SURFACE COPYING METHOD AND APPARATUS THEREFOR

Title:

SURFACE COPYING METHOD AND APPARATUS THEREFOR

Document Type and Number:

WIPO Patent Application WO/1981/001813

Kind Code:

A1

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for copying a surface precisely. The method includes the steps of allowing the relative position of a stylus (S) with respect to a model (M) precede the relative position of a cutting blade (C) with respect to a workpiece (W) by a prescribed amount e in the direction of travel and in parallel with the surface to be copied, resolving a vector corresponding to the amount e into components along the X (or Y) and Z axes, and varying the feed rates in the direction of both the X (or Y) and Z axes in proportion to the X-axis and Y-axis components, respectively. The apparatus includes a spindle (6) having the stylus (S) fixed at the lower end thereof, spindle holding means (11), (12), (13) for holding the spindle (6) at the upper end in a circularly movable manner within a vertical plane with a predetermined radius e, rockably within the vertical plane and in an elevationally movable manner during the course of elevational movement, a circular motion limiting means (20) for limiting the circular motion of the spindle (6) to within a range of 180o in the elevational direction, spindle lifting and lowering means (30) for biasing the spindle (6) in such a manner that the spindle always moves downward in executing circular motion, model surface detecting means (41) for moving the spindle (6) upwardly while executing circular motion when the stylus (6) makes contact with the model (M) so that the displacement thereof exceeds the set value, a copy command unit (50) for producing a copy command signal for copying in horizontal and vertical directions in response to the rotational position of the circularly rotating arm of the spindle (6), and a copy control unit for varying the copying speed in the horizontal and vertical directions upon receipt of the signal. Another apparatus includes spindle holding means (11), (14), (15) for holding the spindle (6) in circularly movable manner with a prescribed radius ewhile retained in the vertical state instead of the spindle holding means (11), (12), (13) of the former device.

Inventors:

HOSOI T (JP)

Application Number:

PCT/JP1980/000322

Publication Date:

July 09, 1981

Filing Date:

December 24, 1980

Export Citation:

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Assignee:

HOSOI T

International Classes:

B23Q35/04; B23Q35/34; (IPC1-7): B23Q35/04

Foreign References:

JPH05144388A

1993-06-11

Other References: