Patent ID: 7972097

Claim:
A rigid tapping feedback assembly for a milling machine having a spindle with a spindle end machined on one end and opposed end configured to attach a tool, a computing device operably connected to an automated drive that translates the spindle, and a milling machine motor that rotates the spindle at a rate of revolution, the rigid tapping feedback assembly comprising: a spindle-pulley adapter that is drivably engaged to the spindle end; a housing that is fixedly attached to the milling machine, wherein the housing is fixedly attached to a bearing cap of the milling machine, the bearing cap configured with an aperture to receive the spindle end extending therethrough; a sensor shaft that is rotatably coupled to the housing, the housing supporting the sensor shaft in substantial parallel-spaced relation to the spindle-pulley adapter; a pulley assembly that mechanically links the spindle-pulley adapter and the sensor shaft, wherein the rate of revolution of the spindle is generally proportional to resultant angular rotation of the sensor shaft; and a sensor configured to monitor the resultant angular rotation of the sensor shaft, wherein the sensor communicates an indication of the resultant angular rotation to the computing device; and a housing cover plate fixedly attached to the housing, where the attached housing cover plate and housing substantially encompass the pulley assembly, and wherein the housing cover plate includes a mounting footprint, the mounting footprint is adapted to receive fasteners for attaching a drawbar to the housing cover plate, wherein the spindle-pulley adapter, which is drivably engaged to the spindle end, is interconnected between the spindle and the draw bar.