Indexable Friction Welding Clamp for Precise Multi-Fixture Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clamp systems for portable friction welding tools are inefficient and cumbersome when installing multiple fixtures in a precise pattern, particularly in applications requiring tight spacing and precise placement, such as underwater or low-visibility conditions, due to the need for repeated detachment and reattachment of the tool.
Innovation Solution
An indexable, multi-position clamp system that allows relative movement of a traveling mount over a substrate, enabling precise positioning and reorientation of the portable friction welding tool without disengaging it from the clamp base, facilitating the installation of multiple fixtures in a precise pattern through an articulated fixture loading system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-position clamp is used for friction welding operations, then the clamp can securely hold the portable friction welding system at one location, but the tool must be fully detached and reattached for each fixture installation, which is time-consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp system is segmented into a stationary clamp base that remains attached to the substrate and a movable tool mount that can be repositioned along the substrate. This allows the tool to be relocated between fixture positions without fully detaching from the clamp base, reducing setup time while maintaining secure holding at each position.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool mount is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to move along the substrate between indexed positions. This dynamic adjustment enables the tool to access multiple fixture locations while remaining connected to the clamp base, eliminating repeated attachment and detachment operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If the clamp footprint is made larger to accommodate multiple positions, then precise placement of multiple fixtures can be achieved, but the clamp becomes more cumbersome and difficult to position precisely
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp system divides the positioning function between a compact clamp base that provides stable attachment and a separate tool mount that provides positioning flexibility. This segmentation allows precise fixture spacing to be achieved through the tool mount's movement capability rather than requiring a large clamp footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of achieving multiple positions through lateral expansion of the clamp base, the system uses longitudinal movement of the tool mount along the substrate. This dimensional approach allows precise spacing of multiple fixtures while keeping the clamp base compact and easy to position.
3Measurement precision
If the portable friction welding tool is fully detached between fixture installations, then each new position can be precisely aligned, but the operation becomes inefficient and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tool mount provides dynamic repositioning capability along the substrate with indexed positions for precise alignment. This allows the tool to be moved between fixture locations and precisely aligned without full detachment, simplifying the operation while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool mount acts as an intermediary between the stationary clamp base and the portable friction welding tool. It provides the functionality for precise positioning and alignment while allowing the tool to remain connected to the clamp system, reducing operational complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple clamps are used to install fixtures in a tight array, then precise spacing can be achieved, but the repeated clamp placement becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the clamping function into a single stationary clamp base and a movable tool mount. This allows one clamp base to serve multiple fixture positions through the tool mount's repositioning capability, eliminating the need for repeated clamp placement while maintaining precise fixture spacing.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool mount provides multi-functionality by enabling the single clamp base to support multiple fixture installations at different positions along the substrate. This universal positioning capability increases productivity by eliminating repeated clamp attachment and detachment operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-position clamp is disclosed for positioning and holding a portable friction welding tool adjacent a substrate for friction welding a plurality of fixtures in a precise pattern referenced from a fixed position on a substrate. The clamp has a clamp base temporarily securable at the fixed position on the substrate, a traveling mount comprising a tool mount for receiving said portable friction welding tool, and a connection to the clamp base allowing relative movement of the tool mount over the substrate. Index stops help install the plurality of fixtures in the pattern and an articulated fixture loading system allow positioning and loading successive fixtures without disengaging and removing said portable friction welding tool from connection with the clamp base.