Abstract: A system may include a robotic manipulator with a replaceable cover material applied to rigid portions of extension of the manipulator. The system can further include a sensor or other monitoring mechanism that permits a determination of a quality of the cover material to determine whether replacement is warranted, a cover removal mechanism that permits removal of the cover material, and/or a cover application mechanism that permits a replacement for the cover material to be applied to the rigid portion.

Abstract: A workpiece holding fixture including a base plate having an engagement surface including a travel slot. A first static riser includes a position control member configured to removably couple a workpiece to the first static riser. A second static riser includes a rotation control member and is configured to removably couple the workpiece to the second static riser. A dynamic riser is configured to abut the workpiece by automatic, semi-automatic, or manual movement into secure engagement with the workpiece. The dynamic riser is slidably coupled with the travel slot and is operable between a plurality of positions associated with workpiece variants having different locating features and geometries.

Abstract: A tooling system comprises a plurality of elements arranged in an array, the elements of the array being movable between a closed position in which the elements contact one another and are secured in position, and an open position in which the elements of the array are spaced apart and are capable of vertical movement relative to one another, characterized in that the tooling system further comprises means for retaining the elements of the array in a plurality of different relative vertical alignments. A method of operating the tooling system is also described, which method of operating includes at least the steps of moving the elements of the array into a first vertical alignment, machining the free ends of the elements according to a predetermined pattern and moving the elements of the array into a second vertical alignment in which the machined ends of the elements produce a desired surface contour.

Abstract: A jaw plate for a vise including a selectively extendable pin for locating a workpiece. An exemplary jaw plate may be installed in a workholding device, such as a vise, which may be used to hold a workpiece proximate a machine tool. An exemplary jaw plate includes a plurality of pins at predetermined locations along the jaw plate's front face. The pins may be individually selectively extended or retracted by an operator. In their extended positions, the pins may assist the operator in locating the workpiece relative to the machine tool in a correct and repeatable position.

Abstract: A non-surface marring work piece lathe mate pad which is interposed and held between the work piece and a lathe's chuck jaws. Each lathe mate has two grooved surfaces extending around three of its sides and flattened front and back surfaces which engage the work piece and lathe's chuck jaw. Disposed within these grooves are two continuous expandable strap members which extend around the lathe mates and the chuck jaws to retain them in place. These end grooves in each lathe mate prevent slipping of the expansion members with respect to rotatable work piece holding chuck jaws.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for developing a complete set of all admissible Type I and Type II fixture designs for a workpiece. The fixture processor generates the set of all admissible designs based on geometric access constraints and expected applied forces on the workpiece. For instance, the fixture processor may generate a set of admissible fixture designs for first, second and third locators placed in an array of holes on a fixture plate and a translating clamp attached to the fixture plate for contacting the workpiece. In another instance, a fixture vise is used in which first, second, third and fourth locators are used and first and second fixture jaws are tightened to secure the workpiece. The fixture process also ranks the set of admissible fixture designs according to a predetermined quality metric so that the optimal fixture design for the desired purpose may be identified from the set of all admissible fixture designs.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting casings together for axially aligning the casings with respect to each other and then forcing the ends of the casings together. The apparatus can be used in places that are hard to get at. The apparatus is simple and effective and the various parts of the apparatus cannot become separated and lost.

Abstract: A holding device or lock in a machining vise for positioning plates including parallels and angles wherein the positioning plate is provided with a cleat extending from the rear surface along the bottom edge thereof. The plates are held in place by spring loaded engaging members. A recess in the machining vise, complementary in shape to the cleat, may be provided.

Abstract: An adjustable box wrench comprising a box body, an elastic steel beam, and adjustment fragment and a box arm. The adjustment fragment is adjustable inside a hole in the box body to form various size hexagonal holes. Teeth on opposite side of the hole and a beam with a slot permit adjustment of the position of the fragment to adjust hole size.

Abstract: A gripper pad or gripper tool changer for a multi-axis manipulator is provided which is capable of automatically attaching in locked position a selected pair of a plurality of gripper pads or tools to the fingers of a gripper. Each pair of gripper pads or tools are mounted in a holder mechanism which is attached to a surface within the work envelope of the manipulator. The pairs of gripper pads or tools are picked up from the holder and attached and locked to the gripper fingers by controlled movement of the manipulator. A pair of gripper pads or tools are returned to the holder by controlled maneuvering of the gripper into the holder such that unlocking means associated therewith provide unlocking of the gripper pads or tools from the gripper fingers so that the gripper pads or tools can be detached from the gripper fingers. Error detection of missing or displaced finger tools in a pickup operation is provided.

Abstract: A stationary base includes a planar surface and a bore having an axis lying in a plane parallel to the planar surface. A slide element having a planar surface slidably disposed against the planar surface of the base, is attached to a reciprocally movable shuttle slidably disposed within the bore.