Curved Support Profile for Stable CMM Beam Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coordinate measurement machines (CMMs) face challenges in maintaining the orientation of beams during movement, leading to deformations such as YRX and YRZ, which affect measurement accuracy and limit the use of longer beams and lighter materials.
Innovation Solution
A support system with a specifically profiled beam that maintains constant orientation along its length by deforming to compensate for applied loads, using non-linear profiles calculated through beam theory or experimentation to minimize deformations like YRX and YRZ, allowing for longer beams and lighter construction while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional straight beams are used in CMM supports, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the beam orientation changes during movement causing measurement inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The support profile is designed with a specific curved geometry that compensates for beam deflection under load. As the beam moves along the curved profile, the changing slope of the profile counteracts the beam's natural sag, maintaining constant beam orientation. This curvature transforms the straight profile into a specially shaped profile that actively compensates for deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support profile parameters (curvature, slope, shape) are specifically designed and varied along the length of the support to compensate for beam deflection. By changing the geometric parameters of the profile, the system maintains constant beam orientation despite changes in beam position and load conditions.
2Length of moving object
If longer beams are used to increase measurement capability, then larger objects can be measured, but beam deflection and orientation changes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The curved profile of the support is specifically designed to counteract the increased deflection that occurs with longer beams. The profile's geometry is optimized for the specific beam length and load conditions, allowing longer beams to be used while maintaining orientation stability through the compensating curvature.
3Weight of moving object
If lighter beam materials are used to reduce moving mass, then dynamic performance improves, but beam stiffness and orientation stability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The natural deflection of lighter, more flexible beams under load is converted from a harmful effect into a beneficial one. By designing the support profile to match and compensate for this deflection, the system transforms what would be orientation instability into maintained orientation stability, allowing lightweight materials to be used effectively.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional straight support profiles are used, then manufacturing is simple, but beam deformations like YRX and YRZ cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The support profile is manufactured with a specific curved geometry that can be achieved through conventional machining or forming processes. The curvature is designed to compensate for beam deflection, and while more complex than a straight profile, it remains manufacturable using standard techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The profile parameters are optimized to provide deformation compensation while remaining within manufacturable limits. The design balances the complexity of the curved profile with manufacturing capabilities, achieving deformation compensation through carefully selected geometric parameters.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables improved metrological performance, allows for the use of longer and lighter beams, reduces moving mass, and enhances dynamic advantages by maintaining beam orientation and reducing deformations, thereby improving measurement accuracy and enabling larger object measurement.
Implementation Method 1
the profile of the support is deformed such that the beam is maintained at a substantially constant orientation for all locations of the beam along the support
Data Source
AI summary
A positioning apparatus including a support extending in a first direction, and a beam extending in a second direction. The beam movably mounted to the support so as to be movable in the first direction and exerts a load on the support. The support includes a profile which when the beam exerts the load thereon the profile of the support is deformed such that the beam is maintained at a substantially constant orientation for all locations of the beam along the support.