US 2026/0241501 A1Published application

Machine tool system with pre-loaded plunger clamp mechanism

AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc

InventorRusty Garner

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Abstract

A machine tool system includes a workpiece, a machine for modifying the workpiece, and a tool base. The tool base supports the workpiece. The tool base includes first and second support frames repositionable on a base platform. The first support frame holds the workpiece, and the second support frame can be moved up to and against the workpiece to further secure it in position. The second support frame includes a plunger clamp having a movable plunger rod and spring-loaded rod movable relative to the plunger rod. The plunger rod is movable between an unlocked arrangement in which the spring- loaded rod is pressed against the workpiece and can move so as to allow for some adjustment of the workpiece positioning, and a locked arrangement in which the plunger rod is moved forward and secured against the workpiece to completely lock it into place.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A machine tool system comprising

a thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece,
a machine configured to modify the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece, the machine including a shaft configured to move along a first axis, and
a tool base configured to support the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece and spaced apart from the shaft along the first axis and repositionable relative to the shaft, wherein the shaft is movable relative to the tool base so as to modify the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece, the tool base including a base platform, a first support frame that is repositionable on the base platform and configured to support the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece above the base platform, and a second support frame that is repositionable on the base platform, the second support frame including a plunger clamp coupled thereto, the plunger clamp including a clamp base, a plunger rod movably supported by the clamp base and extending away from the clamp base, the plunger rod being selectively movable toward and away from the clamp base, the plunger clamp further including a spring-loaded rod that is movable relative to the plunger rod, a forwardmost end of the spring-loaded rod extending forward of a forwardmost end of the plunger rod in response to the plunger rod being in an unlocked arrangement,
wherein the second support frame is configured to be repositioned adjacent to the first support frame such that the plunger clamp contacts the thin- walled three-dimensional workpiece and provides support thereto, wherein, in response to the plunger rod being selectively moved to the unlocked arrangement, the forwardmost end of the spring-loaded rod contacts the thin- walled three-dimensional workpiece while allowing for some play of the thin- walled three-dimensional workpiece relative to the tool base so as to allow for adjustments of the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece relative to the shaft of the machine, and wherein, in response to the plunger rod being selectively moved to a locked arrangement, the forwardmost end of the plunger rodis moved forward and contacts the thin-walled three dimensional workpiece to lock the thin-walled three dimensional workpiece in an immovable position relative to the shaft of the machine.

1 more element

A machine tool system comprising

a workpiece,
a machine configured to modify the workpiece, and
a tool base configured to support the workpiece relative to the machine and repositionable relative to the machine, the tool base including a first support frame supporting the workpiece and a second support frame that is repositionable relative to the first support frame and including a plunger clamp coupled thereto, the plunger clamp including a clamp base, a plunger rod movably supported by the clamp base, and a spring-loaded rod that is movable relative to the plunger rod,
wherein, in response to the plunger rod being selectively moved to an unlocked arrangement, only a forwardmost end of the spring-loaded rod contacts the workpiece while allowing for some play of the workpiece relative to the machine, and wherein, in response to the plunger rod being selectively moved to a locked arrangement, a forwardmost end of the plunger rod is moved forward and contacts the workpiece to lock the workpiece in an immovable position relative to the machine.

1 more element

A method comprising

providing a workpiece,
providing a machine configured to modify the workpiece,
arranging the workpiece in a first support frame of a tool base,
wherein the workpiece is allowed some play relative to the machine when only arranged in the first support frame, the tool base including the first support frame and a second support frame that is repositionable relative to the first support frame and including a plunger clamp coupled thereto, the plunger clamp including a clamp base, a plunger rod movably supported by the clamp base, and a spring-loaded rod that is movable relative to the plunger rod,
selectively moving the plunger rod to an unlocked arrangement in which a forwardmost end of the spring-loaded rod is positioned forward of a forwardmost end of the plunger rod,
moving the second support frame proximal to the first support frame such that the forwardmost end of the spring-loaded rod contacts the workpiece while allowing for some play of the workpiece relative to the machine, and
selectively moving the plunger rod to a locked arrangement in which forwardmost end of the plunger rod is moved forward and contacts the workpiece to lock the workpiece in an immovable position relative to the machine.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.