Abstract: A main compactor and a tail compactor are independently movable with respect to a tape laying head when compacting composite tape. A piston-driven linkage switches the two compactors alternately to a tape laydown point defined with respect to the tape head.

Abstract: An improved tape laying machine for depositing and compacting composite plastic tape onto a work surface, for producing a plastic article, has a presser shoe member for applying and compacting a strip of composite plastic tape onto a work surface, and a tail compaction member for compacting the tail of the strip of composite plastic tape that are independently actuated, coordinately movable and linked to each other. The tail compaction member has a roller that engages the strip of tape substantially rearward of the point where the centerline of the presser shoe member intersects the compacted tape applied to the work surface as the presser shoe member is in compaction engagement with the tape. The tail compaction member roller then moves along a straight line path on the tape as the presser shoe member progressively retracts from compaction engagement with the composite plastic tape.

Abstract: A counterforce cylinder and piston exert an upward force on the vertically movable slide of a machine. The cylinder pressure line handles reverse flows during operations of the slide. A pilot-operated checkvalve (normally closed) is inserted in the cylinder line between a pressure source and the counterforce cylinder, and is held open during usual operation of the machine. An accumulator is branch-connected to the cylinder line, at a point between the checkvalve and counterforce cylinder. During machine operations, the accumulator stores pressurized fluid; at shutdown of power, the fast-acting checkvalve closes and reliably seals the cylinder line while the accumulator provides pressure to maintain the counterforce cylinder and slide in a substantially constant holding position for several days.

Abstract: Redirect rollers are fitted with non-rotating upstanding fins to provide enhanced guidance for spaced tows which wrap the rollers.

Abstract: An improved plastic tape laying machine is provided having a spring driven spool rotationally mounted on a stationary shaft and being coupled to a flexible skid member interposed between a presser member of a tape laying head of the machine and the plastic tape being applied to a work surface. The spool applies a movement restraining force to the skid member that restricts or prevents undesired movements of the skid that lead to misalignment, delamination and other defects in a produced plastic composite article while at the same time biasing the skid against the tape detruding portion of the presser member without significantly inhibiting the working motions of the presser member.

Abstract: A rotary deck for interchanging a pair of pallets in a machining center is partially enclosed within a guard housing surrounding the machining zone. The deck sweeps a predetermined diameter with the pallets. An operator access door is mounted to cover an opening in the housing, adjacent the machining zone. The door slides into the sweep diameter when opened and the deck is stationary; an interlock prevents deck rotation when the door is opened.

Abstract: A lightweight structure for the base of a co-ordinate measuring machine is formed of a triangulated space frame arrangement using carbon fibre reinforced plastics bars (30) having a near zero coefficient of thermal expansion. The frame arrangement may be covered by a skin extending across one or more faces of the frame members to form a closed structure.

Abstract: A servomotor-driven U-axis tool member rotation device for a boring and facing head is affixed to a machine by a bracket, and has a torque coupling slidable on the servomotor shaft. A cover is mounted to a pivot shaft on the bracket, and is rotated by the servomotor to selectively cover and uncover the torque coupling. The cover pivot shaft has a driven gear, and the torque coupling has a driving gear. When a U-axis head is disengaged from the torque coupling and machine spindle, the gears are held in mesh by a biasing spring applied to the torque coupling, and the cover may be rotated. When a U-axis head engages the torque coupling, the biasing spring is overcome and the gears are forced out of mesh; at this time, the servomotor may rotate the input tool member of the U-axis head to position its tool, while the cover remains stationary in the open position.

Abstract: To maintain alignment of a band of fiber tows as it travels between a source of such tows and a fiber placement head in a computer controlled fiber placement machine, a pair of redirect rollers are provided, at least one of which is automatically and drivingly swivelled by an amount related to commanded movement of the fiber placement head relative the source of tows so as to maintain alignment of the fiber band between the source and the fiber placement head such that a vector normal the fiber band and across the width thereof is parallel the longitudinal axis of rotation of the redirect roller as the fiber band passes thereover.

Abstract: In a co-ordinate measuring machine, a linear guideway comprises two tubular guides 14, 16 mounted on a column 10 in a parallel spaced apart relation and extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the column 10. The guides 14, 16 are mounted on the column 10 by a plurality of elongate bars 20 formed for example of carbon fibre. The bars 20 are so designed as to allow change in relative length between the guide 14 and the column 10 but to retain the guide 14 in a rigid relation to the column 10 in a direction along the axis of each of the bars 20. The guide 16 is mounted on the column 10 by a plurality of pairs of bars 50 similar to the bars 20. Each of the guides 14, 16 is anchored relative to the column 10 at one respective end. A carriage 12 is slidably mounted on the guides 14, 16 by suitable bearings and requires five degrees of restraint and one degree of freedom in the axial direction of the guides 14, 16.

Abstract: A motorized tape reel is carried on a mandrel shaft extending between a pair of brackets. At the first bracket, the mandrel shaft joins with a swivel ring which permits rotation and axial sliding of the mandrel shaft. The swivel ring swivels on vertical pins in order to swing the mandrel shaft out of its position between the brackets. A second shaft, journalled for rotation within the second bracket, has a power drive connection at its outer end and a separable coupling at its inner end for driving the mandrel shaft. A biasing spring at the first bracket urges the mandrel shaft towards the second bracket, thereby closing the coupling. To change tape reels, manual force is applied to the mandrel shaft to overcome the biasing spring and separate the coupling. The mandrel shaft is then swung out from between the brackets, and the old tape reel is removed. The reverse steps are followed to install a new tape reel.

Abstract: A composite tape laying machine removes each severed portion of a composite tape of a tape assembly from its backing that is not to be applied to a mold or the like. A removal tape of a material, which has a greater adherence to the composite tape than the backing has to the composite tape to which the composite tape is releasably adhered, is moved into engagement with each non-selected severed portion at least at the start of each non-selected severed portion. When the non-selected severed portion has a varying width, the removal tape is removed from engagement with the non-selected severed portion at the start of its maximum width. When the non-selected severed portion has a constant width, the removal tape is removed from engagement therewith substantially prior to the termination of the non-selected severed portion.

Abstract: An article gripper has two cantilevered jaws biased together by a spring assembly to hold an article between arcuate surfaces of the jaws. The jaws are cantilever-mounted from respective pivot pins, and the article enters radially through an opening formed between the outboard ends of the cantilevered jaws. Between the pivot pins and the gripped article, the jaws have interengaging teeth which permit ease of engagement and disengagement as the jaws are pivoted, yet the teeth prevent unwanted sliding movement of one jaw past the other, as an article is located within the jaws.

Abstract: A vertically-movable carriage 18 has an attached first electric motor 22 which, through rollers 24, provides a friction drive with a traction bar 16. The carriage 18 is connected by a wire rope 26 to a counterbalance weight 32. The weight (32) has an attached second electric motor 36 which, through rollers 38, provides a second friction drive with a guide bar 34. The total mass of the motor arrangement is thereby split, with one motor compensating for the other.

Abstract: A gripper on a powered gantry, which moves longitudinally relative to a porous conveyor belt, pulls a selected length of a composite sheet material and its backing from a supply roll on a carrousel and past a cutter. After a segment has been cut, the gantry returns the gripper to pull the composite sheet and its backing from the supply roll while the belt moves the segment thereon to a desired position thereon. This continues until the belt supports a plurality of segments. The gripper gantry includes a marker to mark each segment on the belt. After marking is completed, a powered gantry moves to dispose a top film over the segments. A powered gantry, which has a cutter thereon, is then moved so that the cutter, which can move orthogonal to the motion of the gantry and also has its reciprocating cutting blades rotatable about a vertical axis, can cut one or more pieces of desired shapes from each segment. After cutting is completed, the segments are advanced from the belt through a separator.

Abstract: A strainer cup strains a flow of particle-bearing fluid. When blocked, unstrained fluid overflows the cup spilling into a chamber. A switch detects a level of fluid and signals a blocked strainer cup condition, as the chamber drains off the unstrained fluid.

Abstract: A centrifugal particulates filter has inlet and outlet ports for coolant flow, and a flushing port for handling partiulates removed from the main coolant stream. The flushing port is connected to a coiled capillary tube to maintain a constant drain flow of particulates and coolant, the coolant being recycled to the coolant tank.

Abstract: A fiber placement machine includes a carriage assembly movable in an X direction along a base support adapted to rest on the floor, a cross slide pivotally mounted on the carriage having a multi-axis manipulator device at one end carrying a fiber placement head and a creel assembly mounted at the other end which supplies a number of individual fiber tows to the fiber placement head. Mechanisms associated with the carriage and cross slide, in addition to the multi-axis manipulator, are effective to move the fiber placement head along a number of axes with respect to the surface of a mandrel such that the individual fiber tows are pressed onto the mandrel by a compaction roller or shoe mounted to the fiber placement head which is maintained substantially perpendicular to the surface of the mandrel.