CLAMP FOR HOLDING A WORKPIECE FOR MACHINING

Abstract

The present invention provides a clamp for holding a workpiece that is particularly suitable for use in CNC machining. The clamp is particularly useful for use in picture-frame machining techniques as it allows a workpiece to be held in a position wherein a machine can have substantially unencumbered access to both sides of the workpiece without the need to remove the workpiece from the clamp. The clamp comprises a frame comprising a base, a first arm, and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm each mounted to the base at an inner end such that they are parallel with one another.

Claims

1. A clamp for holding a workpiece for machining, the clamp comprising: a frame comprising a base, a first arm, and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm each mounted to the base at an inner end such that they are parallel with one another; a set of opposed vices mounted at facing sides of the frame to hold a workpiece therebetween, the set of vices having exactly three self-centering vices, two mounted at the first side of the frame and one mounted at a second opposing side of the frame.

2. A clamp according to claim 1, wherein the set of opposed vices consists of the three self-centering vices.

3. A clamp according to claim 1, wherein the set of opposed vices consists of the three self-centering vices and one or more floating vices.

4. A clamp according to claim 3, wherein the set of opposed vices comprise three or more floating vices including at least one mounted at the first arm and at least two mounted at the second arm.

5. A clamp according to claim 4, wherein the set of opposed vices comprise five vices mounted at the first arm and five vices mounted at the second arm.

6. A clamp according to claim 3, wherein the self-centering vice mounted at the second side of the frame is the central vice mounted at that side.

7. A clamp according to claim 1, wherein the frame is a closed frame and comprises a top bar mounted to an outer end of the first arm and an outer end of the second arm and extending therebetween.

8. A clamp according to claim 7, wherein the top bar is removable.

9. A clamp according to claim 7, wherein the first side of the frame is one of the base or the top bar and the second side of the frame is the other of the base and the top bar.

10. A clamp according to claim 1, wherein the frame is an open frame consisting of the base, the first arm, and the second arm and the first side of the frame is one of the first arm and the second arm and the second side of the frame is the other of the first arm and the second arm.

11. A clamp according to claim 10, wherein the first arm and the second arm are mounted to the base such that they are movable towards and apart from one another.

12. A clamp according to claim 10, wherein the first arm and the second arm are mounted in the base by means of a dovetail mount.

13. A clamp according to claim 12, wherein the clamp further comprises a screwed wedge for clamping the first arm or the second arm in the dovetail mount.

14. A clamp according to claim 10 further comprising a positioning screw extending through the base, the first arm, and the second arm for moving the first arm and the second arm towards and apart from one another.

15. A clamp according to claim 14, wherein the positioning screw comprises a left-hand thread portion for moving a first of the first or second arms and a right-hand thread portion for moving the other of the first or second arms and the left-hand thread portion and the right-hand thread portion are joined centrally between the first arm and the second arm such that rotating the positioning screw moves the first arm and the second arm in opposing directions.

16. A clamp according to claim 1, further comprising a support mounted on the base between the first arm and the second arm for supporting an inner side of a workpiece supported between the arms if the workpiece is supported in a substantially vertical position.

17. A clamp according to claim 1 further comprising adjustable support means formed at an inner end of the first arm and/or at an inner end of the second arm for supporting a workpiece supported in a substantially vertical position between the arms.

18. A clamp according to claim 17, wherein the adjustable support means comprises a support plate that can be bolted to the inner end of the first arm or the inner end of the second arm.

19. A clamp according to claim 18, wherein the support plate can be bolted in a plurality of different positions for supporting workpieces of different sizes.

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. A method of machining a workpiece using a clamp according to claim 1 comprising the sequential steps of: fixing the clamp to a machine platform of a machine; positioning the workpiece in the clamp such that a first edge is positioned within arms of the self-centering vices and any floating vices of the first side of the frame and a second opposing edge is positioned within arms of the self-centering vice and any floating vices of the second side of the frame; tightening the self-centering vices of the clamp onto the workpiece; tightening any floating vices of the clamp onto the workpiece; and machining the workpiece.

23. A method of machining a workpiece using a clamp according claim 10 according to any preceding claim comprising the sequential steps of: fixing the clamp to a machine platform of a machine and positioning the first arm and the second arm of the clamp an appropriate distance apart; positioning the workpiece in the clamp such that a first edge is positioned within arms of the self-centering vices and any floating vices of the first side of the frame and a second opposing edge is positioned within arms of the self-centering vice and any floating vices of the second side of the frame; tightening the self-centering vices of the clamp onto the workpiece; tightening any floating vices of the clamp onto the workpiece; and machining the workpiece.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a clamp according to a first embodiment of the present invention having a workpiece lowered therein;

[0050] FIG. 2 is a front view of the first embodiment having a workpiece held therein;

[0051] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the first embodiment and the workpiece held therein;

[0052] FIGS. 4 and 5 show the first embodiment without a workpiece illustrating the movement of the arms of the clamp relative to one another;

[0053] FIGS. 6 and 7 show detail of how the arms of the first embodiment are mounted and secured in the base;

[0054] FIG. 8 illustrates the positioning mechanism of the arms of the first embodiment;

[0055] FIG. 9 shows detail of a self centering vice and a floating vice of the first embodiment;

[0056] FIG. 10 shows detail of a support plate of the first embodiment;

[0057] FIGS. 11 to 13 show how a workpiece held in the first embodiment can be machined using various cutting tools;

[0058] FIGS. 14 to 16 show how the clamp of the first embodiment can be mounted on various machine tools; and

[0059] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the invention.

[0060] A clamp 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in the Figures. The clamp 1 comprises a base 2, a first arm 3, a second arm 4, and a set of opposed vices 5, 6, 7, 8 mounted at inner faces of the first arm and the second arm, five at the inner face of each arm. The set of opposed vices consist of two self-centering vices 5 mounted at the inner face of the first arm 3, one self-centering vice 6 mounted at the inner face of the second arm 4, three floating vices 7 mounted at the inner face of the first arm 3, and four floating vices 8 mounted at the inner face of the second arm 4. The vices 5, 6, 7, 8 are evenly vertically spaced along each of the first arm 3 and the second arm 4. As can be seen in the Figures, the self-centering vice 6 of the second arm 4 is the central vice of the five vices 6, 8 mounted thereat. The self-centering vices 5 of the first arm are the second and fourth of the five vices 5, 7 mounted thereat. Together the base 2, first arm 3, and second arm 4 form an open frame within which a workpiece 12 can be held.

[0061] A supporting plate 9 is affixed to each of the first arm 3 and the second arm 4. The supporting plates 9 are fixed to an inner face of the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 adjacent an inner end of the arms and below the innermost of the opposed vices 5, 6, 7, 8 mounted thereat.

[0062] The first arm 3 and the second arm 4 are mounted together by means of a positioning screw 10. A support 11 is mounted centrally on the base 2 between the first arm 3 and the second arm 4. The positioning screw 10 extends through the support 11. The support 11 is stationary and does not move when the position of the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 is varied, as discussed below.

[0063] When in use, a workpiece 12 is supported at two edges between the first arm 3 and the second arm by means of the opposed vices 5, 6, 7, 8 and rests upon the supporting plates 9 at a third edge. This is shown clearly in FIG. 2. When supported in the clamp 1 in this manner the workpiece 12 can be machined from both sides. In particular, a non-prismatic workpiece 12 supported in this manner can be machined using a picture-frame machine method to form a non-prismatic final object.

[0064] The workpiece 12 shown in the Figures is not flat, it is a section of machinable plate having a slight curve resulting from its method of manufacture. The use of self-centering vices 5, 6 and floating vices 7, 8 allows the non-flat workpiece 12 to be held securely within the clamp 1 and in a stable orientation relative to the clamp 1 and any machine that may be used to machine the workpiece 12. In particular, the self-centering vices 5, 6 hold the workpiece 12 in a triangulated plane formed between the self-centering vices. As only the three self-centering vices 5, 6 act to hold or move the workpiece 12 into this triangulated plane there are no bending forces acting on the workpiece 12 when it is held in this plane. The floating vices 7, 8 act to secure the workpiece 12 within the clamp 1 but as they are floating across a width of the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 they do not act to bend the workpiece out of the triangulated plane defined by the self-centering vices 5, 6. Rather, the floating vices 7, 8 adjust to the shape of the workpiece 12 being held within the clamp 1. This is clearly shown in FIG. 3, which shows a curved workpiece 12 held in the second arm 4 by means of the self-centering vice 6 and the floating vices 8.

[0065] The first arm 3 and the second arm 4 are movably mounted within the base 2 at an inner end and are mounted together by means of a positioning screw 10. The position of the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 can be varied using the positioning screw 10. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the movement of the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 is controlled such that they remain equidistant from a centre of the base 2 where the support 11 is mounted. That is, when the positioning screw 10 is rotated the first arm 3 will move towards or away from the centre of the base 2 at the same rate as the second arm 4 moves in the opposing direction. Turning the positioning screw 10 in a first direction will move the first arm 3 towards the second arm 4. Turning the positioning screw 10 in a second direction will move the first arm 3 apart from the second arm 4. In both situations the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 will move at the same speed. Details of the positioning screw are also apparent from FIG. 8, which is discussed below.

[0066] The inner ends of the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 are mounted in the base 2 by means of a dove-tail joint 13, shown clearly in FIG. 6. This allows the first arm 3 and second arm 4 to move along the base 2 without difficulty but otherwise holds the first and second arms 3, 4 securely in the base 2 and prevents their movement in any other direction.

[0067] In order that the first arm 3 and second arm 4 can be held securely in position in the base 2 a screwed wedge 14 is provided for the second arm 4. This is shown clearly in FIG. 7. The wedge 14 can be adjusted by means of a screw 15 extending through the wedge and the second arm 4 such that it acts to pull the second arm 4 against the base 2 preventing the second arm 4 moving along the base 2.

[0068] A cross section through the base 2, the first arm 3, and the second arm 4 is shown in FIG. 8. This Figure also shows the positioning screw 10 extending through the base 2, the first arm 3, and the second arm 4. The positioning screw 10 comprises a first part 16 that has left-hand thread and extends through the first arm 3, a second part 17 that has a right-hand thread and extends through the second arm 4, and a central connector 18 into which both the first part 16 and the second part 17 are fitted and pinned into position. A first nut 19 is fitted to the first part 16 and is fixed to the first arm 3. A second nut 20 is fitted to the second part 17 and is fixed to the second arm 4. A support 11 is formed in the centre of the base 2 and the central connector 18 passes through the support 11. Attached to the support is a lifting eye 39 with a central aperture 40 that can be used to lift the clamp 1 with the centre of gravity of the clamp 1 located below the central aperture.

[0069] Details of a self-centering vice 5 and a floating vice 7 of the present invention are shown in FIG. 9. The floating vice 7 is shown in the uppermost part of the Figure and the self-centering 5 vice is shown in the lowermost part of the Figure. The self-centering vice 5 and the floating vice 7 are formed in substantially the same manner. They each comprise a arm screw 21 having a right-hand threaded portion 24 extending through a first arm 22 of the vice 5, 6 and a left-hand threaded portion 25 extending through a second arm 23 of the vice 5, 6. The right-hand threaded portion 24 is joined to the left-hand threaded portion 25 by means of a joining flange 26 that has a significantly wider diameter than either the right-hand threaded portion 24 or the left-hand threaded portion 25. In the self-centering vice 5 the flange 26 is held in a central position within the arm 3. In the floating-vice 7 the flange 26 is free to move within a defined space 27 within the arm 3. As a result of this difference, the self-centering vice 5 will always act to clamp a workpiece 12 centrally within the arm 3 whilst the floating vice 7 can clamp a workpiece 12 away from the centre of the arm 3. A floating vice 7 can clamp a workpiece at any position that is centred on a position within the defined space 27 of the arm.

[0070] The details of a supporting plate 9 of the clamp 1 is shown in FIG. 10. The supporting plate 9 is a metal plate with a plurality of bolt holes 28 formed therethrough. The support plate 9 can be fixed using bolts 29 positioned through the bolt holes 28 into cooperatively positioned apertures (not shown) formed in a arm 3, 4 in order to support a workpiece 12 positioned in the clamp 1. The support plate 9 can be fixed at different heights by fixing the plate 9 to the arm 3, 4 using different bolt holes 28. In order to support smaller workpieces 12 a differently shaped support plate 9 could be used. In particular, a support pate with an elongated upper portion may be provided.

[0071] The use of the clamp 1 to support a workpiece 12 during machining is shown in FIGS. 11 to 16.

[0072] FIG. 11 shows the possible path of a machine tool 30 across the face of a workpiece 12 positioned in the clamp 1. FIG. 12 shows the machine tool 30 in the starting position of the path, clearly showing how the clamp 1 allows the tool 30 good access to the workpiece 12 positioned within the clamp 1. FIG. 13 shows the contour of the arms 22, 23 of the vices 7, 8. In particular, the arms 22, 23 are formed to allow clear access around the arms for the machine tool 30.

[0073] FIGS. 14 to 16 show the clamp 1 mounted to various different machine tool configurations which provide for rotation of the clamp to permit a cutting tool to access the workpiece 12 from both sides. FIG. 14 shows a 3-axis certical machine tool fitted with a 4.sup.th-axis rotary table 31, providing rotation about the axis 32. FIG. 15 shows a 5-axis vertical machine tool which incorporates a 4.sup.th/5.sup.th-axis tilting/rotary table 33 providing orientation about 4.sup.th axis 34 and rotation about the 5.sup.th axis 35. FIG. 16 shows a 4-axis horizontal machine tool which incorporates a 4.sup.th-axis rotary table 36 providing rotation about the axis 37.

[0074] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a clamp 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention. For ease the same reference numerals are used to refer to the components of the second embodiment as are used to refer to the components of the first embodiment.

[0075] The clamp 1 of the second embodiment comprises a base 2, a first arm 3, a second arm 4, a top bar 41, and a set of opposed vices 5, 6, 7, 8 mounted at opposing faces of the base and the top bar. The set of opposed vices consist of two self-centering vices 5 mounted at an inner face of the base 2, one self-centering vice 6 mounted at an inner face of the top bar 41, three floating vices 7 mounted at the inner face of the base 2, and four floating vices 8 mounted at the inner face of the top bar 41. The vices 5, 6, 7, 8 are evenly vertically spaced along each of the base 2 and the top bar 41. As can be seen in the Figure the self-centering vice 6 of the top bar 41 is the central vice of the five vices 6, 8 mounted thereat. The self centering vices 5 of the base 2 are the second and fourth of the five vices 5, 7 mounted thereat. The top bar 41 is removably fixed to outer ends of the first arm 3 and the second arm 4. Unlike the first embodiment of the invention, the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 are not movable relative to the base 2 but are instead fixed in position in the base 2. Together, the base 2, first arm 3, second arm 4, and the top bar 41 form a closed frame within which a workpiece 12 can be held.

[0076] The second embodiment of the invention is operated in the following manner. A workpiece 12 is positioned within the clamp 1 whilst the top bar 41 is removed from the clamp 1 such that the workpiece is positioned within the clamps 5, 7 mounted at the base 2. The top bar 41 is then fixed to the outer ends of the first arm 3 and the second 4 such that the workpiece is positioned within the vices 6, 8 mounted thereat. The vices 5, 6, 7, 8 are tightened to hold the workpiece 12 in place. The vices 5, 7 mounted at the base 2 may be tightened before or after the top bar is fixed in position. After the workpiece 12 is held in place it may then be machined.

[0077] It will be understood that the embodiments of the invention shown in the Figures are not intended to be limiting upon the scope of the invention. Rather, the embodiments shown in the Figures is intended to be illustrative of various features of the invention that, in accordance with the claims, may or may not be present in a clamp according to the present invention. Unless otherwise stated in the claims any individual feature of the embodiments shown in the Figures may or may not be present in any embodiments of the invention, either in isolation or in combination with any other feature. Further, various features are shown in detail in the Figures but the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to that detail or specific implementation of the feature. Rather, unless otherwise stated in the claims, any such feature may be implemented in any manner apparent to the person skilled in the art.