Method for fabricating vacuum fixturing using granular media
AssigneeTechnical Tooling L.L.C.
InventorRobert W. Read
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for fabricating vacuum tooling is disclosed using porous granular media. A sheet of steel webbing is affixed to a frame. A plurality of layers of fiberglass is affixed to the webbing. A vacuum port is installed through the webbing and plurality of layers of fiberglass. A granular media is mixed with epoxy to form a granular mixture. The granular mixture is layered over the plurality of layers of fiberglass to form a flat surface and machined for uniformity before sealing.
Claims13
A vacuum tooling fixture for use in machining parts, the vacuum tooling fixture comprising:
- a part holder comprising:
- a porous granular material;
- and
- a physical seal surrounding at least a portion of the porous granular material, the physical seal having a surface extending above the porous granular material;
- and
- a vacuum port in fluid communication with the porous granular material and configured to facilitate passage of a vacuum pressure through the porous granular material,
- wherein the porous granular material and the physical seal are sized and shaped to mate with an irregularly-shaped part to be machined, wherein the surface is configured to contact the irregularly-shaped part, and wherein contact between the physical seal and the irregularly-shaped part forms a vacuum seal between the surface and the irregularly-shaped part when vacuum pressure is passed through the porous granular material.
A vacuum tool assembly for use in machining parts, the vacuum tool assembly comprising:
- a vacuum tool comprising:
- a tool frame defining a perimeter of the vacuum tool, the tool frame including a cavity;
- a first porous granular material positioned at least partially within the cavity and comprising:
- a binding material;
- and
- an abrasive granular material suspended in the binding material;
- a first vacuum port in fluid communication with the first porous granular material and configured to facilitate passage of a vacuum pressure through the first porous granular material;
- and
- a first physical seal surrounding at least a portion of the first porous granular material;
- and
- a vacuum tooling fixture connected to the vacuum tool, the vacuum tooling fixture comprising:
- a part holder comprising:
- a second porous granular material;
- and
- a second physical seal surrounding at least a portion of the second porous granular material;
- and
- a second vacuum port in fluid communication with the second porous granular material and configured to facilitate passage of a vacuum pressure through the second porous granular material,
- wherein the second porous granular material and the second physical seal are sized and shaped to mate with a part to be machined, wherein the second physical seal is configured to contact the part, and wherein contact between the second physical seal and the part forms a vacuum seal between the second physical seal and the part when vacuum pressure is passed through the second porous granular material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.