Patent ID: 7375361
Filing Date: 2008-05-20
Classification: B23B,B25H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An alignment device, the device being suitable for use with a machine that machines into a work-piece, the device including: (a) a light source, (b) a light detector for detecting light from the light source, (c) a first portion that in use abuts a surface of the work-piece, (d) a second portion that in use moves in dependence on an angular position of the machine relative to the work-piece, (e) an alignment indicator, and (f) a processing unit, wherein (g) the first and second portions of the alignment device are mechanically coupled, (h) the first portion is resiliently mounted to the second portion for movement relative to the machine, (i) one of the light source and light detector is disposed on the first portion and the other is disposed on the second portion, (j) the device being so arranged that in use: movement of the machine in at least one direction causes movement of both the first and second portions, whereas the machine is able to be rotated in such a way that the second portion, but not the first portion, rotates, and during machining of the work-piece, the machine may be moved towards and away from the work-piece without lifting the first portion away from the surface of the work-piece, the intensity of the light received by the detector from the light source depends on the relative positions and orientations of the first and second portions, and the light detector sends an electronic signal in response to the intensity of light received by the detector from the light source, and the processing unit processes signals derived from the electronic signal from the light detector to generate an output signal that causes the alignment indicator to output an indication of the deviation of the machine relative to the work-piece from a target orientation, and (k) the alignment indicator has a plurality of indicating states including a first state representing the case where the deviation of the alignment of the machine from the target orientation is within one or more preset threshold directional deviation criteria, and a second state representing the case where the deviation of the alignment of the machine from the target orientation is not within said one or more criteria, the indication provided by the alignment indicator, when in the second state, comprising an indication of the general direction of deviation.