Granted Patent B2

US 12,623,312 · App. 16/866,381 · Granted May 12, 2026

Inventor: Mark Chepurny (Bradford, CA)

B23Q1/262B23Q1/015B23Q1/46B23Q5/44

Abstract

Claims (62)

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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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.

21 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 17 , 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.

22 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 17 , wherein:

the at least one X-direction frame rigidifying element comprises at least one metal tube; and

the at least two first Y-direction frame rigidifying elements each comprise a metal tube; and

the at least two second Y-direction frame rigidifying elements each comprise a metal tube.

23 . The CNC machine as claimed in claim 22 , wherein each metal tube is a steel tube.

Continuity (2)

References Cited (13)