Title:
FLEXIBLE FIXTURING APPARATUS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2004014610
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
A flexible fixturing apparatus (10) for securely holding and positively locating a workpiece for manufacturing operations. The apparatus includes a two dimensional pin array (12, 14, 16, 18) comprising parallel pins movably supported on a housing for individual reciprocal axial motion toward contact with a workpiece to be supported. A pin locking mechanism (26) releasably locks the pins of the first pin array against axial motion relative to the housing once the pins have contacted and conformed to the shape of a workpiece. The pin locking mechanism includes a first clamp (28). A second clamp (32) is supported in the housing. Motion of the second clamp towards the pin array locks the pins more securely by further crowding the pins. Motion of both the first and second clamps away from the array more fully releases the pins for subsequent axial repositioning than moving only a single clamp.
More Like This:
| WO/2004/054757 | WORKPIECE FIXING DEVICE |
Inventors:
BEECHERL PETER M (US)
MANJUNATHAIAH JAIRAM (US)
MCGAFFEY KELLER J (US)
SZUBA PHILIP S (US)
CRELLEY FLOYD P (US)
MELKOTE SHREYES N (US)
MANJUNATHAIAH JAIRAM (US)
MCGAFFEY KELLER J (US)
SZUBA PHILIP S (US)
CRELLEY FLOYD P (US)
MELKOTE SHREYES N (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2003/025180
Publication Date:
March 03, 2005
Filing Date:
August 08, 2003
Export Citation:
Assignee:
UNOVA IND AUTOMATION SYS INC (US)
BEECHERL PETER M (US)
MANJUNATHAIAH JAIRAM (US)
MCGAFFEY KELLER J (US)
SZUBA PHILIP S (US)
CRELLEY FLOYD P (US)
MELKOTE SHREYES N (US)
BEECHERL PETER M (US)
MANJUNATHAIAH JAIRAM (US)
MCGAFFEY KELLER J (US)
SZUBA PHILIP S (US)
CRELLEY FLOYD P (US)
MELKOTE SHREYES N (US)
International Classes:
B25B1/24; (IPC1-7): B25B1/24
Foreign References:
| US5988618A | 1999-11-23 |
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