Abstract: An elastomeric sleeve is fitted within a spindle bore over a coaxial spring assembly used to actuate a drawbar clamp. The sleeve takes up the radial clearance space normally provided for the spring assembly, so that as the diameter of the spring assembly changes during compression cycles, the sleeve will be radially compliant and tend to keep the spring assembly centered, thereby minimizing vibrations while the spindle is rotated.

Abstract: Machine tools for cutting metal are provided having a polygon cross-sectional geometry self-centering, high torque transmitting, rotatable tool support bar that is movable along the longitudinal axis of the bar. The tool support bar is coupled to the drive mechanism for rotating the bar, at a point proximate to the exit of the bar from the machine, by a coupling having a slidably mating polygon geometry opening through which the bar passes. In an embodiment of the invention there is further provided means for releasably locking the tool support bar in a predetermined extended position.

Abstract: The interior structure of a tape laydown shoe or roller has an axle supporting solid rings, shoe members, and the like on ball joints. Thus, the solid members adapt to surface contour changes to back up an elastomeric facing element. The ball joints provide for force division of the principal tape head force into plural components directed at the contour surfaces.

Abstract: A grinding machine utilizes a gantry type loader for exchanging workpieces with the work support spindle of the machine. The loading head of the gantry loader has a rotatable workpiece gripper assembly to switch the parts end-for-end during the loading and unloading process. The loading head is also fitted with nonrotating workpiece grippers which are spring biased to mechanically grip and extract a grinding wheel tool from a grinding wheelhead and exchange the tool with a different tool located in a tool support pocket of a tool storage matrix at a position remote from the grinding wheel head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for cooperatively controlling motion between a tool centerpoint associated with a function element carried by a manipulator and rotation of a workpiece carried by a positioner. The tool centerpoint follows a linear path interpolated between programmed locations at a velocity resulting in a relative velocity between the tool centerpoint and the workpiece surface equal to a programmed velocity. Differences in radial distance of the tool centerpoint from the axis of rotation of the workpiece at successive programmed locations result in incremental velocity modifications along the path to maintain the relative velocity at the programmed value.

Abstract: A baseplate carries an axially-advanceable rotating cutter. A V-block and clamp head are aligned on the plate to locate and secure a robot-positioned welding torch nozzle in a vertical attitude. After clamping the nozzle in position, the rotating cutter is advanced into the nozzle bore to remove accumulated internal weld spatter. The machined-away weld spatter can therefore be discharged under the influence of gravity or by a blast of purging air applied to the torch nozzle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for absolute position measurement for numerically controlled machines is provided. The invention produces a unique measurement signal for all locations within the range of a movable machine member using two measuring devices. Each measuring device produces a unique measurement signal within a portion of the range of motion that cyclically repeats over the entire range of motion. The measuring devices are so arranged that the measurement signal of one completes no more than one more cycle over the range of motion than the measurement signal of the other. The difference between the two measurement signals is unique for all locations and is used to produce an absolute position signal.

Abstract: A laser shielding device is disclosed, having two spaced-apart layers of shielding material defining a sealed chamber between the two. At least one layer will degrade in the presence of an impinging laser beam, creating a hole through the layer. A pressure change in the chamber is sensed and signaled to a machine controller to stop the lasing operation.

Abstract: A rack lubricator is bolted to a drive pinion housing. The lubricator supports a porous felt gear on a rotatable shaft. Lubricant is ported through the shaft to the inner surface of the gear, and the gear wicks the lubricant onto the rack teeth, thereby coating the surface of the rack with minimal lubricant as the felt gear rolls with the rack.

Abstract: A flagging apparatus having non-contacting proximity switches emitting a directional energy field and producing a signal in response to an induced alteration of the energy field, a rotatable target element having target faces for engaging and altering the energy field and a probe attached to the target element and contacted by a surface of a workpiece is provided for repetitively positioning workpieces in the work space of a grinder in reference to a grinding wheel. Advantageously, the flagging apparatus is operative in either of two opposing directions without a mechanical and/or electrical change over or modification in the apparatus with a change in operating direction. To achieve the operation in either of two opposing directions the target faces of the target element are spaced apart from each other such that the sequence in which the energy fields are engaged and altered by the target faces remains independent of the direction of rotation of the target element.

Abstract: A strand laying head is disclosed wherein strands of composite material pass from a strand storage device under a spacing roller and are warmed by a heat source. A precompaction roller applies pressure to the strands against a laydown surface as the head moves along the laydown path. A trailing main compacting roller applies final compacting pressure. A heat source is applied to the strand at a point between the precompaction and main compacting rollers to ensure final bonding of the strands.

Abstract: A rotatable spindle is carried in bearings located in one end of the bore in an adapter. The other end of the adapter is fixed in a machine base so as to cantilever the adapter. A damping chamber is formed along the adapter length between the machine base and the adapter, and a damping medium is provided in the damping chamber to control vibrations of the cantilever assembly. In one embodiment, a viscous damping medium is utilized to effectuate squeeze film damping. In an alternate embodiment, a visco-elastic damping medium is utilized in the damping chamber.

Abstract: A tape laying machine is disclosed carrying a tape laminator unit which forms in situ from individual strips of composite material.The strips are first spaced apart on a carrier sheet and next compressed to a relatively thin widened state where the widened strips are contiguous to one another, forming a unitary wide composite tape.The tape is conveyed to a tape laydown station where it is transferred from the carrier sheet and deposited on a work surface.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for compacting a composite tape tail which is formed by making a cut along an oblique line across the tape and manipulating first and second compaction means. The cut, however, severs only the tape while it is adhered to the backing but does not sever the backing or subjacent support (which is usually a strip of paper). The backing is then peeled away from the strip at a location between the first compaction means shoe, blade, or pad) and a second compaction means (preferably a roller) and conveys the discarded portion of tape to storage, disposal etc. The first compaction means bears down on the assembly of tape and backing. The second compaction means engages the tape after the peeling away, hence bears down on only the tail. Only one compaction means is used at a time. The second compaction means compactingly engages the tail not later than the arrival of the tail leading edge at said second means by which time the first compacting means has stopped compacting.

Abstract: A tapping lubricant dispenser apparatus is provided for use in numerically controlled automatic toolchanger machining systems to dispense tapping lubricant into a previously drilled hole before tapping. The tapping lubricant is usually a viscous tapping compound of the consistency of paste, grease or the like. The apparatus includes a toolholder of the type to fit into the machine spindle, a reservoir for a supply of lubricant--typically sufficient to run unattended for several complete cycles, e.g. at least one shift--and a reciprocating pump that dispenses the lubricant responsive to actuation by the numerical control system when the toolholder of this apparatus is fitted into the machine tool spindle. The reservoir reloads the pump after each dispensing action. The numerical control and toolchanger system is programmed to select the apparatus, put it in the spindle, align same with the hole to be tapped, and causes pump reciprocation and dispensing and then remove the apparatus from the spindle.

Abstract: An anti-backlash mechanism for a machine drive is disclosed, wherein a shaft carries a rotary worm wheel having drive connections to the tangs of two back-to-back clutch units. The first clutch unit is connected to a rotatable shaft, concentric with the worm wheel, and having a first helical gear on its end. A second helical gear on the support shaft is torsionally and axially free to slip. The second gear is connected to the second clutch unit by a torque tube permitting relative axial movement to occur between the two. A first actuator biases the two gears apart, and a second actuator between the second helical gear and the clutch units provides clamping force to engage the mechanism. An output bull gear is in mesh with the pair of helical gears. To engage the mechanism, the second actuator is energized, impressing a snugging force on the discs of the clutch units, and driving the second helical gear in an axial direction toward the first helical gear.

Abstract: An adjustable tool mount positions a rotatable tool on a machine tool spindle by a central tool mount ring having a internal thread machined throughout. The thread engages a pin extending from the tool spindle, so that rotation of the assembly causes axial advancement of the tool mount. The tool mount is clamped and unclamped by a lock nut received on the tool mount which compresses a plurality of nested conical spring rings which are closely fitted to a counterbore within the tool mount and to the machine spindle. Compression of the spring rings tends to enlarge the ring outer diameter and tends to reduce the ring bore, thereby causing a secure frictional grip to be effected between the tool mount and machine spindle.

Abstract: A tool changing system for turning machines is disclosed wherein a tool magazine having a plurality of common-based tools carries the tools on a serpentine chain matrix. The tool holders are secured to the links of the chain. The tool storage magazine is removable from the tool changer base, and replaceable with a similar tool storage magazine. A tool interchange arm is carried on a dual slide assembly, wherein a first slide moves a pair of gripper fingers to positions between the tool holder block on the tool turret of the machine and the tool storage magazine. When changing ID tools, which are mounted to the face of a tool turret, a secondary slide is moved relative to the first slide, to provide additional onward stroke positioning, and a turn-around cylinder rotates the interchange arm housing and gripper fingers to bring the tools around to the face of the tool turret.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling the motion of a point associated with a function element carried by a machine. The motion describes an oscillatory pattern in a selectable plane through a path between two positions defined by input signals. The oscillatory motion pattern defines cyclic excursions about the path. Motion is effected by iteratively interpolating intermediate positions along the path, computing incremental excursion amplitudes associated with the intermediate position displacements, calculating coordinates of the intermediate position excursions and producing machine actuator control signals to move the machine members to advance the point from its position along the pattern to an intermediate position.

Abstract: An article carrier is provided for blow molding equipment which permits relatively simple exchange of the article gripping chuck portion of the carrier. The carrier includes a carrier body, a spindle rotatably supported by the body, an article gripping chuck removeably attached to the spindle and seals between the chuck and the spindle and between the chuck and a preform retained thereby. The chuck is provided with article gripping levers preferably rotatably supported by ball and socket joints. The levers have preform grasping projections at one end and first and second ball ends at the other end. The first ball end mates with the chuck body socket and the second ball end is engaged by a lever actuating ring slidably mounted on the outside of the chuck body.