Abstract: An improved grinding method and apparatus is advantageously used to sequentially grind the pins of a crankshaft. During the grinding of each crankpin, the pin is supported by a steadyrest. During an initial grinding operation, the crankpins are measured or gauged to determine if they are out-of-round by an amount which is greater than the tolerances for the finished crankshaft and less than a maximum amount. If a crankpin is out-of-round by an amount which is equal to or greater than a maximum amount, the crankshaft is rejected. However, if a crankpin is out-of-round by an amount which is less than the maximum amount and more than the tolerance for a finished pin, a second grinding operation is initiated after the initial grinding operation has been completed. During the initial and second grinding operations, a main drive motor is effective to press the steadyrest against the crankpins.

Abstract: A steadyrest for supporting a workpiece to be ground comprising three contact shoes which are simultaneously movable toward and away from a workpiece centerline so that workpieces of varying diameter can be supported and maintained on a fixed centerline of rotation. The top contact shoe is mounted for pivotal movement to a position clear of the work area to facilitate loading and unloading of the workpiece. A hydraulic operator is provided for pivoting the upper contact shoe between the operative position, engaging a workpiece, and the load-unload position. A second hydraulic operator is provided which through appropriate mechanical wedges moves upper contact shoe and the two lower non-pivoting contact shoes simultaneously toward or away from a workpiece.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus which uses a single cam surface to dress operating surfaces of grinding wheels having different configurations. A grinding wheel having an operating surface with a first configuration is positioned adjacent to the wheel dressing tool. A cam follower is moved along the single cam surface to move the wheel dressing tool to dress the operating surface of the grinding wheel to a first configuration. A second grinding wheel having an operating surface with a second configuration is subsequently positioned adjacent to the dressing tool. A second cam follower having a configuration which is different than the configuration of the first cam follower is positioned to engage the same cam surface as was used during the dressing of the first grinding wheel. Movement of the dressing tool is effected by the inneraction between the second cam follower and the cam surface to move the dressing tool to dress the operating surface of the second grinding wheel to the second configuration.

Abstract: A hub assembly 30 for releasably mounting a circular grinding wheel 18 on a rotatable shaft 14 is disclosed. The assembly 30 includes a hub 36 having a radially extending face 42 to engage one major side surface of the grinding wheel. A central axially extending surface 122 on the hub engages a central passage 120 through the grinding wheel 18 to center the grinding wheel relative to the hub. An annular flange or clamp member 40 has an opposing radially extending face 44 which clamps the grinding wheel against the hub. The flange is centered relative to the hub by an axially extending surface 132 which engages the central passage through the grinding wheel. The flange includes a plurality of slots 70-84 through which the screws 50-64 extend. The heads of the screws may pass through wide portion 90 of the slots, but they cannot pass through narrow portions 96. The flange may be rotated between a disengaged position and an engaged position.

Abstract: A workpiece end locator which provides a linear analog voltage indicative of the workpiece location relative to a reference plane. The output of the end locator can be utilized for positioning the workpiece at a desired location or for providing position information to the machine control system which will automatically compensate for the workpiece position. The disclosed end locator utilizes a rotatable shaft having a probe arm extending from one end thereof. A probe tip on the probe arm contacts the workpiece whose position is being detected. A rotary transducer is connected to the other end of the rotatable shaft for providing a linear analog signal representative of the angular shaft position. A pair of stops are provided between which the rotatable shaft can rotate. A pair of air actuators are provided, one of which biases the rotatable shaft toward one stop and the other biases the rotatable shaft toward the other stop.

Abstract: An improved arrangement for operating a hydraulic hammer at a distance from the hydraulic supply. The hydraulic hammer which can be used for breaking rocks, concrete, and the like is disposed at the end of a movable boom, remote from its pressurized hydraulic supply. The hammer is connected to the pressurized hydraulic supply by flexible lines and is movable with respect to the pressurized supply. Disposed in series in the pressurized hydraulic supply line is a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor is mounted in close proximity to the hydraulic hammer at the end of the boom. The outlet port of the hydraulic motor connects to the inlet port of the hydraulic hammer. The hydraulic motor drives a suction pump which is also located at the end of the positionable boom. The hydraulic motor and the suction pump are movable with a mounting assembly which supports the hydraulic hammer at the end of the boom. The suction inlet of the hydraulic pump is directly connected to the outlet port of the hydraulic hammer.

Abstract: A force measuring device for simultaneously measuring the static or dynamic force from each jaw of a chuck or segment of a collet. The device is formed with an annular housing having several radially extending openings in which are disposed elongated force transducers. In use, the force transducers are supported at the inner end and project from the housing into engagement with the jaws of a chuck. Each transducer has bridge configured strain gages disposed thereon. The strain gages are connected to appropriate instrumentation through a slip ring arrangement. The unbalance of the bridge circuits is used to indicate the force of the chuck.

Abstract: A workpiece positioning apparatus 12 (FIG. 1) for positively locating a workpiece 14 with respect to a drive spindle 20 in a grinding machine is disclosed. The apparatus 12 is secured to the drive spindle 20 and provides a means for holding the workpiece 14 in a predetermined angular position with respect to the drive spindle during the grinding operation. The apparatus 12 includes an index surface 74 (FIG. 4) against which a key 42 on the workpiece is pressed by a rotatable drive element or sleeve 80. To facilitate installation of the workpiece 14 in the grinding machine 10 (FIG. 1 ) the drive element 80 (FIG. 4) is rotated to provide a space between it and the index surface 74. When the workpiece 14 has been installed in the machine 10, the drive element 80 is rotated in the opposite direction (FIG. 5 ) to move the key 42 on the workpiece into engagement with the index surface 74 on the workpiece positioning apparatus 12.

Abstract: An improved grinding machine includes a grinding wheel which is moved along a path extending at an acute angle to the axis of rotation of a workpiece. The workpiece is movable along its axis of rotation. During plunge grinding operations, the workpiece can be reciprocated along its axis of rotation. During traverse grinding operations, it is necessary to compensate for the acute angle of the path along which the grinding wheel is moved relative to the axis of rotation of the workpiece. This may be done between traverse grind strokes by initiating movement of the grinding wheel toward the workpiece from a position in which the edge surface of the grinding wheel is offset from the plane of a radially extending shoulder surface. Upon completion of a grinding operation, the wheel is retracted to a clear point. Different clear points are used so that the grinding wheel is retracted to only the extent necessary when finishing portions of a workpiece having different diameters.

Abstract: An improved grinding method and apparatus is advantageously used to sequentially grind the pins of a crankshaft. During the grinding of each crankpin, the pin is supported by a steadyrest. During an initial grinding operation, the crankpins are measured or gauged to determine if they are out-of-round by an amount which is greater than the tolerances for the finished crankshaft and less than a maximum amount. If a crankpin is out-of-round by an amount which is equal to or greater than a maximum amount, the crankshaft is rejected. However, if a crankpin is out-of-round by an amount which is less than the maximum amount and more than the tolerances for a finished pin, a second grinding operation is initiated after the initial grinding operation has been completed. During the initial and second grinding operations, a main drive motor is effective to press the steadyrest against the crankpins.

Abstract: An improved gauge assembly is utilized to measure the size of a workpiece during a grinding operation. The gauge assembly includes upper and lower gauge members which are movable under the influence of a pair of fluid motors. When the gauge assembly is in an open condition, the upper gauge member is held in a raised position by a relatively high fluid pressure supplied to the motor associated with the upper gauge member. At the same time a relatively low fluid pressure is supplied to the fluid motor associated with the lower gauge member so that it remains in a lowered position. When the gauge assembly is to be utilized to measure a workpiece, the fluid pressure in the motor for the upper gauge member is decreased to enable the upper gauge member to move downwardly into engagement with the workpiece. At the same time, the fluid pressure in the motor for the lower gauge member is increased to raise the lower gauge member upwardly into engagement with the workpiece.

Abstract: An improved machine tool includes an extendible ram or tool support arm. As the ram is extended, the outer end portion of the ram deflects downwardly under the influence of gravity. To compensate for the deflection of the ram, the angular orientation of the ram relative to upwardly extending tracks is changed to raise the outer end portion of the ram. This is accomplished by means of gibs or deflection compensation cams which are moved to rotate a carriage or saddle on which the ram is mounted. The extent of deflection of the ram varies as a function of the distance which it extends outwardly from the carriage. Therefore it is necessary to store data indicative of the deflection of the ram at various degrees of extension and to adjust the orientation of the ram in accordance with this data as the ram is extended. The data indicating the extent to which the ram deflects is stored by means of a cam mounted on the carriage. The cam is read by a transducer which moves with the ram.

Abstract: A coolant system for a machine tool is disclosed. Sockets on the machine tool are equipped with check valves biased to a closed position. When a tool is inserted into a socket, an actuating member opens the check valve to enable coolant to flow through a conduit in the tool to the cutting edge of the tool. Tools whose cutting edges do not require coolant are not equipped with the actuating member. In addition, a distributor is provided for use in the coolant system of a machine tool having a turret. The distributor is mounted on the turret and is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the turret. Coolant is piped into the center of a distributing member having an outlet on a cylindrical side surface. A receiving member has a cylindrical chamber in which the distributing member is rotatably disposed. The receiving member has a plurality of radially disposed passages which lead from the receiving member to the tool receiving sockets on the turret.

Abstract: An improved lock assembly is utilized to hold a tool in a socket of a machine tool. The lock assembly includes a carriage which is movable toward and away from the socket along a path extending perpendicular to a central axis of the socket. A retaining member is pivotally supported on the carriage. Movement of the carriage toward the socket moves the retaining member from a disengaged position in which it is spaced apart from a tool disposed in the socket to an engaged position in which the retaining member abuts the tool and presses it firmly into the socket. As the carriage moves toward the socket, the retaining member rotates relative to the carriage from the disengaged position in which it is disposed at an oblique angle to the central axis of the socket to the engaged position in which it is more closely parallel to the central axis of the socket.

Abstract: An improved grinding machine includes a grinding wheel which is moved along a path extending at an acute angle to the axis of rotation of a workpiece. The workpiece is movable along its axis of rotation. During plunge grinding operations, the workpiece can be reciprocated along its axis of rotation. During transverse grinding operations, it is necessary to compensate for the acute angle of the path along which the grinding wheel is moved relative to the axis of rotation of the workpiece. This may be done between traverse grind strokes by initiating movement of the grinding wheel toward the workpiece from a position in which the edge surface of the grinding wheel is offset from the plane of a radially extending shoulder surface. Upon completion of a grinding operation, the wheel is retracted to a clear point. Different clear points are used so that the grinding wheel is retracted to only the extent necessary when finishing portions of a workpiece having different diameters.

Abstract: An improved material handling apparatus includes an adapter assembly which is disposed on the outer end portion of a boom. The adapter assembly is connected with a material handling tool by an improved connector assembly. The connector assembly includes a wedge member having a pair of sloping side surfaces which cooperate with a wedge surface on the material handling tool and a wedge surface on the adapter assembly to interconnect the adapter assembly and the material handling tool. The wedge member cooperates with the wedge surfaces on the material handling tool and the adapter assembly in such a manner as to positively seat a support bar on the material handling tool in a recess on the adapter assembly. In addition, the interaction between the wedge member and the two wedge surfaces is such as to compensate for wear between the wedge member and the wedge surfaces and to compensate for slight misalignments between the adapter assembly and the material handling tool.

Abstract: An improved cutting tool includes a tool holder having a recess in which an insert is held by a retaining screw. The retaining screw has a head end portion which extends into an open recess formed in a side of the insert to press the insert against bottom and side surfaces of the tool holder recess. To maximize the length of a threaded opening engaged by the retaining screw, the screw has a central axis which extends at an acute angle to a central axis of the tool holder. The bottom and side surfaces of the tool holder recess extend at acute angles to the central axis of the tool holder to firmly support the insert during a cutting operation. An outer end portion of a shank of the tool holder has a generally oval cross-sectional configuration which provides clearance for chips cut from a workpiece and also provides a relatively strong support for the insert.

Abstract: The overall length of boom assembly can be increased by the use of a pair of boom extension sections. When the boom extension sections are not required, they are supported at storage locations adjacent to one side of a main boom assembly. When the overall length of the main boom assembly is to be increased, a first one of the boom extension sections is pivotally connected with the outer end portion of the main boom assembly and the second boom extension section is pivotally connected with the outer end portion of the first boom extension section. The two boom extension sections are swung outwardly together. After the first boom extension section has been firmly connected with the outer end portion of the main boom assembly, the second boom extension section is pivoted about the outer end portion of the first boom extension section.

Abstract: A data processing system including a central processing unit and external memory. The central processing unit has an arithmetic logic unit having first and second inputs and an output for outputting data. The arithmetic logic unit inputs are selectively connected to the outputs of a plurality of addressable registers which registers have inputs connectable to the arithmetic logic unit output for receiving and storing data therefrom. Additionally, the central processing unit has a read only memory capable of storing a plurality of addressable control instructions and having a plurality of outputs for supplying control signals in dependence upon the addressed control instructions and means capable of addressing control instructions stored in the read only memory in a predetermined sequence, or addressing a selected one of said word locations in dependence upon the data outputted from the arithmetic logic unit.

Abstract: A machine tool comprising a headstock having a rotatable spindle for supporting and rotating a workpiece. A turret mounted on the headstock and offset to one side of the spindle carries tools to work upon a workpiece in the spindle. Bearing means offset to one side of the spindle supports the turret for indexing movement about and feed movement along an axis parallel to the spindle axis and second bearing means extending to one side of the spindle housing on the machine bed supports the first bearing means and the turret for movement toward and away from the spindle axis. The bed of the machine does not project substantially beyond the spindle housing in the direction of the spindle axis and the turret projects outwardly of the bed. The turret is movable along the axis of rotation thereof a variable distance depending upon the work to be performed.