Abstract: A novel control circuit for magnetizing and demagnetizing an electric permanent chuck includes a single alternating current source with a selected frequency and phase. A circuit that generates electrical pulses is coupled to the alternating current source to produce pulses at a multiple of the frequency of the alternating current source. The pulse generating circuitry also sets the phase of the pulses relative to the phase of the alternating current source at a predetermined value. The pulses are then applied to the gates of one or more silicon controlled rectifiers (“SCRs”) which control current flow through the electric permanent chuck. By adjusting the phase of the electrical pulses, the amount of current and average DC voltage applied to a coil of the electric permanent chuck through an SCR can be controlled.

Abstract: Apparatus for demagnetizing and magnetizing a chuck, having circuitry for connection with a 3-phase 4-line AC source, and including a power circuit and a control circuit. The power circuit leads directly from the source to the chuck, without transformers and capacitors. The three phases of the AC are individually impressed on the chuck, at corresponding angles, and rectifiers rectify the current at each phase. The circuitry will accommodate a single chuck, or selective ones of multiple chucks (e.g., nine). The voltage provided by the source is of a predetermined value (e.g., 230 V) and voltage of a greater value (e.g., 290 V) can be applied for demagnetizing. Solid state controls are provided, the individual phases of the current, for controlling greater and lesser voltages, and for putting a single chuck, or selected ones of multiple chucks, in circuit.

Abstract: A reciprocating member has a series of LED's arranged in a signal line corresponding to the main line of movement of the reciprocating member. Associated with the LED's are dot-bar drivers, controlled by voltage for energizing the LED's serially, along the signal line according to the position of the reciprocating member along its main line. Traverse potentiometers are provided for actuation by the reciprocating member for controlling voltage applied to the LED's, and manually adjustable remote potentiometers oppose the voltage controlled by the traverse potentiometers.

Abstract: An electronic encoder is driven by the cross shaft in the grinder that moves the grinder. The encoder includes a rotary disc constantly driven by the cross shaft, forwardly and rearwardly. Associated with the encoder is an electronic counter in which counting functions are performed in response to the rotation of the disc. An electrical circuit incorporates the encoder and counter, and the electronic circuits of the latter, and includes terminals in common with the encoder and counter. Control signals are entered so that functions are performed according to the position of the grinding wheel, and to move the grinding wheel. The encoder is mechanically connected with the cross shaft in an add-on arrangement. A hydraulic motor drives the cross shaft through a motion transmitting component that includes a hydraulic unit and a mechanical unit in tandem. The entire apparatus is retrofitted, and has mechanical driving connection with the grinder only through the cross shaft.

Abstract: In a grinder having a reciprocating table, a pair of oppositely arranged traverse potentiometers are actuated by the table, and in each direction, the respective potentiometer produces an increasing voltage to reverse the table. A pair of remote potentiometers are arranged respectively opposed to the traverse potentiometers, and are manually set to thereby determine the points of reversing of the table. Signal LED's indicate the position of the table, and these are controlled by signal potentiometer that is driven with the traverse potentiometers. Manual switch means enables the operator to selectively run the table past the normal points of reversal set by the remote potentiometers. Means is provided for slowing the speed of movement of the table at the end of its travel to minimize inertial shock.

Abstract: Auto transformer supplying current to the object to be demagnetized (chuck), this current controlled by an ON set of transformers, and a DEMAG set of transformers. Each set includes a pair of secondaries providing pulsating current for respective half cycles of AC, of opposite polarity. The opposite polarity of pulsating current is produced in intervals of decreasing time and voltage, until the magnetism in the object is at or near zero. The control transformer sets are controlled by a unit establishing selected values of voltage, that voltage controlling a cross-over unit which includes transistors, which in turn control the intervals of the control transformers. A CMOS oscillator circuit, with an oscillator chip, including NAND gates, effects alternate energization of the control transformers.

Abstract: A chuck and a power transformer having a pair of secondaries for applying continuous unidirectional DC to the chuck. A pair of control transformers each having a pair of secondaries related to respective ones of the power secondaries, for producing opposite polarities on the chuck. A timer operable through a maximum time interval for controlling the control transformers and thereby producing DC on the chuck of a level according to that time interval, and settable to lesser time intervals for producing DC of correspondingly lesser levels. Means for producing DC in each of oppositee polarities, and each throughout a corresponding time interval according to the setting of the timer. Oscillator means controlling the control transformers for thereby controlling the power transformer for producing DC of opposite polarities in a series of steps, and interposing resistances of successively greater values in the steps to reduce the charge on the chuck to zero at the last step.

Abstract: A unit including a conveyor belt for carrying the tapes to be degaussed, wound on reels, past degaussing coils. The coils are arranged respectively below and above the path of the tapes, spaced along the path of the tapes, and oriented with the magnetic fields positioned at 90.degree. angle to each other and both at 45.degree. angle to the direction of movement of the conveyor. Booster coils are provided for selectively applying lesser and greater voltages to the degaussing coils. Cooling fans direct cooling air against the degaussing coils, and in both of opposite directions on each coil. Safety features include interruption of the operation upon excessive heat of the degaussing coils, too great or too little current to the coils, or too great or too low voltage applied from the main source.

Abstract: An upper magnet and a lower magnet respectively above and below the objects to be degaussed/demagnetized. They are arranged with their fields mutually transverse, and both at 45.degree. angles to a conveyor carrying the objects between the magnets. Either or both magnets may be rotated, selectively, and they are rotated in opposite directions.

Abstract: The articles to be degaussed are carried along on a conveyor under which is a magnet rotating on an axis extending through the conveyor and the articles.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the magnetizing and demagnetizing of the chuck in a machine tool, and the workpieces held thereon. A plurality of individual chucks are incorporated in the machine tool, and they are selectively brought into circuit according to the characteristics of workpieces. The demagnetizing phase is controlled as to length of overall period and the number of reversing steps in that period.

Abstract: The cart is made as a unitary and rigid frame, having a lower platform and an elevated platform, both forming wells for holding loose items. The elevated platform is triangular, and the tripod supporting the TV camera is placed thereon, and releasably locked. The elevated platform is of less area than the lower platform, exposing a portion of the latter, and an adjustable operator's seat is mounted on the frame, over the exposed position of the lower platform. Wheels are provided, non-castering at a rear end of the cart, and casters at the front end, and a brake at the front end between the casters actuatable by the foot and when in braking position, lifting the front end of the cart off the floor.

Abstract: A machine having a conveyor for carrying a workpiece to be magnetized therethrough. It includes two demagnetizing magnets arranged at a mutual angle of 90.degree. and both at 45.degree. to the direction of travel on the conveyor. The magnets are arranged respectively above and below the conveyor, and hence above and below the workpiece on the conveyor, and are spaced apart in the direction of travel of the conveyor. The conveyor, structurally, includes a stationary base, and endless belts carrying paddles, the paddles engaging the workpieces and moving them along the base. The workpieces "float, " capable of moving to any position according to the condition of magnetism in them and the position and shape of the demagnetizing magnets, and upon encountering the field of the demagnetizing magnet that is disposed above the workpieces, the workpieces are capable of being attracted up to that demagnetizing magnet, off of the base of the conveyor.

Abstract: Continuous demagnetizing for a dial feeder grinder. The grinder has a rotating table, and a plurality of grinding heads for successively grinding workpieces put on the table and carried therepast. The workpieces are held on the table by a magnetic chuck, and to remove them, they must be demagnetized. The chuck is made up of wedge shape segments, and those segments are magnetized and demagnetized, in a rotation of the table, in putting the workpieces on, and removing them from, the table, both these steps being performed in a single rotation of the table. The magnetism of the chuck segments is controlled by collector rings arranged in sections around the table, and the chuck is provided with brushes engaging the collector ring segments for sequentially energizing the chuck segments, and, in conjunction therewith, controlling the demagnetizing steps.

Abstract: A fill belt (conveyor) carries boxes successively to a fill position where the magnetic articles (steel needles) are introduced into each box. They are fed from a vibrating bowl, controlled by a solenoid actuated gate. As the articles approach the box in a spout, they are demagnetized to facilitate flow thereof. As they are placed in the box they are magnetized in the box to align them in proper position. This magnetizing alignment is performed in a series of steps, and they are demagnetized after each step, including the final step when they are in their final condition for use. The quantity of articles in a box is sensed by a Hall generator sensor which utilizes the magnetic field in the articles for producing a control signal. While the articles are being deposited in the box, the spout is reciprocated along the path of the fill belt through the range of the box.

Abstract: A pair of demagnetizing coils, or more than two, and the article to be demagnetized is put in the coils. The demagnetizing is done by reversing the polarity in a series of steps in a cycle, and the current reduced in successive steps, to a point at or near zero. The cycle can be varied as to time period, and the number of steps within a cycle varied. The applied initial voltage can be adjusted or predetermined as to maximum value, with corresponding current values, and the number of steps predetermined within the cycle independently of the maximum voltage. The apparatus can be set in manual mode, wherein the cycle timer period and number of steps can be independently set, and to automatic mode, wherein the cycle time and number of steps are directly correlated.