초록 ▼

An intelligent fixture system has the ability to clamp and machine a family of nonidentical parts without requiring the use of separate dedicated fixtures for each part. A first part sensing system identifies a part to be machined and configures the clamps on a fixture in accordance with the size an

An intelligent fixture system has the ability to clamp and machine a family of nonidentical parts without requiring the use of separate dedicated fixtures for each part. A first part sensing system identifies a part to be machined and configures the clamps on a fixture in accordance with the size and shape of the part. A second part sensing system determines the exact location of the part after it has been clamped into the fixture and develops error signals representative of position and orientation of the actual position of the clamped part relative to the intended position and orientation of the clamped part. X, Y, and Z position errors signals and roll error signals of the clamped part are provided as offsets to the machine tools which will machine the part in order to compensate for the errors. Pitch and yaw errors in the orientation of the clamped part are used to adjust the position of a micro-positioner located between the fixture and the pallet which carries the fixture in which the part is clamped in order to correct the pitch and yaw of the part.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A flexible fixture system for fixturing and machining a family of parts in which the parts in the family are all similar to one another comprising:a fixture configuration station;an input conveyor for delivering the family of parts one at a time at the fixture configuration station;

[ I claim:] [1.] A flexible fixture system for fixturing and machining a family of parts in which the parts in the family are all similar to one another comprising:a fixture configuration station;an input conveyor for delivering the family of parts one at a time at the fixture configuration station;a station controller at the fixture configuration station;a pallet assembly at the fixture configuration station;robot means controlled by the station controller for loading a part onto the pallet assembly;means for sensing errors in the position and orientation of the loaded part on the pallet assembly;means for compensating for errors in the position and orientation of the part; and,an output conveyor extending from the fixture configuration station to a series of machine tools.