Process for the production of connectors for space frameworks or the like

Abstract

Abstract In producing spherical and polyhedral connectors for space frameworks from blanks a tapped through hole is first formed through the center of the blank. The blank is then engaged by its through hole in a clamping device that is rotatable along the axis of the through hole, the clamping device being mounted on an element that is rotatable on an axis at right angles to the axis of the through hole and which intersects the axis of the through hole at right angles. Tool means positioned adjacent the clamp to work on the blank engaged thereby operate along an axis disposed perpendicular to the first two mentioned axes, the tool means being operative to machine the blank at fixed spatial positions to which the blank is adjusted by movement about the first two axes, the tool means boring holes in the blank, machining flats around said holes at right angles to the holes and tapping the holes. Between these machining operations the tool means are moved relative to the clamping device and the connector blank about a further axis common to the tool means and the clamping device. The connector blank is then positioned to a new predetermined spatial position by the clamping device and the tool means produce another hole while the blank is maintained in the original clamping device by its through hole whereby a plurality of accurate spaced holes are produced in the connector blank.

Inventors

• 👤 M Mengeringhausen

Bibliographic Details