Locating device for a workpiece

Abstract

A device (100) for determining a location on a workpiece (120), in that the device (100) comprises a frame (102) movable along a longitudinal direction of the workpiece (120), consequently moving the whole device (100) on and / or over the workpiece (120) along said direction, positioning means (104) to position the frame (102) in relation to one side or edge of the workpiece (120) so that the frame (102) may move along the longitudinal direction in relation to the side or edge of the workpiece (120) the device (100) is positioned to, a measuring point (106) connected to movable means (108), which movable means (108) facilitate movement of measuring point (106) along a transverse and / or vertical direction in relation to the workpiece (120) and with respect to the side or edge of the workpiece (120) the device (100) is positioned to, measuring equipment (110a) for determining the location of the measuring point (106) in longitudinal respect to the workpiece (120) and measuring equipment (110b) for determining the location of the measuring point (106) in a transverse and / or vertical direction in relation to the one side of the workpiece (120) to which the frame (102) is fixed with the positioning means (104).

Description

[0001] LOCATING DEVICE FOR A WORKPIECE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Generally, the present invention relates to measuring equipment. In particular, however not exclusively the present invention pertains to devices for determining location on a workpiece.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Traditionally when boring holes or measuring points on a workpiece, such as a beam, the user has to manually measure and mark the points on the beam in accordance with schematics. The manual measurements are done in relation to the beam and accuracy is totally dependent on the accuracy of the different measuring devices, such as a roll measure, and the proficiency of the worker using them.

[0006] Additionally, the beams may vary in dimensions and the schematics might not correspond to the actual beam dimensions that further decreases the accuracy of the measured points. After the dimensions have been measured usually machining such as drilling, coping or welding takes place at the measured points or lines.

[0007] Additionally, CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) machine arrangements are known from the prior art wherein a workpiece is guided and machined through a big apparatus which measures, conveys and machines a workpiece as it travels through the CNC machine. These apparatuses are however big in size, complex in structure, not manually operable (except via a computer user interface) and they cost more than typical manual measuring means.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The objective is to at least alleviate the problems described hereinabove not satisfactorily solved by the known arrangements, and to provide a feasible solution for a locationing device for a workpiece.

[0010] The main advantage of the device in accordance with the present invention is that it comprises all the necessary measuring means incorporated in the device itself. This has a benefit of easier use and the solution is hence less prone to user error and inaccuracy.

[0011] One further advantage of the device in accordance with the present invention is that the arrangement is movable and may be moved from workpiece to another and calibrated in relation to the workpiece.

[0012] A further advantage of the present invention is that it allows for accuracy that is sufficient in regard to relevant workpiece measuring and machining standards for a wide range of measured distances. This is an important advantage when working with e.g. elongated workpieces such as beams and girders that may require both small distance and longer distance measurements wherein the accuracy of those measurements should stay in the tolerances set by relevant standards. The present invention is preferably aimed at elongated workpieces, but its features and the core invention may encompass also other shapes as is clear to a person skilled in the art.

[0013] The technical effect of the present invention is that a user can place the device on any longitudinal workpiece, such as an I-beam or an H-beam, position the device on the workpiece by fixing the device to one side of the workpiece with the positioning means, and move the device on the workpiece and do transverse and / or vertical measurements at the device itself in relation to the workpiece without moving said workpiece, which workpieces are usually heavy and require a lot of space for movement and often motor-assistance.

[0014] Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention a device for determining a location on a workpiece, in that the device comprises:

[0015] -a frame movable along a longitudinal direction of the workpiece, consequently moving the whole device on and / or over the workpiece along said direction,

[0016] -positioning means to position the frame in relation to one side or edge of the workpiece so that the frame may move along the longitudinal direction in relation to the side or edge of the workpiece the device is positioned to, -a measuring point connected to movable means, which movable means facilitate movement of measuring point along a transverse and / or vertical direction in relation to the workpiece and with respect to the side or edge of the workpiece the device is positioned to,

[0017] -measuring equipment for determining the location of the measuring point in longitudinal respect to the workpiece and measuring equipment for determining the location of the measuring point in a transverse and / or vertical direction in relation to the one side of the workpiece to which the frame is fixed with the positioning means.

[0018] In an embodiment, the positioning means fix the frame to the side or edge of the workpiece so that the frame does not move in a transverse direction in relation to the workpiece.

[0019] In an embodiment, the positioning means comprises mechanical or magnetic means to fix the frame to the side or edge of the workpiece.

[0020] The utility of the present invention follows from a plurality of factors depending on each particular embodiment.

[0021] The expression “a number of’ refers herein to any positive integer starting from one (1), e.g. to one, two, or three.

[0022] The expression “a plurality of’ refers herein to any positive integer starting from two (2), e.g. to two, three, or four.

[0023] Different embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0024] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED DRAWINGS

[0025] Next the invention is described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings in which

[0026] Fig. 1 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the device in accordance with the present invention, Fig. 2 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the device in accordance with the present invention,

[0027] Fig. 3 illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of the device in accordance with the present invention, and

[0028] Fig. 4 illustrates another side view of an embodiment of the device in accordance with the present invention.

[0029] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Referring to fig. 1, the device (100) comprises a frame (102) that is movable along a longitudinal direction of workpiece (120) such as a bar or I-beam or an H-beam which may be elongated in shape, consequently moving the device (100) on and / or over the workpiece (120) along said direction. The device (100) further comprises positioning means (104) to position the frame (102) in relation to one side of the workpiece (120) so that the frame (102) does not move in a transverse direction in relation to the workpiece (120) but so that the frame (102) may move along the longitudinal direction of the workpiece (120). A measuring point (106) is connected to movable means (108), which movable means (108) facilitate movement of the measuring point (106) along a transverse and / or vertical direction in relation to the workpiece (120) and with respect to the frame (102). Therefore, the movable means (108) constitutes a moving support for the measuring point (106) which may optionally also serve as a point of attachment for a tool. A measuring equipment (110a, 110b) determines the location of a measuring point (106) in longitudinal and in transversal and / or vertical direction in relation to the one side of the workpiece (120) to which the frame (102) is positioned with the positioning means (104).

[0031] The measuring point (106) constitutes a point whose location is moved by moving the device (100) on the workpiece (120). The location of the measuring point (106) is measured directly or it is used as a reference point in relation to which measurements may be made. The measuring point (106) may comprise a center punch for marking a point in the workpiece (120). The measuring point (106) may also comprise a hole or a placement for machining tool such as a drill bit, for example. The measuring point (106) may comprise a scriber, printer, or such marker for producing a mark of measurement. Such mark may be a point, a number of points, a line or a curvilinear path, which mark may be produced while the device (100) is moving or stationary. Alternatively, the measuring point (106) comprises a hole for a center punch, and a separate center punch or pen may be used to mark a center point through the hole. The measuring point (106) may hence comprise a physical point of the device (100) or a reference point to which a measured point or line may be defined. Alternatively, or additionally, the measuring point (106) may serve as a point of attachment for a tool.

[0032] The device (100) further comprises measuring equipment (110a, 110b) for determining the longitudinal and transverse and / or vertical location of the measuring point (106) with respect to the workpiece (120). The measuring equipment (110a) is used to determine the location of the measuring point (106) in longitudinal respect to the workpiece (120) and the measuring equipment (110b) is used to determine the location of the measuring point (106) in a transverse and / or vertical direction in relation to the one side of the workpiece (120) to which the frame (102) is fixed with the positioning means (104). The longitudinal and transverse and / or vertical distance is preferably measured from one end, edge or side of the workpiece (120) in relation to the measuring point (106). The measuring equipment (110a, 110b) may comprise a laser distance meter measuring the distance to a point of reference such as the longitudinal and transverse and / or vertical ends, edges or sides of the workpiece (120). The laser distance meter may be arranged in the frame (102) wherein the laser equipment is situated at the frame (102) such that the measurement may be done unobstructed by the dimensions of the device (100). Further, the laser distance meter is preferably a component that may be connected to the processor of the device (100). Alternatively, the laser distance meter may be a dedicated measurement device that has a processor of its own to measure the longitudinal and transverse and / or vertical distance. Alternatively, or additionally, the measuring equipment (110a) may be facilitated by a measuring roll or disc, or via the optional rolls which may be used in the device (100). Clearly, the measuring equipment may be situated in many different locations of the device (100) and the calculation of the measuring point (106) in relation to the measuring equipment reading may be done internally in the device in view of the device (100) configuration, dimensions, etc. The measuring equipment (110a) and the measuring equipment (110b) may be facilitated by a single component or a number of components arranged together.

[0033] In an embodiment, the device (100) may provide means to reduce the weight or stress caused by the device (100) on the workpiece (120). Such means may comprise, for example, extensions from the device (100) to the ground or means to hang the device (100) in relation to the workpiece (120) thereby taking at least some of the load of the device (100) off the workpiece (120). A counterpart may be arranged to a point of reference so that the laser beam is reflected from the counterpart. For example, a counterpart may be arranged at the end of the workpiece (120) so that the laser distance meter measures the distance to that end of the workpiece (120). Alternatively, the device (100) may comprise at least two laser distance meters that measure the distance to at least two reference points. Therein the two laser distance meters may be located on opposite sides of the frame (102). For example, the two reference points may be located in each end of the workpiece (120) so that the at least two distance meters measures the distance to each end. The counterpart may be such that almost any surface or object induced reflection is suitable and hence no particular reflection surface is required. However, a dedicated counterpart is not mandatory to the functioning of the device (100) although it may be used to improve the accuracy of the measurements done with the device (100). Especially a white-colored surface of the counterpart may be used improve the accuracy of the longitudinal and transverse and / or vertical measurement. However, also a wall of a building, another beam, such as an intersection of beams or a bend at the beam, or a point at a stand whereon the workpiece (120) is laid may be used for facilitating reflection for the laser device measurements.

[0034] The measuring equipment (110a, 110b) for determining the longitudinal and transverse and / or vertical distance and location may comprise mechanical tape measure roll wherein measuring is done at the device (100) but the tape may be drawn to the side or end(s) of the workpiece (120). Such means may also be used to determine the transverse distance from at least one side of the elongated workpiece (120).

[0035] Fig. 2 illustrates a side view of a device (100). The device (100) is set on a workpiece (120). The positioning means (104) is visible only on the other side of the device (100) where the positioning means (104) position the device (100) and the frame (102) against the workpiece (120). However, as the device (100) is positioned to the workpiece (120) from one side using the positioning means (104), the device (100) is not necessarily fixed to the workpiece (120). In an embodiment, the positioning means (104) can be on either side of the device (100) and the frame (102). The positioning means (104) may comprise mechanical means such as one or more rolls which may provide movement along the workpiece (120) and / or magnetic means such as one or more magnets which provide force to hold the frame (102) against the workpiece (120). Alternatively, the positioning means (104) may comprise a shape such as around 90-degree angle which allows positioning of the device (100) via user operation or weight and shape of the device (100) in relation to a comer, side or edge of the workpiece (120). Therefore, the positioning means (104) may position the device (100) in relation to the workpiece (120) by manually using the device (100) in relation to the workpiece (120) and / or the positioning means (104) may comprise magnetic or mechanic means to fix the device (100) against the workpiece (120).

[0036] In another embodiment, the device (100) can be positioned to the workpiece (120) from one side but have positioning means (104) on both sides of the device (100). In an alternative embodiment, the device (100) may also comprise a hook or such element which may be extended to the opposite side of the positioning means (104). This hook or such element may be used to provide the positioning means (104) force and / or pressure to secure the device (100) in relation to the workpiece (120). However, this hook or such element may provide a measurement tool for measuring the width of the workpiece (120) from the positioning means (104).

[0037] Fig. 3 shows the device (100) from below. The device (100) is attached to a workpiece (120) and illustrates positioning means (104) and the measuring equipment (110a) which may be situated on the bottom side of the workpiece (120).

[0038] Referring to fig. 4, the device (100) has movable means (108) used to move the measuring point (106) in transverse and / or vertical direction in relation to the workpiece (120).

[0039] The movable means (108) comprise a part that is moved in relation to the transverse direction of the workpiece (120). The movable means (108) may be facilitated by the part moving via a drive screw or a leadscrew that is turned with a knob at the end of the screw on either side of the frame (102) or by hand by pushing the movable means (108) and / or fine adjusting with another knob. The transverse movement measured by the measuring equipment (110b) may comprise preferably an optical sensor such a pulse sensor or distance sensor such as a laser distance sensor. The pulse sensor may be situated at the end of the screw, such as that rotating the knob rotates a plate in between a pulse sensor wherein the rotation may be measured as pulses and the pulses may be further translated into a measure of transverse movement. Optionally, the pulse sensor may be arranged to the movable means (108) such as that the sensor moves linearly with the movable means (108) and measures its own location in reference to a surface of the frame (102) or to the surface of the workpiece (120). Therein the sensor itself is in the moving part and the pulses are situated at a rail, track, leadscrew or a surface as mentioned before in relation to which the movable means (108) move. The transverse movement may be optionally measured with a magnetic sensor arrangement such as a magnetic sensor moving in relation and at least functional connection to a magnetic strip. The magnetic sensor may be arranged to the movable means (108) such as that the sensor moves linearly with the movable means (108) and measures its movement in reference to the magnetic strip on the frame (102) surface. Therein the magnetic sensor itself is in the moving part and the magnetic strip is fixed on the frame (102) surface so that the magnetic sensor travels against the magnetic strip when the movable means (108) are moved.

[0040] The device (100) may be arranged to be compatible and configurable to another device (100).

[0041] Consequently, a skilled person may on the basis of this disclosure and general knowledge apply the provided teachings in order to implement the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims in each particular use case with necessary modifications, deletions, and additions.

Claims

Claims1. A device (100) for determining a location on a workpiece (120), in that the device (100) comprises:-a frame (102) movable along a longitudinal direction of the workpiece (120), consequently moving the whole device (100) on and / or over the workpiece (120) along said direction,-characterized in that, positioning means (104) to position the frame (102) in relation to one side or edge of the workpiece (120) so that the frame (102) may move along the longitudinal direction in relation to the side or edge of the workpiece (120) the device (100) is positioned to,-a measuring point (106) connected to movable means (108), which movable means (108) facilitate movement of measuring point (106) along a transverse and / or vertical direction in relation to the workpiece (120) and with respect to the side or edge of the workpiece (120) the device (100) is positioned to,-measuring equipment (110a) for determining the location of the measuring point (106) in longitudinal respect to the workpiece (120) and measuring equipment (110b) for determining the location of the measuring point (106) in a transverse and / or vertical direction in relation to the one side of the workpiece (120) to which the frame (102) is fixed with the positioning means (104).

2. The device (100) of claim 1, wherein the positioning means (104) fix the frame (102) to the side or edge of the workpiece (120) so that the frame (102) does not move in a transverse direction in relation to the workpiece (120).

3. The device (100) of claim 2, wherein the positioning means (104) comprises mechanical or magnetic means to fix the frame (102) to the side or edge of the workpiece (120).

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