초록 ▼

A modular universal holding fixture and corresponding methods, accommodating a wide range of workpiece contours, geometries, sizes, and configurations. The fixture may include a fiducial base, a registration frame, and a bridge module. Fixable to a fiducial (reference) location, the fiducial base ma

A modular universal holding fixture and corresponding methods, accommodating a wide range of workpiece contours, geometries, sizes, and configurations. The fixture may include a fiducial base, a registration frame, and a bridge module. Fixable to a fiducial (reference) location, the fiducial base may be attached in alignment to the registration frame. The bridge module may have a central cavity and guide tracks on top, exterior, and interior support surfaces. The bridge module transversely engages the registration frame for longitudinal movement to a registration position, and supports a tooling for transverse movement. The bridge module may repositionably constrain the tooling at an indexed position. The bridge module may be configured to engage multiple types of tooling and additional tooling headers, supports, and side actuators. A tooling may be passive linear actuators positioned by a N/C operated gantry engaged with the registration frame.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. An apparatus for holding a workpiece in a preselected position during a manufacturing operation, comprising:a foundation being longer in length than in width;rails mounted lengthwise on the foundation;a fixed mounting base attached at one end of the foundation length whe

The invention claimed is: 1. An apparatus for holding a workpiece in a preselected position during a manufacturing operation, comprising:a foundation being longer in length than in width;rails mounted lengthwise on the foundation;a fixed mounting base attached at one end of the foundation length wherein said fixed mounting base is fixedly attached to said foundation;an array of vertically adjustable linear actuators supported within the fixed mounting base, and adjustably positioned across the foundation width;moveable carriages mounted on the rails and moveable along the foundation length; anda series of vertically adjustable linear actuators being mounted on respective moveable carriages and adjustably positioned across the foundation width; wherein the apparatus further comprises tooling disposed through a central cavity of and releasably coupled to the respective moveable carriages, wherein the tooling is configured to support the corresponding vertically adjustable linear actuators.