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US 6,486,436 B1Granted
Workpiece clamping system
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorsKaval Shah, Paul S Williams, Stephen Corners, Alvaro Herrero, Janos AF Szeki
Life of this patent
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AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorsKaval Shah, Paul S Williams, Stephen Corners, Alvaro Herrero, Janos AF Szeki
Estimating the term…
A magnetic clamping system and method for locating and holding a workpiece (6), in particular a non-magnetic workpiece (6) within a machine tool (2) and specifically a numerically laser cutting or drilling machine tool. The system comprising at least one magnet (9), and a fixture structure (7), attached to the machine tool, which cooperates and in use engages and supports a portion of the workpiece (6) mounted upon and within the fixture structure. At least one clamp member (11) made of a magnetic material is disposed opposite and facing the at least one magnet (9) with the magnet (9) so that the portion of the workpiece (6) is sandwiched between a clamp member (11) and the magnet (9). A magnetic attractive force between the clamp member (11) and magnet (9) providing a clamping force to hold the workpiece (6). The magnets (9) preferably permanent neodymium magnets. The fixture structure (7) comprises a plurality of interconnected sheet metal frame elements (21) and support members (23a,b)
A magnetic clamping system for locating and holding a workpiece within a machine tool, the system comprising at least one magnet, and a fixture structure, attached to the machine tool, which co-operates with and in use engages and supports a portion of the workpiece mounted upon and within the fixture structure, at least one clamp member made of a magnetic material which is, in use, disposed opposite and facing the at least one magnet with the magnet and clamp member on opposite faces of a portion of the workpiece so that the portion of the workpiece is sandwiched between a clamp member and the magnet, and with a magnetic attractive force between the clamp member and magnet providing a clamping force to hold the workpiece upon and within the fixture, said clamp member being a magnet and said fixture structure comprising a plurality of interconnected frame elements and support members, the frame elements being joined to the support members by means of twist tabs which engage in a slot hole.
A magnetic clamping system for locating and holding a workpiece within a machine tool, the system comprising at least one magnet, and a fixture structure, attached to the machine tool, which co-operates with and in use engages and supports a portion of the workpiece mounted upon and within the fixture structure, at least one clamp member made of a magnetic material which is, in use, disposed opposite and facing the at least one magnet with the magnet and clamp member on opposite faces of a portion of the workpiece so that the portion of the workpiece is sandwiched between a clamp member and the magnet, and with a magnetic attractive force between the clamp member and magnet providing a clamping force to hold the workpiece upon and within the fixture, said workpiece being of a substantially frusto-conical shape and the fixture being of an annular configuration with portions which correspond to the profile of a portion of the workpiece and which in use engage and bear against one part of a surface of the workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.