Positioning tool for machining of a speed reducer
By designing a positioning fixture for gear reducer machining and adopting a combination structure of positioning bolts and clamping components, the problems of inaccurate positioning and clamping deformation of the flexible wheel during honing were solved, thus achieving stable clamping and high-precision machining of the flexible wheel.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CHANGZHOU ZHONGYONG TRANSMISSION EQUIP CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-23
AI Technical Summary
In the honing process of the flexible wheel of the harmonic reducer, the existing workpiece fixtures are difficult to achieve precise positioning, reliable clamping and without causing clamping deformation, which affects the machining accuracy of the flexible wheel.
A positioning fixture for speed reducer machining was designed, including a fixture base and a clamping assembly. Positioning and circumferential limiting are provided by positioning bolts, and the clamping assembly achieves vertical clamping and fixation to avoid clamping deformation. Different types of flexible wheels are adapted by staggered positioning screw holes. Combined with an eccentric cam and lifting pressure plate structure, the flexible wheels are stably clamped and the cutting fluid is discharged.
This achieves stable clamping of the flexible wheel, avoids clamping deformation, improves the versatility and machining accuracy of the tooling, and ensures the positioning accuracy and reliability of the flexible wheel during honing.
Smart Images

Figure CN224390801U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of speed reducer processing technology, and in particular to a positioning fixture for speed reducer processing. Background Technology
[0002] A harmonic reducer is a device that achieves precision transmission based on the principle of elastic deformation. The three key components of a harmonic reducer are a wave generator, a flexible wheel, and a rigid wheel. During operation, the wave generator (input) is inserted into the inner hole of the flexible wheel, which is stretched into an ellipse. The external teeth of the flexible wheel at the major axis of the ellipse are fully engaged with the internal teeth of the rigid wheel, while the teeth of the flexible wheel at the minor axis of the ellipse are completely disengaged from the teeth of the rigid wheel. When the wave generator rotates, the engagement point of the flexible wheel moves accordingly. Since the number of teeth (N) of the flexible wheel is less than the number of teeth (N+2) of the rigid wheel, for every clockwise rotation of the wave generator, the flexible wheel will rotate in the opposite direction by 2 teeth relative to the fixed rigid wheel, thus achieving a large reduction ratio.
[0003] The honing process of the inner hole of the flex wheel in a harmonic reducer is a very critical and precise manufacturing step. In this process, the design of the workpiece fixture is particularly important in order to ensure the honing accuracy of the flex wheel. It is necessary to ensure that the flex wheel is accurately positioned and reliably clamped during the honing process without causing new clamping deformation. Based on this, a positioning fixture for reducer machining is provided. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a positioning fixture for machining speed reducers, in order to achieve stable clamping of the flexible gear.
[0005] A positioning fixture for machining a speed reducer includes a fixture base. The fixture base includes a positioning seat, a circular groove, a central screw hole, a positioning screw hole, and a square groove. The circular groove and the square groove are respectively formed at the upper and lower ends of the positioning seat. The central screw hole is located at the center of the bottom of the inner wall of the circular groove. The central screw holes are arranged in pairs and symmetrically arranged in a ring around the center screw hole at the bottom of the inner wall of the circular groove. A clamping assembly is provided at the bottom of the square groove and inside the central screw hole. The clamping assembly is used to clamp and fix a cup-shaped flexible wheel. A positioning bolt is installed in the internal thread of the positioning screw hole. The positioning bolt is used to provide positioning for the installation of the cup-shaped flexible wheel.
[0006] By adopting the above technical solution, the positioning bolt provides positioning and circumferential rotation limit for the installation of the cup-shaped flexible wheel, and the clamping assembly provides vertical clamping and fixing for the cup-shaped flexible wheel without causing clamping deformation to the cup-shaped flexible wheel.
[0007] The cup-shaped flexible wheel consists of a flexible wheel body, a central hole, and mounting holes. The central hole is located at the bottom center of the flexible wheel body. Multiple mounting holes are arranged in a ring around the central hole and located at the bottom of the flexible wheel body. The diameter of the multiple sets of positioning screw holes increases sequentially to match the mounting hole distribution diameter of different models of cup-shaped flexible wheels. The diameter of the top nut of the positioning bolt matches the inner diameter of the positioning screw hole, and the height of the top nut of the positioning bolt is greater than the height of the positioning screw hole.
[0008] By adopting the above technical solution, positioning bolts can be installed on the positioning screw holes at the corresponding positions according to the diameter distribution of the mounting holes on the cup-shaped flexible wheel to be processed, which can effectively improve the versatility of tooling.
[0009] The clamping assembly includes a T-shaped clamping seat, a T-shaped conical column, side T-shaped locking blocks, and a return spring. The T-shaped clamping seat is threaded into the center screw hole and protrudes into the circular groove. The T-shaped conical column is vertically slidably installed on the inner side of the T-shaped clamping seat. The side T-shaped locking blocks are distributed in a ring around the T-shaped conical column at the top of the inner side of the T-shaped clamping seat, and the side of the side T-shaped locking blocks is in contact with the side of the conical surface at the top of the T-shaped conical column. The interior of the T-shaped clamping seat is formed with a cavity for the vertical extension and retraction of the T-shaped conical column and the horizontal extension and retraction of the side T-shaped locking blocks. The return spring is distributed on the side of the side T-shaped locking block away from the conical surface of the T-shaped conical column and the inner wall diameter of the cavity, and is used to provide thrust for the extension and retraction and return of the side T-shaped locking blocks. When the flexible wheel body is sleeved on the outside of the top protrusion of the T-shaped clamping seat through the center hole, the upward movement of the T-shaped conical column squeezes the multiple side T-shaped locking blocks to move outward and press them against the bottom of the inner wall of the flexible wheel body, thereby achieving clamping and fixing of the flexible wheel body.
[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, the side T-shaped locking block moves outward to clamp the bottom of the flexible wheel body, thereby avoiding compression deformation of the vertical part of the flexible wheel body and avoiding the processing position, so as not to affect the processing operation.
[0011] The outer diameter of the top protrusion of the T-shaped clamping seat matches the inner diameter of the central hole, the height of the top protrusion of the T-shaped clamping seat is greater than the height of the central hole, and the height between the lower surface of the side T-shaped locking block and the bottom of the inner wall of the circular groove matches the bottom thickness of the flexible wheel body.
[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, the stability of the flexible wheel body in the clamped state can be effectively guaranteed.
[0013] The clamping assembly also includes a lifting pressure plate, a top column, a rotating shaft, and an eccentric cam. The lifting pressure plate is vertically slidably installed inside the square groove. The top column is fixed to the top center of the lifting pressure plate and extends through to the inside of the T-shaped clamping seat, fitting against the bottom of the T-shaped conical column. The rotating shaft extends from the outside of the positioning seat into the inside of the square groove and is fixedly connected to the eccentric cam. The rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the positioning seat. The eccentric cam fits against the bottom of the lifting pressure plate. The rotation of the rotating shaft drives the eccentric cam to rotate and squeeze the lifting pressure plate to provide upward moving force for the lifting pressure plate.
[0014] By adopting the above technical solution, the eccentric cam rotates upward to squeeze the lifting pressure plate, causing the top column to squeeze the T-shaped cone column to move upward, thus realizing the outward movement operation of the side T-shaped locking block.
[0015] The multiple sets of positioning screw holes are staggered along the circumferential direction, and the bottom of the positioning screw holes is provided with through holes that penetrate to the inside of the square groove. The top of the lifting plate is provided with multiple drainage holes aligned with the through holes, and the drainage holes completely penetrate the bottom of the lifting plate.
[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the cutting fluid can be discharged downward through the through hole and drain hole during the machining process, thus avoiding the accumulation of cutting fluid inside the empty positioning screw hole.
[0017] When the eccentric cam rotates to its highest point, the surface that presses against the bottom of the lifting pressure plate is a horizontal surface.
[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, the eccentric cam fits against the bottom of the lifting pressure plate on the horizontal plane, which not only limits the rotation angle of the eccentric cam, but also makes the state of the eccentric cam more stable.
[0019] The beneficial effects of this utility model of a positioning fixture for machining a speed reducer are:
[0020] By setting a tooling base with positioning screw holes and positioning bolts, the cup-shaped flexible wheel can be positioned and limited in the circumferential direction. By setting a clamping component, the cup-shaped flexible wheel can be vertically limited, thereby enabling the cup-shaped flexible wheel to be quickly loaded and unloaded without causing clamping deformation. In addition, through multiple sets of positioning screw holes with different diameters and the detachable and replaceable structure of the T-shaped clamping base, it can adapt to the processing of cup-shaped flexible wheels of different models and specifications, making the device more versatile. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the positioning fixture for machining the speed reducer proposed in this utility model;
[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the cup-shaped flexible wheel fixed in the positioning fixture for machining the speed reducer proposed in this utility model.
[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the bottom structure of the positioning seat of the positioning fixture for machining the speed reducer proposed in this utility model;
[0024] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the positioning seat of the positioning fixture for machining a speed reducer proposed in this utility model;
[0025] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the positioning seat and T-shaped clamping seat of the positioning fixture for machining speed reducers proposed in this utility model;
[0026] Figure 6 This is a sectional view of the T-shaped clamping seat of the positioning fixture for machining the speed reducer proposed in this utility model;
[0027] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the T-shaped clamping seat of the positioning fixture for machining the speed reducer proposed in this utility model;
[0028] Figure 8 This is a structural exploded view of the lifting pressure plate and eccentric cam of the positioning fixture for speed reducer processing proposed in this utility model.
[0029] In the diagram: 1. Tooling base; 101. Positioning base; 102. Circular groove; 103. Center screw hole; 104. Positioning screw hole; 105. Square groove; 2. Positioning bolt; 3. Clamping assembly; 301. T-shaped clamping base; 302. T-shaped cone column; 303. Side T-shaped locking block; 304. Return spring; 305. Lifting pressure plate; 306. Top column; 307. Rotating shaft; 308. Eccentric cam; 309. Drain hole; 4. Cup-shaped flexible wheel; 401. Flexible wheel body; 402. Center hole; 403. Mounting hole. Detailed Implementation
[0030] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that the advantages and features of the present invention can be more easily understood by those skilled in the art, thereby providing a clearer and more definite definition of the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0031] Reference Figures 1 to 8 A positioning fixture for machining a speed reducer includes a fixture base 1, which includes a positioning base 101, a circular groove 102, a central screw hole 103, a positioning screw hole 104, and a square groove 105.
[0032] Circular groove 102 and square groove 105 are respectively formed on the upper and lower ends of the positioning base 101. The central screw hole 103 is opened in the middle of the bottom of the inner wall of the circular groove 102. The central screw holes 103 are in pairs and are symmetrically opened in a ring around the center of the central screw hole 103 at the bottom of the inner wall of the circular groove 102.
[0033] A clamping component 3 is provided at the bottom of the square groove 105 and inside the central screw hole 103. The clamping component 3 is used to clamp and fix the cup-shaped flexible wheel 4.
[0034] The internal thread of the positioning screw hole 104 is fitted with a positioning bolt 2, which is used to provide positioning for the installation of the cup-shaped flexible wheel 4;
[0035] The cup-shaped flexible wheel 4 consists of a flexible wheel body 401, a central hole 402, and mounting holes 403. The central hole 402 is located in the middle of the bottom of the flexible wheel body 401. Multiple mounting holes 403 are arranged in a ring around the central hole 402 and are located at the bottom of the flexible wheel body 401.
[0036] The diameter of the annular distribution of multiple sets of positioning screw holes 104 increases sequentially to match the distribution diameter of the mounting holes 403 of different models of cup-shaped flexible wheels 4;
[0037] The diameter of the top nut of the positioning bolt 2 matches the inner diameter of the positioning screw hole 104, and the height of the top nut of the positioning bolt 2 is greater than the height of the positioning screw hole 104.
[0038] The clamping assembly 3 includes a T-shaped clamping seat 301, a T-shaped cone column 302, a side T-shaped locking block 303, a return spring 304, a lifting pressure plate 305, a top column 306, a rotating shaft 307, and an eccentric cam 308.
[0039] The T-shaped clamping seat 301 is threaded into the center screw hole 103 and protrudes into the circular groove 102. The T-shaped cone 302 is vertically slidably installed on the inner side of the T-shaped clamping seat 301. The side T-shaped locking blocks 303 are distributed in a ring around the T-shaped cone 302 on the top inner side of the T-shaped clamping seat 301, and the side of the side T-shaped locking blocks 303 is attached to the side of the top conical surface of the T-shaped cone 302.
[0040] Furthermore, the T-shaped clamping seat 301 has an internal cavity for the vertical telescopic movement of the T-shaped cone column 302 and the horizontal telescopic movement of the side T-shaped locking block 303;
[0041] The return spring 304 is distributed on the side of the side T-shaped locking block 303 away from the conical surface of the T-shaped cone 302 and the inner wall diameter of the cavity, and is used to provide thrust for the telescopic return of the side T-shaped locking block 303;
[0042] When the flexible wheel body 401 is sleeved on the outside of the top protrusion of the T-shaped clamping seat 301 through the central hole 402, the T-shaped cone 302 moves upward to squeeze multiple side T-shaped locking blocks 303 to move outward and press them against the bottom of the inner wall of the flexible wheel body 401, thereby achieving the clamping and fixing of the flexible wheel body 401.
[0043] The lifting pressure plate 305 is vertically slidably installed inside the square groove 105, and the top column 306 is fixed to the top center of the lifting pressure plate 305 and extends through to the inside of the T-shaped clamping seat 301 and fits against the bottom of the T-shaped cone column 302.
[0044] The rotating shaft 307 extends from the outside of the positioning seat 101 into the square groove 105 and is fixedly connected to the eccentric cam 308. The rotating shaft 307 is rotatably connected to the positioning seat 101, and the eccentric cam 308 is attached to the bottom of the lifting pressure plate 305.
[0045] The rotation of the rotating shaft 307 drives the eccentric cam 308 to rotate and press the lifting pressure plate 305 to provide upward moving force for the lifting pressure plate 305.
[0046] The outer diameter of the top protrusion of the T-shaped clamping seat 301 matches the inner diameter of the center hole 402. The height of the top protrusion of the T-shaped clamping seat 301 is greater than the height of the center hole 402. The height between the lower surface of the side T-shaped locking block 303 and the bottom of the inner wall of the circular groove 102 matches the bottom thickness of the flexible wheel body 401.
[0047] In this embodiment: the cup-shaped flexible wheel 4 can be placed on the positioning seat 101, wherein the central hole 401 is sleeved on the outer side of the top protrusion of the T-shaped clamping seat 301 (it should be noted that the side T-shaped locking block 303 is in a retracted state at this time), and any two symmetrically distributed mounting holes 402 are sleeved on the outer side of the top nut of the positioning bolt 2.
[0048] Then, manually rotate the shaft 309 to drive the eccentric cam 308 to rotate upward. The eccentric cam 308 rotates upward and squeezes the lifting pressure plate 305 and the top column 306 to move upward as a whole. The top column 306 pushes the T-shaped cone column 302 to move upward. The T-shaped cone column 302 squeezes multiple side T-shaped locking blocks 303 through the top cone part, providing them with horizontal thrust. This causes the multiple side T-shaped locking blocks 303 to move outward and squeeze the reset spring 304 to further contract. Finally, the eccentric cam 308 is vertically upward. At this time, the parts of the multiple side T-shaped locking blocks 303 that protrude from the outside of the T-shaped clamping seat 301 are pressed against the bottom of the inner wall of the flexible wheel body 401. This completes the clamping and fixing of the cup-shaped flexible wheel 4.
[0049] Please refer to this carefully. Figures 4 to 6 Multiple sets of positioning screw holes 104 are staggered along the circumferential direction, and the bottom of the positioning screw holes 104 is provided with a through hole that extends to the inside of the square groove 105.
[0050] The top of the lifting pressure plate 305 has multiple drainage holes 309 aligned with the through holes, and the drainage holes 309 completely penetrate the bottom of the lifting pressure plate 305.
[0051] In this embodiment, the through hole and drain hole 309 structure allows the cutting fluid to drain downward through the through hole and drain hole 309 when it enters the empty positioning screw hole 104, thus preventing the cutting fluid from accumulating inside the empty positioning screw hole 104.
[0052] Please refer to this carefully. Figures 1 to 4 When the eccentric cam 308 rotates to its highest point, the surface that presses against the bottom of the lifting pressure plate 305 is a horizontal surface.
[0053] In this embodiment: when the eccentric cam 308 is vertically upward, it can not only limit the rotation angle of the eccentric cam 308 by lifting the bottom of the horizontal pressure plate 305, but also make the eccentric cam 308 less prone to deflection, thus ensuring stability during use (it should be noted that there is also frictional resistance between the eccentric cam 308 and the lifting pressure plate 305, as well as between the rotating shaft 307 and the positioning seat 101, to ensure structural stability during use).
[0054] Working principle: It should be noted that this fixture is mainly used for the machining of cup-shaped flexible wheels. The worktable 1 is pre-fixed on the worktable of the lathe for machining cup-shaped flexible wheels. The mounting fixture is a commonly used fixture on existing lathes, which will not be described in detail here. The usage method of this fixture is as follows:
[0055] First, according to the diameter distribution of the mounting holes 403 on the cup-shaped flexible wheel 4 to be processed, install the positioning bolts 2 into the corresponding positioning screw holes 104;
[0056] Then, the cup-shaped flexible wheel 4 can be placed on the positioning seat 101, wherein the central hole 401 is sleeved on the outside of the top protrusion of the T-shaped clamping seat 301 (it should be noted that the side T-shaped locking block 303 is in a retracted state at this time), and any two symmetrically distributed mounting holes 402 are sleeved on the outside of the top nut of the positioning bolt 2.
[0057] Then, manually rotate the shaft 309 to drive the eccentric cam 308 to rotate upward. The eccentric cam 308 rotates upward and squeezes the lifting pressure plate 305 and the top column 306 to move upward as a whole. The top column 306 pushes the T-shaped cone column 302 to move upward. The T-shaped cone column 302 squeezes multiple side T-shaped locking blocks 303 through the top cone part, providing them with horizontal thrust. This causes the multiple side T-shaped locking blocks 303 to move outward and squeeze the return spring 304 to further contract. Finally, the eccentric cam 308 is vertically upward. At this time, the parts of the multiple side T-shaped locking blocks 303 that protrude from the outside of the T-shaped clamping seat 301 are pressed against the bottom of the inner wall of the flexible wheel body 401. This completes the clamping and fixing of the cup-shaped flexible wheel 4.
[0058] It should also be noted that the T-shaped clamping seat 301 and the central screw hole 103 are connected by a threaded structure, which can be easily disassembled and assembled. Therefore, the T-shaped clamping seat 301, the T-shaped cone 302, and the side T-shaped locking block 303 can be replaced according to the model and specifications of the cup-shaped flexible wheel 4 to be processed.
[0059] The embodiments described above are merely examples of several implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. A positioning tool for machining a speed reducer, characterized by: The fixture includes a tooling base (1), which includes a positioning base (101), a circular groove (102), a central screw hole (103), a positioning screw hole (104), and a square groove (105). The circular groove (102) and the square groove (105) are respectively formed on the upper and lower ends of the positioning base (101). The central screw hole (103) is opened in the middle of the bottom of the inner wall of the circular groove (102). The central screw holes (103) are arranged in pairs and are symmetrically arranged in a ring around the center of the central screw hole (103) on the bottom of the inner wall of the circular groove (102). The bottom of the square groove (105) and the interior of the central screw hole (103) are provided with a clamping component (3). The clamping component (3) is used to clamp and fix the cup-shaped flexible wheel (4). The internal thread of the positioning screw hole (104) is fitted with a positioning bolt (2). The positioning bolt (2) is used to provide positioning for the installation of the cup-shaped flexible wheel (4).
2. The positioning tool for machining of a reduction gear according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cup-shaped flexible wheel (4) consists of a flexible wheel body (401), a central hole (402), and mounting holes (403). The central hole (402) is located at the bottom center of the flexible wheel body (401). Multiple mounting holes (403) are arranged in a ring around the central hole (402) and located at the bottom of the flexible wheel body (401). The diameter of the multiple sets of positioning screw holes (104) increases sequentially to match the diameter of the mounting holes (403) of different models of cup-shaped flexible wheels (4). The diameter of the top nut of the positioning bolt (2) matches the inner diameter of the positioning screw hole (104), and the height of the top nut of the positioning bolt (2) is greater than the height of the positioning screw hole (104).
3. The positioning fixture for machining a speed reducer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The clamping assembly (3) includes a T-shaped clamping seat (301), a T-shaped cone (302), a side T-shaped locking block (303), and a return spring (304). The T-shaped clamping seat (301) is threaded into the center screw hole (103) and protrudes into the circular groove (102). The T-shaped cone (302) is vertically slidably installed on the inner side of the T-shaped clamping seat (301). The side T-shaped locking blocks (303) are distributed in a ring around the T-shaped cone (302) on the top inner side of the T-shaped clamping seat (301), and the side of the side T-shaped locking block (303) is attached to the side of the top conical surface of the T-shaped cone (302). The interior is formed with a cavity for the vertical telescopic movement of the T-shaped cone (302) and the horizontal telescopic movement of the side T-shaped locking blocks (303). The reset spring (304) is distributed on the side of the side T-shaped locking block (303) away from the cone surface of the T-shaped cone (302) and the inner wall diameter of the cavity, and is used to provide thrust for the telescopic reset of the side T-shaped locking blocks (303). When the flexible wheel body (401) is sleeved on the outside of the top protrusion of the T-shaped clamping seat (301) through the central hole (402), the upward movement of the T-shaped cone (302) squeezes the multiple side T-shaped locking blocks (303) to move outward and press them against the bottom of the inner wall of the flexible wheel body (401), so as to realize the clamping and fixing of the flexible wheel body (401).
4. The positioning fixture for machining a speed reducer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outer diameter of the top protrusion of the T-shaped clamping seat (301) matches the inner diameter of the center hole (402), the height of the top protrusion of the T-shaped clamping seat (301) is greater than the height of the center hole (402), and the height between the lower surface of the side T-shaped locking block (303) and the bottom of the inner wall of the circular groove (102) matches the bottom thickness of the flexible wheel body (401).
5. The positioning fixture for machining a speed reducer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The clamping assembly (3) further includes a lifting pressure plate (305), a top column (306), a rotating shaft (307), and an eccentric cam (308). The lifting pressure plate (305) is vertically slidably installed inside the square groove (105). The top column (306) is fixed to the top center of the lifting pressure plate (305) and extends through to the inside of the T-shaped clamping seat (301) and fits against the bottom of the T-shaped cone column (302). The rotating shaft (307) extends from the outside of the positioning seat (101) into the inside of the square groove (105) and is fixedly connected to the eccentric cam (308). The rotating shaft (307) is rotatably connected to the positioning seat (101). The eccentric cam (308) fits against the bottom of the lifting pressure plate (305). The rotation of the rotating shaft (307) drives the eccentric cam (308) to rotate and squeeze the lifting pressure plate (305) to provide upward moving force for the lifting pressure plate (305).
6. The positioning fixture for machining a speed reducer according to claim 5, characterized in that: The multiple sets of positioning screw holes (104) are staggered along the circumferential direction, and the bottom of the positioning screw holes (104) is provided with through holes that penetrate to the inside of the square groove (105). The top of the lifting plate (305) is provided with multiple drain holes (309) aligned with the through holes, and the drain holes (309) completely penetrate the bottom of the lifting plate (305).
7. The positioning fixture for machining a speed reducer according to claim 5, characterized in that: When the eccentric cam (308) rotates to its highest point, the surface that presses against the bottom of the lifting pressure plate (305) is a horizontal surface.