GB2526361A - Support & guidance device for overhead router operation - Google Patents

Abstract

A plunge router [Fig 2, 27] is located with the spindle in a vertical axis above a support framework providing guidance for the router in the X and Y axes. The framework has a baseplate 1. Columns 10 are positioned at each corner linked by beams 11. Columns 10 and beams 11 may have slots therein to provide adjustment, the beams may be wider than the base plate. A carriage 15 is located between and may move parallel to the beams 11, adjustable stops 26 limit the traverse of the carriage. The carriage is constructed from a pair of flat plates [Fig 2, 16] guided in one axis by slider blocks [Fig 2, 18] and in the other axis by slider blocks located on a cradle plate [Figure 2, 20 and 21]. Workpiece 3 is clamped to a sub fixture or pallet 2 having a pair of dowel pins protruding from one edge of the fixture and locating with corresponding holes in upstanding locating plates [Fig 1b, 4 and 5]. In use a workpiece may be clamped to the pallet using threaded holes and T slots provided in the pallet. The pallet and the workpiece may then be located onto the base plate with the dowels engaging the holes to provide an accurate and repeatable location using clamp 6. In further embodiments the device may incorporate a copying device in 2 or 3 axis, [Figures 5a, 5b, 6 and 7b] using a Bowden cable and may be guided using a pantograph and stylus [Figure 8].

Description

Support and Guidance Device for Overhead Router Operation The present invention relates the wood routing process in which a workpiece is cut by a rapidly rotating cutter bit. The invention provides support and guidance for a router device with respect to the workpiece. The invention enables the user to execute routing operations without having to lift or carry the router device or manually feed the workpiece towards the router cutter bit during the process. The invention additionally provides means for securely clamping a workpiece in a repeatably accurate position with respect to the router bit. The invention additionally permits copying of 2 dimensional or 3 dimensional forms.

Currently, the routing process is typically performed using two methods.

In the first method, which may be referred to as overhead muting, the router takes the form of a hand-held device, within which an electric motor is packaged. These devices normally provide handles for two-handed operation, and a flat faceplate set nonnal to the axis of the motor shaft.

Provision is made for mounting router bits of various forms to the motor shaft. Typically, means are provided for adjustment of the height of the router bit with respect to the faceplate, and for locking the device in a desired relationship. This type of device is called a Plunge Router In operation, the user grasps the device by the handles, places the faceplate on the stationary workpiece and pushes the router along the workpiece in the appropriate path for the required cut.

The depth of cut achieved is determined by the height selling of the muter bit with respect to the faceplate. In many cases, in order to achieve an accurate cut, it is necessary to provide guidance for the router. For instance, if a straight cut is required, the user may temporarily locate a straight batten to the workpiece, and press the edge of the router faceplate against the batten as the muter is pushed along the workpiece.

In this method of operation, the user has to contend with the weight and bulk of the muter, and must take great care to maintain the squareness of the router cutter with respect to the workpiece. The faceplate is in contact with the workpiece, and thus friction between them resists free motion of the muter device. The workpiece must be prevented by some means from moving under the router. At all times, the user is necessarily very close to the rapidly rotating router bit which will emit harmful noise and dust. This proximity to the router bit is a particular problem when attempting to rout small intricate shapes. In these cases, guidance on the workpiece for the router is not feasible, so the user has to visually monitor the progress of the cut, requiring still greater proximity to the noise and dust, and with a clear view of the workpiece often difficult.

In the second method of muter operation, which may be referred to as table routing, the router motor is mounted under a stationary table, with the motor axis vertical, and the router cutter bit on the motor shaft protruding vertically above the table surface. In this case the user pushes the workpiece on the table surface past the revolving router bit to make the required cut. For straight cuts, a guiding batten or "fence" adjacent to the cutter is used, and the workpiece will be held against this item as it is pushed past the router bit.

This method relieves the user of direct handling of the muter device,and requires that the workpiece instead is manipulated with respect to the router bit. In practice, this method of router operation has the disadvantage that there is poor visibility of the cutter during a cut. For this reason this type of router operation is mainly restricted to straight cuts, using a fence to guide the workpiece. Great care is required to feed the workpiece past the router bit and to keep the user's hands away from the exposed router bit. Often, to keep his hands away from the muter bit, the user will resort to pushing the workpiece with a scrap piece of wood.

According to the present invention, means are provided to support the weight of a plunge router above the workpiece, in a system permitting movement of the device in a horizontal plane, while maintaining a fixed orientation of the device in the horizontal plane, and the router cutter axis vertical. The system permits the use of the handles and controls integral to the router device, and its height adjustment features. The disposition of the router in this way above the workpiece closely resembles the first method of router operation, overhead routing, as previously described, with the exception that the router device faceplate can remain some distance above the workpiece, and thus not in contact with it.

According to the present invention, means are provided to enable the workpiece to be clamped to a flat plate or pallet, which is fastened to the router support system in such a way that the pallet and workpiece may be readily detached from, and replaced on the router support system. The fastening system is arranged so that the workpiece always returns with high repeatability to the same position relative to the router guidance system every time the pallet is returned, provided no change to the According to the present invention, where it is required to rout complex or intricate shapes in a horizontal plane, means are provided to rigidly attach a template of the required shape to a stationary location on the support system. Also means are provided to rigidly attach a stylus to that part of the suppofl system to which the router device is mounted, and to position the stylus within the confines of the template. The template thus constrains the movement of the router, and enables the template shape to be reproduced on the workpiece.

According to the present invention, where it is required to rout a form in 3 dimensions, means are provided to attach a master of the required form to a stationary location on the support system. Also, means are provided to attach a probe to that part of the support system to which the router device is mounted, and to position the probe on the master form. The probe is linked to the router device in such a way that the downward vertical movement of the router device is limited as contact between stylus and master form occurs. Movement in the horizontal plane of the router is constrained in a similar manner to that described above. These arrangements thus permit the reproduction of the 3-dimensional form of the master on the workpiece.

A specific embodiment of the invention, a device for manual guidance for routing on a workpiece, will now be described, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figs Ia and lb show the basic construction of the device.

Fig 2 shows the carriage assembly.

Figs 3 & 4 are sectioned views provided to clarilS' the disposition of slider elements.

Figs 5a and 5b show the device adapted to copy 2 dimensional forms using a template.

Fig 6 shows schematically a method of vertical constraint on the router bit when the the invention is adapted to copy 3 dimensional forms using a master.

Figs 7a and 7b show an embodiment of this aspect of the invention.

Fig 8 shows the 4evice adapted to work with a pantograph..

Figs 9a and 9b shows a method of retention of the pallet, for access to the workpiece without detaching the pallet.

Refering to figs la and ib, the device is built upon a sturdy rectangular baseplate 1. This may take the form of laminated particle board of sufficient thickness to provide rigidity. The rectangular plate or pallet 2 to which the workpiece 3 is clamped may also take the form of laminated particle board.

At one edge of the pallet, two chamfered dowel pins 4 are rigidly located, protruding from the pallet edge by some distance, so that some extent of cylindrical surface of each pin is presented. At a longitudinal edge of the baseplate, two upstanding metal plates 5 are fastened. The plates have holes whose pitch and diameters closely match the pallet dowels. The pallet may be located on the baseplate by engagement of the dowels in the plates, and mating the pallet edge against the plates.

The pallet is filly located on the baseplate by the action of a right angle toggle clamp 6 attached to the baseplate. This prevents movement of the pallet away from the locating plates. The edge of the baseplate to which the toggle clamp is attached may be considered the front face of the device, facing the user, and thus conveniently located for clamping and unclamping.

The pallet is provided with an array of through holes on its surface. Thread inserts are assembled into these holes. The resulting threaded holes 7 shown in fig la are provided for clamping workpieces to the pallet. The user will select the appropriate threaded locations to use, depending on the form of the worpiece. Atypical workpiece 3 is shown in figla. On the top face of the pallet a spacer plate 8 is attached. This is made from a relatively soft material such as MDF. The spacer plate is screwed to the pallet, and provided with a matching array of holes, so that access to the threaded holes on the pallet is not impeded. The workpiece rests on the spacer plate, whose purpose is to prevent damage to the pallet from a router cutter if the cutter height is set below the underside of the workpiece, Damage of this kind to the spacer plate may well occur, where the whole edge of a workpiece is to be muted. When significant damage to the spacer plate occurs, it may be discarded and replaced.

The router support system is built using aluminium extruded sections of a type widely used in industry for building structures. This material is provided with central or symmetrically disposed longitudinal slots on up to four faces, which are convenient for anchoring other items with suitably designed fasteners.

Four short columns 10 are located at each corner of the baseplate. Beams 11 are attached to pairs of columns at front and back. The two beams run in the longitudinal direction of the baseplate, and may overhang the baseplate at either end. The beams are attached to the columns by means of brackets 12. Vertical slots in the columns, used to anchor the bracket fasteners allow for some adjustment in the height of the beams above the baseplate.This adjustment may be necessary to cater for a range of workpiece thickness.

Between the beams, a carriage 15 is located. This is shown in place in Fig la. Fig 2 shows the carriage as an isolated assembly. The carriage takes the form of a rectangular structure formed by two flat plates 16 connected by two extruded sections 17. The flat plates are aligned parallel to the longitudinal beams, and the extruded sections are aligned transversly. On the outer surface of each of the flat plates a pair of slider blocks 18 are fastened, at the extremities of the flat plates. These items engage in the inner slots of the two longitudinal beams, and thus the slider blocks support the weight of the carriage on the beams, and allow the carriage to slide along the beams, provided appropriate clearance is provided between the various elements.

To fully constrain the orientation of the carriage along the length of the beams, a further pair of slider blocks 18 is fastened. These are located on a bridge plate 19 (shown in phantom for clarity) attached at the top edge of the rearmost flat plate of the carriage. These sliders locate in the top slot of the longitudinal beam extrusion. Thus as the close-fitting sliders move along the beam, the orientation of the carriage remains constrained. It is also useful to provide alternative fixing locations for the sliders on the bridging plate, as positioning these items inboard from the carriage extremities permits an extended longitudinal range of the carriage.

Fig 3 is a cross section across the carriage in which the slider blocks 18 can be seen located in the slots of the longitudinal beams 18. The material of the slider blocks is selected for low friction against the anodised aluminium surface of the beams, and for stiffliess and wear resistance. Acet.al plastic has been found to be good choice.

Referring again to fig 2, the slots in the extrusions forming the side members of the carriage are used in a similar manner to locate a further pair of slider blocks 20. These blocks are attached to either side of a cradle plate 21, and thus the cradle is supported and may slide backwards and forwards within the carriage. Full constraint of the cradle plate orientation is provided by a further slider block 22 located in the slot of the left hand carriage extrusion. The slider is connected to the carriage with a transverse bridge plate 23 in a similar manner to that described earlier. Thus the cradle plate has freedom of movement in the transverse direction within the carriage, and may move in the longitudinal direction with the carriage. The plunge router device 27 is rigidly fastened to the cradle plate.

Fig 4 shows a sectioned view across the carriage, in which the elements described above may be seen. Between the cradle plate and the slide blocks, an additional spacer plate 24 is sandwiched at either side. The purpose of this part is to locate the lower surface of the cradle plate at a level close to that of the longitudinal beam underside. Mother spacer plate 25 is used to locate the bridge plate at the appropriate level for mounting the top slider blocks.

Referring again to Fig la, the extent of longitudinal movement of the carriage is limited by blocks 26 attached to the longitudinal beams. These blocks may be positioned and fastened at any available desired position along the longitudinal beams. Movement of the cradle in the transverse direction within the carriage can be constrained in a similar manner.

The cradle 21 provides a horizontal surface, in the form of a metal plate to which a plunge router device 27 may be attached. The metal plate has a central circular aperture through which the router cutter bit will be extended in operation. Most plunge routers are supplied with a detachable plastic facing on the faceplate. It is convenient in this case to remove this facing from the router, and use the mating threaded holes in the router faceplate for rigidly attaching the device to the cradle.

Once attached to the cradle, the router's orientation in the horizontal plane is fixed, and the router bit axis is likewise fixed normal to the horizontal plane. Using the hand grips integral to the router device, the router can be moved by the user to any position the horizontal plane to the limits of travel set by the support system by combined movements in the longitudinal and transverse guides, which in a machine tool context would be referred to as x andy axes. Height setting of the router bit is achieved by using the features for this purpose integral to the router device.

Using the invention in this configuration requires that a workpiece is first clamped securely to the pallet, the pallet is slid into position on the baseplate, and is frilly constrained by the dowels and toggle clamp. The user may perform cutting operations on the workpiece by activating the router and moving it on appropriate paths on the workpiece. In cases where a straight linear cut on the workpiece is required in the longitudinal direction, transverse movement may be eliminated by appropriate setting of the transverse limit blocks. Elimination of longitudinal motion can be achieved in a similar manner, if straight transverse movement is required.

Setting the respective limit blocks to allow some movement in both directions restricts available movement of the router cutter to a rectangular zone. Thus a setting of this kind will enable the user to rout a rectangular pocket in the workpiece. A rectangle outline can also be routed if the user takes care to keep the muter against the transverse limit of travel while making longitudinal cuts, and vice versa.

Fig 5a and Sb (Fig 5b is a detail of fig 5a) show a further configuration of the device, which may be used when a more complex two dimensional form is required on the workpiece, and the use of a template is required. In this case, a simple flat platen 30 is attached to the front longitudinal beam.

This always remains stationary with respect to the router device. The platen may take the form of a metal plate or wooden board. The platen is provided with a pair of dowels 31 which engage in the top slot of the frqnt longitudinal beam, and is secured to the beam 11 by fasteners also attaching to the beam. Thus the position of the platen may be set at any position along the beam, while its orientation is constrained by the dowels to be parallel to the beam.

Threaded holes 32 are provided in the platen for the rigid attachment of the template 33. The holes lie on a line parallel to the front beam, so that provided the mating holes of the template are correctly oriented with respect to the template form, correct orientation of the template is ensured.

The form of the template defines the form to be reproduced by routing the workpiece. The template form may be male or female, resulting in respectively island or pocket features on the workpiece.

Means are provided on the cradle supporting structure in the carriage to mount a stylus 34. The stylus takes the ferm of a slender shaft, at the lower end of which a roller 35 is fitted. The roller is close fitting on the shaft, but free to rotate on the shaft. The roller's diameter is selected to match the router cutter bit diameter, and a number of interchangeable rollers may be employed to match the range of router bjt diameters in use. The stylus is attached to an ann 36 which engages on the mounting features on the cradle supporting structure. These features may take the form of a bracket 37, seated on the cradle plate, and a channel section 38 attached to it. The arm 36 is a close fit in the channel section, and a slot in the channel section, coinciding with a row of threaded holes in the arm, enable the stylus to be set within a range of positions in the transverse direction, locked with a thumb screw 39. This setting range for the transverse direction, together with the setting range along the longitudinal beam for the platen, ensures that the position of the template with respect to the stylus roller qan be set to match the relative positions of workpiece and router bit. This is necessary to ensure that the form of the template will be reproduced on the workpiece in the required position.

Movement of the stylus in the vertical direction is permitted by the connection of the stylus to the arm. The stylus height may be locked by the action of the thumb screw 39. This is required for placing the stylus roller at the correct height for following the template.

In practice, the user may initially clamp the workpiece on to the pallet, and load the pallet into position as described above. The cutter in the router device may then be moved to a position above the workpiece which is considered the origin or datum of the template form. Using the range of setting in longitudinal and transverse positions of the platen and stylus respectively, the stylus can be placed at the corresponding origin or datum position on the template. This matching of the workpiece and template positions may be simplified by providing datum holes on the respective items. In this case the router cutter (not rotating) can be positively inserted into the datum hole on the workpiece and locked using the muter height adjustment features. The platen and stylus arm can then be moved and locked with the stylus roller similarily located in the datum hole of the template.

Clearly, care must be taken to select the position of the datum hole so that it will not result in an unwanted feature on the finished workpieee In operation, movement of the muter device in the horizontal plane by the user is constrained by the limitation on the stylus position defined by the template. Thus the form of the template may be reproduced on the workpiece, when the router device is activated and plunged to the desired cutting height. During a muting operation, the user may find it convenient to observe the movement of the stylus over the template, rather than directly observe the progress of the cutter on the workpiece.

This method reduces the user's exposure to noise and dust.

Various elaborations of this working mode are possible. If the diameter of the stylus roller differs from the diameter of the cutter by some amount, a slightly modified version of the template form will appear on the workpiece. The modified form will be larger or smaller than the template form depending on the mismatch between stylus roller and cutter diameters. This feature may be useful if the user wants to leave material on the workpiece prior to a final pass with a different cutter, or a different follower. If a 3 dimensional form is required on the workpiece, this can be accomplished by using a series of laminar templates representing the required form at different cross section levels, or using a single template consisting of several laminar sections. In this case, a different cutting height on the router device must be selected by the user for each of the laminar sections. The resulting form on the workpiece will probably require hand finishing after this type of operation.

Fig 6 shows schematically a further configuration of the device, in which a 3 dimensional form may be copied from a suitable template, without recourse to the multiple lamina method as described above. In this case the height of the router bit with respect to the workpiece is not set by the integral features of the router device, but instead by a constraining mechanism connecting the router device to the template.

Normally, on a plunge muter device, two vertical shafts emerging from the faceplate enter slide bearings in the main router body. When the user grasps the device's handles 40, and plunges the muter bit to the required cutting level, the distance between the main body of the muter device and its faceplate "X" changes. This change in relative position can be translated into a changed displacement between inner and outer parts of a Bowden cable. In the present invention, this is achieved by mounting a freely sliding shaft 41 in a housing 42 that is attached to the router's main body, whose height relative to the faceplate can be changed by the user. The lower end of the shaft is allowed to rest on a fixed surface, such as the upper side of the router faceplate, while the upper end of the shaft extends above the housing by some amount. The inner part of a bowden cable is anchored to the sousing, while the outer part is attached to a block 43 fixed to the upper end of the shaft. Thus dowqward movement of the main router body with respect to the faceplate, initiated by the user, is translated into an extension of the inner part of the Bowden cable with respect to the outer.

The opposite end of the bowden cable is terminated in an arrangement of parts attached to the router supporting structure, thus also of fixed height relative to the muter faceplate. Here, the inner part of the other end of the Bowden cable 44 is terminated on second housing 42, facing downwards. In this housing, also of fixed height relative to the router faceplate, a probe shaft 45 is located, close fitting, but free t move axially with respect to the housing. The outer part of the Bowden cable is terminated in a block 46 at the top of the probe shaft. Thus in this arrangement, downward movement of the main router body initiated by the user is reproduced in a downward movement of the probe shall with respect to its housing and the router supporting structure to which it is attached.

Tension in the cable system is provided by a compression spring 47 placed around the probe shaft and acting to push the probe shaft upwards. The action of the spring ensures that the shaft 41 remains in contact with a fixed surface. Adjustment of the position of the probe shaft in the axial position is achieved by the conventional means of an adjustable clamp bolt 48 at the block 46.

Referring to Fig 6, it is clear that when the main router body is pushed down by the user, downward movement of the probe will be arrested when the stylus encounters the template surface 47. The extent of the router cutter's downward placement is thus constrained by the template, and so the form of the template's upper surface may be reproduced on the workpiece.

Figs 7a And Th (Th is a detail of 7a) show the embodiment of this arrangement in the present invention. On a typical Plunge router, the hand grips are typically separated from the main muter body by short, substantially cylindrical connecting parts. This part, on one side, is a convenient area to rigidly attach the mounting plate 40 for the shaft housing 41. The mounting plate is fixed to the hand grip by means of a U bolt 42. Fastening positions are available on the mounting plate for the shaft housing. The fastening features are arranged so that the shaft axis of the master housing may be set vertical. When assembled in the housing, the lower end of the shaft 43 rests on the top surface of the cradle plate. At the top end of the shaft, which extends above the housing, an anchor block 44 is rigidly attached to the shaft. The anchor block has a deep counterbored hole on its top surface. A Bowdçn cable 45 is inserted in this hole, with the outer part of the cable seated in the the counterbore, and the inner part extending through the hole. The inner cable element is anchored by conventional means such as grub screws to the housing 41 The Bowden cable extends in an arc towards the probe housing 41 (identical to the shaft housing), located in front of the cradle above the template mounting platen. The probe housing is mounted on an arm 36, previously described, whose position can be set in the transverse direction, in an identical manner to that described earlier. The probe 46 is mounted in the housing, and extends some way above the housing. A second anchor block 47 is rigidly attached at the top of the stylus.

This is similar in form to the first anchor block, but differs due to the availability of adjustment to the stylus height. The end of the Bowden cable is tenninated in a similar manner to the shaft side, with the outer part seated in the counterbore, and the inner part anchored below to the stylus housing. A spring 48 is assembled concentric with the probe, and located between the top of the probe housing and its anchor block. The spring maintains tension in the Bowden cable.

In practice, the user will attach a template of 3 dimensional form to the platen, plunge the muter until the router bit just touches the top surface of a virgin workpiece, then adjust the probe shaft end so that it contacts the corresponding high point on the template. Thereafter, as operation proceeds, the height of the router bit with respect to the workpiece is constrained by the template form. The form of the template in the longitudinal and transverse directions is reproduced as previously described. Thus the template form may be reproduced in three dimensions. Where the template has areas of continuous rounded fonn the router bit should be ball ended, and the probe end should reflect this. A spherical end part 49 is thus shown on the end of the probe shaft.

When small and intricate patterns are to be reproduced on a workpiece, the basic guidance system described above may be readily adapted to use with a pantograph. This is a conventional device in which input control movements are reproduced in output movements at half scale.

Fig 8 shows the basic support and guidance system described in Fig 1 adapted for use with a suitable pantograph 50. The pantograph adaptation requires the attachment of the pantograph inner elbow at a convenient point on the structure to which the cradle plate isrigidly attached. This may take the form of a block 51 attached to the bridge plate 23 with a threaded hole. A shoulder screw 52 located in this hole secures the inner elbow of the pantograph, while allowing rotation of the pantograph parts on its axis. A further block with a threaded hole 53 is used to locate one of the free ends of the pantograph at a convenient location at the rear longitudinal beam 11.

A stylus 54 is mounted at the other free end of the pantograph. At the top end of the stylus, a handgrip 55 is clamped. The platen 30 as previously described may be positioned under the stylus, and a master pattern 56 attached to it. The master can be a physical 2 dimensional form or may be merely a shape drawn on a piece of paper. When the user grasps the handgrip, and guides the stylus around the pattern, movements of the stylus in the horizontal plane are reproduced at half scale at the muter cutter axis. During pantograph operation, the muter device will be set to run continuously, as in this mode of operation then user's hand is not close to the power switch, normally located on a handle of the router device. Also in this mode of operation, the muter bit height is locked at a fixed height.

A further feature of the invention is to permit the withdrawal of the pallet from the base structure to the extent that work may be done on the pallet, clear of the base structure, but not requiring any additional supporting means, such as an additional bench. Work on the pallet may include clamping or removal of workpieces, or inspection of a partially completed job. This is a useful feature when workshop space is limited. An embodiment of this feature is shown in Fig 9a and 9b: Retaining plates 60, sitting on top of spacer plates 61 are attached to the baseplate 1. The spacer plates are separated sufficiently to allow the pallet to be slid between them, and their height is sufficient to allow the pallet to pass under the retaining plates. At a leading corner of the pallet, a spring-loaded ratchet 62 is fitted, The ratchet fits in a slot machined in the pallet z, and is retained, but free to rotate through a small arc by a dowel pin 63. The spring is retained in a blind hole in the pallet, and the ratchet rotation is limited by one surface of the slot in the pallet side.

In this arrangement, he pallet may be slid into its working position under the retaining plates. In this direction of travel the ratchet yields, but on withdrawal of the pallet, the ratchet limits outward movement, with the retaining plates resisting the downward inclination of the now overhanging pallet. Thus the user may access the workpiece and clamps, without completely detaching the pallet.

Claims (10)

1. Claims 1. A support system for a plunge router in which the router device is constrained with its cutter axis vertical and its orientation fixed in the horizontal plane and is capable of user driven movement within limits in the horizontal plane, attached above a base structure to which a workpiece may be clamped on to a removeable element, hereafter referred to as a pallet, connecting to the base structure in a mapner that permits the removal andreplacement of the pallet and workpiece in a highly repeatable position with respect to the router support system.
2. 2. A support system for a plunge router according to claim 1, in which which the muter device is rigidly attached to a cradle plate which is mounted in a system of two orthogonal slides pemiitting movement of the router in the horizontal plane, but preventing any rotation of the router device in the horizontal plane.
3. 3. A support system for a plunge router according to claim 1 & 2 in which the orthogonal slides are formed by close fitting non-metallic blocks running in slots in extruded aluminium sections.
4. 4. A pallet, according to claim 1, to which a workpiece may be clamped, connecting to the base structure by means of dowel pins at the edge of the pallet, engaging in upstanding plates with matching holes attached to the base structure, and clamped against the upstanding plates by the action of a toggle clamp acting at the opposite edge of the pallet to the dowel pins.
5. 5. A pallet, according to claims I & 4, in which an array of threaded holes is provided for clamping of workpieces.
6. 6. A support system for a plunge router, according to claim 1 to which a platen component for the attachment of a template may be mounted on part of the system's base structure, in a range of positions parallel to one of its orthogonal axes, and in a fixed orientation with respect to the plane of the orthogonal axes.
7. 7. A support system for a plunge router, according to claim 1, to which a stylus for the purpose of following the template form according to claim 6 may be mounted on the immediate supporting structure of the plunge router in a range of positions normal to the direction of the platen's range of movement.
8. 8. A support system for a plunge router, according to claim 1 & 7, in which the stylus is mounted in a vertical orientation, and whose vertical position may be set over a range.
9. 9. A support system for a plunge router, according to claim 1 & 7, in which a follower roller may be mounted at the base of the stylus, for the purpose of following a template.
10. 10. A support system for a plunge router, according to claim 1, in which the relative position of the router device main body and its faceplate may be reflected in the relative positions of the inner and outer elements at one end of a Bowden cable attached to the router device, and hence also reflected in the relative posiüons of the inner and outer elements at the other end of the Bowden cable, at which a vertically oriented cylindrical probe may be attached, whose position in the vertical axis 1(1 may consequently be controlled by the relative positions of the inner and outer parts of the Bowden cable at this end of the cable.lii. A support system for a plunge router, according to claim 1 & 10, to which a vertically oriented cylindrical shaft is mounted in a housing attached to the main body of the router device and free to slide in the housing so that its lower end may rest on the upper side of the faceplate of the muter device or on an adjacent surface, while at its upper end a block is rigidly attached with an upwardly facing counterboçed hole in which a Bowden cable may be mounted, with the outer part of the Bowden cable seated in the counterbore, and the inner part of the bowden cable extending downwards and anchored to the housing.12. A support system for a plunge router, according to claim 1, 10 & 11, to which a vertically oriented cylindrical probe is mounted and free to slide in a housing attached to a structure rigidly attached to the cradle plate, and having at its upper end a block attached with an upwardly facing counterbored hole in which the opposite end of the Bowden cable referred to in claim 11 may be mounted, with the outer part of the Bowden cable seated in the counterbore, and the inner part of the bowden cable extending downwards and anchored to the housing, tension in the cable system being maintained by a compression spring concemric with the probe, and compressed to an initial length by the distance between upper and lower surfaces of the housing and block respectively.13. A block according to claim 12 whose position on the probe may be set over a range.14. A means of setting in the transverse direction the position of the housing according to claim 12.15. A support system for a plunge router, according to claim 1, to which a pantograph may be mounted on simple additional features, with one end fixed to the support system's stationary structure, and the other free end positioned in a convenient location for following a 2 dimensional master pattern, which may be fastened to the platen component according to claim 6, with the inner elbow of the pantograph attached to the structure rigidly attached to the system's cradle plate.16. A means of retention of the pallet according to claim 1, which permits the pallet to be withdrawn from the base structure according to claim 1, to the extent that work on the pallet may be inspected or adjusted, without fully separating the pallet from the base structure, or requiring additional supporting measures.