System and method of securing a component in position for machining using a fixture assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10016864-B2
Application number	US-201514588468-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 2, 2015
Priority date	Jan 2, 2015
Publication date	Jul 10, 2018
Grant date	Jul 10, 2018

Abstract

A fixture assembly is configured to securely retain a component, such as an acoustic inlet barrel. The fixture assembly includes at least one component-securing sub-assembly configured to be selectively positioned between a retracted position and a securing position. The component-securing sub-assembly securely retains the component in the securing position, and includes a plurality of component-securing members having outer gripping members that are configured to securely abut into an interior surface of the component in the securing position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fixture assembly configured to securely retain a component, the fixture assembly comprising:
at least one component-securing sub-assembly configured to be selectively positioned between a retracted position and a securing position, wherein the at least one component-securing sub-assembly securely retains the component in the securing position, wherein the at least one component-securing sub-assembly includes a plurality of component-securing members having outer gripping members that are configured to securely abut into an interior surface of the component in the securing position, wherein the at least one component-securing sub-assembly includes a fixed base connected to a rotatable ring, wherein the plurality of component-securing members are moveably secured between the fixed base and the rotatable ring, and wherein rotational movement of the rotatable ring causes the component-securing members to radially move.

2. The fixture assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one component-securing sub-assembly comprises:
a lower component-securing sub-assembly that is configured to securely engage a lower portion of the component in the securing position; and
an upper component-securing sub-assembly that is configured to securely engage an upper portion of the component in the securing position.

3. The fixture assembly of claim 2 , wherein at least portions of the component-securing members of the lower component-securing sub-assembly reside within a first plane, wherein at least portions of the component-securing members of the upper component-securing sub-assembly reside within a second plane, and wherein the first and second planes are non-parallel.

4. The fixture assembly of claim 2 , further comprising:
a support base that supports the lower component-securing sub-assembly and the upper component-securing sub-assembly; and
one or more support beams upwardly extending from the support base and connected to the upper component-securing sub-assembly, wherein the one or more support beams separate the upper component-securing sub-assembly from the lower component-securing sub-assembly.

5. The fixture assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rotatable ring includes a plurality of brackets having longitudinal channels that slidably retain a protuberance of a respective one of the plurality of component-securing members.

6. The fixture assembly of claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of brackets is angled on the rotatable sing, wherein each of the plurality of brackets has first and second ends, and wherein one of the first or second ends is closer to an outer rim of the rotatable ring than the other of the first or second ends.

7. The fixture assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one component-securing sub-assembly includes an engagement device that is configured to be engaged to move the at least one component securing sub-assembly between the retracted and securing positions.

8. The fixture assembly of claim 7 , further comprising at least one tool that is removably secured to a portion of the at least one component-securing sub-assembly, wherein the tool is configured to engage the engagement device.

9. The fixture assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an indexer configured to engage a reciprocal feature formed in the component to locate the component in relation to the fixture assembly.

10. The fixture assembly of claim 9 , wherein the indexer comprises:
an extension beam that radially extends from an arcuate cuff secured to a portion of the fixture assembly;
a clocking member extending from a distal end of the extension beam; and
a registration pin secured to the clocking member, wherein the registration pin is configured to be retained within a reciprocal hole formed in a portion of the component.

11. A machining system comprising:
a component;
a fixture assembly that is configured to securely retain the component, the fixture assembly comprising at least one component-securing sub-assembly configured to be selectively positioned between a retracted position and a securing position, wherein the at least one component-securing sub-assembly securely retains the component in the securing position, wherein the at least one component-securing sub-assembly includes a plurality of component-securing members having outer gripping members that are configured to securely abut into an interior surface of the component in the securing position, wherein the at least one component-securing sub-assembly includes a fixed base connected to a rotatable ring, wherein the plurality of component-securing members are moveably secured between the fixed base and the rotatable ring, and wherein rotational movement of the rotatable ring causes the component-securing members to radially move; and
one or more machining devices positioned on a gantry, wherein the fixture assembly is positioned on the gantry and the component is securely retained by the fixture assembly when the at least one component-securing sub-assembly is positioned in the securing position.

12. The machining system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one component-securing sub-assembly comprises:
a lower component-securing sub-assembly that is configured to securely engage a lower portion of the component in the securing position; and
an upper component-securing sub-assembly that is configured to securely engage an upper portion of the component in the securing position.

13. The machining system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one component-securing sub-assembly includes an engagement device that is configured to be engaged to move the at least one component securing sub-assembly between the retracted and securing positions.

14. The machining system of claim 11 , wherein the fixture assembly further comprises an indexer configured to engage a reciprocal feature formed in the component to locate the component in relation to the fixture assembly.

15. The machining system of claim 14 , wherein the indexer comprises:
an extension beam that radially extends from an arcuate cuff secured to a portion of the fixture assembly;
a clocking member extending from a distal end of the extension beam; and
a registration pin secured to the clocking member, wherein the registration pin is configured to be retained within a reciprocal hole formed in a portion of the component.

16. A method of machining a component, the method comprising:
positioning the component around a fixture assembly;
engaging one or more engaging devices in a securing direction to securely contact an inner surface of the component with outer gripping members of component engaging members of the fixture assembly;
removing an indexer from a reciprocal feature of the component after the engaging one or more engaging devices in a securing direction operation;
machining portions of the component after the removing operation;
engaging the engaging devices in a retracting direction to retract the component engaging members away from the inner surface of the component; and
removing the component from the fixture assembly after the component engaging members are retracted.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein each of the engaging operations comprises rotating a rotatable ring in relation to a fixed base, wherein the rotating operation radially moves the component-securing members.

18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising removing at least one tool from the fixture assembly, and wherein each of the engaging operations comprises engaging at least one engagement device with the at least one tool.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Mcmillan Daniel James
• Davidson Andrew Paul

Classifications

• B23Q3/062 Primary

  adapted for holding workpieces having a special form or being made from a special material · CPC title