Method and apparatus for inserting a reinforcing rod into a laminated material
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorsKim Ferrara, Ralph Douglas Cope, Anthony Dale Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
There is disclosed a method of inserting a reinforcing rod into a hole in a laminated material. The method comprises a feed operation in which a feed clamp clamps a rod whilst moving towards the laminated material to feed an end section of the rod through a guide clamp into a hole in the laminated material. The method further comprises a re-supply operation in which the feed clamp releases the rod and moves relative the rod along a return direction away from the laminated material whilst the guide clamp clamps the rod. A corresponding insertion head for inserting a reinforcing rod, and insertion equipment comprising the insertion head and a controller is also disclosed.
Claims20
A method of inserting a reinforcing rod into a hole in a laminated material, the method comprising:
- a feed operation in which a feed clamp clamps a rod whilst moving towards the laminated material to feed an end section of the rod through a guide clamp into a hole in the laminated material;
- a re-supply operation in which the feed clamp releases the rod and moves relative the rod along a return direction away from the laminated material whilst the guide clamp clamps the rod;
- and
- placing the guide clamp against a hole guide before the feed operation so that there is a continuous feed path for the rod through the guide clamp and the hole guide.
An insertion head for inserting a reinforcing rod into a hole in a laminated material, the insertion head comprising:
- a clamp support;
- a feed clamp and a guide clamp coupled to the clamp support and spaced apart along a rod feed path;
- and
- a hole guide for guiding an end section of the rod into a pin hole;
- wherein the feed clamp is moveable towards the guide clamp whilst clamping a rod to feed an end section of the rod through the guide clamp into a hole of the laminated material;
- wherein the guide clamp is configured to selectively clamp the rod to permit the feed clamp to move relative the rod along a return direction away from the guide clamp;
- and
- wherein at least the guide clamp is moveable relative the hole guide to align the guide clamp with the hole guide so that there is a continuous feed path for the rod through the guide clamp and the hole guide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.