Reconfigurable clamp for a flexible manufacturing system

• US 20050269756A1
• Filed: 06/03/2005
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Menassa, Roland J., Sears, Ivan G., Stevenson, Robin
• Application Number:
  US11/144,261
• Publication Number:
  US 20050269756A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 269/266
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 11/11 Spot welding
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 37/0435 Clamps
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 37/0443 Jigs
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 1/035 with an array of longitudinally movable rods defining a reconfigurable support surface

Abstract

Reconfigurable clamps, clamp systems are disclosed herein that are suitable for a flexible manufacturing process such as, for example, in the manufacture of automotive body panels. The reconfigurable clamp generally includes a body comprising a sleeve extending into a stationary portion and through a rotatable portion, wherein the rotatable portion includes a slot opening coaxially aligned with the sleeve, and wherein the slot opening comprises a termination point; a shaft fixedly attached to the rotatable portion; and a pin disposed in sliding engagement with the sleeve, wherein the pin comprises a head, a shaft extending from the head, and a compression spring in operative communication with the shaft and the stationary portion, wherein the shaft further comprises an engageable portion adapted to lockingly engage the termination point upon rotation of the rotatable portion.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable clamp, comprising:

a body comprising a sleeve extending into a stationary portion and through a rotatable portion, wherein the rotatable portion includes a slot opening coaxially aligned with the sleeve, and wherein the slot opening comprises a termination point;

a shaft fixedly attached to the rotatable portion; and

a pin disposed in sliding engagement with the sleeve, wherein the pin comprises a head, a shaft extending from the head, and a compression spring in operative communication with the shaft and the stationary portion, wherein the shaft further comprises an engageable portion adapted to lockingly engage the termination point upon rotation of the rotatable portion.

2. The reconfigurable clamp of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a plurality of pins spatially located therein, wherein each one of the plurality of pins is in sliding engagement with a selected one of a plurality of sleeves.

3. The reconfigurable clamp of claim 2, wherein the pin further comprises a protrusion extending from each one of the plurality of pins and wherein each one of the plurality of sleeves comprises a recess adapted to receive the protrusion and permit a limited amount of displacement to the plurality of pins.

4. The reconfigurable clamp of claim 1, further comprising a motor coupled to the shaft.

5. The reconfigurable clamp of claim 1, wherein the engageable portion comprises a serrated portion and the termination point comprises a complementary geometry.

6. The reconfigurable clamp of claim 1, wherein the body has at least one gimbaled surface.

7. The reconfigurable clamp of claim 1, wherein the engageable portion extends along a length of the shaft.

8. The reconfigurable clamp of claim 7, wherein the engageable portion extends along a portion of length of the shaft.

9. The reconfigurable clamp of claim 1, wherein the head further comprises a polymeric coating disposed thereon.

10. The reconfigurable clamp of claim 1, wherein the head has a diameter greater than a shaft diameter.

11. The reconfigurable clamp of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is dimensioned to prevent lateral movement of the pin.

12. The reconfigurable clamp of claim 1, wherein the termination point comprises a compliant material adapted to conform to the engageable portion upon contact therewith.

13. A reconfigurable clamp system, comprising:

a support comprising a body comprising a sleeve extending into a stationary portion and through a rotatable portion, wherein the rotatable portion includes a slot opening coaxially aligned with the sleeve, and wherein the slot opening comprises a termination point;

a shaft fixedly attached to the rotatable portion; and

a pin disposed in sliding engagement with the sleeve, wherein the pin comprises a head, a shaft extending from the head, and a compression spring in operative communication with the shaft and the stationary portion, wherein the shaft further comprises an engageable portion adapted to lockingly engage the termination point upon rotation of the rotatable portion; and

a member in operative communication with the support.

14. The reconfigurable clamp system of claim 13, wherein the body comprises a plurality of pins spatially located therein, wherein each one of the plurality of pins is in sliding engagement with a selected one of a plurality of sleeves.

15. The reconfigurable clamp of claim 13, wherein the engageable portion comprises a serrated portion and the termination point comprises a complementary geometry.

16. The reconfigurable clamp of claim 13, wherein the sleeve is dimensioned to prevent lateral movement of the pin.

17. The reconfigurable clamp of claim 13, wherein the termination point comprises a compliant material adapted to conform to the engageable portion upon contact therewith.

18. A process for clamping a workpiece, the process comprising:

loading a first workpiece onto a reconfigurable clamp, wherein the reconfigurable clamp comprises a support comprising a body comprising a sleeve extending into a stationary portion and through a rotatable portion, wherein the rotatable portion includes a slot opening coaxially aligned with the sleeve, and wherein the slot opening comprises a termination point;

a shaft fixedly attached to the rotatable portion; and

a pin disposed in sliding engagement with the sleeve, wherein the pin comprises a head, a shaft extending from the head, and a compression spring in operative communication with the shaft and the stationary portion, wherein the shaft further comprises an engageable portion adapted to lockingly engage the termination point upon rotation of the rotatable portion;

compressing the pin to conform substantially to a surface contour of the first workpiece;

rotating the rotatable portion in an amount and direction effective to engage the engageable portion with the termination point; and

applying a member to a backside of the first workpiece.

19. The process of claim 18, further comprising removing the member;

rotating the rotatable portion in an amount and direction effective to disengage the engageable portion from the termination point; and

removing the first workpiece from the reconfigurable clamp.

20. The process of claim 18, further comprising loading a second workpiece onto the reconfigurable clamp, wherein the second workpiece has a different surface contour than the first workpiece;

compressing the pin to conform substantially to a surface contour of the second workpiece;

rotating the rotatable portion in an amount and direction effective to cause the engageable portion to lockingly engage the termination point; and

applying a member to a backside of the surface of the second workpiece.

21. The process of claim 18, wherein the body comprises a plurality of pins spatially located therein, wherein each one of the plurality of pins is in sliding engagement with a selected one of a plurality of sleeves.