Patent ID: 9636798
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: B23Q,B24C,B26F

Claim:
1. A gimbal assembly for a multi-axis machine to assist in maintaining a spatial relationship between a tool of the multi-axis machine and a workpiece to be processed by the tool, the multi-axis machine including two axes of rotation that intersect to define a machine focal point, the gimbal assembly comprising: a swivel arm operable to rotate about a first axis of rotation; and a contact member rotatably coupled to the swivel arm to rotate about a second axis of rotation which intersects with the first axis of rotation to define a gimbal assembly focal point, the contact member including one or more surface features arranged to ride upon a surface of the workpiece during operation and to define a reference plane that contains the gimbal assembly focal point, and wherein the gimbal assembly enables sensing of a deviation between the machine focal point and the gimbal assembly focal point as the contact member rides upon the surface of the workpiece during operation.