Patent ID: 6519861
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: B23Q,Y10T

Abstract:
A centering apparatus used in conjunction with a workpiece having a periphery, comprising:a workpiece spindle operable to rotate the workpiece about a rotational axis; and a centering head comprising a mount movable in a movement direction lying in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis, the movement direction being generally a radial line extending outwardly from the rotational axis, a swivel head pivotably supported on the mount and pivotable about a pivot axis parallel to the rotational axis, the swivel head comprising a pair of bearings spaced apart along a direction lying generally perpendicular to the movement direction, each of the bearings having a bearing axis parallel to the rotational axis, a distance measuring device operable to measure a distance between the periphery of the workpiece and a measurement location on the mount as a runout curve as the workpiece is rotated-about the rotational axis, and a centering drive operable to contact the bearings to the workpiece and thereafter to move the mount and hence the workpiece along the movement direction responsive to the runout curve measured by the distance measuring device, until the workpiece is centered.