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US 6,644,640 B1Granted
Quick connect/disconnect workpiece transfer unit
AssigneeHayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
InventorsAaron Thomas Russick, Steven Mark Sunday, Larry Richard Erdman, Jeffrey Boyd Grimshaw, Daniel D. Minor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flexible manufacturing line and manufacturing process employs an overhead gantry system to transfer fixtured workpieces between machining stations served by the gantry system. The manufacturing system includes a fixturing system including a transfer unit specially configured for quick connection and quick disconnection from a machining table. An accurate placement of the transfer unit is achieved using a combination of locating features.
Claims10
A quick-connect fixturing system for automated manufacturing comprising:
- a transfer unit for holding a workpiece including:
- a plate having a bottom side with a first radial locating feature and a first z-axis locating pad;
- a shank extending from said bottom side of said plate and having a retention stud, said shank having a shank registration taper;
- at least one clamp for holding said workpiece;
- and
- at least one pick-up extension by which said transfer unit is lifted and carried;
- and
- a machining table for securing said transfer unit at a machining station, said machining table including:
- a trap for receiving said shank and having a trap registration taper to mate with said shank registration taper;
- a second radial locating feature to mate with said first radial locating feature;
- a second z-axis locating pad to mate with said first z-axis locating pad;
- and
- a retention mechanism for securing said retention stud so that said transfer unit is located in a predetermined reference position.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.