Reconfigurable magnetic fixturing pallets for an assembly line
View Patent ↗A reconfigurable pallet that supports a structure includes a base and a modular stanchion. The modular stanchion is magnetically attachable to the base along x and y axes relative to a top surface of the base. The modular stanchion includes a support element that has a height along a z axis that is transverse to the x and y axes. The support element supports the structure.
1. A reconfigurable pallet that supports a structure, comprising:
a pallet base; an
a plurality of modular stanchions having magnets therein to magnetically attach said modular stanchions to said pallet base along x and y axes relative to a top surface of said pallet base, said modular stanchions each including a support element having a height along a z axis that is transverse to said x and y axes, said support element supporting said structure; and
a pre-form that is selectively overlayed on said pallet base to define a unique position of each of said modular stanchions along said x and y axes.
2. The reconfigurable pallet system of claim 1 wherein said support element is movable along said z axis to adjust said height.
3. The reconfigurable pallet system of claim 2 further comprising a hydraulic pump in fluid communication with a support cylinder and operable to adjust a hydraulic pressure within said support cylinder to move said support element along said z axis.
4. The reconfigurable pallet system of claim 1 wherein said modular stanchion further comprises a stanchion base that supports said support element.
5. The reconfigurable pallet system of claim 4 wherein said magnets of said stanchion base comprise a permanent magnet that is embedded therein and that is selectively moved to a first position to secure said modular stanchion to said pallet base.
6. The reconfigurable pallet system of claim 4 wherein said stanchion base includes an electromagnet embedded therein, wherein a current is selectively applied to said electromagnet to secure said modular stanchion to said base.
7. A pallet system that is configurable to support first structure and reconfigurable to support a second structure, comprising:
a pallet base;
a modular stanchion that is magnetically attachable to said pallet base and positionable along x and y axes relative to a top surface of said pallet base and that includes a support element having a height along a z axis that is transverse to said x and y axes, said support element having a first position to support said first structure and having a second position to support said second structure; and
a pre-form that is selectively overlayed on said pallet base to define a unique position of said modular stanchion along said x and y axes.
8. The pallet system of claim 7 wherein said support element is movable along said z axis to adjust said height.
9. The pallet system of claim 8 further comprising a hydraulic pump in fluid communication with a support cylinder and operable to adjust a hydraulic pressure within said support cylinder to move said support element along said z axis.
10. The pallet system of claim 7 wherein said modular stanchion further comprises a stanchion base that supports said support element.
11. The pallet system of claim 10 wherein said stanchion base includes a permanent magnet that is movable to a first position to secure said modular stanchion to said pallet base.
12. The pallet system of claim 10 wherein said stanchion base includes an electro-magnet embedded therein, wherein a current is selectively applied to said electro-magnet to secure said modular stanchion to said pallet base.
13. A reconfigurable pallet system that is configurable to support multiple structures, comprising:
a pallet base;
a modular stanchion that comprises:
a stanchion base that is magnetically attachable to said pallet base along x and y axes relative to a top surface of said pallet base; and
a support element that is supported on said stanchion base and that has a heigth transverse to said x and y axes along a z axis, said support element having a first position to support a first structure and having a second position to support second structure; and
a pre-form that is selectively overlayed on said pallet base to define a unique position of said modular stanchion along said x and y axes.
14. The reconfigurable pallet system of claim 13 wherein said support element is movable along said z axis to adjust said height.
15. The reconfigurable pallet system of claim 13 further comprising a hydraulic pump in fluid communication with a support cylinder and operable to adjust a hydraulic pressure within said support cylinder to move said support element along said z axis.
16. The reconfigurable pallet system of claim 13 wherein said stanchion base includes a permanent magnet that is movable to a first position to secure said modular stanchion to said pallet base.
17. The reconfigurable pallet system of claim 13 wherein said stanchion base includes an electro-magnet embedded therein, wherein a current is selectively applied to said electromagnet to secure said modular stanchion to said pallet base.
18. An assembly line for assembling a product, comprising:
a plurality of operation stages; and
a pallet that supports a base structure of said product and that carries said base structure between operation stages, comprising:
a pallet base;
a stanchion base that is magnetically attachable to said pallet base along x and y axes relative to a top surface of said pallet base;
a support element that is supported on said stanchion base and that has a height transverse to said x and y axes along a z axis, said support element locatable in a first position to support said base structure; and
a pre-form that is selectively overlayed on said pallet base to define a unique position of said stanchion base along said x and y axes.
19. The assembly line of claim 18 wherein said support element is movable along said z axis to adjust said height.
20. The assembly line of claim 19 further comprising a hydraulic pump in fluid communication with a support cylinder and operable to adjust a hydraulic pressure within said support cylinder to move said support element along said z axis.
21. The assembly line of claim 18 wherein said stanchion base includes a permanent magnet that is movable to a first position to secure said modular stanchion to said pallet base.
22. The assembly line of claim 18 wherein said stanchion base includes an electromagnet embedded therein, wherein a current is selectively applied to said electromagnet to secure said modular stanchion to said pallet base.