Patent ID: 7516834

Claim:
A feed table apparatus for use in moving a workpiece to a machine tool, the apparatus comprising: a conveyor for supporting the workpiece, the conveyor having a guide rail extending from opposite sides thereof; a shuttle vise movably disposed on the conveyor and having jaws thereon adapted for applying a clamping force to the workpiece while the workpiece is on the conveyor, the shuttle vise comprising: a first vertical column; a second vertical column; an upper guide rail interconnecting upper portions of the first and second vertical columns, wherein at least one of the jaws is movably disposed on the upper guide rail; and a clamping actuator for moving the at least one jaw into and out of clamping engagement with the workpiece and applying the clamping force thereto; lower ends of the vertical columns in the shuttle vise being supported by the guide rails extending from the conveyor and moveable therealong; a reaction system connected to the shuttle vise adapted for applying a reaction force in an opposite direction of the clamping force and thereby substantially counteracting the clamping force such that no reaction to the clamping force is applied to the conveyor; and a plurality of rollers mounted on the lower ends of the vertical columns and engaging the guide rails extending from the conveyor and thereby giving rolling support thereon.