MULTI-TOOL MACHINING SYSTEM

摘要

A multi-tool system uses precision alignment features to align and attach a group of rotary end mill tools to a gantry. Once attached, a bed with similarly positioned alignment features can be used to align and a number of substantially identical work pieces for fabrication with substantially identical features.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a gantry having a mounting surface with a first registration feature; a controller coupled in a communicating relationship with the gantry and configured to control operation of the gantry in response to gantry-executable machine code; a number of rotary cutting tools secured in a predetermined arrangement on a fixture having a second registration feature, wherein the second registration feature is adapted to secure the fixture to the gantry in a predetermined alignment and wherein the fixture is removably and replaceably coupled to the mounting surface of the gantry; an alignment fixture including a number of recesses adapted to loosely retain a number of work pieces in a corresponding number of predetermined alignments relative to each one of the rotary cutting tools, the alignment fixture further including a number of secondary recesses adjacent to the number of recesses; and at least one positive locking mechanism shaped and sized to fit into one of the secondary recesses and configured to securely mechanically retain the one of the work pieces in an aligned position in the alignment fixture wherein the one of the work pieces is in a secure engagement with a vertical wall of one of the number of recesses.