Abstract: A roller cam mechanism and driver assembly which features a positive retraction cam elements comprised of auxiliary rollers and side plate slots which cooperate upon failure of a retraction spring compressed by advance of a tooling slide to cause positive retraction of a tooling slide.

Abstract: An in-die tapping unit for a press in which two ball screw mechanisms are driven by closing motion between two housing pieces caused by press actuation. Both ball screw mechanisms rotate a central drive gear which causes rotation and axial advance of a pitch adapter sleeve axially advanced by a threaded engagement with a fixed pitch adapter hub, the movable pitch adapter carrying a tap holder, which rotates and advances a tap inserted therein. A striker pad and acceleration spring reduces the shock loading of the unit when the press engages the upper housing piece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying molten metal to a die-casting machine. Metal is received from a smelter in a road-going vessel. A burner is lowered into an opening in the road-going vessel to direct heat into the road-going vessel to maintain the molten metal within the road-going vessel at a suitable temperature. Molten metal is transferred from the road-going vessel to a die-casting machine without substantial re-refining. Preferably the molten metal is transferred directly to a die-casting machine using a covered launder system connectable to the road-going vessel to shield the molten metal from atmospheric contact.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for use in applications with high temperatures and rapidly changing thermal gradients. The heat exchanger has a shell, a head, a tubesheet, a tubesheet skirt, and a tube bundle. The tubesheet has a peripheral diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the interior of the head and is coupled to the head by the tubesheet skirt. The gap between the tubesheet and the head is sufficient to allow the removal of the tubesheet from the head after the tubesheet suffers typical thermal deformation. In a preferred embodiment, the head defines a chamber having a combined spherical-cylindrical geometry.

Abstract: A universal cam unit for use in a power press comprising a driver assembly, a slide block to which the working tool is mounted, and a mounting bracket for coupling the slide block to the ram for movement therewith. The slide block is slidably mounted to move between a retracted and an extended position. The slide block and the driver assembly include parallel inclined bearing surfaces which abut when the pressure pad and the ram are lowered. As the ram motion continues, the inclined bearing surfaces slide against each other thereby causing the slide block to move from the retracted to the extended position. The movement of the slide block brings the tool into engagement with a workpiece disposed between the pressure pad unit and the lower die to perform a desired operation. The components of the universal cam unit may be disassembled and selectively replaced, so that the unit may be quickly and easily adapted for use in a desired application.

Abstract: A variable force die spring is disclosed which combines high force, short axial compression distance spring assembly, such as belleville springs, and low force, high axial compression distance springs, such as coil springs, in a telescoping casing having an internal cavity. The springs are arranged within the cavity so that upon receiving a load the low force spring will compress first resulting in a large axial compression and low force resistance. The load applied to the telescoping casing will then transition from the low force spring to the high force spring. The high force spring then compresses as the load continues to be applied. In alternative embodiments, a third intermediate spring is added that compresses moderate distances under moderate pressure thereby increasing the overall axial compression and load capacity capabilities of the spring assembly.

Abstract: An adjustable aerial cam unit for use in a power press comprising a stationary driver assembly coupled to the press bed, a slide block to which the working tool is mounted, and means for coupling the slide block to the ram of the power press for movement therewith. The slide block is slidably mounted at an angle relative to the plane of movement of the ram to move between extended and retracted positions. The slide block includes a lower inclined bearing surface and the driver assembly an upper inclined bearing surface, so that when the pressure pad and the ram are lowered, the slide block will abut the driver assembly, and the inclined bearing surfaces slide against each other. As the ram motion continues, the slide block moves from the extended to the retracted position with respect to the ram.

Abstract: A guide post and/or master cylinder squareness gage has a vee-block for attaching the gage to a guide post or master cylinder. The vee-block includes a gage stop which bears against the plane surface when the gage is attached to the guide post or master cylinder. The vee-block also includes a measurement indicator mounted to the vee-block which indicator has a biased contact which also bears against the plane surface at a position spaced from the stop. The indicator indicates the deviation in the perpendicularly of the guide post as the gage is rotated around the guide post. The flatness of the plane surface can be measured by rotating the gage attached to the master cylinder on the plane surface. The perpendicularity of the master cylinder can be measured by rotating the master cylinder with the gage held in one position.

Abstract: A system for reducing looseness and backlash generally associated with transfer feed press feed systems that includes a driven tensioning device that exerts continuous tension on the drive system to ensure positive, slip-free meshing of the drive components. The tensioning device includes a tensioning sprocket that is coupled to a sprocket of the driven system by a chain or the like. An actuator positions the tensioning sprocket to maintain tension on the chain, and, therefore, the drive system. An additional tensioning device, such as a spring-biased sprocket, is also positioned against the chain to prevent any looseness from developing during operation.

Abstract: Underdrive power presses are provided with arrangements where the slide mechanism is removable transversely through spaced apart hollow side uprights of the press frame. Pull rods extending from the press drive mechanism are located within the hollow uprights. Movable crossheads are slidably mounted with respect to the uprights above the slide and provide means in a dual action press for independently coupling an inner slide and outer slide within the opening between uprights. Since the slide connections are disposed beneath the movable crossheads and dimensioned narrower than the upright opening, the slide mechanism can be uncoupled and transversely moved outside of the press frame through an upright opening.

Abstract: The invention discloses a novel head closure apparatus for shell and tube-type heat exchangers. The disclosed apparatus is substantially resistant to thermal stress cracking in that it has an internal closure chamber configured to withstand and dissipate thermal stresses caused by rapidly changing thermal gradients. The apparatus also provides for full access to the entire interior volume of the head closure and to the entire area of the head closure inner tubesheet surface in order to facilitate maintenance and repairs. The invention also discloses a compact and efficient retaining key apparatus for constraining the end-cover of a cylindrically-shaped head closure member against internal working pressures. The apparatus enables substantial reductions in the masses of the retaining keys, the head closure member, and the end-cover, which results in the head closure apparatus being simpler and more economical to manufacture and maintain.

Abstract: A transfer feed mechanism, for use in a power press, is disclosed. The feed mechanism comprises multiple finger units for moving successive workpieces along a plurality of different axes so as to transfer the workpieces to desired work stations in desired positions and attitudes. The feed mechanism includes a power takeoff from the main drive of the power press, a plurality of drive means connected to the power takeoff for driving the finger units along the different axes in synchronism with the power press, and a secondary drive motor for driving the finger units along at least one of the axes independently of the power takeoff. The drive means includes at least one differential mechanism connected to both the power takeoff and the secondary drive motor to permit the finger units to be selectively driven by either the power takeoff or the secondary drive motor.

Abstract: A novel process is disclosed by which contorted or distorted sheet gauge steel and other metal scrap material, generated by stamping and other deforming metal-working operations, is flattened by rolls for the purpose of increasing its bulk density and to provide a scrap product that can more efficiently be transported and used for remelting in steel-making and foundry furnaces. The process involves the steps of feeding contorted sheet metal scrap between a pair of moving compressive surfaces, compressing the scrap to substantial flatness, and discharging the flattened steel scrap. The novel apparatus for performing the process is also disclosed.