A method and apparatus to provide a machining table in which an article can be secured to the table. The table provides a plurality of clamp blocks which can be placed on the table in custom positions. The orientation of the clamp blocks can also be adjusted by adjustments bolts so that the desired angle of the article can be maintained before machining it. As such, a round article (e.g., a pipe) can be secured through the clamp blocks so that the article can be machined. The table would secure the article such that even a lot of force or pressure on the article would not cause the article to move.

A leveling system for a clamping device can include a base having a top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides; and a leveling knob positioned on one of the plurality of sides of the base and comprising a spring, a pin, and a knob connected at an outer end of the shaft. The spring can be compressible when the knob is pulled away from the base. In a locked configuration, the leveling knob can be at a neutral angle and in a home position with the pin positioned within the base. The pin can be removable from the base when the spring is compressed. The leveling knob can be twistable in at least one of clockwise and counterclockwise rotations when the pin is removed from the base.

A cylinder block fixture for securing a workpiece is disclosed. The cylinder block fixture includes a base and clamping members. The clamping members are positioned apart at a distance facing each other on the base. Each of the clamping members includes a support plate at one end and a hand wheel at another end. Each of the support plates comprises a shaft, support bars, and support rods facing the opposite clamping member. The support rods extend from the support bars. The shafts at the support plates receive a camshaft housing of a workpiece. The workpiece includes a cylinder block. The support rods secure the workpiece. The hand wheel rotates and causes the workpiece to rotate. The workpiece rotates to align and take reference from a main bore or a pan rail surface of the workpiece to perform machining operations on the workpiece.

Present invention teaches a two-in-one angle clamp where individual angle clamps can be moved and locked to a desired angle on a base plate to work with work pieces set at an desired angle to each other, with supporting magnet rest pieces to provide horizontal support at a height that's either matching the thickness of the base plate or the combined thickness of the base plate and the clamping head.

A vise for securing a work piece is disclosed which includes a base. A first jaw piece and a second jaw piece can be disposed on the base, at least one of the first and second jaw pieces movable on the base such that the first and second jaw pieces are moveable toward and away from one another. A magnetic assembly can be positioned on the base and configured to produce a magnetic field that extends beyond the base to secure the vise to a magnetically permeable or ferromagnetic work surface. The magnetic assembly can be operable to alternate between an active mode and an inactive mode. The magnetic assembly can produce a magnetic field when the magnetic assembly is in the active mode to secure the vise to a magnetically permeable or ferromagnetic work surface.

A work table apparatus is disclosed for supporting a ferromagnetic object, the work table apparatus including a table having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side oriented to support the ferromagnetic object. A magnetic assembly can be positioned adjacent the second side of the table, the magnetic assembly configured to produce a magnetic field extending exterior to the magnetic assembly to secure a ferromagnetic object in a desired position on the table. The magnetic assembly can be configured to alternate between an active mode where the magnetic field is produced and an inactive mode wherein magnetic fields produced by the magnetic assembly are retained within the magnetic assembly.

Tailgates, tailgates with integrated workbench structures, vehicle assemblies with the same, and methods of manufacturing, integrating, and using the same are disclosed. The tailgates and other pivoting-structures described herein can include one or more integrated workbench structures that are adjustable into different configurations, e.g., at least a first configuration and a second configuration. This allows the workbench structures to support different functions, e.g., holding, supporting, cutting, drilling, sanding, assembling, and/or disassembling objects, among other things. The integrated workbench structures can include support arms, bracing elements, vises, rulers, fasteners, or other adjustable structures that can be operated, modified, or used in different circumstances. The tailgates and other pivoting-structures described herein can also include elements that provide support in an open position, e.g., in some instances, without the use of cables, arms, or struts.

The invention relates to converting a ball and socket style vise into a positioning vise. Jewelers and hand engravers and metal working artists utilize traditional ball vises for holding and spinning an object that is being worked on. The present invention provides a way to retrofit these traditional ball vises with a linear positioning top portion assembly.

The present invention provides a modular vise system comprised of a fixed body, a moveable body, and a fixture plate, wherein the moveable body has a wide range of motion which enables it to grab a piece of any size that will fit within the confines of the fixture plate, the moveable body being tightened from the top of the modular vise. Tightening of the modular vise from the top allows for multiple work pieces to be placed along the moving axis of the modular vise which increases workpiece density and machine efficiency. The moveable body of the modular vise may be driven mechanically, electrically, or via a fluid driven actuator such as a pneumatic actuator or a hydraulic actuator.

According to an embodiment, a support module is provided for supporting a substrate. The support module may include a chuck and a vertical stage. The chuck may include multiple chuck segments that are independently movable. When the substrate is positioned on the chuck, different chuck segments are positioned under different areas of the substrate. The vertical stage may include multiple piezoelectric motors. Each piezoelectric motor may be configured to perform nanometric scale elevation and lowering movements. The multiple piezoelectric motors may be configured to independently move the multiple chuck segments.