Patent · US Active

Device and method for stiffening and holding a workpiece for machining

US8894054B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by

22References

11Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Fooke GmbH · DE

Inventors

Thomas Jacob · Stuttgart, DE
Hans-Jürgen Pierick · Reken, DE
Richard Löttert · Velen, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Apr 20, 2012
Grant date	Nov 25, 2014
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Aug 30, 2032

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY10T29/49998
WIPO fieldMachine tools
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention is a clamping plate used to stiffen and hold a large, thin workpiece having low inherent stiffness. The clamping plate has a back layer, an intermediate layer and a contact layer. A plurality of grooves, which serve as air channels, is provided in the contact layer and the intermediate layer impart flexibility to the clamping plate. The clamping plate has sufficient flexibility to adapt to the specified contour of the workpiece. The contact layer is placed against the workpiece and vacuum apparatus provides suction through the air channels, which are in flow communication with each other between the two layers, to hold the workpiece against the clamping plate. One or more seals defines a holding area on the contact layer and prevent loss of suction.

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