Fixture Assembly for Multi-Sided Cylinder Head Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Holding and accurately positioning complex-shaped workpieces, such as cylinder heads, for multi-sided machining operations is challenging due to the need for extensive adapter plates and features, which can be costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A fixture assembly using clamps, tie rods, locating pins, and actuators that securely engage and release the workpiece, allowing access to multiple faces for machining, minimizing clamping positions and reducing tool length and manufacturing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adapter plates are attached to the workpiece for multi-sided machining, then access to multiple faces is enabled, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attaching adapter plates to the workpiece to enable multi-sided machining, the patent inverts the approach by machining the workpiece from the non-deck face while it remains in its original orientation on the deck. The fixture system supports machining from multiple faces without requiring physical adapters, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the unnecessary adapter plates from the machining system. By designing the fixture to directly support the workpiece in its original orientation and providing access to multiple faces through the fixture structure itself, the solution eliminates the need for additional adapter components, reducing overall system complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If extensive part features are designed into the workpiece for fixturing, then holding and positioning accuracy is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by utilizing the workpiece's existing deck face and natural geometry for positioning and support. The fixture system is designed to work with the workpiece as it exists, requiring no additional positioning features, holes, or attachment points to be machined into the part itself. The workpiece essentially positions itself on the fixture through its inherent geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture system provides universal support for multiple machining operations on multiple faces without requiring specific features on the workpiece. The same fixture configuration can accommodate different workpieces and different machining operations, eliminating the need for extensive specialized features on each workpiece design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple clamping positions are used for multi-sided machining, then all faces can be accessed, but the number of loading and unloading operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple clamping positions into a single integrated fixture system. The fixture provides simultaneous support and access to five faces of the cylinder head through its structure, allowing all necessary machining operations to be performed without repeatedly loading and unloading the workpiece. The clamping mechanism is designed to secure the workpiece once and maintain that position for multiple operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If tools are used to process all faces of the workpiece, then complete machining is achieved, but tool length must be excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimensional approach by repositioning the workpiece and fixture in space to provide access to multiple faces. Instead of using excessively long tools to reach all faces from a single position, the workpiece is oriented and supported such that tools of reasonable length can access five faces through the fixture's multi-axis capability and workpiece positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A fixture for holding a workpiece includes clamps configured to engage tie rods secured to the workpiece, locating pins configured to engage a corresponding pin secured to the workpiece, pads, and actuators configured to move clamps for alternately drawing the workpiece into contact with the pads and disengaging the tie rod from the clamp such that the fixture assembly can release the workpiece.