Measurement device for machining center

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016016274-A1
Application number	US-201514728014-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 2, 2015
Priority date	Jul 16, 2014
Publication date	Jan 21, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A computer numerical control (CNC) machining center is provided. The CNC machining center includes a spindle configured to receive a cutting tool having a tool mount. A tool magazine is provided having a plurality of holders, each holder configured to receive a tool having the tool mount. A primary induction power supply operably coupled to the spindle. A non-contact three-dimensional (3D) measurement device having the tool mount is provided. The 3D measurement device is movable between one of the tool magazine holders and the spindle. The 3D measurement device having a secondary induction power supply configured to generate electrical power to operate the 3D measurement device when the 3D measurement device is coupled to the spindle.

First claim

1 . A computer numerical control (CNC) machining center comprising:
a spindle configured to receive a cutting tool having a tool mount; a tool magazine having a plurality of holders, each holder configured to receive a tool having the tool mount; a primary induction power supply operably coupled to the spindle; and a non-contact three-dimensional (3D) measurement device having the tool mount, the 3D measurement device being movable between one of the plurality of holders and the spindle, the 3D measurement device having a secondary induction power supply configured to generate electrical power to operate the 3D measurement device when the 3D measurement device is coupled to the spindle.

2 . The CNC machining center of claim 1 wherein the 3D measurement device includes a wireless communication circuit configured to transmit measurement data from the 3D measurement device to a remote device.

3 . The CNC machining center of claim 2 wherein the 3D measurement device is a laser line probe.

4 . The CNC machining center of claim 3 wherein the 3D measurement device comprises:
a projector that includes a light source, a first lens system, the light source configured to emit light, the first lens system configured to receive the light and to spread out the light into a first line of light;
a first camera that includes a second lens system and a first photosensitive array, the first camera having predetermined characteristics including a focal length of the second lens system and a position of the first photosensitive array relative to the second lens system to define a geometrical configuration, and wherein the second lens system is configured to collect the light reflected by or scattered off a work piece as a first collected light and image the first collected light onto the first photosensitive array, the first photosensitive array configured to convert the first collected light into a first electrical signal; and
an electronic circuit including a processor, wherein the electronic circuit is configured to determine 3D coordinates of a plurality of points of light projected on the work piece by the projector, the 3D coordinates based at least in part on the first electrical signal, the first camera predetermined characteristics, and the geometrical configuration.

5 . The CNC machining center of claim 4 wherein the 3D measurement device further comprises a second camera disposed opposite the first camera from the projector, the second camera includes a third lens system and a second photosensitive array, the second camera having predetermined characteristics including a focal length of the third lens system and a position of the second photosensitive array relative to the third lens system, and wherein the third lens system is configured to collect the light reflected by or scattered off the work piece as a second collected light and second image the second collected light onto the second photosensitive array, the second photosensitive array configured to convert the second collected light into a second electrical signal.

6 . The CNC machining center of claim 5 wherein the electronic circuit is further configured to determine the 3D coordinates of the plurality of points of light projected on the work piece by the projector, the 3D coordinates based at least in part on the first electrical signal, the second electrical signal, the first camera predetermined characteristics, the second camera predetermined characteristics and the geometrical configuration.

7 . The CNC machining center of claim 4 wherein the 3D measurement device further includes a movable shutter disposed adjacent the second lens system, the movable shutter movable from a first position when the 3D measurement device is in the tool magazine to a second position when the 3D measurement device is coupled to the spindle.

8 . The CNC machining center of claim 4 further comprising:
a first temperature sensor configured to measure a first temperature indicative of a temperature of the work piece; and
wherein the electronic circuit is further configured to determine 3D coordinates of the plurality of points of light projected on the work piece by the projector, the 3D coordinates based at least in part on the first electrical signal, the first camera predetermined characteristics, the geometrical configuration, and the first temperature.

9 . The CNC machining center of claim 4 further comprising:
a second temperature sensor configured to measure a second temperature indicative of a temperature of at least one zone within the machining center; and
wherein the electronic circuit is further configured to determine 3D coordinates of the plurality of points of light projected on the work piece by the projector, the 3D coordinates based at least in part on the first electrical signal, the first camera predetermined characteristics, the geometrical configuration, and the second temperature.

10 . A method of machining a work piece in a CNC machining center, the method comprising:
coupling a tool to a spindle; engaging the tool to the work piece to form a feature; moving the tool from the spindle to a tool magazine; moving a non-contact 3D-measurement device from the tool magazine to the spindle; energizing a primary induction power supply; electrically powering the 3D measurement device with the primary induction power supply when it is coupled to the spindle; moving the spindle over the feature with the 3D-measurement device energized; and acquiring 3D coordinates of points on the feature with the 3D-measurement device as the spindle is moved over the feature.

11 . The method of claim 10 further comprising wirelessly transmitting a signal from the 3D-measurement device to a remote device in response to acquiring the 3D coordinates.

12 . The method of claim 10 wherein the step of acquiring 3D coordinates includes transmitting a line of light from a projector onto the feature and imaging light reflected off of the feature onto a photosensitive array.

13 . The method of claim 10 further comprising:
measuring a first temperature indicative of a first temperature of the work piece; and
compensating the 3D coordinates of points on the feature based at least in part on the first temperature.

14 . The method of claim 10 further comprising:
measuring a second temperature indicative of a second temperature of a zone within the machining center; and
compensating the 3D coordinates of points on the feature based at least in part on the second temperature.

15 . The method of claim 10 wherein the 3D measurement device includes at least one projector and at least one camera arranged in a fixed geometric relationship to each other, the 3D measurement device further including a first shutter disposed between the at least one projector and an external environment and a second shutter disposed between the at least one camera and the external environment.

16 . The method of claim 15 further comprising moving the first shutter and the second shutter from a closed position to an open position when the 3D measurement device is energized.

Assignees

• Faro Tech Inc

Inventors

• Grau Markus

Classifications

• G01B11/2545

  with one projection direction and several detection directions, e.g. stereo · CPC title

• B23Q2230/002

  Using the spindle for performing a non machining or non measuring operation, e.g. cleaning, actuating a mechanism · CPC title

• B23Q3/155

  Arrangements for automatic insertion or removal of tools {, e.g. combined with manual handling (B23Q7/046 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• G01B11/25

  by projecting a pattern, e.g. {one or more lines,} moiré fringes on the object (G01B11/255 takes precedence {; image analysis for depth or shape recovery G06T7/50}) · CPC title

• B23Q17/2471 Primary

  of workpieces · CPC title