Abstract: A design for tank fabricating equipment and system comprises a frame supporting opposing arms for supporting one or more tank shells. The opposing arms pivotally engage opposing sides of the tank shells to force them into a circular cross-sectional shape. The arms are provided with rollers for aligning the tank shell with adjacent components during fabrication. In some embodiments, the rollers are provided with a circumferential channel to accommodate welding seams and to ensure alignment of butt joints.

Abstract: This invention comprises a self-centering mechanism for retaining an object, a clamping device for retaining an electronic device or an electronic device in a case, and means to integrate the devices in an adapter form. The structure of the self-centering mechanism allows for a compact device that is capable of fitting a wide range of differently sized and shaped objects. The clamping device allows for means to retain an electronic device or an electronic device in a case that is capable of fitting a wide range of differently sized and shaped electronic device. The self-centering mechanism and clamping device can also be integrated into the form of an adapter for various applications.

Abstract: A center frame for supporting a workpiece includes a lower seat, and an upper seat pivotable relative to the lower seat between a clamping position, where the upper seat cooperates with the lower seat to define a clamping opening for receiving and clamping the workpiece, and a releasing position, where the upper seat is rotated away from the lower seat. A clamping unit includes first, second and third abutment support units, each of which has an abutment portion located in the clamping opening, and an operating portion opposite to the abutment portion. The operating portion of each of the first to third abutment support units is operated to move the abutment portion to abut against or away from the workpiece.

Abstract: An auto-centering apparatus of a steady rest has: a base part; a main support part installed on the top of the base part, and a loading unit installed on the top of the main support part; at least one side support part installed on the top of the base part and located at least one side of the main support part, and a loading unit installed on the top of the side support part; a lift-up module installed in the base part and coupled to the main support part; and a connecting unit installed between the main support part and the side support part.

Abstract: A machine tool includes a main spindle (10) which holds a workpiece (200, object to be machined) and is rotatable about the shaft center (C1), a main spindle motor (20, main spindle driver) which rotates the main spindle (10), a rotary guide bush (30, eccentric guide hush) which supports the workpiece (200) projecting from a leading end of the main spindle (10) to be rotatable in a state of being eccentric relative to the shaft center (C1) by a length E, a guide bush servomotor (40, guide bush driver) which rotates the rotary guide bush (30) about the shaft center (C1) in synchronization with the main spindle (10), and a controller (50) which controls the rotation and driving of the guide bush servomotor (40), so as to selectively switch between the rotation state and the stop state of the rotation.

Abstract: A steady rest for centering a rotationally symmetrical workpiece in a housing, a guide slide axially adjustable in the housing, an actuator rod in a form-locking connection with the guide slide, and two control surfaces opposite one-another on the guide slide and configured so that the guide slide has a triangular cross-sectional contour, one tip pointing towards the workpiece and the opposite two tips point in toward the actuator rod, a middle steady rest arm in driving connection with the actuator rod, and two outer steady rest arms each on a side next to the middle steady rest arm, and mounted in a swivelling arrangement in the housing, the first free end of which is in contact with a control surface of the guide slide, the second free end gripping the workpiece, forming a three-point mounting with the middle steady rest arm adapted to hold the workpiece.

Abstract: A self-centering steady rest (1) for clamping a workpiece (4) on a turning machine, with three holding elements (5, 6, 7) mounted in a housing (2) and held adjustably in a common plane, the two outer holding elements (5, 7) being configured as swivelling angled levers supported in the housing (2) and in a mirror-image arrangement with one another, and the middle holding element (6) is guided in the housing (2) by means of middle piece (8) in a driveable connection with a drive unit (61) to be axially moveable in the direction of the workpiece (4), with control surfaces (9) being provided on the middle piece (8) wherein the two outer holding elements (5, 7) interact with the control surfaces (9) to achieve clamping movements of the three holding elements (5, 6, 7) and are performed by means of a drive device (21, 61) which is operated electrically, and which performs rotational movement that is converted into an axial advance and return movement performed by the middle piece (8).

Abstract: Disclosed is a numerically controlled lathe 100 which includes a head stock 110 which rotatably supports a spindle 120; a guide bush 170 disposed so as to face the head stock 110 and configured to support one end of a bar-like workpiece W extending from the spindle 120; and a tool post 130 having a tool T1 to process the workpiece W supported by the spindle 120 and the guide bush 170, the guide bush 170 being movable in the same direction as a spindle axis C, the lathe further including a first processing region A which is provided between the guide bush 170 and the spindle 120 and in which the workpiece W is processed by the tool T1 attached to the tool post 130.

Abstract: A steady rest for centering a rotationally symmetrical workpiece in a housing, a guide slide axially adjustable in the housing, an actuator rod in a form-locking connection with the guide slide, and two control surfaces opposite one-another on the guide slide and configured so that the guide slide has a triangular cross-sectional contour, one tip pointing towards the workpiece and the opposite two tips point in toward the actuator rod, a middle steady rest arm in driving connection with the actuator rod, and two outer steady rest arms each on a side next to the middle steady rest arm, and mounted in a swivelling arrangement in the housing, the first free end of which is in contact with a control surface of the guide slide, the second free end gripping the workpiece, forming a three-point mounting with the middle steady rest arm adapted to hold the workpiece.

Abstract: A steady rest has a body juxtposable with a workpiece rotatable about a workpiece axis. Two arm elements are pivoted on the body and carry outer rollers radially engageable with the workpiece. A center element shiftable on the body in a straight line generally radially of the axis carries a center roller engageable radially with the workpiece. The rollers are angularly spaced about the workpiece. An electric actuator mounted on the body is connected by a transmission to the elements for displacing the respective roller radially relative to the workpiece.

Abstract: A steady rest for centering a rotationally symmetrical workpiece in a space, the rest comprising two housing halves arranged at a distance from one another and connected together, a plate-shaped middle piece disposed between the two housing halves, the middle piece being mounted in the housing halves by means of an actuator piston which can be moved in an axial direction to the workpiece, two linear guide grooves disposed in both opposite large-surface end faces of the middle piece, with the guide grooves running in a cross-shaped arrangement and at an angle to a movement direction of the middle piece, two outer steady rest arms, each mounted in one of the linear guide grooves of the middle piece in a movable arrangement, and a middle steady rest arm attached to the middle piece between the outer steady rest arms.

Abstract: A steady rest for centering a rotationally symmetrical workpiece in a space comprises: two housing halves arranged at a distance from one another and connected together, a plate-shaped middle piece arranged between the two housing halves, the middle piece mounted in the housing halves by means of an actuator piston so it can be moved in an axial movement direction to the workpiece, two linear guide grooves disposed in both opposite end faces of the middle piece, with the linear guide grooves running in a cross-shaped arrangement and at an angle to the movement direction of the middle piece, two outer steady rest arms, each of which has its free ends mounted in each of the linear guide grooves of the middle piece in a movable arrangement, and a middle steady rest arm attached to the middle piece between the outer steady rest arms.

Abstract: The turning machine according to the present invention includes a displacement sensor (200) which measures a distance between an immobile reference point and a position of variable point which reflects the positional displacement of the tool, the immobile reference point being able to determine a relative positional correlation relating to a variable position of tools with the progress of machining of the workpiece (W) by the tool (421). In drawings the reference point is set up in the guide bush (90). And based on the measured result by the displacement sensor, the tool is moved so that the center height of the tool and the center line of the workpiece satisfy relatively the predetermined positional correlation. Accordingly, the center height deviation amount due to heat deformation and the like is corrected.

Abstract: A workpiece centering apparatus 1 is provided on a lathe having a spindle 33, an independent chuck 34, and upper and lower tool rests 37, 41, and has sandwiching members 11, 12 mounted to the tool rests 37, 41, respectively, and capable of contacting the outer peripheral surface of a workpiece W, and a centering control section 15 for moving the tool rests 37, 41 and thereby moving the sandwiching members 11, 12 to their respective centering positions which are the positions of the sandwiching members 11, 12 when the center position of a portion to be machined of the workpiece W coincides with the axis of the spindle 33 in a state where the portion to be machined of the workpiece W is being sandwiched and held by the sandwiching members 11, 12, and then causing the independent chuck 34 to grip the workpiece W.

Abstract: A chuck for a laser cutting/engraving rotary fixture comprises a chuck plate having a chuck plate axis of rotation and at least two mount brackets spaced symmetrically radially with respect to one another about the chuck plate axis of rotation. Each mount bracket comprises an inclined contact surface and each mount bracket is rotatably attached to the chuck plate about the mount bracket axis of rotation. The inclined contact surface can be selectively rotated between a first position with the inclined contact surface inclined toward the mount plate axis of rotation and a second position with the inclined contact surface inclined away from the mount plate axis of rotation. An effectively concave contact surface is defined with each of the inclined contact surfaces in the first position. An effectively convex contact surface is defined with each of the mount brackets in the second position for engaging an inner diameter of a work piece.

Abstract: An electrically-operated chuck opening-closing device includes a chuck that grasps workpiece, a conversion device with a control gear provided to the outer circumference, a drawbar that couples the conversion device and the chuck, a transmission gear provided to a main spindle, a second rotary shaft rotatably pivoted to be parallel to the main spindle, a first gear and a second gear rotatably provided on the second rotary shaft, an auxiliary motor that drives the first gear, a first clutch that can couple and decouple the auxiliary motor and the second rotary shaft, and a second clutch that can couple and decouple the second rotary shaft and the second gear.

Abstract: A multitasking workpiece machining apparatus includes a pair of workpiece support devices supporting an elongated workpiece, first and second headstocks at positions outside of the workpiece support devices. The second headstock is capable of moving closer to and apart from the first headstock. Each workpiece support device respectively includes a travel drive device traveling between the first and second headstocks. A numerical control unit controls travel of each workpiece support device by synchronously controlling each travel drive device.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus includes a frame, a rotating disk fitted on the frame, platforms on the rotating disk, an inner rotating member fitted on the frame, a clutch, and an actuating mechanism for moving the clutch; the platforms have clamping jaws for clamping a work piece; the clutch is joined to the inner rotating member, and can be engaged with and disengaged from a transmission gear rotated with a power source; after one of the platforms is secured to the inner rotating member, the actuating mechanism will exert force to separate the clutch from the transmission gear, and the clamping jaws clamp the work piece, and next the clutch is engaged with the transmission gear; thus, the power source causes rotation of the transmission gear, the clutch, the inner rotating member, and said working platform so as to test whether the work piece is positioned in balanced position.

Abstract: In a steady rest (1) for central clamping of rod-shaped workpieces (20) by means of three holding elements (4 or 7), of which the outer holding elements (7) can be swivelled about an articulated pin (8) mounted in a housing (2) and the middle holding element (4) can be adjusted in a straight line, in which coolant or lubricant can be carried to the workpiece (20) by means of ducts (23) worked into the housing (2) and the holding elements, supply of the coolant or lubricant to the middle holding element (4) without leaks is made possible by having a cavity (21) worked into the housing (2) and/or a housing cover (3). In addition, the ducts (22, 23) provided in the housing (2) and/or the housing cover (3) as well as in the middle holding element (4) are connected to the cavity (21) and these ducts (22, 23) are connected together by means of an elastically deformable element (31) that can be configured as a flexible high-pressure hose (32).

Abstract: There are provided a base frame 12 positioned below a horizontal axis O; a pair of clamp units 14 positioned at the two ends above the base frame; a pair of support units 16 that horizontally support the long workpiece in two locations, and that are capable of moving vertically; and machining units 18 that are capable of machining the long workpiece. The two clamp units 14 are capable of moving from the outside toward the inside, which support the long workpiece in two locations, and rotate around the horizontal axis O in synchronization with each other.

Abstract: A machine for machining workpieces has at least one milling tool with an internal cutter. The machine is provided with a first guide system and a second guide system parallel to the first guide system. The first guide system has at least one compound slide having a slide part, wherein the at least one compound slide is moveable in a longitudinal direction of the first guide system and wherein the slide part is moveable transversely to the longitudinal direction. A milling tool is secured on the slide part. The first and second guide systems have sliding guides or roller bearing guides. The at least one compound slide has a transverse guide system and the slide part is guided on the transverse guide system.

Abstract: A bar magazine for lathes includes at least one channel designed to receive a bar being machined and pushed along the channel by a bar-pusher collet. The magazine includes at least one bar centering member arranged in a zone along the channel. The bar centering member is movable, upon passage of the collet in the zone, between a first position of engagement with the bar for to center the bar in the channel and a second position removed from the bar to allow passage of the bar-pusher collet through the zone.

Abstract: In a fixture for supporting a workpiece in a machine tool by means of two support elements held in a housing with the workpiece lying on them, the support elements are configured as levers held in a rotating mounting in the housing, the levers being driveably connected together by means of a threaded spindle. The threaded spindle has counter-rotating thread sections in areas corresponding to the support elements, and each of the counter-rotating thread sections of the spindle engage in a sliding block, the sliding blocks being rotatably mounted in holes in the support elements. The threaded spindle is provided with a device for locking the support elements in a set operating position. The two support elements are jointly adjustable and lockable, so that they can be set and readjusted within a short time and in a manner so that production inaccuracies are precluded.

Abstract: A stabilizer is disclosed, for suppressing vibrations and whip during the machining long cylindrical work pieces. A mover causes arms to move away from the work piece when the mover is retracted and to move towards the work piece when the mover is extended. The positioning of links and pivots enables the arms to be moved a significant distance when the mover is moved a short distance and thereby permits the use of the stabilizer between a guard and the path of movement of the work piece. The mover is provided with adjustments for changing the force with which the mover acts and to adjust the force applied to the work piece.

Abstract: A peeling machine through which a rod workpiece is moved along a main axis has an upstream guide and a downstream guide centering the workpiece on the axis and axially flanking a rotary scraper engaging the workpiece. The upstream guide has a plurality of supports angularly spaced about the axis and respective holders displaceable in the supports along respective holder axes extending radially of the axis and having respective centering elements engaging the workpiece radially of the main axis. Respective biasing units braced between the holders and the supports elastically press the elements against the workpiece radially of the main axis Respective brake elements in the supports engage radially of the holder axes against the holders and are pressed radially of the holder axes against the holders so as to rub on the holders and damp vibration in the workpiece.

Abstract: Plastic surface pipe rotary drive apparatus, comprising in combination a drive rotor rotatable about a central axis; a set of jaws spaced about a central axis, and operatively connected to a rotor to rotate about parallel jaw axes in response to rotation of the drive rotor, the jaws having work engaging surfaces extending eccentrically relative to their respective jaw axes; and each of the surfaces extending generally circularly about a locus offset from a jaw axis associated with the surfaces.

Abstract: A facedriver for holding a workpiece along the axis of a rotary-drive machining device, including a base member, a forwardly-biased centerpoint member, drivepins supported rearwardly by fluid in a fluid-containing chamber in the base member, a grip member contacting the centerpoint member, and a grip portion of the fluid chamber adjacent to the grip member for fluid contact therewith such that varying fluid pressure caused by loading force on the drivepins causes application of varying radial gripping force on the centerpoint member through the grip member.

Abstract: A holder for the detachable assembly of cutting tools includes a clamping mechanism, which has a piston axially movable by applying oil pressure on either of two opposite sides thereof. A projection of the piston includes a cone surface with a moderate cone angle arranged to co-operate with a wedge body which is self-locking in relation to the cone surface to keep the cutting tool clamped, even when oil pressure is relieved. In order to guarantee such self-locking, transverse grooves are provided in the cone surface enabling friction-reducing oil to be evacuated from the interface between the cone surface and an inner, partially cone-shaped surface on the wedge body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and article involving a onepiece, unibody spindle liner having a tubular shape with an outside diameter and inside diameter that may be sized to fit virtually any spindle of a turning machine and to readily allow for the feeding therethrough of any size or shape of bar or tube stock. This invention provides that the axial centerline of the workpiece is maintained in concentric axial alignment with the working centerline of the turning machine to reduce wobble or “whip” of the stock during the machining process. The liner's inner bore and diameter is molded to match and allow for feeding of virtually any size and shape stock being turned, including but not limited to round, hex, square, and extruded. The inner bore is molded into the spindle liner along its entire length providing absolute support of the workpiece. The spindle liner also has a flanged mounting end to allow for the proper orientation and attachment to the spindle.

Abstract: This invention is related to a steady rest, which employs a pair of parallel, sliding, linear moving clamping bars for moving wear pads or rollers toward a workpiece.

Abstract: A method of repairing a drill pipe having first and second connector ends, each of the first and second connectors ends including a threaded portion and sealing portions, with a lathe having a chuck with longitudinally spaced first and second sets of jaws, the method comprising the steps of mounting the drill pipe in a lathe, gripping the first connector end of the drill pipe with each of the first and second sets of jaws, orienting the first connector end by manipulation of the first and second sets of jaws into a working position; and rotating the drilling pipe against a working tool to machine the threaded portion and sealing portion of the first connector end and produce a new threaded portion and sealing portion of the first connector end. A lathe with longitudinally spaced first and second sets of jaws is also disclosed. A device for positioning of subsequent workpieces without repeating alignment steps is also disclosed.

Abstract: A toolholder apparatus includes a head, a cutting tool mounting fixture attached to the head for holding the cutting tool, and a floating roller assembly pivotally mounted relative to the head. These components are arranged and constructed so that during the cutting of a workpiece with the cutting tool the floating roller assembly can pivot about a pivotal axis relative to the head to allow the floating roller assembly to align with the workpiece. A mechanism is also provided for accomplishing the initial adjustment of alignment of the cutting tool with the rotating workpiece. This mechanism includes a cylindrical shaft extending from the head, and having an eccentric cam follower lug extending transversely from the shaft. A mounting block has a cylindrical bore disposed therethrough, and the shaft is received through the bore of the mounting block. A cam piece is slideably disposed within the mounting block to rotate the shaft as the cam piece slides relative to the mounting block.

Abstract: A centering spindle for use with a workpiece which is to be induction hardened includes a generally cylindrical outer housing into which a shaft is positioned and mounted in spaced relation to the housing by a bearing arrangement. The bearing arrangement allows the shaft to rotate relative to the housing. The end of the shaft extending out of the housing is connected to an isolation spacer which is fabricated out of an electrical insulator material. The isolation spacer in turn is attached to a removable tip which is constructed and arranged for interfacing with the workpiece to be induction hardened. The design of the centering spindle is such that the tip may be removed and replaced when it becomes worn without the need to replace any of the other parts or components of the centering spindle. Further, any electromagnetic field induced in the workpiece and transmitted to the tip will not be transmitted to the shaft nor to the bearing arrangement due to the isolation spacer.

Abstract: A device for guiding a bar at the outlet of a lathe feeder, particularly of an automatic lathe, comprising: a tubular body, which is fixed to the outlet of the feeder coaxially to the rotation axis of the bar; and a plurality of circular annular elements, which are mutually adjacent and lie on planes which are perpendicular to the bar rotation axis and are articulated inside the tubular body about axes which are angularly distributed around the axis and so that the center of the elements can oscillate along a circular path which passes through the axis; the elements have respective arms which protrude outside the tubular body through slots of the body and are articulately coupled to a sleeve which is supported so that it can rotate on the tubular body; the sleeve is controlled by an actuation which turns it in both directions, so as to produce an oscillation of the elements in a position which forms a passage for the bar which is delimited by portions of the circular annular elements.

Abstract: A shave tool holder having a body, a platform base and a vertically extending superstructure. An elongate shank portion extends from the body and mounts the body to a holder block. The holder block is reciprocally actuated in a horizontal direction in combination with being pivotally actuated in a vertical direction. A cutter insert is releasably secured upon the platform base. A roller is mounted to a support portion which is in turn secured to the vertically extending superstructure. The roller and support portion are capable of being vertically actuated up and down along the superstructure by a bolt. The enlarged head portion includes a plurality of radially outwardly extending markings corresponding with a circumferential array of the enlarged head portion.

Abstract: To provide a lathing method and apparatus capable of realizing lathing of a bar member made of a hard cutting material and lathing a stock made of a hard cutting material by a lathe including an NC automatic lathe, although lathing of the hard cutting material is impossible in a conventional case, a round bar is rotatably held to be fed along the longitudinal direction of the round bar by a guide bush fixed on the main body side of the lathing apparatus, and the round bar is sequentially fed from the guide bush to a machining tool arranged on the main body side, thereby lathing the round bar in a cantilevered state. Alternatively, a stock is gripped by the chuck of a lathe which performs turning or a lathing device which performs any other machining in addition to the turning, and the stock is lathed while the outer surface thereof is held to prevent an off-axis error.

Abstract: A work station between an active spindle adaptor and a passive spindle adaptor having a common rotational axis, receives a workpiece ring supplied from a loader shuttle. The ring has circular outer edges in parallel spaced planes perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of the ring. Chamfered centering crescents on oppositely facing ring positioners engage opposite edges of the ring and simultaneously clamp and center the ring on the spindle axis. The active spindle then moves the clamped ring to position abutting the passive spindle adaptor and clamps the ring between the spindles. The crescents retract, the active spindle rotates the ring and the ring is machined outside and inside simultaneously. External turning tools are fixed to one toolholder slide, and an additional external tool is movably mounted to the slide.

Abstract: A toolholder apparatus includes a head, a cutting tool mounting fixture attached to the head for holding the cutting tool, and a floating roller assembly pivotally mounted relative to the head. These components are arranged and constructed so that during the cutting of a workpiece with the cutting tool the floating roller assembly can pivot about a pivotal axis relative to the head to allow the floating roller assembly to align with the workpiece. A mechanism is also provided for accomplishing the initial adjustment of alignment of the cutting tool with the rotating workpiece. This mechanism includes a cylindrical shaft extending from the head, and having an eccentric cam follower lug extending transversely from the shaft. A mounting block has a cylindrical bore disposed therethrough, and the shaft is received through the bore of the mounting block. A cam piece is slideably disposed within the mounting block to rotate the shaft as the cam piece slides relative to the mounting block.

Abstract: A support and centering device for a fed bar, in a bar magazine for lathes, comprises a plurality of rods (11) supported at the ends by a first (12) and a second (13) support elements facing each other. The rods (11) are such arranged as to identify a passageway (19) for the bar internally of the plurality of rods and the support elements (12, 13) are mutually rotatable about the passageway axis (36) to tilt the rods (11) relative to this axis, thereby varying the transverse size of the passageway. The supports are spring urged against each other to provide a spring support to the bar and enable passage of a pusher of the bar magazine.

Abstract: A self-centering steady of the closed type includes a housing (H), an actuator (14), a center gripping arm (11) and a pair of side gripping arms (12, 13) intended to grip a workpiece (P) under the action of the actuator (14). The actuator is provided with cam surfaces (31, 32) for engaging the side gripping arms (12, 13) in order to cause the workpiece engagement and/or disengagement movements. Each side gripping arm (12, 13) is connected to the actuator (14) and is slidably received in a rotating element (26) provided in the steady housing (H). The center gripping arm (11) is slidably received in a slide guide (G) provided in the steady housing (H). The rotating elements (26) together with the side gripping arms (12, 13) and with the center gripping arm (11) form a closed structure which prevents dust and scraps from entering the steady housing (H), both with the gripping arms (11, 12, 13) in the retracted and in the extended positions.

Abstract: An angularly swingable and self-centering bar support device for supporting and guiding bar and tube stock material along a feeding path coaxially arranged to a turning spindle of a machine tool. The device comprises a support frame for at least one idly rotating bar-support which is swingably pivoted to the support frame; and a control means to rotate and selectively lock the bar support in a plurality of positions angularly oriented in respect to the feeding path for the bar.

Abstract: In a work support device of a camshaft miller in which a plurality of journal portions (3b) of a work (3) to be machined are supported by a plurality of supporting portions (6), (7) from a lower side and a side reverse to a work milling direction, the work support device is constructed such that supporting surfaces of the supporting portions (6) supporting the work from the lower side thereof are inclined towards the other supporting portions (7) supporting the work from the side reverse to the milling direction and wherein a clamp mechanism (10) having clamp arms (13) for pressing the work from the upper side thereof is disposed above the supporting portions.

Abstract: A guide apparatus for guiding an elongated rotary member comprises first and second plate members, each including a through-hole to define a longitudinal axis and a passage through-which the elongated member may pass. The second plate member is rotatable relative to the first plate member about the longitudinal axis. A bearing mechanism supports the second plate member for rotation and for preventing relative radial movement between the first and second plate members. A movable guiding mechanism comprises at least three guide fingers carrying a guide roller at their inner ends. The guide fingers are actuated by an air or hydraulic cylinder to swung radially inwardly such that the guide rollers contact the elongated rotary member. A pick-up finger is connected to one of the guide fingers to raise the elongated rotary member to the center of the passage. The bearing mechanism may comprise rotary elements which minimize friction between the first and second plate members.

Abstract: A centering and supporting apparatus is disclosed for use as a true centering steady rest for rotatably supporting a cylindrical workpiece during a machining or grinding operation. The apparatus has an internal centerline adjustment mechanism for adjusting the steady rest so as to support the workpiece at its dynamic working centerline. At least one, or a pair of support arms are slidably mounted on an operator body in a housing. Said one or pair of support arms each carries a side workpiece contact member, and the operator body carries a center workpiece contact member, and each workpiece contact member is engagable with the perimeter of the workpiece. The operator body is moved by a stroking means to urge the center workpiece to support a workpiece.

Abstract: A guide apparatus for guiding an elongated rotary member comprises first and second plate members, each including a through-hole to define a longitudinal axis and a passage through-which the elongated member may pass. The second plate member is rotatable relative to the first plate member about the longitudinal axis. A bearing mechanism supports the second plate member for rotation and for preventing relative radial movement between the first and second plate members. A movable guiding mechanism comprises at least three guide fingers carrying a guide roller at their inner ends. The guide fingers are actuated by an air or hydraulic cylinder to swung radially inwardly such that the guide rollers contact the elongated rotary member. A pick-up finger is connected to one of the guide fingers to raise the elongated rotary member to the center of the passage. The bearing mechanism may comprise rotary elements which minimize friction between the first and second plate members.

Abstract: A disc cutting apparatus for cutting opposite surfaces of a disc-shaped workpiece such as a disc rotor for an automobile disc brake includes a rotating mechanism for positioning and rotating the workpiece which is pressed, under uniform pressure, radially inwardly by a plurality of holder mechanisms. While the workpiece is being rotated by the rotating mechanism and pressed by the pressing mechanism, the workpiece is cut by a cutting mechanism. The cutting mechanism includes cutters for cutting opposite surfaces of the workpiece, and the cutters are positionally adjusted with respect to the workpiece based on positional information detected by a detector which has a probe held against the workpiece.

Abstract: A center drive support for supporting a crankshaft during machining in a machining device comprises a rotatably drivable support member and a drive unit. The rotatably drivable support member has a carrier with at least two clamping elements with clamping ends. The clamping elements are displaceable between a clamping position and a release position for the crankshaft. The clamping elements clamp the crankshaft between their clamping ends. The drive unit is connected to the clamping elements for applying a required clamping force in the clamping position during rotation of the support member. The drive unit includes a clamping motor and a drive shaft connected to the clamping motor. It further includes a gear unit connected between the drive shaft and the carrier. The gear unit, during machining of the crankshaft in the clamping position, follows the rotation of the support member against the toque of the clamping motor.

Abstract: A centering and supporting apparatus is disclosed for use as a true centering steady rest for rotatably supporting a cylindrical workpiece during a machining or grinding operation. The apparatus has an internal centerline adjustment mechanism for adjusting the steady rest so as to support the workpiece at its dynamic working centerline. At least one, or a pair of support arms are slidably mounted on an operator body in a housing. Said one or pair of support arms each carries a side workpiece contact member, and the operator body carries a center workpiece contact member, and each workpiece contact member is engagable with the perimeter of the workpiece. The operator body is moved by a stroking means to urge the center workpiece to support a workpiece.

Abstract: A centering device in a machine tool having a chuck for clamping a work includes a clamp device for clamping and centering the work at a different position with respect to the chuck. The clamp device has an actuator driven by a pressure medium and a holder operable by the actuator for clamping the work with a pressure corresponding to the pressure of the pressure medium and for releasing the work. A control device is provided for controlling the pressure of the pressure medium to a value which is appropriate to center the work by the clamp device and which is previously determined according to a diameter of the work to be clamped.

Abstract: An automatic true centering steady rest apparatus for a rotating cylindrical workpiece during a machining or grinding operation on the workpiece. The apparatus has an integrally mounted gaging device, for continuously gaging the diameter of a workpiece during a machining or grinding operation. A pair of gripper arms are slidably mounted on an operator body in a housing. Each gripper arm and the operator body carries a workpiece contact member engageable with the perimeter of the workpiece. The gripper arms are urged to grip a workpiece by the action of a pair of rollers and two sets of fixed guide pins which are operatively engageable with camming contours contained on opposing inner surfaces of the apparatus housing. The improved efficiency of the apparatus, as a result of the roller and guide pin action allows for placing the gaging device remotely from the workpiece, without any loss in the precision of its measurement.