Abstract: A tool is disclosed for setting a screw anchor within a wall. The tool includes a plastic handle attached to a threadable member for engaging the screw anchor. The plastic handle is contoured for easy grasping and has a hole at one end to facilitate rotation of the tool. The handle preferably has a recessed screwdriver blade at the opposite end for tightening a screw in the set screw anchor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a capacitor charging circuit for a discharge type welding tool. The circuit includes a rectifier for producing rectified pulsating currents, a capacitor to be charged, a thyristor between the rectifier and the capacitor. A pulse generator receives the pulsating currents and in turn produces a pulse at each hill of the pulsating current. The thus produced pulse is applied to the gate of the thyristor which turns the thyristor on. A charge potential detecting circuit directly measures the charge potential across the charged capacitor and transfers a signal change, according to the level of the capacitor potential, to the pulse generator so as to thereby control the timing of the pulse generation at each hill of the pulsating current.

Abstract: A digital control system for a roll grinding machine controls the infeed of the grinding wheel in a manner which minimizes the impact of momentary changes in infeed command. The momentary change in infeed command which is effectively controlled is that of a pulse compensation introduced for the wear of the grinding wheel.

Abstract: A system for processing workpieces prearranged within pallets that are to be sewn by a sewing machine. The system includes apparatus for automatically processing a pallet from an input location to a location wherein the pallet can be automatically attached to a positioning system. The positioning system moves the attached pallet into position underneath the sewing machine head for subsequent sewing of a stitch pattern. The sewn workpiece is returned to a location where the pallet can be detached from the positioning system. An ejector mechanism automatically moves the detached pallet to a location which does not interfere with the automatic processing of another pallet loaded at the input location.

Abstract: An X-Y positioning apparatus having a dual drive arrangement for the X-direction of motion. The dual drive arrangement includes a pair of pinion gears engaging gear racks extending rearwardly from a frame member. A carriage is mounted for movement along the frame member in a Y-direction. The pinion gears are joined together by a rigid coupling which can be disengaged so as to allow for the adjustment and alignment of the X and Y directions of motion.

Abstract: A drive unit for inserting threaded studs into drilled holes, the unit including a shank with an extension at one end adapted to be inserted into a drill chuck, a threaded extension at the other end and a polygonally shaped central portion.

Abstract: A tool for installing and setting blind fasteners is disclosed. The tool includes a collet and mandrel arrangement for engaging and setting blind fasteners. The collet is biased in a manner which produces an engagement with the end of the blind fastener insert when the mandrel moves rearward.

Abstract: A method and machine are provided for controlling the orientation of one or more sewing instrumentalities with respect to a workpiece while also controlling the path of movement of the workpiece. The one or more sewing instrumentalities are preferably rotated about an axis perpendicular to the plane in which the workpiece is moved. The invention furthermore provides for separate and independent control of each sewing instrumentality so as to thereby render one or both needles inoperative at various times during continuous operation of the machine. The invention still further provides for separate manipulation of the thread associated with each respective sewing instrumentality so as to allow for a pullback of this thread. In principle the invention is also applicable to other than sewing machines wherein one or more operative tools may, for example, perform such functions as marking, folding, pinking, or perforating.

Abstract: A stacking device for stacking headed tubular fasteners. The device comprises air blowing means which accelerates an end fastener in a guide relative to the remaining fasteners in the guide thereby ensuring that each fastener leaves the guide separately without jamming to fall into a stacking passage in which the fasteners form a column one-above-the-other. The stacking device is utilized for stacking rivets in a rivet packaging machine which assembles a column of rivets on a sleeve made of resilient plastics material for later transfer to the mandrel of a pull-through blind riveting tool.

Abstract: A digital control system is provided for positioning a tool relative to a workpiece. The tool is preferably a grinding wheel and the workpiece is a roll appropriately mounted within a roll grinding machine. The digital control system receives various infeed commands representative of the different types of infeed positioning that are to be performed during a grinding operation. The digital control system is thereafter operative to combine these infeed commands into a composite set of control signals. These control signals are applied to a single motor within a pivotal infeed arrangement which moves the grinding wheel relative to the workpiece.

Abstract: A fastener setting tool is disclosed for setting, to a panel member or the like, a fastener including an internally threaded nut portion, a tubular portion extending from the nut portion and a flange portion at the end of the tubular portion. The tool has a driving shaft, a nut member operatively connected to the shaft, a pulling rod threadably connected to the nut member and extending forward to the tool and a mandrel movably mounted to the end of the pulling rod with the end thereof having an externally threaded portion, and a half nut connected to the nut member so as to be rotated with the nut member and mounted on the externally threaded surface of the pulling rod under a predetermined binding force by a ring. The mandrel of the fastener setting tool is furthermore independently slidable with respect to the pull rod and is furthermore associated with a stop clutch which engages the mandrel when pushed back by a blind nut type of fastener so as to prevent further rotation.

Abstract: Workpiece identification apparatus for use in identifying to which of a number of predetermined types a workpiece belongs. The apparatus scans workpieces to be learnt and calculates a set of parameters of each workpiece. After scanning all the workpieces to be learnt, the apparatus selects a sub-set of the parameters such that the sub-set is unique for each learnt workpiece with an allowance for a selected number of parameters to be erroneously determined. The apparatus then scans workpieces to be identified and calculates an equivalent sub-set of parameters thereof and identifies the workpiece by comparing this sub-set with the learnt sub-sets.

Abstract: Loading of a pull-through blind riveting mandrel is effected by arranging on an elongated sleeve a plurality of hollow rivets assembled head-to-tail, threading the mandrel along the sleeve, and transferring the rivets to the mandrel while withdrawing the sleeve. In addition to this procedure the invention contemplates provision of a package or assemblage for facilitating storage and/or transfer of the rivets of a column to a reuseable rivet-installing mandrel.

Abstract: Loading of a pull-through blind riveting mandrel is effected by arranging on an elongated sleeve a plurality of hollow rivets assembled head-to-tail, threading the mandrel along the sleeve, and transferring the rivets to the mandrel while withdrawing the sleeve. In addition to this procedure the invention contemplates provision of a package or assemblage for facilitating storage and/or transfer of the rivets of a column to a reuseable rivet-installing mandrel.

Abstract: A rigid, lightweight positioning system is disclosed for use with a high speed sewing machine. The positioning system includes a rigid, lightweight frame that is slidably mounted in a predefined plane. The frame is driven within the plane by a remotely located motor. A carriage is slidably mounted on the frame so as to move in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the frame itself. This carriage is driven along its axis by a second remotely located motor. The overall arrangement of the elements within the positioning system is such as to minimize the introduction of vibration at the point of sewing.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the parameters of injection molding processes in a machine having a barrel with a plasticating chamber and a screw, rotatably and slidably disposed in said chamber, hopper means adjacent one end of said chamber communicating therewith and nozzle means disposed in the other end of said chamber communicating with a mold. Control of the injection molding process is achieved through an event recognition philosophy by sensing screw position, screw injection velocity, melt temperature, comparing the values at certain instances during the work cycle with known or desired values and using these values, changes of values and differences of values to monitor and initiate changes in the process parameters.

Abstract: Both process and apparatus are disclosed for testing arc stud welding guns. The process and apparatus are premised on generating two electric signals, the first of which occurs as a result of a switching action at the beginning of a welding operation. The second occurs when the welding stud impacts it's counter-electrode. The elapsed time between these signals is measured and used as a basis to determine the effectiveness of the arc stud welding gun. Process and apparatus are both disclosed for testing during actual and simulated arc welding.

Abstract: Presser-foot apparatus is disclosed which is capable of automatically adjusting to various levels of sewing. The presser-foot is slidably held within a housing affixed to a needle bar. The presser-foot is biased against the housing so as to move in conjunction therewith until contact is made with the workpiece. The presser-foot exerts a steady, unvarying pressure on the workpiece while the needle associated therewith continues downwardly. The presser-foot is ultimately lifted from the workpiece during the upward retraction of the needle from the workpiece.

Abstract: A testing system is provided within a component insertion machine for testing a component immediately prior to its insertion into a printed circuit board. The insertion of the component is conditioned upon the successful passage of one or more tests that are dictated for the particular component. Each test includes the selective application of one or more test signals to predefined inputs on the component. Each test futhermore includes a limited application of a particular power condition. A successful passage of the prescribed tests will result in an authorization to insert the component into the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A new and improved cross-beam press includes a carriage which is mounted for movement along a cross-beam located rearwardly of the bed of the press. A movable press head is suspended from the carriage so as to be above the bed of the press. A control system controls the movement of the press head as the same travels toward and then away from the bed of the press. The control system includes means for adjusting the ultimate approach position of the press head with respect to the bed of the press. As a further feature, the bed of the press can be positioned in two different heightwise positions relative to the movable carriage.