Abstract: A finishing system for finishing a part using a robot may include a staging fixture, a gripper, and a regrip fixture. The part may include an inner surface, a protrusion, and a notch. The staging fixture may include first pads adapted to engage the protrusion. The gripper may be adapted to couple to the robot and may include a first outer surface and second pads. The first outer surface may be shaped to engage the inner surface of the part and the second pads may be adapted to clamp the protrusion on the part. The regrip fixture may include a tab adapted to engage the notch.

Abstract: An automated system for adapting a gripper to conform to parts having various configurations is disclosed herein. The gripper includes clamp pads having clamp surfaces for clamping protrusions on the parts. The automated system includes an actuator coupled to the gripper, a transfer mechanism engaging the actuator and moveable in response to actuations by the actuator, and a clamp block coupled to and moveable with the transfer mechanism.

Abstract: A multi-head centerless belt grinder for removing material from a workpiece includes a common base and a plurality of grinding heads spaced apart from one another and mounted to the common base. Each grinding head includes a moveable work rest blade, a moveable regulating wheel and a moveable grinding belt positioned by servomotors to centerless grind the workpiece along a common axis of rotation. The grinder is programmable for rapid machine changeover and set-up typically within 2-5 minutes to accommodate a large range of workpiece diameters. This feature results in improved productivity and output as well as greater flexibility for scheduling numerous workpiece diameters within a normal eight-hour work shift. A trough may extend beneath and between each of the grinding heads to more efficiently collect and transfer grinding swarf generated during the grinding process to a filter operable to separate solids within the swarf from coolant.

Abstract: A stacked three head finishing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a base mountable to a floor, a first head mounted to the base, a second head mounted to the base above the first head, and a third head mounted to the base above the second head. Each of the first, second, and third heads includes a rotatable wheel. A motor imparts rotation to the wheel which may then be used for finishing operations. The height of each head above the floor and the position relative to one another is pre-selected to ensure that all of the heads are within reach of a robot arm and to ensure that nothing will interfere with the movement of the robot arm.

Abstract: A direct clamp robotic finishing system is provided including a robot, a gripper secured to the robot, and a pair of fingers secured to the gripper. A tray assembly is also provided for supporting a plurality of implants for picking up by the fingers. An implant reorientation station is provided for supporting the implant being maneuvered by the robot as the robot re-grips the implant from a new direction. The fingers directly clamp the implant thereby eliminating the need for dedicated implant support bars.

Abstract: A multi-spindle end effector is provided for a multiple axis robot. The multi-spindle end effector includes a plate housing having at least a pair of spaced-apart spindles mounted thereon. A servo-motor drivingly engages the spindles. A gear box steps down the RPMs of the motor to the desired RPM of the object to be rotated. A timing belt, which may be continuous, interlinks the first and second spindles so that the rotation of first spindle matches the rotation of the second spindle. An idler pulley may be employed to properly tension the belt.

Abstract: A buffing fixture and structure for supporting large and thin metal skins during a finishing operation. The structure includes a plurality of individual form fixtures, at least one trunnion table mounted for rotation along a horizontally disposed axis, and a motor for causing the rotation of the trunnion table. Each of the form fixtures is comprised of a frame having at least one brace which extends outwardly from the frame, a form shell mounted to the frame such that the interior surface is in contact with a longitudinal edge of the brace, and a layer of foam disposed substantially along the entire interior surface of the form shell in order to support the surface area of the form shell. The form shell has a three dimensional shape which follows the three dimensional shape of the metal skin to be finished.

Abstract: A buffing fixture and structure for supporting large and thin metal skins during a finishing operation. The structure includes a plurality of individual form fixtures, at least one trunnion table mounted for rotation along a horizontally disposed axis, and a motor for causing the rotation of the trunnion table. Each of the form fixtures is comprised of a frame having at least one brace which extends outwardly from the frame, a form shell mounted to the frame such that the interior surface is in contact with a longitudinal edge of the brace, and a layer of foam disposed substantially along the entire interior surface of the form shell in order to support the surface area of the form shell. The form shell has a three dimensional shape which follows the three dimensional shape of the metal skin to be finished.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shuttle assembly for supporting at least one pallet and adapted to cooperate with a moveable working table. The shuttle assembly includes a frame and a structure on the frame for providing at least one loading and unloading platform having an open end adapted to allow transfer of at least one pallet between the loading and unloading platform and the moveable working table. The shuttle assembly also includes a clamp assembly located opposite the open end for engaging and disengaging at least one pallet.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated buffing and grinding system. The system includes a first conveyor for transporting an article to a grinding station. The article is grasped by a robot and brought into and out of contact with an abrasive surface of a sanding device. The article is then transferred by the robot to a second conveyor. The article travels along the second conveyor to a shuttle assembly. The article is then transferred by the shuttle assembly to a moveable table of a buffing device. The moveable table moves the article into and out of contact with a buffing wheel of the buffing device. The article is then transferred by the moveable table to the shuttle assembly. The shuttle assembly transfers the article to the second conveyor. The article travels along the second conveyor to an unloading station where it is unloaded.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated buffing and grinding system. The system includes a first conveyor for transporting an article to a grinding station. The article is grasped by a robot and brought into and out of contact with an abrasive surface of a sanding device. The article is then transferred by the robot to a second conveyor. The article travels along the second conveyor to a shuttle assembly. The article is then transferred by the shuttle assembly to a moveable table of a buffing device. The moveable table moves the article into and out of contact with a buffing wheel of the buffing device. The article is then transferred by the moveable table to the shuttle assembly. The shuttle assembly transfers the article to the second conveyor. The article travels along the second conveyor to an unloading station where it is unloaded.

Abstract: A machine particularly useful for continuously descaling wire and finishing tubular products. The basic machine incorporates a heavy, circular planetary mounting plate having a pair of independently driven finishing brush wheels, mounted thereon which rotate in enagement with the wire being finished and at the same time are rotated in an orbit about the wire by rotation of the planetary mounting plate. The planetary mounting plate is belt driven from an electric motor. The pair of finishing brushes are belt driven from a second electric motor and are provided with an additional outboard mount so that relatively longer wheels may be used. The brushes may be syncronously adjusted with respect to the workpiece without interrupting operation of the machine. Adjustable wire guide and support means are disposed adjacent the bight of the wheels to properly position the workpiece while it is being engaged by the finishing wheels.

Abstract: A combination quick removal and segmentally adjustable work pressure back-up roll or billet roll (commonly called a billy roll) is mounted to freely float in a vertical direction with one end mounted within a sectional clamp. The clamp sections may pivot to open for quick removal of the entire roll. The roll is constructed of sleeve segments having their end faces of tongue and groove constructions which interfit to form a continuous roll and which may be longitudinally adjusted with respect to each other to accommodate work pieces of different widths and to facilitate removal and replacement of sections that may be worn more than others, without having to replace the entire roll.

Abstract: A machine for planting agricultural crops, particular seed potatoes, has multiple chassis frames that each constitute a multi-row module so as to facilitate manufacture of various models, later conversions of one model to another, and assembly, shipping, and maintenance of the machine. The chassis frames are hinged to accommodate multiple planting devices to the varying contour of the farmland being planted. A central chassis frame is flanked at opposite sides by chassis frames supported by ground-engaging wheels, some of which serve to drive the mechanisms of the planting devices carried by the frames. Hinging of the frames at the front is accomplished by respective pairs of elongate and upstanding hinge plates arranged face-to-face and pivotally interconnected at their lower ends (located as close to ground level as practical considering operating requirements).