Methods and apparatus for securing components for manufacture

Abstract

A method enables a component to be secured within a tool for manufacture. The tool includes a fixture, a component locator, and a clamping member. The method includes fixedly coupling the component locator to the fixture, coupling the clamping member to the fixture, locating the component within the tool using the component locator such that the component is positioned for manufacture with respect to the fixture, securing the component within the tool between the component locator and the clamping member such that the component locator, the clamping member, and the component are fixedly secured in position for manufacture with respect to the fixture, and retaining the component in position with respect to the fixture using the component locator and the clamping member.

1 . A method for securing a component within a tool for manufacture, wherein the tool includes a fixture, a component locator, and a clamping member, said method comprising: 
 fixedly coupling the component locator to the fixture;    coupling the clamping member to the fixture;    locating the component within the tool using the component locator such that the component is positioned for manufacture with respect to the fixture;    securing the component within the tool between the component locator and the clamping member such that the component locator, the clamping member, and the component are fixedly secured in position with respect to the fixture; and    retaining the component in position with respect to the fixture using the component locator and the clamping member.    
   
   
       2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the component locator includes a coolant guide, retaining the component in position with respect to the fixture comprises directing coolant to the component using the coolant guide.  
   
   
       3 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein coupling the clamping member to the fixture comprises rotatably coupling the clamping member to the fixture such that the clamping member rotates with respect to the fixture about an axis of rotation.  
   
   
       4 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein locating the component within the tool using the component locator comprises inserting at least a portion of the component within the component locator.  
   
   
       5 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein securing the component within the tool between the component locator and the clamping member comprises rotating the clamping member from an unclamped position, wherein the clamping member does not contact the component, to a clamped position, wherein the component is frictionally coupled with the component locator and the clamping member.  
   
   
       6 - 13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus for securing a component for manufacture, said apparatus comprising: 
 a fixture;    a component locator fixedly coupled to said fixture, said component locator sized to receive at least a portion of the component therein to locate the component with respect to said fixture; and    a clamping member rotatably coupled to said fixture, said component locator and said clamping member configured to retain the component therebetween.    
   
   
       15 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said component locator comprises at least one coolant guide configured to direct coolant to the component.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said at least one coolant guide comprises at least one groove extending across said component locator, said at least one groove configured to channel coolant to the component during manufacturing of the component.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said clamping member selectively rotatable with respect to said fixture about an axis of rotation.  
   
   
       19 . An apparatus in accordance with claim  18  further comprising a hydraulic cylinder coupled to said fixture for controlling rotation of said clamping member.  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said clamping member comprises a clamped position and an unclamped position, said clamped position configured to frictionally couple the component between said component locator and said clamping member.