Vacuum fixture
Disclosed is a vacuum fixture. The vacuum fixture may include a base plate assembly, a middle frame assembly, and a top plate assembly. The base plate assembly may have a first hinged edge. The middle frame assembly may be connected to the base plate proximate the first hinged edge and may define a void. The top plate assembly may have a second hinged edge connected to the first hinged edge, such that when the top plate assembly is in a closed position the middle frame assembly is located in between and contacts a first surface of the base plate assembly and a first surface of the top plate assembly, thereby forming a cavity in between the base plate assembly and the top plate assembly.
1. A vacuum fixture comprising:
a base plate assembly having a first hinged edge;
a middle frame assembly connected to the base plate proximate the first hinged edge and defining a void; and
a top plate assembly having a second hinged edge connected to the first hinged edge, such that when the top plate assembly is in a closed position the middle frame assembly is located in between and contacts a first surface of the base plate assembly and a first surface of the top plate assembly, thereby forming a cavity in between the base plate assembly and the top plate assembly.
2. The vacuum fixture of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of locator clips located along an interior perimeter of the middle frame assembly.
3. The vacuum fixture of claim 1 , further comprising at least one vacuum port passing into the cavity through the middle frame assembly.
4. The vacuum fixture of claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of grippers located proximate the first surface of the top plate assembly and fluidly connected to the at least one vacuum port.
5. The vacuum fixture of claim 1 , further comprising at least one spring loaded float attached to the base plate assembly.
6. The vacuum fixture of claim 1 , further comprising at least one spring loaded float attached to the top plate assembly.
7. The vacuum fixture of claim 1 , further comprising a piston passing through a portion of the top plate and configured to exert a force on a moveable plate located proximate the first surface of the top plate assembly.
8. The vacuum fixture of claim 1 , further comprising a limit switch located proximate a perimeter of the top plate assembly and the base plate assembly when the top plate assembly is in the closed position.
9. The vacuum fixture of claim 1 , wherein the middle frame assembly is removably connected to the base plate assembly.
10. The vacuum fixture of claim 1 , wherein the middle frame assembly is hingedly connected to the middle frame assembly.
11. A vacuum fixture comprising:
a base plate assembly having a first hinged edge;
a top plate assembly having a second hinged edge connected to the first hinged edge; and
a plurality of middle frame assemblies, each of the plurality of middle frame assemblies configured to connected to the base plate proximate the first hinged edge and defining a void, each of the plurality of middle frame assemblies being a different size,
wherein when the top plate assembly is in a closed position one of the plurality of the middle frame assemblies is located in between and contacts a first surface of the base plate assembly and a first surface of the top plate assembly, thereby forming a cavity in between the base plate assembly and the top plate assembly.
12. The vacuum fixture of claim 11 , wherein each of the middle frame assemblies is configured to hingedly connected to the middle frame assembly.
13. The vacuum fixture of claim 11 , wherein each of the middle frame assemblies includes at least one vacuum port.
14. The vacuum fixture of claim 11 , further comprising at least one spring loaded float attached to the base plate assembly.
15. A vacuum system comprising:
a vacuum pump; and
a vacuum fixture comprising:
a base plate assembly having a first hinged edge and a plurality of spring loaded floats attached to a first surface of the base plate;
a top plate assembly having a second hinged edge connected to the first hinged edge; and
a middle frame assembly connected to the base plate proximate the first hinged edge and defining a void, the middle frame assembly defining a vacuum port in fluid communication with the vacuum pump,
wherein when the top plate assembly is in a closed position the middle frame assembly is located in between and contacts the first surface of the base plate assembly and a first surface of the top plate assembly, thereby forming a cavity in between the base plate assembly and the top plate assembly.
16. The vacuum system of claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of locator clips located along an interior perimeter of the middle frame assembly and projecting into the void.
17. The vacuum system of claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of grippers located proximate the first surface of the top plate assembly and fluidly connected to the vacuum port.
18. The vacuum system of claim 15 , further comprising a limit switch located proximate a perimeter of the top plate assembly and the base plate assembly when the top plate assembly is in the closed position.
19. The vacuum system of claim 15 , wherein the middle frame assembly is hingedly connected to the middle frame assembly.
20. The vacuum system of claim 15 , wherein the middle frame assembly is one of a plurality of middle frame assemblies, each of the middle frame assemblies being a different size.