X-Y motion

An accessory for a track type drafting machine mounted for motion over the surface of a drawing board. The drafting machine accessory includes a set of endless graduated tapes running between rollers mounted at the ends of horizontal and vertical tracks. A set of indicators move along the tapes. One...     

For accurate measurement of the linear movement of a traveller relatively to a low-torque rotary transducer, a cylindrical pulley on the transducer is driven by a wire which extends between this pulley and an idler pulley to embrace both; the free ends of the wire are fastened to the traveller to form...     

A pick-up head for the manipulation of workpieces comprised of tacky material includes a rocker foot capable of four degrees of motion. The pick-up head is mounted on a horizontally movable carriage and includes controllable apparatus for causing the rocker foot to rotate, reciprocate vertically with...     

A microfiche reader has a carrier which includes means for transporting a microfiche film with a rectilinear movement. The carrier has two plates of glass for receiving a microfiche between them. As the carrier moves to one extremity of its rectilinear movement, the cover glass automatically opens to...     

A device for measuring distances is provided wherein, after calibration of the device, a cursor mounted on an elongate movable wand is moved to the point whose distance from a datum point is to be determined. A resistor extends along the length of the wand and an electrical contact on the cursor makes...     

A digitizer comprising electromechanical and optical components arranged to provide a precision metrology aid for sensing, displaying, recording, and ultimately "playing back" the coordinate values of selected features or locations of all or parts of two dimensional contours taken from drawings, pictures,...     

A measuring machine pick-up, for measuring e.g. watch movements, has measuring means mounted on a measuring head for movement in two or three orthogonal directions. The measuring means are plural, so that plural measurements may be effected without changing the parts.

A workpiece positioning table includes a generally channel-shaped base member having a bottom web element and a pair of laterally spaced side wall elements projecting upwardly therefrom. At least one of the side wall elements is pre-tensioned so as to possess a spring force tending to deflect such side...     

A system incorporating a photosensitive device and associated circuitry for scanning a line to be traced.

An improvement in a digitizer for use in computer drafting has been provided wherein a multiple wire connector located in both the X beam and Y beam is held in a taut and concealed condition within the respective beams for any position of the digitizer. An adjustable attachment is provided between the...     

In a work piece measuring probe the movement of a stylus in three dimensions is sensed by respective inductive transducers having sensing coils fixed to a support in positions adjacent three mutually perpendicular surfaces defined on the stylus.

A system for sensing the position in space of the outer end of an articulated fluid loading arm while it is connected to a marine tanker or other transport vessel, and sounding an alarm if the arm's operating envelope is exceeded. The sensing system includes means for determining various angles representative...     

The stylus of a work piece measuring probe is supported for movement in three dimensions by three pairs of leaf springs connected in series and arranged as if lying at the six sides of a rectangular box.

An assembly of single-component motion sensors consists of four equinumerous groups of sensors. All the sensors in any one group have their measurement axes parallel and the directions of the measurement axes of the four groups are parallel to the diagonals of a rectangular parallelepiped. The edges...     

An apparatus for three dimensional measurement may be fabricated by combining three pairs of beam members along three mutually orthogonal directions. Each beam member has a rack formed on the inside surface which mates with a pinion gear. The rack of one beam member engages a driving means which displaces...     

The invention discloses a device for positioning an object particularly for an accurate adjustment of semiconductor substrate discs relative to a structured mask. The object disposed on an object mount is independently displaced in x- and y-direction, and rotated in a plane defined by the x, y directions....     

A position and force measuring system for determining the coordinates and force applied to a point on a rigid plate or surface fixed to a rigid foundation by means of a flexible support mechanism and at least three spaced apart sensors. The sensors each deliver an output signal which is proportional...     

A line scanning apparatus employing a multiplicity of linear arrays, the linear extent of which is less than the length of the scan line. To permit an entire line to be covered, the arrays are offset from one another in the direction of scan with adjoining array ends overlapped. To correct for the misalignment...     

Apparatus for measuring a workpiece which includes a support structure for carrying a longitudinally displaceable guide carriage, which guide carriage in turn carries a measuring feeler. To accommodate precise measurement of relatively large objects, without the requirement of an excessively large and...     

A workpiece positioning assembly for a machine tool has first and second traverses mounted perpendicular to one another. The second traverse is unsupported at its ends and mounted intermediate its ends upon the first traverse for horizontal movement in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the second...     

A line scanning apparatus employing a multiplicity of linear arrays, the linear extent of which is less than the length of the scan line. To permit an entire line to be covered, the arrays are offset from one another in the direction of scan with adjoining array ends overlapped. To correct for the misalignment...     

A measuring and/or tracing device is of the kind having a vertical column, a transverse sliding unit secured to the column and movable in a vertical direction, a cross arm held by said unit and movable horizontally, a holder on the end of the said cross arm for a measuring and/or tracing tool, and a...     

A joystick mechanism for transducing vector motion of an end of a joystick into its X and Y components including: an X-potentiometer having a body and a shaft, a bracket for mounting the body of the X-potentiometer to a surface, a Y-potentiometer having a body and a shaft, a rod connecting the shaft...     

A form-cutting machine is disclosed for cutting a form in a flat surface of a sheet of material such as glass in response to a numerical control signal, the shape of the form being determined by the numerical control signal. The form-cutting machine comprises a frame, sheet-support means for supporting...     

The invention contemplates an improved drive and measurement-scale configuration for a measuring machine of the type in which the measuring head and its work-contacting probe are carried in the arch of a gantry which is slidable along base ways (in the x-direction) on opposite sides of a workpiece on...     

A plotting apparatus is disclosed for use in an automatic plotting system including a first pivoted arm carried by a first pivoted support and a second pivoted arm adapted for carrying an instrument head mounted on a second pivoted support carried adjacent a free-end of said first arm. A power operated...     

A line scanning apparatus employing a multiplicity of linear arrays, the linear extent of which is less than the length of the scan line. To permit an entire line to be covered, the arrays are offset from one another in the direction of scan with adjoining array ends overlapped. To correct for the misalignment...     

A multipurpose drafting and measuring instrument having an upright marking device mounted on a base or main frame readily maneuverable over sheet material. Mounted on the instrument main frame are one or more signal generators each having a roller in frictional driving contact with the sheet material...     

A cross-linear bearing unit comprising of: a bearing body having on its one surface a raceway which forms a load track and a return track and is adapted to fit a race bar therein, the bearing body further having a rail hole which forms a load track and a return track and is adapted to fit a rail therein,...     

A rotary table is driven by a pair of perpendicularly disposed linear slides which are each driven by a ballscrew drive. One of the linear slides is mounted on the movable member of the other linear slide and is coupled to the rotary table by a crank stud. The linear slides are driven at speeds which...     

A laser therapy apparatus comprising a radiating source, a control system of said radiating source, which system is connected to said source, a mechanical beam shifting scanner connected to said radiating source, a unit for processing and storing information on a program of exposing biological objects...     

A tool setting gage has a base plate with a socket for receiving the tool to be set. A horizontally movable carriage is mounted on the base plate for movement toward and away from the tool socket normal to the axis of the tool. A vertically movable carriage is mounted on the horizontal carriage for up...     

A machine for production shops to make templates, the machine including a flat base having stops against which a template blank can be rested two tracks going north to south, or vice-versa, along which a first gauge carriage travels ONLY north to south, or vice-versa, and which carries also two tracks...     

A digital drafting machine for measuring and displaying a distance on a drafting surface comprising a first triangle with a vertical straight edge and a second triangle with a horizontal straight edge slidably engaged with the first triangle along the vertical straight edge. A drive in the form of a...     

A coordinate measuring machine for measuring parts using cylindrical coordinates. The machine includes a base, an articulated arm mounted to the base at its proximate end for movement within a plane, and a vertically movable probe assembly mounted near the distal end of the articulated arm. A horizontal...     

A digital scaler for measuring and displaying a distance on a drawing surface comprising a first triangle with a verticle straight edge and a second triangle with a horizontal straight edge slightably engaged with the first triangle along the vertical straight edge. A drive in the form of a drive wheel...     

A tooling gage for gaging the accuracy of critical surfaces on a tool. The gage is universal in the sense that it may be used to check a wide variety of tools. The gage comprises a work holder and one or more adjustable gaging devices. Means are provided for securing each gaging device in adjusted position...     

An inscribing system that is electronically automated for transcribing onto miniature carriers character information which will positively identify the human, animal or valuable article in which the carrier is embedded. The automated inscribing system includes a microprocessor with memory and a plurality...     

A configured contour measuring apparatus comprising: a table movably provided on a bed; a driving mechanism for moving said table; first detecting mechanisms for detecting a value of movement of said table relative to the bed as a digital signal; a mount base provided on said table and made movable in...     

An X-Y movement mechanism, having right-handed and left-handed lead screws arranged in parallel with each other and drive sources for individually rotating the lead screws. Gears placed over nuts engage the lead screws, the gears having teeth coaxially with said nuts. A base plate, either flat or cylindrical...     

A test probe positioning machine includes first and second stepper motors connected to spaced first and second vertical pivot pins extending from a support. A flat slide surface is disposed on the support adjacent and perpendicular to the vertical pivot pins. First and second elongated threaded shafts...     

An interactive projection display system having a light pen device for use thereon is described. The projection display system has an image of a light valve on a projection screen which is formed by visible light of specified wavelengths. The projection screen also has a translatable crosswire image...     

A self contained drawing instrument which is independent of external controls is provided in the form of a movable base with wheels for moving over a sheet, and carrying a scribing instrument, a drive motor for the wheels, a drive motor for the scribing instrument, a power source for the drive motors,...     

A measuring and/or tracing device is of the kind having a vertical column, a transverse sliding unit secured to the column and movable in a vertical direction, a cross arm held by said unit and movable horizontally, a holder on the end of the said cross arm for a measuring and/or tracing tool, and a...     

This disclosure relates to a multiple head for a remotely controllable plotting device in which a body carries a plurality of pen carriers each of which in turn carries a pen having a tip, each pen carrier including a hollow bobbin of non-magnetic material having an axial bore for movement of a pen therealong...     

A three-axis coordinate inspection machine. A pair of parallel Z axis rails are mounted atop a bearing plate having an upwardly facing horizontal bearing surface. A single X axis rail has opposite ends slidably and bearingly mounted to the Z axis rail. The X axis rail extends through a carrier which...     

The film reader has a substantially cubic housing one wall of which is formed with a projection screen, an intake slot for a film to be projected, a focus control knob and two slots for position control levers movable along mutually normal axes near the screen. The transmission means between a film holder...     

A multi-axes positioning system is described, such as used in X-Y plotters, including an X-carriage movable on a frame along the X-axis, a Y-carriage movable on the frame along the Y-axis, and a single closed loop trained over a plurality of guide wheels. Some of the guide wheels are located on the frame...     

A completely mechanically operated microscope bridge includes rapid rough positioning, fine positioning, coarse focusing and fine focusing with an automatic locking system locking the microscope at the position set by the operator whether power is on or off. In the focusing mechanism the drive slips...     

A system for determining the location of the sinking of a vessel by providing a seaworthy box that is automatically ejected from the vessel at the time of sinking and that has a battery aboard the box for powering a radio transmitter that sends distress signals that enable a rescue vessel to locate the...     

An improved high resolution rotating head ultrasonic scanner is provided for use in an ultrasonic scanning subsystem of an ultrasonic breast scanning system. The scanning subsystem of the breast scanning system includes a pair of high resolution ultrasonic rotating scanning heads mounted on a transport...     

A lettering device of the type having a keyboard for choosing the symbols to be written, comprising a writing part, which may be separated from said keyboard, wherein the pen is selectively moved by two geared motors, in two coordinate directions, to correspond to the symbols to be drawn. The writing...     

A system for cutting curvilinear patterns in strippable films with a high speed computer controlled flat bed plotter having a diamond point cutter positioned in the plotting head. The scribe pressure is set between 200 and 300 grams with the plotter set to drive the plotting head at a speed between 20...     

Automatic marking is accomplished by providing a housing that moves along a calibrated guide. The housing is operably connected with a microcomputer which receives preselected marking data. The housing carries a sensor and a marking device. As the housing moves along the guide, the sensor reads the calibrations...     

A moving table assembly has a base, a table supported by the base for movement in one direction, a feed screw having its axis parallel to the direction of movement of the table, a nut threadably engaged with the feed screw, and a connecting mechanism for connecting the table and the nut, the connecting...     

This invention discloses a three dimensional including contour tracing means such as an orthogonal coordinate mechanism and a polar coordinate mechanism having a probe which can trace the contour of a thing defined by a section, a processing means for processing the data gained by tracing operation of...     

Drafting apparatus comprises a drafting head having X and Y scribing edges. The drafting head is mounted for movement along a beam in the Y direction and its position is detected by an encoder. The beam is mounted for movement in the Y direction relative to the drawing surface and its position is detected...     

A precision measuring apparatus (10, 10') includes a measuring scale (12, 12'), a scanning unit (15, 15') for scanning the scale (12, 12'), and a housing (11, 11') for supporting the scale (12, 12') and the scanning unit (15, 15'). The scanning unit (15, 15') rides on guide surfaces (16, 16', 17, 18)...     

The present invention provides a drawing table for use in the fields of drafting, architecture, computer graphics, and graphic arts and the like wherein the drawing table includes means allowing projection of an optical image from below onto the working surface of the table at a plurality of angles of...     

An optical cursor control device or "optical mouse" is disclosed for use with an interactive, display oriented computer system to provide movement for a visible cursor from position to position on a display screen of such a system. The cursor control device provides an output indicative of the amount...     

A cable driven plotter. One end of a first and a second cable is pivotally connected to a marking device. The cables extend over respective guide pulleys located at separated fixed points and are wound around respective motor driven take-up reels to which the respective other ends are fixed. One end...     

There is indicated a programmable braking device for the X guide block (18) and the Y guide block (30) of a drafting machine which comprises a brake band (42, 60) which is moved together with the considered guide block. The band revolves around guide pulleys (38, 40; 62, 64), which are arranged laterally...     

A plotting device is disclosed containing a traveling carriage drawing apparatus and distance measuring devices in the traveling carriages which emit a number of electrical pulses which are proportional to the displacement of the traveling carriages and which are weighted with an adjustable scale factor,...     

A drafting machine includes a pair of perpendicular straight edges slidably mounted with respect to reference scales integrally mounted within the drafting machine. A fine adjustment mechanism includes a worm and spur gear combination for moving the straight edges with respect to the scales. An override...     

A measuring instrument wherein a measuring element support member having a measuring element is made movable relative to a workpiece to be measured rested on a bedplate. This measuring instrument is provided with a rail support member which is secured in a recessed portion formed at the side surface...     

A probe for measuring dimensions of a workpiece in coordinate positioning apparatus, comprises a base (20), a stylus holder (21) having an axis (21A), an intermediate member (22, 30) having a fixed region (22A) connected to said base and a free region (22B) connected to said holder, said intermediate...     

The coordinate measuring machine comprises a basic frame structure including a bearing portion having a steel track with a crossbeam support for traveling on the steel track which carries a spindle sleeve. At least one of the frame structure parts comprises a cast resin concrete with a steel track embedded...     

A coordinate reading apparatus for reading positions on a tablet, having magnetic-field generating coils, with a magnetic-field detector. The magnetic-field detector produces an analog electric signal corresponding to a desired position to be read on the tablet in response to the magnetic fields induced...     

A three dimensional graphics tablet for determining the three dimensional coordinates of points on an object placed on a supporting plane. The apparatus includes an articulated arm having at least two link elements connecting a contacting tip element to the support for rotational movement about a plurality...     

A dimension measuring apparatus, for automatically measuring a dimension of a workpiece as the workpiece is on a production line, has a probe with a tapered end for insertion into a hole of the workpiece to be measured. The probe is supported by a second movable base provided on a first movable base....     

Measurement of the area and shape of contact between a vehicle's wheels or racks and the surface over which it moves is automated by having the vehicle drive over an array of switches connected in a matrix including X and Y conductors. The matrix is systematically scanned to produce a pulse train with...     

A coordinate measuring apparatus comprises a frame substantially formed by a rectangular prismatic body and an indexing rotary table which is connected to the front side portion of the prismatic body to form an L-shaped structure. Above the prismatic body, a cantilever arm projects over the rotary table....     

The invention relates to an electronic stylus for digitizing devices usable for designing and digitizing. A fine-lead unit 1 with lead storage chamber 8 and advanceable graphite lead 7 is arranged in a carrier tube 2; the lead guide means 32 is surrounded by a detachable induction coil 31, by means of...     

A writing tablet is disclosed incorporating a plurality of conductors imbedded beneath the surface thereof in orthogonal relationship with respect to each other. The conductors form a grid for receiving radiated electric signals generated remote from the tablet and supplied to a pen acting as a radiating...     

A coordinate measuring instrument wherein a measuring element is supported through a measuring element support member in a manner to be displaceable relative to the upper surface of a bedplate in directions of X, Y and Z axes perpendicularly intersecting one another, and a shape and the like of a workpiece...     

A guide structure designed to locate blank spaces on a displayed form of a word processor through the utilization of a line scale and a character scale movably attached to and selectively positionable over the face of a conventional paper or like material form wherein indicia formed on each of the scales...     

An apparatus and method of aligning the axis of drive pins on a cylinder machine with the axis of a lap adapter on a cylinder machine wherein one of a plurality of displaceable members are mounted in the lap adapter of a cylinder machine and the displaceable members are displaced relative to one another...     

The positioner comprises a fixed frame (1) from which extends a first pair of parallel piezoelectric benders ("bimorphs") (2, 3) which carry an intermediate frame (4). Actuation of the bimorphs (2, 3) causes lateral translation of the intermediate frame (4) with respect to the fixed frame with the bimorphs...     

Measuring apparatus for determining the position of a point in a measuring volume relative to a datum point at which three mutually perpendicular axes intersect, includes a probe member supported for movement within that volume. Errors due to rotations about the various axes are corrected by providing...     

A marking machine for marking and engraving upon a work surface. The machine comprises a rotary marking wheel having marking characters upon the periphery of the wheel and an engraving tool or stylus. The engraving tool may be employed as part of the printing wheel or as a separate attachment providing...     

A system for positioning an X-axis carriage and a Y-axis carriage comprises two flexible coupling elements for the X-axis carriage, and a single flexible coupling element for the Y-axis carriage. Providing two such coupling elements for the X-axis carriage enables shorter-length elements to be used,...     

A dimensional measuring and checking machine mounts a bridge structure (12) on legs (22) which are supported on a base (10) by air bearings. The varying forces due to travel of a probe mounting carriage (24) create vertical displacements of the bearings and movement of the bridge (12) out of alignment....     

A toy computer image processor assembly wherein a toy assembly in the form of a simulated computer is provided with hand manipulated actuating members in a keyboard section connected to image producing means in a screen section to selectively move such image producing means into and out of engagement...     

This invention relates to measuring instruments such as a three-dimensional measuring instrument having a device for protecting the surface of a scale provided on a guide rail for moving a measuring element support member. A scale (7) secured to one side surface of one of guide rails provided at opposite...     

A position coordinate input device including an input plate subjected, at a point, to an external force with a finger, etc. so as to input data of coordinates of the point into a computer and the like. The device further includes four elastic support members for supporting the input plate, a pair of...     

An improved flexure hinge permits both angular pivoting and longitudinal expansion and contraction and is made of a body member of solid material which is normally not flexible or expandable. A first recess is defined part-way through the body member at one longitudinally extending edge opposite second...     

A graphic aid device is disclosed which may be used with computers having a mouse-type computer cursor controller. The device provides a specific geometric orientation to the mouse, thereby enabling a tracing member attached onto or near the mouse to be used to manually trace complex figures while simultaneously...     

An aligning system for aligning a first object and second object with each other by moving them as a unit through a fluid bearing is adapted to accomplish a coarse alignment by displacing the first and second objects relative to each other and to attain a fine alignment by controlling the supply of pressure...     

This disclosure depicts a clamp device in a measuring instrument wherein a slider having a detecting portion is clamped to a guide member, comprising: a holder provided on the slider and penetrated therethrough with the guide member; a movable block received in the holder and having a through-hole, through...     

A precision alignment apparatus for precisely orienting and stabilizing the orientation of a sensor, for example a magnetometer sensor, is disclosed. The simplest embodiment of the invention consists of a sensor support and a second support on which the sensor support is mounted with a trunnion. A wedge...     

An ultra-precision two-dimensional moving apparatus is disclosed, in which a fine-moving table is two-dimensionally movably held on a coarse-moving carriage. This fine-moving table is driven finely in X, Y and .theta. directions by three piezoelectric element actuators. The fine-table position is measured...     

The invention provides for an inexpensive plotter/digitizer which can be attached to existing drafting boards of varying sizes. The device uses flexible links, such as cables. Length, speed, and tension of the links is monitored by sensors. The speed, accuracy, and line quality of plotting are improved...     

A device and method for automatically pregauging cutting tools comprising means for releasable holding a cutting tool in a gauging position, and an electronic gauging means movable to contact the cutting tool in the gauging position for measuring the offsets between a master cutting tool and other cutting...     

A large scale X-Y plotting table is provided with electro-pneumatically controlled clamping bars at opposite ends, with roller-formed troughs adjacent thereto for supporting supply and take-up rolls of sail cloth or the like. The clamping bars are coupled to foot operated switches for locking the bars...     

A bridge type coordinate measuring machine characterized by a bridge (20) that has a closed loop configuration encircling the measuring machine base (10). The bridge (20) includes two uprights (21, 22), an upper member (23) connecting the uprights together and at least one lower member (24) connecting...     

A gantry-type jig having two longitudinal beams and a traveling cross-rail, each composed of a load-bearing element and a positioning element. The varying load as governed by the position of a trolley is taken up fully, or to the major part, by the load-bearing elements. The positioning elements form...     

An x-y positioning device in which a cable or chain is used to drive a carriage, powered by two motors. The same cable that moves the carriage also constrains the angular orientation of the moving mechanism. In so doing, the moving parts can be made lighter and less expensively, while providing improved...     

A coordinate measuring machine (CMM) of the type including a bridge (26) supported for horizontal movement on a base (20) that has a table portion (18). The bridge includes cross members (28, 32) that extend above and below the table (18). The bridge (26) supports a probe (12) for vertical movement on...     

The disclosed guide device utilizes no rigidly mounted external guide elements. However, a guide element freely slidable on an air cushion on a flat base can be lowered from the interior of a slide element (by removal of the air cushion) onto the base. Once the guide element has been lowered, it is fixed...     

A writing tablet system is disclosed incorporating a plurality of parallel conductors imbedded beneath the surface thereof arranged in two groups in orthogonal relationship with respect to each other. The conductors form an antenna grid for receiving radiated electric signals generated remote from the...