A manufacturing fixture process, and associated device for practicing the disclosed process, includes supporting a component during manufacturing by at least one rest pad, and sensing and transmitting a force signal exerted on the rest pad by the component during manufacturing by at least one sensor associated with the at least one rest pad. The process further includes clamping the component onto the rest pad by a clamping component configured to rigidly hold the component, receiving and monitoring the force exerted on the rest pad by a force monitoring system configured to receive and monitor the signal indicating the force exerted on the rest pad, as well as determine whether the force exerted on the rest pad is within a predetermined range, exceeds the predetermined range, and/or is below the predetermined range, and outputting the force exerted on the rest pad with an output device.

A locating fixture includes an adjustable locating member for supporting and restraining a part. The adjustable locating member allows for rotational and translational adjustment for aligning to a particular part configuration. The adjustable locating member utilizes a plurality of indicia and a position indicator to assist in the alignment of the adjustable locating member to a desired position, which is then restrained at a desired position by a restraining element.

A computer-implemented method for simulating and designing a support structure (2) for assembling or gaging a sheet metal part (1) comprises, in a simulation of the sheet metal part (1) and support structure (2), designing a selection of support elements (3) and a position and orientation of the support elements (3) by displaying a computer based visual representation (5) of the sheet metal part (1) to a user. According to a user input, support elements (3) are placed relative to the sheet metal part (1). The method further comprises automatically determining a stability status indicating whether the sheet metal part (1) is stably held by the support elements (3), and displaying the stability status to the user.

A computer-implemented method for simulating and designing a support structure (2) for assembling or gaging a sheet metal part (1) comprises, in a simulation of the sheet metal part (1) and support structure (2), designing a selection of support elements (3) and a position and orientation of the support elements (3) by displaying a computer based visual representation (5) of the sheet metal part (1) to a user. According to a user input, support elements (3) are placed relative to the sheet metal part (1). The method further comprises automatically determining a stability status indicating whether the sheet metal part (1) is stably held by the support elements (3), and displaying the stability status to the user.

An inline tool holder including a shaft collar, a mounting plate, a first enclosure, and a second enclosure. The mounting plate is concentrically arranged around the shaft collar and includes a first surface, a second surface, and an attachment mechanism. The first enclosure is removably coupled to the first surface of the mounting plate and the second enclosure is removably coupled to the second surface of the mounting plate. The attachment mechanism of the mounting plate extends radially beyond an outer edge of both the first enclosure and the second enclosure.

A device for moving film-supported materials and removing the film at a process station includes a first base, a feeding tray, a driving member, a second base, a moving member, and a laser sensor. The feeding and stripping automatically conveys a raw material assembly. A gap exists between the second base and the first base, and only raw materials are passed over the gap. The raw material assembly comprises a base layer and a number of raw materials disposed on the base layer. The gap allows the raw material disposed on a bent portion of the base layer to separate from the base layer while the base layer itself is gathered to another destination.

A device for moving film-supported materials and removing the film at a process station includes a first base, a feeding tray, a driving member, a second base, a moving member, and a laser sensor. The feeding and stripping automatically conveys a raw material assembly. A gap exists between the second base and the first base, and only raw materials are passed over the gap. The raw material assembly comprises a base layer and a number of raw materials disposed on the base layer. The gap allows the raw material disposed on a bent portion of the base layer to separate from the base layer while the base layer itself is gathered to another destination.

This multi-product pallet device (1) includes a multi-product pallet (2) deforming a shape thereof in conformity with a shape of a workpiece; and a device main body (3) to which the multi-product pallet is attached and which stores shape restoration data for deforming the multi-product pallet and restores the shape of the multi-product pallet based on the shape restoration data, wherein the multi-product pallet is detachable from the device main body.

A support assembly includes a part and a tension support rod. The part is additively manufactured on a base plate and includes a series of stacked layers of material fused together. The tension support rod is attached to the base plate at a first attachment location and is attached to the part at a second attachment location. At least one of the first attachment location or the second attachment location comprises a pivot joint to enable movement of the tension support rod at the pivot joint.

A support assembly includes a part and a tension support rod. The part is additively manufactured on a base plate and includes a series of stacked layers of material fused together. The tension support rod is attached to the base plate at a first attachment location and is attached to the part at a second attachment location. At least one of the first attachment location or the second attachment location comprises a pivot joint to enable movement of the tension support rod at the pivot joint.