotated through 60 to bring the arms 25 into axial alignment with the respective pairs of convergent surfaces 30A, and the quill 11 is raised again whereby the spring 31 becomes free to urge the head 24 downward and thereby urge the arms 25 into engagement which the surfaces 30A.The arms 25 and convergent surfaces 30A constitute a kinematic support means ensuring, in cooperation with the spring 31, that the units 19,20 are located against relative displacement transversely to and rotationally about the axis 1 or, this condition being referred as the "first rest position" of the stylus 21.
The rotation of the unit 20 is effected by an electric motor 35 arranged between the quill and the unit 20 substantially as shown, the rotation being limited by stops 36 on the quill cooperating with a lug 37 on the unit 20.
If the stylus 19 is to be returned to the rack 18 the above described operations are reversed.
The unit 20 includes a further housing 40 arranged between the housing 25 and the quill 11 and including a mounting 41 for the second connecting member 23. To this end the housing 26 is secured to the lower end of a shank 42 whose upper end has a third connecting member or head 43 having three radial arms 44 urged by a spring 46 into engagement with spherical supports 45 provided on the housing 40 which constitutes a fourth connecting member.
The arms 44 and supports 45 define third and fourth support elements respectively. The arrangement is substantially the same as that of the arms 25, supports 30 and spring 31 and provides a second rest position for the stylus 21. However, whereas in the case of the member 23 the spring 31 is sufficiently stiff to prevent displacement from said first rest position under any working forces acting on the stylus 21, the spring 46 is sufficiently soft to allow displacement of the stylus from the second rest position. This is required to allow the sensing of the operative forces acting on the stylus, e.g. by sensing a change in electrical resistance between the arms 44 and the supports 45, when carrying out a measuring operation. Also the housing 40 can be fully closed as by rubber bellows 47 to ensure the cleanliness required for accurate seating at low spring pressures.
The housings 40,26 are spaced apart axially at a gap 52 to allow said displacement of the stylus, i.e.
allow tilting of the head 43 on the supports 45 when the stylus engages the workpiece 17 during a measuring operation. When the quill 11 is lowered to pick up the unit 19 the relatively weaker spring 46 compresses before the spring 31. This closes a gap 52 and brings the housings 40,26 into axial engagement at surfaces 48,49 for transmission of the axial force necessary to compress the spring 31. Simultaneously, axial teeth 50,51 on the housings 40,26 engage for transmission of the torque of the motor 35.
Referring to Figure 4, spherical supports 53 are arranged above the arms 44 and a tension spring 54 is arranged between the head 43 and the housing 46 to urge the arms 44 against the supports 53. In all other respects the supports 53 are equivalent to the supports 45. When the quill 11 is lowered to pick up the unit 19 the gap 52 is not closed because the axial force for compression of the spring 31 is reacted directly by the supports 53. The torque for rotation of the housing 26 is also transmitted by the inclined surfaces of the supports 53. The gap 52 is of course still required to accommodate said tilting of the head 43 during a measuring operation. The spring 31 may be made of substantially the same strength as the spring 54 so that both the heads 43, 22 can tilt during a measuring operation, the head 43 tilting downwardly and the head 22 tilting upwardly.If the measuring operation requires axial movement of the stylus, the arrangement allows such movement of the stylus towards or away from the quill 11 as may be required.
The motor 35 may be embodied in a housing 35A detachably secured to the lower end of the quill 11.
In a further modification (not illustrated) the head 43, supports 45 or 53 and spring 46 or 54 are
dispensed with and the housings 26,40 are made as a single component. In such a case the spring 31 has ,to be sufficiently weak to allow displacement of the
stylus for measuring operations.
However, the invention is not restricted to sup
porting a stylus in a measuring machine and may be
applied generally to tool holders and automatic tool
selector systems in machine tools. If a tool, e.g. a
drill or small milling cutter, is used instead of a
stylus, then the spring 31 must of course be strong
enough to prevent displacement of the tool under
the forces acting thereon in operation and the
inclined surfaces 30A must be sufficiently steep to
ensure firm location of the tool under such forces.
On the other hand, the spring 31 may be sufficiently
weak to give way if an excessive operating force acts
on the tool and in this way the tool is protected
against overload.
It will be clear that the motor 35 may be used to
rotate the whole of the assembly 10 for the purpose
of rotating a said drill or cutter. In such an arrange
ment the stops 36 and lug 37 are of course not used.
Referring to Figure 5 the supports 30 may be
connected in an electric circuit 60 which is made
when each of the arms 25 is seated on the respective
pair of supports 30. The circuit is broken when one of the arms is displaced thereby de-energising a relay
61 to break a second circuit 62. The state of the
circuit 62 is therefore an indication of whether or not
the members 22,23 are properly connected. The
circuit 62 may be connected to act on a system 63
controlling the motor 35 to de-energise this motor in
case the members 22,23 become disconnected at
one of the elements 25,30 due to overload on the
tool.
Claims (6)
1. Tool connecting mechanism for machine
tools, comprising a first and a second connecting
member, one of the connecting members having
three first support elements arranged at each of
three locations spaced about an axis, the other
member having three second support elements
engageable with the respective first support ele
ments, means for axially urging the members into
engagement at said first and second elements, the
first and second elements being constituted a
kniematic support means locating the members
against relative displacement transversely to and
rotationally about said axis, characterised in that::
the first support elements extend radially outward
ly and define open spaces angularly therebetween,
the second support elements extend radially in
wardly and define open spaces angularly therebe
tween,
the connecting members are relatively displace
able axially to effect disengagement at said first and
second elements,
and, consequent on said disengagement, the
members are relatively rotatable about said axis to
axially align one of the first and second elements
with the spaces between the other of the first and
second elements to enable the members to be separated axially.
2. Mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the means for axially urging the connecting members into engagement comprise a spring secured to one of the members and engaging the other member.
3. Mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said second connecting member is secured to a third connecting member supported on a fourth connecting member the third and fourth connecting members being provided respectively with third and fourth support elements arranged about said axis, resilient means for axially urging the third and fourth members into engagement at said third and fourth support elements, and means for supporting the third and fourth members against displacement transversely to and rotationally about said axis.
4. Mechanism according to claim 3 wherein the third connecting member is situated at the side of the second connecting member remote from the first connecting member and the fourth support elements are situated at the side of the third support elements remote from the first connecting member so that an axial force urging the first connecting member toward the second connecting member is reacted by said fourth support elements.
5. Mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the spring is a compression spring secured to one of the connecting members and abutting the other connecting member to act thereon in the sense of separating the members when said elements are aligned with said spaces.
6. Tool connecting mechanism for machine tools substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB8010726A GB2047133B (en) | 1979-03-30 | 1980-03-31 | Tool connecting mechanism for machine tools |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB7911328 | 1979-03-30 | ||
GB8010726A GB2047133B (en) | 1979-03-30 | 1980-03-31 | Tool connecting mechanism for machine tools |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB2047133A true GB2047133A (en) | 1980-11-26 |
GB2047133B GB2047133B (en) | 1982-12-15 |
Family
ID=26271082
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB8010726A Expired GB2047133B (en) | 1979-03-30 | 1980-03-31 | Tool connecting mechanism for machine tools |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2047133B (en) |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2502325A1 (en) * | 1981-03-18 | 1982-09-24 | Daishowa Seiki | PROBE FOR MACHINE TOOL |
EP0068899A2 (en) * | 1981-06-30 | 1983-01-05 | Renishaw plc | Probe for measuring workpieces |
EP0128464A2 (en) * | 1983-06-03 | 1984-12-19 | Firma Carl Zeiss | Chuck for interchangeable feelers |
WO1985002138A1 (en) * | 1983-11-15 | 1985-05-23 | Renishaw Plc | Tool change apparatus |
EP0210369A1 (en) * | 1985-07-22 | 1987-02-04 | Wild Leitz GmbH | Quick-change holder for a probe tip |
EP0221266A1 (en) * | 1983-06-03 | 1987-05-13 | Firma Carl Zeiss | Magazine for a measuring machine with a probe tip exchange device |
EP0304881A1 (en) * | 1987-08-27 | 1989-03-01 | Firma Carl Zeiss | Touch system for coordinate measuring apparatus |
WO1989005210A1 (en) * | 1987-12-05 | 1989-06-15 | Renishaw Plc | Apparatus for changing a sensing device |
WO1990012998A1 (en) * | 1989-04-25 | 1990-11-01 | Renishaw Plc | Position determining apparatus |
WO1991013316A1 (en) * | 1990-02-23 | 1991-09-05 | Renishaw Plc | Contact probes |
US5491904A (en) * | 1990-02-23 | 1996-02-20 | Mcmurtry; David R. | Touch probe |
USRE35510E (en) * | 1991-07-11 | 1997-05-20 | Renishaw Metrology Limited | Probe head with indexing mechanism |
CN101893434A (en) * | 2009-05-22 | 2010-11-24 | 株式会社三丰 | Roundness measuring apparatus |
US8468672B2 (en) | 2008-03-05 | 2013-06-25 | Renishaw Plc | Surface sensing device |
WO2019123310A1 (en) * | 2017-12-20 | 2019-06-27 | Fabrica Machinale S.R.L. | Method and apparatus for carrying out the replacement of an abrasive element in a machine for working surfaces |
-
1980
- 1980-03-31 GB GB8010726A patent/GB2047133B/en not_active Expired
Cited By (30)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2502325A1 (en) * | 1981-03-18 | 1982-09-24 | Daishowa Seiki | PROBE FOR MACHINE TOOL |
EP0068899A2 (en) * | 1981-06-30 | 1983-01-05 | Renishaw plc | Probe for measuring workpieces |
EP0068899A3 (en) * | 1981-06-30 | 1983-05-11 | Rolls-Royce Limited | Probe for measuring workpieces |
EP0128464A2 (en) * | 1983-06-03 | 1984-12-19 | Firma Carl Zeiss | Chuck for interchangeable feelers |
EP0128464A3 (en) * | 1983-06-03 | 1986-03-12 | Firma Carl Zeiss | Chuck for interchangeable feelers |
EP0221266A1 (en) * | 1983-06-03 | 1987-05-13 | Firma Carl Zeiss | Magazine for a measuring machine with a probe tip exchange device |
JPH08339B2 (en) * | 1983-11-15 | 1996-01-10 | レニショウ パブリック リミテッド カンパニー | Measuring tool switching device |
WO1985002138A1 (en) * | 1983-11-15 | 1985-05-23 | Renishaw Plc | Tool change apparatus |
EP0142373A3 (en) * | 1983-11-15 | 1985-07-03 | Renishaw Plc | Tool change apparatus |
US4651405A (en) * | 1983-11-15 | 1987-03-24 | Renishaw Plc | Tool change apparatus |
EP0210369A1 (en) * | 1985-07-22 | 1987-02-04 | Wild Leitz GmbH | Quick-change holder for a probe tip |
US4738033A (en) * | 1985-07-22 | 1988-04-19 | Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Gmbh | Rapid change holder for probe pins |
EP0304881A1 (en) * | 1987-08-27 | 1989-03-01 | Firma Carl Zeiss | Touch system for coordinate measuring apparatus |
WO1989005210A1 (en) * | 1987-12-05 | 1989-06-15 | Renishaw Plc | Apparatus for changing a sensing device |
US4979284A (en) * | 1987-12-05 | 1990-12-25 | Renishaw Plc | Apparatus for changing a sensing device |
US5101548A (en) * | 1987-12-05 | 1992-04-07 | Renishaw Plc | Apparatus for changing a sensing device |
WO1990012998A1 (en) * | 1989-04-25 | 1990-11-01 | Renishaw Plc | Position determining apparatus |
US5090131A (en) * | 1989-04-25 | 1992-02-25 | Renishaw Plc | Position determining apparatus |
EP0598709A1 (en) * | 1990-02-23 | 1994-05-25 | RENISHAW plc | Touch probe |
EP0551165A1 (en) * | 1990-02-23 | 1993-07-14 | Renishaw plc | Touch probe |
US5353514A (en) * | 1990-02-23 | 1994-10-11 | Renishaw, Plc | Touch probe |
WO1991013316A1 (en) * | 1990-02-23 | 1991-09-05 | Renishaw Plc | Contact probes |
US5491904A (en) * | 1990-02-23 | 1996-02-20 | Mcmurtry; David R. | Touch probe |
US5669152A (en) * | 1990-02-23 | 1997-09-23 | Renishaw, Plc | Touch probe |
USRE35510E (en) * | 1991-07-11 | 1997-05-20 | Renishaw Metrology Limited | Probe head with indexing mechanism |
US8468672B2 (en) | 2008-03-05 | 2013-06-25 | Renishaw Plc | Surface sensing device |
CN101893434A (en) * | 2009-05-22 | 2010-11-24 | 株式会社三丰 | Roundness measuring apparatus |
CN101893434B (en) * | 2009-05-22 | 2015-07-15 | 株式会社三丰 | Roundness measuring apparatus |
WO2019123310A1 (en) * | 2017-12-20 | 2019-06-27 | Fabrica Machinale S.R.L. | Method and apparatus for carrying out the replacement of an abrasive element in a machine for working surfaces |
US11565370B2 (en) | 2017-12-20 | 2023-01-31 | Fabrica Machinale S.R.L. | Method and apparatus for carrying out the replacement of an abrasive element in a machine for working surfaces |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2047133B (en) | 1982-12-15 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19940331 |