Patent ID: 6502808
Filing Date: 2003-01-07
Classification: B23B,B25B,Y10T

Abstract:
A vacuum head for holding a part on a fixture in a precisely known predetermined position, comprising:a base having mounting structure for mounting said base on a support arm; a vacuum cup on said base positioned thereon to engage a surface of said part; a hard-stop mounted in said base at a known position therein for establishing a known relation to a part in snug engagement with said hard-stop; a partition in said base for isolating vacuum conveyed to said vacuum head through said support arm from said vacuum cup; a valve in said partition biased to a closed position and having a valve button that is engaged when a part is brought into contact with said vacuum head to open said valve and admit vacuum to said vacuum cup to draw said part snug against said hard-stop; a swiveling mount for said hard-stop in said base to allow said hard-stop to swivel about a swivel axis at a known position in said base; said swiveling mount includes a spherical bearing having a center of curvature, said spherical bearing being mounted on a central tubular post projecting from said base, said hard-stop being mounted on said spherical bearing for universal swiveling about said center of curvature; said valve being mounted in an axial bore through said central tubular post; whereby said hard-stop can self-align with a surface on said part and hold said part at a known position with said vacuum head.