Inventors:
Norma M. Janson - Hopewell Junction NY
Carl Yakubowski - Hyde Park NY
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY
International Classification:
F16H 2702
F16H 2522
Abstract:
A high speed positioning device having a lead screw, a slidable frame and a screw engaging roller assembly supported by the frame for axial movement along the screw. The screw engaging roller assembly includes a pair of opposed rollers supported by a pair of pivoted, spring biased roller carriers which urge the rollers into meshing engagement with the lead screw to move the assembly and consequently the frame relative to the screw as the screw is rotated relative to the frame. Each roller has two degrees of rotational freedom with respect to its associated roller carrier to follow the helical threads of the lead screw. This arrangement provides an anti-backlash coupling between the lead screw and the screw roller assembly, thereby permitting accurate high speed positioning of parts, probes, machine tools and the like.
