Patent ID: 6450490
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: B23Q,F16M

Abstract:
A quick change fixture subframe mounting arrangement for a robotic work station including a rotatable main framework with a headstock positioner arm having drive means thereon rotatable about an axis of rotation, a tailstock positioner arm opposite the headstock positioner, and a fixture subframe having opposite first and second ends rotatably supported between the headstock positioner arm and the tailstock positioner arm respectively, the mounting arrangement comprising:ball-and-socket means for drivingly connecting the first end of the fixture with the drive means on the headstock positioner arm; a ball joint coupling means for releasably and rotatably mounting the second end of the fixture subframe to the tailstock positioner arm along the axis of rotation so as to permit pivoting of the fixture subframe with respect to the tailstock positioner arm in a horizontal plane and in a vertical plane; the fixture subframe being securely supported for rotation about the axis of rotation and about an external axis that is non-coaxial with the axis of rotation without reliance on gravitational forces.