Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Chi-Hung Shen

Yhu-Tin Lin

Gary Lee Jones

John Stilianos Agapiou

Phillip A Bojda

Robin Stevenson

Andrew Leslie Bartos

John Patrick Spicer

Dalong Gao

Robert J Scheuerman

Mark A Kramarczyk

Nicolas Lauzier

John Alverio

A pallet includes a platform and a plurality of support assemblies located at multiple positions on the platform. One support assembly is associated with each location of the component to be supported. Each support assembly has a linkage assembly to support and enable movement of a support element. The support assemblies also each include multiple bases secured to the platform, to position the support element in a desired location for each version of a component. An alignment mechanism on each base allows for rotational alignment of the support element relative to the pallet.

Reconfigurable pallet using pins and hollow supports

A reconfigurable pallet that supports a structure includes a pallet base and a plurality of modular stanchions that are adhesively secured to the pallet base. The modular stanchions are selectively positionable along x and y axes relative to a top surface of the pallet base. The modular stanchions each include a support element that has a height along a z axis that is transverse to the x and y axes. The support element supports the structure.

Adhesive-based reconfigurable pallet system for assembly lines

A magnetic force sensor assembly for a workholding fixture includes a magnetic force switch operatively supported by a base of a component disposed on the workholding fixture. The magnetic force sensor assembly also includes a sensor operatively supported by the base of the component to sense a position change of the magnetic force switch and inform a controller that there is sufficient magnetic force between the workholding fixture and the base.

Magnetic force sensor assembly for workholding fixtures

A permanent magnet chuck for holding or lifting workpieces is formed of two overlying/underlying flat surfaced chuck layers having a common center of rotation. In each chuck layer an even number of permanent magnet plates radiate from the center of rotation at equal angles with blocks of magnetically soft material between them. The permanent magnet plates are magnetized so that the interposed soft magnet blocks exhibit alternating N-S magnetic polarities. The organization of the permanent magnet plates and soft magnet bodies is matching and complementary so that relative rotation of the chuck layers magnetically activates or de-activates the chuck.

Modular permanent magnet chuck

The design of permanent magnet chucks of desired specified attractive force at the base or working face of the chuck is expedited by the discovery of a general correlation between two specific engineering parameters. The attractive force intensity expressed as force per unit chuck working face contact area correlates with the ratio of area of the iron block surfaces at the working face to the area of the permanent magnet surfaces contacting the iron blocks and providing the magnetic flux path to them.

Method to estimate attractive force in a permanent magnet chuck

A reconfigurable pallet that supports a structure includes a base and a modular stanchion. The modular stanchion is magnetically attachable to the base along x and y axes relative to a top surface of the base. The modular stanchion includes a support element that has a height along a z axis that is transverse to the x and y axes. The support element supports the structure.

Reconfigurable magnetic fixturing pallets for an assembly line

A reconfigurable fixture for workpieces is disclosed. It utilizes a flat surface magnetic chuck with modular workpiece supporting, locating and clamping elements that are carefully located on it and held by magnetic attraction to it. These elements are precisely located to hold the workpiece in spaced relation to the chuck surface. Some locating elements are mechanically fixed to the chuck for securing the workpiece from transverse movement on the chuck surface. Preferably, each of the supporting, locating and clamping members are fixed to separate steel bases for magnetic attraction to the chuck. Each base may also carry its own hydraulic actuator for height adjustment of a support element or for height adjustment and closure of a clamping element. These modular elements have locating slots or grooves or the like so that they can be selected from a storage magazine and located on a chuck by numerically controlled mechanisms.

Reconfigurable workholding fixture

A reconfigurable fixture for workpieces is disclosed. It utilizes a flat surface magnetic chuck with modular workpiece supporting, locating and clamping elements that are carefully located on it and held by magnetic attraction to it. These elements are precisely located to hold the workpiece in spaced relation to the chuck surface. Some locating elements are mechanically fixed to the chuck for securing the workpiece from transverse movement on the chuck surface. Preferably, each of the supporting, locating and clamping members are fixed to separate steel bases for magnetic attraction to the chuck. Each base may also carry its own hydraulic actuator for height adjustment of a support element or for height adjustment and closure of a clamping element. These modular elements can be selected from a storage magazine and located on a chuck by numerically controlled mechanisms.

The inserts and pockets in an inserted drill are provided with differing curvatures on their arcuate back edges. Consequently, when the insert is aligned in the pocket, a crescent shaped, instead of annular, gap is created, with minimal or no thickness at the outboard ends. Very little braze seam is thus exposed to erosion at the cutting edge, but the braze seam is as strong or stronger than conventionally. It is also easier to maintain the desired thickness of the braze seam during manufacture.

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Troy, MI, United States of America

Chi-Hung Shen