A tooling base that is an improvement over current designs in the form of simplified number of parts and easier manufacturing of parts is described. The tooling base uses alignment fixtures on threaded rods that are restricted in their movement within the tooling base by stops. The stops are located either on the threaded shafts or on the alignment fixtures. This allowed degree of movement enables simplified part design and manufacture while maintaining the precision and accuracy of registration of a tooling fixture with the tooling base.

An apparatus for mounting a coordinate positioning apparatus accessory, such as a tool setter, to the workpiece mounting surface of a coordinate positioning apparatus, the workpiece mounting surface having a slot formed in it. The apparatus includes an insert for inserting into the slot of the workpiece mounting surface, and a mount attachable to a coordinate positioning apparatus accessory. The insert includes structure to fix the insert within the slot; the insert is substantially contained within the slot when inserted therein. The mount includes at least one protruding member for engaging the insert when contained within the slot, thereby fixing the mount, and therefore any coordinate positioning apparatus accessory attached to the mount, to the workpiece mounting surface of the coordinate positioning apparatus.

A T-Nut for use in a machine tool having a tooling plate with an inverted T-shaped channel. The T-Nut comprises a central body having oppositely inclined faces each including an opening forming a cavity extending through the central body, and first and second wedges in slideable communication with the central body inclined faces. Each of the wedges have wings extending laterally beyond the central body to engage upper surfaces of the channel lower wide portion and include a clearance hole extending through a length of the wedge. A rotatable actuation member abuts the first wedge at an end opposite the first wedge mating surface and is internally threaded for a distance from one end thereof. An externally threaded cylindrical shaft is engaged with the internal threads of the actuation member and extends through the first and second wedge clearance holes, the shaft being secured to and non-rotatable with the second wedge. In operation, when tooling is secured to the top surface of the central body and the actuation member is rotated, the first and second wedges are slideably moved symmetrically along the central body inclined faces until the first and second wedge wings engage upper surfaces of the channel lower wide portion while the tooling is simultaneously urged in the direction of the tooling plate until the tooling mounting surface bears against the tooling plate top surface, thereby removably securing the tooling to the tooling plate.

A clamping device includes an actuatable actuator with two actuator halves, each having a clamping jaw disposed thereon. When the actuator is actuated, a cable can be releasably clamped between receiving contours of the clamping jaws. At least one clamping jaw is formed in two parts and has a base part attached to the respective actuator half and an interchangeable part disposed on the base part. The interchangeable part has a support section with a support surface resting on the base part and a contact section resting against the base part. The respective receiving contour is formed on the contact section on an outer side facing the other clamping jaw. A contact surface formed on the contact section on an inner side facing away from the other clamping jaw rests against a contact surface of the base part, and forms an acute angle with the support surface.

In a general aspect, a system for selectively positioning a work piece includes multiple bodies. A first body includes a first exterior surface and a boss extending from the first exterior surface along a boss axis. The boss includes a boss end surface that terminates the boss. Boss perimeter surfaces define a perimeter of the boss and extend between the first exterior surface and the boss end surface. A second body includes a second exterior surface and a pocket extending from the second exterior surface into the second body along a pocket axis. The pocket is shaped to receive the boss in a discrete number of positions when the boss axis and the pocket axis are aligned. Pocket perimeter surfaces define a perimeter of the pocket and extend into the second body from the second exterior surface.

A clamp includes a base portion and a grip portion. The base portion has a base end. The base portion includes an outer cylindrical member disposed about a clamp center axis. The outer cylindrical member extends from the base end to an outer distal end. The outer distal end of the outer cylindrical member defines an annular first clamping surface disposed about the clamp center axis. The outer cylindrical member defines a base internal cavity extending from a base opening. The grip portion includes a cylindrical body and a grip member extending radially outward from the cylindrical body. The grip portion includes a second clamping surface. The cylindrical body is configured to be positioned within the base internal cavity of the base portion such that the second clamping surface of the grip portion radially overlaps the annular first clamping surface of the base portion.