Abstract: Testing machines for appyling a loading to a test specimen are required in the electronics industry for tensile testing fine wire and tape peel force. Suitable machines are known but have been cumbersome, slow to re-set and also rather expensive. By the invention load testing machines are provided e.g. for tensile testing of fine wires or tape peel force testing comprising first and second clamp means (6, 10), one fixed the other moveable linearly, between which a specimen is clamped, and a motor (32) arranged to move the moveable clamp means (10), conveniently through a rack (46) and pinion (44) system and a clutch (42). The machine further comprises means (18) to return the moveable clamp means (10) to an initial position in which the clamp means (6, 10) are spaced apart by a predetermined initial spacing when the clutch (42) is disengaged. This provides rapid re-setting of the machine for a further test.

Abstract: A pick-up head especially for use in a machine for placing electrical components on a substrate comprises a tool holder mounted for movement, conveniently by a lead screw driven by a motor, between a plurality of datum positions and further positions remote therefrom, having means for interchangeably mounting a pick-up tool with a datum face of the tool located at a predetermined position relative to the tool holder. The head further comprises a plurality of orienting jaws mounted for movement towards and away from a component carried on the datum face of a tool on the tool holder when the holder is in one of the datum positions whereby the jaws can engage the component to orient the component.

Abstract: A workpiece holding device for use with automatic sewing machines includes registration and holding elements that securely hold a number of pieces of work relative to each other while allowing the same to be automatically sewn together. One of the holding elements moves from its respective holding position to a remote position as the pieces are being joined together.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed for both drilling a hole and thereafter securing a screw anchor therein in a quick and expeditious manner. The tool comprises a handle with a threaded stem extending therefrom. The threaded stem allows a screw anchor and a hard plastic drill tip to be threadably mounted thereon. The tool facilates the manual application of sufficient drilling pressure to the thus mounted drill tip so as to form the appropriately sized hole for the screw anchor.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting the proper transfer of nails within a nailing machine. The disclosed system includes optical sensors attached to feed tubes within the nailing machine. Signals produced by the optical sensors are processed in such a manner as to alert the operator of the machine at a predetermined time when an improper transfer of nails has occurred.

Abstract: A folding machine has workpiece sensing means including an emitter by which an "outside" corner in the workpiece edge approaching the operating locality of the machine can be sensed, such sensing causing the feed length by which the workpiece is advanced step-by-step through the operating locality to be reduced; this conventionally causes pleating in the folded over edge portion. In addition, delay means is provided by which, after the emitter has been re-covered by the workpiece, the feed length reduction continues for a given number of further feed steps.

Abstract: In known pick-up heads for orienting electrical components the component, supported by a pick-up tool, is engaged by a plurality of pairs of opposed jaws to urge the component into a desired orientation. When the components become oriented, the pairs of jaws exert a slight gripping force on the component which can damage fragile components, for example so-called "chips". In the invention, a datum face of the pick-up tool against which the component is supported has the same peripheral shape as the component but each dimension is slightly larger than the corresponding dimension of the component and orienting faces of the jaws are disposed to engage the periphery of the pick-up tool when the component is oriented so that the components are not gripped between the pairs of jaws. Likelihood of damage is thus reduced.

Abstract: A workpiece holder which is attachable to the positioning apparatus of an automatic sewing machine includes a plurality of sharp pointed pins extending upwardly from a base plate. The workpiece which may comprise one or more individual elastic pieces is mounted on the sharp pointed pins. A cover plate, pivotally attached to the base plate, covers the thus mounted workpiece in such a manner that the sharp pointed pins are shielded from contact with the operator of the sewing machine.

Abstract: In a thermo-cementing and folding machine which has a suck-back facility, by which at the end of an adhesive-applying operation adhesive supplied through the nozzle (22) is sucked back into the nozzle so as to prevent `drooling`, auxiliary suck-back steps are introduced at timed intervals following the primary suck-back operation, through controlled amounts, in order to counter further risk of `drooling` caused by thermal expansion of the adhesive in the nozzle (22). The number of auxiliary suck-back steps is variable according to the adhesive supply rate at the time of termination of the adhesive-applying operation.

Abstract: A numerically controlled motor provides a drive at a rate which is proportional to rotation of an independently driven shaft. In addition, the ratio of such rate to such rotation can be varied by a control circuit by which, in response to each pulse supplied by an encoder on said shaft, an incremental value, corresponding to an analogue signal supplied by a potentiometer to an A-D converter, which converts said signal to said value, is supplied to an accumulator, which sums the successively supplied increment values and, at a predetermined cumulative value, "overflows", such "overflow" supplying a drive signal to the n.c. motor. The potentiometer is manually set by an operator to vary the increment value and thus the frequency of "overflow" in relation to shaft rotation. The control circuit also enables "reverse" and "fast forward" drive to the motor independently of the shaft.

Abstract: In a thermo-cementing and folding machine, a gear pump operates to supply adhesive at a rate which is dependent upon the speed of rotation of a main drive shaft, by which workpiece feeding means of the machine is driven. The machine has also a facility for varying the rate of feed of a workpiece by the workpiece feeding means without varying the speed of rotation of the main drive shaft. The ratio of the rotational speed of the shaft to the operating rate of the pump is varied in response to variation of the workpiece feed rate. This arrangement is achieved by computer control, the gear pump being driven by a stepping motor for this purpose. In addition, at the end of each work cycle, use of a stepping motor facilitates "suck back" of adhesive, and a "fast forward" adhesive upon initiation of the next work cycle.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for assigning stitch patterns that are to be automatically sewn on workpieces presented to an automatic sewing machine. The system is capable of receiving a number of communications that identify separate stitch patterns that are to be sewn on a workpiece. The system analyzes these communications and either accepts or rejects the communications as valid stitch pattern assignments. In the event that a communication is accepted, it is stored in a recallable sequence of stitch patterns that are to be sewn on the workpiece.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for positioning a large, flexible workpiece relative to a high speed reciprocating tool. The apparatus comprises a frame and associated workpiece supports which move in a first direction. A workpiece holding assembly mounted to the frame moves the workpiece over the workpiece supports in a second direction transverse to the first direction of movement. The supports engage channels of a tool bed associated with the operative tool and are preferably beveled so as to prevent interference with the moving workpiece.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for checking on the presence or absence of inserted leads of a component into the openings of a printed circuit board. The system is utilized within a component insertion machine wherein a plurality of optical lead sensors are preferably located within the cut and clinch mechanism. A computer system associated with the optical lead sensors compares the optical readings of the lead sensors with predefined data relating to the presence or absence of leads for each particular component being inserted.

Abstract: A pattern selection system having a relatively small number of pattern selection switches is disclosed. Each pattern selection switch is assigned a particular stitch pattern that is stored in a memory. The assigning of the stitch patterns occurs in a series of communications between the operator and the pattern selection system. These communications include the displaying of the stitch pattern assignment that is being made. The pattern selection system thereafter displays the stitch pattern assignment each time the pattern selection switch is activated.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for automatically processing workpieces requiring more than one stitch pattern. The system is operative to automatically select one of a number of previously assigned stitch patterns when a workpiece is presented for sewing. The automatic selection is accompanied by an incremental pointing to the next stitch pattern which is to be sewn when the workpiece is again presented for sewing.

Abstract: A system for sensing the size of electronic components processed within a machine for placing components on a media such as a printed circuit board. The size of a component is determined at a sensing station and the component is thereafter precisely positioned according to its size relative to a placement head. The placement head picks up the thus positioned component and places the component on the media.

Abstract: A sewing machine system possesses an interactive communication capability allowing for the assignment of stitch patterns with respect to workpieces to be sewn. The workpieces are arranged within pallets having binary codes impressed thereon. The stitch pattern assignments are made in conjunction with the sensing of the binary codes. The workpieces are automatically processed from a location wherein the binary codes are sensed, to a location wherein the pallets are attached to an automatic positioning system. The workpieces are furthermore processed through to an output position when the respectively assigned stitch pattern has been sewn.

Abstract: A variable insertion rate control system for a component insertion machine is disclosed. An insertion rate is read and retained by the control system which thereafter authorizes insertion of components at the indicated insertion rate. In order to achieve relatively high insertion rates, the downward stroke of the component insertion head is commanded before the receiving medium is registered in position for receiving the component.

Abstract: In a computer-controlled sewing machine for performing a joining operation, e.g. on shoe uppers, a workpiece holder comprises three clamp members one of which is fixed, defining a reference plane, and the others are movable. Two members are provided with workpiece component locating means for locating components in relation to one another and to the sewing instrumentalities of the machine. In use, a first component is located on the first member and is then clamped between the second and third members and, with the first member retracted, a second component is located by the second, fixed, member and then clamped by the first and third members. This facilitates work-handling and improved output of the machine. For selecting a desired sewing pattern, sensing means is provided which detects the particular workpiece components clamped and signals the computer control means of the machine accordingly.