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US-12623312-B2 - CNC machine, workstation and components

US12623312B2US 12623312 B2US12623312 B2US 12623312B2US-12623312-B2

Abstract

A frame assembly module for a CNC machine support structure, the module comprising a frame assembly module support structure, and a traversing element, coupled to the frame assembly module support structure, for traversing the frame assembly module support structure, the traversing element comprising a frame assembly fastening feature for attachment of a second frame assembly module to the traversing element, and a spindle fastening feature of attachment of a spindle to the traversing element, the frame assembly module support structure comprising a traversing element fastening feature for attachment of the frame assembly module support structure to a different traversing block. The module may comprise steel tubing.

Inventors

  • MARK Chepurny

Assignees

  • MARK Chepurny

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20200504

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . A Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine, including a computer numerical controller, the CNC machine comprising: a tool spindle for holding and actuating a tool; a compound support frame operatively coupled to the tool spindle and comprising an X-direction support frame for guiding movement of the tool in an X-direction, a Y-direction support frame for guiding movement of the tool in a Y-direction and a Z-direction support frame for guiding movement of the tool in a Z-direction; the X-direction support frame including at least one X-direction frame rigidifying element to rigidify the X-direction support frame, and an X-direction carriage coupled to the tool spindle, wherein the X-direction carriage is mounted to the at least one X-direction frame rigidifying element such that the X-direction frame rigidifying element guides movement of the X-direction carriage and the tool in the X-direction; and the Y-direction support frame comprising: a first Y-direction support frame assembly and a first Y-direction carriage, and a second Y-direction support frame assembly on an opposite side of the X-direction support frame from the first Y-direction support frame assembly, and a second Y-direction carriage; wherein the first Y-direction support frame assembly comprises at least two first Y-direction frame rigidifying elements extending through the first Y-direction carriage for rigidifying the first Y-direction support frame assembly, and the second Y-direction support frame assembly comprises at least two second Y-direction frame rigidifying elements, extending through the second Y-direction carriage for rigidifying the second Y-direction support frame assembly, the first and second Y-direction carriages being operatively coupled to the tool spindle such that the first and second Y-direction frame rigidifying elements guide movement of the first and second Y-direction carriages and the tool in the Y-direction; a motion actuator operatively coupled to the X-direction support frame, the Y-direction support frame, the Z-direction support frame, and the tool spindle, for causing movement of the tool spindle and the tool; the motion actuator comprising a first Y-direction linear translator, including a first Y-direction linear translator shaft that is coupled to the first Y-direction carriage to drive the first Y-direction carriage, and a second Y-direction linear translator, including a second Y-direction linear translator shaft that is coupled to the second Y-direction carriage to drive the second Y-direction carriage, wherein the first Y-direction linear translator shaft is spaced apart from each of the at least two first Y-direction frame rigidifying elements, and wherein the second Y-direction linear translator shaft is spaced apart from each of the at least two second Y-direction frame rigidifying elements; and an electronic controller for controlling the motion actuator.
  2. 2 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the machine further comprises a stiffening assembly fixedly coupled to the X-direction support frame, the Y-direction support frame and the Z-direction support frame, the stiffening assembly comprising a stiffening frame having a solid rigid workpiece fastened thereto.
  3. 3 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 2 , wherein: the Z-direction support frame carries the tool spindle; and wherein the stiffening frame is fastened to the Y-direction support frame assemblies.
  4. 4 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 2 , further comprising a leg assembly with a plurality of legs, the leg assembly being fastened to the stiffening frame, the plurality of legs having a deployed position in which the legs are extended to position the CNC machine generally spaced upward from a floor, and a folded position, whereby the CNC machine may be more easily transported or stored with the legs in the folded position.
  5. 5 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of door gripping flanges, operatively coupled to the compound support frame, for positioning the CNC machine on a door that is oriented in a vertical plane, whereby the CNC machine can work on the door while the door is oriented in a vertical plane.
  6. 6 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a leg assembly with a plurality of legs, the leg assembly being operatively coupled to the compound support frame, the plurality of legs having a deployed position in which the legs are extended to position the CNC machine generally spaced upward from a floor, and a folded position, whereby the CNC machine may be more easily transported or stored with the legs in the folded position.
  7. 7 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a stand coupled to the compound support frame, the stand being sized, shaped and positioned such that when the stand is engaged the CNC machine stands in a generally vertical plane.
  8. 8 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the machine further comprises two wheels coupled to the compound support frame and positioned such that the CNC machine may be manually pulled with the wheels rolling on a floor to facilitate transport of the CNC machine.
  9. 9 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the CNC machine comprises a plurality of detachably attachable stiffening rods, said stiffening rods being detachably attachable to said X-direction and Y-direction support frames, said stiffening rods comprising steel tubing.
  10. 10 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first Y-direction support frame assembly further comprises a first riser mounted on the first Y-direction carriage, with a first frame end of the X-direction support frame being fastened to the first riser; and wherein the second Y-direction support frame assembly further comprises a second riser mounted on the second Y-direction carriage, with a second frame end of the X-direction support frame being fastened to the second riser.
  11. 11 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein movement of the first Y-direction carriage in the Y-direction is guided by the at least two first Y-direction frame rigidifying elements only within a first Y-direction range, and wherein the at least two first Y-direction rigidifying elements are unthreaded over an entirety of the first Y-direction range; wherein movement of the second Y-direction carriage in the Y-direction is guided by the at least two second Y-direction frame rigidifying elements only within a second Y-direction range, and wherein the at least two second Y-direction rigidifying elements are unthreaded over an entirety of the second Y-direction range.
  12. 12 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least two first Y-direction frame rigidifying elements and the at least two second Y-direction rigidifying elements are undriven.
  13. 13 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 12 , wherein: the first Y-direction support frame assembly further comprises two first Y-direction frame ends, with the at least two first Y-direction frame rigidifying elements fastened to and between, and received within, the two first Y-direction frame ends to rigidify the first Y-direction support frame assembly: the second direction support frame assembly further comprises two second Y-direction frame ends, with the at least two second Y-direction frame rigidifying elements fastened to and between, and received within, the two second Y-direction frame ends to rigidify the second Y-direction support frame assembly, and wherein the first and second Y-direction carriages are sized, shaped and positioned to carry the X-direction support frame; the X-direction support frame comprising an X-direction support frame assembly comprising two X-direction frame ends and the at least one X-direction frame rigidifying element fastened to and between the two X-direction frame ends to rigidify the X-direction support frame assembly, the X-direction frame assembly including the X-direction carriage, the X-direction carriage being sized, shaped and positioned to carry the Z-direction support frame; and the Z-direction support frame carrying the tool spindle.
  14. 14 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the first Y-direction linear translator comprises a first Y-direction ball screw which includes the first Y-direction linear translator shaft, and the second Y-direction linear translator comprises a second Y-direction ball screw which includes the second Y-direction linear translator shaft, and wherein the motion actuator comprises: at least one X-direction ball screw and at least one associated X-direction ball screw motor for rotating the at least one X-direction ball screw; a first Y-direction ball screw motor associated with the first Y-direction ball screw for rotating the first Y-direction ball screw; a second Y-direction ball screw motor associated with the second Y-direction ball screw for rotating the second Y-direction ball screw; and at least one Z-direction ball screw and at least one associated Z-direction ball screw motor for rotating the Z-direction ball screw.
  15. 15 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 14 , wherein: the first Y-direction support frame assembly further comprises two first Y-direction frame ends, with the at least two first Y-direction frame rigidifying elements fastened to and between the two first Y-direction frame ends to rigidify the first Y-direction support frame assembly; the second direction support frame assembly further comprises two second Y-direction frame ends, with the at least two second Y-direction frame rigidifying elements fastened to and between the two second Y-direction frame ends to rigidify the second Y-direction support frame assembly, and wherein the first and second Y-direction carriages are sized, shaped and positioned to carry the X-direction support frame; the X-direction support frame comprising an X-direction support frame assembly comprising two X-direction frame ends and the at least one X-direction frame rigidifying element fastened to and between the two X-direction frame ends to rigidify the X-direction support frame assembly, the X-direction frame assembly including the X-direction carriage, the X-direction carriage being sized, shaped and positioned to carry the Z-direction support frame; and the Z-direction support frame carrying the tool spindle.
  16. 16 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 14 , the machine further comprising at least one X-direction manual ball screw actuator coupled to the at least one X-direction ball screw, at least one first Y-direction manual ball screw actuator coupled to the first Y-direction ball screw, and at least one second Y-direction manual ball screw actuator coupled to the second Y-direction ball screw.
  17. 17 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 12 , wherein one of the at least two first Y-direction rigidifying elements is positioned on a first side of the first Y-direction linear translator shaft and another of the at least two first Y-direction rigidifying elements is positioned on a second side of the first Y-direction linear translator shaft; and wherein one of the at least two second Y-direction rigidifying elements is positioned on a first side of the second Y-direction linear translator shaft and another of the at least two second Y-direction rigidifying elements is positioned on a second side of the second Y-direction linear translator shaft.
  18. 18 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the first Y-direction linear translator shaft extends through the first Y-direction carriage, and wherein the second Y-direction linear translator shaft extends through the first Y-direction carriage.
  19. 19 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 17 , wherein one of the at least two first Y-direction rigidifying elements is positioned above the first Y-direction linear translator shaft and another of the at least two first Y-direction rigidifying elements is positioned below the first Y-direction linear translator shaft; and wherein one of the at least two second Y-direction rigidifying elements is positioned above the second Y-direction linear translator shaft and another of the at least two second Y-direction rigidifying elements is positioned below the second Y-direction linear translator shaft.
  20. 20 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the first Y-direction linear translator comprises a first Y-direction ball screw which includes the first Y-direction linear translator shaft, and the second Y-direction linear translator comprises a second Y-direction ball screw which includes the second Y-direction linear translator shaft, and wherein the motion actuator comprises: at least one X-direction ball screw and at least one associated X-direction ball screw motor for rotating the at least one X-direction ball screw; a first Y-direction ball screw motor associated with the first Y-direction ball screw for rotating the first Y-direction ball screw; a second Y-direction ball screw motor associated with the second Y-direction ball screw for rotating the second Y-direction ball screw; and at least one Z-direction ball screw and at least one associated Z-direction ball screw motor for rotating the Z-direction ball screw.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/842,243, entitled A Modular Upgradable and Portable Tube Frame Linear Rail System CNC Machine and Workstation, filed on May 2, 2019, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the field of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines, including related workstations and components thereof. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are a variety of cutting machines commonly in use. Among them are lathes, mills, routers and grinders. More recently, such machines have taken the form of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines, which are computer controlled for high precision. Such machines typically operate continuously for a substantial period of time, according to how they have been programmed. This is in contrast to a traditional machine being operated by a person, which may make one cut, grind, etc., and then be stopped and repositioned by the operator for the next operation. High precision is expected from CNC machines because they operate in response to computer programming that governs the movement of the machine. This type of control is to be distinguished from traditional cutting machines operated by a person, where distances and positions might just be eyeballed. Even if higher-precision guides and measuring devices are used in such traditional modes of operation, hand operation is expected to be less precise than computer control. As the computer-numerical programming is controlling the movement of the machine, it is expected that the movement and positioning of the machine, and of the cutting tool, will be very precise. Due to this expectation, there exists a desire to use CNC machines for progressively more precise applications. As this trend continues, even greater levels of precision are required, which go beyond those provided by use of computer numerical control. It is not only the control system that affects precision. The structure and composition of the CNC machine can also affect precision. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has been discovered that it is not only the mode of control that affects the precision of CNC machines. One feature that affects precision is the rigidity of the CNC machine's support structure. If that structure has low rigidity, then the displacement or deformation of the structure during operation of the machine will result in reduced precision. Another factor affecting precision—sometimes related to the previous factor—is the manufacturing tolerances of the components of the CNC machine's support structure. If the elements of the support structure have high tolerances—that is, if there is a wide variation in the actual dimensions of different components that are manufactured to have the same nominal dimensions—then precision will be affected, in part because the tool will tend not to be positioned precisely where the CNC's controller thinks it is positioned. It is common for CNC machines to use extruded aluminum elements as elements of the support structure, and also as guides for linear motion. With such extruded elements, wheels are required for the linear motion, with the wheels travelling along surfaces of the extruded elements created to support the wheels. Providing such surfaces in turn requires the extruded aluminum elements to have complicated cross-sectional shapes. This is one reason, among several, why extruded aluminum elements have high tolerances, with a consequent loss of precision for the CNC machine. The use of wheels for linear motion also results in lower precision. Debris from the CNC machine can deflect the wheels as they travel and reduce precision. If there is enough debris, the wheels can get jammed. It has also been discovered that CNC machines are often complicated and difficult to set up, calibrate and square. Embodiments of the present invention are understood to address one or more of these or other deficiencies in the prior art. Therefore, according to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine, including a computer numerical controller, the CNC machine comprising: a tool spindle for holding and actuating a tool;a compound support frame comprising an X-direction support frame for guiding movement of the tool in an X-direction, a Y-direction support frame for guiding movement of the tool in a Y-direction and a Z-direction support frame for guiding movement of the tool in a Z-direction;the X-direction support frame, Y-direction support frame and Z-direction support frame being (1) operatively coupled to the tool spindle, (2) sized, shaped and mutually positioned to support the tool spindle and tool, and (3) mutually operatively coupled to guide the tool to a three-dimensional range of operating positions;a motion actuator, operatively coupled to the X-direction support frame, the Y-direction support frame, the Z-direction support