| 摘要 |
A clamping system for use in air float tables in machine tool and other environments wherein the workpiece supporting fixture is supported on a cushion of pressurized air established between it and the surface of the table. The clamping system comprises one or more T-clamps mounted within the table for vertical rectilinear movement under the action of a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, and a T-slot in the lower surface of the fixture which is capable of receiving the T-clamps, preferably through enlarged entry openings at various places along the slot. With the T-clamps received in the T-slots in unclamped condition, the fixture is guided by the T-clamps as it is moved about on the table. When the fixture has been located in the desired position, pneumatic or hydraulic pressure is applied to the cylinder thereby drawing the T-clamps downwardly so that they clamp the fixture to the table. The T-slots may be arranged in a number of different patterns, for example, orthogonally related straight slots, circularly arranged arcuate slots, and closed circular slots. This arrangement permits the fixture to be easily moved about on the table in a controlled manner, accurately located, and then clamped in place with minimal effort required on the part of the machine tool operator, as in the case where the air float system is part of a machine tool, such as a milling machine, boring machine, etc.
|
