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Title:
FLEXIBLE, SELF CONFORMING, WORKPIECE SUPPORT SYSTEM
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2000/021717
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed for a flexible support apparatus (100) using elongated support members (110), to support a face of a workpiece (330). The elongated support members (110) are arranged through at least one plane of perforated material (120), where the elongated support members (110) are raised to the maximum designed position (50), the shafts of the elongated support members are subjected to a resistive force (410), the position of the elongated support members (110) is adjusted by the contacting forces (132) applied by bringing the workpiece (330) and the flexible support assembly (100) together, then applying a locking force (524) to secure the elongated support members (110) where the elongated support members (110) can sustain the loads applied during the operation onto the workpiece (330). Additionally, methods are disclosed which allow the elongated support members (110) to optionally drop upon reaching a designed position.

Inventors:
HERTZ ALLEN D (US)
IMM ANTHONY A (US)
WIGGS J STEPHEN (US)
HERTZ ERIC L (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US1999/024030
Publication Date:
April 20, 2000
Filing Date:
October 12, 1999
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
HERTZ ALLEN D (US)
IMM ANTHONY A (US)
WIGGS J STEPHEN (US)
HERTZ ERIC L (US)
International Classes:
B25B1/24; (IPC1-7): B25B1/24; B23Q3/00
Foreign References:
US5152707A1992-10-06
US4088312A1978-05-09
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Hertz, Allen D. (FL, US)
Hertz, Allen D. (FL, US)
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Claims:
CLAIMS
1. A flexible, self conforming support apparatus to support a face of a workpiece during an operation which a force is applied to the primarily opposing face of said workpiece, the flexible support apparatus comprising of: a plurality of elongated members each extending through a plurality of perforated members; a respective end surface on each of the said elongated support members, where one end contacts the said workpiece, and the elongate support members adjust along a shaft of the elongated support member approximately according to the profile of the contact face of the said workpiece; and a locking member which moves substantially perpendicular to the adjusting motion of the elongated support members to couple the elongated support member between the perforated plate and the locking member, where the coupling provides a locking force designed to maintain the position of the elongated support members such to provide the supporting forces to the workpiece during an operation on the opposing face.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means of providing a vacuum holding force to the module.
3. A flexible, self conforming support apparatus to support a face of a workpiece during an operation which a force is applied to the primarily opposing face of said workpiece, the flexible support apparatus comprising of: a plurality of elongated members each extending through a plurality of perforated members; a respective end surface on each of the said elongated support members, where one end contacts the said workpiece, and the elongate support members adjust along a shaft of the elonqated support members approximately according to the profile of the contact face of the said workpiece; a resistive member which applies a resistive force to the shaft of each elongated support member to act as a temporary restraint while adjusting the position of the elongated support members, using contacting forces between the workpiece and the end of the elongated support member; and a locking member which moves substantially perpendicular to the adjusting motion of the elongated support members to couple the elongated support member between the perforated plate and the locking member, where the coupling provides a locking force designed to maintain the position of the elongated support members such to provide the supporting forces to the workpiece during an operation on the opposing face.
4. A flexible, self conforming workpiece support apparatus as described in claim 3, where at least a portion of the shaft of the elongated support members is of a magnetic material; where the resistive member is at least partially of a magnetic material; and wherein the magnetic material of the resistive member is magnetically coupled to the magnetic material of the shaft of the elongated support members to apply a resistive force to the elongated support members.
5. A flexible, self conforming workpiece apparatus as described in claim 1 where a portion of the locking member which contacts the shaft of the elongated support member is at least partially consisting of pliant material such as rubber, foam, or other to compensate for tolerances.
6. A flexible, self conforming workpiece apparatus as described in claim 3, where the resistance member consists of a flexible material such as rubber, foam, or similar, capable of applying a resistive force independent of any external forces applied to the resistance member.
7. A flexible, self conforming workpiece apparatus to support a face of a workpiece during an operation which a force is applied to a primarily opposing face of the workpiece, said flexible support apparatus comprising of: a plurality of elongated support members each extending through at least one perforated plate; a respective end surface on each of the elongated support members, where one end contact the said workpiece; a resistive member to act as a temporary restraint while adjusting the position of the elongated support members; a means to reduce the resistive force between a shaft of the elongated support member and the resistive member when the elongated support member travels beyond a predetermined distance, allowing the elongated support member to drop, thus no longer contacting the workpiece; an at least one locking member floating within the primary assembly of the apparatus and designed to couple the elongated support member between the at least one perforated plate and the locking member; and where the coupling created by the locking member is greater than the force created by the resistive member, designed to maintain the position of the elongated support members such to provide the supporting forces to the workpiece during an operation of the opposing face.
8. A flexible, self conforming workpiece apparatus as described in claim 7, where the resistive member is of a flexible medium, where the resistive force is a resultant of the flexible medium returning to the original shape; and where at least one of the elongated support members is enlarged along a portion of the shaft of the elongated support member to provide a decrease in the resistive force once the elongated member is positioned where the enlarged section is not contacting the resistance member.
9. A flexible, self conforming workpiece apparatus as described in claim 8, where the shaft of at least one of the elongated support members is of a nonmagnetic material; and where a portion of the shaft of the elongated support member is of a magnetic material to provide a decrease in the resistance force once the shaft of the elongated member is positioned where the section of magnetic material is no longer contacting the magnetic resistance member.
10. A flexible, self conforming, support apparatus to support a module during an application of forces to a generally opposing side of the module, the flexible support apparatus comprising of: at least one perforated member, a plurality of elongated support members, each extending through an associated aperture within the perforated member, a respective contact surface on the elongated support members, where the contact surface abuts a module, and the elongated support members adjust along an axis of the elongated support members proximate to a profile of a contacting surface, a homing force, applied by a self restoring mechanism, which returns the elongated support members to a home position, a homing force which maintains the elongated support members proximate the contacting surface of the module during the adjusting process, a method of applying a clamping force to the elongated support member, whereby the clamping force substantially precludes movement of the elongated support members allowing them to support the module during the application of forces to the generally opposing side of the module.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 where the clamping mechanism utilizes friction.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 where the clamping mechanism includes a means to account for variations in tolerance.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 where the self restoring, homing force is generated by coil springs.
14. The apparatus of claim 10 where the self restoring, homing force is generated by flat springs.
15. The apparatus of claim 10 where the self restoring, homing force is generated by a sheet of flexible material stretched between a first and second perforated members.
16. The apparatus of claim 10 where the contact surface of the elongated support members includes a pliant material to avoid damage to delicate surfaces of the module.
17. The apparatus of claim 10 where a vacuum is applied to the module through a vacuum passage of at least one passage of the elongated support members and vacuum passage of the perforated plates.
Description:
FLEXIBLE, SELF CONFORMING, WORKPIECE SUPPORT SYSTEM Field of the Invention The present invention relates to flexible support systems using elongated support members that vary in position to support planer and/or three dimensional workpieces. This is a PCT application of Ser. Nr. 09/ 170,016 filed 1998, October 13 filed as a continuation in part of Ser. Nr. 09/253,238 filed 1999, February 19.

Background of the Invention Numerous manufacturing processes require a means to support a workpiece, without causing damage, so that an operation can be effected thereon, particularly an operation which applies a force or pressure to the workpiece, such as a printed circuit board (PCB) during printing or population. The face of the workpiece to be supported may not necessarily be planer, as demonstrated by the example of a two-sided electronics assembly; at least one application requires tooling to support a three dimensional face.

One known method used for supporting a workpiece is to machine custom support plates designed for each specific application. This method is costly and requires the inclusion of a process step to change the tooling on the assembly line coinciding with each change in production build. This additional process step to change

the tooling complicates or virtually eliminates the mone- up"factory.

A second known method used for supporting a workpiece is to place fixed height support members at locations which coincide with locations on the workpiece that are at the same plane, i. e. for a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), one would locate the support members where they are clear of any components and contact the PCB.

This process is difficult to repeat, and costly to automate (US Patent Nr. 5,794,329, Rossmeisl, et al). The layout of the PCB must be such that there are unpopulated areas large enough to accommodate the surface area required for the cross section of the support members.

The equipment must also be programmed which is time consuming and may include errors. The system operates in series which has a high cycle time compared to a system which works in parallel.

A third known method described by Beale, US Patent Nr. 5,157,438, teaches a workpiece support and clamping means which uses individual armatures and electromagneto magnets to selectively clamp the elongated members in a raised position or allow them to fall to a lowered position. The elongated support members are either fully extended or fully retracted. This method requires complex designs and systems to support it. If the elongated support members do not align with areas on the said workpiece that are planer with the workpiece, the elongated support members will fall to the lowered position, thus not adequately supporting the assembly.

What is desired is a system which is flexible, can automatically create a profile to support the face of any workpiece, including a non-planer surface, and minimizes any forces transferred to the said face. The system should be designed to be repeatable, serviceable, and with minimal complexity.

Summary Of The Invention One aspect of the present invention is to provide a means to support one face of a workpiece to support the workpiece during an operation in which a force is applied to another face of the workpiece.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a means to support the workpiece using at least one elongated support member preferably multiples located in an array.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a, preferably automated, means to reset the elongated support members to the predetermined, °maximum" distance from the primary assembly position, where the elongated support members are temporarily held in position by a resistive force. The elongated support members are adjusted to the desired height by bringing the workpiece and the primary assembly together, where the surface of the workpiece adjusts the elongated support members against a resistive force to the desired heights.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a clamping force to lock the elongated support members after the elongated support members are located to the desired height.

An optional, aspect of the present invention is the ability to easily remove or install any of the said support members from the primary assembly of the invention.

Another optional, aspect of the present invention is a method to vary the size of the array of elongated support members to match the variety of subject workpieces.

Another optional, aspect of the present invention is a method to control the height of the support elongated support members to either in the maximum distance from

the primary assembly or minimum distance from the primary assembly.

The invention, an apparatus which consists of: A layer of plates which includes at least one, but preferably an array, of perforations, where each perforation is slightly larger than the cross section of the respective elongated support member (s). The preferred embodiment would be three layers, where the top and bottom perforated layers are used to align the elongated support members preferably perpendicular to the plates and the perforated middle, or locking layer which slides along the plane of the plates to lock the elongated support members in the desired position.

An array of elongated support members placed through the array of perforations located in each of the layers of plates. The elongated support members slide along their axis to create the three dimensional support structure. The elongated support members can optionally have an enlarged end and/or a pliant material at the end which contacts the workpiece to spread the load across an area of the workpiece or avoid damage to delicate surfaces or components of the workpiece. The elongated support members can optionally have a mechanism, such as a securing member, that that allows the elongated support member to be assembled into the primary assembly, while allowing the elongated support member to removed as required. This can be accomplished by a variety of methods, including but not limited to a fastening clip or a rotating securing device.

An elongated support member lifting system which resets the elongated support members to the designed maximum height. The preferred embodiment is a flat plate located on the underside of the layer of perforated plates. The primary assembly would move towards the plate (or vice versa) to reset the elongated support members to the designed maximum height. Alternatively, a

spring system or similar may be utilized to reset the elongated support members.

A resistance system which applies a small frictional force, to overcome gravity, to the elongated support members temporarily holding them at the designed maximum height position after the elongated support members are reset. The resistance system temporarily holds the elongated support members, but allows them to move axially when a force is applied onto the ends of the elongated support members, preferably without the elongated support members applying a restoring force onto the workpiece. The amount of force to move the elongated support members can be controlled by the coefficient of friction between the resistive member and the elongated support member. Two examples of this system would be placing the elongated support members through foam or against a magnet. Alternatively, a spring system may be used to maintain the elongated support members against the workpiece, whereby it is understood the spring force would be transferred to the workpiece and should be considered when determining the desired spring rate.

The elongated support members can optionally be designed to work in conjunction with the resistance system where the resistance system is only engaged over a small section of the shaft of the elongated support member. The elongated support members could be manufactured with a wider section of the shaft where the resistive force is only applied while in contact with the wider section of the shaft of the elongated support member when using foam, rubber or similar, or manufactured with a magnetic section within the non- magnetic shaft where the resistive force is only applied while in contact with the magnetic section of the shaft of the elongated support member when using a magnetic resistance system. It is recognized that other such systems may be used for similar purposes.

Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a module, in this case a Printed Circuit Assembly (PCA) located on the conveyor of a workstation.

FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevation that illustrates the undesirable deformation of the module, in this case a PCA, during the operation of a workstation.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional drawing illustrating the general components representing the preferred embodiment of the present invention, including the associated movements for operation.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional drawing which illustrates the preferred embodiment of the present invention in the reset state.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional drawing which illustrates the preferred embodiment of the present invention in the adjusting state. The drawing includes the forces imposed, resulting from the motion of the apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional drawing which illustrates the preferred embodiment of the present invention in the secured state.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional drawing which illustrates the elongated support member used in conjunction with a magnetic or mechanical resistance system, where the elongated support member is designed to drop after the elongated support member travels beyond a specified distance. The cross sectional drawing includes an optional elongated support member retaining mechanism.

FIG. 8 is an operational flow diagram disclosing a method of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional side elevation which illustrates a flexible support apparatus in the reset

state or home position, illustrating an alternate embodiment of the present invention, whereby springs are used to reset the flexible support apparatus to the home position and create a resistive force. Additionally, the figure illustrates the inclusion of a pliant material on a contact end of the elongated support member and the locking mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a sectional side elevation that illustrates a flexible support apparatus in a secured state, further illustrating an alternative reset mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a sectional side elevation which illustrates a flexible support apparatus whereby the flexible support apparatus further includes a vacuum means of holding the workpiece.

Detailed Description of the Invention FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a PCA (module) 10 illustrating the workpiece 10 located on a conveyor belt 11 within the workstation (not shown). The workpiece 10 is transferred into and out of the workstation via a conveyor belt 11. The conveyor belt 11 rides along the conveyor rail 12. After transferring the workpiece 10 to the desired location within the workstation, the workpiece 10 is secured into location using a securing mechanism 15, in this case illustrated as clamps.

Optionally, some workstations use vacuum, which is not shown in this figure. The workpiece 10 is secured to ensure accuracy throughout the operation of the workstation. One reason to secure the workpiece 10 into location is to maintain placement accuracy for various component locations 13.

FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevation illustrating a non-desirable deflection 20 of a workpiece 10 during the operation of a workstation. The workpiece 10 is located

on the conveyor belt 11, as described by FIG. 1. The conveyor belt 11 rides along the conveyor rail 12. The workpiece 10 is secured by a securing mechanism 15 to ensure accuracy during processing. The drawing illustrates, using a dashed line, a planer surface 22 of the workpiece 10 prior to the subjection of loads 26 during the operation of workstation. The drawing illustrates a deflected surface 24 of the workpiece 10 during the subjection of loads 26 during the operation of a workstation. This particular drawing illustrates an example of the assembly process of a PCA, depicting the impact of component 27 placement, where the workstation is placing a component 27 onto a surface 28 of the workpiece 10 using a vacuum nozzle 23. A non-desirable deflection 20 of the workpiece 10 has several negative effects of the assembly process, including moving the workpiece 10 such that the location of the workpiece 10 no longer corresponds with the registration of the equipment, bouncing the components 27 off the surface 28 upon placement, not providing a planer surface 22 during a screen-printing process, not providing a planer surface 22 during a dispensing process, not providing a planer surface 22 during component 27 placement, or where the components 27 are then dropped (instead of placed) onto the surface 28 of the workpiece 10. It can be recognized that the implementation of a self conforming support apparatus may secure the workpiece 10 to present a planer surface 22 during screen-printing, dispensing, component placement, or other assembly process.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional drawing of a flexible, self conforming support apparatus 100 illustrating the elongated support members 110, which are preferably arranged in an array (not shown). The elongated support members 110 are held primary parallel by at least one perforated planer member, where the preferred embodiment would be two perforated planer members 120 and 125, which

have similar patterns of perforations 128 designed to allow the elongated support members 110 to adjust perpendicularly 135 to the plane of the at least one perforated planer member 120 and/or 125. The elongated support members 110 may be temporarily held in position by the frictional forces enduced by a resistance member 130. The resistance member 130 consists of any material which would create a retaining force (not shown) at the point of contact 138, where when a force 132 is applied to the elongated support members 110 to cause the elongated support members 110 to move 135, but preferably the retaining member 130 will not create a force which will cause the elongated support members 110 to return to their original position. Examples of this material are: foam, rubber, woven mesh, or magnets. This system can be designed to control the force 132 required to move each elongated support member 110. The elongated support members 110 are locked into position after being adjusted to the desired height by shifting 145 a locking plate 140 to create a wedge between the openings of the perforated upper planer member 120, the locking plate (s) 140 and/or the perforated lower planer member 125. The elongated support members 110 are reset to the designed maximum vertical position by moving 145 the locking plate 140 to the unlocked position (shown), then moving the primary assembly (consisting of the elongated support members 110, the perforated upper planer member 120, the perforated lower planer member 125, the resistance member 130 and the locking plate 140) downward 155 onto a reset plate 150, or moving the reset plate upwards 153 towards the upper assembly or combined movement of both. The reset plate 155 will move the elongated support members 110 upwards 158 against the resistance force (not shown) from the resistance member 140.

FIG. 4 illustrates the flexible support apparatus 100 in the reset position. The elongated support members

110 are reset to the designed maximum height 320 by: either the primary assembly lowers 310 towards the reset plate 150 or the reset plate 150 is raised 315 towards the primary assembly, or combination thereof.

Alternatively, springs may be used as described later.

The workpiece to be supported 330 is shown above the flexible support apparatus in the reset position. A protrusion (shown as a component) 335 is shown attached to the workpiece to be supported 330 to demonstrate the mechanisms which configure the flexible support apparatus.

FIG. 5 illustrates the flexible support apparatus 100 in the adjusting position. The primary assembly is either raised 410 to the workpiece 330, or the workpiece 330 is lowered (not shown) to the primary assembly.

During this motion, the elongated support members 110 are temporarily held in position by a resistive force 410 cause by friction between the elongated support member 110 and the resistive plane 130; the locking plate 420 is in the unlocked position ; and the elongated support members are held preferably perpendicular to the plane of the workpiece 330 by the perforated upper plate 120 and/ or the perforated lower plate 125. a contacting surface 36 of the elongated support members 110,412 contacts the workpiece 330 or the features which extend beyond the primary plane of the workpiece (protrusions/components /etc.) 335, respectively, whereby the workpieces 330 or features 335 exert an profiling force 415 onto the elongated supporting members 110,412; the profiling force 415 overcomes the resistive force 410 and causes the associated elongated supporting members 412 to move down, as shown by comparing the home (not moved) position of the elongated support member 110 to the profiled (moved) position of the elongated support member 412.

FIG. 6 illustrates the flexible support apparatus 100 in the locked state. The figure illustrates the

elongated support members 110,412 located against the workpiece 330 and the protruding member 335 respectively.

The elongated support members 110,412 are temporarily held in location by the resistance member 130. The locking member illustrated in the locking position 510, exerts a force 522, pushing the elongated support members 110,412 against the perforated upper plate 120 and/or perforated lower plate 125. The perforated upper plate and/or perforated lower plate exerts an opposing force 524,526 respectively. The various opposing forces 522, 524, and 526 secure the elongated support members 110, 412 in position to create a supporting force 530 onto the workpiece 330 and a supporting force 535 onto the attachment to the workpiece 335.

FIG. 7 illustrates examples of two optional features on an elongated support member 710. The first optional feature illustrated is an automated dropping feature 730, where the automatic dropping feature illustrated is an increase in width of the elongated support member 710 for use in conjunction with a mechanical resistance plate 720. The enlarged area would create a frictional resistance within a perforation of the resistive member 130. For example, the diameter of the enlarged section would be slightly larger than the diameter of the opening in a foam resistive member 130 and the shaft of the elongated support member 110 is smaller than the diameter of the opening in the foam resistive member 130. Once the enlarged section is no longer within the opening of the resistive member 130, gravity would cause the elongated support member 110 would automatically drop. The automated dropping feature may be included in the shape of the elongated support member 710 or added by coupling a second piece 730 to the elongated support member 710.

Alternatively, the automatic dropping mechanism 730 may be of a magnetic material coupled to a non-magnetic shaft of the elongated support member 710 in conjunction with a

magnetic resistive plate 720. The second optional feature is an elongated support member securing mechanism 755, where the example illustrated is a clip 755 located in a slot 750 included in the shape of the elongated support member 710. The securing mechanism 755 is used to secure the elongated support members 710 in the primary assembly during handling whereby the securing mechanism 755 allows the elongated support members 710 to be easily removed from the primary assembly as desired by removing the securing mechanism 755 from the elongated support member 710.

It is recognized that FIG. 7 illustrates some examples of many possible concepts to accomplish the same utility and the means should not be considered a limitation within the spirit or intent of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is an operational flow diagram 40 describing the general operational flow of the flexible support apparatus 100. The first step 41 is to reset the flexible support apparatus 100 where the elongated supporting member (s) 110 are placed in the home position 50. The flexible support apparatus 100 includes a means to automatically return the elongated support member (s) 110 to their home position by a homing force applied by a self restoring mechanism. The self restoring mechanism may include, but is not limited to coil springs, flat springs, stretched rubber, etc. The second step 42 in the operational flow diagram 40 is to locate the workpiece 10 over the flexible support apparatus 100 and secure the workpiece 10. The third step 43 in the operational flow diagram 40 is secure the workpiece 10 and to bring the flexible support apparatus 100 and the workpiece 10 together. The fourth step 44 in the operational flow diagram 40 is the self-adjustment of the elongated support member (s) 110 by using the contacting force 132 between the contacting surface 36 of the

elongated support member (s) 110 and the workpiece 10. An optional fifth step 45 in the operational flow diagram 40 is the ability to automatically drop the elongated support member 110 upon moving the elongated support member 110 beyond a predetermined distance. This would occur when the automatic dropping feature of the elongated support member 110 no longer interacts with the respective resistive member 130, thereby the elongated support member 110 is no longer held by a resistive member 130. The sixth step 46 of the operational flow diagram occurs after the flexible support apparatus 100 is brought to its final position in reference to the workpiece 10. The clamping system 140 engages to secure the contacting end of the elongated support member (s) 110 proximate to the workpiece 10. The seventh step 47 of the operational flow diagram 40 is to execute a process on the workpiece 10. The eighth step 48 of the operational flow diagram 40 is to separate the flexible support apparatus 100 from the workpiece 10 and remove the workpiece 10. The ninth step 49 of the operational flow diagram 40 is to release the clamping system 140 of the flexible support apparatus 100 where the elongated support member (s) 110 are returned to the home position 50, as in the first step 41.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flexible support apparatus 100 in a home position 50. The elongated support member (s) 110 are placed to the home position 50 by a homing force 33. A coil spring is used in this figure to illustrate a self restoring mechanism 52 used to apply the homing force 33. The self restoring mechanism 52 is located above perforated members 130,150 to illustrate one embodiment of a flexible support apparatus which provides a narrow profile apparatus; located below the elongated support member 110 to illustrate a second embodiment, and it can be recognized that the springs may be located within the elongated support members as a third

embodiment of the present invention. The figure illustrates the ability to remove any elongated support member 110 and the respective self restoring mechanism 52 to provide clearance for items such as conveyors 12 or extra sensitive components 335. It can be recognized that many other urging devices may be used as self restoring mechanisms 52 may be used to apply the homing force 33.

The workpiece 330 to be supported, is shown above the flexible support apparatus 100 residing in the home position 50. A protrusion (shown as a component) 335 is attached to the workpiece 330 to demonstrate the method which configures the flexible support apparatus 100 to a non-planer surface 54. One elongated support member 110 includes a pliant material 38 located at the end of the elongated support member 110 which contacts the workpiece 330 to avoid damage to delicate surfaces (protrusions 335) of the workpiece 330.

FIG. 10 illustrates the flexible support apparatus 100 in the restrained state. The figure illustrates the elongated support member (s) 110 located against the workpiece 330 and the protrusion 335. The elongated support member (s) 110 are temporarily held proximate to the workpiece 330 by the homing force 33. The homing force illustrated in this figure utilizes a flexible material restoring mechanism 72, such as thin rubber, stretched between the first perforated member 150 and a second perforated member 73. The perforations within the second perforated member 73 are larger than the respective perforations in the first perforated member 150, where the difference in size (comparing the dimensions of aperture 74 within the second perforated member 73 and the dimension of the apertures 32 within the first perforated member 150) and the amount of stretch may be used to control the spring rate of the flexible material restoring mechanism 72. One example of a clamping system 140 is illustrated in the profile

position 60, where the system actuates 70 to exert clamping forces 524 by pushing the elongated support member (s) 110 against the perforated member 150. The various opposing, clamping forces 522,524 restrain the elongated support member (s) 110 proximate to the workpiece 330, where the contacting surface 36 supports the workpiece 330. A compliant material 35 may be used to account for tolerances to ensure adequate clamping of the elongated support member (s) 110.

FIG. 11 is a sectional side elevation which illustrates the primary features of a flexible support apparatus 100, whereby vacuum is the primary workpiece securing system. The features include an elongated support member 110 which is used to support the workpiece 330 (not shown in FIG. 11), a perforated member 120,125 which includes at least one aperture 32 used to guide the elongated support member (s) 110 during transition between a home position 50 (shown in FIG. 9) and a profile position 60 (Shown in FIG. 10), an automatic homing force 33 which raises the elongated support member (s) 110 to the home position 50, a contact surface 36 which receives a contact force 132 implied by the workpiece 330 profiling the elongated support member (s) 110, and a clamping system 140 used to secure the elongated support member (s) 110 into the profile position 60. The clamping system 140 may require a tolerance accumulating medium 35, particularly if using a rigid material for the clamping system 140 and elongated support members 110 as shown in this drawing. The module may be secured and made planer by a vacuum system. The vacuum system includes a vacuum passage 39 to transfer vacuum from a vacuum source (not shown) to a vacuum chamber 38, where the vacuum chamber 38 is created by vacuum wall members 29. The vacuum wall members 29 may be coupled to the perforated member 120, and preferably located within the peripheral edges of the module to optimize the vacuum. It can be

recognized that the vacuum wall members may be adjustable. It can also be recognized that the vacuum chamber 38 may be included in the elongated support members 110 by making the elongated support members 110 hollow 38. The vacuum would transfer from the vacuum source through the bottom of each elongated support member 110 to the surface of the workpiece 330 (not shown).

What is claimed is: