Patent ID: 8079578

Claim:
A universal holding fixture assembly, said assembly comprising: a fixture and a plurality of linear actuators supported by said fixture and adapted to engage and support a workpiece relative to said fixture; each linear actuator including a housing operatively mounted to said fixture, a linear displacement member supported by said housing adapted to move linearly between a retracted position and an extended position, an end effector assembly operatively supported by said linear actuator and adapted to engage the workpiece when said linear displacement member is in said extended position, and a sensor operatively supported by said end effector assembly and responsive to contact with the workpiece to establish a datum of the position of the linear actuator relative to the workpiece; each of said linear actuators including a pneumatic control module in fluid communication with a source of pressure, said pneumatic control module adapted to control the delivery of positive and negative pressure at said end effector assembly and to subject the workpiece to the vacuum, said pneumatic control module including a vacuum control valve in fluid communication with said source of pneumatic pressure and adapted to control the generation of said negative pressure and a pneumatic control valve in fluid communication with said source of pneumatic pressure and said vacuum control valve, said pneumatic control valve operable to alternatively, selectively, subject said end effector assembly to positive and said negative pressures; and said sensor being responsive to contact with said workpiece under the influence of said vacuum to establish a datum of the position of said linear actuator relative to said workpiece.