An object is to simplify a structure of a holding fixture which holds the shape of an aircraft panel, and to hold the aircraft panel in an appropriate shape. A holding fixture includes: a plurality of gripping units configured to grip edge portions on two opposite sides of a fuselage panel including a skin; and a support body configured to integrally support the plurality of gripping units, the support body being provided corresponding to the fuselage panel to be gripped by the plurality of gripping units, wherein the plurality of gripping units hold the fuselage panel such that the gripping units grip the edge portions of the fuselage panel, and the fuselage panel has a curved shape in cross section taken in a direction perpendicular to a one axis direction, and the holding fixture is configured to be conveyable in a state of holding the fuselage panel.

A machining system configured to reduce spring back following machining operations comprising a machining tool and a spring back control system. The spring back control system comprises a number of force generators and a number of force loaded members coupled to the number of force generators, each force loaded member of the number of force loaded members comprising a material contact surface.

A machining support configured to reduce spring back of a sheet following a machining operation on the sheet is presented. The machining support comprises a porous material with a plurality of surfaces including a support surface having a contour configured to contact and support the sheet; sealing material covering each of the plurality of surfaces except the support surface; and a vacuum port configured to provide a vacuum to the porous material.

Machining apparatus for machining a chilled workpiece include a support surface that supports the chilled workpiece during machining by a machining tool of the machining apparatus, and further include a cooling system operatively coupled to the support surface. The cooling system prevents a machining temperature of an adhesive coupled to the chilled workpiece from rising beyond a predetermined threshold temperature during machining of the chilled workpiece, such that the cooling system prevents curing of the adhesive during machining of the chilled workpiece. The cooling system includes a cooling fluid that radiantly cools the chilled workpiece via the support surface while the chilled workpiece is supported by the support surface, such that the cooling system maintains the machining temperature of the adhesive (and of the chilled workpiece) below an ambient temperature. Related methods include machining the chilled workpiece using such machining apparatus.

A method for fabricating vacuum tooling is disclosed using porous granular media. A sheet of steel webbing is affixed to a frame. A plurality of layers of fiberglass is affixed to the webbing. A vacuum port is installed through the webbing and plurality of layers of fiberglass. A granular media is mixed with epoxy to form a granular mixture. The granular mixture is layered over the plurality of layers of fiberglass to form a flat surface and machined for uniformity before sealing.

The present invention is provided with: a first processing position (A1) and a second processing position (A2) at which rough processing is performed on a workpiece (W); a third processing position (B1) at which final finishing processing is performed on the workpiece (W) that was processed at the second processing position (A2); flexible vices (7) provided to the first processing position (A1) and the second processing position (A2), the flexible vices (7) securing the workpiece (W) by clamping the same; and a quick clamping device (20) provided to the third processing position (B1), the quick clamping device (20) securing the workpiece (W) by means of a pin. The present invention is also provided with a control unit that controls a rough processing tool for performing rough processing and a final finishing processing tool for performing final finishing processing.

A method for fabricating vacuum tooling is disclosed using porous granular media. A sheet of steel webbing is affixed to a frame. A plurality of layers of fiberglass is affixed to the webbing. A vacuum port is installed through the webbing and plurality of layers of fiberglass. A granular media is mixed with epoxy to form a granular mixture. The granular mixture is layered over the plurality of layers of fiberglass to form a flat surface and machined for uniformity before sealing.

A method for fabricating vacuum tooling is disclosed using porous granular media. A sheet of steel webbing is affixed to a frame. A plurality of layers of fiberglass is affixed to the webbing. A vacuum port is installed through the webbing and plurality of layers of fiberglass. A granular media is mixed with epoxy to form a granular mixture. The granular mixture is layered over the plurality of layers of fiberglass to form a flat surface and machined for uniformity before sealing.

Provided is a machine tool (1) capable of effectively removing machining chips adhering to a portion excluding a held portion and including a machining working portion of a tool (T). The machine tool (1) includes a tool holding unit (6) holding the tool (T), a feed mechanism (10, 11, 12) moving the tool holding unit (6) in at least one axis direction, an enclosure (22) provided within an operating area of the tool (T), having an opening, and having an interior area into which a portion of the tool (T) exposed outside from the tool holding unit (6) can be partially or entirely enclosed through the opening, a fluid injecting nozzle (23, 24) provided on at least one of the tool holding unit (6) and the enclosure (22) and injecting a fluid toward the tool (T) enclosed in the enclosure (22), and a controller (15) controlling the feed mechanism (10, 11, 12) such that the tool (T) is enclosed into the enclosure (22) by moving the tool holding unit (6), and controlling an injecting operation of the fluid injecting nozzle (23, 24) such that the fluid is injected in a state where the tool (T) is enclosed in the enclosure (22).

An improved machining system for use in a CNC mill for the production of thin, hardened metal implement such as bed knifes includes a laminate mounting substrate with holes for receiving a pair of locator pins therein, at least one of the locator pins configured to displace longitudinally relative to the mounting substrate but not laterally which allows the system to accommodate a wide variety of metal implements. The system also includes magnetic cladding to protect the metal implement from metal chips being attracted by a magnetic element positioned beneath the mounting substrate to the finished product, allowing for higher quality cutting heads in the mill and a more efficient production of finished implements. A method of forming such implements is also provided.