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:
May. 28, 2013
Filed:
Jun. 21, 2010
John A. Baumann, St. Charles, MO (US);
Herb Bommer, St. Peters, MO (US);
Kurt A. Burton, Wildwood, MO (US);
Mike P. Matlack, St. Charles, MO (US);
John A. Baumann, St. Charles, MO (US);
Herb Bommer, St. Peters, MO (US);
Kurt A. Burton, Wildwood, MO (US);
Mike P. Matlack, St. Charles, MO (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A method for performing operations on a workpiece. The method comprises the steps of: contacting the workpiece with a tool; moving the tool along any of multiple axes; moving a clamp along at least a first axis independent of the movement of the tool; and, clamping the workpiece using the clamp. Contacting the workpiece with the tool may comprise plunging a friction stir welding pin tool into the workpiece while the workpiece is being clamped. The tool may be moved by moving a spindle housing over the workpiece, and the clamp may be moved by rotating the clamp around the first axis as the spindle housing moves over the workpiece. The method may further comprise the step of coordinating the movement of the clamp with the movement of the tool.