Reversible micromachining locator
- Los Alamos, NM
This invention provides a device which includes a locator, a kinematic mount positioned on a conventional tooling machine, a part carrier disposed on the locator and a retainer ring. The locator has disposed therein a plurality of steel balls, placed in an equidistant position circumferentially around the locator. The kinematic mount includes a plurality of magnets which are in registry with the steel balls on the locator. In operation, a blank part to be machined is placed between a surface of a locator and the retainer ring (fitting within the part carrier). When the locator (with a blank part to be machined) is coupled to the kinematic mount, the part is thus exposed for the desired machining process. Because the locator is removably attachable to the kinematic mount, it can easily be removed from the mount, reversed, and reinserted onto the mount for additional machining. Further, the locator can likewise be removed from the mount and placed onto another tooling machine having a properly aligned kinematic mount. Because of the unique design and use of magnetic forces of the present invention, positioning errors of less than 0.25 micrometer for each machining process can be achieved.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- Assignee:
- Regents of University of California (Los Alamos, NM)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5944329
- OSTI ID:
- 872479
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
micromachining
locator
provides
device
kinematic
mount
positioned
conventional
tooling
machine
carrier
disposed
retainer
therein
plurality
steel
balls
placed
equidistant
position
circumferentially
magnets
registry
operation
blank
machined
surface
fitting
coupled
exposed
desired
machining
process
removably
attachable
easily
removed
reversed
reinserted
additional
likewise
properly
aligned
unique
design
magnetic
forces
positioning
errors
25
micrometer
achieved
kinematic mount
magnetic force
magnetic forces
disposed therein
machining process
properly aligned
steel ball
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