Tool element placement means

In a device wherein a plurality of tool elements are established in a desired configuration in relation to a workpiece surface, the combination of:

• a. a guide member having a flexible section containing guide means adapted to receive the tool elements;
• b. means for deflecting the flexible section to position the guide means in the desired configuration;
• and
• c. means for establishing a cooperative relationship between the desired configuration of guide means and the workpiece surface.

A device useful in simultaneously positioning a plurality of drilling elements in a configuration corresponding and in precise relation to the curved edge of a gas turbine engine part comprising:

• a. a base;
• b. a support structure;
• c. a guide member having a flexible section containing guide means adapted to receive the drilling elements, said member being supported from the base by the support structure;
• d. a fixturing structure attached to the base to hold the part, said fixturing structure and support structure establishing a positional relationship between the edge and flexible section such that the two points of the edge between which a plurality of holes are to be drilled are positioned precisely below the guide means at each end of the flexible section;
• and
• e. means for deflecting the flexible section between said ends to position the remaining guide means in a configuration corresponding to the curvature of the edge.

A device useful in locating the centerline of a curved workpiece surface and positioning a plurality of tool elements in a configuration corresponding and in precise relation to such centerline comprising:

• a. a base;
• b. a support structure;
• c. a guide member having a flexible section containing guide means adapted to receive the tool elements, said member being supported in relation to the base by the support structure;
• d. a fixturing structure attached to the base to hold the workpiece, said fixturing structure and support structure establishing a positional relationship between the workpiece surface and flexible section such that the two points on the centerline of the surface between which a plurality of tool operations are to be performed are positioned precisely below the guide means at each end of the flexible section;
• e. a pair of opposed gauging levers and a pair of opposed deflection levers commonly and pivotally mounted from the base, the gauging levers in a plane which intersects the workpiece and the deflection levers in a plane which intersects the flexible section, each pair of gauging and deflection levers having opposed fingers at one end and opposed shoulders at the other end, the gauging fingers being adapted to engage the workpiece and locate the centerline of the workpiece surface and the deflection fingers being adapted to engage and deflect the flexible section;
• f. two cams rotatably mounted from the base, one of said cams being positioned in the plane of the gauging levers between the opposed shoulders thereof and the other cam being positioned in the plane of the deflection levers between the opposed shoulders thereof, said cams actuating the gauging and deflection fingers when rotatably engaged to the respective shoulders of said levers;
• g. a shaft on which the cams are commonly but independently mounted in said planes;
• h. a sliding member supported from the base beneath the cams and shaft, said member having a hole partially therethrough to rotatably receive the shaft;
• i. said sliding member being caused to slide in a direction opposite to that of the curvature of the workpiece surface when said gauging fingers locate the centerline of the surface, said sliding movement situating the deflection levers such that, upon actuation, they will position the flexible section, and guide means therein, in a configuration corresponding to the centerline already located by the gauging levers.