Adhesive Fixture for Ceramic Workpiece Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Brittle ceramic materials face challenges in repeatable positioning due to surface wear and potential chipping or cracking under traditional fixturing methods, leading to variability in machining and manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of adhesive to secure ceramic members with tubular setting mounts and fixture members, providing a stable datum feature for precise positioning and minimizing deformation, allowing for consistent relocation and machining of ceramic articles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional contact point fixturing is used for ceramic articles, then positioning is achieved, but surface wear, chipping, or cracking occurs leading to variability in position upon relocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary adhesive layer between the ceramic article and the fixture contact points. This adhesive mediator prevents direct mechanical contact that causes surface damage, while still enabling secure positioning. The adhesive absorbs the mechanical stress that would otherwise be transmitted directly to the brittle ceramic surface, eliminating chipping and cracking while maintaining positioning accuracy and repeatability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the interface between the ceramic article and fixture from rigid mechanical contact to a bonded state using adhesive. This parameter change from direct solid-to-solid contact to adhesive-bonded contact fundamentally alters how forces are transmitted, preventing surface damage while maintaining positional stability. The adhesive allows for stress distribution across a larger area rather than concentrated contact points.
2Reliability
If adhesive is applied to secure ceramic members on fixture members, then positioning repeatability is improved, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies adhesive to the fixture members or ceramic articles in advance, before the actual positioning operation. This preliminary action ensures that when the ceramic article is placed on the fixture, the adhesive is already in position to provide immediate bonding. This eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustment mechanisms and simplifies the overall fixturing process while maintaining high repeatability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach ensures high accuracy and repeatability in the positioning of ceramic articles, reducing variability and damage, enabling precise machining and consistent manufacturing outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
applying adhesive to one or more of the ceramic member and the at least one fixture member
Data Source
AI summary
A method of providing datum features on a ceramic article including the steps of providing a ceramic member having a plurality of substantially parallel holes extending into the ceramic member. Providing a plurality of tubular mounts, the cross-sectional area of each tubular mount being less than the cross-sectional area of the corresponding hole. Applying adhesive to the exterior surface of each one of the tubular mounts and inserting an adhesive covered tubular mount into each one of the holes. Providing a fixture member having a plurality of substantially parallel projections extending from predetermined positions. Positioning the ceramic member on the fixture member such that each projection locates in one of the tubular mounts and fixes the tubular mounts at the predetermined positions. The ceramic article may be removed from the fixture member or located in a machine tool using the fixture member and machining the ceramic article.