Patent ID: 8296923
Filing Date: 2012-10-30
Classification: B23C,B23Q,B25J,B29C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A modular material placement system for dispensing and compacting portions of a material onto a surface, the modular material placement system comprising: a first beam; a second beam supported by the first beam and movable along a first axis, and also movable along a second axis relative to the first beam; a connecting assembly attachable to the second beam, movable along a third axis which is different from the first and second axes, and having a clamping arrangement forming a first connection point at one end of the connecting assembly; a first component having an end that is selectively clampable by the clamping arrangement at the first connection point of the connecting assembly, wherein the first component is movable relative to the connecting assembly when the one end of the first component is clamped by the clamping arrangement; a second component having an end that is selectively clampable by the clamping arrangement, as an alternative to the first component, at the first connection point of the connecting assembly, wherein the second component is movable relative to the connecting assembly when the second component is clamped by the clamping arrangement; and a material placement head assembly having an end that is selectively clampable by the clamping arrangement, as an alternative to the first and second components, at the first connection point of the connecting assembly, and wherein the material placement head assembly is configured to be movably attached to the first component for relative movement of the material placement head assembly relative to the first component when the one end of the first component is clamped by the clamping arrangement, and wherein the material placement head assembly is configured to be movably attached to the second component for relative movement of the material placement head assembly relative to the second component when the one end of the second component is clamped by the clamping arrangement, wherein the material placement head assembly is movable relative to the first and second beam when attached to the connecting assembly.