Feed table with force reaction system

A feed table apparatus for use in moving a workpiece to a machine tool, the apparatus comprising:

• a conveyor for supporting the workpiece;
• a shuttle vise movably disposed on the conveyor and having jaws thereon adapted for clamping the workpiece when a clamping force is applied thereto, the shuttle vise comprising:
• a first vertical column;
• a second vertical column;
• and
• an upper guide rail interconnecting upper portions of the first and second vertical columns, wherein at least one of the jaws is movably disposed on the upper guide rail;
• a clamping actuator attached to one of the vertical columns for moving the one jaw into and out of clamping engagement with the workpiece and applying the clamping force thereto;
• and
• a reaction system connected to the shuttle vise adapted for applying a reaction force in an opposite direction of the clamping force and thereby substantially counteracting the clamping force such that the clamping force is not applied to the conveyor, the reaction system comprising:
• a lever arm pivotally attached to the upper guide rail adjacent to the one vertical column;
• and
• a reaction actuator connected to the lever arm for applying the reaction force to the one vertical column.

A feed table apparatus for use in moving a workpiece to a machine tool, the apparatus comprising:

• a conveyor for supporting the workpiece, the conveyor having a guide rail extending from opposite sides thereof;
• a shuttle vise movably disposed on the conveyor and having jaws thereon adapted for clamping the workpiece when a clamping force is applied thereto, the shuttle vise comprising:
• a first vertical column;
• a second vertical column, wherein lower ends of the vertical columns are supported by the guide rails and movable therealong;
• and
• an upper guide rail interconnecting upper portions of the first and second vertical columns, wherein at least one of the jaws is movably disposed on the upper guide rail;
• a clamping actuator for moving the one jaw into and out of clamping engagement with the workpiece and applying the clamping force thereto;
• and
• a reaction system connected to the shuttle vise adapted for applying a reaction force in an opposite direction of the clamping force and thereby substantially counteracting the clamping force such that the clamping force is not applied to the conveyor.

A feed table apparatus for use in moving a workpiece to a machine tool, the apparatus comprising:

• a conveyor for supporting the workpiece;
• a shuttle vise movably disposed on the conveyor, the shuttle vise comprising:
• a first vertical column;
• a second vertical column;
• an upper guide rail interconnecting upper portions of the first and second vertical columns;
• a first jaw movably disposed on the upper guide rail;
• and
• a second jaw opposite the first jaw;
• and
• a reaction system connected to the shuttle vise and adapted for applying a reaction force in an opposite direction of the clamping force and thereby substantially counteracting the clamping force, the reaction system comprising a clamping force bar disposed adjacent to the upper guide rail, wherein the reaction system further comprises a plurality of links pivotally attached to the clamping force bar and to the upper guide rail;
• and
• a clamping actuator for moving the first jaw toward the second jaw and thereby providing clamping engagement of the first and second jaws with the workpiece and applying a clamping force thereto, the clamping actuator being attached to the clamp force bar such that the clamping forces are not transmitted to the vertical columns of the shuttle vise.

A feed table apparatus for use in moving a workpiece to a machine tool, the apparatus comprising:

• a conveyor for supporting the workpiece;
• a shuttle vise movably disposed on the conveyor, the shuttle vise comprising:
• a first vertical column;
• a second vertical column;
• an upper guide rail interconnecting upper portions of the first and second vertical columns;
• a first jaw movably disposed on the upper guide rail;
• and
• a second jaw opposite the first jaw;
• and
• a reaction system connected to the shuttle vise and adapted for applying a reaction force in an opposite direction of the clamping force and thereby substantially counteracting the clamping force, the reaction system comprising a clamping force bar disposed adjacent to the upper guide rail;
• a clamping actuator for moving the first jaw toward the second jaw and thereby providing clamping engagement of the first and second jaws with the workpiece and applying a clamping force thereto, the clamping actuator being attached to the clamp force bar such that the clamping forces are not transmitted to the vertical columns of the shuttle vise;
• and
• a feed table frame, wherein the conveyor is attached to the feed table frame and supported along a length of the conveyor.

A feed table apparatus for use in moving a workpiece to a machine tool, the apparatus comprising:

• a conveyor for supporting the workpiece and having a guide rail extending from opposite sides thereof,
• a shuttle vise movably disposed on the conveyor, the shuttle vise comprising:
• a first vertical column;
• a second vertical column, wherein lower ends of the first and second moveable therealong;
• an upper guide rail interconnecting upper portions of the first and second vertical columns;
• a first jaw movably disposed on the upper guide rail;
• and
• a second jaw opposite the first jaw;
• and
• a reaction system connected to the shuttle vise and adapted for applying a reaction force in an opposite direction of the clamping force and thereby substantially counteracting the clamping force, the reaction system comprising a clamping force bar disposed adjacent to the upper guide rail;
• and
• a clamping actuator for moving the first jaw toward the second jaw and thereby providing clamping engagement of the first and second jaws with the workpiece and applying a clamping force thereto, the clamping actuator being attached to the clamp force bar such that the clamping forces are not transmitted to the vertical columns of the shuttle vise.

A feed table apparatus for use in moving a workpiece to a machine tool, the apparatus comprising:

• a conveyor for supporting the workpiece;
• a shuttle vise movably disposed on the conveyor, the shuttle vise comprising:
• a first vertical column;
• a second vertical column, wherein lower ends of the first and second vertical columns are not interconnected;
• an upper guide rail interconnecting upper portions of the first and second vertical columns;
• a second jaw opposite the first jaw;
• and
• a reaction system connected to the shuttle vise and adapted for applying a reaction force in an opposite direction of the clamping force and thereby substantially counteracting the clamping force, the reaction system comprising a clamping force bar disposed adjacent to the upper guide rail;
• and
• a clamping actuator for moving the first jaw toward the second jaw and thereby providing clamping engagement of the first and second jaws with the workpiece and applying a clamping force thereto, the clamping actuator being attached to the clamp force bar such that the clamping forces are not transmitted to the vertical columns of the shuttle vise.

A feed table apparatus for use in moving a workpiece to a machine tool, the apparatus comprising:

• a conveyor for supporting the workpiece;
• a shuttle vise movably disposed on the conveyor, the shuttle vise comprising:
• a first vertical column;
• a second vertical column;
• an upper guide rail interconnecting upper portions of the first and second vertical columns;
• a first jaw movably disposed on the upper guide rail;
• and
• a second jaw opposite the first jaw;
• and
• a reaction system connected to the shuttle vise and adapted for applying a reaction force in an opposite direction of the clamping force and thereby substantially counteracting the clamping force, the reaction system comprising a clamping force bar disposed adjacent to the upper guide rail and a reaction actuator for engaging one of the vertical columns;
• and
• a clamping actuator for moving the first jaw toward the second jaw and thereby providing clamping engagement of the first and second jaws with the workpiece and applying a clamping force thereto, the clamping actuator being attached to the clamp force bar such that the clamping forces are not transmitted to the vertical columns of the shuttle vise.

A feed table apparatus for use in moving a workpiece to a machine tool, the apparatus comprising:

• a conveyor for supporting the workpiece;
• a shuttle vise movably disposed on the conveyor, the shuttle vise comprising:
• a first vertical column;
• a second vertical column;
• an upper guide rail interconnecting upper portions of the first and second vertical columns;
• a first jaw movably disposed on the upper guide rail;
• and
• a second jaw opposite the first jaw, the second jaw being stationary;
• and
• a reaction system connected to the shuttle vise and adapted for applying a reaction force in an opposite direction of the clamping force and thereby substantially counteracting the clamping force, the reaction system comprising a clamping force bar disposed adjacent to the upper guide rail;
• and
• a clamping actuator for moving the first jaw toward the second jaw and thereby providing clamping engagement of the first and second jaws with the workpiece and applying a clamping force thereto, the clamping actuator being attached to the clamp force bar such that the clamping forces are not transmitted to the vertical columns of the shuttle vise.

A feed table apparatus for use in moving a workpiece to a machine tool, the apparatus comprising:

• a conveyor for supporting the workpiece;
• a shuttle vise movably disposed on the conveyor and having jaws thereon adapted for clamping the workpiece when a clamping force is applied thereto, the shuttle vise comprising:
• a first vertical column;
• a second vertical column;
• and
• an upper guide rail interconnecting upper portions of the first and second vertical columns, wherein at least one of the jaws is movably disposed on the upper guide rail;
• a clamping actuator for moving the one jaw into and out of clamping engagement with the workpiece and applying the clamping force thereto;
• and
• a reaction system connected to the shuttle vise adapted for applying a reaction force in an opposite direction of the clamping force and thereby substantially counteracting the clamping force such that the clamping force is not applied to the conveyor.