Fixture arrangement for machine tool work tables

US4664366A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• University of Kansas, Center for Research, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Darryl Lane · Great Falls, US
• B. G. Barr · Lawrence, US
• Mike Dutton · Holton, US
• Mike Frain · Shawnee, US
• Simon Frechette · Topeka, US
• Keith Hummel · Topeka, US
• John Majerle · Prairie Village, US
• Joseph Majerle · Olathe, US
• Steve Rogers · Austin, US
• Mark R. Unger · Manhattan, US
• Robert Umholtz · Lawrence, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 16, 1986
• Grant date: May 12, 1987
• Expiry date: Apr 16, 2006

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S269/90
• WIPO field: Machine tools
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A fixture for establishing stop surfaces against which a workpiece can be held to accurately locate it during robotic machine tool operations. The fixture includes a table surface having frusto-conical openings arranged in a preselected pattern to receive locator pins. Each locator pin has a frusto-conical base which automatically centers itself in the opening so that a robotic machine can insert the pins without having to first precisely align them with the openings. Each locator pin is locked in its opening by a releaseable slide mechanism which acts against the pin on opposite sides by wedging action to securely hold the pin down on the table.