Universal part gripper using 3-d printed mounting plate

Abstract

A generic holder includes a generic holder plate and a 3-D insert plate. The 3-D insert plate contains locating features mirrored to the backside of the part to be printed and vacuum grippers to secure the part in the insert plate. The insert plate is secured in the generic holder plate that includes vacuum couplings. The part is located on the insert plate and vacuum is applied to the generic holder plate and insert plate to hold the part for printing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for creating a generic part holder used in holding a variety of part sizes and shapes while they receive printing from a 3-D printer, comprising:
 providing a part to receive printing thereon from said 3-D printer;   provding a frame member;   providing a generic holder plate adapted to fit into said frame;   providing a blank insert;   3-D scanning said part;   using computer aided design software to create a negative of said part on said blank insert so that a front face of said part that is to receive print is positioned in a predetermined orientation and distance from print heads of said 3-D printer;   using said computer aided design software to subtract features located on a backside of said part from the front face of said blank insert;   using said computer aided design software to add vacuum channels to said insert;   using said computer aided design software to add openings in said blank insert; and   fabricating an insert.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , including printing said insert using a 3-D printer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , including inserting vacuum grippers into said insert and connecting said vacuum grippers to said vacuum channels. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , including providing said generic holder plate with at least one vacuum port. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , including connecting said vacuum channels in said insert to said at least one vacuum port in said generic holder plate. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , including placing said insert into said generic holder plate. 
     
     
         7 . A method for creating a universal object holder, comprising:
 providing a part to be held in said universal object holder;   providing a holder plate, said holder plate including at least one vacuum port;   providing a blank insert;   providing an object to have printing placed thereon;   scanning said part with a 3-D scanner to create a solid model of said object;   processing the geometry from said scanning of said part with computer aided design software to overlay the part geometry on a front face of said blank insert;   using said computer aided design software to subtract features located on a backside of said object from said front face of said blank insert;   providing openings is said insert;   providing vacuum channels in said backside of said blank insert; and   printing said blank insert on a 3-D printer.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , including cleaning said insert. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , including inserting grippers into said openings in said insert. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , including mounting said insert into said holder plate. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , including connecting said vacuum channels in said insert to said at least one vacuum port in said holder plate. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , including providing said holder plate with multiple vacuum ports. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , including connecting said vacuum channels in said insert to said multiple vacuum ports in said holder plate. 
     
     
         14 . A method for creating generic inserts for a holder plate that hold a wide variety of part sizes and shapes to receive printing, comprising:
 providing a part to receive printing thereon;   providing a blank insert;   3-D scanning said part to create a solid model of said part;   using computer aided design software to create a negative of said part on said blank insert so that a front face of said part that is to receive print is positioned in a predetermined orientation and distance from print heads of a 3-D printer;   using said computer aided design software to subtract features located on a backside of said part from said front face of said insert;   using said computer aided design software to add vacuum channels to said backside of said insert;   using said computer aided design software to add openings in said insert;   using said computer aided design software to add vacuum channels said backside of said insert; and   using a 3-D printer to print out an insert.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , including adding grippers into said opening in said insert. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , providing a holder plate and inserting said insert into said holder plate. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , including providing at least one vacuum port in said holder plate. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , including connecting said vacuum channels in said backside of said insert to said at least one vacuum port in said holder plate to connect said grippers to said at least one vacuum port. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , including placing said part into a cavity portion of said insert. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , including applying vacuum to said holder plate to hold said part securely in said insert during printing.