The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 23, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 12, 1995
Thomas F Moran, Chagrin Falls, OH (US);
Other;
Abstract
A holddown device is disclosed for use with a automatic machine tool, such as a CNC router. The holddown device comprises a flat box having a hollow interior forming a reduced pressure chamber therein and having a planar work surface for placement of workpieces to be engaged by the machine tool. The chamber formed in the interior of the box is connected to an air evacuation device which is capable of moving large volumes of air. A plurality of plenums substantially cover the planar work surface. Holes within each plenum extend through the work surface into the chamber to provide fluid connection between the interior of the box and each of the plenums, whereby the partial vacuum is created in the plenums. The partial vacuum in the plenums serving to hold down the workpieces positioned on the work surface. The holddown device provides a flexible and universally applicable system for holding down workpieces on the machining center, eliminating set up time, and allowing machine time to be used for productivity.