Tool measurement device for a machine tool

• Main Authors: Tocknell, Stephen Lindsey, Ferguson, Graham Richard
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 30.07.2024
• Subjects: COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOTDIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT; DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g.ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; MACHINE TOOLS; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OFPARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION; TRANSPORTING

An optical tool measurement device for a machine tool is described. The device includes a light source for directing light towards a tool-sensing region and a sensor for detecting light from the tool-sensing region. A shutter assembly for selectively protecting the sensor from contamination is also provided. The shutter assembly is to provide a closed configuration in which the sensor is covered by the shutter assembly thereby preventing contamination of the sensor and an open configuration in which light can pass to the sensor through a first aperture of the shutter assembly. Furthermore, the shutter assembly is configured to additionally provide a constricted configuration in which light can pass to the sensor through a second aperture of the shutter assembly, the second aperture being smaller than the first aperture. In this manner, the device has enhanced resistance to contaminants, such as swarf and coolant, present in the machine tool environment.