Tooling System

• US 7,726,167 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2004
• Issued: 06/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Surface Generation Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Surface Generation Ltd.
• Inventors: Halford, Ben John
• Primary Examiner(s): TOLAN, EDWARD THOMAS
• Application Number:
  US10/596,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20080122152A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,986 Days
• Field of Search: 72/201, 72/214, 723/11, 724/13, 724/41, 724/42, 724/44, 724/46, 724/48, 724/55, 724/56, 724/62, 724/73, 724/813, 724/818, 722/95, 722/98, 294/92
• US Class Current: 72/446
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 1/035 with an array of longitudinally movable rods defining a reconfigurable support surface
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 2230/002 Using the spindle for performing a non machining or non measuring operation, e.g. cleaning, actuating a mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 5/40 by feed shaft, e.g. lead screw
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 7/043 Construction of the grippers B23Q7/048 takes precedence

Abstract

A tooling system comprises a plurality of elements (24) arranged in an array, each element being supported on a cross rail (22) and being moveable relative to the other elements in the array. Each element terminates in a threaded support post (25) extending from a first end of the element, and is associated with a corresponding internally threaded aperture in the cross rail upon which the element is supported. The tooling system further comprises an adjusting component in the form of a fork (46) which is driveable in rotation and engageable with an element of the array to drive the element in rotation, upon rotation of the fork.

Claims

1. A tooling system which comprises a plurality of elements arranged in an array, each element being supported on a cross rail and being moveable relative to the other elements in the array, wherein each element includes a threaded support post extending from a first end thereof, each said threaded support post being associated with a corresponding internally threaded aperture in the cross rail upon which the element is supported such that each of said elements is rotatable, and wherein the tooling system further comprises an adjusting component in the form of a fork which is driveable in rotation and engageable with an element of the array to drive the element in rotation such that the threaded support post turns in the threaded aperture, upon rotation of the fork.

2. A tooling system according to claim 1, wherein the fork comprises a head portion, and a plurality of spaced tines depending from the head portion, the tines defining an adjustment area corresponding to the area of an element of the array.

3. A tooling system according to claim 2, wherein the fork comprises a substantially square head portion, from each of the four corners of which square head depends a tine, the tines defining an adjustment area corresponding to the area of an element of the array.

4. A tooling system according to claim 1, wherein the fork comprises an adjustable fork, the tines of which depend from a head portion, the position of which tines being adjustable relative to each other to define a plurality of differently sized adjustment areas.

5. A tooling system according to claim 1, wherein a radius described by rotation of the fork is less than or equal to a radius of rotation of an element in the array.

6. A tooling system according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible coupling and a driving means, the flexible coupling being configured to connect the fork to the driving means for driving the fork in rotation.

7. A tooling system according to claim 1, wherein the fork further includes added mass to increase a driving force of the fork.

8. A fork for use in the tooling system of claim 1, wherein the fork comprises a head portion, and a plurality of spaced tines depending from the head portion, each of the plurality of tines comprising a first section adjacent to the head portion and having an inwardly facing surface which together with the inwardly facing surfaces of the other tines defines an adjustment area and a second section remote from the head portion and having an inwardly facing guide surface.

9. A fork according to claim 8, wherein the inwardly facing guide surface of the second section of the tine is convex.

10. A fork according to claim 8, wherein the fork comprises a square head portion, from each of the four corners of which depends a tine, each of the four tines comprising a first section which is substantially triangular in cross-section, leading to a second section an inwardly facing surface of which tapers towards a free end of the tine.

11. A fork as claimed in claim 10, wherein the square head portion is adjustable in size, such that the tines are moveable relative to one another to define a plurality of differently sized adjustment areas, corresponding to differently sized elements.

12. A fork according to claim 8, wherein the tines are adapted to engage with an element of the array in gripping engagement.

13. A fork as claimed in claim 12, further comprising means for moving the tines away from the element and then pivoting them into engagement therewith.

14. A fork as claimed in claim 12, wherein the tines are configured to include expandable faces.

15. A tooling system, the tooling system comprising a plurality of elements arranged in an array, each element being supported on a cross rail and being moveable relative to other elements in the array, wherein each of the plurality of elements terminates in a threaded support post extending from a first end of the element, and each is associated with a corresponding internally threaded aperture in the cross rail upon which the element is supported, the tooling system further comprising an adjusting component in the form of a fork which is driveable in rotation and engageable with an element of the array to drive the element in rotation, upon rotation of the fork, the fork comprising a head portion and a plurality of spaced tines depending from the head portion, each of the plurality of tines comprising a first section adjacent to the head portion and having an inwardly facing surface which, together with the inwardly facing surfaces of the other tines, defines an adjustment area and a second section remote from the head portion and having an inwardly facing guide surface, said fork further comprising at least one sensor configured to detect a position of and measure a force applied to, an element of the array.