Machine Tool Probe Positioning for Constant-Height Workpiece Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual operation of the Z-axis feed shaft in machine tools is time-consuming and inaccurate for maintaining constant measurement point height, especially when measuring workpieces with non-parallel side surfaces, leading to difficulties in preventing straightness errors and ensuring measurement precision.

Innovation Solution

A method where one feed shaft is moved to a desired measurement position, and its coordinate values are stored, allowing the probe and workpiece to be stopped accurately, enabling precise measurement by another feed shaft, thereby reducing measurement time and improving reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual operation is used to move the feed shaft to measurement positions, then the operator can position the probe at desired locations, but it is time-consuming and difficult to maintain constant measurement point height

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of positioning probeVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing coordinate values corresponding to desired measurement positions in the control device before actual measurement. This allows the operator to quickly retrieve and execute stored coordinates without manual positioning, significantly reducing measurement time while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation of the feed shaft with an automated coordinate-based positioning system. Instead of manually operating the feed shaft to position the probe, the system uses stored coordinate values to automatically control the feed shaft movement, eliminating time-consuming manual adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual operation is used to stop the feed shaft at measurement positions, then the probe can contact the workpiece, but it is difficult to accurately maintain the stopping position and confirm arrival

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of stopping probeVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by having the control device monitor when the feed shaft reaches the target coordinate position and automatically stopping the movement. The system provides confirmation to the operator that the probe has arrived at the measurement position, eliminating the difficulty of manually judging arrival and ensuring precise positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual stopping judgment with an automated coordinate-based stopping system. The control device compares the actual feed shaft position with the stored target coordinates and automatically stops the feed shaft when the position is reached, ensuring accurate and repeatable positioning without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the feed shaft is manually operated to maintain constant measurement point height, then straightness errors can be prevented, but the operation becomes very difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidease of maintaining height

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing the Z-axis coordinate values corresponding to the desired measurement point height before measurement begins. This allows the system to automatically maintain constant height by retrieving stored coordinates, eliminating the difficult and time-consuming manual operation while ensuring measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual height adjustment with an automated coordinate control system. The control device uses stored Z-axis coordinate values to automatically position the feed shaft at the correct height, preventing straightness errors and ensuring measurement reliability without requiring difficult manual operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11027391B2Workpiece measurement method

Publication Date: 2021.06.08 MAKINO MILLING MASCH CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a workpiece measurement method for determining the position of a workpiece on a machine tool based on feed shaft coordinates when a probe and the workpiece contact each other, in which the probe and the workpiece are moved relative to each other. The method includes the steps of moving one of the plurality of feed shafts to a desired measurement position, storing coordinate values of the one feed shaft at the desired measurement position, moving the probe and the workpiece relative to each other by means of the one feed shaft and another feed shaft, stopping the movement by the one feed shaft when the stored coordinate values have been reached, and measuring the workpiece at a plurality of measurement points by moving the probe using the other feed shaft in a state in which the one feed shaft is stopped at the coordinate values.