Modular workholding apparatus
AssigneeHexagon Metrology, Inc.
InventorsJonathan J. O'Hare, Jonathan Dove
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A workholding apparatus for components having complex geometries or surfaces, which components are difficult constrain for the purpose of inspection, addresses the problem of adequately constraining such components in a convenient and cost-effective manner so that they do not move during inspection, while also making all or most critical features accessible to the inspection instruments being used. A method teaches how to eliminate setup changes between different components through the use of inexpensive modular attachments. These attachments are in the form of a single piece thermoplastic part which is affixed to each component having also reference features that can be interlocked into a common base fixture for more efficient inspection operations.
Claims13
A fixture for holding a workpiece during inspection by a coordinate measuring machine, the workpiece having a target portion having a target portion shape, the fixture comprising:
- a workpiece interface having a fixed shape, the workpiece interface adapted to couple to the target portion of the workpiece wherein the workpiece interface has a contour that is the complement of the target portion shape of the target portion such that the contour is complementary to the shape of the target portion, and wherein the workpiece interface is flexible so as to accept the target portion of the workpiece and so as to provide a compressive force on the target portion of the workpiece when the workpiece is disposed in the workpiece interface so as to hold the target portion via compression fitting;
- and
- a base having a second interface configured to securely couple to a clamping system.
A workholder for holding a workpiece during inspection by a coordinate measuring machine, the workpiece having a target portion having a target portion shape, the workholder comprising:
- base means for securely coupling to a clamping system;
- and
- means for receiving and securing the target portion of the workpiece, said means having a workpiece interface having a fixed shape comprising a contour that is the complement of the target portion shape of the target portion such that the contour is complementary to the shape of the target portion, wherein the workpiece interface is flexible so as to accept the target portion of the workpiece and so as to provide a compressive force on the target portion of the workpiece when the workpiece is disposed in the workpiece interface so as to hold the target portion via compression fitting.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.