Robert L Crocker

US Patent:

6418602, Jul 16, 2002

Filed:

Mar 12, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/267524

Inventors:

Robert B. Crocker - Buffalo NY
Kenneth Benczkowski - Cheektowaga NY

Assignee:

General Electro Mechanical Corporation - West Seneca NY

International Classification:

B25B 2714

US Classification:

292814, 292815, 292816, 29714

Abstract:

A flexible fixture system and method wherein a single fixture system can accommodate and hold a plurality of different workpieces, i. e. the various workpieces comprising the different flight surfaces of a wing. The flexible fixture system comprises a plurality of posts each including a plurality of different contoured formers, one former for each of the different workpieces to be accommodated and held by the flexible fixture system. Depending upon which workpiece is to be held by the fixture system, the required former on each post is selected automatically and moved into position for operative association with the workpiece. The contoured formers include powered clamps for holding details to be fastened to the workpiece. Each post of the flexible fixture system also includes a plurality of holding devices, such as suction cup type devices, which are moved into position to hold the workpiece and maintain its curvature.

US Patent:

6449848, Sep 17, 2002

Filed:

Dec 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/004986

Inventors:

Robert B. Crocker - Buffalo NY
Kenneth Benczkowski - Cheektowaga NY

Assignee:

General Electro-Mechanical Corporation - West Seneca NY

International Classification:

B21D 5388

US Classification:

298972, 29559, 292814, 292815

Abstract:

A flexible fixture system and method wherein a single fixture system can accommodate and hold a plurality of different workpieces, i. e. the various workpieces comprising the different flight surfaces of a wing. The flexible fixture system comprises a plurality of posts each including a plurality of different contoured formers, one former for each of the different workpieces to be accommodated and held by the flexible fixture system. Depending upon which workpiece is to be held by the fixture system, the required former on each post is selected automatically and moved into position for operative association with the workpiece. The contoured formers include powered clamps for holding details to be fastened to the workpiece. Each post of the flexible fixture system also includes a plurality of holding devices, such as suction cup type devices, which are moved into position to hold the workpiece and maintain its curvature.

US Patent:

62234137, May 1, 2001

Filed:

Jan 27, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/239082

Inventors:

Robert B. Crocker - Buffalo NY
Kenneth Benczkowski - Cheektowaga NY

Assignee:

General Electro Mechanical Corporation - West Seneca NY

International Classification:

B21J 1510

US Classification:

295241

Abstract:

Apparatus and method for positioning tooling for operation on a curved workpiece wherein a gantry beam assembly having a movable head assembly thereon carrying tooling is pivotally connected on a pivot axis to a pair of spaced apart pedestals each having a longitudinal axis disposed substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis and wherein the workpiece is supported on a fixture between the pedestals and so that the gantry beam assembly extends along the workpiece. The pivot axis of the gantry beam assembly is moved along the longitudinal axes of the pedestals, the pivot axis of the gantry beam assembly is moved along a path substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the pedestals and the head assembly is moved along the gantry beam assembly. The foregoing operations move the head assembly relative to the workpiece enabling the tooling to perform operations thereon. The gantry beam assembly is pivoted about the pivot axis and the head assembly is pivoted about an axis substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis for normalization of the head assembly relative to the workpiece.