Modular fixture plate alignment system
AssigneeMetrologyworks, Inc.
InventorsEric S. Becker, Joel R. Gorden
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular fixture plate system includes fixture plates and docking stations for securing the fixture plates to a worksurface. Fixture plates include recessed corners for receiving keystones. A keystone may be used as a docking station in addition to or instead of a corresponding rail system. Fixture plates include magnets for providing a secure attachment to keystones, rails and other fixture plates to allow for rapid loading of parts and plates on any CMM or manufacturing system. Fixture plates are designed to be stacked multiple wide to fill the table and maximize coverage of a work surface. The keystone design allows a user to create L configurations or T configurations of plates from a single docking location.
Claims18
A modular fixture plate system comprising:
- a first fixture plate comprising:
- a top surface;
- a plurality of side edges, each of the side edges extending perpendicular to the top surface and at least two adjoining side edges of the plurality of side edges perpendicular to each other;
- and
- at least one recessed corner between the two adjoining side edges having a corner contour;
- and
- a keystone comprising a shape with 90-degree rotational symmetry and a keystone contour corresponding to the corner contour, wherein the first fixture plate is matable with a second fixture plate using the keystone;
- wherein each of the side edges and the at least one recessed corner further comprises at least one magnet embedded in the side edge and the keystone further comprises a ferromagnetic material which is magnetically attached to the at least one recessed corner of the first fixture plate.
A fixture plate for a modular fixture plate system, comprising
- a top surface comprising a geometric shape;
- a plurality of side edges, each of the side edges extending perpendicular to the top surface;
- and
- one or more recessed corners having a corner contour between adjacent side edges of the plurality of side edges, said one or more recessed corners receiving a keystone comprising a shape with 90-degree rotational symmetry and a keystone contour corresponding to the corner contour;
- wherein each of the side edges and the one or more recessed corners comprises at least one magnet embedded therein and the keystone comprises a ferromagnetic material which is magnetically attached to the one or more recessed corner of the fixture plate.
A method of performing a process on a part using a modular fixture plate system comprising:
- a first fixture plate having a top surface and a plurality of side edges, each of the side edges extending perpendicular to the top surface and at least two adjoining side edges of the plurality of side edges perpendicular to each other and at least one recessed corner between the two adjoining side edges having a corner contour;
- and a keystone comprising a shape with 90-degree rotational symmetry and a keystone contour corresponding to the corner contour, wherein the first fixture plate is matable to a second fixture plate using the keystone, wherein each of the side edges and the one or more recessed corners comprises at least one magnet embedded therein and the keystone comprises a ferromagnetic material which is magnetically attached to the one or more recessed corner of the fixture plate, the method comprising:
- installing the first fixture plate on a worksurface;
- installing a part to be processed on the second fixture plate using fixturing components;
- mating the second fixture plate to the first fixture plate using the keystone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.