Reconfigurable supporting fixture, particularly for measuring machines, and relative configuration method
AssigneeDea-Brown & Sharpe S.p.A.
InventorsMaurizio Ercole, Pasqualino Poggi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fixture for positioning and supporting parts for measurement on a measuring machine, the fixture presenting a number of reconfigurable supporting elements, each presenting a first portion positionable on the reference surface of the machine, and a second portion positionable in relation to the first portion in a direction perpendicular to the reference surface; and a reference tool positioned automatically by the machine, and presenting a three-dimensional reference for the second portion of the supporting elements; the supporting elements being moved manually over the reference surface so that the second portion contacts the reference tool, and being clamped in the position so defined.
Claims21
A reconfigurable fixture for positioning and supporting parts on a machine, comprising:
- a) a reference surface;
- b) at least one reconfigurable supporting element positionable on said surface comprising
- i) a first portion;
- and
- ii) a second portion;
- c) reference tool means including a reference tool cooperating with the second portion of the at least one supporting element for defining a three-dimensional position for the second portion with the reference tool and the at least one supporting element in a position of mutual engagement;
- d) a moveable unit for moving said reference tool into any one of a plurality positions;
- e) clamping means activated with the reference tool and the at least one supporting element in said position of mutual engagement for releasably clamping said first portion to said surface and said second portion to said first portion with the second portion in said three-dimensional position, the clamping means being releasable independent of a position of the reference tool with respect to said at least one supporting element.
A fixture as claimed in claim, 1 wherein said reference tool comprises means for generating at least one light beam for assisting positioning of said supporting element.
A method of configuring a fixture (10) for positioning and supporting parts on a machine (1), particularly a measuring machine, comprising a reference surface (2a) and a movable unit (3);
- said fixture (10) comprising at least one reconfigurable supporting element (11) presenting a first portion (14) positionable on said surface (2a), and a second portion (17) positionable in relation to said first portion (14) in a direction (Z) perpendicular to said surface (2a);
- said method being characterized in that it comprises a first step wherein a reference tool (13) is positioned by said movable unit (3) in a predetermined position;
- a second step wherein said first portion (14) of said supporting element (11) is moved manually on said surface, and said second portion (17) of said supporting element (11) is moved manually in relation to said first portion (14), so that said second portion (17) of said supporting element (11) engages three-dimensional reference means (111, 112) of said reference tool (13);
- and a third step wherein said first portion (14) is clamped to said surface (2a), and said second portion (17) is clamped in relation to said first portion (14) in said engaged position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.