Abstract: A machine for making molds and molding 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 molding cavity of the molding 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 molding cavity and introduces a catalyst gas into the cavity for curing the molding material. A system for removing the spent gas from the molding 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: The present invention relates to a method of dressing a complex contour onto a grinding surface of at least one grinding wheel of a two-axis grinding machine for grinding a workpiece. The method comprises the steps of causing at least one dressing diamond to traverse the grinding surface of said grinding wheel along a first axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the workpiece while simultaneously causing movement of the dressing diamond with respect to said grinding surface along a second axis; and employing a programmable controller to control said traversing and said movement, so as to automatically dress a complex contour onto said grinding surface.

Abstract: A slide (20) having conveniently removable and replaceable bearing components (28-38) with the bearing components engaging seats (50) made of resilient, low friction material. The slide is supported on ways (24, 26) by way bearing pads (28-32) and opposed adjustable bearing assemblies (34-38). The seats (50) are formed by rough machining pockets (40, 42) into slide (20), positioning the slide (20) onto the ways (24, 26), positioning tooling blocks (60) at the locations normally occupied by the bearing components (28-36), and filling the spaces between the tooling blocks and pockets with a low friction, epoxy material, thereby forming the seats (50). Any one of the bearing components (28-38) may be removed and replaced without removing the slide (20) from the ways (24, 26). Further, each bearing assembly (34, 38) is mounted on one side of a respective way with a way bearing pad (28-32) being mounted on the opposite side of the way.

Abstract: An improved machine tool includes a chip conveyor assembly which includes a conveyor and a coolant tank. The chip conveyor assembly is movable between a closed or operating position and an open or exposed position. In the closed position, the chip conveyor assembly is disposed directly beneath a work area so that chips fall onto the conveyor. The chips are transported through an opening at one end of the machine tool to a discharge area where the chips are deposited in a suitable receptacle. To facilitate maintenance of the chip conveyor assembly, the entire chip conveyor assembly is movable through an opening in the front of the machine tool to an open position in which the components of the conveyor are accessible.

Abstract: A slide (20) having conveniently removable and replaceable bearing components (28-38) with the bearing components engaging seats (50) made of resilient, low friction material. The slide is supported on ways (24, 26) by way bearing pads (28-32) and opposed adjustable bearing assemblies (34-38). The seats (50) are formed by rough machining pockets (40, 42) into slide (20), positioning the slide (20) onto the ways (24, 26), positioning tooling blocks (60) at the locations normally occupied by the bearing components (28-36), and filling the spaces between the tooling blocks and pockets with a low friction, epoxy material, thereby forming the seats (50). Any one of the bearing components (28-38) may be removed and replaced without removing the slide (20) from the ways (24, 26). Further, each bearing assembly (34, 38) is mounted on one side of a respective way with a way bearing pad (28-32) being mounted on the opposite side of the way.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine (10) having a light weight aluminum bridge (24) mounted for guided movement along ways (42) on a base (28), which also is constructed of aluminum to match thermal growth characteristics of the bridge (24). The table (12) is constructed of steel for greater rigidity to support heavy measured objects (1b) and is supported on the base (28) so as to minimize distortions of the base (28) by differences in thermal growth of the table (12), and base (28). The weight of the table (12) and measured object (16) is arranged to be passed through the base (12) to floor supports (62, 112) to minimize distortions of the base (12) and ways (42). The bridge (24) is movable completely to the rear of the table (12) to enable access of the probe (18) to the total table surface area FIG. 2.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine (10) is disclosed of the type having a bridge (28) mounted for horizontal movement of a base (30), a carriage (24) mounted for horizontal movement in a direction orthogonal to the direction of bridge movement and a probe (12) mounted for vertical movement on the carriage (24), so that the probe (12) is guided along three orthogonal axes over a table (14) supported on a base (30), so as to enable measurement of an object (16) disposed on the table (14) by measuring the extent of travel along each axis. Side covers (42, 50) are provided fastened to the base (30) and enclose the lower ends of upright members (40) comprising in part the bridge (28) so that the bridge (28) movement is confined within openings (44) formed by the side covers (42, 50). A dust covering movable belt (46)is attached at either end to each upright member (40), closing off the openings (44 ), the belt (44) recirculating as the bridge moves.

Abstract: A turning machine is characterized by a new and improved control and mechanism for positioning the turning tool on the head. A CNC control issues command signals for selectively positioning the tool on the head. These signals are developed from an encoder which provides the instantaneous position of the rotating part being turned and from a program in the CNC containing information about the part. A closed loop control system receives these command signals and converts same into a control current for a linear motor which is the prime mover controlling the positioning of the tool on the head. The linear motor operates a carriage on the head and the cutting tool mounts on the carriage opposite the connection of the linear motor to the carriage. The carriage is a hollow bar guided on the head by sets of rollers which are cooperatively arranged to provide yieldably forceful constraint of the bar.

Abstract: A bridge type coordinate measuring machine (CMM) characterized by a bridge (20) that has a closed loop configuration encircling the upper surface (11) of the measuring machine base (10). The bridge (20) includes two uprights (21, 22), an upper member (23) connecting the uprights together, and a lower member (24) that connects the uprights together above the ways (12, 13) and below the upper surface (11) of said base (10). Bearings (41) acting in three perpendicular directions on each guideway (12, 13) minimize unwanted movement of the bridge (20). This arrangement increases the resonant frequency of the bridge, improves the CMM accuracy and repeatability, and provides for easy assembly of the bridge (20) onto the base (10). Bearings (41) for the bridge are offset inwardly from the vertical axis of the uprights of the bridge and a respective guideway (12, 13), along which the bearings travel, is located on each side of the base.

Abstract: A fixture (50) is used to precisely locate the horizontal (20, 30) and vertical (10) guideways on the bed (40) of a grinding machine. After locating the guideways (10, 20, 30), a bonding material (70) is placed in the spaces (1, 2, 3) between the guideways (10, 20, 30) and grinding machine bed (40). After the fixture (50) is removed, bolts (80) are tightened to apply a compressive force on the bonding material (70) located between the vertical guideway (10) and the machine tool bed (40).

Abstract: A signal conditioning circuit (30) using an oscillator (32) which feeds a counter (34) whose output addresses a programmable memory (42). The output of the programmable memory (42) provides a selected processed signal which is used for excitation of a transducer (12). The processed signals can have various phase shifts, frequencies, or amplitudes. The transducer (12) has a mechanical input (14) and provides a modulated signal output which is a function of the mechanical input. The output of the transducer (12) is fed to a phase sensitive demodulator (36). Demodulator (36) provides an output signal in response to the signal from transducer (12) and an appropriate demodulator drive signal. The output signal from demodulator (36) is indicative of the mechanical input to transducer (12). Averaging means (40) is connected to the output of the demodulator (36) to provide a DC signal which is proportional to the mechanical input to transducer (12).

Abstract: A bridge type coordinate measuring machine characterized by a bridge (20) that has a closed loop configuration encircling the measuring machine base (10). The bridge (20) includes two uprights (21, 22), an upper member (23) connecting the uprights together and at least one lower member (24) connecting the uprights together below the upper surface (11) of the base (10). Bearings (41) for the bridge are offset inwardly from the vertical axes of the uprights of the bridge and a guideway (12, 13), along which the bearings travel, is located on each side of the base. The bearings (41) operate upwardly, downwardly and sidewardly against the surfaces of the guideways (12, 13) located on the sides of the base (10). This arrangement both stiffens and raises the resonant frequency of the bridge, thereby improving the measuring accuracy and repeatability of the coordinate measuring machines performance.

Abstract: A grinding adaptive control system and method is described which automatically determines the feed rate to maintain constant wheel sharpness without wheel breakdown. Wheel sharpness at a given feed rate is sensed by the steady state horsepower or normal force, the adaptive control progressively adjusts feed rate in response to changes in wheel sharpness until a steady state feed rate range is reached. Wheel sharpness will then remain essentially constant.

Abstract: A method of making measurements on a machine having a movable probe for measuring a part in which a present location of the probe is maintained and a past location (e.g., a part measurement) of the probe is also maintained (stored) and advantageously displayed. The measuring apparatus includes two sets of storage members, with the present position information of the probe stored in one set. The present probe position information is transferred to the other storage members in response to a control signal. The control signal, such as an electrical signal indicating contact with an object, causes measurements to be transferred from the one set of storage members to the second set of storage members and, advantageously, the transfer of further information to the second storage members may be locked out of a predetermined time or until an event occurs (such as a resetting signal).

Abstract: The present invention is an improved linear recirculating bearing assembly and method of making it. More particularly, the present invention is a linear roller bearing assembly in which the housing is manufactured of three primary parts, an upper bearing half, a race member and a lower bearing half. The race member includes one or more mounting pedestals having an upper surface finished to a high degree of flatness and parallelism with the lower surface of the race member. The upper bearing half and the lower bearing half include portions to define two recirculating bearing paths for recirculating bearing elements or rollers to recirculate about paths around the race member, with the upper and lower bearing halves being generally non-load bearings, so that they may be manufactured from low cost, low strength materials.

Abstract: An improved machine tool includes a one piece, as cast base having a spindle drive motor mounting section, a wayblock mounting section, a tailstock mounting section and a tank for receiving coolant. The wayblock mounting section includes a basin having a rim and a plurality of upwardly extending projections in a central portion of the basin. Downwardly extending projections on a substantially as cast wayblock extend into the basin. A body of cast in situ material is disposed in the space between as cast surface areas on the upwardly extending base projections and as cast surface areas on the downwardly extending wayblock projections to hold the wayblock against movement relative to the base. A one piece as cast headstock has downwardly extending projections which are received in recesses formed in the wayblock. A second cast in situ body of material is disposed between surfaces on the headstock and the wayblock to hold the headstock against movement relative to the wayblock.

Abstract: A sheet metal holder (20) utilizing a linear wedge action for use on a sheet metal working machine (10). A pair of holders (20) are movable on machine (10) to provide for two axes positioning of a worksheet. Workholder (20) is formed from a box shaped member (32) having a pivot arm (31) movable about a pivot connection (42) within box member (32) and extending therefrom. A fixed jaw (34) extends from box member (32). A movable clamping jaw (30) is formed at the free end of pivot arm (31). A linear actuator bar (26) engages pivot arm (31) and forces jaws (31, 34) to close on a worksheet. Linear actuator bar (26) and pivot arm (31) are constructed to make the workholder (20) self locking. An appropriate actuator is provided for positioning bar (26).

Abstract: An improved machine tool has a chuck assembly which is actuated by a piston and cylinder type motor assembly. When a workpiece is to be gripped by the chuck assembly, high pressure fluid is directed to one chamber of the piston and cylinder motor and is exhausted from the opposite chamber. When the chuck assembly has gripped a workpiece, relative movement between the piston and cylinder is interrupted and fluid is no longer discharged from the motor. A pressure responsive switch assembly detects the reduction in the rate of the flow of fluid from the motor to provide a signal to indicate that a workpiece has been firmly gripped by the chuck assembly. After an initial machining operation in which relatively high forces are applied to the workpiece, such as during a rough cutting operation, the chucking forces applied to the workpiece are reduced prior to initiation of a finish cutting operation.

Abstract: A machine tool (10) utilizing two speed hydraulic indexing with direction control valves (86,88) which are energized to stop. A turret (12) is rotated during indexing by a hydraulic motor (36). An open loop control system is utilized to locate the turret (12) position before clamping. A plurality of cams (40,42,44,46,48,50) which trigger associated proximity switches (41,43,45,47,49,51) are used to provide control information to the electric control circuit (17) for turret indexing. A final position cam (50) which rotates at a multiple of the turret (12) indexing speed is provided for final positioning of the turret (12) at a desired work station. The final position cam (50) is adjustable so that the tool turret (12) will be accurately stopped at a selected work station. The final position cam (50) also provides information which is utilized for switching from a high speed indexing mode to a low speed indexing mode when the selected work station is approached.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine having a vertically movable probe shaft in which a vertical fine feed and lock mechanism for the probe shaft is provided by a first knob coupled to a magnet movable between two positions, one of said positions operatively coupling a second knob to the probe shaft for driving said probe shaft in a vertical direction, the other of said positions being ineffective for moving the fine feed mechanism. The fine feed is accomplished through the rotation of a second knob which is in frictional engagement through a driven quasi "V" shaped flanged wheel with the probe shaft to be moved vertically.