structure of a clamping device for positioning and clamping a part for processing

摘要

A vise structure for maintaining in position parts which are to be machined, including but not limited to parts which are to undergo micro-milling operations in a fast prototyping process, includes a fixing bed having a cavity for receiving a thermofusible material which is capable of being reversibly brought from a liquid state to a solid state. A free surface of the fixing bed is continuously urged into contact with the surface of a part which is to be machined, and the fixing bed includes apparatus for heating and cooling the thermofusible material to enable a part arranged on the fixing bed to be selectively released and retained in position on the fixing bed.