Abstract: A bearing arrangement for a coordinate measuring machine having a horizontal probe arm assembly (16) extending to the front of the machine and supported for movement along X,Y, and Z orthogonal axes. The bearing arrangement comprised of opposing sets of supporting or guiding and preloading air bearings (48a,b; 46a,b; 66a,b; 64a,b; 76a,b; 78a,b) for the X carriage (40), the YZ carriage (17) (17a,b; 180a,b; 182a,b; 184a,b; 204a,b), and for the probe shaft (186) (188a,b; 190a,b; 192a,b194a,b). The air bearings each ride on way surfaces formed on the base (12) a column member 160, and the probe shaft (186) and are arranged to most efficiently distribute the load and minimize the effects of inaccuracies in the way surfaces, and make more efficient the accurate machining of the way surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for bonding a pair of molds shells (28a, 28b) into a mold includes a first workstation (24) for applying adhesive to one of the shells (28b), and a second workstation (26) having a press (104, 106, 108) for pressing together the shells (28a, 28b) after adhesive has been applied thereto. A base (42) includes a pair of spaced apart base portions (42a, 42b) which are pivotally mounted so as to alternately rotate between the first and second workstations (24, 26). The first workstation (24) includes an adhesive applicator (58) carried on a carriage (88) which is slidably mounted on guiderails (94) so as to shift to a standby position providing access to a mold shell (28b) located on a base portion (42a) so as to allow the shells to be loaded and unloaded at the first workstation (24). A motor driven drip tray (80) is provided on the adhesive applicator (58) to prevent unintended dripping of adhesive onto mold shells or fixtures.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine (10) of the horizontal arm type having an improved way arrangement for a carriage (40) mounted for movement along one of the orthogonal axes (X) of the machine including a pair of angled upstanding granite way members (24,26) detachably mounted spaced apart atop a granite base member (22), extending parallel to each other and the axis of movement. The way members (24, 26) have inwardly turned opposing overhang portions (28, 30) formed with upper horizontal way surfaces (32,34) and under way surfaces (36,38). The carriage (40) is received in the space between the way members (24,26) and is formed with flanges (42,44) extending over the upper way surfaces (32, 34) with pairs of air bearings (46a,b; 48a,b) interposed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for finishing pistons (10) and the like from foundry-turned castings during one clamping operation to provide enhanced manufacturing productivity. Separate boring and turning modules (34, 24) of the apparatus are mounted on a primary base (18) and a grooving module (54) is mounted on a secondary base (72). The modules automatically groove the ring grooves (11), turn the complex shape of the skirt (15) and bore the wrist pin bore (13) through an ordered sequence of manufacturing steps. The piston stock is mounted for rotation on headstock and tailstock assemblies (82, 84). These assemblies are carried on the secondary base (72) which is slidably mounted on the primary base for movement into operative position with respect to the boring and turning modules according to the ordered sequence. The method and system improve piston quality while reducing manufacturing costs including saving factory floor space.

Abstract: A sorter-stacker arrangement for sheet part pieces (17) such as are produced by a punch press (18), in which part pieces are unloaded onto a sorter table (50) in a located position against any one of a row of stops (52), and conveyed along an X-axis as by translation of the conveyor table therealong. A pair of storage racks (36) are disposed on opposite sides of the sorter table (50), each having a vertical array of open spaces facing the sorter table (50). The sorter table (50) is elevated to the preselected position, and advanced into the appropriate storage space (38). After lowering of the stripper gates (104), the sorter table (50) is retracted to align the part piece 17 by contact of the stripper gate (104) with the inside edge of the part piece (17) and stripped on to the stack as the sorter table (50) returns to the central position.

Abstract: A roller bearing installation, in which one or more roller bearing assemblies (30A, 30B, 30C) are prepackaged in a housing (18) having corresponding recesses (28A, 28B, 28C) receiving each bearing assembly (30A, 30B, 30C). An angled gib plate (52A, 52C, 52C) is bedded in each recess, each gib plate (52) including an inclined section (54) mating with an inclined surface (58) on a bearing assembly cover (72) to allow a bearing depth adjustment by lengthwise adjustment of the bearing assembly (30) in its recess, enabling position adjustment of the supported structure (10) and bearing preload adjustment. Accurate alignment of the bearing assembly (30) is achieved by a ball plunger (100) urging the same against a guide surface (57) of the gib plate (52). A fixture (110) is used to precisely locate each gib plate (52A, 52B, 52C) in a recess (28) while a moldable bonding material (109) in which each gib plate (52) is bedded sets up.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and clamping a piston (10, 110) between headstock and tailstock assemblies (18, 118 and 20, 120) before rotating same about a rotary axis (22, 122) in a machining operation is characterized by an equalizing mechanism or member (50, 150) for equalizing the axial force between a pair of equalizing pins (48, 148) of a first set of axially extending locating pins (46, 48; 146, 148) to thereby create a locating plane on a first surface of the workpiece. The first set of axially extending pins coacts with a second set of axially extending equalizing pins (30, 130) to clamp the workpiece therebetween. The first set of locating pins are located in a housing member (38, 138). The first set of pins also includes two fixed locating pins (48, 148) which contact the outer surface of the piston.

Abstract: A wheel slide 20 for supporting a grinding wheel 40 is mounted on a carriage 100 which extends across a work area to engage parallel horizontal ways 61, 62 on opposite sides of the axis of rotation B of a workpiece W. The carriage 100 has ways 114, 115, 116 which support the wheel slide 20 for vertical movement toward and away from a horizontal axis B of rotation of the workpiece.

Abstract: Self propelled pallet vehicles (12a) are guided along a track network (10) by downwardly projecting guide pins (350, 352) carried by each pallet vehicle (12) which engage slots (354, 358) in the track network and steer the pallet vehicle (12) along the track network (10). The track network has main (20) and branch (22) track sections, and selective delivery of the vehicles to various destinations along the track network (10) is achieved by controlling the position of the guide pins (350, 352) between alternate rotated raised and lowered positions. In the lowered position the guide pins (350, 352) interact with the track network (10) to guide the pallet vehicle (12) into a branch section (20) of the track. In the raised position, the guide pins (350, 352) cause continued movement of the vehicle (12) along the main track section (22) and past a junction (38). The guide pin position may be controlled by a photoemitter (364) at the junction (38), or by various other alternatives.

Abstract: A tool clamping mechanism (12) is provided for a tool engaging arm having a frame or chassis (18) which is moved along a path of travel toward a tool (47). The mechanism includes a tool contact member or tongue (60) and preferably includes a pair of spaced apart fingers (40) positioned to engage a groove formed in the tool (47). The tongue (60) is mounted for movement along the path of travel with the frame, such as by means of bar (62) joined to the fingers, a pin (67) supported by the bar and projecting through a slot in the tongue (60), and a rod (72) attached to the tongue which extends into the frame (18) along a bore (75). Such mounting arrangement enables the frame (18) to continue to move toward the tool (47) after the tongue (60) has contacted the tool, thereby achieving relative motion between the frame (18) and tongue (60).

Abstract: A roller bearing installation, in which one or more roller bearing assemblies (30A, 30B, 30C) are prepackaged in a housing (18) having corresponding recesses (28A, 28B, 28C) receiving each bearing assembly (30A, 30B, 30C). An angled gib plate (52A, 52B, 52C) is bedded in each recess, each gib plate (52) including an inclined section (54) mating with an inclined surface (58) on a bearing assembly cover (72) to allow a bearing depth adjustment by lengthwise adjustment of the bearing assembly (30) in its recess, enabling position adjustment of the supported structure (10) and bearing preload adjustment. Accurate alignment of the bearing assembly (30) is achieved by a ball plunger (100) urging the same against a guide surface (57) of the gib plate (52). A fixture (110) is used to precisely locate each gib plate (52A, 52B, 52C) in a recess (28) whjile a moldable bonding material (109) in which each gib plate (52) is bedded sets up.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneously injecting forming material (14) and a curing additive into a form (22). The apparatus (10) includes a container (12) of forming material (14) interconnected by a conduit (20) to a forming cavity (22). Forming material (14) is discharged into cavity (22) through conduit (20). An integrally formed chamber (36) is provided for simultaneously supplying additive to the discharging forming material (14). Forming material (14) is forced into cavity (22) while simultaneously forcing the additive into the path of the discharging forming material (14).

Abstract: A foundry machine for forming molds or cores from a molding material such as sand provides completely automated loading and unloading of tooling elements (24). The tooling elements (24) comprising a sand magazine (36), blow plate (34), combined gassing manifold and top ejector unit (32), upper mold box (30), lower mold box (28) and bottom stool (26) are automatically transferred, in stacked, separable relationship, by tracks (40) to a vertically displaceable, work table. Vertical displacement of the work table (42) sequentially elevates the tooling elements (24) to positions within a mainframe (10) where automatically operated clamping means secure the appropriate tooling elements (24) in respective operating positions. The gassing manifols (32) includes an ejector pin assembly (274, 280) mounted therewithin.

Abstract: An improved grinding apparatus includes a base (100) upon which a headstock (20) is mounted. A carriage (500) is movable along ways (101, 102) disposed on the base. A wheel slide (63) on the carriage rotatably support a grinding wheel (71). A first mounting plate (80) extends beneath a first footstock (400) and a first set of steadyrests (300) to a location adjacent to a headstock (20). While a workpiece is being ground, a second set of steadyrests (300) and a second footstock (400) are mounted on a second mounting plate (80). When the grinding operation has been completed, the first mounting plate is disconnected from the base (100) and removed from the grinding apparatus with the first set of steadyrests (300) and footstock (400). The second mounting plate (80) with the second set of steadyrests (300) and footstock (400) accurately positioned thereon are then inserted into the grinding apparatus.

Abstract: A machine and method for making molds and mold cores (126) includes a pair of mold boxes (42a, 42b) removably mounted on a frame (60) for rotation between an upright, molding position in which molding material is introduced into the mold cavity of the mold boxes (42a, 42b) by a carrier (26) and an inverted discharge position in which the mold (126) is removed from the boxes by a mold receiving assembly (76). A pressure head assembly (46) both compresses molding material within the mold cavity and introduces a catalyst gas into the cavity for curing the molding material. A system for removing the spent gas from the mold cavity includes a pair of gas receiving chambers (122a, 122b) integral with the frame (60) which receives gas through the bottom of the mold boxes (42a, 42b) and an exhaust assembly (68, 70) which is selectively coupled with exhaust ports (124a, 124b) in the chambers (122a, 122b).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rotatably supporting a workpiece WP includes a bearing ring 300 which extends around a center support member 204. The bearing ring is deflectable inwardly at a plurality of spaced apart locations 310 to engage the center support member at these locations during machining of a workpiece. At each of the locations where the bearing ring is deflected inwardly into engagement with the center support member, the bearing ring has a reduced thickness to thereby reduce the resistance of the bearing ring to deformation at these locations. Fluid pressure applied against the outside of the bearing ring deflects the bearing ring inwardly at the locations of reduced thickness. The deflected portions of the bearing ring engage the center support member to securely hold it during machining of a workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in machining a workpiece includes a housing (102) which is operable between a closed condition enclosing a chuck (101) and an open condition. When the housing (102) is in the open condition, an opening (117) extends across the top of the housing and down opposite sides of the housing to provide access to the chuck (101) from both sides of the housing. A workpiece transfer assembly (200) has a downwardly extending structure (204) which is movable along a path (A) extending through the housing (102) when the housing is in the open condition. This enables the transfer structure (200) to move unfinished workpieces (W) to the chuck (101) from one side of the housing and to move finished workpieces from the chuck to the opposite side of the housing. The transfer structure is supported on tracks (201) which extend above the housing.

Abstract: A parts manipulator formed by a head and a robot (10) for attachment to a robot arm and rotatable therewith, the head including a rotatable mount (26) attached to the robot arm (19) and a plurality of gripper mechanisms (21) secured about the mount (26). Each gripper mechanism includes a set of finger portions (51), each selectively and independently of each other shiftable between first and second orientations on the mount to extend either parallel to and downwardly from, or outwardly from the mount (26), allowing flexibly programmed handling of a part.

Abstract: A part feeder (29) for moving individual parts (34) held on rolls (21) of tape (37) to a pickup point, as for handling by a robot arm (25) inserting parts (34) into PC boards (26) at a work station, the part feeder (29) including a cassette (30) having a housing portion (30a) to hold the roll (21) and side walls (85) having guide members (48,33,104) affixed to position the parts (34) for capture by a parts advancing mechanism (52) to be transferred into a part dressing assembly (43) where the parts (34) have their leads (35,36) straightened and cut to a desired length preparatory to presentation for pickup. (FIG. 7).