US4386344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic edge and center locator and method of using same
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-04-16
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Granted: 1983-05-31
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Expires: 2001-04-16
Abstract
Abstract An electronic edge and center locator is a device for setting up a machine tool so that a tool holding chuck is aligned with a workpiece to be machined. The electronic edge and center locator has a metal probe for contacting a workpiece and the probe has an insulated shank for mounting in the chuck of a machine tool. The electronic edge and center locator includes electronic circuitry for detecting when the probe makes electrical contact with the workpiece. The circuitry provides visual indication of normal probe operation and indication when contact between the probe and the workpiece is detected. Mounting of the probe in the chuck of the machine tool provides a highly accurate method of precisely determining the spatial relationship between a workpiece and the machine tool. The method of using the probe and its associated electronics includes a sequence of steps of moving the workpiece with respect to the machine tool in order to cause the probe to make contact with the workpiece in a plurality of locations. The relative location of contacts indicated between the probe and the workpiece is used to accurately determine the relative position of the workpiece with respect to the machine tool chuck and spindle so that the location of the machine tool spindle center line is accurately determined.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles L. Vecchiatto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/30; G01B7/31; B; B23; B23Q; B23Q17/00; B23Q17/22; B23Q17/2233; B23Q17/2241; B23Q17/225; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49762
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
An electronic contact detector for use in aligning a workpiece in a machine tool having a tool holder, said contact detector comprising: a probe having an electrically conductive tip for contacting said workpiece, and having an electrically insulative shank for mounting in said tool holder; and an electronic contact detection circuit for connecting to said probe and to said machine tool for detecting the electrical continuity between said electrically conductive tip and said workpiece resulting when said probe contacts said workpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
An electronic contact detector for use in aligning a workpiece in a machine tool having a tool holder, said contact detector comprising: a probe having an electrically conductive tip for contacting said workpiece, and having an electrically insulative shank for mounting in said tool holder; and an electronic contact detection circuit for connecting to said probe and to said machine tool for detecting the electrical continuity between said electrically conductive tip and said workpiece resulting when said probe contacts said workpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electronic contact detector of claim 1 wherein said shank of said probe comprises an aluminum member having an electrically insulating anodized coating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electronic contact detector of claim 2 wherein said probe is composed of a unitary aluminum member tapering from said shank to said tip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The electronic contact detector of claim 3 wherein said probe has a transverse, connector receiving bore so that an electrical connector may be inserted in said bore when said shank is in said tool holder so that electrical connection is made between said probe and said circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The electronic contact detector of claim 2 wherein said tip is composed of material which resists permanent deformation when brought into contact with said workpiece and wherein said tip is attached to said shank.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The electronic contact detector of claim 5 wherein said shank has an elongated axial bore in the bottom thereof; wherein said tip fits inside, is secured in, and projects from said bore; and wherein an electrical connector attaches to said tip and makes electrical connection with said detection circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The electronic contact detector of claims 5 or 6 wherein said probe has a rearward section, a flexure section, and a forward section; and said flexure section has a diameter less than the diameters of said forward section and said rearward section; and wherein said rearward section is adjacent from said shank, and said forward section is adjacent said tip.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The electronic contact detector of claim 1 wherein said circuit includes first and second contacts for contacting said machine tool, and a contact indicator to indicate when electrical contact is made with said machine tool by both of said first and second contacts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electronic contact detector of claim 1 wherein said tip comprises a circular, flat disk mounted on the lower end of said shank.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of estimating the location of the center of a circular hole in a workpiece using an electronic contact detector having a contact detecting probe, said method comprising the steps of: placing said probe in the approximate center of said hole; moving said workpiece back and forth in a first direction to locate a first center line approximation by observing said electronic contact detector to detect when said probe contacts said workpiece; moving said workpiece back and forth in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction and along said first center line approximation, in order to locate a second center line approximation by observing said electronic contact detector to detect when said probe contacts said workpiece, so that said center of said hole is estimated to be at the intersection of said first and second center line approximations.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of estimating the location of the center of a circular hole in a workpiece using an electronic contact detector having a contact detecting probe, said method comprising the steps of: placing said probe in the approximate center of said hole; moving said workpiece back and forth in a first direction to locate a first center line approximation by observing said electronic contact detector to detect when said probe contacts said workpiece; moving said workpiece back and forth in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction and along said first center line approximation, in order to locate a second center line approximation by observing said electronic contact detector to detect when said probe contacts said workpiece, so that said center of said hole is estimated to be at the intersection of said first and second center line approximations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 10 further including a repetition of the steps thereof in order to obtain an improved accuracy estimate of the location of said center of said hole, said step of placing said probe in the approximate center of said hole being performed by placing said probe at the center location estimated in the previous repetition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
An electronic edge and center locator for detecting the relative position of a workpiece and a machine tool, said locator comprising: a probe for mounting in said machine tool and for making electrical contact with said workpiece; means for electrically insulating said probe from said machine tool; and means for detecting when said probe makes electrical contact with said workpiece.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
An electronic edge and center locator for detecting the relative position of a workpiece and a machine tool, said locator comprising: a probe for mounting in said machine tool and for making electrical contact with said workpiece; means for electrically insulating said probe from said machine tool; and means for detecting when said probe makes electrical contact with said workpiece.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
66 words
The locator of claim 12 further including: means for making electrical contact with said machine tool so that electrical contact is made with said workpiece, wherein said means for detecting is connected to said means for making electrical contact in order to detect electrical continuity between said probe and said workpiece; and means for indicating when adequate electrical contact has been made with said machine tool.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The locator of claim 12 wherein said means for insulating comprises a thin, uniform oxide layer on said probe.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The locator of claim 12 wherein said probe further comprises means for making selective electrical contact with a surface recessed inside said workpiece.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-05-30 | 1986-11-29 | 1987-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-30 | 1990-11-29 | 1991-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-30 | 1994-11-29 | 1995-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |