Adjustable Workpiece Alignment Tool for Unobstructed Welding Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tools for aligning workpieces, such as speed squares, lack the ability to quickly and accurately align workpieces at specific angles, fail to maintain alignment during operations, and obstruct access to the point of joinder, particularly in scenarios where there is no single point of joinder corresponding to the desired angle.
Innovation Solution
The workpiece tool includes alignment surfaces oriented at specific angles, accessibility cutouts, and a slidable member that allows for simultaneous access to the joint without obstruction, while providing means to hold objects in place using cutouts and attachments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional tool (e.g., speed square) is placed directly at the point of joinder to align workpieces, then alignment accuracy is improved, but access to the workpiece for operations like welding is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment tool is divided into separate components: alignment surfaces that contact the workpieces and a body structure that provides reference edges. This segmentation allows the alignment function to be separated from the obstruction, enabling access to the workpiece while maintaining alignment accuracy through the distributed alignment surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment reference is extended from a single point (conventional tool placement) to multiple dimensions through planar alignment surfaces and extended reference edges. This dimensional expansion allows alignment to be maintained while providing clear access paths around the workpiece for welding operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single operator attempts to hold and align multiple workpieces simultaneously, then alignment capability is improved, but operational complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment tool is designed to be self-holding through friction-fit alignment surfaces and interlocking features that maintain workpiece positioning without requiring continuous manual pressure. This allows the tool to maintain alignment automatically once set, reducing the need for constant operator intervention and simplifying the operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional tools are used for aligning workpieces at specific angles, then basic alignment is achieved, but the ability to accommodate varying workpiece geometries and maintain alignment during operations is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment tool incorporates multiple alignment surfaces at various angles (e.g., 45 degrees, 90 degrees) and extended reference edges that can accommodate different workpiece geometries. This multi-functional design allows a single tool to handle various alignment scenarios while maintaining consistent precision through standardized reference features.
Data Source
AI summary
Workpiece tools and techniques are described. In one example, a workpiece tool includes different side panels that provide surfaces for workpiece alignment. Further, a workpiece tool includes apertures that can align with a work surface such as a welding table. An adjustable tool is also described that includes a tool body and a slidable member that is slidable relative to the tool body. The slidable member, for instance, represents a measurement tool that can be used to measure object dimensions. Further, the tool body includes different side panels that are arranged to enable a variety of different usage scenarios such as include different positions of the slidable member relative to an adjacent object and/or surface.