Fixture for supporting a workpiece
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorsRichard GREEN, Michael ANNEAR
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fixture (10) for supporting a workpiece (18) during a machining operation. The fixture comprising a base (12) provided with a channel (14) for receiving part (16) of the workpiece (18), the channel having a first wall (20) facing an opposing second wall (22). An inflatable diaphragm (24) is located on the first wall (20), and configured to engage with an engagement surface (36) on the workpiece and bias the workpiece against the second wall. The diaphragm comprises a deformable portion (26) spaced apart from the first wall of the channel, the deformable portion having ends (28,30) which provide a seal with the first wall to define a chamber (32) enclosed by the first wall and diaphragm.
Claims16
A fixture for supporting a workpiece during a machining operation, the fixture comprising a base provided with a channel for receiving part of the workpiece, the channel having a first wall facing an opposing second wall,
- wherein an inflatable diaphragm is located on the first wall, and configured to engage with an engagement surface on the workpiece and bias the workpiece against the second wall,
- and the diaphragm comprises a deformable portion spaced apart from the first wall of the channel, the deformable portion having ends which provide a seal with the first wall to define a chamber enclosed by the first wall and diaphragm.
A method of locating a workpiece for a machining operation, comprising the steps of
- a) entering a region of the workpiece in a channel provided in a support base, the channel having a first wall facing an opposing second wall;
- and
- b) inflating a diaphragm located on one wall of the channel such that the workpiece is biased against the opposing channel wall;
- wherein the diaphragm comprises a deformable portion spaced apart from the first wall of the channel, the deformable portion having ends which provide a seal with the first wall to define a chamber enclosed by the first wall and diaphragm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.