Quick-change thermoformer
AssigneeAmoco Corporation
InventorsCharles B. Case, Robert J. Cyr
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed which facilitates rapid insertion, removal and exchange of a fixture in situations where it must be securely attached to a support surface before or after removal from such surface. The fixture has a plurality of studs extending outwardly therefrom which guide the fixture tool through channels in a support surface and into placement in respective slots of T-slot clamps which are moved by fluid pressure to the open position, the fixture transferred, and the fluid pressure released to effect clamping. The present invention can be used in a high production manufacturing system such as a press or molding operation and is particularly useful in thermoforming operations.
Claims11
In combination in a work station having means to guide, locate and fix in place a member or fixture, whereby to facilitate rapid insertion, withdrawal and exchange thereof, comprising:
- A. support means having a generally planar support surface;
- B. at least one channel in said surface, extending from an edge thereof and intersected by a plurality of holes that are spaced along the channel and extend through the support and channel;
- C. power-operated clamp means, disposed generally internally of the support means, which have rod elements that are reciprocable in respective ones of said intersecting hole and channel sections and carry at each of their distal ends a T-slot clamp located within the associated section;
- D. mechanical means within the T-slot clamp's power system which normally bias the clamps to clamping position within said associated sections, thereby minimizing the hazards of clamping failure during operations at the work station;
- E. means within said T-slot clamp power means for offsetting said bias means whereby a said member or fixture can be guidedly inserted or withdrawn from said channel and clamp slots;
- and
- F. means for removing said bias offsetting means thereby permitting the bias means to be operative and the T-slot clamps to return to clamping positions.
In combination in a high-production molding station having means to guide, locate and fix in place a mold whereby to facilitate rapid insertion, withdrawal and exchange thereof, comprising:
- A. at least one cooling plate to which the mold is secured or released and inserted or withdrawn;
- B. at least one channel in said cooling plate, extending from an edge thereof and intersected by a plurality of holes that are spaced along the channel and extend through the cooling plate and channel, said plurality of spaced holes extending through the cooling plate.
- C. power-operated clamp means, disposed generally internally of the cooling plate, which have rod elements that are reciprocable in respective ones of said intersecting hole and channel sections and carry at each of their distal ends a T-slot clamp located within the associated section;
- D. mechanical means within the T-slot clamp's power system normally bias the clamps to position within said associated sections, thereby minimizing the hazards of clamping failure during molding operations;
- E. means within said T-slot clamp power means for offsetting said bias means whereby a said mold can be guidedly inserted or withdrawn from said channel and clamp slots;
- and
- F. means for removing said bias offsetting means thereby permitting the bias means to be operative and the T-slot clamps to return to clamping positions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.