Tooling fixture building process

Abstract

A method for fabricating a workpiece support structure where a fixture component such as a locating pin, clamp or mounting structure is held in a desired position by a robotic arm. The fixture is then built from the floor of the manufacturing facility to the fixture component. The apparatus can also include a position sensor system and control means for the robotic arm. The position sensor can detect the position of the fixture component relative to a support structure for the fixture and emit a signal to the controller corresponding to the position of the fixture component. The controller can receive the signal and move the robot arm to position the fixture component in a desired position. The surface can be the floor of the manufacturing facility or a moveable surface.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.