Abstract: A novel drill jig includes an edge alignment guide, a hole-spacing assembly, a second guide, a biasing member, and an actuator. The edge alignment guide is configured to abut an edge of a workpiece to facilitate movement of the workpiece along a first straight line. The hole-spacing assembly includes a protrusion disposed to engage a preexisting hole in a workpiece positioned by the edge alignment guide. The second guide is coupled to the hole-spacing assembly and is configured to facilitate movement of the hole-spacing assembly along a second straight line perpendicular to the first straight line. The first biasing member is coupled to the hole-spacing assembly and is operative to exert a force on the hole-spacing assembly in a direction parallel to the second straight line. An actuator moves the hole-spacing assembly along the second straight line via the first biasing member.

Abstract: A novel drill jig includes an edge alignment guide, a hole-spacing assembly, a second guide, a biasing member, and an actuator. The edge alignment guide is configured to abut an edge of a workpiece to facilitate movement of the workpiece along a first straight line. The hole-spacing assembly includes a protrusion disposed to engage a preexisting hole in a workpiece positioned by the edge alignment guide. The second guide is coupled to the hole-spacing assembly and is configured to facilitate movement of the hole-spacing assembly along a second straight line perpendicular to the first straight line. The first biasing member is coupled to the hole-spacing assembly and is operative to exert a force on the hole-spacing assembly in a direction parallel to the second straight line. An actuator moves the hole-spacing assembly along the second straight line via the first biasing member.

Abstract: A portable device to drill holes has a platform. A plurality of wheel sets is coupled to the platform. A drive system is used for driving the plurality of wheels. An attachment mechanism is positioned on an underside of the platform for securing the device to a surface. A control board is used for controlling the operation of the device. A drill spindle assembly is coupled to the platform. A drill feed assembly is coupled to the drill spindle assembly for raising and lowering the drill spindle assembly. A plurality of sensors are operable to sense one or more magnets disposed below the surface. A drive table is used for positioning the drill spindle assembly in an XY plane based on an output of said plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A slide mechanism comprises a main plate forming two guiding groove portions, and a slide plate forming two guiding flanges engaging with the guiding groove portions respectively. The slide mechanism includes a plurality of rollers received in the guiding groove portions to guide the guiding flanges to slide relative to the guiding groove portions. The invention also discloses a portable electronic device applying the slide mechanism.

Abstract: A self-contained crawler assembly is engageable to a stringer and is adapted to position a drill bushing along the stringer for performing machining operations. The crawler assembly includes a longitudinal slider, a lateral slider and a controller for regulating operation of the longitudinal and lateral sliders for positioning the drill bushing at a hole location. In a further embodiment, the crawler assembly may include a longitudinal friction drive which is directly engageable to the stringer and which is operative to move in a direction parallel to the stringer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for counterbalanced manufacturing operations are disclosed. In one embodiment, an assembly includes a base, a tool support assembly, and a biasing device. The tool support assembly includes a first component coupled to the base and a second component moveable along a translation axis relative to the first component. The second component is configured to be coupled to a tool operable to perform the manufacturing operation on a workpiece. The biasing device includes a first portion coupled to the first component, a second portion coupled to the second component, and a control component. The first and second portions are moveably coupled and configured to apply a biasing force to the second component to at least partially counterbalance a force exerted on the second component along the translation axis by a weight of the tool support assembly and the tool during performance of the manufacturing operation.

Abstract: A laser-guided stair rail drill guide which may be mounted on a tentatively set stair rail to aid in the alignment for drilling of the bottom of the rail and marking the surface of the riser below, by use of a laser beam aligned with a longitudinal axis of a drill bit of a drill mounted in the guide. Using the guide of the invention allows for the holes in the bottom of the stair rail and the top of the riser below to be easily and precisely aligned, so that a baluster may be installed perfectly vertically therebetween.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for track members having a neutral axis rack are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for supporting a manufacturing tool relative to a workpiece includes a track assembly adapted to be attached to the workpiece and including at least one rail, the rail having a longitudinally-extending neutral axis and a rack extending along a pitch line that at least approximately coincides with the longitudinally-extending neutral axis. In alternate embodiments, the rack includes a plurality of wedge-shaped apertures or a plurality of conically-shaped apertures.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning and holding a tool (3) relative to a workpiece (35) comprising a carriage (1) for conveying the tool over the surface of the workpiece (35) and means (7, 9, 11, 13) for holding the carriage (1) onto the surface of the workpiece (35), the holding means being selectively switchable between a low grip state in which the carriage (1) is held against the workpiece surface whilst remaining capable of movement relative thereto and a high grip state in which the carriage (1) is held substantially fixedly to the workpiece surface for the tool (3) in use to operate thereon. Such an arrangement provides a robot capable of “crawling” over a workpiece (35) and carrying out precise manufacturing operations thereon.

Abstract: A cable cup can be mounted in an optimal location on the wall of an otherwise inaccessible duct, so that, above all, inlets into the duct are not obstructed. A mounting device has a carriage that is movable in the longitudinal direction of the duct. A supporting unit for the cable cup is mounted on the carriage. A carrier is pivotally connected to the carriage via a longitudinal shaft. A directing unit supports the cable cup and is movable toward the wall of the duct. A drilling device and a screwdriver device are longitudinally movable on the shaft. By pivoting the support and thus the directing unit, the cable cup is fixed in the desired position on the wall, a hole is drilled through the cable cup and into the wall of the duct and a screw is screwed into the hole by the screwdriver device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for counterbalanced manufacturing operations are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for supporting a tool relative to a surface of a workpiece includes a base adapted to be attached to the workpiece, a tool support coupled to the base, and a biasing device coupled to both the base and the tool support. The tool support is moveable relative to the base along a translation axis, and the biasing device is biasable along a biasing axis that is at least partially along the translation axis. The biasing device is adapted to at least partially counterbalance a force (e.g. a gravitational force) exerted on the tool support along the translation axis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing operations using opposing-force support systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a track assembly adapted to be attached to a workpiece, and a carriage moveably coupled to the track assembly. The carriage includes a tool support adapted to receive and support a manufacturing tool. An opposing-force support assembly is operatively coupled to the carriage and is adapted to be secured to the workpiece. The opposing-force support assembly at least partially counterbalances a manufacturing force exerted on the workpiece by the manufacturing tool.

Abstract: Method and device for drilling holes into a mantle of a cylinder of a paper machine, in particular a drying cylinder, while the cylinder is in its site of operation in the paper machine in which a drill carriage having drill bits is supported on the cylinder being drilled. The drill carriage is locked in a fixed position relative to the cylinder being drilled the drill bits are pressed into the mantle of the cylinder to be drilled and rotating to thereby drill holes in the cylinder mantle. The drill carriage is supported on the cylinder being drilled by a first set of wheels arranged on the drill carriage during drilling and is displaced upon rotation of a second set of wheels which contact the cylinder only for axial movement and not during drilling.

Abstract: Equipment for making a hole or cavity formation in a curved or planar wall element, and for cutting out a disc-shaped piece of material fitting the hole or cavity formation, includes a frame with devices for fixing it on the wall element, and a carriage displaceably mounted in a first linear direction. A slide is mounted to be displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the first linear direction and carries a tool unit. The carriage has wheel sets which are biased against the wall element. The wheel sets are pivotable and displaceably mounted on a respective guide slide, which is mounted to be displaceable in the first linear direction.

Abstract: A system for maintaining normality of a tool nose to a workpiece supported on a floor assembly jig adjacent to a carriage on which the tool nose is mounted while the carriage is negotiating a bend in the floor assembly jig includes a support system for supporting the carriage on a rail for longitudinal travel along the rail. The support system has two longitudinally spaced bearing blocks and a slide on each bearing block for mounting the carriage on the bearing blocks for lateral movement of the carriage toward and away from the rail. Each bearing block includes a bearing base in which is journaled a plurality of rollers in rolling contact with a horizontal upwardly facing surface on the rail for rolling vertical support of the bearing base on the rail, and also has at least one roller in rolling contact with a laterally facing surface on each side of the rail for lateral support of the bearing base.

Abstract: This invention relates to a portable apparatus designed to facilitate the task of locating and drilling of the holes specified on shop drawings for metal plates, structural shapes and non-round tubes. It can be equipped with one or more powered drilling tools. Equipped with two such tools, the apparatus will weigh less than 60 pounds. It can drill one hole at a time or two holes simultaneously; and it is not limited by the length, width, or weight of the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool-carrying vehicle for transporting a tool and positioning it over bolt holes in a flange of a vessel, and for moving the tool in translation and/or rotation, the vehicle comprises:a tool-carrying elevator column extending upwards perpendicularly from the vehicle chassis;a tool-passing opening formed through the chassis adjacent to the column and situated in line with the position occupied by a tool fixed to an elevator in the column so as to allow a tool to be passed down through the chassis and inserted into a bolt hole, and to allow it to be raised to its initial position after acting in the hole; andguide wheels and position adjustment templates for guiding and adjusting the position of the chassis on a flange so that a tool lies exactly on the axis of a bolt hole, regardless of the hole diameter.Such a vehicle is particularly suitable for inspecting and maintaining the vessels of steam generators.

Abstract: A lightweight machine for drilling a pattern of fastening holes in panels of installed roofing insulation is movably supported on rollers that rest on the panels without substantially deforming them. The machine is maneuvered by a handle, and vertical movement of the handle lowers a template carrying a gang of drills. The drills proceed through a central opening in the frame of the machine to engage the panels in the sub-roof structure on which they have been installed.

Abstract: Mobile drilling apparatus enables drilling of a plurality of bores in a building wall or the like, concurrently or sequentially or in groups, for the purpose of attaching slabs, panels, siding or other facing material to the wall or for anchoring concrete reinforcement rods to the wall. In the preferred form, the apparatus includes a mobile vehicle having an operator's platform which may be selectively raised or lowered, a vertical drill support frame carried by the platform which may be shifted sidewardly relative to the platform and a plurality of independently driven drills mounted on the support frame by motor driven telescoping structures which travel the drills outward from the frame. The apparatus expedites construction or renovation of buildings by enabling rapid and precise drilling of arrays of bores.

Abstract: A machine for drilling holes in the deck of a flat bed or other type trailer. The machine has a cross beam and rails for a wheeled carriage supporting a drill press for drilling holes in the deck in an X-direction across the deck. The cross beam and rails are carried upon wheeled trucks which are moveable longitudinally along the length of the deck in a Y-direction. The counteract thrust and to anchor the machine, adjustable clamps are provided at opposite ends of the cross beam which bear against the underside or other suitable fastening point of the trailer. The cross beam ties the machine together in providing support for the wheeled carriage, the rails, wheeled trucks and the clamps to provide a rugged and easily maneuverable machine for moving a drill press in any desired X-Y direction.

Abstract: Portable machining apparatus includes a spindle, a milling cutter located at one end of the spindle, and air operated means for rotating the spindle. The apparatus includes further means for supporting the same on a structure containing a portion to be machined, and means for translating the spindle and cutter to and from the structure and portion.

Abstract: An ice removal auger is lowered by a winch into a generally cylindrical ice containment structure from an open upper end of the structure and is controlled remotely from the exterior of the structure, for cutting and removing a body of ice therewithin. The auger comprises a power drive assembly mounted on a carriage for relative translational and nonrotational movement with respect thereto, the carriage including selectively operable engagement means which are remotely controlled from the exterior of the ice containment structure for engaging the interior cylindrical wall surface thereof to stabilize the power drive assembly against rotation relative to the ice containment structure, the power drive assembly including a motor connected through a shaft to a cutter at the lower end of the shaft which drives same in rotation, while the assembly moves axially downwardly in translation relative to the carriage for gradual and continuous cutting and removing of the body of ice.

Abstract: A piercer used for the manufacture of clothing and the like comprises a frame with upper and lower parallel disposed arms. A channel plate extends uprightly from the free end of the upper arm and includes an associated guide plate or guide rail extending lengthwise thereof and a slider which is movable up and down the guide rail and fixedly carrying a rotary drill with its drill bit directed downward. A reflector is disposed below the tip of the drill bit and a lamp is disposed to direct light toward the reflector so as to be reflected thereby to project a marker to a location which is directly below the tip of the drill bit, the reflector being movable away from the path of movement of the drill bit during its upward and downward movement.

Abstract: A drill press mounting apparatus for use on a balancing machine having a longitudinally extending machine bed is disclosed. The drill press assembly is comprised of a first longitudinally extending guide path defined adjacent the machine bed and a second longitudinally extending guide path defined adjacent the machine bed parallel to the first guide path. A drill press is mounted for movement along the first and second guide paths and a friction stop is operatively connected between the drill press and the machine bed. The friction stop retards movement of the drill press with respect to the machine bed upon commencement of drill press operations.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved boring and facing apparatus for performing in-situ machining on nuclear reaction feedwater inlet nozzles. The apparatus comprises a boring machine mounted upon a main frame which main frame is suspended from a structure mounted above the plane in which the inlet nozzle is located. Means are provided for adjusting the boring machine to permit a tool to operate along the center line axis of the inlet nozzle.

Abstract: A drilling device for workpieces of different sizes is disclosed herein. The drilling device includes a tool carrier supported by a carriage for reciprocable movement thereon along a path and the carriage is also reciprocable along the path. The carriage is biased to a predetermined starting position. When a tool on the tool carrier engages the workpiece, the carriage is moved in the opposite direction and engages a switch to reduce the feed speed of the tool carrier for a short period of time during which the carriage engages a stop to define a fixed drilling position. Upon completion of the drilling operation, a biasing spring moves the carriage in the drilling direction beyond the starting position to actuate a switch and return the tool carrier to a starting position while the carriage is also returned to the starting position.