Configurable welding table and force indicating clamp

Abstract

Disclosed is a configurable table that uses configurable mounting pieces to mount a work piece on the configurable table at a predetermined location. The configurable table includes a fixed portion of a mounting clamp that can engage a rotatable portion of a mounting clamp on a positioner or other device. The positioner can then rotate the configurable table and work piece to various orientations for performing horizontal welds, using robotic welders, as well as machining and cutting. The configurable table can also be used for initial fabrication, cutting, or working, which eliminates the need for separate fabrication and finish welding tables.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of configuring a work piece for performing a work task comprising:
 providing a configurable table having a plurality of mounting locations disposed on a first portion of said configurable table and a first portion of a rotatable mounting clamp disposed on a second portion of said configurable table;   providing a plurality of configurable mounting pieces having mounting connectors for mounting said mounting pieces at said mounting locations disposed on said first surface of said configurable table, said configurable mounting pieces adapted to position and mount said work piece in a predetermined location on said configurable table; and   providing a second portion of said rotatable mounting clamp that is designed to engage said first portion of said rotatable mounting clamp with sufficient force so that said configurable table can be rotated with said work piece mounted on said configurable table in said predetermined position with sufficient force so that said work piece does not substantially move with respect to said configurable table.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 providing a positioner having said second portion of said mounting clamp mounted on said positioner; and 
 mounting said configurable table to said positioner by engaging said first portion of said rotatable mounting clamp with said second portion of said rotatable mounting clamp. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 mounting said work piece to said configurable table using said configurable mounting pieces so that said work piece is securely disposed in said predetermined location on said configurable table; and 
 rotating said configurable table using said positioner so that said work piece is positioned to perform said work task, said configurable mounting pieces securely holding said work piece on said configurable table so that said work piece does not substantially move with respect to said configurable table when said positioner rotates said configurable table to perform said work task. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said process of providing a plurality of configurable mounting pieces comprises:
 providing at least one clamp that securely holds said work piece to said configurable table. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said process of providing a plurality of configurable mounting pieces further comprises:
 providing at least one crowder that accurately positions said work piece on said configurable table. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said process of providing a plurality of configurable mounting pieces comprises:
 providing at least one datum that further accurately positions said work piece on said configurable table. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said work task comprises welding. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said work task comprises machining. 
     
     
         9 . A system for configuring a work piece for a work task comprising:
 a configurable table having a plurality of mounting locations disposed on a first portion of said configurable table;   a first portion of a rotatable mounting clamp disposed on a second portion of said configurable table;   a plurality of configurable mounting pieces that are adapted to position and securely mount said work piece to said first portion of said configurable table;   a plurality of mounting connectors that engage said mounting locations disposed on said first portion of said configurable table to securely mount said configurable mounting pieces to said first portion of said configurable table; and   a second portion of said rotatable mounting clamp that engages said rotatable mounting clamp and that is configured to engage said first portion of said rotatable mounting clamp with sufficient force to rotate and invert said work piece.   
     
     
         10 . A crowder for mounting and positioning a work piece to a configurable table comprising:
 a base plate that is adapted to secure said crowder to said configurable table;   a crowder body housing;   a threaded shaft block disposed in said crowder body so that said shaft block can move laterally in said crowder body;   a threaded shaft that rotatably engages said shaft block and applies a force on said work piece in response to rotation of said shaft which causes threaded shaft block to translate laterally;   a spring that compresses in response to lateral translation of said threaded shaft block; and   a deflection gauge that measures said lateral translation of said shaft block to provide a measurement of said force applied to said work piece.   
     
     
         11 . The crowder of  claim 10  wherein said spring comprises a plurality of spring washers. 
     
     
         12 . The crowder of  claim 10  further comprising:
 a tool engaging device coupled to said threaded shaft for rotating said threaded shaft. 
 
     
     
         13 . A system for configuring a work piece for a work task comprising:
 a configurable table having a plurality of mounting locations disposed on a first portion of said configurable table;   a plurality of configurable mounting pieces that position and securely mount said work piece to said first portion of said configurable table with sufficient force to hold said work piece to said configurable table without substantial movement when said work piece is rotated; and   a plurality of mounting connectors that engage said plurality of configurable mounting pieces and said mounting locations disposed on said first portion of said configurable table to securely mount said plurality of configurable mounting pieces to said first portion of said configurable table.