Caterpillar Inc.

George Mathai

Timothy A Thorson

Nien L Lee

Rohit Bhapkar

Tyler Fischer

A distortion correction tool corrects distortion in a workpiece held by a fixture. Sensors in the fixture determine the existence, extent, and location of distortions in the workpiece and a controller directs the application of the distortion correction tool to the workpiece based on the information received from the sensors. Particularly, a ram mounted to a quick-change tool head for a robotic arm is used as a distortion correction tool to correct distortions in a workpiece by inducing plastic deformation through use of compressive force, the extent and location of which is determined by a controller based on sensor measurements.

Smart fixture distortion correction system

A system for dispensing lubricant in a stream of cool air to a work piece and a machine tool. A source of lubricant and cool air are coupled to a stationary coupler. A rotating turret includes a plurality of machine tools mounted thereon and the plurality of rotating couplers mounted thereon. Each machine tool is associated with or coupled to one of the rotating couplers. The turret rotates so that a rotating coupler is in abutting engagement with the stationary coupler. Lubricant and cool air pass through the stationary coupler to the rotating coupler, which delivers the lubricant and cool air to a nozzle that is directed at the machine tool associated with the rotating coupler.

Growing community of inventors

Peoria, IL, United States of America

George Mathai