Method and devices to minimize work-piece distortion due to adhering stresses and changes in internal stresses
First Claim
1. A method of holding a work-piece on an adhesive fixture, comprising:
- providing a fixture having a fixture base and a plurality of fixing surfaces each capable of displacing relative to the fixture base, the fixture including a plurality of fixture elements each defining one of the fixing surfaces, each of the fixture elements being capable of displacing relative to the fixture base with prescribed degrees of freedom, the fixture further including a clamping system operable to selectively disengage so as to release displacement of each of the fixture elements relative to the fixture base or engage so as to stop displacement of each of the fixture elements relative to the fixture base, the fixture further having a suspension for each fixture element operable to support each fixture element in a nominal pose, wherein when the clamping system is disengaged, gravitational forces acting on the fixture elements are countered by the suspensions;
adjoining adhesive to at least one of the fixing surfaces of the fixture elements;
adhering the adhesive to the at least one fixing surface and to a work-piece to create an adhesive joint between the at least one fixing surface and the work-piece to restrain the work-piece during a manufacturing process; and
disengaging the clamping system such that the fixture elements are displaceable;
allowing each of the fixture elements to displace as the work-piece and adhesive joint obtain an equilibrium shape to reduce strain energy, wherein displacement of the fixing surfaces reducing stresses within the adhesive joint; and
engaging the clamping system to stop the motion freedom of the fixture elements after the work-piece and adhesive joint have obtained their equilibrium shape;
whereby the work-piece is allowed to obtain an equilibrium shape closer to a free state without rupturing the adhesive joint or substantially reducing its holding strength.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of allowing a work-piece to obtain its free state shape while bonded to an adhesive fixture includes allowing the fixing surfaces to change shape or position relative to a fixture base without degrading the holding strength of the adhesive joints. A floating adhesive fixture may use one or more floating adhesive fixture devices. Each device includes a fixture element with an integral fixing surface that can displace relative to the fixture, a clamping system that can release or prevent this motion, and a suspension that keeps the fixture element in a nominal position when the clamping system is disengaged. A method includes unclamping the fixture elements and allowing them to displace as the adhesive joints and work-piece reduce strain energy. The clamping of the fixture elements prepares the fixture for the ensuing manufacturing process.
17 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of holding a work-piece on an adhesive fixture, comprising:
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providing a fixture having a fixture base and a plurality of fixing surfaces each capable of displacing relative to the fixture base, the fixture including a plurality of fixture elements each defining one of the fixing surfaces, each of the fixture elements being capable of displacing relative to the fixture base with prescribed degrees of freedom, the fixture further including a clamping system operable to selectively disengage so as to release displacement of each of the fixture elements relative to the fixture base or engage so as to stop displacement of each of the fixture elements relative to the fixture base, the fixture further having a suspension for each fixture element operable to support each fixture element in a nominal pose, wherein when the clamping system is disengaged, gravitational forces acting on the fixture elements are countered by the suspensions; adjoining adhesive to at least one of the fixing surfaces of the fixture elements; adhering the adhesive to the at least one fixing surface and to a work-piece to create an adhesive joint between the at least one fixing surface and the work-piece to restrain the work-piece during a manufacturing process; and disengaging the clamping system such that the fixture elements are displaceable; allowing each of the fixture elements to displace as the work-piece and adhesive joint obtain an equilibrium shape to reduce strain energy, wherein displacement of the fixing surfaces reducing stresses within the adhesive joint; and engaging the clamping system to stop the motion freedom of the fixture elements after the work-piece and adhesive joint have obtained their equilibrium shape; whereby the work-piece is allowed to obtain an equilibrium shape closer to a free state without rupturing the adhesive joint or substantially reducing its holding strength. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification