Independent axis clamping apparatus and method

1. Manufacturing apparatus, comprising:

a tool support movable along multiple axes, said tool support having at least opposing sides;

a tool mounted on the tool support for performing a manufacturing operation on a workpiece; and,

a clamping assembly mounted on said at least opposing sides, said clamping assembly having an end, said clamping assembly moveable along at least a first axis independent of the movement of the tool, the clamping assembly including at least one clamping device mounted at said end of said clamp assembly and extendable from said end of the clamping assembly for applying clamping pressure to the workpiece; said at least one clamping device further comprises a roller clamp for engaging the workpiece and means for biasing the roller clamp against the workpiece.

2. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the clamping assembly includes a rotary drive on the tool support for rotating the at least one clamping device around the first axis.

3. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the rotary drive includes:

a rotary mount including a first portion fixed to the tool support and a second portion rotatably coupled with the first portion, and

a motor for rotating the second portion relative to the first portion.

4. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the biasing means includes a fluid driven motor.

5. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the at least one clamping device includes a slide, and the roller clamp is mounted on the slide for sliding movement along a second axis toward and away from the workpiece.

6. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the clamping assembly includes a mounting on the tool support, and

the at least one clamping device includes a clamping pack and means for releasably coupling the clamping pack to the mounting.

7. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the clamping pack includes:

a slide assembly, and

a friction reducing clamping member mounted on the slide assembly for engaging the workpiece.

8. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the clamping pack includes:

a slide assembly, and

a friction reducing clamping member mounted on the slide assembly for engaging the workpiece.

9. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the at least one clamping device includes a slide, and the roller clamp is mounted on the slide for sliding movement along a second axis toward and away from the workpiece.

10. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the clamping assembly includes a mounting on the tool support, and

the at least one clamping device includes a clamping pack and means for releasably coupling the clamping pack to the mounting.

11. Apparatus for performing operations on a workpiece, comprising:

a tool assembly including a tool movable along multiple axes; and,

a clamping assembly mounted on, the clamping assembly including at least one clamping device for applying clamping pressure to the workpiece, and

means for mounting the at least one clamping device for movement along at least a first axis independent of the movement of the tool;

the at least one clamping device having:

a roller clamp for engaging the workpiece, and

means for biasing the roller clamp against the workpiece.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein:

the tool assembly includes a spindle housing, and

the mounting means includes a rotary mount for mounting the at least one clamping device on the spindle housing for rotation around the first axis.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the mounting means includes a slide assembly coupled with the rotary mount and mounting the clamping device for movement along a second axis.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the rotary mount includes:

a stationary portion secured to the spindle housing,

a rotatable portion coupled between the stationary portion an the clamping device, and

a motorized drive for driving the second portion to rotate relative to the first portion.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the motorized drive includes:

an electric motor, and

a gear drive coupling the motor with the rotatable portion.

16. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the biasing means includes a pneumatic motor.

17. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein:

the mounting means includes a slide, and

the roller clamp is mounted on the slide for sliding movement along a second axis toward and away from the workpiece.

18. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the at least one clamping device includes:

a clamping pack, and

a releasable connection for releasably securing the clamping pack on the mounting means.

19. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 18 , wherein:

the mounting means includes a slide assembly, and

the clamping pack includes a friction reducing clamping member mounted on the slide assembly for engaging the workpiece.

20. Manufacturing apparatus, comprising:

a tool support movable along multiple axes;

a tool mounted on the tool support for performing a manufacturing operation on a workpiece; and,

a clamping assembly mounted on the tool support for movement along at least a first axis independent of the movement of the tool, the clamping assembly including at least one clamping device for applying clamping pressure to the workpiece;

the at least one clamping device having:

a roller clamp for engaging the workpiece, and

means for biasing the roller clamp against the workpiece.

21. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the clamping assembly includes a rotary drive on the tool support for rotating the at least one clamping device around the first axis.

22. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the tool comprises a friction stir welding (FSW) tool.