Abstract: A satellite system comprising at least one satellite (4) at least one Earth station (6), and a plurality of user terminals (2), the satellite (4) being arranged to provide a link between each user terminal (2) and the Earth station (6), via communications channels, each channel comprising one or more timeslots in a repeating time frame on one or more frequencies, carried by a feeder link beam between said satellite (4) and the or each said Earth station (6), and one of a plurality of user terminal link beams (B1-BN) between the satellite (4) and the user terminals (2), the satellite comprising a multiplexer (211) for multiplexing the channels from multiple said terminal link beams onto each said feeder link beam, and a demultiplexer (111) for demultiplexing the channels from onto each said feeder link beam onto multiple said terminal link beams, and further comprising at least one router (112, 212) for assigning channels to and from particular said terminal link beams in response to control signals from said

Abstract: A plurality of cylindrical gauges are used for presetting the position of a cutting tool along the tool axis of a machine for sizing a workpiece, such as a turret lathe. In a preferred form, the machine includes a pair of orthogonal axes, along which one axis supports a cutting tool, and a workpiece is supported along the second. To preset a tool position, a selected gauge is installed along the second axis, while the cutting tool is adjusted along the first axis to make contact with the gauge. Upon contact, the tool is secured into position, the gauge is removed, and a workpiece is substituted in place thereof along the second axis, the position of the cutting tool having been preset for subsequent sizing of the workpiece.

Abstract: A quick change gear apparatus provides a system which shortens time of spindle machine gear changes to approximately ten percent of that previously required for gear change operations. In a preferred form, the apparatus includes a cylindrical spacer juxtaposed against a face of a gear which is secured between the spacer and a shoulder on a gear shaft. A split washer is also employed to permit the quick change operation by virtue of the loosening of a cap screw secured in a free end of the gear shaft. The cap screw contains a head which retains the split washer and assures that the split washer is urged axially against the spacer and gear members on the shaft. A partial turn of the cap screw will enable radial removal of the split washer, to thereby permit subsequent axial removals of the spacer and gear.