GB1391758A - Device for clamping articles on machine tools - Google Patents

Abstract

1391758 Workpiece clamping; vacuum Clamping VEREINIGTE FLUGTECHNISCHE WERKE-FOKKER GmbH 29 June 1973 [1 July 1972] 31148/73 Headings B3B and B3D A device for clamping articles on a rotatable mounting of a machine tool comprises a worktable 1 provided with an array of threaded fixing bores 5 by which means clamping units are attached to the work-table, and a network of open conduits 9, 11, 13 which communicate with a vacuum source and which receive selectively removable seals that co-operate with the periphery of a workpiece to create vacuum clamping of the workpiece, and is characterized by the fixing bores 5 being positioned along pairs of parallel rows 3 spaced symmetrically about axes 7 that radiate from a central location of the work-table 1 and wherein open conduits 9 of said network extend parallel to the rows 3. A workpiece may be clamped by suction and by clamping units or by suction alone. The clamping units are bolted to the work-table 1 and may include workpiece attachment points that are adjustable along one or two axes (Fig. 5, not shown), or may connect with the vacuum source to grip a workpiece by suction, e.g. a thin-wall cylindrical workpiece (Fig. 6, not shown). In a further modification (Fig. 7, not shown) a thin-wall spherical shaped workpiece is supported on a like shaped support which includes surface grooves and internal passages which are connected to the vacuum source to clamp the workpiece. The work-table 1 has a central bore to receive centring devices, and screws are inserted at the intersections 15 of concentric annular open conduits 13 and radial conduits 11 to blank off the vacuum source where required. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 1,315,692.