Abstract: A workpiece pallet for use for additive and subtractive workpiece machining, including a clamping plate which has a first interface which is designed for a form-fitting fixation to a machining table of a processing machine, the workpiece pallet further including a receiving plate, which has a second interface for fixing a workpiece, wherein the clamping plate and the receiving plate are arranged spaced apart from one another and wherein a supporting web is arranged in a connecting gap between an upper surface of the clamping plate and a lower surface of the receiving plate, which supporting web is connected to the upper surface of the clamping plate and to the lower surface of the receiving plate, the supporting web having in a cross-sectional plane aligned parallel to the lower surface of the receiving plate a cross-sectional area which is less than 15 percent of an area of the lower surface of the receiving plate.

Abstract: Described herein is a suction-type gripping device including a suction-cup and configured for handling a component, for example a sheet-metal component for a motor vehicle. The device includes a plurality of pins that can slide with respect to the suction cup. The pins define a variable-geometry bed configured for reproducing the geometry of the component to be handled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting an article during transport is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support surface oriented to support an underside of an article to be transported. The apparatus also includes a plurality of pins distributed over at least a portion of the support surface and movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the plurality of pins being urged into the extended position such that a lateral retaining portion of each pin protrudes above the support surface. The underside of the article, when received on the support surface, causes a first portion of the plurality of pins underlying the article to be depressed into the retracted position while a second portion of the plurality of pins remain in the extended position such that the lateral retaining portions of pins disposed adjacent to the article constrain the article to prevent movement of the article on the support surface while being transported.

Abstract: Manufacturing of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by executing various shoe-manufacturing processes in an automated manner. For example, shoe parts may be retrieved and temporarily assembled according to preset relative positions to form part stacks. The part stacks may be retrieved with the relative positioning of the shoe parts being maintained and placed at a stitching machine for more permanent attachment via stitching of the parts to form a shoe assembly. Movement during stitching of a conveyance mechanism that transfers the part stack from the stacking surface to the stitching machine and movement of a needle associated with the stitching machine may be controlled by a shared control mechanism such that the movements are synchronized with respect to one another. Vision systems may be leveraged to achieve movement and position information between and at machines and locations.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning materials in order to construct an article is provided. The apparatus may include an array of moveable pins and a solid plate having an array of holes, where the array of holes is aligned with the array of pins. Each pin may be extended and/or retracted by a programmable actuator array. When a pin is extended, at least a portion of the pin may extend through the hole with which it is aligned, such that at least a portion of the pin extends beyond the solid plate. A fraction of the total number of pins in the array of pins may be extended by the programmable actuator array. The particular pins that are to be extended may be based on a pattern for an article. A material that is to be used in constructing the article may be aligned using the extended pins.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning materials in order to construct an article is provided. The apparatus may include an array of moveable pins and a solid plate having an array of holes, where the array of holes is aligned with the array of pins. Each pin may be extended and/or retracted by a programmable actuator array. When a pin is extended, at least a portion of the pin may extend through the hole with which it is aligned, such that at least a portion of the pin extends beyond the solid plate. A fraction of the total number of pins in the array of pins may be extended by the programmable actuator array. The particular pins that are to be extended may be based on a pattern for an article. A material that is to be used in constructing the article may be aligned using the extended pins.

Abstract: A transport structure, such as a pallet or dolly, having a plurality of retractable stops with frictional elements is provided. The frictional elements are exposed when the retractable stop is in a retracted position.

Abstract: A clamping device includes two end plates, disc springs, a grid of pistons, and tension rods. Each of the two end plates defines a plate area located within a perimeter thereof. The clamping device has piles of disc springs arranged as a grid of springs threaded on respective ones of the grid of pistons. The piles of disc springs is distributed and supported over the plate area on one of the two end plates. The grid of springs is positioned inwardly from the tension rods. The grid of springs is positioned to distribute clamping forces on one or more flow module plates, on one or more reactor plates, on one or more heat exchanger plates or on combinations of one or more flow module plates, one or more reactor plates, or on one or more heat exchanger plates, which plates are placed between the two end plates.

Abstract: Mechanism for controlling pressure during the adhesive thermal compression bonding provides benefits of higher production yield, improved adhesive bonding performance and quality. Springs and pneumatic pistons are utilized to provide improved pressure control during the adhesive thermal compression bonding process. All production parts have certain geometric tolerances and automatically accommodating these tolerances increases production yield by reducing waste of incompletely adhesive bonded parts. The gaps caused by the parts tolerance are closed in a controlled manner using the mechanism and the pressure is controlled for effective adhesive bonding.

Abstract: A clamping device includes two springs, a first barrel, and a second barrel. Each of the two springs includes a first end and a second end. The first barrel is attached to the first ends of the springs, and includes a number of first clamping portions, a number of first slots, and a first receiving space. The first clamping portions and the first slots are alternately arranged around the first receiving space. The second barrel is attached to the second ends of the springs and received in the first receiving space. The second barrel includes a number of second clamping portions, a number of second slots, and a second receiving space. The second clamping portions and the second slots are alternately arranged around the second receiving space. The second barrel is rotatable relative to the first barrel in the first receiving space between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A hydraulic tool for assembling and disassembling components, such as gears, bearings, etc. of a shaft, is capable of performing an external-pulling or an internal-pulling operation as desired for an object to be assembled or disassembled. The hydraulic tool includes an oil pressure assembly having a hand-operated pump, an oil storage member, a control valve, an oil pressure tank, a set of external pulling type clamping jaws, internal pulling type clamping jaws, and a bolt for assembling purpose. The hydraulic tool has high mobility and portability, is capable of performing assembling or disassembling operations at any angle and position, and is considerably enhanced in applicability.

Abstract: A method for testing the integrity of a weld on a pipe includes the application of an axial stress on the weld during the integrity test. An assembly for performing the method is also provided, wherein a pair of circumferential supports are provided on the pipe, on opposite sides of the weld, and between which extend axial force applying devices. In one aspect, the invention is used to test a weld securing a flange to a pipe. The invention also provides novel circumferential clamps for securing to the exterior of pipes.

Abstract: The invention concerns a clamping device for securing a draw-in nipple (12) to a clamping plate, having a receptacle (11) into which the draw-in nipple (12) is insertable, and having a clamping mechanism in order to immobilize the draw-in nipple (12) in the receptacle (11), and is characterized in that at least one air delivery conduit (23), connectable to a compressed air source, opens into the receptacle (11).

Abstract: The clamping device has two jaws between which a workpiece to be machined is immobilized on the table of a machine tool. Each jaw is supported by a carriage, and the carriages are coupled so as to move in a mirror symmetric fashion with respect to a plane orthogonal to the path of the carriages and at rest relative to the device. This avoids adding up tolerances of the shape of the workpiece with tolerance in the position of the clamping device relative to the machining tools.

Abstract: Apparatus for clamping and orienting work relative to a tool, for processing, comprising, in combination two laterally extending longitudinally separated support bars, and connector means connected to and extending between the bars for positioning them in fixed separated condition, there being work receiving space between the bars; bar leveling means extending downwardly from the bars for supporting the bars on a support bed, the means being adjustable to adjust the leveling of the bars; and work clamping pistons carried by the bars for hydraulically actuated movement toward the work receiving space for engaging and clamping the work to hold the work in fixed position relative to the bed.

Abstract: A clamping device for fixing a die on the setting surface of a lateral injection molding machine comprises a clamp main body, plural clamping hydraulic cylinders installed in the output portion at the front end portion of the clamp main body, and a guide mechanism for guiding the clamp main body movably only in the longitudinal direction without separate from the setting surface, in which the clamp main body can be freely changed over in position with respect to the setting surface in the released state, so that it may not be dislocated from the setting surface. The lower base portion of the clamp main body can be divided as a base member to be fixed on the setting surface.

Abstract: A clamping device for fixing a die on the setting surface of a lateral injection molding machine comprises a clamp main body, plural clamping hydraulic cylinders installed in the output portion at the front end portion of the clamp main body, and a guide mechanism for guiding the clamp main body movably only in the longitudinal direction without separate from the setting surface, in which the clamp main body can be freely changed over in position with respect to the setting surface in the released state, so that it may not be dislocated from the setting surface. The lower base portion of the clamp main body can be divided as a base member to be fixed on the setting surface.

Abstract: A workpiece location and support means as described which is free from any tendency to locate the workpiece in a predetermined position. The workpiece is supported and located by a series of hydraulic actuators which in one condition permit the workpiece to move freely but in another hydraulic condition lock the workpiece in one place and do not permit motion thereof. The present invention has particular application as a workpiece support in inertia bonding machines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shearing machine in which the upper shearing blade can be easily adjusted and positioned. The upper blade is held on a pivotal plate member which is pivotally held on a ram by means of a hinge means to be rotated to adjust of the position of the upper blades. In addition, a hold down member is provided for holding a work-sheet. The hold down member is arranged to be urged by a toggle joint to hold the work-sheet at a reduced speed with an increased force after coming into contact with the work-sheet. A scrap removal member is also included in the shearing machine such that scraps can be easily removed without mingling them with the finished sheets. The scrap removal member removes scrap without idle time between feeding the work-sheets to be sheared. The shearing machine is so arranged that scraps are taken away directly to a scrap box as soon as the work-sheet has been completely sheared into its finished product.

Abstract: A machining system includes at least one machine tool (10) having at least one powered spindle (12) and a plurality of tools (14A-14F) stored in a magazine (40) for automatic retrieval and return by the spindle (12). A portable fixture assembly (16A, 16B, 16C) is employed in conjunction with the machine tool (10) and the tool magazine (40) for holding a workpiece (WP) during machining by the machine tool (10). The fixture assembly (16A, 16B, 16C) includes a plurality of clamping cylinders (70, 72, 80) and a plurality of clamping assemblies (84, 86) which are actuated either by the rotational torque supplied by spindle (12) or by the coolant fluid obtained from the spindle (12).

Abstract: Conductive heat transfer between a thin deformable workpiece and heat sink is optimized by imposing a load over the workpiece resulting in a uniform contact pressure distribution in said workpiece which is also the maximum stress consistent with the elastic properties of the workpiece. The surface of the heat sink is given a contour determined by these criteria for a thin circular disk clamped thereto.

Abstract: Conductive heat transfer between a thin deformable workpiece and heat sink is optimized by imposing a load over the workpiece resulting in a uniform contact pressure distribution in said workpiece which is also the maximum stress consistent with the elastic properties of the workpiece. The surface of the heat sink is given a contour determined by these criteria for a thin circular disk clamped thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for effecting gas-assisted, solid-to-solid thermal transfer with a semiconductor wafer. A semiconductor wafer is loaded at its periphery onto a shaped platen. Sufficient contact pressure from the loading is produced between the wafer and the platen so that significant gas pressure may be accommodated against the back side of the wafer without having the wafer bow outwardly or break. Gas under pressure is introduced into the microscopic void region between the platen and the wafer. The gas fills the microscopic voids between the platen and semiconductor wafer. The gas pressure approaches that of the preloading contact pressure without any appreciable increase in the wafer-to-platen spacing. Since the gas pressure is significantly increased without any increase in the wafer-to-platen gap, the thermal resistance is reduced and solid-to-solid thermal transfer with gas assistance produces optimum results.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for effecting gas-assisted, solid-to-solid thermal transfer with a semiconductor wafer. A semiconductor wafer is loaded at its periphery onto a shaped platen. Sufficient contact pressure from the loading is produced between the wafer and the platen so that significant gas pressure may be accommodated against the back side of the wafer without having the wafer bow outwardly or break. Gas under pressure is introduced into the microscopic void region between the platen and the wafer. The gas fills the microscopic voids between the platen and semiconductor wafer. The gas pressure approaches that of the preloading contact pressure without any appreciable increase in the wafer-to-platen spacing. Since the gas pressure is significantly increased without any increase in the wafer-to-platen gap, the thermal resistance is reduced and solid-to-solid thermal transfer with gas assistance produces optimum results.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for handling signature bundles. The apparatus is specifically designed to handle at least two signature bundles at once, including ones of different lengths. The apparatus includes a generally C-shaped frame with legs and a connecting frame member. One of the legs has a fluid-operated cylinder mounted thereon with a piston rod extending toward the other leg. A pivotable bar has an intermediate portion connected to an outer end of the piston rod and two clamping pads are pivotally connected to outer end portions of said pivotable bar. This arrangement enables the clamping pads to simultaneously clamp two signature bundles of different lengths between themselves and the other leg when the piston rod is moved toward the other leg. The apparatus is carried by a hoist bar having a hoist loop connected to a hoist by means of which the bundles can be raised and lowered as well as being moved about.

Abstract: A work holder for locating a workpiece of arbitrary or irregular shape during treatment comprises a flat horizontal table in which is mounted a two-dimensional array of vertically disposed spaced-apart rods which protrude upwards through the surface and can be moved upwards individually, either manually or by springs or by fluidpressure means such as rams, then clamped in position so that their tips form a cradle conforming to the shape of the workpiece, in which the workpiece rests.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for strapping ingot moulds by forcing roughly pre-formed strap sections into pressure contact around the mark of the mould which is to be strapped, and welding the joints between the sections to form a complete strap. The apparatus includes the frame, with two generally C-shaped portions hinged together to form a bar which can be closed around a mould, the frame carrying hydraulic rams at spaced intervals for pressing the strap sections against the mould.

Abstract: For holding while machining the end enlargement or enlargements of an elongated otherwise thin deformable workpiece, such as a jet engine blade, the lower block of a two-part hinged fixture has mechanically-adjustable stops which predetermine the location of the front edge and front end of the thin portion of the workpiece and has three upwardly-inclined support pins upon which the lower surface of the thin portion rests. An upper block hinged to the lower block contains three downwardly-inclined correspondingly located clamping pins which bear upon the upper surface of the thin portion immediately above the lower support pins. Each block contains horizontally-movable forward and rearward hold-fast pins for the workpiece end enlargements.

Abstract: A hold down device is disclosed suitable for an edge planing machine for working sheet metal. The hold down device has a plurality of hold down elements arranged in the direction of movement of the sheet metal and in a laterally overlapping relation. A plurality of piston cylinder units are provided and a single hydraulic cylinder is associated with and connected to each element for pressing it down against the sheet metal to be worked. The lateral surfaces of the elements facing the plate edge are in alignment with each other. The piston rod of the hydraulic drives are connected to the middle of each element for swivel action. The individual elements may either have an essentially rhomboidal or Z-shaped plan view. A further improvement adds spring forces and guidance to the hold down action.

Abstract: Presented is a precision power saw assembly which includes a saw table manufactured to exceedingly close tolerances and on which a circular saw blade and its driving apparatus is suspended. The saw blade is mounted for horizontal translation from one end of the saw table to the other together with its driving motor. A stop plate adjustable to close tolerances is mounted on the top of the saw table and provides an abutment against which the edge of a workpiece may abut. Additionally, a multiplicity of fluid operated clamps are provided to clamp the workpiece in proper position and retain it in such position during the entire cutting operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for clamping a length of a brittle material in preparation for severing thereof into shorter lengths without chipping thereof towards the end of such severing. A pair of bifurcated clamps or clamping members are correspondingly actuated toward each other by a pressurized fluid cylinder and associated piston rod, such cylinder being attached to a clamp support member to which one of the clamps is attached and the otherwise free end of the piston rod being attached to a second clamp support member to which the other of the clamps is attached. A pair of coil springs supports the clamp suppprt members in a vertically floating manner, such clamp support members slidably surrounding guide shafts for vertical alignment of the support members and the attached clamps.

Abstract: A pallet for providing total and positive support for an object which is being subjected to a force capable of distorting or destroying it if unsupported, the support pallet automatically conforming to the contour of the object. The pallet comprises a plurality of elongate pistons; means for supporting the pistons in parallel, spaced-apart relationship for independent axial movement relative to the support means; and means for applying an equal force to each piston to urge all of the pistons in the same direction, into contact with the object.