Patent ID: 7866642
Filing Date: 2011-01-11
Classification: B23Q,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for holding a workpiece in a preselected position during a manufacturing operation, comprising: a foundation being longer in length than in width; rails mounted lengthwise on the foundation; a fixed mounting base attached at one end of the foundation length wherein said fixed mounting base is fixedly attached to said foundation; an array of vertically adjustable linear actuators supported within the fixed mounting base, and adjustably positioned across the foundation width; moveable carriages mounted on the rails and moveable along the foundation length; and a series of vertically adjustable linear actuators being mounted on respective moveable carriages and adjustably positioned across the foundation width; wherein the apparatus further comprises tooling disposed through a central cavity of and releasably coupled to the respective moveable carriages, wherein the tooling is configured to support the corresponding vertically adjustable linear actuators.