US 12,403,549 B2
Mechanical system for high positional computer numerically controlled applications
Daniel Shapiro, Seattle, WA (US); Mark Gosselin, Seattle, WA (US); and Douglas Webster, Seattle, WA (US)
Assigned to Glowforge, Inc., Seattle, WA (US)
Filed by Glowforge, Inc., Seattle, WA (US)
Filed on Oct. 26, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/511,000.
Prior Publication US 2023/0128807 A1, Apr. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. B23K 26/08 (2014.01)
CPC B23K 26/0876 (2013.01) [G05B 2219/33198 (2013.01); G05B 2219/40293 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising a gantry assembly, wherein the gantry assembly comprises:
a carriage configured to accommodate a laser head;
a first movable subassembly; and
a second movable subassembly coupled to the first movable subassembly via a joining subassembly extending between the first movable subassembly and the second movable subassembly, wherein the second movable subassembly comprises (i) a first motor configured to control a position of the carriage along the joining subassembly along a first axis between the first movable subassembly and the second movable subassembly and (ii) a second motor configured to control a position of the first movable subassembly and the second movable subassembly together along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, thereby controlling a position of the carriage along the second axis; and
wherein the joining subassembly comprises a drive mechanism operated by the second motor, wherein the drive mechanism is arranged to facilitate movement of the first movable subassembly together with the second movable subassembly along the second axis, wherein the drive mechanism operated by the second motor comprises a drive shaft that extends along at least a portion of the joining subassembly and is arranged to facilitate movement of the first movable subassembly together with the second movable subassembly along the second axis, and wherein the first movable subassembly further comprises a first gear connected to the drive shaft, wherein the second movable subassembly further comprises a second gear connected to the drive shaft and coupled to the second motor via a linkage, and wherein the second motor is configured to (i) control movement of the second gear via the linkage and (ii) control movement of the first gear by axially rotating the second gear about the first axis, thereby axially rotating the drive shaft and the first gear connected thereto about the first axis.