Abstract: A flexible fixturing apparatus for securely holding and positively locating a workpiece for manufacturing operations. The apparatus includes a two-dimensional pin array comprising parallel pins movably supported on a housing for individual reciprocal axial motion toward contact with a workpiece to be supported. A pin locking mechanism releasably locks the pins of the first pin array against axial motion relative to the housing once the pins have contacted and conformed to the shape of a workpiece. The pin locking mechanism includes a first clamp supported in the housing for reciprocal motion toward and away from the pin array such that panel motion towards the pin array presses the pins of the array against a pin retaining wall of the housing. A second clamp is supported in the housing for reciprocal motion toward and away from the pin array. Motion of the second clamp towards the pin array locks the pins more securely by further crowding the pins.

Abstract: A workpiece micro-positioning apparatus for correcting small pitch and yaw location errors in a workpiece supported on a fixture for a manufacturing operation such as precision machining or assembly comprises a biaxial micro-positioner that includes pitch and yaw motion mechanisms that support a workpiece for rotation about respective pitch and yaw axes. The yaw motion mechanism supports the pitch motion mechanism for rotation about a yaw axis generally normal to the pitch axis. A base supports the yaw motion mechanism. A fixture fixed to the micro-positioner releasably holds a workpiece. The micro-positioner allows the fixture to rotate about the pitch and yaw axes to correct any pitch and yaw deviations from a desired workpiece attitude relative to the base and to releasably lock the pitch and yaw motion mechanisms following such correction.

Abstract: A line boring apparatus comprising a motorized spindle and tool support mounted on a support frame for motion along two axes perpendicular to a rotational spindle axis. The spindle is also supported for motion along the spindle axis relative to the tool support. A tool cradle is supported beneath the spindle on the support frame and stores boring bars of differing outside diameters equipped with support bushings having outside diameters equal to an inner diameter of the tool support. A CNC is programmed to actuate an axes drive to cause the spindle to select a boring bar and bushing from the cradle. The CNC and axes drive then move the bar and bushing to a predetermined boring position axially aligned with an interrupted line bore to be machined in a workpiece.

Abstract: A boring tool is provided with rotary cutting inserts which rotate as a result of the forces which act on the inserts as the tool bores a workpiece. The inserts are positioned on the tool so that the cutting point of each insert is located in a different radial plane along the axis of the tool. The inserts are also positioned on the tool so that the radial distance of the cutting point of each insert from the axis of the tool is different. The non-symmetrical positioning of the inserts on the boring tool provides improved performance of the tool over a tool in which the inserts are symmetrically positioned.

Abstract: A boring tool for use with compacted graphite iron materials includes at least one self-propelled rotating cutter insert. The insert is carried in a cartridge in which the insert is rotatable about is axis which is a secondary axis relative to a boring tool body in which the cartridge is mountable and which is rotatable about a primary axis. In the tool, the insert has its cutting point most distant from the tool axis that is the location at which axial and radial rake angles are defined to assure that the insert rotates during boring about its axis in the correct direction and at sufficient speed to assure cooling of the insert.