A micro-gripper includes a support to which are articulated fingers and an actuating diaphragm, adjusting the spacing of the fingers. The support being circular, the fingers may be arranged in any number around it, and the diaphragm delimits a chamber with the support assembled to an equipment for distributing fluids, the pressure of which elastically deforms the diaphragm and controls a simultaneous movement of variations in spacings of the fingers. If the diaphragm is conical and the fingers link up all around, an independence of the movements of the fingers remains.

A micro-gripper includes a support to which are articulated fingers and an actuating diaphragm, adjusting the spacing of the fingers. The support being circular, the fingers may be arranged in any number around it, and the diaphragm delimits a chamber with the support assembled to an equipment for distributing fluids, the pressure of which elastically deforms the diaphragm and controls a simultaneous movement of variations in spacings of the fingers. If the diaphragm is conical and the fingers link up all around, an independence of the movements of the fingers remains.

A method for positioning a rotary part on a machining fixture adapted to hold the rotary part for a machining operation is described. The machining fixture has a center axis and a diaphragm with engaging segments affixed thereto and extending away therefrom. The method includes mounting the rotary part on the machining fixture concentrically about the center axis and adjacent to the engaging segments, and then applying an axial force in a direction substantially parallel to the center axis against the diaphragm. This elastically deforms the diaphragm and radially displaces the contact members of the engaging segments into frictional engagement with a circumferential surface of the rotary part.

A method for positioning a rotary part on a machining fixture adapted to hold the rotary part for a machining operation is described. The machining fixture has a center axis and a diaphragm with engaging segments affixed thereto and extending away therefrom. The method includes mounting the rotary part on the machining fixture concentrically about the center axis and adjacent to the engaging segments, and then applying an axial force in a direction substantially parallel to the center axis against the diaphragm. This elastically deforms the diaphragm and radially displaces the contact members of the engaging segments into frictional engagement with a circumferential surface of the rotary part.

The micro-gripper includes a support (301) to which are articulated fingers (304) and an actuating diaphragm (305), adjusting the spacing of the fingers (304). The support being circular, the fingers (304) may be arranged in any number around it, and the diaphragm (305) delimits a chamber with the support (301) assembled to an equipment (18) for distributing fluids, the pressure of which elastically deforms the diaphragm (305) and controls a simultaneous movement of variations in spacings of the fingers (304).

If the diaphragm is conical and the fingers link up all around, an independence of the movements of the fingers remains, which is invaluable for correctly gripping objects and avoiding excessive efforts.

Application to the gripping of objects, which can be very small and fragile, with a determined and moderate force.

A method for positioning a rotary part on a machining fixture adapted to hold the rotary part for a machining operation is described. The machining fixture has a center axis and a diaphragm with engaging segments affixed thereto and extending away therefrom. The method includes mounting the rotary part on the machining fixture concentrically about the center axis and adjacent to the engaging segments, and then applying an axial force in a direction substantially parallel to the center axis against the diaphragm. This elastically deforms the diaphragm and radially displaces the contact members of the engaging segments into frictional engagement with a circumferential surface of the rotary part.

A method for positioning a rotary part on a machining fixture adapted to hold the rotary part for a machining operation is described. The machining fixture has a center axis and a diaphragm with engaging segments affixed thereto and extending away therefrom. The method includes mounting the rotary part on the machining fixture concentrically about the center axis and adjacent to the engaging segments, and then applying an axial force in a direction substantially parallel to the center axis against the diaphragm. This elastically deforms the diaphragm and radially displaces the contact members of the engaging segments into frictional engagement with a circumferential surface of the rotary part.

A positioning assembly for positioning a rotary part to be machined includes a machining fixture and a positioning device having an elastically-deformable diaphragm concentrically mounted to the fixture and defining an annular loading zone which receives an axial force substantially parallel with a center axis of the fixture. The positioning device has circumferentially-spaced engaging segments, fixed to the diaphragm and extending away therefrom, which have contact members that are displaced radially to frictionally engage the rotary part when the axial force is applied to the loading zone of the diaphragm.

A positioning assembly for positioning a rotary part to be machined includes a machining fixture and a positioning device having an elastically-deformable diaphragm concentrically mounted to the fixture and defining an annular loading zone which receives an axial force substantially parallel with a center axis of the fixture. The positioning device has circumferentially-spaced engaging segments, fixed to the diaphragm and extending away therefrom, which have contact members that are displaced radially to frictionally engage the rotary part when the axial force is applied to the loading zone of the diaphragm.