Angularly Adjustable Support Tool Index for Hole Alignment Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current manufacturing techniques face challenges in aligning component parts and fasteners accurately, particularly when pre-drilled holes do not line up, leading to difficulties in determining misalignment sources and assessing product quality without expensive and invasive methods.
Innovation Solution
The development of angularly adjustable support tool indexes, which include an index component, a trapped ball and socket joint, a bushing, and a retaining lock, allows for pivotal adjustment and locking of the index component relative to a support fixture, enabling precise alignment and support of parts during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional fixtured tooling techniques are used to force component parts into certain positions, then assembly alignment is achieved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates when parts do not fit together as expected
Solution Approach 1:
The support tool index incorporates a ball and socket joint mechanism that allows dynamic angular adjustment of the index component relative to the support fixture. This enables the system to adapt to manufacturing variations in pre-drilled holes while maintaining proper alignment, transforming a static fixturing system into a dynamically adjustable one that compensates for part tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the angular parameter of the tool index by allowing pivotal adjustment through the ball and socket joint. This parameter change enables the index component to be oriented at different angles to match the actual orientation of pre-drilled holes in parts, accommodating manufacturing variations without requiring expensive rework or specialized measurement equipment.
2Measurement precision
If expensive techniques such as theodolites or laser trackers are used to measure angular variation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a simplified copy or substitute for expensive measurement equipment by using a support tool index with a ball and socket joint that can be visually aligned and measured with basic tools. Instead of requiring complex laser trackers or theodolites, the system provides a physical reference that can be aligned and measured with simpler, more accessible equipment while still achieving the necessary measurement precision for production purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The support tool index appears to be a relatively simple, inexpensive fixture component compared to expensive laser trackers or theodolites. The indexing component with ball and socket joint can be manufactured at lower cost and is designed for production use rather than requiring expensive specialized measurement equipment, making quality measurement accessible in a production environment.
3Productivity
If pre-drilled holes are aligned during component fabrication, then productivity is improved by allowing parallel manufacturing, but manufacturing precision deteriorates when holes do not line up during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The support tool index is prepared in advance with a nominal orientation that can be quickly adjusted during assembly. The indexing component is pre-configured with reference features that allow for rapid angular adjustment via the ball and socket joint, enabling workers to compensate for hole misalignment without delaying production or requiring complex real-time measurement and adjustment procedures.
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 solution provides a cost-effective means to measure angular variations and ensure accurate alignment of parts, reducing production delays and enhancing quality control by allowing real-time precision measurements within assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
a trapped ball and socket joint configured to allow pivotal adjustment and/or axial adjustment of the index component with respect to a support fixture
Data Source
AI summary
An angularly adjustable support tool index for aligning a tool relative to a hole of a part includes an index component having an indexing face positioned against the part. A trapped ball and socket joint allows pivotal adjustment of the index component with respect to a support fixture, which is configured to adjust the index component to align with and support the part. A bushing couples the index component to the ball and socket joint, and a retaining lock secures the bushing in place with respect to the support fixture. The retaining lock restricts or prevents movement the ball and socket joint from movement and maintains a set position of the index component when the retaining lock is engaged with a shoulder of the bushing, and allows adjustment of the index component with respect to the support fixture when the retaining lock is selectively translated away from the bushing shoulder.