GB1577746A - Modular unit - Google Patents

Description

(54) A MODULAR UNIT (71) We, MAUSER-WERKE OBERNDORF G.m.b.H., a joint stock company organised under the laws of Germany (Fed. Rep.), of Werkstrasse 27, 7238 Oberdorf, Germany (Fed. Rep.), do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularlydescribed in and by the following statement: - The invention relates to a modular unit for use in the construction of jigs, workholders or like fixtures.

For the chipremoving machining, in particular of metal workpieces, it is known to use adequately constructed and suitable auxiliary means for manufacturing and control, in the form of working devices on which the individual components are appropriately aligned and secured. In addition to securing members, setting-up aids such as keyways and featherkeys are necessary for this, which determine the exact position of the components in one or two directions. However, this has the drawback that in addition to expenditure for keyways and featherkeys, considerable time is required for assembling and dismantling a working device.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the aforesaid disadvantage.

According to the present invention there is provided a modular unit for use in the construction of jigs, workholders or like fixtures, comprising a geometric block which is precision formed to provide surface portions modularly spaced by mutually perpendicularly intersecting grooves of precisely uniform rectangular profile enabling a fixture component to be secured therein with a predetermined and reproducible spatial orientation without the need for setting-up aids.

Preferably, the floors of the grooves are provided with threaded and unthreaded holes for the securement of said components.

The tapped holes are preferably provided with countersunk ends for the screw heads.

The invention will now be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of modulared unit according to the invention; Fig. 2 is an isometric view of a work clamping arrangement utilising two modular units in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is an isometric view of a drilling device constructed with two modular units of the kind shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an isometric view of another embodiment of drilling device utilising a modular unit of the kind shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 is an isometric view of a drilling device utilising modular units in accordance with the invention.

Referring now to Fig. 1, a modular unit comprises a rectangular geometric block in the four longitudinal surfaces of which are ground by a high precision grinding technique to provide mutually perpendicularly intersecting longitudinal and transverse grooves leaving raised portions ig.

Each groove has a precisely uniform rectangular profile with an absolutely constant width la and depth ib. Accordingly, the floor surface if of each groove provides a precise datum surface.

The spacing ic between the grooves is also precisely controlled. The floor surfaces if of the grooves are provided with threaded holes id and unthreaded holes le with countersinking for screw heads.

The modular unit is used in the construction of jigs, workholders or like fixtures.

Components of the fixtures are mounted in the grooves the precise machining of which enables the component to be secured in the groove with a predetermined and reproducible spatial orientation without the need for setting-up aids that have previously.

been required for the purpose of accurately positioning the components relative to each other.

In the work clamping arrangement of Fig. 2, two modular units of L-shaped profile are used. A support plate 2a is received at opposite ends thereof in opposing grooves of the two modular units. The plate 2a abuts the floor surfaces if of the grooves. The height of the modular units is defined by the locating grooves la. A stop 2d is screwed into the threaded holes Id in the floor surface if of a side groove of the left-hand modular unit and serves as a lateral abutment for the workpiece 2c.

Also mounted on the left-hand modular unit are two clamping members 2f and 2g whose relative positions are precisely determined by being fixed in respective locating grooves la.

In the drilling device of Fig. 3 a sup port plate 3b for a workpiece 3c is mounted in the same way as in Fig. 2. Also fixed in the locating grooves are a holder 3d and a clamping member 3e for a hinged drilling plate 3f.

In Fig. 4 a drilling device includes a stationary drilling bridge 4b which is fixed and secured in an accurate manner to a modular unit 4a.

Fig. 5 shows a drilling device in which two mounting prisms Sd as well as two clamping members Se and a drilling plate 5f are received, fixed and secured in the locating grooves la by their floor surfaces if of the modular units Sa to Sc.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A modular unit for use in the construction of jigs, workholders or like fixtures, comprising a geometric block which is precision formed to provide surface portions modularly spaced by mutually perpendicularly intersecting grooves of precisely uniform rectangular profile enabling a fixture component to be secured therein with a predetermined and reproducible spatial orientation without the need for setting-up aids.

2. A unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floors of the grooves are provided with threaded and unthreaded holes for the securement of said components.

3. A modular unit for use in the construction of jigs, workholders or like fixtures, substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. positioning the components relative to each other. In the work clamping arrangement of Fig. 2, two modular units of L-shaped profile are used. A support plate 2a is received at opposite ends thereof in opposing grooves of the two modular units. The plate 2a abuts the floor surfaces if of the grooves. The height of the modular units is defined by the locating grooves la. A stop 2d is screwed into the threaded holes Id in the floor surface if of a side groove of the left-hand modular unit and serves as a lateral abutment for the workpiece 2c. Also mounted on the left-hand modular unit are two clamping members 2f and 2g whose relative positions are precisely determined by being fixed in respective locating grooves la. In the drilling device of Fig. 3 a sup port plate 3b for a workpiece 3c is mounted in the same way as in Fig. 2. Also fixed in the locating grooves are a holder 3d and a clamping member 3e for a hinged drilling plate 3f. In Fig. 4 a drilling device includes a stationary drilling bridge 4b which is fixed and secured in an accurate manner to a modular unit 4a. Fig. 5 shows a drilling device in which two mounting prisms Sd as well as two clamping members Se and a drilling plate 5f are received, fixed and secured in the locating grooves la by their floor surfaces if of the modular units Sa to Sc. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A modular unit for use in the construction of jigs, workholders or like fixtures, comprising a geometric block which is precision formed to provide surface portions modularly spaced by mutually perpendicularly intersecting grooves of precisely uniform rectangular profile enabling a fixture component to be secured therein with a predetermined and reproducible spatial orientation without the need for setting-up aids.

2. A unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floors of the grooves are provided with threaded and unthreaded holes for the securement of said components.

3. A modular unit for use in the construction of jigs, workholders or like fixtures, substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.