Methods and apparatus for manufacturing components
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsJoseph G. Albanese, Robert Scott Shalvoy, Jon E. Dickinson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for manufacturing components is provided. The method includes coupling a drive assembly to a positioning assembly, coupling a plurality of components to be manufactured to a plurality of fixtures, securing the plurality of fixtures to the drive assembly wherein each fixture is configured to receive a component to be manufactured, and repositioning the plurality of components simultaneously using the positioning assembly to facilitate manufacturing of the plurality of components, wherein the components are configured to be oscillated in a first plane of rotation via the drive assembly and rotated through a second plane of rotation via the plurality of fixtures.
Claims15
A fixture assembly for use in manufacturing a plurality of components, said fixture assembly comprising:
- at least two fixtures configured to support the plurality of components being manufactured, each of said at least two fixtures having a first axis of rotation, said at least two fixtures oriented such that said first axes of rotation are substantially parallel;
- and
- a drive assembly comprising a plurality of spindles extending outward therefrom and a plurality of platens coupled to said spindles, each of said at least two fixtures coupled to each of said plurality of platens, said drive assembly configured to oscillate each of said at least two fixtures about each of said first axes of rotation, said fixture assembly is rotatable about a second axis of rotation that is orthogonal to said first axes of rotation.
A component manufacturing system comprising:
- a drive assembly;
- a fixture assembly comprising at least two fixtures coupled to said drive assembly, each of said at least two fixtures having a first axis of rotation, said at least two fixtures are oriented such that said first axes of rotation are substantially parallel;
- and
- a positioning assembly coupled to said fixture assembly, said drive assembly comprises a plurality of spindles extending outward therefrom and a plurality of platens coupled to said spindles, each of said at least two fixtures coupled to each of said plurality of platens, said drive assembly configured to oscillate each of said at least two fixtures about said first axes of rotation, said positioning assembly configured to rotate said fixture assembly about a second axis of rotation that is orthogonal to said first axes of rotation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.