Abstract: A gear transmission device includes a frame, a sun gear, a driven gear, a planetary gear, a contact member, and a guide. The guide guides the contact member as described below. When the planetary gear is at a meshing position, a first tooth portion and a first contact portion of the contact member are away from the planetary gear. When the planetary gear is at a farthest position, the first contact portion is in contact with the planetary gear and the first tooth portion is away from the planetary gear. When the planetary gear is between the meshing position and the farthest position, the first tooth portion moves in mesh with the planetary gear in a direction opposite to a moving direction of the planetary gear around the sun gear, and the first contact portion is switched between a state in contact with the planetary gear and a state away from the planetary gear.

Abstract: A jig device holding a work piece is used with a milling machine that cuts from the work piece a prosthesis having a surface essentially free of defects. The jig device is inserted repeatedly into the machine in the same predetermined location, even upon inverting the jig device. This maintains the spatial relationship between the jig device and milling so, at start up, they are always in the same exact spatial relationship. The milling machine partially cuts through a first side of the work piece to form in the work piece a cavity having a surface part corresponding to at least a portion of the prosthesis being made. The jig device is then removed from the machine, inverted and reinserted into the machine at the same predetermined location. A support material is placed in the cavity prior to reinserting the jig device. Upon reinserting the jig device, the machine precisely cuts through an opposed side of the work piece to form within the work piece a prosthesis having a surface essentially free of defects.

Abstract: Assembly and method for machining an object with a milling machine. The object needing machining on various sides so as to require clamping. It is proposed to mechanize this time-consuming operation. To this end a further clamp is attached to a conversion or turning station which may clamp the already partially machined object with an already partially machined side thereof. The mutual positioning of the clamp in which the object is located and the clamp wherein the object is transferred, is precisely defined and by the linear movement of the clamps in relation to each other, the object may be transferred. The additional clamp is configured to receive the object to be machined in precisely the desired position, without damage. Subsequently, a further clamp is again put into the milling machine with the aid of a robot so that other sides of the object can be further subjected to a milling operation.

Abstract: A machining installation comprises a workpiece positioning device with a workpiece holder pivot unit which is designed in such a way that a workpiece holder, together with a workpiece to be machined, is pivotable about at least five pivot axes. In order to rotatably drive a tool about an axis of rotation, a work spindle unit is arranged at a stand, with the axis of rotation being inclined relative to a horizontal x-direction through an angle ?, with 20°???70°, particularly 30°???60°, and particularly 40°???50°. The machining installation has a simple design and allows a flexible five-sided machining of workpieces.

Abstract: Metallic guide elements having a functional area are made from profiled blanks by hot forming the profiled blanks and subsequently milling in a high speed milling cutter system the profiled blanks by a position-controlled milling cutter head with milling disks of a great diameter, wherein in the step of hot forming the profiled blanks are matched with regard to a cross-sectional mass distribution of the profiled blanks, respectively, to the subsequent step of milling such that by a partial cutting removal in the areas of the profiled blanks that become the functional area of the guide element narrow dimensional tolerances are produced. The material flow of the profiled blanks within the high-speed milling cutter system is controlled autonomously by an integrated stacking device that has manipulators and turning stations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for tooth-machining of workpieces (3), especially gear wheels, comprising milling, deburring by hobbing and integrated secondary deburring. The method proceeds on a machine tool (1) having two workpiece spindles (11, 12) which may exchange places. A workpiece (3) is mounted on a first workpiece spindle (11), followed by the workpiece spindles (11, 12) exchanging places, followed by pre-milling and, where applicable, cutting (=deburring by shaving) of the workpiece (3), followed by a further exchange of places, followed by chamfering and cutting of the workpiece (3), followed by a further exchange of places, followed by a finish-milling of the workpiece (3), followed by a further exchange of places, followed by a workpiece change. At the same time, the same procedure takes place on the second workpiece spindle (12), staggered in time by an exchange of places of the workpiece spindles (11, 12).

Abstract: A linear unit has a drive unit, a stator, a drive roller connected to the drive unit, a freewheeling roller supported on the stator adjacent to one of longitudinal ends of the stator, the drive belt being wound around the drive roller and around the freewheeling roller, a traveler movable along the stator by the drive belt, the drive belt being connected to the traveler in at least one fastening point, so that a distance between an end of the traveler which is oriented toward an end of the stator associated with the freewheeling roller, and the fastening point situated the closest to the end of the traveler is at least equal to a radius of the freewheeling roller.

Abstract: A fully automatic key duplicating machine. A master key alignment module is movably disposed into and out of proximity with a master key clamping module, the master key being aligned by the alignment module within the master key clamping module. A master key identification module is disposed in fixed relation to the master key clamping module and identifies a type of key secured in the master key clamping module. A central positioning base is provided automatically movable into and out of engagement with the key cutting module and optionally the alignment module, adapted to move the master key alignment module into proximity with the master key clamping module and adapted to secure a key blank to be cut at the key cutting module in accordance with the tooth pattern of a clamped master key.

Abstract: A method is provided for machining the stainless steel automotive exhaust components that allows such components to be machined in high volumes and at a reasonable cost. An exemplary embodiment of the method includes the steps of: (a) supporting the manifold on a work structure; (b) clamping the manifold to the work structure; and (c) machining the supported and clamped manifold; (d) where the clamping step includes the step of clamping each of the plurality of inlet coupling flanges of the manifold separately; and (e) the machining step includes the step of machining the interface surfaces of the inlet coupling flanges. In a more detailed embodiment, the supporting and clamping steps orient the planes of the interface surfaces of the inlet coupling flanges of the manifold perpendicular to a spindle access of the milling machine.

Abstract: In a method for adjusting at least one pressing element of a molding machine for machining workpieces of wood or plastic material relative to a workpiece, transported through the machine and to be machined by the machine, the pressing element is adjusted outside of the molding machine in an adjusting device with the aid of a template of the workpiece and the adjusted pressing element is then inserted into the molding machine.

Abstract: A machine for carrying out mechanical workings preferably by showing removal includes a frame arranged for receiving a semi-worked piece having a cross section exhibiting dimensions remarkably smaller than the length of the piece measured along its own longitudinal axis. The semi-worked piece is arranged with the longitudinal axis along a working axis in a working station. A clamp is arranged at a number of cross sections of the semi-worked piece for locking the semi-worked piece in the working station. A tool is arranged for carrying out workings on faces of the semi-worked piece. A support to which the semi-worked piece is fixed by the clamp is suitable to be rotated about a service axis.

Abstract: A system and method for inscribing an item is provided. The system includes a housing having a door, an inscriber, and a support. The inscriber is disposed in the housing and is operable to inscribe the surface of an item secured in an item carrier. The support has a positioning structure that is configured to engage the item carrier and establish a reference point so that the location of the surface of the item with respect to the support is determinable. The support moves between a loading position and an inscribing position to position the item for inscribing. There is also provided a controller that governs the movements of the inscriber and includes an input device. The input device is moveable between a first position to receive characteristics about the item to be inscribed and a second position to receive a message to be inscribed on the surface of the item.

Abstract: The system constructed according to the present invention operates by properly positioning a base compact disc (CD) onto a cutting table and then cutting the CD to a preprogrammed shape. Base CDs are stacked on an elevator system. The CDs include one side on which data is recorded, and another side on which the CD label is printed. A robotic arm with a vacuum gripper then picks-up a CD from the stack and moves the CD to a cutting table. While the arm moves the CD, a machine vision system takes a picture of the CD label and compares the picture to an image of the label stored in data. An image mapping program then determines the rotational orientation of the CD by comparing the picture and data image. Once the orientation of the disc is known, the robot arm rotates the disc a calculated amount so that it can then be placed on the cutting table in a proper normalized orientation. The CD is held in place on the cutting table by a vacuum chucking system.

Abstract: A system and method for inscribing an item is provided. The system includes a housing having a door, an inscriber, and a support. The inscriber is disposed in the housing and is operable to inscribe the surface of an item secured in an item carrier. The support has a positioning structure that is configured to engage the item carrier and establish a reference point so that the location of the surface of the item with respect to the support is determinable. The support moves between a loading position and an inscribing position to position the item for inscribing. There is also provided a controller that governs the movements of the inscriber and includes an input device. The input device is moveable between a first position to receive characteristics about the item to be inscribed and a second position to receive a message to be inscribed on the surface of the item.

Abstract: An engraving system for positioning a workpiece to be engraved. The workpiece is held in a workpiece carrier having a positioning structure that engages a complementary positioning structure on an engraving table. The workpiece is centered in the workpiece carrier so that when the workpiece carrier is in position on the engraving table, the center of the workpiece is known to the engraving system. This engraving system allows for an unskilled operator to engrave workpieces of different configurations in a reliable manner.

Abstract: Described is a draw-in nipple for fastening a palette on a machine tool, with the draw-in nipple for fastening of the palette being received by a rapid-action clamping system, with the draw-in nipple being attached afflicted with clearance on the palette and through application of a tension force in its longitudinal direction away from the palette being lockable free of clearance. The draw-in nipple is herein preferably received in a resilient element which upon exertion of a tension force becomes deformed and locked through the draw-in nipple.

Abstract: The workpiece or pack of printed circuit boards is fitted to a clamping fixture carried by the table and is machined by a machining head; the head and the table being movable with respect to each other along two coordinate X, Y axes. The aligning method includes the steps of providing the pack with two locating holes; fitting the pack to the fixture; determining the distances between the real positions of the holes and two reference positions; and moving the pack on the fixture to eliminate the distances. The aligning device has an optoelectronic sensor carried by the head to determine the real position of each hole; and a number of motors controlled on the basis of the real position of each hole to move a locating member for locating a first pin on the pack, and to move one bar of a pair of bars for clamping the other pin on the pack.

Abstract: A process for the edge-planing of the longitudinal and frontal edges of workpiece plates. A workpiece plate is advanced to a plate saw and at least one longitudinal edge is planed. The workpiece plate is then rotated and at least one frontal edge is planed by the plate saw. The workpiece plate is then rotated, aligned, and advanced toward the plate saw for sectioning.

Abstract: In an actuator, a carriage coupled to an item to be displaced with a translatory movement comprises a follower element which defines contact surfaces engaged against the flanks of the thread of a micrometric screw. The contact surfaces co-operate with the thread of the screw only over a small angular portion thereof. The follower element of the carriage is held on the thread of the screw by resilient thrust means acting on the carriage so as to urge it pivotally about an axis (X--X) which is parallel to its direction of translatory movement, being prevented from moving in all the other degrees of freedom. The actuator is especially adapted for use in translator devices in which the level of precision is of the order of a micrometer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing a plurality of plates of predetermined size through at least one precision processing station for accurately and economically performing machining functions or the like on the plates. Aligned group of plates are presented to an input end of the apparatus by fork lift trucks and after processing the group of plates, the process plates are aligned, and removed from the apparatus by fork lift trucks or the like thereby greatly reducing labor costs and providing a more accurately machined product.

Abstract: A carriage or slide of a machine tool is moved along a supporting guideway or way by a pair of driven pinions engaging a rack, and each pinion is mounted on the output shaft of a corresponding planetary gearbox. The input shafts of the gearboxes are driven by a reversible electric motor through an endless belt and pulley system. A pair of belt tension wheels engage the endless belt and are supported by a set of spring biased slide members which cooperate to establish a predetermined tension in the belt and a predetermined preload torque on the input and output shafts of the gearboxes to produce a corresponding anti-backlash force of the pinions against the rack.

Abstract: Machining equipment for a production line using pallet type jigs, which includes a plurality of pallet type jigs, a conveyance line capable of conveying the jigs, a work bench provided on the conveyance line, a spindle head capable of being fed back and forth with respect to the work bench, and a control system for controlling the conveyance line, the work bench, and the spindle head. On the work bench are provided a horizontal rotary table which is capable of turning and indexing at a desired angle and has a constant turning position, and two rails which are rotatable coaxially and integrally with the horizontal rotary table and disposed side by side in the vertical direction to extend in the horizontal direction, in order to follow the alterations of the machining angle of a workpiece held by the pallet type jig and further to carry the pallet type jig in and out of the work bench conveniently.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an indexing attachment for a numerically controlled milling machine, comprising an indexing spindle rotatably supported in the casing for receiving a workpiece chuck, a bottom plate for fixing the casing on a worktable, and clamping means for fixing the indexing spindle in the various indexing positions. The indexing attachment is to be of simple and inexpensive structure and intended to permit--without any drive means of its own--programme-controlled indexing operations and thus milling steps along five axes. To this end the indexing spindle (10) of the indexing attachment (8) is adapted to be coupled with a driver (4) mounted on a part (2) of the milling machine and to be driven by programme-controlled motions of the milling machine.

Abstract: A pallet receiver for a machine tool is disclosed utilizing a pin and socket for registration and alignment. A pallet clamp piston is employed to clamp the pallet to the receiver base for subsequent machining operations. A registration pin is rigidly secured to the receiver base, and a cooperating pin socket is mounted to the pallet underface by means of a compliant diaphragm spring so that as the socket and pin are engaged during the first portion of clamp piston movement the pallet will be registered and aligned with respect to the receiver base, and during the second and final portion of piston movement the axially compliant pin socket will permit the pallet to engage a rigid clamp down surface on the receiver base, thus insuring a positive final resting position for the pallet on the receiver base.

Abstract: Apparatus for reworking the valve guides of a cylinder head is disclosed. The apparatus includes an adjustable cylinder head holder including a base, a pedestal and a head support subassembly permitting positioning of the head rotationally about its longitudinal axis as well as pivotally about a transverse axis. A pair of such cylinder head supports are supported on an elongated member for transverse adjustable movement. The elongated member is supported on a bed plate beneath the spindle of a drill press. Valve guide reworking tools secured to the spindle by a U-joint are aligned with and guided through the valve guides by a valve guide boring fixture securable to the cylinder head.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing temporary side post terminals of at least one multi-celled battery case for lead acid automobile batteries is disclosed. The subject apparatus comprises a horizontal transversely reciprocating work station containing a plurality of milling heads. The work station is also designed to first sense that batteries being operated upon are in a proper position for post removal and then to clamp them in that position until the temporary side posts are machined off by said milling heads. The apparatus further comprises conveyor means adapted to bring the battery cases into the apparatus and then to remove them from the apparatus after the side terminal removal operation is completed. Another feature of the conveyor is a horizontal guide to intercept skewed and misaligned battery cases and to correctly position them against the outer sidewall of the conveyor for proper side post removal.

Abstract: A wood routing machine accepts a length of wood stock, e.g., a length of preformed crown molding, and thereafter in automatic sequence clamps the wood stock at lengthwise spaced locations, routs evenly spaced notches along the length of the stock and after each router operation automatically unclamps and indexes the stock a predetermined distance, again clamps the stock and repeats the router operation sequence until the entire length of stock has been notched to form a length of dental block type wood molding.