Patent ID: 6044310
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: G05B,Y02P

Abstract:
A device for automatically aligning a centerline of a workpiece with a centerline of a rotating machine tool, said device comprising;an attachment member adapted for rigid attachment to a machine tool spindle carried by a first end of said device;a fixture for fixedly receiving a workpiece, wherein said fixture is adapted for releasable engagement by a second end of said device;a tilting plate member for tilting said fixture positioned between said first and said second ends of said device;a cross-slide member for providing translational movement to said fixture positioned between said first and said second ends of said device;at least one transducer positioned on the workpiece for detecting a relative position and angle of a centerline of the workpiece in relation to a centerline of the machine tool; anda processing unit in electronic communication with said transducer, said tilting plate member and said cross-slide member, wherein said processing unit receives data from said transducer and controls movement of said tilting plate member and said cross-slide member based upon said data, whereby the centerline of the workpiece is positioned so as to be coincident with the centerline of the machine tool.