Reconfigurable Fixturing System and Method
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorPaul R. Stone
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A reconfigurable fixturing assembly including an elongate member defining a longitudinal axis, a support assembly slideably connected to the elongate member, the support assembly including a support member extending therefrom, a plurality of pivot assemblies slideably connected to the elongate member, each pivot assembly defining a pivot axis, and a plurality of transverse guide rails, wherein each transverse guide rail defines a guide rail axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member, and wherein each transverse guide rail is slideably connected to an associated pivot assembly.
Claims20
A reconfigurable fixturing assembly comprising:
- an elongate member defining a longitudinal axis;
- a support assembly slideably connected to said elongate member, said support assembly comprising a support member extending therefrom;
- a plurality of pivot assemblies slideably connected to said elongate member, each pivot assembly of said plurality of pivot assemblies defining a pivot axis;
- and
- a plurality of transverse guide rails, wherein each transverse guide rail of said plurality of transverse guide rails defines a guide rail axis that is transverse to said longitudinal axis, and wherein each transverse guide rail of said plurality of transverse guide rails is slideably connected to an associated pivot assembly of said plurality of pivot assemblies.
A method for fixturing a workpiece with a plurality of support assemblies, each support assembly of said plurality of support assemblies comprises a support member, said method comprising:
- connecting said plurality of support assemblies to an elongate member such that each support assembly of said plurality of support assemblies is slideable along a longitudinal axis of said elongate member;
- connecting said elongate member to a plurality of transverse guide rails by way of a plurality of pivot assemblies, wherein each transverse guide rail of said plurality of transverse guide rails defines a guide rail axis that is transverse to said longitudinal axis;
- moving said elongate member relative to said plurality of transverse guide rails to a desired orientation within an x-y plane;
- moving said plurality of support assemblies to desired positions along said elongate member;
- optionally, adjusting a length of each of said support members of said plurality of support assemblies;
- and
- positioning said workpiece on said support members of said plurality of support assemblies.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.