Electromagnetic work holding system

• US 20090251252A1
• Filed: 04/03/2008
• Published: 10/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Herman, Keith Alan, Martinez Diez, Fernando, Wang, Huijun
• Application Number:
  US12/078,675
• Publication Number:
  US 20090251252A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 335/290
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 37/0408 for planar work
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/1543 using electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 11/002 Magnetic work holders
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 15/0052 multiple gripper units or multiple end effectors
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 15/0608 with magnetic holding means
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/0054 Cooling means

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a work holding system. The work holding system may include a plurality of electromagnets connected to a support structure and configured to fix a magnetic workpiece to the support structure. Further the work holding system may include a controller configured to selectively adjust an activation state of one or more electromagnets based upon a proximity of work being done on the magnetic workpiece.

Claims

1. A work holding system, comprising:

a plurality of electromagnets connected to a support structure and configured to fix a magnetic workpiece to the support structure; and

a controller configured to selectively adjust an activation state of one or more electromagnets based upon a proximity of work being done on the magnetic workpiece.

2. The work holding system of claim 1, wherein the selective adjustment of the activation state of the one or more electromagnets includes reducing a flow of electrical energy to the one or more electromagnets.

3. The work holding system of claim 1, wherein the selective adjustment of the activation state of the one or more electromagnets includes eliminating a flow of electrical energy to the one or more electromagnets.

4. The work holding system of claim 1, where in the selective adjustment of the activation state of the one or more electromagnets includes reducing a flow of the electrical energy to the one or more electromagnets so that an electromagnetic field does not affect the work being done, and thereafter includes increasing a flow of electrical energy to the one or more electromagnets.

5. The work holding system of claim 1, wherein the selective adjustment of the activation state of the one or more electromagnets includes using a predetermined adjustment sequence stored within a memory of the controller.

9. The work holding system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to command a tool that is doing the work on the magnetic workpiece.

10. The work holding system of claim 9, wherein the tool includes an arc welding machine.

6. The work holding system of claim i, wherein the selective adjustment of the activation state of the one or more electromagnets is based on a sensed condition.

7. The work holding system of claim 6, wherein the sensed condition is associated with the work being done on the magnetic workpiece.

8. The work holding system of claim 7, wherein the sensed condition is a change in temperature sensed by a temperature sensor associated with the plurality of electromagnets as work is being done on the magnetic workpiece.

11. A method of controlling a work holding system, comprising:

selectively activating a plurality of electromagnets to hold a magnetic workpiece to the work holding system; and

selectively adjusting one or more electromagnets based upon a position of the tool acting on the magnetic workpiece with respect to a position of the one or more electromagnets.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the selective activation of the plurality of electromagnets to hold the magnetic workpiece includes activating less than all of the plurality of electromagnets to hold the magnetic workpiece.

13. The method of claim 11, further including sensing a parameter indicative of the position of the tool.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the parameter includes a temperature associated with the magnetic workpiece as work is being done on the magnetic workpiece.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the selective adjustment of the activation state of the one or more electromagnets includes a predetermined adjustment sequence stored in a controller of the work holding system.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the selective adjustment of the activation state of the one or more electromagnets includes reducing a flow of electrical energy to the one or more electromagnets.

17. A system for use with a magnetic workpiece, comprising:

a fabrication apparatus;

a work holding system;

a plurality of electromagnets disposed within the work holding system and configured to connect the magnetic workpiece with the work holding system when activated; and

a controller configured to selectively adjust one or more electromagnets within the plurality of electromagnets based upon a position of the fabrication apparatus.

18. The fabrication system of claim 17, wherein the selective adjustment of the one or more electromagnets includes using a predetermined adjustment sequence stored within a memory of the controller.

19. The fabrication system of claim 17, wherein the selective adjustment of the one or more electromagnets is based on a sensed change in temperature associated with the magnetic workpiece as work is being done on the magnetic workpiece.

20. The fabrication system of claim 17, wherein the selective adjustment of the one or more electromagnets is based on position commands sent to a robotic effector arm of the work holding system.