Workpiece indexing and clamping system
OwnerManfred A. Morgheninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A workpiece indexing and clamping system for machining the workpiece. Spherical or narrow cylindrical heads of index pins extend from holes in a base plate into workpiece holes to align and index the workpiece. The pin portions in the base plate holes can be expanded to lock them to the base plate. Each pin has relief flats parallel to the pin axis. Clamps engage workpiece edges with thread-like angled grooves on a cam surface to force workpiece edges against the base plate during machining of the workpiece. A central clamp has a pin extending from the base plate into a workpiece hole. Angled grooves in a cam surface are brought into contact with the hole sides to force the workpiece toward the base plate and hold the central area in place during machining.
Claims8
A workpiece clamping system which comprises:
- index means for locating a workpiece relative to a base plate;
- and
- at least two clamp assemblies for engaging opposite sides of a workpiece;
- each clamp assembly including:
- a support block;
- a pivot pin mounted on and extending from said support block;
- means independent of said pivot pin for securing said support block to said base plate adjacent to a workpiece on said base plate;
- an arm mounted on said support block for pivoting movement about said pivot pin;
- said arm having a cam surface with a varying diameter around said pivot pin;
- means for pivoting said arm and cam surface;
- said cam surface having a plurality of angled grooves for engaging said workpiece and forcing said workpiece toward said base plate, pins and other clamps as said cam surface is pivoted into pressure engagement with said workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.