Abstract: Apparatus for forming beads in the cylindrical wall of a metal drum blank comprising a die head and an opposed roller, for engaging the interior and exterior surfaces, respectively, of a cylindrical drum blank. The die head has first, second and third coaxial, circular dies, each made up of plural, wedge-shaped die elements. The roller has two coaxial peripheral edges cooperable with the dies to form a W-style bead. The second die is located between the first and third dies and is radially expansible, by the frusto-conical surface of a cam, for producing a standard bead. The same frusto-conical surface also expands the first die, and a separate frusto-conical surface expands the third die. Lands on the cam engage the wedge-shaped elements of the first and third dies and maintain the first and third dies at fixed radial positions in engagement with the inner cylindrical wall of a drum blank, while the cam continues to urge the wedge-shaped elements of the second die radially outwardly.

Abstract: A five-axis robot mechanism for moving an operative device along three rectilinear axes and two rotational axis including a carriage movable along one rectilinear axis, a cart movable on the carraige and a mast assembly having two elongated members movable along a third rectilinear axis. The two elongated members are rotatable together one rotatable with respect to the other to produce movement of the operative device on two rotatable axes. The carriage, cart and mast assemblies are uniquely arranged with respect to each other produce the five-axis desired movement of the operative device.

Abstract: An abrasive water jet catch tank assembly is provided for facilitating recovery of spent abrasives and kerf material from operation of an abrasive water jet. The catch tank assembly includes a catch tank having sides and a bottom for containing a fluid, and includes a recirculating system for recirculating fluid in the catch tank. The catch tank also includes connections for a filtration system for removing spent abrasive and kerf material from the fluid. The catch tank includes removable wear plates which dissipate residual energy from the abrasive water jet by sacrificially wearing thereby reducing damage to the tank. The wear plates are spaced above the bottom of the tank and divide the tank into an upper compartment which receives the abrasive water jet and a lower compartment which is continuously flushed to remove spent abrasives and kerf material from the tank.

Abstract: A cylindrical wheel rim blank has a longitudinal seam defined by a pair of longitudinal edge portions each of which is clamped between upper and lower jaws of a respective clamping assembly. The two clamping assemblies are urged laterally together to press the two longitudinal edge portions together, and welding current is introduced at the seam through the lower jaws to effect the weld. The upper jaws are at the bottom of cantilevered horn members around which the rim blank is mounted. The lower jaws are urged upwardly toward the cantilevered upper jaws to effect the clamping function. Structure is provided to equalize the clamping pressure exerted against the upper jaw along the length thereof and, if desired, to introduce a bias into the upward pressure exerted through the lower jaw. There is a mechanism to provide different, predetermined spacings between the clamping assemblies as different steps in the operation. Circuitry is provided to produce a reversing, pulsating DC welding current.

Abstract: The longitudinal edge portions of a cylindrical wheel rim blank are gripped by a pair of laterally spaced clamping assemblies each having a radially fixed inside clamping member and each having a radially movable outside clamping member adapted to clamp the blank against the inside member. After the rim blank has been clamped, the two clamping members of one of the clamping assemblies are pivoted laterally toward the clamping members of the other assembly to press the edges of the rim blank against one another preparatory to welding current being directed through the blank to weld the edges. A load cell detects the force applied to the pivoted clamping assembly and produces a signal which is used to monitor or control the force.