GB2217634A - Locating and positioning system for tool guiding - Google Patents

Abstract

The system for guiding rotary cutting tools or stationary pin or plug type tools comprises a plurality of bush holders 1, guide bushes 5, bush spacers 6, end spacers 7 and construction elements 3, 25 that facilitate low cost construction of a range of precision jigs and fixtures for e.g. jig boring and other related precision machining. Coded indentification makes it possible to utilize semi or unskilled labour for the assembly of the system. Locating and retaining screws facilitate precision assembly and rapid disassembly of all elements in order that they be repetitively re-used for other applications. <IMAGE>

Description

LOCATING AND POSITIONING SYSTEM This invention relates to a locating and positioning system for guiding rotary cutting tools and stationary pin or plug type tools.

Locating and positioning systems usually require highly skilled labour, as well as expensive precision machine tools, to machine the parts, bore the necessary holes in required position in which to fit the end functional bushes for locating and positioning either a rotary cutting tool, or a stationary pin or plug type tool and then assemble all the parts to a required configuration. This is particularly so in the industrial and secondary manufacturing industries where such assemblies are conventionally called jigs, fixtures and other miscellaneous terms of reference.

Because of the expense involved in the designing and making of such jigs, fixtures and related tooling is, from an accounting function, customarily charged directly to the product. This expense charge quite often makes the end product either non-competitive, or the market volume is considered insufficient from which to carry and retrieve the distributed tooling expense. Conseqently manufacture is either shelved for better times, or abandoned. Similar situations occurr, where bids for the manufacture of a product for ei- ther governments or private business are often lost, due entirely to either the cost of providing the necessary jigs and fixtures, or the time required for the designing and making of same, or both as it places required delivery date in an unacceptable time frame.

The locating and positioning sytem for guiding rotary cutting tools and stationary pin or plug type tools about to be described, will greatly reduce, and in many cases eliminate the undesirable problems and situations outlined in the preceding introduction which can be attributed to custom and current production technology applied in the designing and making of the necessary jigs, fixtures and other related tooling, as well as accounting methods.

According to the present invention there is provided a locating and positioning system for guiding rotary cutting tools and stationary pin or plug type tools comprising of a plurality of bush holder, guide bush, bush spacer, end spacer, various construction elements and a means for releasable securing these in an almost endless range of configurations for maximum application. There are no restrictions as to size, other than what is practical and economical.

All elements of the system are of simple geometric configurations, therefore lending themselves to the advantages of low cost strategic volume runs, thus providing the end user with an initial low first cost. Since skilled labour would be utilized in the manufacture of all elements within the system because of the precise dimensions required, the need for the end user to utilize skilled labour for the general assembly of the required sytem is practically eliminated. The only occasions being where special means have to be designed and made and added,are when specific or peculiar features of the product or part have to be accommodated for.As all dimensnions and other special characteristics of all elements within the system are suitably identified, and would be made available to the end user in a range of suitable packaged groups and sizes for different applications, it provides for greatly reduced design time and fast assembly, which can be undertaken by semi or unskilled labour,since the method of element identification was especially designed to provide an easy to compile and interpret instruction format, thus achieving substantial reductions in labour costs in this area.

Since all elements of the system can be repetitively re-used and re-applied in endless combinations covering a very wide range of applications, the cost of such a system can be depreciated over a suitable accounting period as in the accountmethod used for depreciating a piece of capital equipment of the same value that would be used in the manufacture of a wide range of parts or products, thus eliminating the direct charge against the product or part method.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a locating and positioning system.

Figure 2 shows cross section A-A Fig.1.

Figure 3 shows cross section B-B Fig.1.

Figure 4 illustrates an example application part.

Figure 5 illustrates a number of construction elements.

Figure 6 illustrates another locating and positioning system.

Referring to Fig.1, Fig.2, and Fig.3 shows a locating and positioning system for guiding rotary cutting tools and stationary pin or plug type tools comprising a bush holder 1 releasably secured to base plate element 2 via riser pad elment 3 by combination locating and securing screw 4, guide bush 5, bush spacer 6, end spacer 7, retaining plate element 8, screw 9 and locating pin 10.

The feature embodiments of this invention are: that the dimensions of all working faces of every element configuration are made to precise known unit multiples or sub-multiples of 25.40 millimeters, and all such faces are dimensionally interrelated to each other wherein all such face dimensions are made precisely symmetrical about their natural and individual X, Y and/or Z centre axes. Likewise, all engagement holes,grooves, slots, cavities and recesses are, either positioned with their individual centre axis in precise alignment with the natural centre axis of the face or faces in which the engagement holes, grooves, slots, cavities or recesses are part of, or precisely symmetrical about the same centre axis. Their centre axes are also a precise known dimension from each adjacent face, thus providing a choice of several reference datums.One from each X, Y and/Z centre axes and one fron each face, and vice-versa.

These features are shown at axes 11, 12, 13 and 14, holes 15, 16, 17 and guide bush cavity 18 and the = symbol indicating equidistant. The exception to this feature of symmetry is bush spacer 6. The reason is self evident.

Bush holder 1 is provided with a guide bush cavity 18 wherein its length and width are of precise known dimensions symmetrical about centre axis 11 and centre axis 12. The depth is equal too or slightly greater than the length of guide bush 5, bush spacer 6 and end spacer 7 thus ensuring that retaining plate element 8 makes flat engagement with same. A slot 19 runs centrally symmetrically lengthwise along the base of guide bush cavtiy 18, the length and width of same is a small amount greater than the width and length of guide bush cavity 18. This is to provide clearance for any rotary cutter or pin that passes through guide bush 5.

It also provides an engagment ledge 20 on which guide bush 5, bush spacer 6 and end spacer 7 may register against when placed in same, and wherein each are made a close releasable fit to the guide bush cavity width, and secured in same by releasable securing means provided by retaining plate element 8 and screw 9. This means so described is one of several alternative means provided.

Since the overall length of bush holder 1, and the central distance between the releasable securing holes 15 are precise known dimensions, and since the length of the guide bush cavity 18 is known and precisely equi-distant between releasable securing holes 15 as well as symmetrical about centre axis 11, it is manifest that a wide range of different centre to centre dimensions of guide bush 5 can be achieved in cooperation with bush spacer 6 and end spacer 7, and that all such centre to centre dimensions will aslo have a direct known dimensional relationship with each of the releasable securing engagement holes 15 and both side and end faces of bush holder 1 and that such knowledge can be used for furthering assembly of other elements if so required.

To provide sufficient engagement surface area between guide bush 5, bush spacer 6 and end spacer 7, suitable parallel flats are provided that are precisely symmetrical about the centre axis of guide bush 5 and to precise known dimensions.

This engagement face also prevents any rotary movement of guide bush 5 when a rotary cutter is passing through same which might otherwise occurr. End spacer 7 is provided in a range of different precide lengths, thus reducing the number of bush spacers 6. The minimum centre to centre distance between a guide bush 5 and another guide bush 5 assembled in another adjacent bush holder 1 governed by the width of the bush holder 1. The minimum centre to centre distance between one guide bush 5 and another guide bush 5 is governed by dimension across the parallel flats on guide bush 5. The maximum centre to centre distance between two guide bushes 5 is governed by the length od guide bush cavity and the length of the shortest of two end spacers 7. The releasable engagemnt holes 15 in bush holder 1 may be plain or fitted with wear bushes 21 Fig.2.

In order to provide a means for supporting bush holder 1 at the required height, to create sufficient space to accommodate a product, part or material, riser pad element 3 of suitable dimensions is provided, in the centre of which is an engagment hole symmetrical to all four faces, and through which the combination releasable securing screw 4 passes and engages with the releasable securing means 16 and 23 in base plate element 2 Fig.2. Such an arrangement creates space of suitable dimensions to accommodate example part 24 Fig.1 and Fig.3.

Referring to Fig.4 shows example part 24 in perspective and is shown 'in situ' Fig.1 and Fig.3. Riser pad elelment 3 is provided in a range of sizes to create a variety of different heights and widths to accommodate varying requirements.

The central engagment hole may be plain or fitted with one or more wear bushes 21, according to pad height.

Base plate 2 is provided in a range of sizes and configurations to suit varied applications, wherein the feature embodiments are applied. The length and width are made such, that all edge faces are square and parallel to each other, and to specific dimensions that are precisely symmetrical about the natural axis X13 and axis Y14 Fig.1. Two systems for releasable securing of a functional assembly to base plate 2 is provided. One such means is shown at 16 and 23 consisting of plain counterbored hole followed by a suitable thread, or bushed hole and suitable thread. These are provided at suitable specific dimensional intervals that areprecisely with the coincidental with the centre to centre dimension between releasable securing holes 15 in bush holder 1 in both the X11 and Y12 axes. They are also precisely symmetrical about the X13 and Y14 axes Fig.1.The second means for releasable securing of functional assemblies to base plate 2 consists of either a plain or bushed hole as shown at 17 Fig.1 and Fig2. In this arrangement holes are provided both in a coincidental position with the axis X13 and symmetrical about the axis Y14. They are also positioned at a specific centre to centre distance symmetrically about axis X13 and axis Y14 and since the base plate 2 is of a specific known dimensional length and width,the centre axes of all holes 17 are also precise known dimension from the side and end faces of base plate element 2 Fig.1.

Such dimensional characteristics enables base plate element 2 and its accompanying assembly to be mounted to a wide variety of machines or other facilities in the precisely required position in which the centre axes of guide bushes 5 will be in precise alignment with the functional centre axis or axes of the machine or facility being used.

In order to provide a greater range of positioning the means for releasable securing bush holder 1 to base plate 2, or other elements to each other, one or more tee slots can be provided in place of 16 and 23. Any of the four outer edge faces can be used as a setting reference in conjunction with holes 17, since all have will have precise known dimensional relationships with the centre axis of the tee slots and each side face of tee slot groove. Reference to 30 Fig.5 shows one example.

The advantages and superior technology of the feature embodiments provided in this invention, as previously described and illustrated, over current technology for providing the same requirement will now become manifest by describing the various steps involved in construction of the illustrated locating and positioning system example Fig.1.

Referring to Fig.4 shows an example part 24 that is used to demonstrate how the feature embodiments of this invention are applied.

Since faces of bush holder 1 are working faces wherein the length and width are precise known dimensions symmetrical about the natural centre axes X11 and Y12, and since the length and width of guide bush cavity 18 is also precisely symmetrical about the same axes X11 and Y12, and since the centre axes of engagement holes 15 for the releasable secur ing screws 4 are precisely coincident with bush holder centre axis X11, and have a precise known centre to centre distance that is precisely symmetrical about axis Y12, and if bush spacers 6 and end spacers 7 are provided in a range of sizes from a minimum practical size and increasing in small dimensional increments to a maximum, and where each element is a close releasable fit to the width of guide bush cavity 18, it is manifest, that a wide range of assembly combinations and permutations of precise centre to centre distances can be achieved between guide bushes 5. It is also manifest, that the centre axis of each guide bush 5 is also a precise known dimension from all working faces of bush holder 1, and from one or both centre axes of engagement holes 15.

It is now a simple task to assemble the required combination of guide bushes 5 in the required locations with the required bush spacers 6 and end spacers 7 in both bush holders 1, in accordance with the required pattern of holes in part 24 Fig.4. With the selection of the most suitable riser pad element 3, bush holder assemblies are now assembled to base plate 2 and releasanly securing same to base palte 2 with combination locating and securing screw 4 that engage in the four of the combination bushed and threaded holes 16 and 23 which are coincident with the engagement holes 15 in bush holder 1 when in the immediate side by side position as shown in Fig.1 and in which the joint line becomes precisely coincidental with the base plate 2 centre axis X13.

Axis Y12 also become precisely coincident with base plate 2 axis Y 14 which in accordance with previous descriptions places bush holder 1 symmetrically lengthwise about axis Y 12. The locating and positioning system is now ready to receive part 24 and locate it in the correct position. This is accomplished by entering part in the space provided and then placing pin 10 in the respective guide bush 5 and through and engage datum holes in part 24. The leading edge of part 24 can now be used to locate stop plate element 25 and by standard shop practice methods, transfer the three releasable securing engagement holes in 25 to base plate 2, and then secure with suitable combination locating and securing screw 4. For the purpose of clarity the method of clamping part 24 has been ommitted.

Referring to Fig.5 illustrates several of many different element configurations within the system of locating and positioning. Elements 26, 27, 28 and 29 show variations in bush holder 1. Elements 3O,31,32,33,34,# and 36 illustrate variations in construction configurations. All configurations are made in accordance with the feature embodiments in which all overall face dimensions, positioning and engagement holes are precisely known dimensional units that are symmetrical about their individual and natural X, Y and Z centre axes and dimensionally interrelated to each other, thus providing known dimensional contiuity from any particular feature characteristic of one element to any one or more elements during the design and assembly process.

Shown a 4 is the typical configuration of this combination locating element used mostly for the function of releasable securing of elements. The body is made precisely concentric to its natural centre axis and to a specific diameter to provide the necessary function of locating, and the thread is a class A fit to BSI respective standard. The head shown has a hexagon cavity for securing lever, but the system provides for several different head styles to suit various applications.

Referring to Fig.6 illustrates a locating and positioing system applied as a drill jig for drilling a series of holes in two planes. For the purpose of clarity, the methods for clamping the part has been ommitted.However, the example exemplifies the the value and versatility of the locating and positioning system. It can be readily observed that to provide and equivalent system by present technology would require expensive toolmaking and jig boring and be dedicated to a single application.

Claims (23)

1 A locating and positioning system for guiding rotary cutting tools and stationary pin or plug type tools comprising a plurality of bush holder in the general form of a square prism and similar configurations, guide bush, bush spacer, end spacer and miscellaneous construction elements of varied configurations, a means provided for locating and containing guide bush or a plurality of guide bush in any desired centre to centre distance in cooperation with bush spacer, and end spacer, a means for releasably securing guide bush, bush spacer and end spacer in bush holder, a means provided for releasably securing bush holder to other construction elements.

2 A locating and positioning system for guiding rotary cutting tools and stationary pin or plug type tools as claimed in Claim 1 wherein all faces of square prismatic form of bush holder are square and parallel to each other, and to precise known dimensions in length, width and height, and wherein all said dimensions are precisely symmetrical about the natural centre axis of each length face, width face and height face, and wherein at a precise centre to centre distance from and through top face of height to bottom face, two engagement holes plain or bushed are provided for combined means of precisely locating and releasably securing bush holder to other construction elements, and wherein the centre axis of said holes are precisely coincident with the natural centre axis of bush holder width face, and to precise known centre to centre distance as to be positioned in a precise known equal distance from each end face of bush holder.

3 A locating and positioning system for guiding rotary cutting tools and stationary pin or plug type tools as claimed in Claim 1 wherein to provide greater scope of precise positioning of construction elements of suitable configurations, one or a plurality of tee slots in addition to existing plain or bushed combination locating and releasble securing holes, wherein the centre axis of said tee slots and said holes are precisely symmetrical about the natural X,Y or Z centre axis of the face in which they are provided, and in which the centre axis of said tee slots and said holes are interrelated with each other and each outside face in precise dimensional units.

4 A locating and positioning system for guiding rotary cutting tools and stationary pin or plug type tools as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 wherein in the top face of bush holder a guide bush cavity is provided of precise known width length and depth, and wherein the width is preeisely symmetrical about the natural centre axis of bush holder width,and wherein each end of bush guide cavity is an equal and precise dimension from each of the two plain or bushed holes provided for precisely locating and releasably securing of bush holder to other construction elements, and in which end faces of guide bush cavity become precisely equal distances from each end face of bush holder, and wherein depth is equal to a small amount lesser than the length of guide bush, bush spacer and end spacer thus providing correct engagement with the means provided for releasably securing guide bush, bush spacer and end spacer in bush holder.

5 A locating and positioning system for guiding rotary cutting tools and stationary pin or plug type tools as claimed in Claim 2 and Claim 4 wherin guide bush body diameter is a close releasable fit in width of guide bush cavity, and wherein parallel flats of suitable surface area are provided on each side of the outside diameter of guide bush body and precisely symmetrical about the centre axis of guide bush, and to precise known dimensions.

6 A locating and positioning system for guiding rotary cutting tools and stationary pin or plug type tools as claimed in Claim 4 and Claim 5 wherein bush spacers of precise dimensional increments are provided to set the precise centre to centre distance required when greater than the dimension across the parallel flats of guide bush, and wherein the width of bush spacers are a releasable fit in the guide bush cavity width.

7 A locating and positioning system for guiding rotary cutting tools and stationary pin or plug type tools as claimed in Claim 5 and Claim 6 wherein end spacers are provided in precise known lengths and a close releasable fit in guide bush cavity.

8 A locating and positioning system for guiding rotary cutting tools and stationary pin or plug type tools as claimed in any of the previous claims wherein any face, any slot, any hole, or any combination of same can be used as dimensional reference datums or locating points to facilitate rapid design and construction of a system.

9 A locating and positioning system for guiding rotary cutting tools and stationary pin or plug type tools substantially as descrtbed-herein with reference to Figures 1 - 6 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system comprising a singular or plurality of bush holders, guide bushes, bush spacers, end spacers and construction elements, a means for repeatably releasable securing any desired combination of these to predetermined reproducable spatial configurations without the need for measuring or similar aids.

2 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system as claimed in Claim.1. wherein means are provided repeatably releasable securing any desired combination of bush holders, guide bushes, bush spacers, end spacers, construction elements to predetermined reproducable spatial configurations without the need for highly skilled labour.

3 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2, wherein the functional part of any geometric configuration of bush holder is generally of rectangular prism geometry is provided with top, bottom, side and end faces square and parallel to each other to known dimensions that are symmetrical about their individual X and Y axes.

4 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system as claimed in Claim 3, wherein a cavity is provided of width and length symmetrical about the respective axis of bush holder, and to a suitable depth one face for accurately and cooperatively receiving guide bushes, bush spacers and end spacers, and further comprises means for the passage through and beyond the bottom of cavity of any rotary or stationary pin or plug type tool.

5 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the the land existing between the inside faces of cavity walls and the means provided for the passage of rotary or stationary pin or plug type tools provides an engagement surface for guide bushes, bush spacers and end spacers 6 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system as claimed in Claim 5, wherein means are provided for releasable securing and arresting any combination of guide bushes, bush spacers and end spacers in bush holder cavity.

7 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system as claimed in Claim 6, wherein means are provided for establishing reproducable minimum centre to centre distance between any plurality of guide bushes, and further comprises means for arresting any rotary movement of guide bushes.

8 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system as claimed in Claim 7, wherein means are provided for establishing reproducable centre to centre distance between guide bushes that are greater than minimum.

9 A multi- purpose locating and positioning system as claimed in Claim 8, wherin means are provided for reproducably occupying vacant space at each end of cavity provided in bush holder, and wherein geometry of the means provided is cooperative with the geoemtry at each end of bush holder.

10 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system as claimed in Claim 9, wherein means are provided for reproducably locating and releasably securing of singular or plurality of bush holder, comprising a plurality of plain or bushed holes extending through and symmetrical between any two opposing plane surfaces, and to a specified centre to centre distance.

11 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system as claimed in Claim10, wherein the geometry of cavity in bush holder is dimensionally symmetrical between plain or bushed holes.

12 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system as claimed in Claim, wherein alternative means for releasable securing bush holders is provided, comprising of a plurality of plain or bushed holes of a specified depth from which extends a suitable threaded hole on the same axis.

13 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system as claimed in Claim12, wherein bush holders of different geometrical shapes are provided for greater flexibility of application, and wherein the basic rectangular prism geometry is maintained within each different shape, and wherein all planer surfaces extending from the basic rectangular prism geometry maintain dimemensional symmetry about this basic geomtry.

14 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system as claimed in all previous claims, wherein bush cavity comprises a straight through aperture with the same geometric shape at each end of aperture.

15 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system as claimed in all previous claims, wherein alternative means are provided for arresting guide bushes, bush spacers and end spacers in bush holder cavity.

16 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system as claimed in Claim 14 and Claim 15,wherein construction elements are provided comprising of square, rectangular, triangular, cubic, hexagonal, polygonal, H, I, L, T and channel shaped geometry.

17 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system as claimed in Claim 16, wherein all planer surfaces are provided with means for releasble securing comprising a plurality of of plain or bushed holes, or combination plain or bushed to depth with threaded extension, or a combination of both, and wherein all planar surfaces are square and parallel to each other, or at the required geometric angle and symmetrical about central axis and wherein means provided for releasble securing precisely positioned at a specified X,Y and or Z coordinate pitch, and wherein all overall dimensions are equal to, or a multiple or sub-multiple of the specified coordinate pitch.

18 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system as claimed in Claim 17, wherein means are provided for in elements of suitable geometry comprising a T slot positioned symmetrically about the central axis and positioned on either side of T slot also symmetrical about the central axis a series of combination plain or bushed holes to depth with a threaded extension is provided at precise known dimensions from the centre axis of T slot and spaced at centre to centre distances that are equal to a X-Y coordinate pitch, or a multiple or sub-multiple of same.

19 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system as claimed in Claim 18, wherein all planar surfaces and additional means for releasable securing are symmetrical about the respective X - Y axes and to known dimensions.

20 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein means for combined locating and releasable securing is provided comprisong of a special shoulder screw with a suitable threaded extension wherein the precision shoulder acts as a locating dowel and the threaded section provides the means for releasable securing.

21 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein dimensions of elements are restricted only to what is practical and economical.

22 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein all elements of the system may be made from any material, solid or cored.

23 A multi-purpose locating and positioning system as substantially described herein with reference to Figures 1-6 of the accompanying drawings.