Abstract: A method and apparatus for rotatably supporting a workpiece WP includes a bearing ring 300 which extends around a center support member 204. The bearing ring is deflectable inwardly at a plurality of spaced apart locations 310 to engage the center support member at these locations during machining of a workpiece. At each of the locations where the bearing ring is deflected inwardly into engagement with the center support member, the bearing ring has a reduced thickness to thereby reduce the resistance of the bearing ring to deformation at these locations. Fluid pressure applied against the outside of the bearing ring deflects the bearing ring inwardly at the locations of reduced thickness. The deflected portions of the bearing ring engage the center support member to securely hold it during machining of a workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in machining a workpiece includes a housing (102) which is operable between a closed condition enclosing a chuck (101) and an open condition. When the housing (102) is in the open condition, an opening (117) extends across the top of the housing and down opposite sides of the housing to provide access to the chuck (101) from both sides of the housing. A workpiece transfer assembly (200) has a downwardly extending structure (204) which is movable along a path (A) extending through the housing (102) when the housing is in the open condition. This enables the transfer structure (200) to move unfinished workpieces (W) to the chuck (101) from one side of the housing and to move finished workpieces from the chuck to the opposite side of the housing. The transfer structure is supported on tracks (201) which extend above the housing.

Abstract: During operation of an apparatus to machine a workpiece, an unfinished workpiece is gripped by a workpiece loader and unloader assembly at a conveyor station. The loader and unloader assembly moves the workpiece along the axis of a spindle assembly through an opening in a shield which minimizes the accumulation of material cut from a workpiece on the loader and unloader assembly and on a conveyor assembly. The loader and unloader assembly moves a finished workpiece from the spindle assembly, rotates a support arm through a distance which is less than 90.degree. to the condition of an unfinished workpiece in alignment with the spindle assembly and inserts the unfinished workpiece into the spindle assembly. The workpiece loader and unloader assembly then comes back through the opening in the shield and transfers the finished workpiece to an outfeed section of the conveyor assembly.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for grinding a workpiece (W) includes a base (10) upon which a headstock (21) and a tailstock (23) are mounted to support a workpiece for rotation about axis (A). A carriage (300) is movable along the base. A light weight wheel slide (400) is mounted on the carriage and is movable toward and away from the workpiece. A grinding wheel (501) is rotatably supported on the wheel slide. In order to provide a solid support for the light weight wheel slide, the carriage has a plurality of guideways (901, 902, 903) which are enclosed by the carriage. The carriage extends throughout the length of the guideways and provides a solid support for the guideways.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in machining a workpiece includes a housing (102) which is operable between a closed condition enclosing a chuck (101) and an open condition. When the housing (102) is in the open condition, an opening (117) extends across the top of the housing and down opposite sides of the housing to provide access to the chuck (101) from both sides of the housing. A workpiece transfer assembly (200) has a downwardly extending structure (204) which is movable along a path (A) extending through the housing (102) when the housing is in the open condition. This enables the transfer structure (200) to move unfinished workpieces (W) to the chuck (101) from one side of the housing and to move finished workpieces from the chuck to the opposite side of the housing. The transfer structure is supported on tracks (201) which extend above the housing.

Abstract: An improved machine tool (10) has a driven cutting tool (T) which is rotatable about an axis (C) extending perpendicular to the axis (B) of rotation of a turret (200) when a toolholder (300) is mounted on an end face (203) of the turret (FIG. 7). The cutting tool is rotatable about an axis extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the turret when the toolholder (300) is mounted on a side face (204) of the turret (FIG. 10). A drive assembly (600) is operable to drive the cutting tool when it is mounted on either the end face (203) or the side face (204) of the turret. The drive assembly (600) extends through the turret and has output at a location disposed between the end and side faces (203, 204) of the turret. A pair of actuators are (400, 500) provided to operate the toolholder (300) to engage and release the cutting tool (T) when the toolholder is mounted on either the end face or side face of the turret.

Abstract: An improved machine tool includes a chip conveyor assembly which includes a conveyor and a coolant tank. The chip conveyor assembly is movable between a closed or operating position and an open or exposed position. In the closed position, the chip conveyor assembly is disposed directly beneath a work area so that chips fall onto the conveyor. The chips are transported through an opening at one end of the machine tool to a discharge area where the chips are deposited in a suitable receptacle. To facilitate maintenance of the chip conveyor assembly, the entire chip conveyor assembly is movable through an opening in the front of the machine tool to an open position in which the components of the conveyor are accessible.

Abstract: An improved liner for a shaped explosive charge has a metal side wall with an outer side surface which is adapted to be engaged by the explosive charge and an inner side surface which defines an outwardly flaring cavity. The side wall is formed of a single crystal of metal and is free of grain boundaries. The single crystal of metal is composed of atoms arranged as unit cells all having the same orientation relative to the central axis of the cavity. This tends to optimize the performance of the shaped charge and allows the designer of the shaped charged freedom to completely specify the crystallographic orientation of the side wall of the liner.

Abstract: In order to improve the results which are obtained during the forging of a workpiece, the workpiece is electrophoretically coated with a lubricant formed of glass particles having two distinct formulations. Thus, soft glass particles having a formulation which results in transformation of the glass particles from a solid to a liquid at a relatively low temperature are interspersed with hard glass particles having a formulation which results in transformation of the glass particles from a solid to a liquid at a relatively high temperature. At the relatively high temperature, the materials of the hard and soft melted glass particles combine to form a combined glass lubricant which has a desired viscosity and lubricity at forging temperatures. This enables the soft glass particles to melt at a relatively low temperature and form an oxidation barrier around the workpiece in early stages of a preheat cycle.