A workpiece table includes a frame and at least one workpiece-clamping fixture having a plurality of individually height-adjustable pneumatic workpiece-clamping elements. The workpiece table has at least one second workpiece-clamping fixture having a plurality of pneumatic workpiece-clamping elements. All the workpiece-clamping fixtures can be moved relative to the frame. The workpiece table increases the throughput time of a batch of workpieces at a processing station.

A workpiece-clamping element has a cylinder and a lifting rod assembly guided in the cylinder with an annular piston and with an inner tube. The lifting rod assembly carries a suction plate having a workpiece support surface. A workpiece table has a plurality of workpiece-clamping elements of this type. A cylinder bottom of the cylinder penetrated by the lifting rod assembly, the lifting rod assembly and a cylinder jacket tube of the cylinder delimit a pressure chamber. In addition, the lifting rod assembly is mounted both in the cylinder bottom and in the cylinder head so that it can be displaced at least axially. The present disclosure allows a short changeover time and a shortened throughput time of workpieces.

A system for damping machine-induced vibration in a workpiece includes a plurality of workpiece holders to hold the workpiece in a work cell. The system also includes a machine tool located in the work cell. The machine tool performs a machining operation on the workpiece while the workpiece is held by the plurality of workpiece holders. The system further includes a damping apparatus coupled to the workpiece. The damping apparatus controls machine-induced vibrations in the workpiece during the machining operation.

The described embodiments relate to adjustable fixtures. A number of adjustable length cylindrical pins can be utilized to form a conformal support structure in accordance with a workpiece having any number of variations. At least three fixed length pins having heights lower than the adjustable length pins, can be interspersed with the adjustable length cylindrical pins to define an orientation at which the workpiece is held. Because the adjustable length pins have an uncompressed height greater than the fixed length pins, each of the adjustable length pins can be compressed in accordance with a bottom surface of the workpiece when the workpiece is pressed against the fixed length pin. In this way a conformal support structure can be formed that supports the workpiece during a machining operation.

A method and apparatus for maintaining a selected configuration for a structure. Metrology data for a support system is received while the support system holds the structure. A determination is made as to whether a current configuration of the structure is within selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure based on the metrology data. The support system is moved to move the structure held by the support system into the selected configuration in response to a determination that the current configuration of the structure is not within the selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure.

A jig apparatus includes holding members on which an object to be processed is placed, which members are supported so that they are able to move in a vertical direction. The jig apparatus also includes control unit that controls positions in the vertical direction of the holding members. Control unit causes second holding members, which are selected from among holding members around first holding members on which the object is placed, to be moved to a place in the vertical direction, and to cause the first and second holding members to cooperate in holding the object.

The invention relates to a supporting device for a plurality of components (100, 200, 100*) with different geometries, in particular for a plurality of geometrically different motor-vehicle external attachments made of polymer material, having a support frame (30), a drive (40) arranged on the support frame (30) and at least two supporting groups (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) arranged on the support frame (30), wherein each supporting group (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) serves as a supporting surface for a particular component geometry, wherein each supporting group (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) has at least two spaced-apart, disc-shaped supporting elements (1, 1, 1; 2, 2, 2, etc.), the upwardly facing rim (10, 10, 10; 20, 20, 20, etc.) of each of which already has, in the unloaded state, a contour adapted to the geometry of the associated component (100, 200, 100*). By means of the drive (40), the supporting elements (1, 1, 1; 2, 2, 2, etc.) are movable such that only the supporting elements (1, 1, 1; 2, 2, 2, etc.) of a single supporting group (1, 2, etc.) protrude upwards such that the upwardly facing rims (10, 10, 10; 20, 20, 20, etc.) thereof form the supporting surface for the component geometry associated therewith.

A tooling assembly is provided, for use with a panel defining a tool-side surface and the tool-side surface defining a profile. The tooling assembly includes a base, a plurality of support members fixedly attached to the base, a plurality of frames, and a securing system. The frames each define an upper surface, where each support member is releasably coupled to a corresponding frame by a fastening system. The upper surfaces of the frames are each shaped to correspond with a portion of the profile of the tool-side surface of the panel. The securing system is for providing a suction force configured to releasably secure the panel against the upper surface of the frames.

A hydraulic fluid actuated lathe tool mounting expander assembly incorporating a block having a base, an inner end, an outer end, a compression end, and a compression face; a first cylindrical void extending into the block, the first cylindrical void having a floor and opening at the block's compression face; a second cylindrical void extending into the block, the second cylindrical void having a floor and opening at the block's outer end; first and second pistons respectively slidably mounted within the first and second cylindrical voids; a conduit extending between the first and second cylindrical voids, the conduit being adapted for conveying the hydraulic fluid from the second cylindrical void to the first cylindrical void; and a jack screw actuator connected operatively to the block for driving the second piston against the hydraulic fluid for upwardly driving the first piston.

There is provided an adjustable part holding fixture, system and method. The fixture has a base assembly with a container and a phase change material contained within the container. The fixture has a control device to convert the phase change material between a non-rigid state and a rigid state. The fixture has a plurality of part holding assemblies, each having a base anchoring portion for insertion into and positioning in the phase change material, and a part attachment portion configured to releasably attach to a surface of a part being held by the fixture. The phase change material in the non-rigid state allows for positioning of the base anchoring portion and adjusting to the part being held, and the phase change material in the rigid state holds the base anchoring portion in a desired position and holds the part in place during one or more processes performed on the part.