Patent · US Expired

Workpiece clamping device for automated machining processes

US6976814B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by
29References
14Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 2, 2004
Grant dateDec 20, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 2, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T409/309016
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A workpiece engraving machine provides for a way to clamp, align and identify a workpiece for engraving. An engravable band with a permanently embedded flexible engravable tag and a method of engraving the tag in the engraving machine. In a first aspect, a workpiece clamping table comprising a support surface, a clamp, one or more workpiece alignment devices, a positional sensor and a processor. The processor determines the workpiece type, keeps the automatic inventory and may indicate when workpieces need to be ordered. In a second aspect, a workpiece engraving machine may also have workpiece inventory doors which comprise containers with workpiece holders. The containers are attached to the engraving machine by rotators.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.