Method for fabricating vacuum fixturing using granular media
AssigneeTechnical Tooling L.L.C.
InventorRobert W. Read
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims20
A vacuum tool for use in machining parts, the vacuum tool comprising:
- a tool frame defining a perimeter of the vacuum tool, the tool frame forming a cavity;
- a porous granular material positioned at least partially within the cavity, the porous granular material comprising:
- a binding material;
- and
- an abrasive granular material suspended in the binding material;
- 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;
- 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;
- wherein the physical seal is configured to contact a part to be machined, and wherein contact between the physical seal and the part forms a vacuum seal between the tool frame and the part when vacuum pressure is passed through the porous granular material.
A vacuum tool for use in machining parts, the vacuum tool comprising:
- a tool frame defining a perimeter of the vacuum tool, the tool frame including a cavity;
- a porous granular material positioned at least partially within the cavity;
- 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;
- 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,
- wherein the physical seal is configured to contact a physical object, and wherein contact between the physical seal and the physical object forms a vacuum seal between the tool frame and the physical object when vacuum pressure is passed through the porous granular material.
A vacuum tool for use in machining parts, the vacuum tool comprising:
- a tool frame defining a perimeter of the vacuum tool, the tool frame including a cavity;
- a porous granular material positioned at least partially within the cavity;
- 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,
- wherein the physical seal is configured to contact a physical object, and wherein contact between the physical seal and the physical object forms a vacuum seal between the tool frame and the physical object when vacuum pressure is passed through the porous granular material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.