Machine tool tracer

Claim 2

In a tracing system useful with a workpiece template for operating reversible motor means of a machine tool in reverse directions thereof for machining a workpiece in accordance with the contour of the template, comprising a support, a tracing spindle mounted on the support having a tracing stylus cooperable with a template for displacement in opposite directions through an established intermediate position thereof in accordance with the contour of the template and the operation of the reversible motor means, and motor control means for operating the motor means in reverse directions thereof in accordance with the displacement of the tracing stylus in opposite directions thereof respectively from its established intermediate position, the improvement wherein the motor control means comprises a photoelectric unit having a radiant energy transmitter, a photoelectric receiver mounted in alignment with the transmitter for receiving radiant energy therefrom, and a mask mounted intermediate the transmitter and receiver for being shifted for varying the intensity of radiant energy on the receiver and connected to the spindle to be shifted in opposite directions as the stylus is disposed in opposite directions respectively through its said established intermediate position, the shiftable mask being positioned, with the spindle in its said established intermediate position, for masking a first significant portion of the transmitter for masking from the receiver a first significant amount of the radiant energy from the transmitter, and with a second significant portion of the transmitter unmasked to permit receipt on the receiver of a second base level amount of radiant energy from the transmitter, and means operable by the photoelectric receiver for operating the reversible motor means in first and second reverse directions thereof in accordance with the increase and decrease level of radiant energy on the receiver relative to said base level of radiant energy on the receiver.

Claim 3

In a tracing system according to claim 1 wherein the motor control means comprises adjustable means for establisHing the intermediate position of the tracing stylus, where the operation of the reversible motor means is reversed, by adjustment of the base amount of radiant energy on the receiver.

Claim 4

In a tracing system according to claim 1 wherein said photoelectric unit comprises a stationary mask intermediate the transmitter and receiver for masking a third peripheral portion of the transmitter and wherein the shiftable mask and stationary mask are relatively positioned and contoured so that the shiftable mask is shifted by the spindle toward and away from the stationary mask for varying the intensity of radiant energy on the receiver.

Claim 5

In a tracing system according to claim 3 wherein the shiftable and stationary masks have opposed complementary mask edges.

Claim 6

In a tracing system according to claim 3 wherein the shiftable and stationary masks provide for masking substantially equal peripheral portions of the transmitter with the stylus in its established intermediate position.

Claim 7

In a tracing system according to claim 1 wherein the reversible motor means provides at least two dimensional control of the machining operation, wherein the spindle is mounted for two dimensional displacement of the tracing stylus, and wherein the motor control means comprises a pair of said photoelectric units with shiftable masks connected to the spindle to be shifted in opposite directions in accordance with the displacement vectors of the tracing stylus along mutually perpendicular axes respectively, and wherein the shiftable masks of the pair of photoelectric units are provided by a single masking member.

Claim 8

In a tracing system according to claim 6 wherein said single masking member is circular.

Claim 9

In a tracing system according to claim 6 wherein each of the photoelectric units comprises a stationary mask intermediate the transmitter and receiver for masking a third peripheral portion of the transmitter and wherein the shiftable mask and stationary mask of each photoelectric unit are relatively positioned and contoured so that the shiftable mask is shifted by the spindle toward and away from the stationary mask for varying the intensity of radiant energy on the receiver.

Claim 10

In a tracing system according to claim 6 wherein the spindle is elongated and the pair of photoelectric units are angularly spaced substantially 90* about the longitudinal axis of the spindle with the tracing stylus in its said intermediate position.

Claim 11

In a tracing system according to claim 9 wherein the single masking member is circular.

Claim 12

A tracing system according to claim 9 wherein the spindle is mounted to be rotated about its longitudinal axis and further comprising means for rotating the spindle while permitting displacement of the tracing stylus, and means interconnecting the upper end of the spindle with the masking member for shifting the masking member in a direction depending on the direction of displacement of the tracing stylus.

Claim 13

A machine tool tracer cooperable with a workpiece template for controlling a workpiece machining operation comprising a support, a tracing spindle mounted on the support for displacement in opposite directions through an established intermediate position thereof and having a tracing stylus cooperable with a workpiece template for displacement in opposite directions through an established intermediate position thereof corresponding to the established intermediate position of the spindle, a photoelectric unit having a radiant energy transmitter, a photoelectric receiver in alignment with the transmitter for receiving radiant energy therefrom for producing a machine tool control signal, a shiftable mask mounted intermediate the radiant energy transmitter and receiver for being shifted for varying the intensity of radiant energy on the receiver and connected to the spindle to be shifted in opposite directions as the tracing stylus is displaced in opposite directions respectively through its established intermediate position, and a staTionary mask intermediate the transmitter and receiver for masking a first peripheral portion of the transmitter, the shiftable mask being positioned, with the stylus in its said established intermediate position, for masking a second significant portion of the transmitter for masking from the receiver a first significant amount of radiant energy from the transmitter and with a third significant portion of the transmitter unmasked to permit receipt on the receiver of a second significant base level amount of radiant energy, and the shiftable and stationary masks being relatively and contoured so that the shiftable mask is shifted by the spindle toward and away from the stationary mask for varying the intensity of radiant energy on the receiver, and means operable by the photoelectric receiver for operating the reversible motor means in first and second reverse directions thereof in accordance with the increase and decrease respectively of the level of radiant energy on the receiver relative to said base level of radiant energy on the receiver.

Claim 14

A machine tool tracer cooperable with a workpiece template for controlling a workpiece machining operation comprising a support, a tracing spindle mounted on the support for displacement in opposite directions through an established intermediate position thereof and having a tracing stylus cooperable with a workpiece template for displacement in opposite directions through an established intermediate position thereof corresponding to the established intermediate position of the spindle, a photoelectric unit having a radiant energy transmitter, a photoelectric receiver in alignment with the transmitter for receiving radiant energy therefrom for producing a machine tool control signal, a shiftable mask mounted intermediate the radiant energy transmitter and receiver for being shifted for varying the intensity of radiant energy on the receiver and connected to the spindle to be shifted in opposite directions as the tracing stylus is displaced in opposite directions respectively through its established intermediate position, and a staTionary mask intermediate the transmitter and receiver for masking a first peripheral portion of the transmitter, the shiftable mask being positioned, with the stylus in its said established intermediate position, for masking a second significant portion of the transmitter for masking from the receiver a first significant amount of radiant energy from the transmitter and with a third significant portion of the transmitter unmasked to permit receipt on the receiver of a second significant base level amount of radiant energy, and the shiftable and stationary masks being relatively and contoured so that the shiftable mask is shifted by the spindle toward and away from the stationary mask for varying the intensity of radiant energy on the receiver, and means operable by the photoelectric receiver for operating the reversible motor means in first and second reverse directions thereof in accordance with the increase and decrease respectively of the level of radiant energy on the receiver relative to said base level of radiant energy on the receiver.

Claim 15

A machine tool tracer according to claim 12 wherein the spindle is elongated and is mounted on said support for movement of the tracing stylus in all directions through its said established intermediate position, wherein the tracer comprises a pair of said photoelectric units angularly spaced substantially 90* about the longitudinal axis of the spindle in its established intermediate position, and wherein the shiftable masks of the pair of photoelectric units are provided by a single masking member connected to be shifted by the spindle in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spindle in its said intermediate position for variably masking the radiant energy transmitters of the photoelectric units in accordance with the displacement vectors of the tracing stylus along mutually perpendicular axes respectively.

Claim 16

A machine tool tracer according to claim 13 wherein the spindle is mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis, and wherein the tracer comprises drive means for rotating the spindle about its longitudinal axis without effecting the displacement of the tracing stylus from its established intermediate position, and connector means interconnecting the spindle and masking member for shifting the masking member in accordance with the displacement of the tracing stylus from its established intermediate position.

Claim 17

A machine tool tracer cooperable with a workpiece template for controlling a workpiece machining operation comprising a support, a tracing spindle mounted on the support for displacement in opposite directions through an established intermediate position thereof and having a tracing stylus cooperable with a workpiece template for displacement in opposite directions through an established intermediate position thereof corresponding to the established intermediate position of the spindle, a photoelectric unit having a radiant energy transmitter, a photoelectric receiver in alignment with the transmitter for receiving radiant energy therefrom for producing a machine tool control signal, a shiftable mask mounted intermediate the radiant energy transmitter and receiver for being shifted for varying the intensity of radiant energy on the receiver and connected to the spindle to be shifted in opposite directions as the tracing stylus is displaced in opposite directions respectively through its established intermediate position, a stationary mask intermediate the transmitter and receiver for masking a first peripheral portion of the transmitter, the shiftable mask being positioned, with the stylus in its said established intermediate position, for masking a second significant portion of the transmitter and with a third significant portion of the transmitter unmasked, and the shiftable and stationary masks being relatively positioned and contoured so that the shiftable mask is shifted by the spindle toward and away from the stationary mask for varying the intensity of radiAnt energy on the receiver, the spindle being elongated and being mounted on said support for movement of the tracing stylus in all directions through its said established intermediate position, a pair of said photoelectric units angularly spaced substantially 90* about the longitudinal axis of the spindle in its established intermediate position, and the shiftable masks of the pair of photoelectric units being provided by a single masking member connected to be shifted by the spindle in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spindle in its said intermediate position for variably masking the radiant energy transmitters of the photoelectric units in accordance with the displacement vectors of the tracing stylus along mutually perpendicular axes respectively, the spindle being mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis, drive means for rotating the spindle about its longitudinal axis without effecting the displacement of the tracing stylus from its established intermediate position, connector means interconnecting the spindle and masking member for shifting the masking member in accordance with the displacement of the tracing stylus from its established intermediate position, the drive means comprising a pivotal drive sleeve surrounding the spindle and pivotal about an axis extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the spindle in its established intermediate position, the drive sleeve having a pair of diametrically opposed slots, and a pair of guide rollers received within said slots and mounted on the spindle for rotation about an axis extending generally parallel to the pivotal axis of the drive sleeve.

Claim 18

A machine tool tracer cooperable with a workpiece template for controlling a workpiece machining operation comprising a support, a tracing spindle mounted on the support for displacement in opposite directions through an established intermediate position thereof and having a tracing stylus cooperable with a workpiece template for displacement in opposite directions through an established intermediate position thereof corresponding to the established intermediate position of the spindle, a photoelectric unit having a radiant energy transmitter, a photoelectric receiver in alignment with the transmitter for receiving radiant energy therefrom for producing a machine tool control signal, a shiftable mask mounted intermediate the radiant energy transmitter and receiver for being shifted for varying the intensity of radiant energy on the receiver and connected to the spindle to be shifted in opposite directions as the tracing stylus is displaced in opposite directions respectively through its established intermediate position, a stationary mask intermediate the transmitter and receiver for masking a first peripheral portion of the transmitter, the shiftable mask being positioned, with the stylus in its said established intermediate position, for masking a second significant portion of the transmitter and with a third significant portion of the transmitter unmasked, and the shiftable and stationary masks being relatively positioned and contoured so that the shiftable mask is shifted by the spindle toward and away from the stationary mask for varying the intensity of radiAnt energy on the receiver, the spindle being elongated and being mounted on said support for movement of the tracing stylus in all directions through its said established intermediate position, a pair of said photoelectric units angularly spaced substantially 90* about the longitudinal axis of the spindle in its established intermediate position, and the shiftable masks of the pair of photoelectric units being provided by a single masking member connected to be shifted by the spindle in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spindle in its said intermediate position for variably masking the radiant energy transmitters of the photoelectric units in accordance with the displacement vectors of the tracing stylus along mutually perpendicular axes respectively, the spindle being mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis, drive means for rotating the spindle about its longitudinal axis without effecting the displacement of the tracing stylus from its established intermediate position, connector means interconnecting the spindle and masking member for shifting the masking member in accordance with the displacement of the tracing stylus from its established intermediate position, the drive means comprising a pivotal drive sleeve surrounding the spindle and pivotal about an axis extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the spindle in its established intermediate position, the drive sleeve having a pair of diametrically opposed slots, and a pair of guide rollers received within said slots and mounted on the spindle for rotation about an axis extending generally parallel to the pivotal axis of the drive sleeve.

Claim 19

A machine tool tracer cooperable with a workpiece template for controlling a workpiece machining operation comprising a support, a tracing spindle mounted on the support for displacement in opposite directions through an established intermediate position thereof and having a tracing stylus cooperable with a workpiece template for displacement in opposite directions through an established intermedaite position thereof corresponding to the established intermediate position of the spindle, a photoelectric unit having a radiant energy transmitter, a photoelectric receiver in alignment with the transmitter for receiving radiant energy therefrom for producing a machine tool control signal, a shiftable mask mounted intermediate the radiant energy transmitter and receiver for being shifted for varying the intensity of radiant energy on the receiver and connected to the spindle to be shifted in opposite directions as the tracing stylus is displaced in opposite directions respectively through its established intermediate position, a stationary mask intermediate the transmitter and receiver for masking a first peripheral portion of the transmitter, the shiftable mask being positioned, with the stylus in its said established intermediate position, for masking a second significant portion of the transmitter and with a third significant portion of the transmitter unmasked, and the shiftable and stationary masks being relatively positioned and contoured so that the shiftable mask is shifted by the spindle toward and away from the stationary mask for varying the intensity of radiant energy on the receiver, the spindle being elongated and being mounted to be displaced in opposite directions generally parallel to its longitudinal axis, the shiftable mask being pivotally mounted and connected for being pivotally shifted by the spindle, and the spindle being mounted for pivotal displacement as well as longitudinal displacement and means interconnecting the pivotal mask and spindle for pivoting the mask by pivotal displacement of the spindle.

Claim 20

A machine tool tracer cooperable with a workpiece template for controlling a workpiece machining operation comprising a support, a tracing spindle mounted on the support for displacement in opposite directions through an established intermediate position thereof and having a tracing stylus cooperable with a workpiece template for displacement in opposite directions through an established intermedaite position thereof corresponding to the established intermediate position of the spindle, a photoelectric unit having a radiant energy transmitter, a photoelectric receiver in alignment with the transmitter for receiving radiant energy therefrom for producing a machine tool control signal, a shiftable mask mounted intermediate the radiant energy transmitter and receiver for being shifted for varying the intensity of radiant energy on the receiver and connected to the spindle to be shifted in opposite directions as the tracing stylus is displaced in opposite directions respectively through its established intermediate position, a stationary mask intermediate the transmitter and receiver for masking a first peripheral portion of the transmitter, the shiftable mask being positioned, with the stylus in its said established intermediate position, for masking a second significant portion of the transmitter and with a third significant portion of the transmitter unmasked, and the shiftable and stationary masks being relatively positioned and contoured so that the shiftable mask is shifted by the spindle toward and away from the stationary mask for varying the intensity of radiant energy on the receiver, the spindle being elongated and being mounted to be displaced in opposite directions generally parallel to its longitudinal axis, the shiftable mask being pivotally mounted and connected for being pivotally shifted by the spindle, and the spindle being mounted for pivotal displacement as well as longitudinal displacement and means interconnecting the pivotal mask and spindle for pivoting the mask by pivotal displacement of the spindle.

Claim 21

A machine tool tracer according to claim 16 wherein the interconnecting means comprises a pair of opposed ball seats on the mask and at one end of the spindle and a ball bearing received in said opposed seats.

Claim 22

A machine tool tracer cooperable with a workpiece template for contRolling a workpiece machining operation comprising a support, a tracing spindle mounted on the support for displacement in opposite directions through an established intermediate position thereof and having a tracing stylus cooperable with a workpiece template for displacement in opposite directions through an established intermediate position thereof corresponding to the established intermediate position of the spindle, a photoelectric unit having a radiant energy transmitter, a photoelectric receiver in alignment with the transmitter for receiving radiant energy therefrom for producing a machine tool control signal, a shiftable mask mounted intermediate the radiant energy transmitter and receiver for being shifted for varying the intensity of radiant energy on the receiver and connected to the spindle to be shifted in opposite directions as the tracing stylus is displaced in opposite directions respectively through its established intermediate position, a stationary mask intermediate the transmitter and receiver for masking a first peripheral portion of the transmitter, the shiftable mask being positioned, with the stylus in its said established intermediate position, for masking a second significant portion of the transmitter and with a third significant portion of the transmitter unmasked, and the shiftable and stationary masks being relatively positioned and contoured so that the shiftable mask is shifted by the spindle toward and away from the stationary mask for varying the intensity of radiant energy on the receiver, the spindle being elongated and being mounted on said support for movement of the tracing stylus in all directions through its said established intermediate position, a pair of said photoelectric units angularly spaced substantially 90* about the longitudinal axis of the spindle in its established intermediate position, the shiftable masks of the pair of photoelectric units being provided by a single masking member connected to be shifted by the spindle in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spindle in its said intermediate position for variably masking the radiant energy transmitters of the photoelectric units in accordance with the displacement vectors of the tracing stylus along mutually perpendicular axes respectively, a ball and socket support for the spindle for mounting the spindle for pivotal movement in all directions from its established intermediate position and contoured to longitudinally shifted the spindle upon pivotal displacement thereof, and a control switch connected to be actuated by the spindle upon a predetermined longitudinal displacement thereof.

Claim 23

A machine tool tracer cooperable with a workpiece template for contRolling a workpiece machining operation comprising a support, a tracing spindle mounted on the support for displacement in opposite directions through an established intermediate position thereof and having a tracing stylus cooperable with a workpiece template for displacement in opposite directions through an established intermediate position thereof corresponding to the established intermediate position of the spindle, a photoelectric unit having a radiant energy transmitter, a photoelectric receiver in alignment with the transmitter for receiving radiant energy therefrom for producing a machine tool control signal, a shiftable mask mounted intermediate the radiant energy transmitter and receiver for being shifted for varying the intensity of radiant energy on the receiver and connected to the spindle to be shifted in opposite directions as the tracing stylus is displaced in opposite directions respectively through its established intermediate position, a stationary mask intermediate the transmitter and receiver for masking a first peripheral portion of the transmitter, the shiftable mask being positioned, with the stylus in its said established intermediate position, for masking a second significant portion of the transmitter and with a third significant portion of the transmitter unmasked, and the shiftable and stationary masks being relatively positioned and contoured so that the shiftable mask is shifted by the spindle toward and away from the stationary mask for varying the intensity of radiant energy on the receiver, the spindle being elongated and being mounted on said support for movement of the tracing stylus in all directions through its said established intermediate position, a pair of said photoelectric units angularly spaced substantially 90* about the longitudinal axis of the spindle in its established intermediate position, the shiftable masks of the pair of photoelectric units being provided by a single masking member connected to be shifted by the spindle in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spindle in its said intermediate position for variably masking the radiant energy transmitters of the photoelectric units in accordance with the displacement vectors of the tracing stylus along mutually perpendicular axes respectively, a ball and socket support for the spindle for mounting the spindle for pivotal movement in all directions from its established intermediate position and contoured to longitudinally shifted the spindle upon pivotal displacement thereof, and a control switch connected to be actuated by the spindle upon a predetermined longitudinal displacement thereof.

Claim 24

A machine tool tracer cooperable with a workpiece template for controlling a workpiece machining operation comprising a support, a tracing spindle mounted on the support for displacement in opposite directions through an established intermediate position thereof and having a tracing stylus cooperable with a workpiece template for displacement in opposite directions through an established intermediate position thereof corresponding to the established intermediate position of the spindle, a photoelectric unit having a radiant energy transmitter, a photoelectric receiver in alignment with the transmitter for receiving radiant energy therefrom for producing a machine tool control signal, a shiftable mask mounted intermediate the radiant energy transmitter and receiver for being shifted for varying the intensity of radiant energy on the receiver and connected to the spindle to be shifted in opposite directions as the tracing stylus is displaced in opposite directions respectively through its established intermediate position, a stationary mask intermediate the transmitter and receiver for masking a first peripheral portion of the transmitter, the shiftable mask being positioned, with the stylus in its said established intermediate position, for masking a second significant portion of the transmitter and with a third significant portion of the transmittEr unmasked, and the shiftable and stationery masks being relatively positioned and contoured so that the shiftable mask is shifted by the spindle toward and away from the stationary mask for varying the intensity of radiant energy on the receiver, the spindle being elongated and being mounted to be displaced in opposite directions generally parallel to its longitudinal axis and the shiftable mask being pivotally mounted for pivotal movement about an axis extending substantially perpendicular to and laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of the spindle and being connected for being pivotally shifted by the spindle, and spring means interconnecting the spindle and pivotal mask for biasing the mask in one pivotal direction for increasingly masking the transmitter and biasing the spindle in a longitudinal direction toward the mask.

Claim 25

A machine tool tracer cooperable with a workpiece template for controlling a workpiece machining operation comprising a support, a tracing spindle mounted on the support for displacement in opposite directions through an established intermediate position thereof and having a tracing stylus cooperable with a workpiece template for displacement in opposite directions through an established intermediate position thereof corresponding to the established intermediate position of the spindle, a photoelectric unit having a radiant energy transmitter, a photoelectric receiver in alignment with the transmitter for receiving radiant energy therefrom for producing a machine tool control signal, a shiftable mask mounted intermediate the radiant energy transmitter and receiver for being shifted for varying the intensity of radiant energy on the receiver and connected to the spindle to be shifted in opposite directions as the tracing stylus is displaced in opposite directions respectively through its established intermediate position, a stationary mask intermediate the transmitter and receiver for masking a first peripheral portion of the transmitter, the shiftable mask being positioned, with the stylus in its said established intermediate position, for masking a second significant portion of the transmitter and with a third significant portion of the transmittEr unmasked, and the shiftable and stationery masks being relatively positioned and contoured so that the shiftable mask is shifted by the spindle toward and away from the stationary mask for varying the intensity of radiant energy on the receiver, the spindle being elongated and being mounted to be displaced in opposite directions generally parallel to its longitudinal axis and the shiftable mask being pivotally mounted for pivotal movement about an axis extending substantially perpendicular to and laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of the spindle and being connected for being pivotally shifted by the spindle, and spring means interconnecting the spindle and pivotal mask for biasing the mask in one pivotal direction for increasingly masking the transmitter and biasing the spindle in a longitudinal direction toward the mask.