Work holders – With fluid means – Vacuum-type holding means
Patent
1993-06-14
1995-06-27
Watson, Robert C.
Work holders
With fluid means
Vacuum-type holding means
269 75, 269329, B23B 3130
Patent
active
054273633
ABSTRACT:
An apparatus for holding a workpiece to a known position without regard to the angularity of the surface of the workpiece at the point of contact with the apparatus includes a disk shaped, substantially flat contact pad for engaging the workpiece. The surface of the contact pad opposite the workpiece is substantially spherical and fits in a conical seat so that the center point of the upper surface of the contact pad is always at an known position when the contact pad is seated, without regard to the angularity of the contact pad. A proximity detector determines when the contact pad is seated providing an indication to an operator that the workpiece is properly engaged by the apparatus. The contact pad is contained within the interior of a suction cup that engages the workpiece whereupon externally supplied vacuum pulls the suction cup and the workpiece together. A second embodiment employs the contact pad with an aperture therethrough so as to provide fluid communication to an air supply passing through the contact seat. The air supply provides an air bearing to enable a workpiece to be slid on a cushion of air.
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Yvonne Higgins, "CQI: Abrasive water jet trims composite skin panels for 777", Boeing News, Apr. 16, 1993, p. 2, Seattle, Wash.
Giamona Joseph P.
Gueble Jeffrey R.
Rink Philip A.
Soderberg Mark S.
CNA Manufacturing Systems, Inc.
Watson Robert C.
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