US 2018/0171448 A1 · DEEP ROLLING TOOL AND METHOD

Abstract

An embodiment of a tool assembly includes a robotic assembly, a tool mount, and a non-axisymmetric deep rolling tool. The robotic assembly includes a plurality of linear arms connected in series between a base end and a working end. Adjacent ones of the plurality of arms are connected via a corresponding plurality of multi-axis joints such that the working end is articulated by movement of one or more of the plurality of arms relative to one or more of the plurality of multi-axis joints. The tool mount is connected to one of the linear arms or one of the multi-axis joints at the working end of the robotic assembly. The non-axisymmetric deep rolling tool is connected to the tool mount, and includes a spring-loaded shaft assembly disposed along a first axis. A hub has an upper hub portion adjacent to the distal end of the spring-loaded shaft assembly aligned with the first axis, and a lower hub portion extending along a second axis, forming a nonzero angle relative to the first axis. A roller disk is joined to the lower portion of the hub and is rotatable about the second axis parallel to the second portion of the hub.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A tool assembly comprising:

a robotic assembly including a plurality of linear arms connected in series between a base end and a working end, adjacent ones of the plurality of arms connected via a corresponding plurality of multi-axis joints such that the working end is articulated by movement of one or more of the plurality of arms relative to one or more of the plurality of multi-axis joints;
a tool mount connected to an arm or a multi-axis joint at the working end of the robotic assembly;
and
a non-axisymmetric deep rolling tool connected to the tool mount, the non-axisymmetric deep rolling tool comprising:
a spring-loaded shaft assembly disposed along a first axis;
a hub connected to a distal end of the spring-loaded shaft assembly, the hub having an upper hub portion adjacent to the distal end of the spring-loaded shaft assembly aligned with the first axis, and a lower hub portion extending along a second axis, the second axis forming a nonzero angle relative to the first axis;
and
a roller disk joined to the lower portion of the hub, the roller disk having a working surface about its perimeter and being rotatable about the second axis parallel to the second portion of the hub.

5 more elements

A method comprising:

supporting a workpiece in a fixture, the workpiece having a first nonplanar surface:
and
performing a first rolling operation on the first nonplanar surface, the first rolling operation comprising:
operating a robotic assembly to apply a downward force over a rolling path of a non-axisymmetric deep rolling tool, the downward force is applied to a proximal end of a spring-loaded tool shaft aligned with a first axis, such that the downward force is transferred through the shaft to a hub disposed at a distal end of the shaft assembly;
and
transmitting the transferred downward force from an upper portion of the hub aligned with the first axis to a lower portion of the hub parallel to a second axis, the second axis forming a nonzero angle relative to the first axis, about which a roller disk is supported by one or more bearings, such that a resulting compressive force is applied to the first nonplanar surface of the workpiece via a working surface of the roller disk;
wherein the robotic assembly comprises a plurality of linear arms connected in series between a base end and a working end, adjacent ones of the plurality of arms connected via a corresponding plurality of multi-axis joints such that the working end is articulated by movement of one or more of the plurality of arms relative to one or more of the plurality of multi-axis joints.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Deep rolling tool and method

Life of this patent

Deep rolling tool and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20