Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a hollow threaded insert into a hole in a substrate having first and second surfaces. The insert has a hollow shaft having a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion. The insert has a front flange at the first end portion for engaging the front surface of the substrate around the hole. The second end portion of the shaft has an internal thread and, the intermediate portion forms a gripping means that engages the second surface when a force is applied that pulls the second end portion toward the first end portion.

Abstract: A multigripper turret (26) for a part handling device (10) in which a circumferential array of gripper mechanisms (28) are each mounted for independent shifting movement in a convergent direction by an associated positioning mechanism (29) between an extended position centered on the axis of rotation of a rotary member (22) of the part handling device (10), and a radially outward retracted position. This enables a plurality of parts (20) to be handled by each motion of the part handling device (10).

Abstract: A screwdriver includes a power driven spindle (50) having an end face (52), an enclosure defining a closed cavity (70, 24, 14), a sleeve (60) having a central bore (70) communicating with said cavity and having a forward opening (70c) to receive the head (94) and part of the thread of a threaded fastener (90), and a vacuum (86, 88) for lowering the pressure in the cavity and continuously drawing air from the forward end of the sleeve past the head while holding the head while the fastener is held in a forward end portion (60a) of the sleeve and without driving the spindle. The spindle drives the fastener forwardly and into a workpiece (96) and an air path (70d, 70c, 70b, 70a) sucks contaminants rearwardly and from the workplace.

Abstract: A part feeder (29) for moving individual parts (34) held on rolls (21) of tape (37) to a pickup point, as for handling by a robot arm (25) inserting parts (34) into PC boards (26) at a work station, the part feeder (29) including a cassette (30) having a housing portion (30a) to hold the roll (21) and side walls (85) having guide members (48,33,104) affixed to position the parts (34) for capture by a parts advancing mechanism (52) to be transferred into a part dressing assembly (43) where the parts (34) have their leads (35,36) straightened and cut to a desired length preparatory to presentation for pickup. (FIG. 7).

Abstract: A parts manipulator formed by a head and a robot (10) for attachment to a robot arm and rotatable therewith, the head including a rotatable mount (26) attached to the robot arm (19) and a plurality of gripper mechanisms (21) secured about the mount (26). Each gripper mechanism includes a set of finger portions (51), each selectively and independently of each other shiftable between first and second orientations on the mount to extend either parallel to and downwardly from, or outwardly from the mount (26), allowing flexibly programmed handling of a part.

Abstract: A part feeder capable of moving individual parts to a receiver from a storage tube having an internal track therein generally conforming to at least a portion of the vertical cross-section of parts stored within the tube to permit the parts to freely slide along the track within the tube. The part feeder comprises a base; a horizontally movable support member slidably mounted on the base; a tiltable arm member pivotally mounted on the support member; and a receiver on the tiltable arm member. An air cylinder is provided for releasably securing one end of the tube on the arm member against the receiver. Another actuator is provided for tilting the arm member so that the end of the tube adjacent the receiver is sufficiently lower than the remainder of the tube to permit one part to slide out of the tube onto the receiver. The tube is then returned to a horizontal position.