US 2020/0379429 A1 · FLEXIBLE TOOLING SYSTEM

Abstract

The low profile of the flexible tooling system disclosed allows for flexible tooling to be added to nearly all CNC machines with an accommodating z-axis height and allows easier relocation of the system from one CNC machine to another. The system includes one or more pods, each of the pods of the system replacing the function of four independent actuators of earlier systems but operating with a shared mechanical frame. Arranging the mechanism into groups of four allows for greater density of part support spacing, minimizes cable requirements, and allows for air, vacuum, and vacuum sensor requirements be localized on each pod. The pods allow for part supports to be spaced as close as 6″ in the x and y axis. An increased variable position assembly density allows for greater flexibility to hold complicated parts.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A flexible tooling system, comprising:

a plurality of pods attached to a table frame, each of the pods comprising:
a top plate shaped to attach to the table frame, the top plate comprising a plurality of pass through shaft guides;
a lower plate;
a plurality of rigid structural elements connecting the top plate to the lower plate;
and
a plurality of motor assemblies connected to the lower plate, each comprising:
a plurality of motors, each of the motors co-axial with one of the pass through shaft guides;
an encoder configured to detect the motor being in one of a plurality of positions;
a motor controller configured to command the motor to take one of the positions using feedback from the encoder and based on input from an external source;
and
a drive screw mechanically coupled to an output of the motor, wherein the drive screw is moved upon the motor moving from one of the positions to another one of the positions;
a plurality of anti-rotation linear guides, each comprising a nut element that mounts onto one of the drive screws and a linear guide element that is attached to the nut element and that prevents rotation of the nut element, wherein the movement of that drive screw causes a linear motion of the nut element along a length of that drive screw;
and
a plurality of hollow shafts, each mounted onto one of the nut elements, each of the hollow shafts extending through one of the pass through shaft guides, the hollow shafts configured to connect to a tooling element.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flexible tooling system

Life of this patent

Flexible tooling system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20