Patent ID: 6625866
Filing Date: 2003-09-30
Classification: B21J,B23P,B64C,B64F,G05B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for positioning flexible or semi-flexible parts in space at desired positions and orientations for manufacturing and assembly operations, comprising:positioning a series of part holding devices, one each on the end of a series of respective pogo on at least one movable fixture, in space at desired positions corresponding to points on a contour of one of said parts which is to be engaged by said part holding devices, said positioning of the part holding devices comprising: capturing each said part holding device with a capture device on a machine tool; physically moving each said captured part holding device along each of three orthogonal axes to said respective desired point position by moving said machine tool and said capture device; and locking said pogos on which the moved part holding devices are located in the desired positions to which they were moved by said machine tool, and releasing said part holding devices; positioning said one part against said part holding devices and holding said one part with said part holding devices in said desired position and orientation while performing manufacturing operations on said one part with said machine tool in juxtaposed relation to said at least one fixture.