Abstract: A bolt retaining device for a nutrunner which includes a socket having a longitudinal axis and being sized to fit the bolt, the device having an electromagnet positioned with respect to the socket to generate a magnetic field directed along the axis of the socket to hold the bolt in the socket when the field is present, and a controller connected to the electromagnet controlling the magnetic field. The bolt retaining device wherein the electromagnet is a coil co-axially mounted with respect to the socket. Each nutrunner can include a motor, a socket, and a shaft connecting the motor to the socket. One or more nutrunners can be provided on a movable frame.

Abstract: Code block or code marking application, removal, and replacement templates and methods for use for code blocks and code markings that are used in conjunction with the guide path, guide line, and guide tracks used by automated guidance vehicles (AGVs), which are otherwise known as autonomous guidance, automatic guidance, and automatically or autonomously guided vehicles. Guide line code blocks are typically applied to the floor of a factory, warehouse, or other facility that employs AGVs, which can sense the guide lines and/or the code blocks for purposes of maneuvering payloads while navigating through the facility. The AGV code template includes a generally planar template substrate configured with corresponding control and alignment aperture patterns formed in the template that are offset from each other.

Abstract: A bolt retaining device for a nutrunner which includes a socket having a longitudinal axis and being sized to fit the bolt, the device having an electromagnet positioned with respect to the socket to generate a magnetic field directed along the axis of the socket to hold the bolt in the socket when the field is present, and a controller connected to the electromagnet controlling the magnetic field. The bolt retaining device wherein the electromagnet is a coil co-axially mounted with respect to the socket. Each nutrunner can include a motor, a socket, and a shaft connecting the motor to the socket. One or more nutrunners can be provided on a movable frame.

Abstract: A method for fabrication and testing of a magnichanical sensor for proper operation in detecting the presence of a snap ring during manufacture of an object having the snap ring for clasping a bearing. The magnichanical sensor is comprised of a magnetic field generator and a magnetic switch that are properly aligned on a sensor circuit board. The apparatus adjusts a second position of the magnetic switch with respect to a first position of the magnetic field generator on the sensor circuit board. The apparatus includes an indicator assembly coupled to the magnetic switch for indicating when the second position of the magnetic switch is properly aligned with respect to the first position of the magnetic field generator on the sensor circuit board. The second position of the magnetic switch with respect to the first position of the magnetic field generator is adjusted for proper alignment for both situations when the snap ring is present and when the snap ring is not present.

Abstract: A bolt retaining device for a nutrunner which includes a socket having a longitudinal axis and being sized to fit the bolt, the device having an electromagnet positioned with respect to the socket to generate a magnetic field directed along the axis of the socket to hold the bolt in the socket when the field is present, and a controller connected to the electromagnet controlling the magnetic field. The bolt retaining device wherein the electromagnet is a coil co-axially mounted with respect to the socket. Each nutrunner can include a motor, a socket, and a shaft connecting the motor to the socket. One or more nutrunners can be provided on a movable frame.

Abstract: The present invention protects from excessive heating at least one component on an object during curing of paint at a localized area on the object by exposure to a heat source. The present invention circulates air including cold air near the at least one component to be protected. An air pocket is formed adjacent the at least one component to be protected. This air pocket has an inlet and an outlet. A cold air source is coupled to the inlet via a tubing that directs cold air from the cold air source into the air pocket. Heated air within the air pocket flows out through the outlet of the air pocket such that air circulates through the air pocket. In this manner, the temperature of the at least one component to be protected is maintained below a predetermined temperature when the localized area of the object is exposed to the heat source for curing of the paint at the localized area.

Abstract: The present invention is an assembly line testing apparatus and method for automatically determining whether a size of a gap, within at least one component of an article of manufacture, is within an acceptable range, during assembly of the article of manufacture. The present invention uses a microcontroller to control the operation of the assembly line testing apparatus of the present invention such that the size of the gap may be checked in a flexible and reliable manner by repeating the cycle of checking for the size of the gap. The present invention may be used to particular advantage for checking that the size of a spark plug gap within a vehicle engine is within an acceptable range during assembly of the vehicle engine.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for automatically realigning an end effector of an automated equipment after an undesired contact of the end effector to prevent a crash of the end effector. The present invention includes a plurality of contact detectors, and each of the contact detectors is disposed at a respective location with respect to the end effector. In addition, each of the contact detectors generates a respective signal for indicating direction of force on the end effector that results from the undesired contact. Furthermore, the present invention includes an end effector controller that is coupled to the plurality of contact detectors and to the end effector. The end effector controller causes the end effector to move to a reset position after the undesired contact when any of the respective signals from the plurality of contact detectors is greater than a predetermined level.

Abstract: The present invention is a testing apparatus and method for automatically confirming the presence of all of at least one ring within a groove of an article of manufacture, such as a piston of a vehicle engine, during assembly of the article of manufacture. An air flow is applied on the groove, and the resulting amount of air flow through the groove depends on the presence of each of the at least one ring within the groove. This resulting amount of air flow through the groove is measured for determining whether all of the at least one ring is present within the groove. If any of the at least one ring is absent from the groove, an alarm indication of this undesired situation is provided. Use of a microcontroller allows for calibration of the components in the testing apparatus of the present invention and allows for monitoring for proper calibration of such components.

Abstract: Cast metal parts are created for use in making machinery. When these parts are formed, unwanted material remains in the openings of the parts. This material, called flash, must be removed. In the method of the present invention, the cast parts are placed on a platen of a trim press that has multi-part punches attached thereto that are configured to self-align with the openings in the cast part and operative to evenly remove the flash. The invention also relates to a punch that initially breaks through the flash with a stationary punch that removes a majority of the flash inside the opening of the cast part. Next, a moving or self-centering punch self-aligns to the opening in the cast part and operates to remove the remaining flash. The inventive punch may also include a mounting base for attachment of the multi-part punches to the plate or platen of the press.

Abstract: A method for setting clearance between a tappet screw and a valve wherein the movement of the valve during opening and closing is monitored and used to calculate further linear movement of the tappet screw to provide a desired tappet clearance. In one embodiment, a predetermined imaginary zero point, which falls in a band of linear displacement during closing of the valve, is used to determine a distance the tappet screw must be further moved to provide the desired tappet clearance. In another embodiment, plural valve displacement measurements are taken and the true zero point or valve closed position, and further movement of the tappet screw to provide the desired tappet clearance is determined based upon these plural measurements. In a further embodiment, movement of the valve head is directly monitored and used to set the tappet clearance.

Abstract: A control system and method for controlling a low-pressure die casting machine wherein the pressure within the dies more accurately tracks the desired recipe pressure. The control system senses pressure in the dies and compares the sensed pressure to desired pressure. Should the difference between the sensed pressure and the desired pressure be indicative of a problem in the casting operation, subsequent casting cycles are prevented. Should the difference between the sensed pressure and the desired pressure be indicative of a potential catastrophic failure, the current casting cycle is immediately terminated, thereby minimizing the possibility of catastrophic failure. The control system has commercially available and easily replaceable components and, thus, can be quickly repaired to reduce machine downtime should any component fail.

Abstract: A system is provided for detecting the presence of and confirming the correct orientation of an oil seal. The system comprises a sensor orifice, a flow regulator for regulating flow of air to the sensor orifice, a pressure regulator for regulating air pressure to the flow regulator, and an air supply means for supplying air to the pressure regulator. A vent orifice is also provided for allowing air flow to exit from the sensor orifice when the oil seal is incorrectly oriented. The system further comprises an air pressure sensor, whereby when the oil seal is correctly oriented, with its flat side blocking the sensor orifice, a back pressure of air is created in the sensor orifice and the air supply means, the back pressure detectable by the air pressure sensor to confirm presence and correct orientation of the oil seal.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for detecting the presence of a snap ring in a bearing assembly of a transmission system. A magnetic field is generated and a switch is positioned within the magnetic field, whereby the switch switches from its normal position to an opposite position when a snap ring is placed in the magnetic field. In response to the switch position, the presence or absence of the snap ring is indicated.

Abstract: The hand wrap according to the present invention dampens vibration and absorbs shock transmitted from a power tool to a thumb region of a hand. The hand wrap includes first and second elongated strips. The thumb ends of the strips are attached together and form a thumb pocket for receiving the thumb of the hand. The wrap ends of the strips wrap around a portion of the hand so as to secure the hand wrap to the hand with the aid of a releasable fastener located on one of the strips. A viscoelastic pad is disposed within the thumb pocket. A retaining layer is positioned over at least a portion of the viscoelastic pad and is attached to at least one of the strips for retaining the viscoelastic pad within the thumb pocket. The viscoelastic pad is preferably a continuous pad with a top region for positioning near the upper thumb knuckle and a bottom end for extending over a substantial portion of a thenar section of the palm.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabrication and testing of a magnichanical sensor for proper operation in detecting the presence of a snap ring during manufacture of an object having the snap ring for clasping a bearing. The magnichanical sensor is comprised of a magnetic field generator and a magnetic switch that are properly aligned on a sensor circuit board. The present invention adjusts a second position of the magnetic switch with respect to a first position of the magnetic field generator on the sensor circuit board. The present invention includes an indicator assembly coupled to the magnetic switch for indicating when the second position of the magnetic switch is properly aligned with respect to the first position of the magnetic field generator on the sensor circuit board. The second position of the magnetic switch with respect to the first position of the magnetic field generator is adjusted for proper alignment for both situations when the snap ring is present and when the snap ring is not present.

Abstract: The present invention warns an operator of failure to properly use an indication device within an assembly line for producing articles of manufacture. The present invention includes a detector, coupled to the indication device, for detecting application of the indication device to a work piece within the assembly line. In addition, the present invention includes a timer, coupled to the detector, for timing a measured time period from a first time point when a prior application of the indication device to a first work piece is detected within the assembly line. The present invention further includes a warning unit, coupled to the timer, for generating an alarm signal if the measured time period is greater than a predetermined time period and if a subsequent application of the indication device to a second work piece has not been detected within the measured time period.

Abstract: The present invention protects from excessive heating at least one component on an object during curing of paint at a localized area on the object by exposure to a heat source. The present invention circulates air including cold air near the at least one component to be protected. An air pocket is formed adjacent the at least one component to be protected. This air pocket has an inlet and an outlet. A cold air source is coupled to the inlet via a tubing that directs cold air from the cold air source into the air pocket. Heated air within the air pocket flows out through the outlet of the air pocket such that air circulates through the air pocket. In this manner, the temperature of the at least one component to be protected is maintained below a predetermined temperature when the localized area of the object is exposed to the heat source for curing of the paint at the localized area.

Abstract: The present invention applies dry lubricant to appropriate components of a forming die of a stamping press to minimize frictional force against such components during operation of the forming die or to appropriate components of a forging die of a forging press to minimize shear force against such components during operation of the forging die. A layer of dry lubricant is applied to any one or more of the die, the punch, or the binder of a forming die of a stamping press, and a layer of hard chrome may also be plated thereon before the layer of dry lubricant is applied. A layer of dry lubricant is applied on the inner surface of a cavity within a forging die of a forging press of the present invention. A dry lubricant may also be applied on the outer surface of the punch of the forging press.