US 12,226,871 B2 · Trocar needle grinder

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a fixture for a workpiece, a system and a method for performing a machining operation using the fixture. The fixture may include a frame, a plurality of holders, an actuator and a bracket. Each holder may be configured to receive and secure a workpiece. Each holder may be rotationally coupled to the frame. The actuator may be operatively coupled to the plurality of holders to drive rotation of the holders with respect to the frame. The bracket may allow for mounting the frame to a manipulator configured to move the fixture. The method may include the steps of loading a workpiece to the holder of the fixture, moving and/or rotating the workpiece by the actuator to perform one or more ancillary operations on the workpiece, and moving/and or rotating the workpiece by the actuator to grind the workpiece against a grinding surface.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A fixture for holding a plurality of workpieces, the fixture comprising:

a frame;
a plurality of holders, each holder having a substantially circular opening defining a variable diameter configured to receive and secure a workpiece, each holder being rotationally coupled to the frame, the variable diameter configured to be increased or decreased to receive and secure the workpiece;
an actuator operatively coupled to the plurality of holders to drive rotation of the holders with respect to the frame;
and
a bracket configured to mount the frame to a manipulator, wherein the manipulator is configured to move the fixture,
wherein each of the holders are coupled to a respective holder gear, and wherein the actuator includes a shaft having a single shaft gear, wherein the shaft gear is operatively coupled to the holder gears to drive rotation of the holders with respect to the frame.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Trocar needle grinder

Life of this patent

Trocar needle grinder

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14