The Warner & Swasey Company

Warner & Swasey Co. Sheffield Measurement Div.

Robert D Donaldson

Freddie L Raleigh

Frederick K Bell

John J Tuss

Donald K Greier

James L Henry

A coordinate measuring machine (10) having a three point support for a work supporting table (24) mounted over a base (12) constructed of a thermally dissimilar material. A first fixed support, (26A) and a laterally compliant second support (26B) are located at the front of the machine. The second front support (26B) is comprised of a pair of webs (28) oriented to be compliant in the lateral direction to allow relative thermal growth between the table (24) and base (12) while being rigid in the longitudinal direction to prevent rotation of the table (24) about the fixed front support (26A). Stacked crossed roller bearings (38A, 38B) provide a frictionless third point of support at the rear of the table (24).

Coordinate measuring machine with improved table support

A mounting bracket arrangements for an optical component (10) which must be precisely oriented on a base structure (12) and held securely against vibrations, the arrangement including a bracket assembly (14) having first and second bracket plates (24, 26) extending orthogonally with respect to each other. The component (10) is secured to subplate (20) in turn attached to the first bracket plate (24) with a pivot screw (38) and a pair of locking screws (34, 36) so as to enable pivoting adjustment, secured by tightening all of the screws. The second bracket plate (26) is attached to the base structure (12) by a pivot screw (56) and a pair of locking screws (52, 54) so as to enable pivoting adjustment, thereafter secured by tightening all of the screws. A torque plate (50, 62) is installed beneath each set of locking screws to prevent disturbing the adjusted position as the locking screws are tightened. Pairs of aligned holes (68, 70, 74, 76) are formed in the subplate (20) and first bracket plate (24) and second bracket plate (26) and base structure (12) to enable a tool inserted in the holes to be used to adjust the position of the parts. (FIG. 5).

Mounting bracket arrangement for aligning optical system components

A coordinate measuring machine (10) having a light weight aluminum bridge (24) mounted for guided movement along ways (42) on a base (28), which also is constructed of aluminum to match thermal growth characteristics of the bridge (24). The table (12) is constructed of steel for greater rigidity to support heavy measured objects (1b) and is supported on the base (28) so as to minimize distortions of the base (28) by differences in thermal growth of the table (12), and base (28). The weight of the table (12) and measured object (16) is arranged to be passed through the base (12) to floor supports (62, 112) to minimize distortions of the base (12) and ways (42). The bridge (24) is movable completely to the rear of the table (12) to enable access of the probe (18) to the total table surface area FIG. 2.

Growing community of inventors

Centerville, OH, United States of America

Robert D Donaldson