Process and mechanical device for machining flexible panels, in particular with a complex shape
AssigneeAirbus France
InventorJean-Christophe Hamann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mechanical method for machining flexible panels, in particular panels with a complex shape, in which the panel to be machined is held fixed on its periphery on a rigid support, and a machining tool is applied against one of the faces of the panel and is controlled to perform the desired machining. The method includes at least counterbalancing the machining force exerted by the tool on the panel by applying a force approximately opposing the tool through an appropriate means of support on a face of the panel opposite the face where the tool is applied, with the means of support being independent of the tool.
Claims21
A method for mechanical machining of a flexible panel having a complex shape, the method comprising the steps of:
- holding the panel to be machined fixed on a periphery on a rigid support;
- applying a machining tool against a first surface one of the panel and controlling the tool to perform a machining operation;
- and
- counterbalancing a machining force exerted by the tool on the panel by applying a force approximately opposing the tool through the application of a means for support to a second surface of the panel opposite the first surface to which the tool is applied, wherein the means for support is independent of the tool.
A device for mechanical machining of flexible panels having complex shapes, the device comprising:
- a rigid tool adapted to frame a panel to be machined and to hold the panel on at least part of a periphery of the panel;
- a machining head adapted for multi-axial mobility and numerical control;
- a mobile means for support adapted to be positioned on a first surface of the panel opposite a second surface facing the machining head;
- means for controlling displacement of the mobile means for support in permanent contact with the panel;
- command and control means for synchronous displacement of the machining head and the mobile means for support;
- and
- command and control means for mutual separation between the machining head and the mobile means for support.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.