Method for transferring a workpiece in an air float system

Abstract

A method for transferring a workpiece fixture from one supporting table to another in an air float system. The workpiece is mounted to a workpiece fixture, which in turn is supported on the upwardly facing surface of either a stationary air float table or a movable air float plate. The movable air float plate, which may be mounted on a vehicle, such as a forklift, or itself supported on a cushion of pressurized air, is moved into abutment with the stationary table. The air float system is then activated so as to establish a cushion of pressurized air between the fixture and its supporting surface, and the fixture is slid from one surface to the other on the cushion of air in a substantially friction-free manner. The movable plate or table is then retracted away from the stationary table and the workpiece may be positioned thereon for machining or any other operation which is desired. According to one embodiment of the invention, only the stationary table is supplied with pressurized air and the movable plate is normally exhausted. When the movable plate is brought into engagement with the stationary table, ball check valves in aligned fluid passageways open so as to permit pressurized air from the stationary table to charge the air float system of the movable plate. When the plate and stationary table are disengaged, the plate will again be exhausted so that workpieces supported thereon cannot slide off.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.