Carriage-rail assembly effects extreme resolution and position accuracy with little friction, and is applicable to such apparatus as optical benches, inspection fixtures, machine tools, and photographic equipment. Directions for assembly construction are given

Bosworth, R. H.

Roney, B. W.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

December 1970	 Brief 70-10714 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage commercial 
application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, 
Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief progam may. be
 directed to the Tech-
nology 'Utilization Division, NASA, Code UT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Carriage-Rail Assembl y
 for High-Resolution Mechanical Positioning 
A carriage-rail assembly for a high-resolution me-
chanical positioner effects extreme resolution and 
position accuracy with very little friction, and is ap-
plicable to such apparatus as optical benches, inspec-
tion fixtures, machine tools, and photographic equip-
ment.
Slide Block 
Slide-Block Bearings
	
Positioning 
Flange	 Tracks 
Li 
ZZZ 
Bearings	 Z:Z 
Spring	 Contact 
Stud	 pring	 'Ball 
	
-	
-i.______________ 
Microeter 
Mounting	 Baseplate	 Carriage Actuating Rod	 Track	 Member 
Figure 1. Side View in Elevation 
The positioner has .a horizontal baseplate with a 
vertical mounting rod pressed into each of the four 
corners (Fig's. I and 2). A slide block of roughly 
the same area as the baseplate has a flange at each end 
and, in each corner, a hole through which a mounting 
rod slides. Above, close to, and parallel with the base-
plate is a pair of carriage tracks mounted in flanges 
projecting vertically from opposite ends of the base-
plate. A pair of positioning tracks, at a preselected 
angle from the horizontal, are mounted in flanges 
projecting vertically downward from opposite ends of 
the slide block. 
An actuating member is pierced by the carriage and 
positioning tracks along which the member slides.
The member is mechanically coupled to the slide block 
through the positioning tracks which are inclined at 
a preset angle relative to the horizontal carriage tracks. 
Thus, horizontal positioning of the actuating member 
vertically adjusts the position of the slide block relative 
to the actuating member and the baseplate. A coiled 
Positioning 
Baseplate Track	 Carriage 
\ Track 
Slide Block 
-	 Bearings Flange
Figure 2. Plan Multisectional View 
compression spring around a stud and between the 
baseplate flange and the actuating member keeps the 
latter in permanent contact with the steel ball in the 
end of a micrometer element, ensuring accuracy in the 
movement of the member. 
The height of the slide block is adjusted by rotating 
the micrometer. The ratio of the horizontal movement 
of the actuating member to the vertical movement of 
the slide block depends on the selected angle of inclina-
tion of the positioning tracks. With the angle at 45 deg, 
the ratio between the two motions is 1.0. As the angle 
approaches zero, the ratio approaches infinity. With 
the angle at 11 deg 30 nun, for example, the slide 
block's vertical motion is 0.200 in. for each 1.000 in. 
(continued ovcrica(( 
Mounting-
Rod 
_____
-
-------. 'I. - 
hSflflS'*Sflflflfl _________%. 
___Tflrfl1 --k 
I .1 •' I I 1 Flange 
¶ i t
_______________________
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned -rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19700000684 2020-03-17T01:07:27+00:00Z
of horizontal motion of the actuating member (and the 
micrometer element). 
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed 
to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Code A&TS-TU 
Huntsville, Alabama 35812 
Reference: TSP70-10714
Patent status: 
Inquiries about obtaining rights for the commercial 
use of this invention may be made to: 
Patent Counsel 
Mail Code A&TS-PAT 
George C. Marshall Space Flight Center 
Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama 35812 
Source: R. H. Bosworth and B. W. Roney of

The Bendix Corp.

under contract to
Marshall Space Flight Center 
(M FS-20908)
fo 
Brief 70-10714	 Category 07


Carriage-rail assembly for high-resolution mechanical positioning

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