Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning and holding a pair of sheet metal blanks to be butt welded into a compound blank for stamping a larger panel with varying thicknesses. A fixture plate is provided with locating corners matching predetermined reference corners of the blank and with mechanisms for pushing the blanks into the locating corners. The first blank is pushed into abutment with stops that are then pivoted out of the way, after the first blank is clamped in place. The second blank is then abutted with the already clamped first blank, and clamped. The loaded fixture is then transported to a weld station, where the pre positioned blanks can be quickly and efficiently laser welded.

Abstract: A belt grinder has a plurality of belts for simultaneously grinding the pins of a crankshaft during crankshaft rotation about its main bearing axis. A shoe for each belt urges the belt against the pin. A profile mechanism including a CNC controller and a servomotor controls each belt by moving the belt against the pin (via the shoe) in a motion for generating a cylindrical pin surface. Guide wheels which guide the belt to and from the shoe are mechanically coupled to the shoe for movement therewith to compensate for the effect of shoe movement on the belt path. A tension wheel maintains a desired tension on the belt and assists the guide wheels in maintaining a constant belt path length. Alternatively, a bias arrangement including an air cylinder applies tension to the belt via the guide wheel. The guide wheel may be retracted by an air cylinder to remove tension for belt removal and replacement.

Abstract: Various embodiments of multiple belt camshaft grinding machines each have grinding belt drive, contouring and support members carried on a feed table for separate control of cam contouring and grinding feed rate while the camshaft workpiece is carried on a fixed axis by a table providing axial motion for belt wear balancing oscillation and, optionally, camshaft indexing. Curved shoe or wheel contouring members allow reverse curve cam grinding. Special shoe materials and belt-shoe lubrication may be provided to reduce shoe wear. Other features are also disclosed.

Abstract: A planetary milling machine employs concentric inner drive tubes within a housing, eccentric cam means on one such tube and a motorized spindle unit in an orbitally adapted carrier in the housing which has cam follower means inter engaged with the cam means such that with both tubes constantly rotating and with one tube driving the carrier, a speed differential between the two tubes can be employed to establish the desired orbital relation of the spindle unit to a central working axis of the machine.

Abstract: A chuck for a chucking machine has a rotatably supported toroidal body having first and second sets of jaws projecting inward from its inner periphery, the first and second sets of jaws being axially spaced from one another. Each of the sets of jaws has its own actuating mechanism comprising a lead screw engaging each jaw for the movement thereof. All of the lead screws of a set are controlled by a ring gear actuable by a fluid pressure motor to simultaneously advance or withdraw all the jaws of a set. At least the second set of jaws has a slip clutch associated with each lead screw to allow engagement of all jaws with the workpiece regardless of irregularities in the workpiece surface.