And Means To Machine Product Patents (Class 29/564.7)
  • Patent number: 10637335
    Abstract: The invention relates mainly to a method for producing a wound stator (1), including: a step of preparing a phase winding; an insertion step which includes inserting the phase winding into a corresponding series of notches (5) in said stator (1); and an intermediate step of forming lead out wires of the winding (26) each extending between two notches (5) of each series of the inserted phase windings, by applying a first radial force (F1) from an axis (X) of the stator (1) toward the outside of the stator (1), wherein the method also comprises a step of positioning a bearing surface facing at least one notch (5) such as to apply a second radial force (F2) resulting from the application of the first force (F1) from the outside toward the axis (X) of the stator (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Valeo Equipment Electriques Moteur
    Inventors: Samuel Gressier, Olivier Luittre, Ngoc-Toan Vo, Guylain Hurtrelle, Olivier Lefrancois, Sébastien Paindavoine
  • Patent number: 10247225
    Abstract: A device for producing a functional shaft and a functional shaft are provided in which a functional element which is provided with a pocket is inserted into a retaining element, a shaft is inserted into the pocket, and a force applied to the functional element while the shaft is being inserted into the pocket is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Neumayer Tekfor Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Echle, Christoph Gremmelspacher, Markus Schuler
  • Patent number: 8973232
    Abstract: An automatic processing machine for header includes a frame (1), a pipe clamp (21), a punch assembly (22) and a translation mechanism (23) which can drive the pipe clamp (21) and the punch assembly (22) to slide. The pipe clamp (21), the punch assembly (22), and the translation mechanism (23) are all positioned on the working table (101) of the frame (1). The translation mechanism (23) includes a first slide seat (231) sliding along X axis. One of the pipe clamp (21) and the punch assembly (22) is positioned on the first slide seat (231) and the other is positioned on the frame (1). A separator transferring device (3) is also positioned on the working table (101) for transferring the separator into the pipe. The separator transferring device (3) and the pipe clamp (21) are separately positioned on either side of the punch assembly (22). The automatic processing machine for header combines a hole punching device with a separator transferring device, thereby improving the processing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Zhongshan Oms Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiaobin Long
  • Patent number: 8904625
    Abstract: A formation and rotation apparatus for use in forming and rotating interconnected sections of a cylindrical workpiece, including a frame and a head arranged within the frame, the head defining two slots and being operatively rotated via an integral drive assembly. A first slide block is slidably disposed within one of the two slots, and a second slide block is disposed within another of the two slots, each of the first and the second slide blocks include a cutting wheel and a beading wheel for successively forming each of the interconnected sections. An armature having an axis of rotation is also provided, along with a gripping mechanism being operatively connected to the armature. A drive mechanism selectively rotates the armature about the axis of rotation after the gripping means has closed about one of the interconnected sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Formtek, Inc.
    Inventor: Leland M. Rieck
  • Patent number: 8479373
    Abstract: An apparatus for the production of caps comprises a first operating turntable device associated with a first operating arrangement and a further operating turntable device associated with a further operating arrangement, between said first operating turntable device and said further operating turntable device a transferring turntable device being interposed such as to transfer said caps between said first operating turntable device and said further operating to turntable device; a device for positioning a tool in relation to an object to be processed comprises a toolholder element suitable for bearing said tool, an adjustable member operationally associatable with said toolholder element and an abutting member suitable for pressing said toolholder element against said adjustable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Sacmi Cooperativa Meccanici Imola Societa' Cooperativa
    Inventor: Ivan Bonzi
  • Patent number: 8468685
    Abstract: A wire forming device for applying a paste material on an insulating substrate to form a wiring pattern. The wire forming device includes a paste material application unit which includes an atomizing unit atomizing the paste material and a nozzle spraying the atomized paste material onto the insulating substrate. The atomizing unit includes: a medium supplying portion which mixes a medium with a carrier gas to form a mixed gas and an atomizing portion. The atomizing portion holds the paste material and brings the mixed gas into contact with the paste material to atomize the paste material, thereby making a mist stream of the mixed gas and the paste material as the atomized paste material fed to the nozzle. The wire forming further includes a mixing ratio adjusting unit adjusting a mixing ratio of the paste material to the mixed gas in the mist stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nihon Micronics
    Inventors: Katsumi Tanaka, Kenichi Shinozaki, Tetsuya Okumura, Makoto Kikuta, Masami Sano, Taro Mogi
  • Publication number: 20120096702
    Abstract: An automated construction system is described. Embodiments of the automated construction system comprise an inner work station having at least one working level, and an outer work station having at least one working level, with industrial robots disposed on the outer or inner work station. The outer work station typically surrounds the inner work station, with a shaft disposed between the two work stations. A lift or hoist is provided for raising and lowering a work piece in the shaft. Embodiments of the present invention further comprise a carousel adapted to forming work piece sections from metal plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Alan Kingsley, Larry Bertelsen, Peter Miller, Richard Alan Roen
  • Patent number: 8117732
    Abstract: Systems, including method and apparatus, for processing workpieces driven automatically along a linear path to a plurality of positions disposed substantially along the linear path. In some embodiments, a workpiece may be processed at one or more of the positions using two or more processing stations, such as a first processing station that cuts the workpiece into segments and a second processing station that performs another processing operation on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Precision Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer B. Dick, Stuart Aldrich, David A. Morgan, David Lee
  • Patent number: 7999905
    Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a liquid crystal display is disclosed. The assembly apparatus includes a supply unit that supplies a board and backlight assembly including a backlight unit and a liquid crystal display panel received on the backlight unit at a predetermined assembly location, an assembly unit that in turn draws separated type chassis members from a cartridge, into which the separated type chassis members are loaded, and receives the separated type chassis members at edges of the board and backlight assembly supplied at the predetermined assembly location, and a screw coupling unit that screw-couples the separated type chassis members received at the edges of the board and backlight assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sungmin Kim, Yongjin Kim, Byungsu Chae
  • Patent number: 7987568
    Abstract: An apparatus for the production of caps comprises a first operating turntable device associated with a first operating arrangement and a further operating turntable device associated with a further operating arrangement, between said first operating turntable device and said further operating turntable device a transferring turntable device being interposed such as to transfer said caps between said first operating turntable device and said further operating turntable device; a device for positioning a tool in relation to an object to be processed comprises a toolholder element suitable for bearing said tool, an adjustable member operationally associatable with said toolholder element and an abutting member suitable for pressing said toolholder element against said adjustable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Sacmi Cooperativa Meccanici Imola Societa' Cooperativa
    Inventor: Ivan Bonzi
  • Patent number: 7975362
    Abstract: The invention relates to a processing device for covers (20), wherein processing stations are embodied as individual processing stations (47) provided with, respectively, one tool for one cover. Several of said stations work in parallel for the simultaneous processing of several covers. If need be, stations can also be used wherein several tools form groups which are functionally separate from each other. As a result, the processing precision and production speed of the objects can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Soundronic AG
    Inventors: Peter Gysi, Marcel Oberholzer
  • Patent number: 7950132
    Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated device which can peel a protective film from a board assembly and mount the board assembly on a backlight unit. The integrated peeling and mounting device includes: an index rotary unit having a shaft for rotating heads facing in different directions; an alignment calibration unit for calibrating an aligned state of the board assembly and the backlight unit; and a mounting unit for mounting a board assembly adsorbed to a first head of the index rotary unit on the backlight unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignees: LG Display Co., Ltd., LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sungmin Kim, Yongjin Kim, Byungsu Chae, Youngjin Lee
  • Patent number: 7797805
    Abstract: A formation and rotation apparatus for use in forming and rotating interconnected sections of a cylindrical workpiece, including a frame and a head arranged within the frame, the head defining two slots and being operatively rotated via an integral drive assembly. A first slide block is slidably disposed within one of the two slots, and a second slide block is disposed within another of the two slots, each of the first and the second slide blocks include a cutting wheel and a beading wheel for successively forming each of the interconnected sections. An armature having an axis of rotation is also provided, along with a gripping mechanism being operatively connected to the armature. A drive mechanism selectively rotates the armature about the axis of rotation after the gripping means has closed about one of the interconnected sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Formtek, Inc.
    Inventor: Leland M. Rieck
  • Publication number: 20100058567
    Abstract: A high capacity anode preparation apparatus is provided which allows for the processing of raw anodes at production rates of up to, or exceeding, 600 anodes per hour. The processed anodes are suitable for use in the electrorefining of various metal materials, but in particular, in the electrorefining of copper. The apparatus is preferably part of a system which utilizes high speed industrial robots to supply, and remove, anodes to or from the apparatus, and provides the anodes in a horizontal orientation. The apparatus is equipped with a variety of treatment stations which are adapted to treat the raw anode while it is held in a horizontal orientation. The horizontal orientation allows the center of gravity for the apparatus to be kept close to the center of gravity for the apparatus, and thus allows the apparatus to rotate more rapidly than prior art device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Stephan Frank Matusch
  • Patent number: 7617578
    Abstract: A miter joint assembly system. The system comprises a generally planar assembly plate. A clamping assembly is attached to the assembly plate. At least one drill guide is detachably coupled to the assembly plate at a predetermined orientation. The clamping assembly is configured to releasably secure a first and a second mitered molding to the assembly plate such that the first and second mitered moldings are oriented generally orthogonally to each other. The drill guide is configured to bore a pocket hole and a pilot hole into the first mitered molding, the pocket and pilot holes receiving a fastener to draw and secure the second mitered molding to the first mitered molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Inventor: David Collins
  • Patent number: 7493686
    Abstract: A method of thermally joining plastic eavestrough allows plastic eavestrough systems to be considered in more applications including traditional aluminum eavestrough systems where long lengths of continuous eavestroughs are desired. The method allows end to end joining of plastic eavestrough with a thermal joint therebetween or an angled connection with a thermal joint therebetween. This allows plastic eavestrough systems to be customized on site for improved performance and appearance. Thermally joined plastic eavestrough sections either aligned in an end to end or angled connection are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: GSW Building Products Inc
    Inventor: John Barford
  • Patent number: 7484289
    Abstract: An automated fabrication system is provided that utilizes electromagnetism to manipulate and/or sense the location of raw materials on a platform. Tools located around said platform may be utilized to fabricate a predetermined structure out of the raw materials. Tags that can be electromagnetically manipulated and sensed may be placed on passive raw materials. Structures fabricated from such a system may be, for example, a roof truss. Additionally, the fabrication system may be mobilized by way of a truck such that structures may be built on-site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Truss Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph F. Pinkerton
  • Publication number: 20070271754
    Abstract: A belt lacer uses a power drive carriage for clinching hook or C-shaped belt lacing elements to a belt end. Optionally, the carriage may be driven in a manual mode or a power mode. A detachable power drive such as from an electric drill may be used for the power mode. The power drive of the carriage may be stopped short of an end wall and a return mechanism may return the carriage to the power drive. A moveable belt support in a hand space position allows for working on the lacing elements and may be shifted to a belt supporting position. The belt clamp exerts a forwardly directed force on the belt as it is being clamped. Face plates or combs may be stored on the belt lacer. A latch secures the face plates against lateral sliding during clinching by clinching rollers on the carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventor: James M. Kolodziej
  • Patent number: 7275297
    Abstract: A leader pin attaching device for attaching a leader pin to a pin attachment portion of the leader tape (a device for processing end portion of tape type recording medium) is provided. The device includes a transport suction block for holding a portion of the leader tape by negative pressure with the pin attachment portion of the leader tape being protruded; a clamper mechanical part for engaging the leader pin and a leader pin clip with the pin attachment portion of the leader tape being sandwiched therebetween. The transport suction block holds the leader tape in such manner that the leader tape is allowed to move in machine direction during the engagement of the leader pin and the leader pin clip with the pin attachment portion sandwiched therebetween. With the use of the device, wrinkle formation is prevented when a leader pin is attached to a tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 7143493
    Abstract: A processing line for liquid crystal display fabrication. The process line reduces unnecessary processing steps by removing known defective (NG) individual liquid crystal panels before subsequent processing, with the knowledge about defects depending on stored information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji Heum Uh, Kyung Su Chae
  • Patent number: 6892437
    Abstract: A processing line for liquid crystal display fabrication. The process line reduces unnecessary processing steps by removing known defective (NG) individual liquid crystal panels before subsequent processing, with the knowledge about defects depending on stored information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: LG. Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji Heum Uh, Kyung Su Chae
  • Patent number: 6823579
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a portable platform (10) for use in gasket manufacture, comprising a shaft connected to a motor and can receive at least one mandrel, and a surface to receive at least one molding tool, the mandrel being activated by the motor to turn in relation to the platform (10) and to the tool, and to move gasket-forming elements, such as metallic or non-metallic strips, among others, to be processed by the tool. Moreover, as much the mandrel as with the tool are replaceable respectively between mandrels and tools with different characteristics. Thus, the same platform (10) may produce different types of gaskets, and, consequently, speed up and facilitate the gasket replacement process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Manegro Administracao E Participacoes LTDA.
    Inventor: José Carlos Carvalho Veiga
  • Patent number: 6785949
    Abstract: Device for putting polyethylene cladding on a galvanized steel plate, wherein a galvanized steel plate unroller from unroller is passed through a plate press, an ultrasonic cleaner, a dryer, an intermediate frequency heater, and a roll press in succession, and polyethylene sheets unrolling from one pair of sheet unrollers are welded on opposite sides of the galvanized steel plate, and rolled on a sheet roller, thereby automatically putting polyethylene cladding on the galvanized steel plate, to improve workability and productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Boram Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Han Gon Kim
  • Patent number: 6708384
    Abstract: An apparatus for making notched muntin bars. The apparatus includes an uncoiler or support for a supply of ribbon stock, a notching device, a roll forming machine and a severing device. The ribbon stock has a surface with first and second finishes. The notching device receives ribbon stock from the supply of ribbon stock. The notching device includes a punch that is moveable from a first position to a second position. In the first position the punch is activated to remove sections of material having the first finish. In the second position the punch is activated to remove sections of material having the second finish. The roll forming machine receives the ribbon stock from the notching device to form hollow muntin bar stock that has a first side with the first finish and a second side with the second finish. The formed muntin bar stock has notches in the first side having the first finish and notches in the second side having the second finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Glass Equipment Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Bryan McGlinchy
  • Patent number: 6678938
    Abstract: A system for fabricating muntin bars from sheet material. Sheet material in the form of thin ribbon stock is fed to a first forming station including a punching mechanism that punches the ribbon stock at a precisely predetermined location. The ribbon stock is delivered from the first forming station to a second forming station in the form of a rolling mill. The stock passes through a succession of forming rolls to produce a tube having a desired cross-sectional shape. The tube is delivered from the second forming station to a third forming station including a severing apparatus that severs the tube at a precisely predetermined location to produce a muntin bar. After severing, the muntin bar is engaged by a conveyor and moved to a desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Glass Equipment Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Bryan McGlinchy, Mohamed C. Khalfoun, John Louis Grismer, Michael J. Gardner
  • Patent number: 6665925
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for manufacturing rubber-based spiral wound gaskets,in which a length of an elongate band (22) passes through a bath (34) for applying a coating of a rubber sealing material and then is wound in overlapping relation on a die (100) to make a spiral wound gasket. Wire brushes (70) remove the rubber sealing material from selected portions of the band, to define interior and exterior diameter portions of the wound gaskets. The die (100) defines a slot (102) extending inwardly from a perimeter for receiving a distal end portion of the elongate band (22) so that the gasket does not unwind. A fixing device (120) secures selected portions of the wound elongate band together at the interior and exterior diameters. A cutter (90) severs the elongate band (22) in order to remove the spiral wound gasket from the apparatus (10). A tapper (134) moves strikingly against a perimeter portion of the die to dislodge the spiral wound gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Acadia Elastomers Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Suggs, Kris Kolb, Ken Fulmer
  • Patent number: 6618926
    Abstract: A system for fabricating muntin bars from sheet material. Sheet material in the form of thin ribbon stock is fed to a first forming station including a punching mechanism that punches the ribbon stock at a precisely predetermined location. The ribbon stock is delivered from the first forming station to a second forming station in the form of a rolling mill. The stock passes through a succession of forming rolls to produce a tube having a desired cross-sectional shape. The tube is delivered from the second forming station to a third forming station including a severing apparatus that severs the tube at a precisely predetermined location to produce a muntin bar. After severing, the muntin bar is engaged by a conveyor and moved to a desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Glass Equipment Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Bryan McGlinchy, Mohamed C. Khalfoun, John Louis Grismer, Michael J. Gardner
  • Patent number: 6588093
    Abstract: In a manufacturing method and apparatus for manufacturing sheet metal packets in punch-packeting technology with a round or oval iron cross section. laminations are punched from a ribbon and are provided with depressions at one side and with elevations at the other side that coincide with the depressions and lie opposite them, with the elevations being in the form of at least two circular nipples being pressed into the depressions upon assembly of each packet. In one lamination per packet, serving as a separating lamination, cylindrical holes are punched instead of the depressions, the nipples of the neighboring lamination engaging into these holes. Laminations are thereby punched from the strip that respectively exhibit different outside contours, particularly different widths, and are joined with one another to form a packet that has a cross-section that is at least partially round, by virtue of the sheet metal packet having graduated edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignees: Vacuumschmelze GmbH, FAES Werkzeug-und-Maschinenbau Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kurt Emmerich, Alois Hangg, Herbert Hein, Markus Widrig, Jörg Lüscher
  • Patent number: 6584670
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a workpiece implementation device that fabricates individual workpieces, positions them at their point of use on a component, and connects the workpieces to the components. The device further comprises an accessory assembly capable of shaping the workpieces, coating the workpieces with a solderable material, burnishing the point of use on the component, and testing the connection between the workpieces and the component. The positioning, attaching, and accessory assemblies of the workpiece implementation device are adapted to selectively perform their individual functions without the necessity of first repositioning the component or the implementation device. Accordingly, the present invention increases overall production efficiency by integrating several separate implementation tools and workstations into a single, adaptable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Larry J. Costa
  • Patent number: 6519831
    Abstract: An index-feed processing system that can reduce the machining cost of a product involving a plurality of machining processes is disclosed. The index-feed processing system comprises a plurality of processing units disposed in the longitudinal feeding direction of a workpiece corresponding to a plurality of processing processes so that the processing processes are performed sequentially as the workpiece is indexed. The processing unit body comprises a base plate and a support plate provided at a predetermined distance from the base plate, a slider provided movably between the base plate and the support plate in the direction orthogonally intersecting the base plate and the support plate, and a drive means for driving the slider. The processing units are formed as machining units so that machining operations can be performed by controlling the movement of the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Institute of Technology Precision Electrical Discharge Work's
    Inventors: Shoji Futamura, Takeo Machida, Chikara Murata, Hiromitsu Kaneko
  • Patent number: 6484386
    Abstract: An apparatus adapted to form curved beam sections, such as a brake shoe, includes a rollformer, a cut-off device, and a re-former or sweeping device. The rollformer includes rollers constructed and arranged to rollform the sheet material into an elongated linear beam, where the beam has a T-shaped cross-section. The cut-off device cuts the arcuately-shaped beam into segments that are about 9 to 12 inches long. The sweep device is positioned in line with the rollformer (or off-line as a secondary operation) and is adapted to form the beam into a tightly-radiused longitudinal shape, such as about 100 mm radius, where the support flange and center web form an arcuate crescent shape. In an alternative form, the apparatus also has a re-forming device configured to reshape the segments so that the beam section is very accurately formed. However, it is contemplated that, depending upon the arcuately shaped beam section desired, a re-former may not be required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Shape Corporation
    Inventors: Steve Tuin, Thomas Crowell
  • Publication number: 20020157236
    Abstract: An index-feed processing system that can reduce the machining cost of a product involving a plurality of machining processes is disclosed. The index-feed processing system comprises a plurality of processing units disposed in the longitudinal feeding direction of a workpiece corresponding to a plurality of processing processes so that the processing processes are performed sequentially as the workpiece is indexed. The processing unit body comprises a base plate and a support plate provided at a predetermined distance from the base plate, a slider provided movably between the base plate and the support plate in the direction orthogonally intersecting the base plate and the support plate, and a drive means for driving the slider. The processing units are formed as machining units so that machining operations can be performed by controlling the movement of the slider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Shoji Futamura, Takeo Machida, Chikara Murata, Hiromitsu Kaneko
  • Patent number: 6445969
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring process parameters associated with a manufacturing or testing process. The system includes: at least one machine which is used in the manufacturing or testing process; at least one sensing device, coupled to the at least one machine, for measuring a process parameter associated with the at least one machine; and a controller, coupled to the at least one sensing device, for receiving and storing measured data from the at least one sensing device. The method includes the acts of: measuring a value of a process parameter associated with a machine used in the manufacturing or testing process; converting the measured value of the process parameter into a digital data signal having a specified data format; transmitting the digital data signal to a controller; and storing the digital data signal in a database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Circuit Image Systems
    Inventors: Jim Kenney, John Leon
  • Patent number: 6438819
    Abstract: Apparatus for making a contoured muntin bar. A supply of sheet material having a finished surface on at least one side in the form of a coiled ribbon is unwound and fed along a strip path of travel to a punch station. At the punch station a ribbon punching mechanism punches the ribbon at a precisely predetermined locations along the ribbon to form one of a plurality notch patterns that define a portion of a contoured muntin bar. Downstream along the travel path from the punch station the ribbon is fed through a forming station having a succession of forming rolls that define a succession of forming roll nips to bend the ribbon and form a generally closed cross-sectional tube. The rolls form a number of bending stages to produce a muntin bar tube having a contoured shape with raised sides to provide an attractive appearance to a muntin grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Glass Equipment Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. McGlinchy, Mohamed Chrif Khalfoun, John Louis Grismer
  • Patent number: 6421906
    Abstract: Identical ring-shaped metal blanks are machined whereby each blank forms a plurality of identical components. The blanks are first machined on both sides, and then a stack of the blanks is clamped axially adjacent one another on an arbor. Tools machine the blanks for reshaping the blanks. One of the tools is a slitter which makes axial cuts through the stack to separate each blank into a plurality of components distributed around the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Sandvik Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Ingemar Qvarth
  • Patent number: 6397453
    Abstract: A system for fabricating muntin bars from sheet material. Sheet material in the form of thin ribbon stock is fed to a first forming station including a punching mechanism that punches the ribbon stock at a precisely predetermined location. The ribbon stock is delivered from the first forming station to a second forming station in the form of a rolling mill. The stock passes through a succession of forming rolls to produce a tube having a desired cross-sectional shape. The tube is delivered from the second forming station to a third forming station including a severing apparatus that severs the tube at a precisely predetermined location to produce a muntin bar. After severing, the muntin bar is engaged by a conveyor and moved to a desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Glass Equipment Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Bryan McGlinchy, Mohamed C. Khalfoun, John Louis Grismer, Michael J. Gardner
  • Patent number: 6378184
    Abstract: The invention provides a machine and methods for automated manufacture of tapered adjustable ducts, and particularly tapered adjustable take offs. A tube of material is cut into gores of predetermined configuration, coupling beads are formed in the gores and the gores are adjustably interconnected to one another to form the finished take off duct in an automated fashion. The apparatus for forming an adjustable duct member may include a housing including at least one work station formed therein. A die associated with the work station is selectively positioned at a predetermined location relative to a work piece positioned in association with the work station. A cutting and forming assembly associated with the work station cooperates with the die to selectively cut the work piece to form first and second members and to form a coupling bead in the first and second members which cooperate to reconnect the first and second members together at a predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Cleveland Tool & Machine
    Inventor: Victor Bota
  • Patent number: 6378183
    Abstract: A system (1) for making and assembling a cistern comprises means for locating, cutting, driving, welding, bending, drilling and assembling the component parts of said cistern, wherein said system sequentially provides said locating and cutting means in a first and second stations (2, 3), for arranging, under an automatic control, the metal components (18, 19) of an outer cage (20) of said cistern on said automatized driving means, which are operatively coupled to said automatized welding, cutting, bending and drilling means which, under an automatic control, complete the making of the metal cage encompassing the cistern and then send it to said assembling means which under automatic control, complete the making of the cistern by assembling a pallet (15), a tank and said cage, each of said automatized means being jointly controlled by a central control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: Pietro Maschio
  • Publication number: 20010039726
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a workpiece implementation device that fabricates individual workpieces, positions them at their point of use on a component, and connects the workpieces to the components. The device further comprises an accessory assembly capable of shaping the workpieces, coating the workpieces with an adhesive or solderable material, burnishing the point of use on the component, and testing the connection between the workpieces and the component. The positioning, attaching, and accessory assemblies of the workpiece implementation device are adapted to selectively perform their individual functions without the necessity of first repositioning the component or the implementation device. Accordingly, the present invention increases overall production efficiency by integrating several separate implementation tools and workstations into a single, adaptable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Larry J. Costa
  • Patent number: 6289574
    Abstract: Forged connecting rod, in particular of an internal combustion engine, including a body (1), a connecting rod small end (2) and a connecting rod big end (3), forming two connecting rod small end and connecting rod big end bearings for receiving respectively a piston pin and a crankpin. The connecting rod is constituted by two half connecting rods (5) which are substantially symmetrical relative to a longitudinal median plane (6) of the connecting rod, which plane contains the longitudinal axis of the connecting rod, the joint surface (9) of the half connecting rods being essentially disposed in the median plane (6), the half connecting rods (5), each of which has a connecting rod half bearing (7) and a connecting rod big end half bearing (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Ascometal
    Inventor: Michel Genouille
  • Patent number: 6249943
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic semiconductor wafer applying apparatus capable of lightly easily stacking and loading ring frames onto a frame supply section. This apparatus has the following construction. An adhesive tape unwound from a tape roll is applied to a lower surface of the ring frame supplied to a tape applying position. The applied adhesive tape is cut out along the ring frame. The ring frame having the adhesive tape applied thereto is transported to a wafer applying position. A semiconductor wafer is applied onto the adhesive tape of the ring frame. In this apparatus, a frame supply truck movable with the ring frames stacked and held thereon is arranged so that it can be pushed/transported into and pulled out/transported from the frame supply section. A lift unit for receiving, lifting and supplying a group of ring frames stacked on the pushed and transported frame supply truck is installed in the frame supply section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Matsushita, Shigeji Kuroda, Yoshinobu Ide