Abstract: A fully automatic cutting metal-working machine, which includes a material feed unit, a cutting metal-working main unit controlled to process metal rod material delivered from the material feed unit into finished products, and a waste material conveyer controlled to collect and carry waste material out of the cutting metal-working main unit, wherein the cutting metal-working main unit includes a machine base, a casing mounted on the machine base, a material cut-off shaft assembly controlled to cut metal rod material from the material feed unit into individual workpieces, a plurality of processing shaft assemblies mounted around the casing, a rotary center fixture holder mounted within the casing at the center and controlled to carry workpiece to each of the processing shaft assemblies in proper order to receive a respective processing procedure, and a steering shaft assembly controlled to reverse the position of workpiece at each fixture.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a conveying means having a rotator and a chuck positioned on a rim of this rotator, wherein said chuck clasps a tip core, formed with electrodes at both ends, in a direction parallel to the line along which the electrodes lie, and the conveying means moves the tip core within a fixed plane of rotation; and a winding means, provided neighboring the periphery of the conveying means, for supplying the tip core to the chuck, making a tip coil by winding wire around the tip core, connecting both ends of the wire to the electrodes, cutting wire wound around the tip core from an external wire source, and removing the tip coil from the chuck, wherein the chuck is formed in such a way that the line along which said electrodes lie is at a fixed angle with regard to the radial axis which is orthogonal to the direction of movement of the tip core within the plane of rotation.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for processing a plurality of small work-pieces which each weighs under five pounds using a robot gripping a rotatable pallet for holding an array of small parts. The robot has a removable tooling plate mounted on its head for mounting an array of processing tools operating on the rotatable pallet such as pick-and-place tools, work-piece ejection tools, vertical and horizontal video cameras, reflective photocell sensors, and laser distance ranging sensors. The tools operate under control of the robot and in conjunction with rotation and elevation of the rotatable pallet with respect to the tool array. The tools are mounted by an interchangeable, standard bracket to permit quick installation or removal of the tool mounting plate and addition or placement of individual devices and sensors appropriate to particular robotic tasks.

Abstract: A disc-shaped material is prepared by punching a high carbon steel plate or soft steel plate, and the disc-shaped material is fixed in position. An outer peripheral portion of the disc-shaped material is heated to a temperature of 400.degree.-500.degree. C. by means of a high frequency heater. The outer peripheral portion of the disc-shaped material is swaged to form a thickened portion by a swaging die and the thickened portion is then spun to plastically form a toothed gear to the outer peripheral portion of the disc-shaped material in two steps of coarse working and finish working by spinning dies. The thus formed toothed gear is further heated as occasion demands to a temperature of about 900.degree. C. for quenching.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing and assembling a plurality of small parts weighing under five pounds using a robot employing a rotatable pallet for holding an array of small parts. Said rotatable pallet being held in place on the robot wrist head, which moves the pallet through a plurality of stationary work-stations located within the operating envelope of the robot, and rotates the pallet at each work-station to index the pallet and to present it to the work-station for an operation on a specific part or parts. Said robot participates in the work-station tasks by moving the rotatable pallet in the X, Y, and Z directions as needed. Movable data pins are used to indicate conditions of individual parts in nests, and of the pallet taken as a whole.

Abstract: A pneumatic marking tool (35,123) is attached to one of the punch mounting holes (9) of the upper turret disk (3) of a punch press. When the punching striker (13) is moved down to its lower dead point, compressed air is supplied from a compressed air supply unit (103) to the marking tool to move the marking stylus (49, 129) up and down repeatedly at a high speed. At the same time, the work (W) is moved in a two-dimensional way by the Y- and X-axis work driving mechanisms (27, 29) of the punch press, in synchronism with the repetitive marking stylus motion, to engrave characters and/or symbols as a form of gathered dots all under control of the numerical control unit (33). Therefore, it is possible to mark or engrave any required characters and/or symbols without occupying a number of punch mounting stations of the upper turret disk and without the use of any punch press of high punching frequency, thus eliminating the laborious setting work required whenever the plate thickness of the work changes.

Abstract: An automated continuous manufacturing system which includes a rotatable work table having a plurality of work piece supports for maintaining work pieces during operation of said system, and a plurality of work stations for performing cleaning, pretreatment, treatment or assembly tasks on work pieces secured to said work piece supports. Each of the tasks performed at the work table is performed at a respective work station. Certain of the work stations comprise a removable station subassembly for performing a specific task. The removable station subassemblies are removably engagable with the rotatable work table and may be replaced with an alternate removable station subassembly for performing a desired alternate task. One of the work stations is an assembly station engaged with the rotatable work table for receiving work pieces from their individual work piece supports. The assembly station further includes a removing subassembly for removing the work pieces from the work piece supports for further assembly.

Abstract: The invention describes a machine tool with a turntable, which has an upper part with a mounting plate which is arranged so as to pivot with respect to a stationary lower part, and is connected to at least one line to deliver fluids or electrical or mechanical energy to the upper part. The lines are brought in from below through the lower part and can be connected by means of coupling means to the upper part, from where they are connected with connection modules that are arranged on the mounting plate. Serration gear is preferably provided to position the upper part on the lower part, so that each pivoting operation is preceded by a lifting operation and ends with a lowering operation. Preferably, lifting and lowering simultaneously open and close, respectively, the coupling modules.

Abstract: A machine for machining sheet metal and presenting:a multiple-tool assembly fitted with a number of tools arranged in a ring about a vertical axis;a multiple-die assembly fitted with a number of dies arranged in a ring about a vertical axis;a work station presenting a hammer movable along a vertical axis; anda carriage for moving the sheet.The main characteristic of the present invention is that the work station presents a strikerfor transmitting to the work tool the pressure exerted by the hammer; and a device for rotating the work tool about is longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A tombstone style machine tool fixture for machining valve castings having hexagonal flanges on each end and a bonnet intermediate the ends of the castings, the fixture including a column having a number of work stations mounted on the column, each work station including a main support plate, a number of hydraulic cylinder assemblies mounted on said support plate, a clamp plate supported by said hydraulic cylinder assembly for movement between open and closed positions with respect to the main support plate, a locating plate removably mounted on said clamp plate and having a hexagonal notched block mounted on each end of the locating plate for engaging the flanges on the casting and an alignment block mounted on said locating plate intermediate said notched blocks to align the casting in the notched block and a clamp bar mounted on said column for seating the flanges in said notched blocks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for substantially automatically joining front and back parts of buttons employs a turntable with retaining means that are rotated through a series of stations at which the parts are placed in the retaining means in a desired orientation, joined, and checked for defects. A human operator places button front parts at a first station, and the remaining stations carry out the assembly and quality control steps automatically. Placement at the first station determines the alignment and orientation of the two buttons.

Abstract: An air powered milling tool supported in the upper turret of a turret punch press is cycled simultaneously with a hydraulically- or mechanically-powered punch press ram in a multiple-stage cycle to perform a milling operation on a sheet material workpiece retained between the upper and lower turrets of the punch press. The air-powered tool, which includes a punch head in coaxial alignment with a guide sleeve, drives an end mill which is contained within and is coaxially extendible through the guide sleeve toward the workpiece to perform a machining operation thereon. Hold-down bearings disposed at the end of the guide sleeve engage with the workpiece at a local region thereof. A spring-biased lifter disposed in the upper turret is engagable with the guide sleeve. In operation, the punch press striker impacts the punch head of the milling tool, urging the milling tool and air motor in the direction of the sheet material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically attaching a substantially U-shaped support stand to a fusee includes an annular indexable turntable provided with holders for receiving support stands at one workstation, and fusees in assembled relationship with the support stands at another workstation. The support stands are deformed from substantially straight shapes to substantially U-shapes as they are loaded into the holders on the turntable. The free ends of the support stand are subsequently inwardly curled prior to assembly with the fusees. The fusees are fed from a supply hopper, cleaned, and successively inserted into a holder on the turntable in assembled relationship with successively presented support stands. Subsequently, the turntable is indexed to additional workstations where predetermined lengths of polyfilament tape are successively applied to end portions of the fusees, and subsequently wrapped about the fusees and associated end portions of the support stand to securely join one to the other.

Abstract: A metal-working machine (10) comprises a first machining unit including a machining head (12) and means (11) in the form of a clamp for bringing, holding and axially displacing the material to be machine. The machining head (12) carries tools (13 and 14) which rotate and move relative to two axes X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 perpendicular to the axis (15) of the material. The machine also comprises a main turret (16) equipped with machining stations (17) and stations for receiving (18) the parts. In a first option, it comprises a second machining unit (2) carrying machining stations (23). In a second option, it comprises a third machining unit (24) carrying a machining station (26) equipped with a possibly rotating tool (25). In a third option, the machine is completed by an auxiliary turret (20) carrying a machining station (21).

Abstract: A method for and a device to insert filters into disposable pipette tips uses a turntable adapted to receive a plurality of tips adjacent its circumference and powered by a stepping motor to incrementally rotate pipette tips to various positions for appropriate actions. After a tip is placed in the turntable, it is moved successively to a position where a filter of predetermined size may be inserted into the tip. The filter is then tamped into the desired final position at still another position. After checking for the presence of a filter, the pipette is removed from the turntable.

Abstract: A disc support 23 is provided under a lower turret 21 to support the lower turret 21 against the impact thereto. The disc support 23 includes a movable block comprising a through-hole 77 through which scraps are discharged and a press cylinder 79 to push up a lower tool 19 for forming. In a punching operation, the through-hole 77 is arranged in the working area and scraps are discharged from the through hole 77. In a forming operation, the press cylinder 79 is arranged in the working area and pushes up the lower tool 19 to project above a pass line for a workpiece. Since the lower tool 19 is positioned below the pass line, the workpiece W cannot be damaged. Further, the workpiece W is not obstructed by the lower tool 19 when the workpiece W is positioned in the working area and the turrets are rotated, thus forming is properly performed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a complex machine tool wherein the punching center is coincides with the cutting work position so that the range of movement of a workpiece is not subjected to any restriction even during the workpiece cutting work in the same manner as in the workpiece punching work. The composite machine tool comprises a plasma torch (16) mounted on the machine tool body near the working position and arranged to be movable freely such that it can be withdrawn from the working position when a workpiece (5) is subjected to die-punching work, and proceeded to the working position when the workpiece is subjected to cutting work. Futher, the machine tool comprises protecting means (18, 19) for protecting the lower turret (3) and other members mounted adjacent thereto from the dross and heat developed by plasma arc during the workpiece cutting work by the plasma torch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for cutting a disk of material from a continuously advancing strip of material, forming the disk into a cup, and inserting the cup into the end of a tube. The apparatus comprises a first rotating member having a plurality of workstations positioned around its periphery, a second rotating member into which tubes without cups are loaded and from which tubes containing cups are unloaded, and a set of stationary cams which control the operation of the workstations. The strip of material passes around a section of the periphery of the first member, advances at the same rate as the circumferential velocity of the first member, and comes into relative stationary contact with a number of the workstations. The rotation of the first member relative to the stationary cams provides motion to a cutting mandrel, a forming mandrel, a cutting and forming die, and an insertion mandrel associated with each workstation to perform the tasks of cutting, forming, and inserting.

Abstract: A self contained exchangeable turret assembly includes a turret module having a first turret wheel with a plurality of openings disposed around an outlet circumferential surface thereof for positioning a first work piece and a second turret wheel having a plurality of openings disposed around an outer circumferential surface thereof for positioning a second work piece in a predetermined position relative to a first work piece. A turret drive shaft and a plurality of tool stations are operatively mounted on said turret module. The first and second turret wheels are concentrically position on the turret drive shaft in a predetermined relationship to permit selective alignment of the plurality of openings disposed around the outer circumferential surfaces of the first and second turret wheels. A support structure includes a drive member operatively mounted relative to the support housing for imparting rotation to the turret drive shaft and the first and second turret wheels.

Abstract: A machine tool turret, usable in a machine tool having a rotatable workpiece spindle, that includes first and second tool spindles journaled on the turret. The turret is mounted for compound movement in an x-c plane defined by an x axis perpendicular to the c axis of the work spindle. Each tool spindle may be locked against rotation or, alternatively, it may be rotated. In either case, the operative position of each tool spindle may be used in the machining of a workpiece which also may be rotating or non-rotating. The turret axis is perpendicular to the x-c plane so that as the turret is rotated the tool spindles remain in this x-c plane for a plurality of operative positions for machining. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Abstract: The invention refers to an apparatus which allows the application of a round gasket or liner inside closures. The apparatus consists of a plastic material batching carousel carrying, on a horizontal plate a plurality of shuttles or molds peripherically distributed and whose top surface is provided with a recess or hollow. On the carousel are elements which take and leave batches of plastic material supplied by an extruder inside the recesses. A first star wheel at the bottom of the carousel is provided to transfer the shuttles having the batches therein towards a forming carousel where the batches of plastic material are pressed to form round gaskets. A second star is provided to transfer the shuttles with the molded gaskets toward a further carousel where gaskets are inserted into cups or closures.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a workpiece in plurality of manufacturing steps with small time losses between successive manufacturing steps, which utilizes a small number of manufacturing machines, according to which the manufacturing machines and the transferring machines are controlled such that while one manufacturing step is being applied by one manufacturing machine and then the workpiece is being transferred by the transferring machine from that one manufacturing machine to another manufacturing machine for applying a next manufacturing step to the workpiece, the another manufacturing machine is prepare for the next manufacturing step by placing an appropriate one of the manufacturing press dies under the ram of the press machine of the another manufacturing machine by intermittently moving the plurality of manufacturing press dies.

Abstract: The invention refers to an apparatus which allows the application of a round gasket or liner inside closures. The apparatus consists of a plastic material batching carousel carrying, on a horizontal plate a plurality of shuttles or molds peripherically distributed and whose top surface is provided with a recess or hollow. On the carousel are elements which take and leave batches of plastic material supplied by an extruder inside the recesses. A first star wheel at the bottom of the carousel is provided to transfer the shuttles having the batches therein towards a forming carousel where the batches of plastic material are pressed to form round gaskets. A second star is provided to transfer the shuttles with the molded gaskets toward a further carousel where gaskets are inserted into cups or closures.

Abstract: A flexible machining system includes a four axis double end slant bed unit which can be operated as a single or double spindle chucker, a precision boring machine, a way-type machine, a lathe or an automatic bar feeder. By providing the unit with a fifth axis, it may also function as a jig milling machine.

Abstract: A turret assembly is movable in X and Y and a turret of the assembly is rotatable to position a selected one of a plurality of spindles at a transfer station of the turret. The selected spindle is telescopic to pick a component from a supply point and to place the component at a placement point on a circuit board or the like. An assembly for squaring, centering, orienting, and/or testing a component being held by another spindle of the turret is actuated generally concurrently with extending of the selected spindle. Alternatively, the spindle at the transfer station may be retained in the retracted position during actuation of the squaring assembly. Much time is saved by loading components on the plurality of the spindles of the turret at one or more supply stations and then placing all of these components without the need for transferring back and forth between the supply and P.C. board.

Abstract: A parts mounting apparatus includes a rotary-index table having vacuum suction devices on a periphery thereof. A removable suction piece is attached to each of the vacuum suction devices so as to perform picking and placing operations of parts. A suction piece stocker is disposed across a detaching station and an attaching station. A detaching device is arranged at the detaching station, wherein the suction piece is come to be detached from the vacuum suction device and held by a stocker when the vacuum suction device is lowered and then raised. When the vacuum suction device which has lost the suction piece is lowered at the attaching station, a suction piece is attached to the vacuum suction device. When the vacuum suction device is raised in that state, the suction piece is pulled out from the stocker. Thus, exchanging of suction piece can be performed.

Abstract: A T-fitting is formed from two precut lengths of tubing of the same, relatively small, inner and outer diameter. One length of tubing is formed with a reduced diameter neck section at one end whose outer diameter is approximately equal to its normal undeformed inner diameter. The second length of tubing is placed in a clamp which is advanced to successive work stations where a sidewall is punched and then drilled through to form a radial hole in one side of a diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the tubing. At a subsequent work station, the neck section of the first length of tubing is driven into a force fit into the drilled hole in second length of tubing. The assembled tubing is then removed from the clamp, brazed into a permanent T-tube assembly. The portion of the neck section which projects into the passage of the second length of tubing is then trimmed off by a drilling or reaming operation.

Abstract: A flexible machining system includes a four axis double end slant bed unit which can be operated as a single or double spindle chucker, a precision boring machine, a way-type machine, a lathe or an automatic bar feeder. By providing the unit with a fifth axis, it may also function as a jig milling machine.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for fabricating cable harness assemblies of the type wherein a plurality of mating pairs of electrical connector parts are terminated to a continous flat cable segment. Termination includes compressing a predetermined cable portion between a pair of connector parts, one of which has a plurality of insulation displacing terminals positioned therein. The connector parts are transported between loading stations and a termination station, by connector holders mounted on a pair of opposed rotatable indexing turrets. At least one of the connector holders is advanced inwardly toward the termination station, so as to bring the two connector parts together in compression, after a cable segment is located therebetween.Thereafter, the cable is advanced to bring another predetermined portion to the termination station, while the turrets are indexed to present a second pair of opposed mating parts to the termination station.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing rigid computer memory disc substrates is disclosed wherein the apparatus comprises a circular base plate, the base plate being mounted horizontally for rotation about a vertical axis; a plurality of spindles rotatably mounted on motors mounted on the base plate, the spindles extending radially outwardly from the base plate, in equally spaced relationship therearound, the outwardly extending end of each spindle including a fastening means for mounting a rigid disc to be processed thereon; a plurality of work stations spaced around the circular base plate for performing work operations on the discs; and a motor for rotating the base plate so as to convey each of the discs consecutively to each of the work stations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for trimming molded hollow plastic articles having flash and a finish for a closure. Articles are moved in succession through the load, deflashing, facing, inspection, rejection and unload stations of a trimming apparatus by vacuum heads. The articles are picked up by vacuum heads and transferred through the stations by intermittent rotation of a turret carrying the vacuum heads. To ensure proper location, each article is picked up in the load station by a vacuum head and continuously engaged by this vacuum head throughout the deflashing, facing and inspection stations and into the unloading station unless rejected and released in the rejection station.To facilitate loading, unloading and operations in the work stations on the articles, their orientation can be changed from one station to another. To enable variation of the cycle time of the apparatus, the turret and the operating mechanism in the various stations is driven by a common variable speed drive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring workpieces to successive work devices. The apparatus comprises concentric turntables mounted for rotation about a common central axis. A series of work devices are mounted on the inner turntable and a series of workpiece holder devices are mounted on the outer turntable. The turntables are rotated in the same direction and in synchronism while the various work devices respectively perform work operations on the various workpieces held in the various workpiece holder devices, whereafter the inner turntable is accelerated and the outer turntable is decelerated until the various workpieces reach a position midway between successive work devices, whereafter the inner turntable is decelerated and the outer turntable is accelerated until the workpieces arrive at positions of alignment with the next successive work devices.

Abstract: A torsion spring having a coiled portion and straight ends is formed on a spindle by a winding machine with the coiled portion being wound around the spindle. A transfer device for transferring the torsion spring to a spring feeding position in which the torsion spring is fed to a spring inserting device receives the torsion spring directly from the spindle and transfers it to the spring feeding position keeping the torsion spring in a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming brush contacts from spools of wire and holders for angular ended wire segments cut from said wires, has a wire feeding means for feeding spools thereof independently of each other, a cutting device for cutting segments from the wires and feeding the segments to a common collection point where the segments are loaded into the holders provided, and a crimping device for crimping the holder to retain the wires therein without causing flaring of the exposed ends. A checking station is provided to determine whether each brush contact contains the requisite number of wire segments and ejection means to eject defective contacts. The completed contacts are collected in such a manner as to prevent damage thereto.

Abstract: An assembly machine which has a plurality of work stations for performing operations on articles is disclosed. The machines includes means for conveying articles between work stations, a tool plate adapted to support tooling to perform operations at a plurality of work stations, and means for reciprocating the tool plate in synchronism with the movement of the conveying means wherein the reciprocating means are mechanically independent from the conveying means.

Abstract: A machine for preparing and introducing closure sliders inside annular hollow members for producing spring safety catches for necklaces and the like, consisting of two operative unitsets, each comprising a table rotatably mounted about a vertical axis and actuated by means for rotating the table intermittently through angles of 90.degree. and carrying four radially reciprocating pliers units spaced apart from each other of 90.degree.

Abstract: Tire building apparatus for building complete uncured tires includes a triad of orthogonally oriented tire building drums mounted on a turret rotatable about an axis inclined at an angle of between 35 and 36 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane. Each of the drums occupies successively two tire fabricating stations wherein the respective drums are oriented horizontally and a third station wherein the building drums successively occupying such third station are oriented vertically and from which completed tires fabricated in the apparatus can be removed vertically and at an elevation above the two fabricating stations so as to eliminate completely interference between the movements of tire building material coming to the machine and of the completed tires removed from the machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to securing hanging-loops to cathode starting sheets and an assembly machine is disclosed which comprises a turntable having five circumferentially spaced, flat, tables the surface of each of which is substantially vertical, indexing means for indexing the turntable about the vertical axis through a sheet loading station, a loop strip loading station, a loop-rivetting station and an assembled-sheet-removal station, a sheet loading mechanism at the loading station, a loop strip loading mechanism the loop-strip loading station, a loop strip bending mechanism and a loop-rivetting mechanism at the loop-rivetting station, and a finished-sheet-removal mechanism at the assembled-sheet-removal station.

Abstract: A turret assembly is movable in X and Y and a turret of the assembly is rotatable to position a selected one of a plurality of spindles at a transfer station of the turret. The selected spindle is telescopic to pick a component from a supply point and to place the component at a placement point on a circuit board or the like. An assembly for squaring, centering, orienting, and/or testing a component being held by another spindle of the turret is actuated generally concurrently with extending of the selected spindle. Alternatively, the spindle at the transfer station may be retained in the retracted position during actuation of the squaring assembly. Much time is saved by loading components on the plurality of the spindles of the turret at one or more supply stations and then placing all of these components without the need for transferring back and forth between the supply and P.C. board.