Apparatus for and method of utilizing vacuum in machine tool operations
US6672576B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 6, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49998
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for and method of utilizing vacuum in machine tool operations utilizes vacuum, rather than clamps and fixtures, to secure the work piece to the table of the machine tool. The apparatus employs a plurality of vacuum buttons arranged on a vacuum plate or a configurable vacuum plate. This system minimizes the downtime for machine tools by permitting the set up for a particular machining operation or series of operations to be conducted off line. That is, the set up for one operation is primarily made while the machine tool is performing another operation or series of operations on another work piece. The machine tool continues to operate producing one machined, useful product while the set up for a second product is being performed. The use of a plurality of vacuum buttons arranged on a vacuum plate allows the flexibility to accommodate a variety of different work pieces.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.