US 6,418,602 B2Granted

Flexible fixture system and method

AssigneeGeneral Electro Mechanical Corporation

InventorsRobert B. Crocker, Kenneth Benczkowski

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Abstract

A flexible fixture system and method wherein a single fixture system can accommodate and hold a plurality of different workpieces, i.e. the various workpieces comprising the different flight surfaces of a wing. The flexible fixture system comprises a plurality of posts each including a plurality of different contoured formers, one former for each of the different workpieces to be accommodated and held by the flexible fixture system. Depending upon which workpiece is to be held by the fixture system, the required former on each post is selected automatically and moved into position for operative association with the workpiece. The contoured formers include powered clamps for holding details to be fastened to the workpiece. Each post of the flexible fixture system also includes a plurality of holding devices, such as suction cup type devices, which are moved into position to hold the workpiece and maintain its curvature.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A flexible fixture system for holding individual workpieces during operations performed thereon wherein the workpieces are selected from a family or workpieces, each workpiece in the family being elongated having a longitudinal axis and having a surface curved along a path in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, said system comprising:

a) a plurality of posts at spaced locations along a supporting surface in a first direction extending substantially parallel to the supporting surface;
b) a plurality of contoured formers carried by each post, each former is dedicated to each workpiece in the family of workpieces, the formers having varied contours required to support the workpiece to which they are dedicated, the contours varying depending upon the portion of the workpiece surface which the formers are to be operatively associated with, wherein one former is individually selected and individually powered so as to be moved into and out of operative position with the workpiece to which it is dedicated, while at the same time, the remaining plurality of contoured formers carried by the post remain in a retracted position and out of use;
c) the selected individual workpiece being disposed so that the longitudinal axis thereof is disposed substantially parallel to the first direction and so that the curved surface of the workpiece faces the contoured formers;
d) drive means for moving each of the formers into operative association with the curved surface of the workpiece;
e) a controller connected in controlling relation to the drive means for selecting the drive means corresponding to the formers dedicated to the selected workpiece;
and
f) means in the fixture system for holding the workpiece in place against the contoured formers.

4 more elements

A flexible fixture system for holding at least one individual workpiece during operations performed thereon wherein the workpiece can be selected from a family of workpieces, each workpiece in the family being elongated having a longitudinal axis and having a surface curved along a path in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, said system comprising:

a) a plurality of posts at spaced locations along a supporting surface in a first direction extending substantially parallel to the supporting surface;
b) at least one contoured former carried by each post, the former dedicated to the workpiece, the former having a contour required to support the workpiece to which it is dedicated, the contours of the formers carried by the posts varying depending upon the portion of the workpiece surface which the formers are to be operatively associated with, wherein the one former is individually selected and individually powered so as to be moved into and out of operative position with the workpiece to which it is dedicated, while at the same time, the remaining contoured formers carried by the post remain in a retracted position and out of use;
c) the individual workpiece being disposed so that the longitudinal axis thereof is disposed substantially parallel to the first direction and so that the curved surface of the workpiece faces the contoured formers;
d) drive means for moving each of the formers into operative association with the curved surface of the workpiece;
e) a controller connected in a controlling relationship to the drive means;
and
f) means in the fixture system for holding the workpiece in place against the contoured formers.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/267,524Filed 12 Mar 1999 · us provisional application
Priority: 12 Mar 1998
Published: US 2001/0042306 A122 Nov 2001
Granted: 16 Jul 2002
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification18 codes

B25B 5/003
Clamps: combinations of clamps
B21J 15/10
Riveting: riveting machines
B21J 15/142
Specially adapted for riveting specific articles, e.g. brake lining machines: aerospace structures
B21J 15/42
Accessories for use in connection with riveting, e.g. pliers for upsetting; Hand tools for riveting: special clamping devices for workpieces to be…