Reconfigurable tooling system for supporting a workpiece

• US 8,128,077 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2006
• Issued: 03/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Surface Generation Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Surface Generation Ltd.
• Inventors: Halford, Ben John
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Lee D
• Assistant Examiner(s): GRANT, ALVIN J
• Application Number:
  US12/066,830
• Publication Number:
  US 20090056517A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,000 Days
• Field of Search: 269/266, 269/21, 29557-559, 295/21, 297/00, 297/43, 297/59, 292/811, 724/13, 724/14
• US Class Current: 269/266
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 1/035 with an array of longitudinally movable rods defining a reconfigurable support surface
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/00 Devices holding, supporting, or positioning work or tools, of a kind normally removable from the machine work-tables or other parts, e.g. faceplates, normally not incorporating means for securing work B23Q1/00; automatic position control B23Q15/00 ; food cutting boards A47J47/00; workpiece support for dies B21D37/02; rotary tool heads for turning-machines B23B3/24, B23B3/26; non-driven tool holders B23B29/00; general features of turrets B23B29/24 ; drawbars in spindles B23B31/261; for electrical discharge machining B23H11/003; for welding B23K37/04; means for securing grinding wheels B24B45/00; mountings for abrasive wheels B24D5/16; tools or bench devices for fastening, connecting, disengaging or holding B25B ; chucks for percussive tools B25D17/084; work benches for manual work B25H1/00; devices for securing circular saw blades B27B5/32; for assembling or manufacturing aircrafts B64F5/10; for holding semiconductors or wafers H01L21/67; devices for holding circuit boards H05K13/0061
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49995 Shaping one-piece blank by removing material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49996 Successive distinct removal operations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/94 Tool-support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7876 Plural, axially spaced tool elements

Abstract

This invention relates to a tooling system comprising a plurality of elements (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64) having tessellating sides arranged in an array. The elements of the array being movable between a closed position in which the elements contact one another, and an open position in which the elements of the array are spaced apart. In the open position the elements are capable of vertical movement relative to one another. Drive means for opening and closing the array are provided and the elements are mounted on supporting rails (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14) and are driven by the drive means between the open position and the closed position along a drive axis which is at angle to the longitudinal axis of the supporting rails.

Claims

1. A tooling system comprising:

a plurality of elements arranged in an array and mounted on supporting rails, the elements of the array being movable between a closed position in which the elements have tessellating sides and in which the sides of adjacent elements contact one another and are secure in position, and an open position in which at least some of the elements of the array are spaced apart and are capable of vertical movement relative to one another, and

a drive configured to drive the array between open and closed positions along a drive axis that is at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the supporting rails, wherein each supporting rail has mounted thereon more than one element in the array such that the elements mounted on each rail are not adjacent elements of a row or column of the array.

2. A tooling system according to claim 1, wherein the elements are substantially rectangular in plan, and the drive axis is substantially parallel to the sides of these elements.

3. A tooling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting rails are mounted at an angle of 45°

or less to the drive axis.

4. A tooling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting rails are mounted at an angle of 30°

to the drive axis.

5. A tooling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting rails are provided with engagement means which co-operate with the drive means and are perpendicular to the drive axis.

6. A tooling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting rails are provided with engagement means which co-operate with the drive means and are at an angle to the drive axis.

7. A tooling system as claimed in claim wherein the elements of the array are provided with inter-element interlocking and/or alignment features.