Systems and methods are provided for gripping of a workpiece with a layer jamming structure having rigid datum structures. A system includes a layer jamming structure configurable in an inactivated conformable state, with a membrane defining an internal cavity containing a number of overlapping material layers. The rigid structures engage the layer jamming structure. A pressure system includes a pump coupled with the internal cavity to change a pressure therein to transform the layer jamming structure from the inactivated conformable state to an activated rigid state disposed around the workpiece. The rigid structures help conform the layer jamming structure to the workpiece during transformation to the activated rigid state and to present datum fixturing surfaces in the activated rigid state.

A jig system with hydraulic expansion clamp mechanism for clamping a work piece includes a plate that is manufactured integrally as one piece using three-dimensional printing. The plate is formed with an expansion chamber that is defined by a surrounding wall for allowing the work piece to extend therethrough, an inlet that is fluidly connected to a hydraulic source that supplies pressurized fluid, and a passage that is fluidly connected to the inlet and the expansion chamber. When pressurized fluid is supplied into the passage from the inlet, the expansion chamber is caused to expand and move the surrounding wall inwardly into contact with the work piece.

A multi-station self-positioning floating clamping and workpiece automatic flip intelligent fixture system includes a linear motion device, a workpiece automatic flip device and a self-positioning floating clamping device. A bottom portion of the workpiece automatic flip device is connected to the linear motion device, which drives the workpiece automatic flip device to move horizontally; the self-positioning floating clamping device clamps the workpiece, the workpiece automatic flip device is arranged opposite to the self-positioning floating clamping device, and the workpiece automatic flip device clamps the workpiece and drives the workpiece to turn over; and the workpiece automatic flip device includes a rotary cylinder, which is connected to a hydraulic cylinder, a piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder is connected to a mechanical claw opening-and-closing finger through a hinge mechanism, and the hydraulic cylinder reciprocates to drive the mechanical claw opening-and-closing finger to open and close to clamp or release the workpiece.

A device for stabilizing a workpiece, in particular a thin-walled workpiece mounted in a machine tool, comprises at least one base; and a plurality of stabilizing elements. The stabilizing elements protrude away from one surface of the base, wherein the stabilizing element comprises a cylinder and a rod arranged therein and the rod can be driven hydraulically to move in the axial direction of the stabilizing element such that the rod of at least two of the stabilizing elements can be brought into contact with one surface of the workpiece.

A conveyance apparatus includes two clamp mechanisms. Each of the clamp mechanisms is configured to freely change its state among a fully clamping state, a semi-clamping state, and a non-clamping state. When an object is delivered from a first clamp mechanism that is holding the object to a second clamp mechanism, the second clamp mechanism is brought into the semi-clamping state to temporarily hold the object. Then, the first clamp mechanism is brought into the non-clamping state and the second clamp mechanism is brought into the fully clamping state.

The invention discloses a synchronous self-locking pneumatic adaptive fixture used for the machining of annular thin-walled parts, belonging to the technical field of mechanical machining. The synchronous self-locking pneumatic adaptive fixture includes a zero point positioning system, a base body, a plurality of pressure plate mechanism assemblies, a plurality of columns, a plurality of support mechanism assemblies and a plurality of adaptive support body assemblies. Among them, the pressure plate mechanism assemblies complete the axial compression of the workpiece through the lever force increasing mechanisms and the orthogonal self-locking mechanisms. And the support mechanism assemblies complete the radial support of the workpiece through the rod slider mechanisms and the orthogonal self-locking mechanisms. The invention not only has high clamping efficiency and good stability, but also can ensure the reliable clamping and safe machining of the workpiece when the air source is disconnected.

A clamping device and a machining method. The clamping device comprises: a base; a clamping head comprising a blind rivet and a locking member, the blind rivet comprising a middle column segment and enlarged portions at two ends, and the locking member being connected to an upper end of the blind rivet and defining a clamping opening; a lower cavity connected to the base; an upper cavity comprising an annular peripheral wall and a top wall having a central hole, the top wall being clamped between the two enlarged portions, the middle column segment of the blind rivet movably passing through the central hole, and the upper cavity being connected to the lower cavity in a fit manner; an elastic member located in the peripheral wall and supported between the enlarged portion at a lower portion of the blind rivet and the top wall; and a support cylinder movably fitted in the lower cavity, the support cylinder being supported below the elastic member.

A workpiece locational positioner apparatus that is compact for precisely positioning a workpiece from a position above a tool or fixture includes a cylinder assembly, a central (tip) cam plate adapted to convert the reciprocating motion of the cylinder assembly into a rotational motion, and an engagement package mounted to the cam plate, to accurately engage, position and locate the workpiece in the tool.

A workpiece support device includes: a jig, a table, a rotating shaft, a support member, a flow path connector, and a supply-side connecting portion. The jig has a main flow path to flow a fluid for machining and a sub-flow path, and fixes the workpiece. The table has a table flow path to communicate with the main flow path and is attached with the jig. The rotating shaft has a rotating shaft flow path to communicate with the table flow path, and is fixed to the table. The support member rotatably supports the rotating shaft. The flow path connector connects the rotating shaft flow path with a fluid-supply path to communicate with a fluid-supply side so as to relatively rotate with each other about an axis of the rotating shaft. The supply-side connecting portion moves relative to the jig to communicate with and block off the sub-flow path.

A fixture for holding a barrel-shaped part, including an interior surface, in a fixed position includes a body configured to fit inside the barrel-shaped part and a support ring coupled to the body. The support ring includes a peripheral channel. The fixture further includes a bladder tube engaged with the peripheral channel of the support ring and inflatable to engage the interior surface of the barrel-shaped part when the body is inside the barrel-shaped part.