Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for forming a single wire link which can be joined to a preformed jewelry article. The apparatus includes an electric motor-driven cam assembly that provides for sequential operation of the wire feeding and link forming devices. A single wire section is severed from a wire stock, bent into a U-shaped configuration and fed to a link forming station within a common working plane where the U-shaped wire element can be formed into a link and joined to a jewelry article. The link forming apparatus avoids the use of a magazine for storing a plurality of U-shaped wire element thus eliminating unused U-shaped wire elements in the magazine when switching wire stock. The apparatus is constructed in a manner which readily permits quick and easy changing of the feeding and forming dies when switching to different size wire stock. The apparatus further provides a simple adjustment mechanism for adjusting the length of the wire section severed from the wire stock.

Abstract: A machine is shown for feeding a length of wire to a forming station, cutting and forming the length into a U-shaped element around an arbor, moving the U-shaped element to a presentation position in a channel of a face plate with the free ends of the element extending out of the face plate, then forming the free ends into a closed loop by means of a forming head engaging the ends and bending them into the loop and finally ejecting the element from the face plate.

Abstract: A machine for the production of paired chains including a feeding assembly for the chains, a welding assembly of the chains and a take-up device for the produced chain. The feeding assembly for the chains includes a transport mechanism thereof suitable for the engagement within corresponding side by side links and for realizing the simultaneous and intermittent advancement without modifying the symmetry of their reciprocal position with respect to the advancement axis. The transport mechanism, constituted in particular of needle-shaped members, is provided with a translational reciprocating motion in the advancement direction and of a reciprocating lifting and lowering motion in an orthogonal direction. The welding assembly, constituted of two equal assemblies in series, provides for the simultaneous movement of means delivering the welding flame and the welding material. The take-up device operates synchronously with the feed of the chains in order to maintain constantly taut the chain during the welding.

Abstract: A machine for the production of decorative chains made up of links of different forms and/or dimensions connected according to any programmable sequence, comprising at least two independent formation stations (1, 1') in alternate operation according to a prefixed, alterable program on the basis of the features of the chain to be manufactured, and a take-up unit (14), for transferring the chain from one station to another according to said program. Drive means for said take-up unit (14) are provided in each station for actuating the opening and closure of pliers (27), carried by said unit (14) during chain take-up and delivery phases, for producing an axial movement of said unit (14) to and from said stations in coincidence with said phases and for producing an angular displacement of said unit (14) with respect to its axis during said phases. Finally, said drive means enable the station to release the last formed link to said take-up unit (14).