Apparatus with variable fixturing arms for abrasive environment

An apparatus for supporting differently sized objects while treating or inspecting a surface of a selected one of the objects, comprising:

• a base;
• a table rotatable on the base and having a top surface;
• a tubular drive shaft for rotating the table;
• a plurality of arm assemblies pivotally supported by hubs and extending above the top surface and extending laterally, the arm assemblies each having an end spaced horizontally from the associated hub and adapted to support any one of the differently sized objects above the top surface;
• and
• an adjustment mechanism for automatically rotatably adjusting the arm assemblies to change relative positions of the ends relative to a center area on the table, the adjustment mechanism including an internal shaft extending through the tubular drive shaft that, when operated, selectively causes rotational adjustment of the hubs and hence adjustment of the ends of the arm assemblies;
• and
• a drive connected to both the table and the arm assemblies, the internal shaft having a selectable first position configured to adjust the arm assemblies between different relative positions on the table, and having a separate second position configured to hold the arm assemblies in a selected one of the different relative positions as the table is rotated.

An apparatus for supporting differently sized cylindrical objects while treating or inspecting a surface of a selected one of the objects, comprising:

• an enclosure and a processing gun in the enclosure for one of treating or inspecting a surface of a selected one of the cylindrical objects;
• a rotatable table;
• a plurality of adjustable arm assemblies attached to the table and adapted to support any one of the differently sized objects above the top surface;
• and
• an adjustment mechanism including a programmed controller for automatically adjusting the arm assemblies on the table, such that the arm assemblies are automatically adjusted to support a next one of the differently sized objects
• a drive connected to both the table and the arm assemblies, the drive having a selectable first position configured to adjust the arm assemblies between different relative positions on the table, and having a separate second position configured to hold the arm assemblies in a selected one of the different relative positions as the table is rotated.

An apparatus for treating or inspecting parts, comprising:

• a fixture having a rotatable table and at least two adjustable arms on the table;
• a single drive mechanism;
• and
• an adjustment mechanism having a first position where the single drive mechanism is engaged to rotate the table and having a second position where the single drive mechanism adjusts the arms;
• and
• a single drive connected to both the table and the arm assemblies, the drive having a selectable first position configured to adjust the arm assemblies between different relative positions on the table, and having a separate second position configured to hold the arm assemblies in a selected one of the different relative positions as the table is rotated.

An apparatus for treating or inspecting parts, comprising:

• a fixture having a movable table and at least two adjustable arms on the table, the arms having part-holding surfaces configured to securely hold a part while the part is one of treated or inspected;
• a drive mechanism for moving the table;
• and
• an adjustment mechanism including a lift mechanism for releasing the arm assemblies for adjustment and a brake mechanism for holding the table while the arm assemblies are adjusted;
• and
• the drive mechanism being connected to both the table and the arm assemblies, the drive mechanism having a selectable first position configured to adjust the arm assemblies between different relative positions on the table, and having a separate second position configured to hold the arm assemblies in a selected one of the different relative positions as the table is rotated.

A method for supporting differently sized objects while treating or inspecting a surface of a selected one of the objects, the differently sized objects including a first part with first diameter and a second part with a different second diameter, comprising:

• providing a base, a table rotatable on the base and having a top surface, and a drive for rotating the table;
• providing on the table a plurality of arm assemblies extending above the top surface and extending laterally, the arm assemblies each being adapted to support any one of the differently sized objects above the top surface;
• the drive being connected to both the table and the arm assemblies, the drive having a selectable first position configured to adjust the arm assemblies between different relative positions on the table, and having a separate second position configured to hold the arm assemblies in a selected one of the different relative positions as the table is rotated;
• conducting an operation including one of treating or inspecting a surface of a first part and after the operation, removing the first part from the arm assemblies;
• automatically simultaneously adjusting the arm assemblies by selectively engaging the drive to rotationally change positions of the arm assemblies relative to a center area on the table for supporting a second part as the table is rotated;
• and
• conducting the operation on a surface of the second part and after the operation, removing the second part from the arm assemblies.

An apparatus for supporting differently sized cylindrical objects while treating or inspecting a surface of a selected one of the objects, comprising:

• an enclosure and a processing gun in the enclosure for one of treating or inspecting a surface of a selected one of the cylindrical objects;
• a rotatable table;
• a plurality of adjustable arm assemblies attached to the table and adapted to support any one of the differently sized objects above the top surface;
• a drive mechanism for both rotating the table and separately for selectively adjusting the arm assemblies on the table;
• the drive mechanism including at least one friction pad configured to hold the arm assemblies in a selected adjusted position when the table is being rotated to treat a selected one cylindrical object;
• a lift mechanism selectively operable to release engagement with the at least one friction pad so that the arm assemblies can be adjusted;
• and
• an additional friction pad configured to engage when the lift mechanism is operated so that the rotation of the table causes the arm assemblies to adjust.