GB2399524A

GB2399524A - A guide mechanism for a guide rail / gantry for operating over a horizontal machine bed

Info

Publication number: GB2399524A
Application number: GB0412229A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norman Amos
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-06-02
Filing date: 2004-06-02
Publication date: 2004-09-22
Also published as: GB0412229D0

Abstract

A device comprising a mechanism consisting of an assembly of parts, which in particular, is characterised by having a shaped axle 8, a bearing 7, and axle holders 10; where, these parts are arranged into sprung and non sprung sub-assemblies. The sub-assemblies are then secured to a carriage 2 by retaining bolts 5, where, said carriage is then attached to a guide rail 1. Accordingly the said device is for integral use in computer numerical controlled machines in particular shaping and boring devices and is designed to overcome inaccuracies, contamination, wear or parallel deformities within the guide rail 1.

Description

1 2399524 Numeric controlled shaping and boring device and guide mechanism

For the technical field this invention relates to a computer numeric controlled shaping and boring device and its guide mechanism.

The background for computer numeric controlled shaping and boring devices, is that they are well known machines for the production of complex products of non-ferrous material. The device usually consists of a horizontal bed on which the work piece is held while the cutters move on at least one axis. These devices can be controlled to high tolerances and therefore their construction is necessarily substantial, resulting in a relatively expensive device.

The essential technical features of the Multi axis computer controlled device for the purpose of boring or shaping materials (in this document this will be called the device, the head, which could be a boring or shaping device, will be referred to as the router. The device could include a measuring tool instead of or as well as the router head. The materials shall refer to substrates or plastics or any substance that can normally be shaped by a router). Consisting of a gantry operating over a horizontal bed which may include a perpendicular bed attachment. When the router head is in motion it clears the horizontal bed and can be positioned above the perpendicular bed allowing for the routing or boring of the side or end of a board or other material. Also the material can be mounted on the perpendicular bed at any angle between perpendicular and horizontal. In addition when the device has at least three axis' there is a facility to incorporate a forth axis to rotate suitable material parallel to the horizontal bed enabling the material to rotate through 360 degrees at defined increments perpendicular to the router enabling wood turning operations. The device facilitates the use of materials of longer lengths than the device. The tracking mechanism is an assembly, which consists of a radial bearing, a specially shaped axle, sprung axle holders with integral bearing guide and retaining bolts. At least one of these assemblies is mounted into a carriage. A carriage consists of at least one bearing assembly and a means of fixing to the gantry. The tracking mechanism is suitable for overcoming inaccuracies in tracks whilst the mechanism maintains close contact with the track. The tracking mechanism also allows for contamination or wear without significant decrement to most operations. Square tube can be used as track with a significant reduction in cost. However the vertical axis may need a different system. The device has a mechanism for overcoming parallelogram deformities in the tracks. The tracking mechanism consists of an adjustment for levelling the device in irregular work areas. The device has a method of construction that allows for a minimum of parts to be replaced when changing the size of the device. The construction of the horizontal bed is such that it can be assembled and disassembled and transported with relative ease. The construction method of the table allows for reconfiguration of the table with the advantage that difficult shaped materials can be accommodated. To achieve a relatively lightweight construction the design of the legs is intrinsically stable by using a triangulation principal. Also the clamping method for the tracks will not obstruct the carriage therefore facilitating a mid support, maintaining stability and rigidity on larger devices. Adjustments for un uneven floor may be included. A clamping or a vacuum system can be used to hold the material. The device can be fitted with a facility for dust extraction consisting of a vacuum hose running to the router head the hose being supported by means of a chain.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by the way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 showing the carriage with the sprung and non-sprung bearing assemblies Figure 2 showing the exploded view of the sprung bearing assembly Figure 3 showing the exploded view of the non-sprung bearing assembly Figure 4 showing an arrangement of bearing assemblies.

Figure 5 showing overcoming a parallelogram Figure 6 showing the clamping to the guide rail Figure 7 showing supports Figure 8 showing perspective of the device here being used as a three axis' computer numeric controlled router.

Figure 9 shows the use of a perpendicular bed Figure 10 shows the use of a perpendicular bed using additional angles Figure 11 shows the wood turning attachment Figure 12 shows the device used with long lengths Figure 13 shows the device used with a marker Figure 14 shows the tracking device used to measure Figure 15 shows the tracking device used as a stop Figure 1 showing the carriage with the sprung and non-sprung bearing assemblies (1) guide rail (2) carriage (3) sprung bearing assembly (4) non-sprung bearing assembly Figure 2 showing the exploded view of the sprung bearing assembly (5) retaining bolt (6) spring (7) bearing (8) shaft (9) bearing guide (] O) shaft holder (2) carriage.

Figure 3 showing the exploded view of the non-sprung bearing assembly (5) retaining bolt (7) bearing (8) shaft (9) bearing guide (10) shaft holder (2) carriage.

Figure 4 showing an arrangement of bearing assemblies.

(1) guide rail (2) carriage (3) sprung bearing assembly (4) non-sprung bearing assembly.

Demonstrating the sprung bearing opposing the non-sprung bearings. Therefore allowing the non- sprung bearing to remain in close contact with the guide rail should there be any irregularity in the guide rail.

Figure 5 showing overcoming a parallelogram (l) guide rail (2) carriage (3) sprung bearing assembly (4) non-sprung bearing assembly Demonstrating the action of the shaped axle in allowing the bearing to sit flat to the guide rail.

Figure 6 showing the clamping to the guide rail Positioning the clamp to allow the carriage to move unimpeded (1) guide rail (11) frame (13) fixing bolts (14) clamping bolt.(31)clamp plate (32)thrust plate (33) clamp Figure 7 showing supports (l l) Frame (13) fixing bolts (15) legs (16) adjusting feet.

Demonstrating the arrangement for bolting the support or leg.

Figure 8 showing perspective of the device here being used as a three axis' computer numeric controlled router. (11) Frame (15) legs (16) adjusting feet (12) clamp (1) guide rail (2) carriage ( 17) gantry ( 18) vacuum hose ( l 9) router (20) horizontal bed.

Figure 9 shows the use of a perpendicular bed.

(21) Perpendicular bed. This facilitates boring or routing material edges.

Figure 10 shows the use of a perpendicular bed using additional angles.

(22) Angled bed. This facilitates boring or routing at angles that would not otherwise be possible on a three axis' device.

Figure l l shows the wood turning attachment.

(23) Turning attachment (24) tailstock. The wood turning attachment can achieve standard turned products. The synchronous wood turning attachment facilitates other operations including spiral turning.

Figure 12 shows the device used with long lengths.

(25) Long length material (26) stop.

Figure 13 shows the device used with a marker.

(27) Marker. The marker can be a pen or a scribing device, which is attached to the gantry.

Figure 14 shows the tracking device used to measure.

(28) sensor. This facilitates positional input for later use in CAD (Computer Aided Design) or CADCAM (Computer Aided Design Computer Aided Manufacturing) Figure 15 a movable stop. Showing the moving (29) material into position by using a (30) Stepper motor or servo or encoder. This allows a material or a (26) stop to be moved in relation to a tool via the (l) guide rail using the carriage. This has the advantage that it can be done accurately and quickly.

Claims

1. A mechanism consisting of an assembly of parts for the purpose of facilitating the moving of a device accurately along a guide rail. The mechanism operates by maintaining close contact with the guide rail, whist overcoming parallelogram deformities and other inaccuracies or contamination or wear, in or on the guide rail. Also the mechanism allows for misalignment of the device or guide rail. (The guide rail shall refer to any substance that is or can be formed into a rigid form). The mechanism consists of a shaped axle, sprung axle holder with integral bearing guide and a method of securing the holder to the carriage and a non-sprung axle holder or holders with integral bearing guide and a method of securing the holder to the carriage. At least one of these assemblies is mounted onto a carriage. A carriage, which may be an integral part of the device, consists of at least one bearing assembly and if it is not integral to the device then the carriage will include a means of fixing the carriage to the device. The purpose of the shaped axle is to allow the bearing to align with the guide rail. The purpose of the bearing-guide is to maintain the bearing or wheel parallel to the guide rail. The purpose of the non-sprung axle holder and its bearing or wheel is to maintain the device at a set distance from the guide rail. The purpose of the sprung axle holder and its bearing or wheel is to oppose the non-sprung bearing therefore maintaining close contact with the guide rail.

2. A method of clamping the guide rail so that it will not obstruct the carriage therefore facilitating a mid support with the additional advantage that the framework can be reconfigured for a different layout. Also the guide rail does not require additional drilling or welding. For use with mechanism as claimed in claim 1.

3. A method of supporting the tracking and or workbenches, that is stable and does not require welding. For use with mechanism as claimed in claim I and method of clamping as claimed in claim 2. Having the advantage that welding is not required and relatively small components can be used. Also giving an advantage in assembly and transportation.

4. At least one gantry consisting of at least one axis for a computer numeric controlled shaping and boring device using the mechanism claimed in claim 1.

5. At least one gantry consisting of at least one axis for a computer numeric controlled shaping and boring device using the mechanism claimed in claim I and method of clamping as claimed in claim 2 and the method of support as claimed in claim 3 with the addition of a perpendicular bed and or an angled bed.

6. At least one lathe consisting of a rotating device that is synchronized or asynchronous and a cutting device which can be stationary or rotating and at least one guide rail and at least one mechanism as claimed in claim 1 for moving the cutting device.

7. Computer numeric controlled shaping and boring device as claimed in claim 4 with at least one guide rail and at least one mechanism as claimed in claim 1 with a facility for materials of longer lengths than the length of the device.

8. A marking device with a least one guide rail and at least one mechanism as claimed in claim 1.

9. A measuring device with a least one guide rail and at least one mechanism as claimed in claim 1.

10. A hand or power tool guide with a least one guide rail and at least one mechanism as claimed in claim 1.

11. An attachment for positioning materials in relation to at least one tool using at least one guide rail and at least one mechanism as claimed in claim 1.

12. A device consisting of at least one mechanism as claimed in claim 1 and at least one of the following claims; claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6, claim 7, claim 8, claim 9, claim 10, claim l l.