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US 2026/0295702 A1Published application
Workpiece frame with removable support
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorRusty Garner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A machine tool system includes a workpiece, a machine, 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 so that different sides of the workpiece are modified without requiring removal of the workpiece from the workpiece frame.
Claims20
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 tool base configured to support the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece and a shaft spaced apart from the tool base along a first axis and configured to move along the first axis relative to the tool base to modify the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece, and
- a workpiece frame that is repositionable and relocatable on the tool base in at least two different orientations to support the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece in the at least two different orientations relative to the first axis during modification of the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece so that different sides of the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece are modified without requiring removal of the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece from the workpiece frame,
- wherein the workpiece frame includes a body configured to be coupled to the tool base and defining a workpiece-receiving space therein, a workpiece locator that extends from the body into the workpiece-receiving space and into contact with a first end of the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece to hold and position the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece relative to the body, and a workpiece support assembly configured to be removably coupled to the body to contact a second end of the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece opposite the first end to support the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece relative to the body during modification of the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece so that the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece is properly aligned with the shaft in the at least two different orientations.
1 more element
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 relative to the machine during modification of the workpiece so that different sides of the workpiece are modified without requiring removal of the workpiece from the workpiece frame,
- wherein the workpiece frame includes a body configured to be coupled to the machine and defining a workpiece-receiving space therein, a workpiece locator that extends from the body into the workpiece-receiving space and into contact with a first end of the workpiece to hold and position the workpiece relative to the body, and a workpiece support assembly configured to be removably coupled to the body to contact a second end of the workpiece opposite the first end to support the workpiece relative to the body during modification of the workpiece so that the workpiece is properly aligned with the machine in the at least two different orientations,
- wherein the body of the workpiece frame includes a first arm, a second arm spaced apart from the first arm, and a third arm extending between and interconnecting first terminal ends of the first arm and the second arm, and the workpiece support assembly is configured to be removably coupled to the first arm and the second arm of the body to extend between and interconnect second terminal ends of the first arm and the second arm opposite the first terminal ends.
2 more elements
A method of modifying a workpiece, the method comprising:
- coupling a support arm of a workpiece support assembly to a workpiece frame,
- coupling the workpiece to the workpiece frame,
- coupling a clamp plate of the workpiece support assembly to the support arm to locate an end of the workpiece between the support arm and the clamp plate,
- positioning the workpiece frame on a machine in a first position so that the workpiece is in a first orientation,
- applying a first machine operation to the workpiece,
- removing the workpiece frame from the machine,
- removing the clamp plate from the support arm,
- removing the support arm from the workpiece frame,
- positioning the workpiece frame on the machine in a second position so that the workpiece is in a second orientation without separating the workpiece from the workpiece frame, and
- applying a second machine operation to the workpiece.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.