Patent ID: 6418602
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: B21J,B25B,B64F,Y10T

Abstract:
A flexible fixture system for holding individual workpieces during operations performed thereon wherein the workpieces are selected from a family or workpieces, each workpiece in the family being elongated having a longitudinal axis and having a surface curved along a path in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, said system comprising:a) a plurality of posts at spaced locations along a supporting surface in a first direction extending substantially parallel to the supporting surface; b) a plurality of contoured formers carried by each post, each former is dedicated to each workpiece in the family of workpieces, the formers having varied contours required to support the workpiece to which they are dedicated, the contours varying depending upon the portion of the workpiece surface which the formers are to be operatively associated with, wherein one former is individually selected and individually powered so as to be moved into and out of operative position with the workpiece to which it is dedicated, while at the same time, the remaining plurality of contoured formers carried by the post remain in a retracted position and out of use; c) the selected individual workpiece being disposed so that the longitudinal axis thereof is disposed substantially parallel to the first direction and so that the curved surface of the workpiece faces the contoured formers; d) drive means for moving each of the formers into operative association with the curved surface of the workpiece; e) a controller connected in controlling relation to the drive means for selecting the drive means corresponding to the formers dedicated to the selected workpiece; and f) means in the fixture system for holding the workpiece in place against the contoured formers.