DESC:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
A FIXTURE WITH MULTIPLE WORK STATIONS

Applicant:
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
A company Incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 1956
Under Ministry of Defence,
(A Govt. of India Undertaking)
Having address:
Dockyard Road, Mazagon,
Mumbai - 400010, Maharashtra, India

The following specification describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY
[001] This patent application claims priority from Indian Provisional Application 201821043817 filed on November 21, 2018.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[002] The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to a fixture with multiple work stations.

BACKGROUND
[003] Generally, a joining operation is performed manually for joining one or more parts such as fitments with pipes. The manual process of joining operation consumes more time, leading to delay in delivery of the pipes for onboard installation as many workers are involved in performing said joining operation. (Ref: Figure 1). In addition, a quality of the joint obtained by the manually holding and aligning of said pipes and fitments is also degraded due to manual intervention. The manual joining operation leads to reduction in an overall production rate.

OBJECT OF INVENTION
[004] One object of the present subject matter is to develop a fixture with multiple work stations in order to perform joining operations at multiple work stations simultaneously.
[005] Another object of the present subject matter is to develop a fixture for aligning faces of fitment and sections of any profile like straight or bent to facilitate proper joining of said faces.
[006] Another object of the present subject matter is to reduce time required in performing joining operations by utilizing the fixture with multiple work stations.
[007] Another object of the present subject matter is to reduce manpower required in performing joining operations by utilizing the fixture with multiple work stations.
[008] Another object of the present subject matter is to reduce cost required in performing joining operations by utilizing the fixture with multiple work stations.

SUMMARY
[009] Before the present fixture with multiple work stations is described, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the particular machine or an apparatus, and methodologies described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments that are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosures. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to a technology being implemented in the fixture with multiple work stations. The aspects are further elaborated below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the proposed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the proposed subject matter.
[0010] In one implementation, a fixture with multiple work stations is disclosed. The fixture comprises a base plate configured to be mounted with a vertical pillar. At least one sleeve may be configured to be mounted on said pillar. Further, at least one z-bracket may be configured to be fastened to said at least one sleeve to form at least one work station.
[0011] In another implementation, said at least one sleeve may be configured to be slidably and rotatably mounted on said pillar. Further, said at least one sleeve may be configured with a holding means to hold said at least one sleeve on said pillar at a required location. Further, said at least one z-bracket of a pre-defined dimension may be configured with a fastening means at one end. The said at least one sleeve may be configured with a fastening means for mounting said at least one z-bracket through said fastening means. The said pillar may be configured for mounting a plurality of sleeves separated by spacer rings to form a plurality of work stations for performing simultaneous operations on said plurality of work stations. The said work station may be configured for performing welding, brazing, soldering operations and the like. The said at least one z-bracket may be configured for mounting of plurality of sleeves on an outer horizontal portion of said at least one z-bracket. The said plurality of sleeves may be provided with a plurality of holding means for holding said plurality of sleeves and vertical supports at a predetermined position. The said at least one z-bracket may be configured with at least one first sleeve for slidably and rotatably mounting a vertical support. Further, one end of the vertical support may be configured with a third sleeve for slidably and rotatably mounting a clamping structure provided to clamp a section, in particular a circular section. Further, said clamping structure may be configured with a c-clamp for clamping said section. The said c-clamp may be fastened to one end of a pipe. Further, said slidable and rotatable clamping structure may be configured to be provided for clamping and aligning faces of a fitment and said section to be joined. The said section may be either a straight, a bent or with a profile. Further, said at least one z-bracket may be configured with at least one second sleeve with T-joint for rotatably mounting a holding assembly provided to hold a refractory block assembly, forming said work station. Further, said plurality of sleeves may be configured to slide longitudinally and to rotate around said outer horizontal portion of said at least one z-bracket.
[0012] In yet another implementation, a method for performing operations at multiple work stations is disclosed. The method may comprise a step of placing a fitment to be joined with a selected section profile on a refractory block assembly on at least one work station from a plurality of work stations. The method may further comprise the step of clamping said selected section profile to a slidable and rotatable clamping structure to align faces of said fitment and selected section profile to be joined in a required manner to facilitate proper joining of said fitment and said selected section profile. The method may further comprise the step of performing a joining operation of said fitment and said selected section profile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there is shown in the present document example constructions of the disclosure, however, the disclosure is not limited to the specific methods and apparatus disclosed in the document and the drawings:
[0014] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figure. In the figure, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer like features and components.
[0015] Figure 1 illustrates a conventional process for performing a brazing operation.
[0016] Figure 1A illustrates a schematic diagram of a fixture 100 with multiple work stations, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0017] Figure 2 illustrates a fabricated z-bracket 108 of the fixture 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0018] Figure 3 illustrates a holding assembly 114 for refractory block assembly 112 integrated in the fixture 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0019] Figure 4 illustrates drilled sleeves 106 and spacer rings 402 integrated in the fixture 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0020] Figure 5 illustrates mounting of sleeves 106, spacer rings 402 and fabricated z-brackets integrated in the fixture 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0021] Figure 6 illustrates mounting of fabricated z-brackets 108 base of fixture 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0022] Figure 7 illustrates an assembly of fixture 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0023] Figure 8 illustrates an adjustment of height of z-bracket 108 in fixture 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0024] Figure 9 illustrates a vertical support 116 placed on an outer horizontal portion 134 integrated in fixture 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0025] Figure 10 illustrates supports for refractory block assembly 112 integrated in fixture 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0026] Figure 11 illustrates a method 1100 for performing operations at multiple work stations, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0027] The figures depicts an embodiment of the present disclosure for purpose of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structure and method illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising," "fitting," and "having," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary, fixture with multiple work stations are now described. The disclosed embodiments for the fixture with multiple work stations are merely exemplary of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms.
[0029] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure for the fixture with multiple work stations is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
[0030] Conventionally, a process of brazing is required to be performed for joining a fitment with pipes. The manual process of joining operation consumes more time, leading to delay in delivery of the pipes for onboard installation as many workers are involved in performing said joining operation. (Ref: Figure 1). In addition, a quality of the joint obtained by the manually holding and aligning of said pipes and fitments is also degraded due to manual intervention. The manual joining operation leads to reduction in an overall production rate.
[0031] The present subject matter overcomes the above problems in the conventional art. The present subject matter does away with the process of manual joining operations. The present subject matter discloses a fixture with multiple work stations to perform joining operations. The fixture holds multiple pipes for performing the joining operations. The fixture is used for performing the operations at multiple work stations simultaneously. The fixture leads to a reduction in manpower and time consumption, thereby increasing an overall production rate.
[0032] Referring now to figure 1, wherein a conventional process for performing a brazing operation is shown.
[0033] Referring now to figure 1A, wherein the figure 1A discloses a fixture 100 with multiple work stations. In one embodiment, said work station may be configured for performing welding, brazing, soldering operations and the like. The fixture 100 may comprise a base plate 102. In one embodiment, the base plate 102 may be of mild steel having a predefined dimension. The base plate 102 may be configured to be mounted with a vertical pillar 104 of a predefined dimension. The said pillar 104 may be configured for mounting a plurality of sleeves 106 separated by spacer rings 402 (shown in figure 4) to form a plurality of work stations for performing simultaneous operations on said plurality of work stations. Further, at least one sleeve 106 from the plurality of sleeves may be slidably and rotatably mounted on the pillar 104. In one embodiment, a first, a second and a third sleeve 106 may be mounted on the pillar 104. Further, said at least one sleeve 106 may be configured with a holding means 126 to hold said at least one sleeve 106 on said pillar 104 at a required location.
[0034] The first, second and third sleeve 106 may be configured with a fastening means 502 (shown in figure 5). In one embodiment, the fastening means 502 may be a first, a second and a third fastening means.
[0035] In one embodiment, at least one z-bracket 108 of a pre-defined dimension may be configured with a fastening means 504 at one end. The said at least one sleeve 106 may be configured with said fastening means 502 for mounting said at least one z-bracket 108 through said fastening means 504 (shown in figure 5). In one embodiment, a first, a second and a third z-bracket 108 may be fastened to said first, second and third fastening means 502 respectively. The first, second and third z-bracket 108 may be arms of the fixture 100.
[0036] In one embodiment, said at least one z-bracket 108 may be configured for mounting of a plurality of sleeves (118, 122) on an outer horizontal portion 134 of said at least one z-bracket 108. The said plurality of sleeves (118, 122) may be provided with a plurality of holding means 110 for holding said plurality of sleeves (118, 122) and a vertical support 116 at a predetermined position.
[0037] In one embodiment, said at least one z-bracket 108 may be configured with at least one first sleeve 118 for slidably and rotatably mounting said vertical support 116. One end of the vertical support 116 may be configured with a third sleeve 132 for slidably and rotatably mounting a clamping structure 124 provided to clamp a section, in particular a circular section. Further, said clamping structure 124 may be configured with a c-clamp 128 for clamping said section. The said c-clamp 128 may be fastened to one end of a pipe 130. Further, said slidable and rotatable clamping structure 124 may be configured to be provided for clamping and aligning faces of a fitment and said section to be joined. The said section may be either a straight, a bent or with a profile.
[0038] In one embodiment, said at least one z-bracket 108 may be configured with at least one second sleeve 122 with T-joint for rotatably mounting a holding assembly 114. The holding assembly 114 may be provided to hold a refractory block assembly 112, forming said work station. The refractory block assembly 112 may be configured for resting a fitment for joining with said section. The refractory block assembly 112 may be a heat-resistant brick.
[0039] In one embodiment said plurality of sleeves (118, 122) may be configured to slide longitudinally and to rotate around said outer horizontal portion 134 of said at least one z-bracket 108.
[0040] Referring now to figure 2, wherein the figure 2 discloses a fabricated z-bracket 108 integrated in the fixture 100. In one embodiment, the fabricated z-bracket 108 may be a first, a second and a third z-bracket.
[0041] Referring now to figure 3, wherein the figure 3 illustrates a holding assembly 114 for a refractory block assembly 112 integrated in the fixture 100. The holding assembly 114 may be a plate to hold the refractory block assembly 112.
[0042] Referring now to figure 4, wherein the figure 4 discloses drilled sleeves 106 and spacer rings 402. The plurality of sleeves 106 and spacer rings 402 may be mounted on the pillar 104 of the fixture 100, as disclosed in figure 1A.
[0043] Referring now to figure 5, wherein the figure 5 illustrates a mounting of the sleeves 106, the spacer ring 402 and the fabricated z-brackets 108 on the pillar 104 integrated in the fixture 100. The sleeves 106 and spacer rings 402 may be mounted on the pillar 104 of the fixture 100.
[0044] Referring now to figure 6, wherein the figure 6 illustrates mounting of fabricated z-bracket 108 base of fixture 100. The at least one z-bracket 108 may be fastened to the at least one sleeve 106.
[0045] Referring now to figure 7, wherein the figure 7 illustrates an assembly of fixture 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The assembly of fixture 100 depicts multiple work stations on said at least one z-bracket 108. The multiple work stations may be configured for performing simultaneous operations on said multiple work stations.
[0046] Referring now to figure 8, wherein the figure 8 illustrates an adjustment of height of z-bracket 108 in the fixture 100. A height of z-bracket 108 may be adjusted to be lowered. The height may be adjusted to allow a user to perform an operation such as brazing and the like without a risk of flame heat near to face of the user. The height adjustment may enable proper positioning of a circular section such as a pipe for performing said operation.
[0047] Referring now to figure 9, wherein the figure 9 illustrates a vertical support 116 placed on said outer horizontal portion 134 of said at least one z-bracket 108 integrated in the fixture 100. The vertical support 116 may be initially placed on an angle pipe of the z-bracket 108. The placement of the vertical support 116 on the angle pipe may hamper a movement of the z-bracket 108 for height adjustment during brazing. The vertical support 116 may be removed from the angle pipe and placed on the outer horizontal portion 134 of the said at least one z-bracket 108.
[0048] Referring now to figure 10, wherein the figure 10 illustrates supports for the refractory block assembly 112 integrated in the fixture 100. The refractory block assembly 112 may be placed on the holding assembly 114, as disclosed in figure 1A. The placement of the heat resistant refractory block assembly 112 on the holding assembly 114 may be loose. The refractory block assembly 112 may be further supported by clamping in order to secure a position of the refractory block assembly 112 on the holding assembly 114.
[0049] Referring now to figure 11, wherein the figure 11 illustrates a method 1100 for performing operations at multiple work stations.
[0050] The order in which the method 1100 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method 1100 or alternate methods. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method 1100 without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method 1100 can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof. However, for ease of explanation, in the embodiments described below, the method 1100 may be considered to be implemented in the above described fixture 100.
[0051] At block 11.1, a fitment to be joined with a selected section profile may be placed on a refractory block assembly 112 on at least one work station from a plurality of work stations.
[0052] At block 11.2, said selected section profile may be clamped to a slidable and rotatable clamping structure 124 to align faces of said fitment and selected section profile to be joined in a required manner to facilitate proper joining of said fitment and said selected section profile.
[0053] At block 11.3, a joining operation of said fitment and said selected section profile may be performed. Further, said joining operation may be performed simultaneously at one or more work stations from said plurality of work stations.
[0054] Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide certain advantages. Though not required to practice aspects of the disclosure, these advantages may include those provided by the following features.
[0055] Some embodiments of the fixture with multiple work stations enable performing of joining operations at multiple work stations simultaneously.
[0056] Some embodiments of the fixture with multiple work stations enable reduction in cost required in performing joining operations.
[0057] Some embodiments of the fixture with multiple work stations enable reduction in time and manpower required in performing joining operations.
[0058] Some embodiments of the fixture with multiple work stations enable a portable and compact equipment for performing joining operations.
[0059] Although implementations for a fixture 100 with multiple work stations have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as examples of implementations for the fixture 100 with multiple work stations.
,CLAIMS:
1) A fixture (100) with multiple work stations comprising:
a base plate (102) configured to be mounted with a vertical pillar (104);
at least one sleeve (106) configured to be mounted on said pillar (104), and
at least one z-bracket (108) configured to be fastened to said at least one sleeve (106) to form at least one work station.

2) The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one sleeve (106) is configured to be slidably and rotatably mounted on said pillar (104).

3) The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one sleeve (106) is configured with a holding means (126) to hold said at least one sleeve (106) on said pillar (104) at a required location.

4) The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one z-bracket (108) of a pre-defined dimension is configured with a fastening means (504) at one end.

5) The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one sleeve (106) is configured with a fastening means (502) for mounting said at least one z-bracket (108) through said fastening means (504).

6) The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pillar (104) is configured for mounting a plurality of sleeves (106) separated by spacer rings (402) to form a plurality of work stations for performing simultaneous operations on said plurality of work stations.

7) The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said work station is configured for performing welding, brazing, soldering operations and the like.

8) The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one z-bracket (108) is configured for mounting of plurality of sleeves (118, 122) on an outer horizontal portion (134) of said at least one z-bracket (108), wherein said plurality of sleeves (118, 122) are provided with a plurality of holding means (110) for holding said plurality of sleeves (118, 122) and vertical support (116) at a predetermined position.

9) The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one z-bracket (108) is configured with at least one first sleeve (118) for slidably and rotatably mounting a vertical support (116), wherein one end of the vertical support (116) is configured with a third sleeve (132) for slidably and rotatably mounting a clamping structure (124) provided to clamp a section, in particular a circular section.

10) The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said clamping structure (124) is configured with a c-clamp (128) for clamping said section, and wherein said c-clamp (128) is fastened to one end of a pipe (130).

11) The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said slidable and rotatable clamping structure (124) is configured to be provided for clamping and aligning faces of a fitment and said section to be joined, and wherein said section is either a straight, a bent or with a profile.

12) The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one z-bracket (108) is configured with at least one second sleeve (122) with T-joint for rotatably mounting a holding assembly (114) provided to hold a refractory block assembly (112), forming said work station.

13) The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of sleeves (118, 122) are configured to slide longitudinally and to rotate around said outer horizontal portion (134) of said at least one z-bracket (108).

14) A method (1100) for performing operations at multiple work stations, wherein the method comprising steps of:
placing a fitment to be joined with a selected section profile on a refractory block assembly (112) on at least one work station from a plurality of work stations;
clamping said selected section profile to a slidable and rotatable clamping structure (124) to align faces of said fitment and selected section profile to be joined in a required manner to facilitate proper joining of said fitment and said selected section profile; and
performing a joining operation of said fitment and said selected section profile.

15) The method (1100) as claimed in claim 14, wherein said joining operation is performed simultaneously at one or more work stations from said plurality of work stations.