Multi-axis positioning apparatus

• Main Author: BLANDING DOUGLASS L
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 02.10.2007
• Subjects: BEARINGS; BLASTING; 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; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; FRAMES, CASINGS, OR BEDS OF ENGINES OR OTHER MACHINES ORAPPARATUS NOT SPECIFIC TO AN ENGINE, MACHINE, OR APPARATUSPROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; LIGHTING; MACHINE TOOLS; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OFPARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; SHAFTS; STANDS OR SUPPORTS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; TRANSPORTING; WEAPONS

An apparatus for supporting a platform ( 84 ) relative to a base ( 82 ), has first, second, and third flexible shaft couplings ( 80 ). Each flexible shaft coupling ( 80 ) is mechanically coupled between the platform ( 84 ) and the base ( 82 ). Each flexible shaft coupling ( 80 ) has a rigid intermediate member ( 12 ) and a platform coupling ( 104 ) with a plurality of folded sheet flexures ( 20 ). Each folded sheet flexure ( 20 ) is coupled to the rigid intermediate member ( 12 ) on one side of a fold ( 36 ) and coupled to the platform ( 84 ) on the opposite side of the fold ( 36 ). Each flexible shaft coupling ( 80 ) also has a base coupling ( 102 ) with a plurality of folded sheet flexures ( 20 ) wherein each folded sheet flexure ( 20 ) is coupled to the rigid intermediate member ( 12 ) on one side of a fold ( 36 ) and coupled to the base ( 82 ) on the opposite side of the fold ( 36 ).