Machine tool assembly with tool base and latchable workpiece frame
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorRusty Garner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A machine tool system includes a workpiece, a machine configured to modify the workpiece, and a workpiece frame. The workpiece frame is repositionable and relocatable on the machine in at least two different orientations to support the workpiece in the at least two different orientations during modification of the workpiece. As a result, different sides of the workpiece are modified without requiring removal of the workpiece from the workpiece frame.
Claims20
A machine tool system comprising:
- a three-dimensional workpiece,
- a machine configured to modify the three-dimensional workpiece, the machine including a tool configured to interface with the three-dimensional workpiece and a shaft spaced apart from the tool along a first axis and configured to move along the first axis relative to the tool to modify the three-dimensional workpiece, and
- a workpiece frame that is repositionable and relocatable on the tool in at least two different orientations to support the three-dimensional workpiece in the at least two different orientations relative to the first axis during modification of the three-dimensional workpiece so that different sides of the three-dimensional workpiece are modified without requiring removal of the three-dimensional workpiece from the workpiece frame, the workpiece frame includes a body and a workpiece locator, the body defines a workpiece-receiving space therein and is removably coupled with the workpiece, and the workpiece locator includes a first pin coupled with and extending away from the body,
- wherein the tool includes a fixture having a fixture body and a first latch clamp coupled with the fixture body and selectively engaged with the first pin of the workpiece frame to urge the workpiece frame toward the fixture and removably couple the workpiece frame with the tool.
A machine tool system comprising:
- a workpiece,
- a machine configured to modify the workpiece, and
- a workpiece frame that is repositionable and relocatable on the machine in at least two different orientations to support the workpiece in the at least two different orientations during modification of the workpiece so that different sides of the workpiece are modified without requiring removal of the workpiece from the workpiece frame, the workpiece frame includes a body and a workpiece locator, the body is removably coupled with the workpiece, and the workpiece locator includes a first pin coupled with and extending away from the body,
- wherein the machine includes a tool for interfacing with the workpiece frame, the tool includes a fixture having a fixture body and a latch clamp coupled with the fixture body and selectively engaged with the first pin to removably couple the workpiece frame with the tool.
The machine tool system of claim 17, wherein the latch includes a first arm, a second arm spaced apart from the first arm, and a bar that extends between the first arm and the second arm, and the first pin is formed with a groove that receives a portion of the bar.
A method of using a machine tool system, the method comprising:
- coupling a workpiece to a workpiece frame;
- positioning the workpiece frame relative to a first fixture such that the workpiece is in a first orientation;
- latching the workpiece frame with the first fixture to couple the workpiece frame with the first fixture such that the workpiece is in the first orientation;
- applying a first machine operation to the workpiece;
- unlatching the workpiece frame from the first fixture;
- positioning the workpiece frame relative to a second fixture such that the workpiece is in a second orientation without separating the workpiece from the workpiece frame;
- latching the workpiece frame with the second fixture to couple the workpiece frame with the second fixture such that the workpiece is in the second orientation;
- and
- applying a second machine operation to the workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.