Interlocking Fixture Plate Assembly for Flexible Workpiece Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fixture plate systems for manufacturing and inspection processes are typically one-piece designs, requiring different sizes for different machines and resulting in inventory issues and long lead times. Additionally, these systems often have unused areas due to varying workpiece sizes, and they apply minimal force, which limits their versatility.

Innovation Solution

A modular fixture plate system that uses interlocking plates with male and female ends, allowing for the creation of custom fixture assemblies that can be easily assembled and disassembled. This system includes a docking plate and interlocking fixture plates that can be secured with magnets, enabling fast and repeatable setups for various workpieces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If one-piece fixture plates are used for each inspection machine, then the positioning accuracy is maintained, but inventory complexity increases and lead times lengthen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidinventory complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture plate is divided into multiple modular segments that can be independently manufactured and stored. Each segment contains standardized threaded holes and connection features, allowing them to be assembled in various configurations to match different inspection machine workbed areas, thereby reducing inventory complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular segments are designed with universal connection features and standardized hole patterns that allow the same segments to be used across different inspection machine models. This multi-functionality enables a single set of modular components to serve multiple machine types, reducing the overall inventory required while maintaining accurate positioning capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If large fixture plates are provided to cover the complete workbed area, then machine coverage is maximized, but material waste increases when small workpieces are inspected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkbed coverageVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture plate is segmented into multiple smaller modular units that can be assembled to cover only the necessary portion of the workbed area required for the specific workpiece size. This allows the fixture area to be dynamically adjusted to match the actual workpiece dimensions, maximizing workbed coverage when needed while minimizing material usage and waste when inspecting smaller workpieces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If custom fixture plates are manufactured for each machine size, then exact fit is achieved, but manufacturing lead times increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachine fitVSAvoidmanufacturing lead time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of manufacturing custom one-piece fixture plates for each machine size, the system uses standardized modular segments that can be quickly assembled in different configurations to fit various machine workbed areas. This eliminates the need for time-consuming custom manufacturing while maintaining exact fit through precise modular assembly with standardized connection interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular fixture segments are pre-manufactured with standardized connection features and hole patterns before deployment. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid assembly and customization on-site without requiring time-consuming custom manufacturing processes, thereby reducing manufacturing lead times while ensuring exact fit for different machine sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Strength

If heavy-duty fixture plates are used for all applications, then structural strength is ensured, but system weight increases for light-duty applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixture strengthVSAvoidfixture weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture system is divided into modular segments that can be selectively assembled based on the specific application requirements. For light-duty applications, only the necessary number and size of segments are assembled, resulting in a lighter overall fixture weight while still providing sufficient structural strength. For heavy-duty applications, more segments are assembled to achieve the required strength, demonstrating scalability without unnecessary weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250187148A1Modular fixture plate system for positioning a workpiece during a manufacturing and/or inspection process

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 WEYLAND GROUP LLC

AI summary

A modular fixture plate system comprising:at least one interlocking fixture plate comprising at least one of a male end and a female end, wherein the male end comprises at least one male projection and the female end comprises at least one female recess; anda docking plate comprising at least one of at least one male projection and at least one female recess;wherein at least one male projection or female recess of the at least one interlocking fixture plate is interlocked with a mating one of the at least one male projection or the at least one female recess of the docking plate.