The present disclosure relates generally to drilling operations and, more particularly, to an offset collet lock for positive feed drilling equipment.
Many manufacturing operations require precisely positioned holes to the drilled in a workpiece. The holes must be accurately aligned with only relatively small positioning errors. In these operations, a drill jig is typically used to establish hole locations and normality relative to the workpiece surface. In some operations, the drill jig also supports the weight of the drill and reacts to drilling thrust. In these operations, the drill typically includes a nosepiece for attachment of the drill to the drill jig. Conventional nosepieces typically include a collet or a quarter turn clamp that attaches to the drill jig. However, these types of clamping mechanisms are relatively large, which prevents positioning the drill and, thus, locating and drilling holes, adjacent to ancillary structures. Accordingly, those skilled in the art continue with research and development efforts in the field of drilling equipment and operations.
Disclosed are examples of an offset collet lock for a positive feed drill, a drilling system, and a drilling method. The following is a non-exhaustive list of examples, which may or may not be claimed, of the subject matter according to the present disclosure.
In an example, the disclosed offset collet lock includes an actuator, a bracket, a sleeve, and a concentric collet. The bracket is coupled to the actuator and is linearly movable along an actuation axis by the actuator. The sleeve is coupled to the bracket and is linearly movable along a drill axis by the bracket. The drill axis is perpendicular to the actuation axis. The concentric collet is coupled to the sleeve. Linear movement of the sleeve along the drill axis expands or contracts the concentric collet.
In an example, the disclosed system includes a positive feed drill and an offset collet lock. The positive feed drill includes a motor, a spindle, and a tool holder. The spindle is coupled to the motor and is rotatable about a drive axis by the motor. The tool holder is coupled to the spindle and is rotatable about a drill axis and is linearly moveable along the drill axis by the spindle. The drill axis is spaced apart from the drive axis and is parallel to the drive axis. The offset collet lock is coupled to the positive feed drill. The offset collet lock includes an actuator, a bracket, a sleeve, and a concentric collet. The bracket is coupled to the actuator and is linearly movable along an actuation axis by the actuator. The actuation axis is perpendicular to the drill axis. The sleeve is coupled to the bracket and is linearly movable along the drill axis by the bracket. The concentric collet is coupled to the sleeve. Linear movement of the sleeve along the drill axis expands or contracts the concentric collet.
In an example, the disclosed method includes steps of: (1) inserting a concentric collet of an offset collet lock of a positive feed drill in an aperture of a drill jig; (2) linearly moving a bracket of the offset collet lock in a first actuation direction along an actuation axis; (3) linearly moving a sleeve of the offset collet lock in a first drill direction along a drill axis, which is perpendicular to the actuation axis, in response to linearly moving the bracket; and (4) expanding the concentric collet to engage the aperture in response to linearly moving the sleeve.
Other examples of the offset collet lock, the system, and the method disclosed herein will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
Referring to
The present disclosure recognizes that the assembly of aerospace structures often involves attachment of a drill to a drill jig to ensure proper alignment of a cutting tool of the drill with a desired hole location in a workpiece. The drill jig establishes hole location and normality relative to the workpiece, reacts to drilling thrust, and supports the weight of the drill motor. As such, an operator of the drill does not have to bear the full weight of the drill and the thrust generated during the drilling operation. In many instances, accurately positioned holes must be drilled in relatively hard materials, such as titanium. To drill holes in hard materials, a positive feed drill (also known as a power feed drill) is used, which includes power feed or rack feed drill motors that produce relatively large axial drilling thrusts. Because positive feed drills are generally heavy and produce relatively large drilling thrust, the drill must be firmly attached to the drill jig. To enable the positive feed drill to be securely and easily mounted to the drill jig, various clamping mechanisms have been incorporated into a nosepiece of the positive feed drill, such as collet clamps and twist lock clamps. However, conventional collet clamps are too large for use in areas with limited access, such as areas adjacent to ancillary structures. Twist lock clamps are typically smaller than collet clamps and, in some instances, can be offset from a drive axis of the positive feed drill. However, conventional twist lock clamps are also unsuitable for use in areas with limited access due to the 45-degree rotation required to engage the twist lock with the drill jig. Examples of the offset collet lock 100, the system 200 and the method 1000, which utilize the offset collet lock 100, provide unique solutions to the above-identified problems associated with using positive feed drills in areas with limited access.
Referring to
Referring generally to
Referring to
In one or more examples, the spindle 210 is coupled to the power transmission 220. The tool holder 212 is also coupled to the power transmission 220. The power transmission 220 converts and/or transmits rotational motion of the spindle 210 about the drive axis 216 to rotational motion of the tool holder 212 about the drill axis 110 and linear motion of the tool holder 212 along the drill axis 110. The power transmission 220 includes or takes the form of any suitable type of transmission, such as a number of gears, a gearbox, a rack and pinion, rails and bearings, a drive screw, and the like or combinations thereof.
In one or more examples, the tool holder 212 includes or takes the form of any suitable type of tool holding mechanism, such as a chuck, a collet, or other clamp. The cutter 214 includes or takes the form of any suitable rotary cutting tool, such as a drill bit or other cutting bit. The spindle 210 is coupled to the motor 208. The motor 208 is configured such that the spindle 210 and the tool holder 212 (and the cutter 214) are actuated by energizing the motor 208. The motor 208 includes or takes the form of any suitable type of drill motor. As examples, the motor 208 includes or takes the form of a pneumatic motor, a hydraulic motor, or an electromechanical motor. The motor 208 is energized by receiving power (e.g., pneumatic power, hydraulic power, or electric power) from an appropriate power supply (e.g., power supply 218 shown in
Referring now to
In one or more examples, the housing 112 is couplable to the positive feed drill 202. The housing 112 is configured to enclose one or more components of the positive feed drill 202, such as at least a portion of the spindle 210, the tool holder 212, and the power transmission 220. Additionally, the housing 112 is configured to support and/or retain the actuator 102, the bracket 104, the sleeve 106, and/or the concentric collet 132. Although any means of attaching the offset collet lock 100 to the positive feed drill 202 can be utilized, in one or more examples, a rear portion of the housing 112 of the offset collet lock 100 is connected to a motor housing 238 of the positive feed drill 202, such as by complementary threaded fittings. In one or more examples, the bracket 104 is coupled to the housing 112 such that the bracket 104 can translate along the actuation axis 108 relative to the housing 112 in response to actuation by the actuator 102. In the sleeve 106 is coupled to the housing 112 such that the sleeve 106 translates relative to the housing 112 in response to actuation by the bracket 104.
In one or more examples, the bracket 104 is coupled to the actuator 102. The actuator 102 is configured such that the bracket 104 translates along the actuation axis 108 relative to the housing 112 by energizing the actuator 102. The actuator 102 includes or takes the form of any suitable type of linear or rotary actuator. As examples, the actuator 102 includes or takes the form of a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, or an electromechanical actuator. The actuator 102 is energized by receiving power 152 (e.g., pneumatic power, hydraulic power, or electric power) from an appropriate power supply, such as the power supply 218 of the positive feed drill 202 (
In one or more examples, the sleeve 106 is coupled to the bracket 104. The bracket 104 is configured such that the sleeve 106 translates along the drill axis 110 relative to the housing 112 by translating the bracket 104. In one or more examples, the offset collet lock 100 includes a motion transmission 162 that is configured to convert and/or transmit linear motion of the bracket 104 along the actuation axis 108 to linear motion of the sleeve 106 along the drill axis 110. In one or more examples, the bracket 104 and the sleeve 106 are coupled to the motion transmission 162. In one or more examples, the bracket 104 and the sleeve 106 are coupled to each other via (e.g., through or using) the motion transmission 162. The motion transmission 162 includes any suitable type of transmission mechanism.
In one or more examples, the motion transmission 162 includes or takes the form of a cam-follower mechanism 150. Generally, the cam-follower mechanism 150 includes a cam follower and an associated cam surface or cam track along which the cam follower travels. A first component of the cam-follower mechanism 150 (e.g., the cam follower) is formed by, coupled to, or otherwise associated with one of the bracket 104 or the sleeve 106. A second component of the cam-follower mechanism 150 (e.g., the cam surface or cam track) is formed by, coupled to, or otherwise associated with another one of the bracket 104 or the sleeve 106.
As illustrated in
Referring still to
In one or more examples, the bracket 104 includes a second bracket arm 120. The second bracket arm 120 is also coupled to the actuator 102. For example, the second bracket arm 120 includes a first end and a second end that is opposed to the first end along the actuation axis 108. The first end of the first bracket arm 118 and the first end of the second bracket arm 120 are coupled together or connected by a bracket connector. The bracket connector is coupled to the actuator 102. In these examples, the first bracket arm 118 and the second bracket arm 120 are spaced apart from each other and are at least approximately aligned (e.g., parallel) with each other on opposite sides of the housing 112. In one or more examples, the sleeve 106 includes a second sleeve arm 126. The second sleeve arm 126 extends from the sleeve body 122, for example along or at least approximately parallel to the drill axis 110. For example, the second sleeve arm 126 includes a first end coupled to the sleeve body 122 and a second end that is opposed to the first end along the drill axis 110. The second sleeve arm 126 is coupled to the second bracket arm 120, for example, by the motion transmission 162, such as the cam-follower mechanism 150. As an example, the slot 128 (e.g., a second slot or second instance of the slot 128) is formed in the second bracket arm 120, such as proximate the second end thereof. The pin 130 (e.g., a second pin or second instance of the pin 130) is coupled to or otherwise extends from the second sleeve arm 126, such as proximate the second end thereof.
As illustrated in
While an example configuration of the motion transmission 162 is illustrated that includes the pin 130 and the slot 128, in other examples, different structural configurations are possible and contemplated. For example, the oblique orientation of the slot 128 can be altered (e.g., flipped along the actuation axis 108) such that the relative (e.g., forward and rearward) directions of motion of the bracket 104 and the sleeve 106, described in the above example, are reversed.
In one or more examples, the housing 112 includes a bracket guide 114. The bracket guide 114 is configured to guide linear movement of the bracket 104 along the actuation axis 108. The bracket guide 114 can include any suitable structure that is configured to direct linear motion of the bracket 104 along the actuation axis 108. In one or more examples, the bracket guide 114 includes a first recess formed in a first side of the housing 112 that is suitably sized and shaped to receive the first bracket arm 118 and a second recess formed in a second side of the housing 112 that is suitably sized and shaped to receive the second bracket arm 120 (e.g., when present).
In one or more examples, the housing 112 includes a sleeve guide 116. The sleeve guide 116 is configured to guide linear movement of the sleeve 106 along the drill axis 110. The sleeve guide 116 is configured to guide linear movement of the sleeve 106 along the drill axis 110. The sleeve guide 116 can include any suitable structure that is configured to direct linear motion of the sleeve 106 along the drill axis 110. In one or more examples, the sleeve guide 116 includes a first recess formed in a first side of the housing 112 that is suitably sized and shaped to receive the first bracket arm 118 and a second recess formed in a second side of the housing 112 that is suitably sized and shaped to receive the second bracket arm 120 (e.g., when present).
Referring to
In one or more examples, the concentric collet 132 includes a mandrel 134 and a collet 136. The collet 136 is coupled to the sleeve 106. The collet 136 is concentric to the mandrel 134. The collet 136 linearly moves (e.g., translates) relative to the mandrel 134 to expand or retract in response to linear movement of the sleeve 106 along the drill axis 110.
In one or more examples, the mandrel 134 has an annular or cylindrical shape and forms a substantially cylindrical bore through with the cutter 214 can extend during the drilling operation. The collet 136 has an annular or cylindrical shape, forms a substantially cylindrical bore that receives the mandrel 134, and is concentrically situated about (e.g., around) at least a portion of the mandrel 134. In one or more examples, the collet 136 includes a first end and a second end that is opposite the first end along the drill axis 110. The first end of the collet 136 is segmented, such as to include or form a plurality of fingers or flanges that can flex radially outward. The mandrel 134 includes a first (e.g., cylindrical) portion having first external diameter and a second (e.g., tapered) portion having a second external diameter that is greater than the first external diameter.
In one or more examples, in the unlocked and contracted state, the flanges of the collet 136 overlie the cylindrical portion of the mandrel 134. The flanges extend along the surface of the cylindrical portion of the mandrel 134. Thus, the mandrel 134 and the collet 136 can be inserted through the aperture 224 defined in the drill plate 236 since the aperture 224 has a slightly larger diameter than the unexpanded flanges of the collet 136. In the locked and expanded state, the flanges of the collet 136 overlie the tapered portion of the mandrel 134 and are correspondingly radially expanded. The radially expanded flanges of the drill plate 236. The positive feed drill 202 is thus securely clamped to the drill plate 236.
In one or more examples, the collet 136 is coupled to the sleeve 106. Linear movement of the sleeve 106 in a first (e.g., locking) direction linearly moves the collet 136 along the drill axis 110 relative to the mandrel 134, which is fixed, to position the flanges of the collet 136 along the tapered portion of the mandrel 134 and, thereby, to expand the concentric collet 132 within the aperture 224 and lock the offset collet lock 100 to the drill plate 236. Linear movement of the sleeve 106 in a second (e.g., unlocking) direction, that is opposite the first direction, linearly moves the collet 136 along the drill axis 110 relative to the mandrel 134 to position the flanges of the collet 136 along the cylindrical portion of the mandrel 134 and, thereby, to contract the concentric collet 132 within the aperture 224 and unlock the offset collet lock 100 from the drill plate 236.
In one or more alternative examples, the mandrel 134 is coupled to the sleeve 106. Linear movement of the sleeve 106 in a first (e.g., locking) direction linearly moves the mandrel 134 along the drill axis 110 relative to the collet 136, which is fixed, to position the flanges of the collet 136 along the tapered portion of the mandrel 134 and, thereby, to expand the concentric collet 132 within the aperture 224 and lock the offset collet lock 100 to the drill plate 236. Linear movement of the sleeve 106 in a second (e.g., unlocking) direction, that is opposite the first direction, linearly moves the mandrel 134 along the drill axis 110 relative to the collet 136 to position the flanges of the collet 136 along the cylindrical portion of the mandrel 134 and, thereby, to contract the concentric collet 132 within the aperture 224 and unlock the offset collet lock 100 from the drill plate 236.
Referring to
Referring now to
In one or more examples, the offset collet lock 100 is adapted to be inserted through and clamped about an aperture 224 defined in a drill plate 236 of the drill jig 222 so as to securely clamp the positive feed drill 202 to the drill plate 236. The drill plate 236 is positioned and secured (e.g., fixed) relative to the workpiece 228 (
Referring generally to
In one or more examples, the offset collet lock 100 for the positive feed drill 202 includes the actuator 102, the bracket 104, the sleeve 106, and the concentric collet 132. The bracket 104 is coupled to the actuator 102. The bracket 104 is linearly movable along the actuation axis 108 by the actuator 102. The sleeve 106 is coupled to the bracket 104. The sleeve 106 is linearly movable along the drill axis 110 by the bracket 104. The drill axis 110 is at least approximately perpendicular to the actuation axis 108. The concentric collet 132 is coupled to the sleeve 106. Linear movement of the sleeve 106 along the drill axis 110 expands or contracts the concentric collet 132.
In one or more examples, the offset collet lock 100 includes the housing 112. The housing 112 is couplable to the positive feed drill 202. The housing 112 encloses the spindle 210 and the tool holder 212. The spindle 210 rotates about the drive axis 216 of the positive feed drill 202. The drive axis 216 is at least approximately parallel to the drill axis 110. The tool holder 212 is coupled to the spindle 210. The tool holder 212 rotates about the drill axis 110.
In one or more examples, the bracket 104 moves relative to the housing 112. The housing 112 includes the bracket guide 114. The bracket guide 114 guides linear movement of the bracket 104 along the actuation axis 108.
In one or more examples, the sleeve 106 moves relative to the housing 112. The housing 112 includes a sleeve guide 116. The sleeve guide 116 guides linear movement of the sleeve 106 along the drill axis 110.
In one or more examples, the offset collet lock 100 includes the cam-follower mechanism 150. The cam-follower mechanism 150 is an example of the motion transmission 162. The cam-follower mechanism 150 transfers linear movement of the bracket 104 to linear movement of the sleeve 106.
In one or more examples, the bracket 104 includes the first bracket arm 118. The bracket 104 includes the second bracket arm 120. The sleeve 106 includes the sleeve body 122. The sleeve body 122 is cylindrical. The sleeve 106 includes the first sleeve arm 124. The first sleeve arm 124 extends from the sleeve body 122. The first sleeve arm 124 is coupled to the first bracket arm 118. The sleeve 106 includes the second sleeve arm 126. The second sleeve arm 126 extends from the sleeve body 122. The second sleeve arm 126 is coupled to the second bracket arm 120.
In one or more examples, the first sleeve arm 124 and the first bracket arm 118 are coupled together by the motion transmission 162, such as the cam-follower mechanism 150. Similarly, the second sleeve arm 126 and the second bracket arm 120 are coupled together by the motion transmission 162, such as the cam-follower mechanism 150.
In one or more examples, each one of the first bracket arm 118 and the second bracket arm 120 includes the slot 128. The slot 128 is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the actuation axis 108. Each one of the first sleeve arm 124 and the second sleeve arm 126 includes the pin 130. The pin 130 is located in (e.g., is received by) and moves along (e.g., moves within) the slot 128.
In one or more examples, the concentric collet 132 includes the mandrel 134 and the collet 136. The collet 136 is concentric to the mandrel 134. The collet 136 is coupled to the sleeve 106. The collet 136 moves relative to the mandrel 134 to expand or retract in response to linear movement of the sleeve 106 along the drill axis 110.
In one or more examples, the actuator 102 includes or takes the form of a linear actuator 138. In one or more examples, the actuator 102 includes or takes the form of a rotary actuator 140. In one or more examples, the actuator 102 includes or takes the form of a pneumatic actuator 142. In one or more examples, the actuator 102 includes or takes the form of a hydraulic actuator 144. In one or more examples, the actuator 102 includes or takes the form of an electromechanical actuator 146.
In one or more examples, the offset collet lock 100 includes the switch 148. The switch 148 actuates the actuator 102. The switch 148 is in electrical communication with the actuator 102. Actuation of the switch 148 energizes the actuator 102. In one or more examples, the actuator 102 receives power 152 from the power supply 218 of the positive feed drill 202.
Referring still generally to
In one or more examples, the drilling system 200 includes the positive feed drill 202 and the offset collet lock 100. The positive feed drill 202 includes the motor 208, the spindle 210, and the tool holder 212. The spindle 210 is coupled to the motor 208. The spindle 210 is rotatable about the drive axis 216 by the motor 208. The tool holder 212 is coupled to the spindle 210. The tool holder 212 is rotatable about the drill axis 110 and is linearly moveable along the drill axis 110 by the spindle 210. The drill axis 110 is spaced apart from and is parallel to the drive axis 216. The offset collet lock 100 is coupled to the positive feed drill 202. The offset collet lock 100 includes the actuator 102, the bracket 104, the sleeve 106, and the concentric collet 132. The bracket 104 is coupled to the actuator 102. The bracket 104 is linearly movable along the actuation axis 108 by the actuator 102. The actuation axis 108 is perpendicular to the drill axis 110. The sleeve 106 is coupled to the bracket 104. The sleeve 106 is linearly movable along the drill axis 110 by the bracket 104. The concentric collet 132 is coupled to the sleeve 106. Linear movement of the sleeve 106 along the drill axis 110 expands or contracts the concentric collet 132.
In one or more examples, the positive feed drill 202 includes the power transmission 220. The power transmission 220 converts rotation of the spindle 210 about the drive axis 216 to rotation of the tool holder 212 about the drill axis 110. The power transmission 220 converts rotational of the spindle 210 about the drive axis 216 to linear movement of the tool holder 212 along the drill axis 110.
In one or more examples, the offset collet lock 100 includes the housing 112. The housing 112 encloses the spindle 210, the tool holder 212, and the power transmission 220.
In one or more examples, the bracket 104 moves relative to the housing 112. In one or more examples, the sleeve 106 moves relative to the housing 112.
In one or more examples, the housing 112 includes the bracket guide 114. The bracket guide 114 guides linear movement of the bracket 104 along the actuation axis 108. In one or more examples, the housing 112 includes the sleeve guide 116. The sleeve guide 116 guides linear movement of the sleeve 106 along the drill axis 110.
In one or more examples, the offset collet lock 100 includes the cam-follower mechanism 150. The cam-follower mechanism 150 is an example of the motion transmission 162. The cam-follower mechanism 150 transfers linear movement of the bracket 104 to linear movement of the sleeve 106.
In one or more examples, the concentric collet 132 includes the mandrel 134 and the collet 136. The collet 136 is concentric to the mandrel 134. The collet 136 is coupled to the sleeve 106. The collet 136 moves relative to the mandrel 134 to expand or retract in response to linear movement of the sleeve 106 along the drill axis 110.
In one or more examples, the drilling system 200 includes the drill jig 222. The drill jig 222 includes the aperture 224. The aperture 224 is configured to receive the concentric collet 132. Expansion of the concentric collet 132 engages the collet 136 with the aperture 224. Contraction of the concentric collet 132 disengages the collet 136 from the aperture 224.
In one or more examples, the bracket 104 includes the first bracket arm 118 and the second bracket arm 120. The sleeve 106 includes the sleeve body 122, the first sleeve arm 124 and the second sleeve arm 126. The sleeve body 122 is cylindrical. The first sleeve arm 124 extends from the sleeve body 122 and is coupled to the first bracket arm 118. The second sleeve arm 126 extends from the sleeve body 122 and is coupled to the second bracket arm 120.
In one or more examples, each one of the first bracket arm 118 and the second bracket arm 120 includes the slot 128. The slot 128 is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the actuation axis 108. Each one of the first sleeve arm 124 and the second sleeve arm 126 includes the pin 130. The pin 130 is located in and moves along the slot 128.
In one or more examples, the actuator 102 includes or takes the form of the linear actuator 138. In one or more examples, the actuator 102 includes or takes the form of the rotary actuator 140. In one or more examples, the actuator 102 includes or takes the form of the pneumatic actuator 142. In one or more examples, the actuator 102 includes or takes the form of the hydraulic actuator 144. In one or more examples, the actuator 102 includes or takes the form of the electromechanical actuator 146.
In one or more examples, the drilling system 200 includes the switch 148. The switch 148 actuates the actuator 102. In one or more examples, the drilling system 200, such as the positive feed drill 202, includes the power supply 218. The actuator 102 receives power 152 from the power supply 218.
Referring now generally to
In one or more examples, the method 1000 includes a step of (block 1002) inserting the concentric collet 132 of the offset collet lock 100 of the positive feed drill 202 in the aperture 224 of the drill jig 222. The method 1000 includes a step of (block 1004) linearly moving the bracket 104 of the offset collet lock 100, for example, forward in the first actuation direction 154, along the actuation axis 108. The method 1000 includes a step of (block 1006) linearly moving the sleeve 106 of the offset collet lock 100, for example, rearward in the first drill direction 158, along the drill axis 110, which is perpendicular to the actuation axis 108, in response to linearly moving the bracket 104. The method 1000 includes a step of (block 1008) expanding the concentric collet 132 to engage the aperture 224 in response to linearly moving the sleeve 106. Performance of the above-described steps (e.g., blocks 1002-1008) achieve or result in securing the positive feed drill 202 to the drill jig 222 using the offset collet lock 100.
In one or more examples, the method 1000 includes a step of (block 1010) rotating the cutter 214 of the positive feed drill 202 about the drill axis 110. The method 1000 includes a step of (block 1012) linearly moving (e.g., extending) the cutter 214, for example, in the second drill direction 160, which is opposite the first drill direction 158, along the drill axis 110 while rotating the cutter 214. The method 1000 includes a step of (block 1014) linearly moving (e.g., retracting) the cutter 214, for example, in the first drill direction 158, along the drill axis 110. Performance of the above-described steps (e.g., block 1010-1014) achieve or result in drilling the hole 230 in the workpiece 228 at a precise location using the positive feed drill 202 and the drill jig 222. The above-described steps (e.g., block 1010-1014) are performed after securing the positive feed drill 202 to the drill jig 222 using the offset collet lock 100.
In one or more examples, the method 1000, such as the steps of (e.g., blocks 1010-1014) rotating and linearly moving the cutter 214, includes a step of energizing the motor 204 of the positive feed drill 202. The method 1000, such as the steps of (e.g., blocks 1010-1014) rotating and linearly moving the cutter 214, includes a step of rotating the spindle 210 of the positive feed drill 202 about the drive axis 216 using the motor 204. The drive axis 216 is spaced apart from the drill axis and is parallel to the drill axis 110. In these examples, rotation and linear movement of the cutter 214 is in response to rotating the spindle 210.
In one or more examples, the method 1000 includes a step of (block 1016) linearly moving the bracket 104 of the offset collet lock 100, for example, rearward in the second actuation direction 156, along the actuation axis 108. The second actuation direction 156 is opposite the first actuation direction 154. The method 1000 includes a step of (block 1018) linearly moving the sleeve 106 of the offset collet lock 100, for example, forward in the second drill direction 160, along the drill axis 110 in response to linearly moving the bracket 104. The second drill direction 160 is opposite the first drill direction 158. The method 1000 includes a step of (block 1020) contracting the concentric collet 132 to disengage the aperture 224 in response to linearly moving the sleeve 106. Performance of the above-described steps (e.g., blocks 1016-1020) achieve or result in releasing the positive feed drill 202 from the drill jig 222 using the offset collet lock 100 for removal of the positive feed drill 202.
Referring now to
Referring to
Referring to
Each of the processes of the manufacturing and service method 1100 illustrated in
Examples of the offset collet lock 100, the system 200, and the method 1000, shown and described herein, may be employed during any one or more of the stages of the manufacturing and service method 1100 shown in the flow diagram illustrated by
The preceding detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific examples described by the present disclosure. Other examples having different structures and operations do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure. Like reference numerals may refer to the same feature, element, or component in the different drawings. Throughout the present disclosure, any one of a plurality of items may be referred to individually as the item and a plurality of items may be referred to collectively as the items and may be referred to with like reference numerals. Moreover, as used herein, a feature, element, component, or step preceded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding a plurality of features, elements, components, or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited.
Illustrative, non-exhaustive examples, which may be, but are not necessarily, claimed, of the subject matter according to the present disclosure are provided above. Reference herein to “example” means that one or more feature, structure, element, component, characteristic, and/or operational step described in connection with the example is included in at least one aspect, embodiment, and/or implementation of the subject matter according to the present disclosure. Thus, the phrases “an example,” “another example,” “one or more examples,” and similar language throughout the present disclosure may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same example. Further, the subject matter characterizing any one example may, but does not necessarily, include the subject matter characterizing any other example. Moreover, the subject matter characterizing any one example may be, but is not necessarily, combined with the subject matter characterizing any other example.
As used herein, a system, apparatus, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is indeed capable of performing the specified function without any alteration, rather than merely having potential to perform the specified function after further modification. In other words, the system, apparatus, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the specified function. As used herein, “configured to” denotes existing characteristics of a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware that enable the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware to perform the specified function without further modification. For purposes of this disclosure, a system, apparatus, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware described as being “configured to” perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being “adapted to” and/or as being “operative to” perform that function.
Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does not require or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbered item, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.
As used herein, the phrase “at least one of”, when used with a list of items, means different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used and only one of each item in the list may be needed. For example, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may include, without limitation, item A or item A and item B. This example also may include item A, item B. and item C, or item B and item C. In other examples, “at least one of” may be, for example, without limitation, two of item A, one of item B, and ten of item C; four of item B and seven of item C; and other suitable combinations. As used herein, the term “and/or” and the “/” symbol includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
For the purpose of this disclosure, the terms “coupled,” “coupling,” and similar terms refer to two or more elements that are joined, linked, fastened, attached, connected, put in communication, or otherwise associated (e.g., mechanically, electrically, fluidly, optically, electromagnetically) with one another. In various examples, the elements may be associated directly or indirectly. As an example, element A may be directly associated with element B. As another example, element A may be indirectly associated with element B, for example, via another element C. It will be understood that not all associations among the various disclosed elements are necessarily represented. Accordingly, couplings other than those depicted in the figures may also exist.
As used herein, the term “approximately” refers to or represents a condition that is close to, but not exactly, the stated condition that still performs the desired function or achieves the desired result. As an example, the term “approximately” refers to a condition that is within an acceptable predetermined tolerance or accuracy, such as to a condition that is within 10% of the stated condition. However, the term “approximately” does not exclude a condition that is exactly the stated condition. As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to a condition that is essentially the stated condition that performs the desired function or achieves the desired result.
In
Further, references throughout the present specification to features, advantages, or similar language used herein do not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the examples disclosed herein should be, or are in, any single example. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an example is included in at least one example. Thus, discussion of features, advantages, and similar language used throughout the present disclosure may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same example.
The described features, advantages, and characteristics of one example may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more other examples. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the examples described herein may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular example. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain examples that may not be present in all examples. Furthermore, although various examples of the offset collet lock 100, the system 100, and the method 1000 have been shown and described, modifications may occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.