Abstract: A clutch or brake protection device for use with a clutch having relatively axially movable components, the device including an element mounted on one of the components and situated adjacent to the other of the components, the position of the element being such that it will contact the said other component when wear in the clutch or brake in excess of a predetermined amount has taken place, to complete electrical connection and provide a signal indicating the condition of the clutch or brake.

Abstract: A multi-spindle lathe having a multi position multiple rotary electrical switch associated with a drum in which the spindles are rotatably mounted, the drum and switch being indexable between a number of finite positions equal to the number of spindles, each spindle having clutch and brake units, the switch being arranged to control circuits to said units and the switch having fixed and rotatable parts carrying respective co-operable electrical contacts forming part of the circuits and also having at least two continuous conductor rings on one of the parts and contacts carried on the other of the parts engaging the conductor rings respectively, selection of any one of the possible indexed positions of the switch providing simultaneous connection between a number of said co-operable contacts and said contacts engaging the conductor rings being in contact therewith at all possible positions of the switch and control being provided for controlling electrical supply to the contacts and to the rings for selective

Abstract: A machine guard installation makes use of a proximity detector system including a passive time circuit on the guard. The timed circuit includes a coil which is magnetically coupled to a further coil only when the guard is in its operative guarding position. The further coil forms a part of a positive feedback loop of an amplifier in an active detector circuit, which oscillates only when the coils are coupled as aforesaid.

Abstract: A multi spindle automatic lathe having electrically actuated units on respective spindles in an indexable drum, and having a rotary electrical switch with multiple poles, the switch having a rotatable part indexable with the drum and carrying contacts connected by wiring to the respective units on the spindles, the switch also having a part fixed to the base of the lathe, said fixed part having contacts connected to wiring to control circuits.

Abstract: A collet actuating mechanism for a longitudinally slidable collet tube for a lathe in which toggles are actuated by a slidable sleeve, the toggles acting against a pair of rings separated by a cam which is controlled through a lost motion connection from the actuating sleeve, movement of the cam taking up slack in the mechanism so that the same gripping force is applied to workpieces of varying diameters.

Abstract: A bar feed mechanism for a lathe comprising a pair of bar feed devices spaced lengthwise of the bar feed path, and switches adjacent the devices respectively to sense the presence or absence of bar, the bar feed devices being alternatively operable to feed the bar through the lathe and being arranged only to feed the bar if a section of bar spaced from an end thereof is situated in a position to be fed.

Abstract: A multi spindle lathe having a number of spindles each with a chuck which is actuated by a fluid pressure operated means, there being control valves for regulating pressure exerted in respective ones of the fluid pressure operated means to allow different gripping forces to be exerted by different chucks.

Abstract: A multi spindle lathe having a drum with a number of rotatable work spindles therein, the spindles having respective chucks thereon, and each spindle carrying a gapped ring adjacent to which is a proximity switch probe with control means which ensures that the chuck cannot be operated unless the spindle speed is below a predetermined low value, which is determined by the signal pulse frequency from said switch.

Abstract: A multi spindle lathe with a drum carrying a number of rotatable spindles each having a chuck and chuck operating means each spindle having an associated proximity switch probe which senses whether the chuck is open or closed and permits progression to the next part of the operating cycle of the lathe if the chuck has correctly operated.

Abstract: A spindle drive for an eight spindle lathe comprising a single input gear disposed at the center of the circle of the eight spindles, two gears meshing with the single input gear, each of these two gears engaging with pairs of further gears which are arranged to drive the work spindles.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for producing angular movement of at least one work spindle of a multi or single spindle lathe comprising an electrical stepping motor arranged to drive the spindle through gearing and a one way clutch, to allow the spindle to be angularly orientated for carrying out cross drilling or other operations on workpieces held in the work sindle.