Abstract: A detachable tool body is connected to the mandrel by means of a universal type coupling. The mating end of the drive shaft is constructed with U-shaped element having a pair of arms extending axially towards the tool body. The inner surfaces of the arms form a partially cylindrical seat. A similar U-shaped element having a pair of similar arms is constructed on the tool body with basically a mirror image profile relative to the drive shaft element. In the assembled position the mated arms define an inner bearing chamber (seat) having dual cylindrical surfaces with transverse axes. A barrel is constructed, which is shaped to nest in the seat formed by the mated pair of U-shaped elements and acts as a bearing which allows dual axes of motion. The adjustment rod of the abrasive element adjustment mechanism extends from the drive shaft through a bore in the barrel and into the tool body.

Abstract: The application describes a honing tool for use with a CNC machine. A fluid actuator provides the mechanism for causing radial adjustment of abrasive elements. The actuator consists of a piston and cylinder assembly mounted within the tool and powered by the through the tool cooling fluid of the CNC machine.

Abstract: An air gage is integrally constructed within a honing tool having a body formed as a removable outer shell on which is mounted the abrasive elements of the tool. The shell is mounted on a mandrel which contains means to adjust the radial position of the abrasive elements which engage the adjustment means through slots in the shell. The air gage allows monitoring of tool performance during a honing operation.

Abstract: A tool body having a removable outer shell on which is mounted the abrasive elements of the tool. The shell is mounted on a mandrel which contains means to adjust the radial position of the abrasive elements which engage the adjustment means through slots in the shell.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention comprises a tray destacking station, a part unloading station, and a tray stacking station arranged sequentially adjacent and connected by a pallet transport system and a tray transport system. This system is designed to move a pallet containing a stack of fully loaded trays into the destacking station, raise the dunnage and suspend the stack over the pallet. The pallet is then removed from the bottom of the stack. In a similar manner the stack is then raised and suspended over the bottom tray to allow it to be moved into the unloading station. After the parts are removed from the tray, the tray is moved into the stacking station where it is positioned underneath the stack of empty trays. This is accomplished by providing a lift at the destacking and stacking stations which raises and lowers the stack in operative association with racks that engage, suspend, and release the stack to allow the trays to be separated from the bottom of the stack.

Abstract: Shaped metal articles are produced on a continuous basis from semisolid metal preforms. The metal preforms are sequentially heated, then transferred, without substantial deformation or heat loss to a press where they are shaped in the semisolid state into shaped articles. While in the press, a ram is employed to drive the preform into a cavity of adjacent tooling to thereby shape the article. Prior to the forming operation, the ram is first advanced until it lightly engages the preform, then is withdrawn by a spaced distance to a first position defining the beginning of a stroke. Then, the ram is advanced, rapidly, from the first position against the preform to a second position contiguous with the tooling, thereby defining the end of the stroke. The spaced distance is chosen so as to preclude substantial heat drain from the preform and/or forced entry of air into the cavity and/or splashing of the semisolid metal outside of the cavity.

Abstract: A finishing apparatus includes an upright frame mounted finishing head driven by a hydraulic cylinder controlled by a proportional valve or a servo drive which ball screw under the control of a central processor unit in accordance with the type of an engine block being finished. The different types of engine blocks are oriented to have the cylinder bores thereof finished by common finishing tool(s) mounted on the head. The apparatus includes a linear positioning element, either in the form of an expandable collet or in the form of a fixed diameter mandrel, which is selectively engageable with the block at the crankshaft bores thereof to locate the block with respect to the finishing tools, and a rotating mechanism is included to tilt the block in accordance with the type of block being processed so as to vertically align the cylinder bores of either in-line or V types of enging blocks with the finishing tool(s).