Back to results
US 2026/0295743 A1Published application
Workpiece frame clamp for machine fixtures
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorRusty Garner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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 and 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 having a dovetail shape to support and position the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece relative to the body, the body of the workpiece frame including 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,
- wherein the workpiece locator includes a clamp extending inwardly from the third arm of the body into the workpiece-receiving space that is configured to hold the first end of the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece having the dovetail shape in a stationary position relative to the body of the workpiece frame and locate the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece relative to the third arm of the body and a workpiece locating protrusion extending from the second arm of the body toward the clamp and into contact with the first end of the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece to locate the thin-walled three-dimensional workpiece within the workpiece-receiving space relative to the first arm and the second arm.
2 more elements
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 and a workpiece locator that extends from the body into the workpiece-receiving space and into contact with a first end of the workpiece having a dovetail shape to support and position the workpiece relative to the body, the body of the workpiece frame including a first arm, a second arm spaced apart from the first arm, and a third arm extending between and interconnecting terminal ends of the first arm and the second arm,
- wherein the workpiece locator includes a clamp extending inwardly from the third arm of the body into the workpiece-receiving space that is configured to hold the first end of the workpiece having the dovetail shape and locate the workpiece relative to the third arm of the body and a workpiece locating protrusion extending from the second arm of the body toward the clamp and into contact with the first end of the workpiece to locate the workpiece relative to the first arm and the second arm.
2 more elements
A method of modifying a workpiece, the method comprising:
- positioning a first end of the workpiece having a dovetail shape in a groove of a first clamp plate of a workpiece frame,
- aligning a second clamp plate with the first clamp plate and the first end of the workpiece,
- inserting a fastener through the second clamp plate and the first clamp plate to secure the first end of the workpiece between the first clamp plate and the second 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,
- 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,
- applying a second machine operation to the workpiece.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.