Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed for supporting a workpiece, wherein a carriage carries a linear actuator with a vertical axis, which in turn carries a head that is orientable in space to engage and support a portion of the workpiece; the carriage further carries a second element that can rotate the head to adjust a panning angle of the head, the second element being integral with a solid surface that gives rise to action means that can engage selectively on a solid counter-surface that gives rise to reaction means outside the carriage, so that the carriage is movable by rotating the action means engaged on the reaction means.
Abstract:
The invention concerns an apparatus for lightening of thin, flexible and shaped workpieces, such as panels or sheet metals, by removal machining of material from surfaces thereof, on a machining unit having a worktable and a counterthrust means designed to rest against a part of the surface of the workpiece opposed to the one on which said tool must work from time to time. The worktable (13) comprises supporting means (23) of the workpiece to be machined, and gripping means (28) designed to support the workpiece during its machining independently from said supporting means. The counterthrust means consist of a board (14) movable according to several axes and carrying a plurality of supporting elements (33). The supporting elements (33) can be individually translated or in groups between a draw-in position and an extended position to define a supporting plane depending on the shape of the surface of the workpiece against which the counterthrust means must rest. The invention further concerns a method for mapping the workpiece surface by means of the supporting elements.