Manufacturing cell using tooling apparatus

• US 20040123447A1
• Filed: 02/20/2003
• Published: 07/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Elman, Larisa Alexandra, Ahti, Robert Allan, Dupuis, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 6,993,821 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/563
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/103 Constructional elements used for constructing work holders
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 37/00 Metal-working machines, or constructional combinations thereof, built-up from units designed so that at least some of the units can form parts of different machines or combinations; Units therefor in so far as the feature of interchangeability is important features relating to particular metal-working operations, see the relevant subclass, e.g. B23P23/00
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/003 Combinations of clamps
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/006 Supporting devices for clamps
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/14 Clamps for work of special profile using chains or strips B25B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 269/90 Supporting structure having work holder receiving apertures or projections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 269/902 Work holder member with v-shaped notch or groove
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 279/3462 Jaw insert
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5124 with means to feed work intermittently from one tool station to another
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5196 Multiple station with conveyor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/308624 with limit means to aid in positioning of cutter bit or work [e.g., gauge, stop, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/30868 Work support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/309016 with work holder or guide

Abstract

A manufacturing cell having a plurality of work stations, where at least one of the work station comprises a metalworking machine, and where at least one metalworking machine is provided with a modular tooling apparatus. The modular tooling apparatus consists of a base having one or more attachment surfaces, and one or more inserts that can be inserted semi-permanently to the attachment surfaces. The attachment surface is typically a pocket in the surface of the base. The insert has a workpiece support feature that can support and/or secure the workpiece into the proper position and orientation for machining. The base, pockets and inserts are configured to provide a characteristic location and orientation for the workpiece relative to the base, and to the metalworking machine. The modular tooling apparatus permits machining a family of workpiece members that are related but different in detail, by inserting an insert member from the family of inserts to properly position and orient the corresponding workpiece member, without needing to change, disconnect, or move the base tooling. The invention also provides a process for performing a plurality of metalworking operations on workpieces, employing the manufacturing cell described hereinabove.

Claims

1. A manufacturing cell for performing a plurality of metalworking operations on a workpiece, wherein the manufacturing cell comprises a plurality of work stations, and wherein at least one work station comprises:

(a) a metalworking machine; and

(b) modular tooling apparatus secured to a table of the metalworking machine, the modular tooling apparatus comprising;

(i) a base comprising;

a means for securing the base to the metalworking machine; and

an attachment surface having a locating feature; and

(ii) an insert associated with the attachment surface, the insert comprising a locating feature, and a workpiece support feature on a surface thereof;

wherein the locating feature on the insert is configured to associate with the locating feature of the attachment surface, thereby defining a location of the workpiece support feature relative to the base.

2. The manufacturing cell according to claim 1, wherein the attachment surface comprises a pocket, and wherein the insert is configured to associate with the pocket by sliding into an opening of the pocket.

3. The manufacturing cell according to claim 2, wherein the pocket and the insert are configured whereby the insert is restrained within the pocket in a plurality of directions.

4. The manufacturing cell according to claim 2, wherein the pocket is configured to restrain the insert within the pocket in all directions except one remaining direction.

5. The manufacturing cell according to claim 2, further comprising an insert securement for separably securing the insert in the pocket.

6. The manufacturing cell according to claim 2, wherein the insert securement is configured to move between a first position at which the insert is not secured and a second position at which the insert is secured, without use of a mechanic'"'"'s tool.

7. The manufacturing cell according to claim 3, wherein the pocket and the insert are configured whereby the metalworking operation exerts a force upon the insert in at least one of the plurality of restrained directions.

8. The manufacturing cell according to claim 1, wherein the attachment surface and an associated insert are moveable relative to the base.

9. The manufacturing cell according to claim 8, further comprising a first force means configured to apply upon the workpiece a force to secure the workpiece against the workpiece support feature.

10. The manufacturing cell according to claim 1, further comprising a second force means configured to apply upon the moveable pocket a force to secure the workpiece support feature of the insert against the workpiece.

11. The manufacturing cell according to claim 1, wherein the location of the workpiece support feature is semi-permanently fixed in position between the metalworking operation upon successive workpieces.

12. The manufacturing cell according to claim 2, wherein the insert comprises a pocket orientation feature, whereby the insert can be associated with the pocket in only one orientation.

13. The manufacturing cell according to claim 1, wherein the insert comprises a workpiece orientation feature, whereby the workpiece can be associated with the workpiece support feature of the insert in only one orientation.

14. The manufacturing cell according to claim 1, wherein the modular tooling apparatus comprises at least a first insert and a second insert, each insert having a locating feature, and each insert having a respective workpiece support feature on a surface thereof, and wherein the locating feature of each insert is configured to associate with the locating feature of the attachment surface.

15. The manufacturing cell according to claim 14, wherein the respective workpiece support features of the first and second inserts are configured to support first and second workpieces, respectively, wherein the workpieces are related in general configuration, but different in detail.

16. The manufacturing cell according to claim 14, wherein the respective support features of the first and second inserts are configured to support the same workpiece in different positions during sequential first and second metalworking operations, respectively.

17. A manufacturing cell for performing a plurality of metalworking operations on a workpiece, wherein the manufacturing cell comprises a plurality of work stations, and wherein at least one work station comprises:

(a) a metalworking machine comprising a table; and

(b) modular tooling apparatus secured to the table of the metalworking machine, the modular tooling apparatus comprising;

(i) a base comprising;

a securement for securing the base to a table of the metalworking machine; and

at least first and second attachment surfaces, each of the attachment surfaces comprising a locating feature on a surface thereof,

(ii) at least a first set of inserts comprising a first insert and a second insert associated with the first and second attachment surfaces, respectively, each of the inserts comprising a locating feature and a workpiece support feature on a surface thereof;

wherein each insert locating feature is configured to associate with the corresponding attachment surface locating feature, thereby defining a location of each workpiece support feature relative to the base.

18. The manufacturing cell according to claim 17, wherein the workpiece support features of all inserts included therewith collectively and cooperatively support a first workpiece and define a position of the workpiece relative to the base.

19. The manufacturing cell according to claim 17, wherein the base is comprised of a plurality of members semi-permanently joined together.

20. The manufacturing cell according to claim 17, wherein the base is comprised of at least one movable member and at least one non-movable member.

21. The manufacturing cell according to claim 19, wherein the movable member can be separably secured to the non-movable member.

22. The manufacturing cell according to claim 19, wherein the movable member is provided with an attachment surface.

23. The manufacturing cell according to claim 17, wherein the modular tooling apparatus further comprises an insert securement.

24. The manufacturing cell according to claim 18, additionally comprising a second set of inserts that replaces the first set of inserts for performing a metalworking operation on a second workpiece that is related but different in detail from the first workpiece.

25. The manufacturing cell according to claim 24, wherein each set of inserts supports a workpiece having a characteristic configuration.

26. The manufacturing cell according to claim 18, wherein the modular tooling apparatus comprises at least a second set of inserts, each insert having a locating feature, and each insert having a respective workpiece support feature on a surface thereof, and wherein the locating feature of each insert is configured to associate, respectively, with the locating feature of the pockets.

27. The manufacturing cell according to claim 26, wherein the respective workpiece support features of the first and second sets of inserts are configured to support first and second workpieces, respectively, wherein the workpieces are related in general configuration, but different in detail.

28. The manufacturing cell according to claim 26, wherein the respective support features of the first and second sets of inserts are configured to support the same workpiece in different positions during sequential first and second metalworking operations, respectively.

29. A process for performing, in a manufacturing cell, a plurality of metalworking operations on a workpiece, the process comprising the following steps:

(a) providing a workpiece;

(b) providing a manufacturing cell comprising a plurality of work stations, at least two work stations comprising a metalworking machine comprising a table;

(c) providing, for at least one metalworking machine, a modular tooling apparatus for securing the workpiece in the metalworking machine, the modular tooling apparatus comprising;

(i) a base comprising at least first and second attachment surfaces therein, each of the attachment surfaces having a locating feature on a surface thereof;

(ii) a set of inserts, comprising at least first and second inserts, corresponding to the first and second attachment surfaces, respectively, each of the inserts having a locating feature configured to associate with the locating feature in the corresponding attachment surface, and a workpiece support feature on a surface thereof;

(iii) a securement for separably securing each insert in its corresponding attachment surface; and

(iv) means for separably securing the workpiece to the workpiece support feature;

wherein the workpiece support features of the inserts collectively and cooperatively support the workpiece and define a location thereof relative to the base;

(d) securing the modular tooling apparatus semi-permanently to the table of the metalworking machine;

(e) securing the workpiece to the workpiece support feature;

(f) performing a first metalworking operation on the workpiece;

(g) removing the workpiece from the modular tooling apparatus;

(h) securing the workpiece in a second metalworking machine;

(i) performing a second metalworking operation on the workpiece; and

(j) removing the workpiece from the second metalworking machine.

30. The process according to claim 29 for performing a plurality of metalworking operations on a plurality of identical workpieces, additionally comprising the steps of:

(k) cleaning chips from each modular tooling apparatus;

(l) providing another first workpiece; and

(m) repeating steps (e) through (k) for the another first workpiece and each subsequently provided first workpiece.

31. The process according to claim 29, wherein the process is performed on a second workpiece that is similar in general configuration but different in detail from the first workpiece, and wherein the following additional steps are provided after step (j):

(n) removing the first set of inserts from the respective atatchmetn surfaces of the base;

(o) providing a second workpiece;

(p) providing a second set of inserts comprising at least a third insert and a fourth insert, corresponding to the first and second attachment surfaces respectively, each of the inserts having a locating feature configured to associate with the locating feature in the corresponding attachment surface, and a workpiece support feature on a surface thereof;

(q) associating and securing the second set of inserts into the respective attachment surfaces;

(r) securing the second workpiece to the workpiece support feature of the second set of inserts;

(s) repeating steps (f) through (j).

32. The process according to claim 31 wherein, after step (q) and before step (s), the base is not re-aligned with the metalworking machine.