Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for adhesive fixturing include UV light sources in alignment with gripper pins communicating through a fixture. A bus connector operably connects the UV light sources to a control box of the workcell. The control box controls the illumination of the UV light sources through the bus connector.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for adhesive fixturing include UV light sources in alignment with gripper pins communicating through a fixture. A bus connector operably connects the UV light sources to a control box of the workcell. The control box controls the illumination of the UV light sources through the bus connector.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for adhesive fixturing include UV light sources that are connectable to a fixture when the fixture is not attached to the stage of a workcell. A support structure holds the UV light sources in alignment with gripper pins communicating through the fixture. A bus connector operably connects the UV light sources to a control box of the workcell. Attaching the UV light sources to the fixtures outside of the workcell increases the throughput of the workcell and reduces the cost of the fixtured work pieces.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for adhesive fixturing include UV light sources that are connectable to a fixture when the fixture is not attached to the stage of a workcell. A support structure holds the UV light sources in alignment with gripper pins communicating through the fixture. A bus connector operably connects the UV light sources to a control box of the workcell. Attaching the UV light sources to the fixtures outside of the workcell increases the throughput of the workcell and reduces the cost of the fixtured work pieces.

Abstract: The Invention is a system and method for adaptively attaching a work piece, especially an imprecise work piece, to a non-adaptive fixture that can be repeatably attached to one or more CNC machines. The Invention allows a work piece to be set up once for multiple machining operations. The Invention avoids the potential for errors and the cost and complexity inherent in adaptive machining and adaptive fixturing.

Abstract: The Invention is a system and method for adaptively attaching a work piece, especially an imprecise work piece, to a non-adaptive fixture that can be repeatably attached to one or more CNC machines. The Invention allows a work piece to be set up once for multiple machining operations. The Invention avoids the potential for errors and the cost and complexity inherent in adaptive machining and adaptive fixturing.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying a point of interest on the periphery of an object are disclosed. A system comprises a track, a carriage, an advancement mechanism, a non-contact measurement device, and a processor. The advancement mechanism is configured to advance the carriage along the path defined by the track. The measurement device comprises a transmitter configured to transmit a beam of radiation toward the periphery of the object and a detector configured to detect at least a portion of the radiation reflected from the periphery of the object. The processor is programmed to (i) advance the carriage along the path, (ii) measure a distance between the periphery of the object and the measurement device, (iii) calculate a center of mass of the object from the measured distances, and (iv) determine the point of interest on the periphery of the object using the calculated center of mass of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining microrelief of an object periphery, comprising a ring for attachment to the object, a carriage adapted to traverse the ring; a non-contact measurement system mounted on the carriage; an advancement mechanism for incrementally advancing the carriage to a plurality of locations along the path; and a processor configured to receive and process an output of the measurement system. The processor determines a distance from the object periphery to the detector at each of the plurality of locations and automatically determines the microrelief of the object periphery from the measured distances. The apparatus and associated methods for determining microrelief may be particularly adapted to determine bark microrelief of trees, poles, pipes, or any other types of cylindrical objects.