Apparatus and method for centering a workpiece on a machine tool
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsKenneth Mascarenas, James Madge
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method is provided for centering a workpiece on a metal shaping machine. First and second guide plates have respective first and second aligned bores therein for supporting a centering pin mounted therein for axial movement between a retracted position and a use position. At least one spring is engaged with the centering pin for exerting a predetermined axial bias against the centering pin in the direction of the workpiece for urging the centering pin into the use position. The centering pin is locked in the use position during the operation of the machine on the workpiece.
Claims11
A method for centering a workpiece on a metal shaping machine, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing first and second guide plates having respective first and second aligned bores therein for supporting a centering pin mounted therein for axial movement between a retracted position and a use position;
- (b) engaging at least one spring with the centering pin for exerting a predetermined axial bias against the centering pin in the direction of the workpiece and for urging the centering pin into the use position;
- and
- (c) locking the centering pin in the use position during the operation of the machine on the workpiece.
A method for centering a workpiece on a metal shaping machine, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing first and second guide plates having respective first and second aligned bores therein for supporting a centering pin mounted therein for axial movement between a retracted position and a use position;
- (b) engaging at least one spring with the centering pin for exerting a predetermined axial bias against the centering pin in the direction of the workpiece for urging the centering pin into the use position where the workpiece comprises a turbine engine fan blade;
- and
- (c) locking the centering pin in the use position during the operation of the machine on the workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.