US 11,999,025 B2
System and method for processing a workpiece
Nicholas Pickering, Chebanse, IL (US); and Eric Simek, Wilmington, IL (US)
Assigned to Peddinghaus Corporation, Bradley, IL (US)
Appl. No. 17/907,819
Filed by Peddinghaus Corporation, Bradley, IL (US)
PCT Filed Apr. 8, 2020, PCT No. PCT/US2020/027158
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Aug. 29, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/206702, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 14, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0093693 A1, Mar. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. B23Q 3/16 (2006.01); B23K 7/00 (2006.01); B23Q 1/01 (2006.01); B23Q 7/05 (2006.01)
CPC B23Q 3/16 (2013.01) [B23K 7/002 (2013.01); B23Q 1/012 (2013.01); B23Q 7/05 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for processing a workpiece, said system comprising:
(A) a support surface for supporting a workpiece, said support surface defining a processing path along which a workpiece may travel relative to said system;
(B) at least one tool for performing a process on the workpiece, said at least one tool movable in a work zone along a predetermined length of the workpiece in a direction along said processing path; and
(C) a movable clamp assembly having at least a pair of opposing clamping pads, at least one of said pair of clamping pads movable relative to the other one of said pair of clamping pads for clamping a portion of the workpiece within said work zone of said at least one tool, said clamping pads movable into and out of said work zone along said processing path, whereby said movable clamp assembly is configured to move said clamping pads along said processing path into said work zone to clamp a portion of the workpiece located in said work zone prior to said at least one tool performing a process on the workpiece.