Dynamic Riser Workpiece Fixture for Multi-Part Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional workpiece fixtures require extensive reconfiguration or exchange to accommodate different parts, leading to significant downtime and productivity losses, as they are typically designed for a single part type and lack the flexibility to handle multiple prismatic parts efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece fixture assembly featuring a baseplate with static and dynamic risers, where the dynamic riser can move along a travel slot to align with various workpieces, allowing secure engagement and processing without the need for fixture exchange, utilizing a CNC machine to position the riser based on measured offset distances between gage bores.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fixtures are designed for a single part type, then they provide stable and robust workpiece holding, but they require extensive reconfiguration or exchange to accommodate different parts, leading to significant downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic riser assembly that can move between multiple predetermined positions along a travel slot, allowing the fixture to adapt to different workpiece locations without requiring complete fixture exchange. The riser assembly includes a riser body that can be positioned at different locations and locked in place, enabling the same fixture to securely hold various part types while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture is designed with multiple static risers and one or more dynamic risers that can serve different workpiece types. The dynamic riser can assume multiple positions to accommodate different part geometries and clamping requirements, making a single fixture universal for processing multiple prismatic parts rather than requiring dedicated fixtures for each part type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixtures are exchanged to accommodate different parts, then the correct fixture configuration is achieved, but downtime increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic riser assembly can be quickly repositioned along the travel slot to different predetermined positions corresponding to different workpiece types. This dynamic repositioning capability eliminates the time-consuming process of exchanging entire fixture assemblies, as only the riser position needs to be changed to accommodate different parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The travel slot is configured with multiple predetermined positions that are pre-established for different workpiece types. The dynamic riser can be quickly moved to the appropriate pre-determined position based on the workpiece being processed, eliminating the need for complex reconfiguration or measurement during setup.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixtures are used for different part types, then each part type has optimal fixture configuration, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture system uses a single baseplate with multiple static risers and one or more dynamic risers that can be positioned at different locations. This universal fixture design can accommodate multiple prismatic part types without requiring separate dedicated fixtures, reducing the overall number of fixtures needed while maintaining adaptability to different part geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture is segmented into static risers that provide fixed reference points and dynamic risers that can be repositioned. This segmentation allows the fixture to maintain a stable base structure while providing flexible, adjustable support points that can be configured for different part types, reducing complexity compared to having multiple complete fixtures.
4Device complexity
If static risers are used for all positions, then fixture structure is simple, but adaptability to handle multiple part types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture incorporates one or more dynamic risers that can move along the travel slot to different positions, contrasting with the static risers that remain fixed. This dynamic component adds adaptability to handle multiple part types while keeping the overall structure relatively simple, as only specific risers need movement capability rather than the entire fixture.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of static and dynamic risers creates a universal fixture system where the static risers provide stable reference points and the dynamic risers provide flexible positioning capability. This hybrid approach enables the fixture to handle multiple part types effectively while maintaining structural simplicity and avoiding the complexity of making all risers dynamic.
Data Source
AI summary
A workpiece fixture assembly is provided herein. The workpiece fixture assembly includes a baseplate including an engagement surface. First and second static risers are configured to maintain a position of a workpiece. The first static riser includes a first gage bore thereon. A dynamic riser is configured to abut the workpiece and has a second gage bore thereon. A numerical control machine has a probe to measure an offset distance between the first and second gage bores. A linearly actuable workpiece support is disposed on the baseplate.