A modular fixture plate system comprising:

at least one interlocking fixture plate comprising at least one of a male end and a female end, wherein the male end comprises at least one male projection and the female end comprises at least one female recess; and

a docking plate comprising at least one of at least one male projection and at least one female recess;

wherein at least one male projection or female recess of the at least one interlocking fixture plate is interlocked with a mating one of the at least one male projection or the at least one female recess of the docking plate.

A modular fixture plate system comprising:

at least one interlocking fixture plate comprising at least one of a male end and a female end, wherein the male end comprises at least one male projection and the female end comprises at least one female recess; and

a docking plate comprising at least one of at least one male projection and at least one female recess;

wherein at least one male projection or female recess of the at least one interlocking fixture plate is interlocked with a mating one of the at least one male projection or the at least one female recess of the docking plate.

Embodiments of the disclosure advantageously provide base plates with decreased metal contamination. Some embodiments of the disclosure advantageously provide base plates with increased edge purge channel uniformity. Some embodiments provide methods of forming base plates. Embodiments of the disclose are directed to a heater pedestal configured to support a substrate during processing. In some embodiments, the heater pedestal includes the base plate described herein.

A system for supporting workpieces during machining. The system comprises one or more adjustable workpiece support assemblies and a robotic unit. Each workpiece support assembly comprises a pedestal and a rotatable fixture element. The robotic assembly comprises means of mobilizing and immobilizing each support assembly, so that the fixture element may be secured in a particular orientation. The robotic unit moves along a frame, and manipulates and fixes the position of the fixture elements to match the contour of a workpiece. Vacuum forces may be applied through the workpiece support assemblies to secure the workpiece against the fixture elements.

A carrier for receiving and restraining a container against rotation during an automated filling and capping operation includes an array of modular container housings. A bumper is disposed below the housing and projects outwardly to cushion the carrier against impact. The bumper is supported by a base. Structure extends from the housing through the bumper and into the base to secure the carrier. One housing module includes a recess having container abutment surfaces and angled surfaces at the opening to guide a container into engagement with the abutments. One housing module includes a recess having ribs separated by relief vents to relieve air pressure as a container is loaded into the carrier. One housing module includes a container holder having a pair of upright supports separated by side openings. The bumper and the base each including a weight positioned at a selected location to uphold the filled container.

A locating fixture that includes a base, an adjustable locating member, a plurality of indicia, a restraining member and a lower substructure. The base includes a raised platform having a mounting aperture. The adjustable locating member is disposed within the mounting aperture and includes a part locating feature and a position indicator fixedly attached to the adjustable locating member. The plurality of indicia is located on the raised platform adjacent to the adjustable locating member. The position indicator cooperates with the plurality of indicia to determine a vertical position of the adjustable locating member. The restraining member is cooperatively engaged with the adjustable locating member. The lower substructure is configured to allow for longitudinal and lateral translation of the base. The base is translatably mounted to the lower substructure.

A locating fixture includes an adjustable locating member for supporting and restraining a part. The adjustable locating member allows for rotational and translational adjustment for aligning to a particular part configuration. The adjustable locating member utilizes a plurality of indicia and a position indicator to assist in the alignment of the adjustable locating member to a desired position, which is then restrained at a desired position by a restraining element.

An apparatus for supporting at least one component includes a supporting device having a first and at least one second support element, which are mounted movably relative to each other, and a shape-defining device with a surface contour which fits, at least in some regions, a contour of a supporting section of the component. The supporting device can be placed against the shape-defining device, and, by contact of the at least two support elements with the surface contour of the shape-defining device, the first support element can be moved into a defined position relative to the at least second support element, in which position the at least two support elements reproduce the contour of the supporting section, at least in some regions.

The low profile of the flexible tooling system disclosed allows for flexible tooling to be added to nearly all CNC machines with an accommodating z-axis height and allows easier relocation of the system from one CNC machine to another. The system includes one or more pods, each of the pods of the system replacing the function of four independent actuators of earlier systems but operating with a shared mechanical frame. Arranging the mechanism into groups of four allows for greater density of part support spacing, minimizes cable requirements, and allows for air, vacuum, and vacuum sensor requirements be localized on each pod. The pods allow for part supports to be spaced as close as 6″ in the x and y axis. An increased variable position assembly density allows for greater flexibility to hold complicated parts.

A cutting table is provided for supporting flat metal plate to be processed, wherein the support table includes at least one module including: at least two longitudinal end plate members which extend along a longitudinal X axis and are spaced apart a transverse distance Y; and a plurality of spaced apart flat bar members (bar members) which are supported by the end plate members and which span distance Y between the end plate members; wherein the side end plate members and bar members of the module are oriented so that the plane of the end plate members and the bar members all have, in use, a vertical orientation; wherein furthermore in use, the bar members support a sacrificial interlocking grid assembly configured to support the plate to be machined.