Interface component for a positioning system and method for designing an interface component

1. An interface component for a positioning system, comprising:

a positioning arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being positionable against an object to be positioned and the second end being attachable to an actuator arm of the positioning system; and

a damping element operably connected in parallel with the positioning arm, the damping element being cylindrically shaped with a bore therethrough, wherein the positioning arm passes through the bore in the damping element.

2. The interface component of claim 1 , wherein the first end of positioning arm includes a rigid contact surface, wherein the rigid contact surface may be positionable against the object to be positioned.

3. The interface component of claim 1 , wherein the positioning arm extends at least partially through the damping element.

4. The interface component of claim 3 , wherein the positioning arm is a cylindrical pin.

5. The interface component of claim 1 , wherein a spring rate of the positioning arm is selectable by alteration of the radius of the pin.

6. The interface component of claim 5 , wherein a spring rate of the positioning arm is selectable by alteration of the length of the pin.

7. The interface component of claim 3 , wherein the damping element is laminated to the positioning arm.

8. The interface component of claim 1 , wherein the damping element is made from an elastomeric material.

9. The interface component of claim 8 , wherein the damping element is molded.

10. The interface component of claim 2 , wherein the positioning arm and the rigid contact surface are made from-steel.

11. The interface component of claim 2 , wherein the positioning arm and the rigid contact surface are made from a ceramic material.

12. The interface component of claim 2 , wherein the positioning arm and the rigid contact surface are made from aluminum.

13. The interface component of claim 1 , further comprising a support structure having a cup section and a base region with a bore therein, wherein the support structure is attachable to the actuator arm and the second end of the positioning arm is attached in the bore of the support structure, and wherein the damping element is mounted within the cup section of the support structure.

14. An interface component for a positioning system, comprising;

a positioning arm having a first end and a second end, the first end having a rigid surface for contacting an object to be positioned and the second end being attachable to a positioning component of the positioning system; and

a damping element having a bore, the positioning arm being operably connected to the damping element and extending through the bore, the first end of the positioning arm extending beyond the damping element, the damping element being operably connected in parallel with the positioning arm.

15. The interface component of claim 14 , wherein the rigid surface and the positioning arm are of unitary construction.

16. The interface component of claim 14 , further comprising a support structure having a cup section and a base region with a support bore therein, wherein the support structure is attachable to the positioning component and the second end of the positioning arm is attached in the support bore of the support structure, and wherein the damping element is mounted within the cup section of the support structure.

17. An interface component for a positioning system, comprising:

a support structure having an end that is attachable to a positioning component of the positioning system;

a positioning arm having a rigid surface at a first end for contacting an object to be positioned and a second end attached to the support structure; and

a damping element operably connected in parallel with the positioning arm, wherein the damping element is mounted in the support structure, the damping element at least partially surrounding the positioning arm.

18. The interface component of claim 17 , wherein the rigid surface is not: surrounded by the damping element.