Abstract: A broadband switch includes multi-stage electromechanical ganged stage relays. The ganged stage relays provide at least 65 dB of electrical isolation from active broadband input or active broadband output to all non-active broadband inputs. In a further aspect, the ganged stage relays provide at least 100 dB of electrical isolation from 1 kHz to 100 MHz from broadband inputs and broadband output to power inputs.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for remotely switching screw color or screw type feeding into a door assembly machine with an auto-hinge applicator. An apparatus having a turntable is supported on bearings and a framework. Each side of the turntable includes a screw hopper accessible via a rotary index. The screw hoppers receive a user input to make a screw selection. Upon receiving a selection, one of the hoppers indexes into position, allowing the correct screw to feed to the hinge applicator. Screw feed-hoses from screwdrivers on the hinge applicator are arranged to connect to a manifold below the screw hoppers. Screws drop from the hoppers into a manifold, at which point the screws are blown with compressed air through the feed-hoses to the screwdrivers on the hinge applicator. Screws can be reloaded into the screw hoppers when rotated in alignment with the hinge side of the door assembly machine.

Abstract: A robot tool for setting plugs (18) in industrial production has a robot attachment region (2) for attaching the robot tool (1) to an industrial robot. To further simplify or automate the setting of plugs in industrial production, in particular of motor vehicles, the robot tool (1) has a pushrod (42) that can be moved back and forth and with which a plug (18) can be picked up and advanced.

Abstract: A lens assembly tool includes a lens receiving frame having a first surface, a positioning plate positioned on the lens receiving frame, and a pressing plate positioned on the positioning plate and having a second surface. The first surface defines a plurality of receiving holes. The positioning plate defines a plurality of through holes aligned with the plurality of receiving holes. The second surface forms a plurality of pressing punches aligned with the plurality of receiving holes.

Abstract: A pressing apparatus is adapted for pressing a plurality of heat sinks on a circuit board, and includes a frame body and a plurality of pressing tools. The frame body includes a platform configured for placement of the circuit board thereon, and a mounting frame disposed above and spaced apart from the platform. The pressing tools are disposed at respective positions on the mounting frame. Each of the pressing tools includes an axle component, a universal joint unit disposed at a bottom end of the axle component, and a pressing head connected to the universal joint unit. The axle component extends downwardly between the platform and the mounting frame, and is configured to be resiliently and vertically movable. The pressing head is adapted for contacting one of the heat sinks, and is rotatable about the axle component by virtue of the universal joint unit.

Abstract: A tool for producing composite objects, including a first and a second material path, along which a first and second sheet material are stepwise feedable. Along the first and second material paths there are disposed a number of processing stations for processing the first and second sheet materials by shearing, punching, pressing, bending etc. The first and second material paths intersect one another and in the zone of intersection an assembly station is disposed for joining together or assembling component parts from the first and second material paths. A method of producing from sheet material a composite object includes the steps of stepwise feeding a first sheet material in a first feeding direction, the sheet material being processed between certain feeding steps, feeding a second sheet material stepwise in a second feeding direction, the second sheet material being processed between certain feeding steps.

Abstract: A bladed disk assembly device having a horizontal adjustable arm and a vertical pivot bar that is perpendicularly attached to a first end of the horizontal arm. A roller assembly is attached to a second end of the horizontal arm. A rotary table holds a disk that is circumvented by a blade positioning belt around an outer diameter of the turbine disk. A saddle is attached to the vertical pivot bar that is positioned beneath the disk.

Abstract: This part supplying and press-fitting apparatus for supplying an annular part to a predetermined position and press-fitting the part into a press-fit hole of a work in a state of being positioned in a circumferential direction includes a grip device for gripping the part; a rotation device for rotating the grip device around a hole axis of the part in a state of having gripped the part; a detection device for detecting the detected portion of the part being rotated by the rotation device; a stop device for stopping the rotation of the grip device when the detected portion is detected; a move device for moving the grip device stopped by the stop device to the predetermined position; and a press-fit head configured to descend to the predetermined position and to press-fit the part into a press-fit hole of the work.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catalytic converter is described where the catalytic converter is comprised of an outer tube member having a monolith substrate internally compressed therein with a wrapped mat material surrounding the monolith substrate and intermediate the outer tube. One or more monolith members can be applied within the outer tube and heat shields may also be applied internal to the outer tube and adjacent to the monolith substrate. The assembly of the catalytic converter includes measuring the sequence of compression of the mat material to the monolith substrate in order to understand the possible force characteristics which can be applied during the assembly thereof. The mat material is therefore compressed within the outer tube by way of compression jaws, by compression rollers, and/or by spinning. The compression of the mat material can be in single or multiple steps.

Abstract: In order to improve a device for the manufacture of a shaft assembly for a hydrodynamic bearing by pressing a shaft into a fit bore in a bearing disk, comprising a first pressing tool and a further pressing tool, in such a way that enables high accuracy to be achieved when the shaft is pressed into the bearing disk, with the lowest possible cost and effort in setting up the press, it is proposed that a shaft receiving portion which receives and guides the shaft aligned exactly to a central axis is associated with the first pressing tool, that a bearing disk receiving portion which receives and guides the bearing disk with a flat surface aligned exactly perpendicular to an axis is associated with the first pressing tool, and that for the pressfitting process, the first pressing tool acts on the shaft or the bearing disk by means of a first pressing element and a second pressing tool acts on the bearing disk or the shaft by means of a second pressing element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel process for inserting a cannula, such as a hypodermic needle, into a hub member by roughening a first portion of the cannula while leaving a second portion substantially smooth such that the first portion forms an interference fit and the second portion a line-to-line fit with the hub bore. In the absence of an adhesive, the second portion is passed through the hub bore followed by the first portion. The first portion is forced into the hub bore to provide an adhesive-free interference fit that is capable of resisting puncturing forces during normal use.

Abstract: Substrates are supported by height-adjustable supporting pins in automated equipping units. The supporting pins are composed of a tip and a foot part that is spring-borne relative to the tip. When the supporting pins are placed against an underside of the substrate, the supporting pins individually adapt to the contour of the underside of the substrate. The height position of the supporting pins is subsequently fixed. As a result, substrates having position and surface variations can be protected against sagging upon placement of components on the substrates during an automated equipping process.

Abstract: The device for assembling a push V-belt for a continuously variable automatic transmission wherein the push V-belt consists of a plurality of push elements (1) movably interconnected that form an endless belt and of two ring sets (2, 2′) has a centering ring (3) for lodging the first ring set (2) and fixing the individual push elements (1) and a circular ring (4) upon the lodged push V-belt and externally partly surrounding it, the ring having an inner outline adapted to the appertaining outer outline of the push V-belt so that a radial force acts upon each individual push element (1) in direction to the axle that traverses perpendicularly to the radial plane the central point of the circle formed by the push V-belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for press fitting inserts into corresponding receptacles in workpieces includes a press comprising a ram and a backup tool spaced from the ram. An insertion tool is alignable between the ram and the backup tool. An insert magazine feeds inserts to the insertion tool. A workpiece positioner sequentially moves each workpiece through receiving positions that align the receptacles with the insertion tool between the ram and the backup tool. The ram repeatedly engages the insertion tool to press fit an insert into each of the corresponding receptacles. The backup tool supports the workpiece against the force of press-fit insertion.

Abstract: A bushing installation and removal assembly includes mounting table fitted with a vice fixture, a press/ram assembly having a controlled hydraulic press whereby a separate hydraulic repositioning system disposes the work piece into the press/ram assembly in a controlled manner. The worktable, fixtures and press/ram assembly are designed to receive and securely position the housing assembly (work piece) onto a controlled substrate. The substrate is then designed to reposition the housing assembly (work piece) proximate to the press ram, which suitably presses the bushing member onto the housing assembly (work piece). The substrate is then retracted to its original position where the housing assembly (work piece) is removed for further processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for press fitting inserts into corresponding receptacles in workpieces includes a press comprising a ram and a backup tool spaced from the ram. An insertion tool is alignable between the ram and the backup tool. An insert magazine feeds inserts to the insertion tool. A workpiece positioner sequentially moves each workpiece through receiving positions that align the receptacles with the insertion tool between the ram and the backup tool. The ram repeatedly engages the insertion tool to press fit an insert into each of the corresponding receptacles. The backup tool supports the workpiece against the force of press-fit insertion.

Abstract: A method of assembling end caps (14, 16) within a body (12) is provided. The body (12) is measured to obtain a body measurement and the end cap (14, 16) is sized based on the body measurement. The sized end cap (14, 16) is coupled to the body (12). An end cap size (10, 170) for sizing end caps (14, 16) to mate with a body (12) is also provided. The end cap size (10, 170) includes a device (23, 171) that is movable between a position to receive one of an end cap (14, 16) and a body (12) and another position to engage the one of the end cap (14, 16) and body (12). The end cap size (10, 170) also includes a control system (25, 173) configured to move the device (23, 171) to a body measurement position to obtain a body measurement of the body (12) and move the device (23, 171) to a position to size the end cap (14, 16) based on the body measurement.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembly multi-piston pumps such as the type used in air conditioning compressors. The conveyor is used to releasably retain the required number of pistons which is then moved to an assembly station wrapping the conveyor and pistons around a swashplate which is held there in place. The conveyor retains the pistons in the appropriate circumferential and radial positions about the swashplate. The cylinder block is in partially inserted over the pistons after which the conveyor can be moved back to the loading station releasing the pistons therefrom. After the pistons are released from the conveyor and held in place by the cylinder block the pistons may then be fully inserted into the cylinder block forming a pump subassembly which may then be used to form a complete pump.

Abstract: The device for assembling a push V-belt for a continuously variable automatic transmission wherein the push V-belt consists of a plurality of push elements (1) movably interconnected that form an endless belt and of two ring sets (2, 2′) has a centering ring (3) for lodging the first ring set (2) and fixing the individual push elements (1) and a circular ring (4) upon the lodged push V-belt and externally partly surrounding it, the ring having an inner outline adapted to the appertaining outer outline of the push V-belt so that a radial force acts upon each individual push element (1) in direction to the axle that traverses perpendicularly to the radial plane the central point of the circle formed by the push V-belt.

Abstract: The pieces to be reciprocally connected are mechanically manufactured with tolerances such that the external diameter of the ends of the pipes (6,6′) is suitably greater at the internal diameter of the seat ends of the star cross pieces (1). The star cross pieces are heated to a temperature which does not provoke a permanent deformity in the pieces and which is such as to slightly increase the diameter of the their seats. The pipes are inserted instead into the ends to be connected, in a liquid nitrogen bath that properly contracts the external diameter of said ends and brings them substantially to a condition of equality or inferiority with respect to the diameter of the dilated seats and the ends of the star cross pieces. The cooled ends of the pipes are then inserted into the heated end of the seats of the cross pieces and when the pieces return to room temperature, they are connected with the foreseen tightness.

Abstract: The rubber plug fitting apparatus includes a temporary receiver (4) disposed after the feeder (3); a rubber plug holder (5) pivotable 90 degrees by a first drive means (29); a transfer pin (7) for transferring the rubber plug (2) to the holder (5); a wire guide (11) disposed opposite the holder (5) when the latter is pivotated 90 degrees with the rubber plug held therein, which supports a wire (9); a second drive means (37) for moving the holder in a rubber plug fitting direction; and a third drive means (36) for moving the guide (11) in the same direction. A waterproofing rubber plug is reliably fitted over a wire with high positional accuracy.

Abstract: A device and method for loading components into holders used in cartridge case reloading machinery is disclosed. The loading device includes a tray that receives and orients reloading components such as primers. The tray includes a strip receptacle which receives and positions a component holder while components are oriented by the tray and moved into position into receptacles in the component holder. The components are forced into the component holder by manual pressure, a roller, or a lever actuated bar. After the components are pressed into the component holder, the holder may be removed from the loading device and used in reloading machinery.

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: A multi-station machine assembles magnetic latch assemblies having components which include a post, a magnet, and a surrounding casing. The magnetic latch assemblies are used for "parking" a read/write head of a memory storage device over a data-free landing zone during off-power conditions. The machine includes a turntable with a plurality of grippers for securing a plurality of posts in position during the assembly process and for conveying partially assembled magnetic latch assemblies to each station. At the various stations of the machine, a pin portion of a post is placed and secured in a respective gripper, a magnet is placed over the core of the post, and a casing is assembled over the magnet and post subassembly by press fitting the casing to a flange portion of the post.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a fiberglass reinforced grating from preformed bearing bars and cross bars includes an elongated open frame table having a plurality of rollers in side-by-side fashion with their axes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the table and supporting a set of upwardly upright transversely spaced bearing bars on the peripheries of the rollers. A loading rack formed of vertically upright transversely spaced spacing and alignment pins controls the lateral spacing of the bearing bars. A raisable stop upstream of a grooving station aligns the ends of the bearing bars. A vertically shiftable hold press hold down bar operates alternately with a vertically shiftable car press hold down bar and the car press is incremented which frictionally presses the bearing bars against the tabletop rollers to increment the set of bearing bars upon release of the hold press hold down bar.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically installing a clamp made from a flat blank on an object to be fastened thereby, in which individual blanks are separated from a supply of such blanks, are fed as individual blanks to a deformation station where the flat blank is deformed into circular shape, the thus-deformed clamp is transferred from the deformation station to the object to be fastened thereby where it is placed over the object, and the clamp is thereafter tightened.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out the method in which a clamp made from a flat blank is plastically deformed into circular shape, is locked in its closed condition, is transferred from the deformation station to a transfer station where it is placed over the object to be fastened and is thereafter tightened onto the object. In order to maintain the clamp in predetermined position on the object before being tightened, the clamp is additionally plastically deformed into a slightly non-circular shape differing from the circular shape of the object and is again elastically deformed into its original circular shape before being placed over the object so that return of the clamp to its slightly non-circular configuration will provide sufficient frictional engagement to hold the clamp in predetermined position.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method and an apparatus for working a clad material used as a reed frame for a flat package type integrated circuit. When metal foils of a predetermined size is superimposed at a predetermined position on a strip-like material, press contacted and rolled to produce a continuous clad material, and reference holes are bored in the clad material, not only the relative position between the reference holes but also the relative position between the reference holes and the metal foils previously applied to the clad material may be set accurately. Even if the pitch distances between the reference holes provided in the clad material differ from one another, press working by the metal mold may be continuously performed using these reference holes.

Abstract: An apparatus simultaneously forms a plurality of sleeve and plunger assemblies and creates dispensers of the pushup type. A platen inserts a plurality of plungers into a corresponding plurality of cardboard sleeves. The apparatus provides a plurality of sleeves at a particular location, aligns a corresponding plurality of plungers with an open end of each sleeve and sealingly engages each plunger in a displacable manner within the corresponding sleeve.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for automatically attaching and detaching such exterior parts as doors, a trunk, and a bonnet, etc. which are openably mounted to a vehicle body by way of such tightening device as pins, bolts, etc. on the assembling line of a vehicle. In a door attaching and detaching apparatus the position of pins for openably attaching a door on a vehicle body is detected by a pin position detection mechanism, and the position of the pin drawing out and inserting mechanism is compensated according to the position thereof. Then, the pins can be drawn out from and inserted in the vehicle body and the door by the corresponding pin drawing out and inserting mechanism. Furthermore, the position of the door holding mechanism is compensated according to the position of the pins detected by the pin position detection mechanism, thereby causing the door to be held by the corresponding door holding mechanism.

Abstract: A method for assembling heat exchanger plate pairs by snap fitting with counter-rotating rotors move heat exchanger plates two at a time through paths which converge in a vertical mating plane. Arcuate guides engage the plate ends to control the plate path. The rotors are servomotor controlled to synchronously index the rotor in increments separated by dwell periods. After assembly the merged pairs drop between spaced guides into an assembly fixture. At a subsequent brazing operation each plate pair becomes a tube for carrying refrigerant.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding a plurality of rigid steel elongate spacers into each of a plurality of travellers 22, the apparatus including the holding station 16, a retractable holding member 24, 25 which can be used to feed a single traveller into the holding station. A linear guide 30 is provided for guiding the spacers 62 to the holding station in a lengthwise direction and the first feed mechanism 32 is provided for feeding the spacers individually and separately along the guide to position with the leading edge of the spacer adjacent the holding station. A second feed mechanism 40 to 46 pushes a spacer 62 so positioned positively into and through a co-operating slot in the traveller 22 held in the holding station and a discharge member 68 discharges the traveller and its associated spacer from the holding station, when the holding member has been retracted.

Abstract: An apparatus making it possible to fit retaining pins on a mandrel. The retaining pin arrives in the form of a continuous wire which is cut to the desired length by a wheel before being fitted in the mandrel. The end of the uncut retaining pin adjacent to the wheel is maintained in a gripper formed by two jaws. Simultaneously with the fitting of the cut retaining pin, a hole is made in the mandrel to permit the subsequent fitting of a retaining pin.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling different size parts in a vertical assembly is provided which includes a pair of fingers attached to and extending from the gripper of a manipulator in parallel relationship and moveable toward and away from one another under control of the gripper. Different diameter curved outer sections extend around the periphery of and are stepped along the length of the fingers. The smallest diameter curved section is located at the outer end of the fingers and successively wider diameter sections are located along the fingers as the inner end is approached. One of the predetermined diameter sections has a predetermined slope, each part to be assembled has an opening therein of a diameter slightly larger than a diameter of a section of the fingers along the length thereof.

Abstract: The robotic assembly of a keyboard using a multiplicity of keys of a plurality of distinct types, such As key caps on a sculptured keyboard, can be substantially increased in speed by the use of a multifacted rotatable turret for picking up and installing the key caps onto the keyboard. A programmable robot, having a robotic arm is provided with a rotatable multifaceted turret. Each facet of the turret includes a key handling member which is molded to accept a distinct type of sculptured key. The types of sculptured keys are segregated in a pick-up position. The turret is manipulated by the robotic arm in the pick-up position to pick up a multiplicity of keys of one given type on each of the facets of the turret. Thus, each turret picks up one type of keys. The turret is then translated by the robotic arm to an assembly position. The turret is once again rotated and advanced to assemble the key caps on to key stem projected from the keyboard.

Abstract: A process for inserting points (38) in a mandrel (36) and a machine for performing this process. A working head (40) simultaneously ensures the insertion of a point and the making of a perforation (112) in the mandrel by means of a punch (94). The perforation is made in the same longitudinal row as the inserted point and towards the front with respect to the latter, in such a way that it is subsequently possible to guide a point following a rotation of one or more turns of the mandrel. The invention is applicable to the production of members or bodies of revolution made from three-dimensional material.

Abstract: Pipets of virtually any size are delivered automatically and continuously with the assistance of gravity to an intermittent rotary transport mechanism which carries each pipet separately to a plugging station. At the plugging station, each pipet is engaged and held against movement while precut cotton plugs are inserted into the pipets by a reciprocating needle device controlled by a mechanism which simultaneously controls and coordinates the activity of scissor blades which sever a cotton roving during a dwell of a roving transport wheel on the shaft of the pipet rotary transport mechanism. After being plugged, each pipet is delivered from the rotary transport mechanism onto a collection apron. A multi-position stop element on the inclined pipet delivery rails of the machine allows pipets of varying diameters to be plugged with precision without requiring additional machine adjustments.

Abstract: A process for inserting points (38) on a mandrel (36) and a machine for performing this process. A working head (40) simultaneously ensures the insertion of a point and the making of a perforation (112) in the mandrel by means of a punch (94). The perforation is made in the same longitudinal row as the inserted point and towards the front with respect to the latter, in such a way that it is subsequently possible to guide a point following a rotation of one or more turns of the mandrel. The invention is applicable to the production of members or bodies of revolution made from three-dimensional material.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette having one or more guide pole which is forcibly inserted at each end into each axial hole formed in a casing comprises an air releasing portion for releasing air during the forcible insertion of said guide pole in said axial hole.

Abstract: A method and machine for making a quick change drill assembly that can be snapped into and out of a spring-loaded ball-locking chuck. The assemblies are comprised of standard sized adapters having various sized bores to receive drills having shanks of corresponding interference-fit diameters. Adapters and drills are fed from opposite ends of the machine to positions from which they are interference fit and automatically discharged. The adapters are fed into a storage tube from a feeder bowl and in the storage tube they are selected or rejected according to the direction of the bore. Selected adapters are air driven to a magazine in a retracted position and from which it is movable to a supplying position. In the supplying position the individual adapter is forced into a radially biasing collet in a hydraulic press.

Abstract: A medicine dropper cap and bulb assembly apparatus including a first orientation means for positioning the caps for delivery to a chute for insertion of a bulb at an assembly station; a second orientation means for medicine dropper bulbs to be positioned for insertion into a cap and delivery to the assembly station; a rod for driving the bulbs into seating engagement on the caps.

Abstract: A two part shock or vibration mount which comprises an elastomeric member and a metallic member are automatically assembled into an integral one piece unit by feeding the parts on a conveyor in axial juxtaposed relative position into a compressive force device that is mounted above the conveyor at an angle of declination with respect to the conveyed components such that an increasingly progressive compressive force is applied to the juxtaposed components. Upon exiting the force applying device the components are in a force fit engagement one within the other.