A fixture for supporting a workpiece during a machining operation is disclosed. The fixture may include a seat configured to receive the workpiece. The fixture may further include a quick release lever mounted to the fixture and configured to displace the workpiece from the seat.

A machining tool assembly is provided for machining a blank to form a firearm lower receiver. The assembly includes a pair of side plates positionable on opposed sides of the blank to capture the blank therebetween. A template plate having a template aperture is adapted to be removeably attachable to the side plates. The template aperture is aligned with a top surface of the blank and is adapted for machining a cavity within the blank having a peripheral contour complimentary to a peripheral contour of the template aperture. A centering mechanism is adapted to be removeably attachable to the template plate, with the centering mechanism including an opening aligned with a corresponding void formed on the blank to align the blank with the template plate.

A retaining device for a dental workpiece includes a retaining ring for receiving the dental workpiece, and a clamping device for clamping the dental workpiece on the retaining ring. The clamping device has a bearing surface for the dental workpiece, and the bearing surface is mounted or formed on the retaining ring and protrudes radially in the direction of the central axis. At least one clamping element is mounted movably on the retaining ring, and in a clamping position, the dental workpiece can be clamped between the clamping element and the bearing surface. The retaining ring has an inner ring element, on which the bearing surface is mounted or formed and on which the clamping element is movably mounted, an outer ring element, and a fixing device for releasably fixing the inner ring element to the outer ring element.

Systems and methods are provided for shape controlled gripping of a workpiece. A layer jamming structure includes a membrane defining an internal cavity containing a number of overlapping material layers. A pressure system includes a pump coupled with the internal cavity. A shape conforming tool includes at least one part configured to move to apply a force to the layer jamming structure. The shape conforming tool, by operation of the part, conforms the layer jamming structure to the workpiece. The pressure system, with operation of the pump, changes a pressure in the internal cavity to impart rigidity to the layer jamming structure.

A steady rest has working and right-hand cover plates and a central plate sandwiched therebetween. The working cover plate has upper and lower guide tracks that are received within cavities. The central plate is movably disposed between the working and right-hand cover plates. The central plate slidably engages upper and lower gripping arms that are movable relative to the working cover plate between a clamped position and a retracted position. Tapered rails are disposed in a rail recess of the working cover plate. The rails are movable relative to each other to finely and precisely adjust a position at which the workpiece is clamped and moved horizontally or vertically when the gripping arms are in the clamped position.

The invention relates to a round dental blank holding ring, in particular having a holding projection (22) forming an undercut, wherein the holding ring (10) consists of at least two components (26, 28), the harder one of which overlaps the softer one.

A workpiece transport element for placement on a transport belt and for receiving workpieces, including a bearing pin disposed on a holding element for engaging in an opening in the workpieces for support during transport, wherein the holding element includes at least two bearing pins that are movably mounted with respect to the holding element and have different diameters, wherein the bearing pins are selectively movable into a transport position or out of the transport position. The workpiece transport element can also include bearing pins including a tip, wherein, for storing shaft-like parts, a vertical guide rail including a counter-holder that is movable thereon in a longitudinal direction of the guide rail and includes a holding tip is provided.

A method of gripping a substantially planar workpiece while providing compensation for variations in thickness is described. During the process, the workpiece is overdriven into a clamping member before clamping force is applied, and the positions of the clamping member before and after application of the clamping force are measured. These measurements are then used to control a compensating movement of the tooling table and optionally a final lift of the conveyance rails.

This disclosure is directed to a method for forming and using one or more workpiece securing devices to reduce the deflections and vibrations of the workpiece during machining, as well as the time and labor associated with machining multiple workpieces. The method includes depositing material onto a surface of a movable jaw of a vise to form a first jaw protrusion and depositing material onto a surface of a stationary jaw of the vise to form a second jaw protrusion. A workpiece can be secured between the first and second jaw protrusions and then can be machined.

A method of gripping a substantially planar workpiece while providing compensation for variations in thickness is described. During the process, the workpiece is overdriven into a clamping member before clamping force is applied, and the positions of the clamping member before and after application of the clamping force are measured. These measurements are then used to control a compensating movement of the tooling table and optionally a final lift of the conveyance rails.