Abstract: A system including a vertical turning machine and at least two auxiliary stations, such as a control, loading and discharge station, and a waiting station, has a drive mechanism for moving the workpiece platforms (pallets) between respective equipment supports (pallet supports). The drive mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder housed in a diametral through seat in the upper part of the turning machine pallet support and located between respective pallet supporting straight guides. It includes a T-shaped hook member projecting from a cursor, located close to one end of the seat, and fixed to upper passes of a pair of chains driven by sprockets which form part of a carriage. The carriage is fixed to the end of a piston shaft projecting from the hydraulic cylinder. The advance of the piston shaft causes the carriage to project partly outwardly from the perimeter of the pallet support towards an auxiliary station.

Abstract: A system for controlling the jaws of a self-centering pallet which can be moved between pallet supports at the loading and unloading station and the working station of a machine tool includes an external hydraulic control circuit with a pair of ducts each of which communicates, through a respective connector device, with a pair of supply and discharge ducts of a double-acting cylinder incorporated in the pallet to control the jaws. Each connecting device includes interengageable connectors projecting from the mutually-facing surfaces of the pallet and the pallet support, a non-return valve located upstream of the connector on the pallet, and a rod passing through the connector on the pallet support and able to advance and open the non-return valve under the action of a piston subject to a pilot pressure.

Abstract: A self centering workpiece-positioning fixture for a machine tool, especially for a lathe, has aligned opposed jaws one of which is reciprocable toward and away from the other along their common axis and bath are rotatable on such axis. A clutch having a member axially displaceable but not rotatable with respect to the not-reciprocable jaw being provided for locking the said not-reciprocable jaw to the fixture body.