Abstract: The present invention relates to means for feeding blanks into the thread rolling part of a thread rolling machine in accurate timing and accurate position. A transport screw for transporting blanks e.g. in a thread rolling machine is disclosed, said transport screw comprises a transport helix for transporting a blank along said transport screw when said transport screw rotates, said transport screw further comprises a feeding area being a widening of said transport helix, whereby said feeding area can receive and feed said blank into said transport helix upon rotation of said transport screw. Further, a method of feeding blanks into a transport screw and a feeding system comprising a transport screw, a blank height adjustment mechanism and a blank alignment mechanism are disclosed.

Abstract: A high speed apparatus for assembling washers on headed parts such as bolt blanks, wherein individual washers are mechanically positively placed and seated onto individual blanks. The apparatus includes a linear transfer mechanism for progressively shifting the blanks through successive stations at which a washer is first placed on the end of a blank, is then "stuffed" axially along the shank of the blank, and is then positively abutted with the head. Various movements of the washers and blanks are effected by individual servomotors that greatly simplify the complexity of the apparatus, provide timing/stroke flexibility, and independent control.