APPARATUS FOR AN ON-TOOL POWER SUPPLY

摘要

An apparatus comprises a housing and a tool holder that is mounted to a first end of the housing. The tool holder is configured for selectively engagement with a spindle to support the tool and selective disengagement from the spindle for interchanging the tool with other tools. The tool further comprises a work-piece end mounted to a second end of the housing to perform component forming functions and/or component inspection functions. At least one energy harvesting device at the housing is configured to harvest a form of energy associated with the operation of the apparatus to generate sufficient electrical power for wholly powering the machine implement. Accordingly, there is an electrical interconnection between the at least one energy harvesting device and the work-piece end.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a spindle that is configured to receive and support different tools and is moveable between one or more first positions for forming or inspecting a work-piece and one or more second positions at which tools are interchanged on and off the spindle; a tool having a tool holder that is detachably secured to an end of the spindle for the interchange of tools on and off the spindle and the tool having a work-piece end distal to the tool holder; and, an energy harvesting device on the tool and in electrical communication with the work-piece end and the energy harvesting device is configured to harvest a form of energy generated from the operation of the apparatus to generate sufficient electrical power for wholly powering the work-piece end.