GB2110575A - Tooling base - Google Patents

Abstract

A tooling base comprises a cellular rectangular framework structure (1) which is encapsulated in hard synthetic plastics material having machined metal datum pads (2) embedded locally and externally therein. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Tooling base This invention relates to a tooling base or plinth as used for instance in the automotive industry in the preparation of die models and the purpose of which is to allow a tooling aid to be located accurately in three dimensions. This is accomplished by mounting the tooling aid - e.g. a die model - in a determined position upon the top of the tooling base which is of known height, length and breadth and which rests on a full size scale drawing with its side(s) and/or end(s) aligned with lines on the drawing whereafter the tooling aid is fixed in that position.

In the past tooling bases have been cast in aluminium and then ground flat and square. This process however is time-consuming and expensive and it has recently become the practice to make these bases of chipboard reinforced with glass fibre epoxy resin with floated resin faces.

These bases are less expensive than aluminium castings but they have the disadvantage that in time they become unstable and therefore inaccurate.

In accordance with the present invention a tooling base comprises a cellular rectangular framework structure which is encapsulated in hard synthetic plastics material having metal datum pads embedded locally and externally in it.

Preferably the framework structure is made of wood, such as for instance chipboard, and the encapsulating material is an epoxy resin which may be reinforced with glass fibres.

Also in accordance with the invention there is proposed a method for the manufacture of a tooling base as aforesaid which comprises assembling a cellular rectangular framework structure made of wood, encapculating the interior of this structure with epoxy resin, and then immersing the structure in epoxy resin containing at least one additive whilst embedding in the thereby cast side surfaces of the base a plurality of locally disposed metal datum pads.

A tooling base constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view from the underside of the tooling base which, for convenience, is shown in an up ended attitude, and Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of the tooling base when in use.

Referring now to the drawings, the tooling base therein illustrated is mainly constructed for chipboard which is fastened together to form a cellular framework structure 1 of which the interior is pre-encapsulated with epoxy resin. As shown, the tooling base is oblong and the framework structure has six square cross-section cells. This structure is then floated in a bed consisting of epoxy resin with suitable additives such as for instance marble flour, slate powder, aluminium powder and so forth as desired to form a cast surface on four sides and the top face. At the same time metal pads 2 are loaded into the walls which thereby locate the pads in datum positions, a minimal amount of machining of the pads thereby being required.

The machined datum pads 2 establish the three dimensional locations of a die model 3 (Fig. 2) which is fixed to the top face of the pad when the pads 2 are aligned with the requisite lines of a drawing 4 on a base table. The accurately determined dimensions A, B and C (Fig. 1) are of course varied to meet different die model and drawing requirements.

1. A tooling base comprising a cellular rectangular framework structure which is encapsulated in hard synthetic material having machined metal datum pads embedded locally and externally in it.

2. A tooling base in accordance with claim 1 in which the framework structure is made of wood and the encapsulating material is an epoxy resin.

3. A tooling base in accordance with claim 2 in which the epoxy resin incorporates additives selected from glass fibres, marble flour, slate powder and aluminium powder.

4. A method of manufacturing a tooling base in accordance with claim 1 which comprises assembling a cellular rectangular framework structure, encapsulating the interior of the framework structure with epoxy resin and then immersing the structure in epoxy resin containing at least one additive whilst embedding externally therein a plurality of locally disposed machined metal datum pads.

5. A tooling base substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Tooling base This invention relates to a tooling base or plinth as used for instance in the automotive industry in the preparation of die models and the purpose of which is to allow a tooling aid to be located accurately in three dimensions. This is accomplished by mounting the tooling aid - e.g. a die model - in a determined position upon the top of the tooling base which is of known height, length and breadth and which rests on a full size scale drawing with its side(s) and/or end(s) aligned with lines on the drawing whereafter the tooling aid is fixed in that position. In the past tooling bases have been cast in aluminium and then ground flat and square. This process however is time-consuming and expensive and it has recently become the practice to make these bases of chipboard reinforced with glass fibre epoxy resin with floated resin faces. These bases are less expensive than aluminium castings but they have the disadvantage that in time they become unstable and therefore inaccurate. In accordance with the present invention a tooling base comprises a cellular rectangular framework structure which is encapsulated in hard synthetic plastics material having metal datum pads embedded locally and externally in it. Preferably the framework structure is made of wood, such as for instance chipboard, and the encapsulating material is an epoxy resin which may be reinforced with glass fibres. Also in accordance with the invention there is proposed a method for the manufacture of a tooling base as aforesaid which comprises assembling a cellular rectangular framework structure made of wood, encapculating the interior of this structure with epoxy resin, and then immersing the structure in epoxy resin containing at least one additive whilst embedding in the thereby cast side surfaces of the base a plurality of locally disposed metal datum pads. A tooling base constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view from the underside of the tooling base which, for convenience, is shown in an up ended attitude, and Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of the tooling base when in use. Referring now to the drawings, the tooling base therein illustrated is mainly constructed for chipboard which is fastened together to form a cellular framework structure 1 of which the interior is pre-encapsulated with epoxy resin. As shown, the tooling base is oblong and the framework structure has six square cross-section cells. This structure is then floated in a bed consisting of epoxy resin with suitable additives such as for instance marble flour, slate powder, aluminium powder and so forth as desired to form a cast surface on four sides and the top face. At the same time metal pads 2 are loaded into the walls which thereby locate the pads in datum positions, a minimal amount of machining of the pads thereby being required. The machined datum pads 2 establish the three dimensional locations of a die model 3 (Fig. 2) which is fixed to the top face of the pad when the pads 2 are aligned with the requisite lines of a drawing 4 on a base table. The accurately determined dimensions A, B and C (Fig. 1) are of course varied to meet different die model and drawing requirements. CLAIMS

1. A tooling base comprising a cellular rectangular framework structure which is encapsulated in hard synthetic material having machined metal datum pads embedded locally and externally in it.

2. A tooling base in accordance with claim 1 in which the framework structure is made of wood and the encapsulating material is an epoxy resin.

3. A tooling base in accordance with claim 2 in which the epoxy resin incorporates additives selected from glass fibres, marble flour, slate powder and aluminium powder.

4. A method of manufacturing a tooling base in accordance with claim 1 which comprises assembling a cellular rectangular framework structure, encapsulating the interior of the framework structure with epoxy resin and then immersing the structure in epoxy resin containing at least one additive whilst embedding externally therein a plurality of locally disposed machined metal datum pads.

5. A tooling base substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.