Three dimensional simultaneous machining and measuring system

Claim 1

An apparatus for efficiently machining a plurality of workpieces, comprising: measuring means for deriving three dimensional positional data and angular orientation data for each of a plurality of points on a first said workpiece; machining means for performing a three dimensional machining operation on said first workpiece in response to said positional and angular orientation data; and means for effecting operation of said machining means on said first workpiece simultaneously with derivation by said measuring means of additional positional and angular orientation data corresponding to a second said workpiece, including a signal cable connected between said measuring means and said machining means to provide direct transfer of said positional and angular orientation data from said measuring means to said machining means, and a pair of separate support platforms respectively associated with said machining means and said measuring means for respectively supporting said first and second workpieces during said simultaneous operation of said machining means and said measuring means.

Claim 2

An apparatus for efficiently machining a plurality of workpieces, comprising: measuring means for deriving three dimensional positional data and angular orientation data for each of a plurality of points on a first said workpiece; machining means for performing a three dimensional machining operation on said first workpiece in response to said positional and angular orientation data; and means for effecting operation of said machining means on said first workpiece simultaneously with derivation by said measuring means of additional positional and angular orientation data corresponding to a second said workpiece, including a signal cable connected between said measuring means and said machining means to provide direct transfer of said positional and angular orientation data from said measuring means to said machining means, and a pair of separate support platforms respectively associated with said machining means and said measuring means for respectively supporting said first and second workpieces during said simultaneous operation of said machining means and said measuring means.

Claim 3

A method for efficient machining of a plurality of workpieces, comprising the steps of: providing measuring means for deriving three dimensional positional data and angular orientation data for each of a plurality of points on a respective said workpiece, said measuring means including a first support platform for supporting said workpiece; providing machining means separately from said measuring means for performing a three dimensional machining operation on a respective said workpiece in response to the corresponding said positional and angular orientation data, said machining means including a second support platform which is separate from said first support platform for supporting said workpiece on said machining means; using said measuring means to derive said positional and angular orientation data corresponding to a first said workpiece; and thereafter using said machining means to three dimensionally machine said first workpiece on said second support platform in response to the corresponding said positional and angular orientation data, while simultaneously using said measuring means to derive positional and angular orientation data corresponding to a second said workpiece which is supported on said first support platform.

Claim 4

A method for efficient machining of a plurality of workpieces, comprising the steps of: providing measuring means for deriving three dimensional positional data and angular orientation data for each of a plurality of points on a respective said workpiece, said measuring means including a first support platform for supporting said workpiece; providing machining means separately from said measuring means for performing a three dimensional machining operation on a respective said workpiece in response to the corresponding said positional and angular orientation data, said machining means including a second support platform which is separate from said first support platform for supporting said workpiece on said machining means; using said measuring means to derive said positional and angular orientation data corresponding to a first said workpiece; and thereafter using said machining means to three dimensionally machine said first workpiece on said second support platform in response to the corresponding said positional and angular orientation data, while simultaneously using said measuring means to derive positional and angular orientation data corresponding to a second said workpiece which is supported on said first support platform.

Claim 6

An apparatus for efficiently machining a plurality of workpieces, comprising: measuring means for deriving three dimensional positional data and angular orientation data for each of a plurality of points on a first said workpiece; machining means for performing a three dimensional machining operation on said first workpiece in response to said positional and angular orientation data; means for effecting operation of said machining means on said first workpiece simultaneously with derivation by said measuring means of additional positional and angular orientation data corresponding to a second said workpiece, including a pair of separate support platforms respectively associated with said machining means and said measuring means for respectively supporting said first and second workpieces during said simultaneous operation of said machining means and said measuring means; said machining means including a laser machining head supported for rotation about respective horizontal and vertical axes of rotation and supported for both vertical and horizontal reciprocal movement, and having means defining a laser beam passageway therethrough, said passageway having a first section which is substantially vertically aligned with said vertical axis of rotation, a second section adjoining said first section and substantially horizontally aligned with said horizontal axis of rotation, and a third section adjoining said second section at a location spaced from said first section, said third section extending generally parallel to said first section, said laser machining head further including first and second mirrors located in said laser beam passageway where said second section adjoins said first and third sections, respectively, said first mirror being positioned to face both said first and second sections, said second mirror being positioned to face both said second and third sections, said mirrors being arranged substantially parallel to each other, said mirrors facing substantially toward each other from opposite ends of said second section, said laser machining head being positioned above said support platform of said machining means, said support platform being supported for reciprocal horizontal movement transversely to the direction of horizontal movement of said laser machining head; and said measuring means including a probe which is supported above said support platform thereof for three dimensional movement relative to said support platform.

Claim 7

An apparatus for efficiently machining a plurality of workpieces, comprising: measuring means for deriving three dimensional positional data and angular orientation data for each of a plurality of points on a first said workpiece; machining means for performing a three dimensional machining operation on said first workpiece in response to said positional and angular orientation data; means for effecting operation of said machining means on said first workpiece simultaneously with derivation by said measuring means of additional positional and angular orientation data corresponding to a second said workpiece, including a pair of separate support platforms respectively associated with said machining means and said measuring means for respectively supporting said first and second workpieces during said simultaneous operation of said machining means and said measuring means; said machining means including a laser machining head supported for rotation about respective horizontal and vertical axes of rotation and supported for both vertical and horizontal reciprocal movement, and having means defining a laser beam passageway therethrough, said passageway having a first section which is substantially vertically aligned with said vertical axis of rotation, a second section adjoining said first section and substantially horizontally aligned with said horizontal axis of rotation, and a third section adjoining said second section at a location spaced from said first section, said third section extending generally parallel to said first section, said laser machining head further including first and second mirrors located in said laser beam passageway where said second section adjoins said first and third sections, respectively, said first mirror being positioned to face both said first and second sections, said second mirror being positioned to face both said second and third sections, said mirrors being arranged substantially parallel to each other, said mirrors facing substantially toward each other from opposite ends of said second section, said laser machining head being positioned above said support platform of said machining means, said support platform being supported for reciprocal horizontal movement transversely to the direction of horizontal movement of said laser machining head; and said measuring means including a probe which is supported above said support platform thereof for three dimensional movement relative to said support platform.