Patent ID: 7264426
Filing Date: 2007-09-04
Classification: B23B,B23Q,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for performing a manufacturing operation on a workpiece, the apparatus comprising: a base member having a first aperture disposed therethrough; a drive platform having a second aperture disposed therethrough, the drive platform being spaced apart from the base member by a separation distance and aligned with the base member such that the first and second apertures are approximately aligned along an axis; a plurality of guide members extending between the drive platform and the base member, at least one of the drive platform and the base member being moveable along the guide members to at least one of increase and decrease the separation distance; at least one drive member operatively coupled between the drive platform and the base member, wherein the plurality of guide members and the at least one drive member are distributed around a perimeter of the first and second apertures; and a servo motor operatively coupled to the at least one drive member by a feed unit that includes at least one drive belt operatively coupled between an output shaft of the servo motor and the at least one drive member such that as the servo motor drives the at least one drive member, the separation distance is varied.