Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing laminated parts from a plurality of laminas, in which the laminas for forming the laminated parts are blanked from strip stock material. The laminas and are then cut and stacked to form the laminated part. The apparatus includes a measuring device, such as a linear variable differential transducer, for measuring the thickness of successive sections of the strip stock at a first location of each section. The measuring device also measures the thickness of the strip stock sections at a second location of each section. A controller, such as a computer or a programmable logic controller, receives the thickness values at the first location and second location of the strip stock sections from the measuring device and computes a value of a difference therebetween. The controller also computes a running sum of the difference values for the strip stock sections and compares the difference values sum to a predetermined value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing laminated parts from a plurality of laminas, in which the laminas for forming the laminated parts are blanked from strip stock material. The laminas and are then cut and stacked to form the laminated part. The apparatus includes a measuring device, such as a linear variable differential transducer, for measuring the thickness of successive sections of the strip stock. A controller, such as a computer or a programmable logic controller, receives the thickness value of the strip stock sections from the measuring device. The desired stack height is inputted into the controller, as well as a protuberance or dimple height. A punching device, such as one or more front and rear slide operated punches, is also included which is activated by the controller to provide a protuberance at selected locations upon the strip stock sections.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing laminated parts from a plurality of laminas, in which the laminas for forming the laminated parts are blanked from strip stock material. The laminas and are then cut and stacked to form the laminated part. The apparatus includes a measuring device, such as a linear variable differential transducer, for measuring the thickness of successive sections of the strip stock at a first location of each section. The measuring device also measures the thickness of the strip stock sections at a second location of each section. A controller, such as a computer or a programmable logic controller, receives the thickness values at the first location and second location of the strip stock sections from the measuring device and computes a value of a difference therebetween. The controller also computes a running sum of the difference values for the strip stock sections and compares the difference values sum to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A metal stamping die for a punch press is provided that has a programmable logic microcontroller fixed directly to the die body of the stamping die. The programmable logic microcontroller is encased in epoxy resin to protect it from contaminants and to protect it from vibration which will occur as the punch press operates to stamp metal parts. Sensing devices on the stamping die are electrically connected through passages in the stamping die to the programmable logic microcontroller. An annunciator panel is positioned on the programmable logic microcontroller and has light emitting diodes to indicate the type of malfunction in the die which causes the punch press to stop when a malfunction occurs.

Abstract: A plurality of individual openings provided in a sheet strip material by a stamping device are passed in succession past a monitoring station positioned adjacent the outlet of the stamping device. As each individual opening is passed by the monitoring station, the monitoring station produces a plurality of voltage signals which identify the progress of each opening through the monitoring station and the progress of the sheet strip material through the stamping device. A controller is provided having an input for receiving the plurality of voltage signals produced as each opening passes by the monitoring station and an output connected to the stamping device. Within the controller, the plurality of voltage signals identifying the progress of an individual opening through the monitoring station are compared to the plurality of voltage signals identifying the progress of a following opening through the monitoring station.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus has longitudinal, transverse and vertical movements. Transfer bars are mounted on a frame which moves longitudinally as a unit. The bars move transversely on the frame. A drive box mounted on a side of the frame has transverse and longitudinal drive levers. The longitudinal drive lever has a roller which slides in a transverse track in one of the transfer bars to drive the frame forward and rearward. The transverse drive lever is pivotally connected to a link which is pivotally connected to a pivotally mounted crank arm. A roller on one side of the crank arm pivot slides in a longitudinal track in one transfer bar to push that bar in and out. A slideable transverse rod pivotally connected to the crank arm on the other side of the pivot has a roller on a remote end which slides in a longitudinal track in the other of the transfer bars to push that transfer bar in and out.

Abstract: Slidably mounted blocks with toothed wheels supporting arms of various radial extension provide variable travel distances for the gripper bar when moving in the transfer direction.

Abstract: A barrel cam turns with a shaft mounted on bearings in a cam box. Four linear bearings mounted on the outside of the box receive hollow slider tubes which are clamped to legs of an H-shaped frame which holds roller cam followers. Bearings and followers are lubricated with pressure fittings, and the cam box is drained. Parallel transfer bars connected to the frame support a feeder plate with spring loaded fingers and divider bars with inward facing forward and downward sloped channels to remove lowermost articles from stacks and to feed the articles forward. The transfer bars have pockets which receive inserts with recesses for holding edges of articles. Some of the inserts have openings for receiving horizontally oriented spring loaded retainers with inward and upward sloping article engaging faces. This application is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 005,268, filed 1-22-79, now abandoned.

Abstract: A transfer has gripper bars capable of grasping, lifting and transferring a work piece. The grasping and lifting motions are actuated by face cams. The face cams act through rocker arm linkages connected to rotatable rods having arms connected to the gripper bars. The transferring motion is actuated by a barrel cam having an axial cam curve positioned between cam followers. A lifting frame has diagonal slots which receive guide pins connected to a base frame. A rack and pinion assembly connected to the gripper bars facilitates the gripping motion. Slidably mounted blocks with toothed wheels supporting arms of various radial extension provide variable travel distances for the gripper bar when moving in the transfer direction.

Abstract: A transfer has gripper bars capable of grasping, lifting and transferring a work piece. The grasping and lifting motions are actuated by face cams. The face cams act through rocker arm linkages connected to rotatable rods having arms connected to the gripper bars. The transferring motion is actuated by a barrel cam having an axial cam curve positioned between cam followers. A lifting frame has diagonal slots which receive guide pins connected to a base frame. A rack and pinion assembly connected to the gripper bars facilitates the gripping motion. Slidably mounted blocks with toothed wheels supporting arms of various radial extension provide variable travel distances for the gripper bar when moving in the transfer direction.