Patent ID: 11925996
Assignee: TOLOMATIC, INC.
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  F  H | IPC B  F  H

Claim 15:
16. An apparatus comprising:
an actuator having an actuator housing, a thrust tube, and a rotor, wherein the thrust tube is configured for reciprocating motion along a longitudinal axis of the actuator housing, the thrust tube having a distal end configured for coupling to a machine tool, wherein the rotor is located in the actuator housing and is coaxial with and positioned radially outward of the thrust tube;
a guide shaft disposed over the thrust tube, offset from the longitudinal axis and oriented substantially parallel to the thrust tube, opposite an underside of the actuator housing; and
a coupling between the thrust tube and the guide shaft at the distal end, the coupling configured to move the guide shaft with the reciprocating motion of the thrust tube;
wherein the coupling and the guide shaft cooperate to limit off-axis deflection of the distal end of the thrust tube, during the reciprocating motion; and
wherein the apparatus has a center of gravity within a footprint of the actuator defined by the underside of the actuator housing, with the thrust tube in one or both of a retracted position and an extended position defined at respective limits of the reciprocating motion; and
a coupling structure connected to the thrust tube at or adjacent the distal end and having a section that extends along the longitudinal axis beyond the coupling between the guide shaft and the thrust tube, wherein the coupling structure defines an interface configured to engage the machine tool, wherein the interface comprises an end effector or further comprising an electrode assembly coupled with the thrust tube at the distal end, wherein the off-axis deflection is responsive to exertion of a mechanical force by the machine tool on a workpiece, or a reaction force on the electrode assembly.