Method and apparatus for processing orthopedic components
AssigneeBiomet Manufacturing, LLC
InventorsJacob Chalk, James E. Vanderford, Kevin Horvath, Donald Lawson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid powered gripper can include a body, a bore, a first finger, a second finger, and a piston. The body can include a central bore coaxial with a central longitudinal axis of the body. A bore fluid inlet can be fluidly coupleable to the central bore. The first finger can be rotatable about the body. The second finger can oppose the first finger and the second finger can be rotatable about the body. The piston can be disposed in the central bore. The piston can be powered by a fluid to move between a first position and a second position. The first finger and the second finger can be closed in the first position and open in the second position.
Claims20
A fluid powered gripper comprising:
- a body comprising a central bore coaxial with a central longitudinal axis of the body;
- a bore fluid inlet fluidly coupleable to the central bore;
- a first finger rotatable about the body;
- a second finger opposing the first finger, the second finger rotatable about the body;
- and
- a piston disposed in the central bore, the piston powered by a fluid to move between a first position and a second position, wherein the first finger and the second finger are closed in the first position and open in the second position.
A gripper system comprising:
- a fluid powered gripper comprising:
- a body comprising a central bore coaxial with a central longitudinal axis of the body;
- a bore fluid inlet fluidly coupleable to the central bore;
- a first finger rotatable about the body;
- a second finger opposing the first finger, the second finger rotatable about the body;
- and
- a piston disposed in the central bore, the piston powered by a fluid to move between a first position and a second position, wherein the first finger and the second finger are closed in the first position and open in the second position;
- a tool holder comprising:
- a tool holder body;
- a tool central bore configured to receive a proximal portion of the fluid powered gripper therein, the tool central bore coaxial with and fluidly coupleable to the central bore of the fluid powered gripper;
- a tool holder fluid inlet proximate a proximal portion of the tool holder and fluidly coupleable to the tool central bore;
- and
- a fluid relief port fluidly coupleable to the tool central bore;
- a fluid pump configured to deliver a pressurized fluid to the tool holder fluid inlet;
- and
- a controller in communication with the fluid pump, the controller configured to start the fluid pump to deliver pressurized fluid to the tool holder and the piston to move the first finger and second finger to an open position, and configured to stop the pump.
A method of adjusting a workpiece, the method comprising:
- pumping a fluid to a fluid powered gripper to open a first finger and a second finger of the gripper;
- opening a chuck to release a workpiece;
- operating a gripper motor to position the fluid powered gripper near a workpiece;
- reducing pressure of the fluid to close the first finger and the second finger to grasp the workpiece;
- operating the gripper motor to remove the workpiece from the chuck, flip the workpiece, and reinsert the workpiece into the chuck;
- closing the chuck to secure the workpiece;
- and
- pumping a fluid to a fluid powered gripper to open the first finger and the second finger of the gripper to release the workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.