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:
Apr. 18, 2006
Filed:
Aug. 15, 2001
Baden Michael Powell, Windsor, CA;
Baden Michael Powell, Windsor, CA;
General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for monitoring clamp loads used to clamp production pallets in position in a transfer machining line is disclosed. The steps include substituting a test pallet for a production pallet during a production cycle. The test pallet includes at least one load cell located at a respective clamp portion. The next step is to detect when the test pallet is at the machining station and ready to be clamped. The test pallet is then clamped at its clamp portion having the load cell. Clamp load data is collected and stored in a data collector located on-board the test pallet. This data may be downloaded at the end of the cycle in a readable format.