Modular Welding Fixture With Locating Pins And Adjustable Brackets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing welding fixtures are highly customized, making them difficult and costly to reconfigure for new workpieces, with challenges in accurate tooling location, trunnion alignment, and protection of electrical and pneumatic lines from damage.
Innovation Solution
A modular tooling fixture with adjustable brackets, locating pins, and protective enclosures that allows for quick and precise repositioning and rework, featuring removable tooling plates, jack blocks, shims, and insulating components for accurate alignment and protection of lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If welding fixtures are highly customized to fit specific workpieces, then manufacturing precision and workpiece compatibility are improved, but adaptability and reconfiguration ease deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The welding fixture is divided into modular components including tooling plates, locators, clamps, and sensors that can be independently removed and reconfigured. This segmentation allows the fixture to maintain high precision for specific workpieces while enabling easy adaptation to different workpiece types by simply swapping or repositioning modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture incorporates adjustable and repositionable elements such as movable locators, adjustable clamps, and reconfigurable tooling plates that can be dynamically repositioned using locating features. This dynamic capability allows the fixture to adapt to different workpiece geometries while maintaining positioning accuracy through precise locating mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If tooling components are precisely located within the welding fixture, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture incorporates self-aligning locating features such as locating pins with corresponding holes, tapered locators, and self-squaring mechanisms that automatically position tooling components accurately when assembled. These self-service locating features eliminate the need for complex adjustment mechanisms while ensuring precise tooling location and repeatable reconfiguration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the welding fixture is accurately located relative to trunnions, then stability and rotation smoothness are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture incorporates self-aligning locating features relative to the trunnions, such as locating pins that fit into corresponding holes in the trunnion mounting structure. This self-service alignment mechanism automatically ensures accurate fixture-trunnion positioning during installation, eliminating the need for complex adjustment procedures while maintaining stable rotation and preventing binding.
4Ease of operation
If electrical and pneumatic lines are left exposed for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to damage risk
Solution Approach 1:
Electrical and pneumatic lines are routed through channels and conduits that are nested within the fixture structure, such as through the tooling plates, locators, and framework. This nesting approach protects the lines from welding sparks and physical damage while keeping them accessible for connection and maintenance through designated access points and flexible conduits.
Data Source
AI summary
A tooling fixture is disclosed that includes a weldment having spaced apart lateral members interconnected by opposing side members. Spaced apart trunnions support the side members for rotation about an axis, in one example. A locating pin is arranged between each side member and trunnions to enable quick and accurate location of the tooling fixture relative to the trunnions. The pins are at a right angle relative to the axis, in one example. Tooling plates are removable secured to each of the lateral members. Adjustable brackets are secured to the tooling plates and support tooling that cooperates with a workpiece supported on the tooling fixture. In one example, jack blocks, shims, squaring plates and stops are used to permit precise adjustment and repeatable relocation of the tooling in three directions.