Machine structural member with nesting linear slides

Abstract

An improved design and method is disclosed that uses a novel nesting linear slide which incorporates machine tool slides or ways into a structural member. The design simplifies the fabrication and assembly of components requiring accurate sliding alignment, such as milling machine bases, saddles, tables and columns. Due to the use of the single piece, which replaces multiple pieces in the prior art, fabrication and assembly costs are also significantly lower. The invention also enables a method of construction utilizing the novel single shape component which simplifies the assembly of machines requiring sliding surfaces with accurate alignment. The invention essentially comprises a single structural element that includes both male and female sliding members. By nesting two of the single structural elements it is possible to create sliding joints for machine tool bases, saddles, tables, and columns, as well as a wide variety of other sliding joints, in an extremely cost-effective manner. The linear slide includes a deformable element that allows for accurate alignment with no play and creates a strongly supported sliding joint.

Claims

1. A linear slide comprising a pair of male slide surfaces and a pair of female slide surfaces wherein said pair of male slide surfaces and said pair of female slide surfaces are formed such that a first length of said linear slide and a second length of said linear slide with the same cross section can be adapted to cooperate in a nested fashion wherein said pair of male slide surfaces of said first length of said linear slide is guided by and moveable relative to said pair of female slide surfaces of said second length of said linear slide in a rectilinear path, including deformable elements that are one continuous material with said linear slide supporting either said female slide surfaces or said male slide surfaces or both said female and said male slide surfaces.

2. The linear slide of claim 1 wherein said pair of male slide surfaces and said pair of female slide surfaces are machine ways.

3. The linear slide of claim 2 including means for fastening objects to said linear slide.

4. The linear slide of claim 1 wherein said pair of male slide surfaces and said pair of female slide surfaces are dovetail machine tool ways.

5. The linear slide of claim 4 including means for fastening objects to said linear slide.

6. The linear slide of claim 1 including means for fastening objects to said linear slide.

7. A method of forming a sliding joint comprising the steps of: forming a linear slide comprising a pair of male slide surfaces and a pair of female slide surfaces wherein said pair of male slide surfaces and said pair of female slide surfaces are formed such that a first length of said linear slide and a second length of said linear slide with the same cross section can be adapted to cooperate in a nested fashion wherein said pair of male slide surfaces of said first length of said linear slide is guided by and moveable relative to said pair of female slide surfaces of said second length of said linear slide in a rectilinear path; including deformable elements that are one continuous material with said linear slide supporting either said female slide surfaces or said male slide surfaces or both said female and said male slide surfaces; arraigning said first length of said linear slide and said second length of said linear slide in a nested fashion wherein said pair of male slide surfaces of said first length of said linear slide is guided by and moveable relative to said pair of female slide surfaces of said second length of said linear slide in a rectilinear path.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said pair of male slide surfaces and said pair of female slide surfaces are machine ways.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said pair of male slide surfaces and said pair of female slide surfaces are dovetail machine tool ways.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein said first length of said linear slide forms part of a machine tool base and said second, nested, length of said linear slide forms part of a machine tool saddle.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein said first length of said linear slide forms part of a machine tool saddle and said second, nested, length of said linear slide forms part of a machine tool table.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein said first length of said linear slide forms part of a machine tool column and said second, nested, length of said linear slide supports a machine tool headstock.

13. A method of forming a machine saddle comprising the steps of: forming a linear slide comprising a pair of male slide surfaces and a pair of female slide surfaces wherein said pair of male slide surfaces and said pair of female slide surfaces are formed such that a first length of said linear slide and a second length of said linear slide with the same cross section can be adapted to cooperate in a nested fashion wherein said pair of male slide surfaces of said first length of said linear slide is guided by and moveable relative to said pair of female slide surfaces of said second length of said linear slide in a rectilinear path; including deformable elements that are one continuous material with said linear slide supporting either said female slide surfaces or said male slide surfaces or both said female and said male slide surfaces; arraigning said first length and said second length of said linear slide in an orthogonal fashion wherein said pairs of male and female slide surfaces on said first length of said linear slide are at right angles to said pairs of male and female slide surfaces on said second length of said linear slide; fastening said first length and said second length of said linear slide together using fastening means to form a single structure wherein said pairs of male and female slide surfaces of said first length of said linear slide are at right angles to said pairs of male and female slide surfaces of said second length of said linear slide.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said pair of male slide surfaces and said pair of female slide surfaces are machine ways.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein said pair of male slide surfaces and said pair of female slide surfaces are dovetail machine tool ways.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be better understood when consideration is given to the following detailed description of the invention. Such description makes reference to the following drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is an edge view of the preferred embodiment of a nesting linear slide as utilized in the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is an edge view of two of the nesting linear slides shown in FIG. 1 in the nested position.

(4) FIG. 3 is an edge view of a second more basic embodiment of a nesting linear slide.

(5) FIG. 4 is an edge view of two of the more basic nesting linear slides shown in FIG. 3 in the nested position.

(6) FIG. 5 is an edge view of two of the nesting linear slides shown in FIG. 3 in the nested position which includes two gibs.

(7) FIG. 6 is an edge view of an assembly utilizing three of the preferred embodiment nesting linear slides shown in FIG. 1.

(8) FIG. 7 is an edge view of the preferred embodiment of two nesting linear slides showing gibs, gib fastening means and the end of a leadscrew.

(9) FIG. 8 is a front view of a milling machine constructed using nesting linear slides as structural and sliding components.

(10) FIG. 9 is a right side view of a milling machine constructed using nesting linear slides as structural and sliding components

(11) FIG. 10 is a partial cross-section view at section 10-10 in FIG. 8 of a milling machine constructed using nesting linear slides as structural and sliding components.

(12) FIG. 11 is an edge view of a first alternative embodiment of a nesting linear slide as utilized in the present invention.

(13) FIG. 12 is an edge view of two of the nesting linear slides shown in FIG. 11 in the nested position.

(14) FIG. 13 is an edge view of a second alternative embodiment of a nesting linear slide as utilized in the present invention.

(15) FIG. 14 is an edge view of two of the nesting linear slides shown in FIG. 13 in the nested position.

(16) FIG. 14A is an enlarged edge view of two of the nesting linear slides shown in FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF IMPLEMENTATION

(17) With reference now to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts, a preferred embodiment of a nesting linear slide 10 is shown in FIG. 1. Two male way surfaces 11 are located on either side of top surface 12. Two middle surfaces 14 extend out from male way surfaces 11. Two female way surfaces 15 are located on either side of base surface 16. Two pockets 17 in female way surfaces 15 are provided for fastening means. Undercut side pockets 20 are conventional tee slots provided for fastening objects to the single shape way. Two bottom surfaces 21 are located below female ways 15 and tee slots 20.

(18) Four undercut top pockets 23 are conventional tee slots provided for fastening objects, for example workpieces, to the nesting linear slide. Two undercut bottom pockets 24 are also conventional tee slots provided for fastening objects to the nesting linear slide. Two lower pockets 25 and three upper pockets 26 are provided for fastening means. In addition, there is a space, generally indicated by 28, which provides clearance space for driving means, such as a conventional leadscrew.

(19) FIG. 2 shows two nesting linear slides 10 in the nested position. In the nested position a pocket is formed between the male way surfaces 11 on the lower slide and female way surfaces 15 on the upper slide. This pocket is used to contain two conventional gibs 29. Gibs 29 are commonly used in the machine tool art to provide adjustment and support between sliding surfaces. The space generally indicated by 28 provides room between upper and lower nesting linear slides 10 to locate a leadscrew or other driving mechanism.

(20) A second, more basic, embodiment of a nesting linear slide 30 is shown in FIG. 3. Two male way surfaces 31 are located on either side of top surface 32. Two middle surfaces 34 extend out from male way surfaces 31. Two female way surfaces 36 are located on either side of base surface 37. Two pockets 39 in female way surfaces 36 are provided for fastening means. Undercut side pockets 40 are conventional tee slots provided for fastening objects to the nesting linear slide. Two bottom surfaces 41 are located below female ways 36 and tee slots 40.

(21) FIG. 4 shows two of the basic embodiments of nesting linear slides 30 in the nested position. A pocket, generally indicated by 42 is formed between male way surfaces 31 and female way surfaces 36.

(22) In FIG. 5 two of the basic embodiments of nesting linear slides 30 are shown with two conventional gibs 44 located in the pockets formed between male way surfaces 31 and female way surfaces 36.

(23) A more rigid structure 46 is shown in FIG. 6 where two nesting linear slides 10 are connected by side plates 50 using fastening means 51. The interior of the structure is then filled with cement or other material as indicated by 53 to create a structure that is stronger and more resistant to bending, deflection and vibration. In this configuration the pockets 16, 31, and 32 and tee slots 22 on the inner sides of the two fastened linear slides 10, which are normally used for fastening objects to the linear slides, serve an additional purpose of helping to lock the linear slides firmly in connection with the fill material 53.

(24) A top nesting linear slide 10 is shown nested above rigid structure 46. The top nesting linear slide 10 in this configuration could serve as, for example, a machine tool table, the bottom of a machine tool saddle, or to support the headstock on a machine tool column. A traditional driving means, for example a leadscrew, is shown at 56. Two conventional gibs 29 serve to align and support top nesting linear slide 10 with respect to rigid structure 46. All three nesting linear slides 10 are of identical shape and could be cut, for example, from a single piece of extruded or machined stock.

(25) FIG. 7 shows two nesting linear slides 10 in the nested position. Two conventional gibs 29 are shown between the nesting linear slides. The gibs are held in place by conventional fastening means 58. A conventional leadscrew 59 is also shown in FIG. 7 between the upper and lower nesting linear slides.

(26) In the prior art separate slide and support parts typically are designed and fabricated for the upper and lower ways to build a construction such as the one shown in FIG. 7. Using the present invention this is no longer necessary, as one single part, cut to different lengths as needed, is all that is required.

(27) Often separate slide components would be mounted to structural components adding to the complexity, cost, difficulty of assembly, and difficulty of alignment during machine tool manufacturing. Using the present invention a single shape is used to build the entire sliding way structure. The single shape design and method can be used in many parts of machine tools. It can therefore be manufactured in high-volume at a much lower cost than several differently shaped pieces. This is especially important for small machines which may be intended for broad markets such as education, hobbyists, and makers.

(28) FIG. 8 shows a front view of a small milling machine 60 made using the nesting linear slides of the present invention. The table 64 is made of one piece of nesting linear slide. The column 63 is made using another piece of nesting linear slide. The spindle head 62 is mounted to yet another piece of nesting linear slide 65. Vertical motion of spindle head 62 is accomplished by conventional lead screw 66 and driving means 70 and nesting linear slides 63 and 65 provide support and allow slidable movement in the Z-axis direction. Conventional driving means 71 for the X-axis and 72 for the Y-axis are also shown.

(29) A right side view of the milling machine 60 is shown in FIG. 9. One piece of nesting linear slide 62 is used in the base, another piece of nesting linear slide forms the machine table 64. The end of table 64 is covered with a cover plate 76. A different piece of nesting linear slide 63 forms part of the column and yet another nesting linear slide piece 65 supports spindle head 62. Sheet stock shown at 67 and 69 is attached to the nesting linear slides 62 and 63 with conventional fastening means to form the basic structure of the milling machine. The machine saddle 77 is formed of two pieces of nesting linear slide fastened together by a cover plate. Conventional leadscrew 66, ball nut 61, and driving means 70 provide motion for the Z-axis and conventional leadscrew 78, ball nut 79, and driving means 72 provide motion for the Y-axis.

(30) A partial cross-section view of the milling machine 60 is shown in FIG. 10. Y-axis driving means 72 and the machine column are removed for clarity. One piece of nesting linear slide 64 is used as the table. Another piece of nesting linear slide 82 forms the top of the machine saddle. Conventional gibs 29 are shown between nesting linear slide 64 and nesting linear slide 82. A different piece of nesting linear slide 84, which is fastened orthogonally to nesting linear slide piece 82, forms the bottom of the saddle.

(31) Nesting linear slide piece 62 forms part of the machine tool base and supports the saddle by nesting with piece 84. Sheet stock shown at 67 and 69 is attached to the nesting linear slide 62 with conventional fastening means to form the base structure of the milling machine. Conventional leadscrew 78 and ball nut 79 provide motion for the Y-axis. Conventional leadscrew 80 provides motion for the X-axis.

(32) A first alternative embodiment of a nesting linear slide 90 is shown in FIG. 11. Two male way surfaces 91 are located on either side of top surface 92. Two middle surfaces 94 extend out from male way surfaces 91. Two female way surfaces 96 are located on either side of base surface 97. Female way surfaces 96 are located on deformable elements 104. Undercut side pockets 100 are conventional tee slots provided for fastening objects to the nesting linear slide. Two bottom surfaces 101 are located below female ways 96 and tee slots 100.

(33) FIG. 12 shows two of the first alternative embodiment nesting linear slides 90 in the nested position. In the nested position male way surfaces 91 compress deformable elements 104 thereby create a sliding linear joint between male way surfaces 91 and female way surfaces 96 with no play or clearance that provides guided motion as well as structural support.

(34) A second alternative embodiment of a nesting linear slide 110 is shown in FIG. 13. Two male way surfaces 111 are located on either side of top surface 112. Two middle surfaces 114 extend out from male way surfaces 111. Two female way surfaces 116 are located on either side of base surface 117. Female way surfaces 116 are located on deformable elements 124. Undercut side pockets 120 are conventional tee slots provided for fastening objects to the nesting linear slide. Two bottom surfaces 121 are located below female ways 116 and tee slots 120.

(35) FIG. 14 shows two of the second alternative embodiment nesting linear slides 110 in the nested position. In the nested position male way surfaces 111 compress deformable elements 124 thereby create a sliding linear joint between male way surfaces 111 and female way surfaces 116 with no play or clearance that provides guided motion as well as structural support.

(36) FIG. 14A is an enlarged view showing deformable element 124 in the nested position.

(37) The key feature of the present invention is the inclusion of both male and female sliding elements into a single piece design which also provides structural support. This single piece can therefore be used to make both male and female surfaces for slidable connections, such as ways, that are integrated into a structural frame element. The invention provides a method to make sliding joints, which are used extensively in machine tool design and fabrication, in an inexpensive and easy to assemble manner.

(38) The use of deformable elements provides for accurate sliding alignment with no play and strong support. The deformable elements are an integral part of the linear slides and are made by extrusion or other manufacturing processes. It is to be noted that the deformable elements are shown supporting the female slide surfaces as shown in FIGS. 11-14A. The deformable elements can also be used to support the male slide surfaces or they can be used to support both the male and female slide surfaces. Such modifications to the embodiments shown would be obvious to one skilled in the art.

(39) The present invention can be readily made using an extrusion or various other machining processes. Care and precision can be taken during the setup of equipment to make the nesting linear slide because larger volumes of material will be processed. This makes it possible to produce parts with improved accuracy at lower costs.

(40) Another important feature of the present invention is that it enables a method of machine tool construction utilizing common elements which greatly reduces the parts count and assembly time required to fabricate machine tools. By fastening the nesting linear slide pieces of the present invention to simple sheet stock material complete machine tool frames can be fabricated and assembled from a minimal number of parts.

(41) It can readily be seen that the invention is characterized by simplicity and economy of construction. By incorporating the present invention into the design of a machine requiring sliding elements the machine can be fabricated with greatly reduced cost and acceptable accuracy.

(42) The advantages of the invention should now be readily apparent to those skilled in the art without the necessity for a more detailed description of the elements. With respect to the above description it is to be understood that the optimal dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art. All equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

(43) Therefore, the foregoing is to be considered as only illustrative of the principles of the invention. Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.