A system for supporting workpieces during machining. The system comprises one or more adjustable workpiece support assemblies and a robotic unit. Each workpiece support assembly comprises a pedestal and a rotatable fixture element. The robotic assembly comprises means of mobilizing and immobilizing each support assembly, so that the fixture element may be secured in a particular orientation. The robotic unit moves along a frame, and manipulates and fixes the position of the fixture elements to match the contour of a workpiece. Vacuum forces may be applied through the workpiece support assemblies to secure the workpiece against the fixture elements.

A system for supporting workpieces during machining. The system comprises one or more adjustable workpiece support assemblies and a robotic unit. Each workpiece support assembly comprises a pedestal and a rotatable fixture element. The robotic assembly comprises means of mobilizing and immobilizing each support assembly, so that the fixture element may be secured in a particular orientation. The robotic unit moves along a frame, and manipulates and fixes the position of the fixture elements to match the contour of a workpiece. Vacuum forces may be applied through the workpiece support assemblies to secure the workpiece against the fixture elements.

A workholding apparatus for components having complex geometries or surfaces, which components are difficult constrain for the purpose of inspection, addresses the problem of adequately constraining such components in a convenient and cost-effective manner so that they do not move during inspection, while also making all or most critical features accessible to the inspection instruments being used. A method teaches how to eliminate setup changes between different components through the use of inexpensive modular attachments. These attachments are in the form of a single piece thermoplastic part which is affixed to each component having also reference features that can be interlocked into a common base fixture for more efficient inspection operations.

A clamping device includes first and second clamping components and at least one elastic component. The first clamping component includes a first clamping portion and two first pivot portions connected to the first clamping portion. The second clamping component includes a second clamping portion and two second pivot portions connected to the second clamping portion. The second pivot portions are pivotally connected to the first pivot portions respectively, such that the first and second clamping components are capable of rotating relative to each other to present a first state and a second state. The elastic component is connected to the first clamping component and the second clamping component. When the first and second clamping components are in the second state, the elastic component provides an elastic force for the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion to be restored to the first state to clamp an object.

A self-releasing clamping tool includes an adapter plate and a planetary gear assembly. The planetary gear assembly includes a central gear and a plurality of adjustable-bolt-pattern gears. The adapter plate includes an inner annular body, a central opening, and a connector plate. The inner annular body is concentrically positioned within the connector plate. The inner annular body is adjacently connected onto a rear surface of the connector plate. The central opening normally traverses through the connector plate. The central opening concentrically is positioned within the inner annular body. The central gear is rotatably mounted to a front surface of the connector plate. The plurality of adjustable-bolt-pattern gears is distributed around the central gear thus allowing to adjust according to lug-holes of the wheel. The plurality of adjustable-bolt-pattern gears is detachably and rotatably mounted to the front surface of the connector plate and mechanically engaged to the central gear.

A self-releasing clamping tool includes an adapter plate and a planetary gear assembly. The planetary gear assembly includes a central gear and a plurality of adjustable-bolt-pattern gears. The adapter plate includes an inner annular body, a central opening, and a connector plate. The inner annular body is concentrically positioned within the connector plate. The inner annular body is adjacently connected onto a rear surface of the connector plate. The central opening normally traverses through the connector plate. The central opening concentrically is positioned within the inner annular body. The central gear is rotatably mounted to a front surface of the connector plate. The plurality of adjustable-bolt-pattern gears is distributed around the central gear thus allowing to adjust according to lug-holes of the wheel. The plurality of adjustable-bolt-pattern gears is detachably and rotatably mounted to the front surface of the connector plate and mechanically engaged to the central gear.

A workholding apparatus for components having complex geometries or surfaces, which components are difficult constrain for the purpose of inspection, addresses the problem of adequately constraining such components in a convenient and cost-effective manner so that they do not move during inspection, while also making all or most critical features accessible to the inspection instruments being used. A method teaches how to eliminate setup changes between different components through the use of inexpensive modular attachments. These attachments are in the form of a single piece thermoplastic part which is affixed to each component having also reference features that can be interlocked into a common base fixture for more efficient inspection operations.

Method and apparatus for sharpening a cutting edge of a cutting tool, such as a kitchen knife. A fixture secures opposing sides of a blade of the cutting tool and includes a main body and hinged first and second clamping jaws each having a clamping end adapted to compressingly engage a respective side of the blade. A guide coupled to the main body has converging support surfaces to contactingly engage a back edge (spine) of the blade opposite the cutting edge to center the blade along a central plane of the fixture. A retraction mechanism establishes a clamping force upon each of the respective sides of the blade via the clamping jaws. Further embodiments include a base assembly adapted to receive the fixture, and a swing arm style abrasive assembly to carry out a sharpening operation upon the cutting edge.

Provided is an alignment tool for a cutting arrangement including a cutting apparatus with a cutting edge for treatment of a workpiece, especially a rotor blade of a wind turbine, in which the alignment tool includes at least one fixation means for fixing the alignment tool to the workpiece and at least one guiding structure to guide the cutting edge of the cutting tool.

Provided is an alignment tool for a cutting arrangement including a cutting apparatus with a cutting edge for treatment of a workpiece, especially a rotor blade of a wind turbine, in which the alignment tool includes at least one fixation means for fixing the alignment tool to the workpiece and at least one guiding structure to guide the cutting edge of the cutting tool.