Abstract: A high speed machining machine-tool including a mechanical module having a machining station and a driving station and an equipment module with “n” number different parts located up line. The module bases are connected to a common supporting frame, with the mechanical module being fixedly connected thereto. The equipment module is connected to the machine so as to slide on its longitudinal axis. The different mobile parts of the machine-tool adopt two positions: a first, so-called “folded” position, in which the equipment module and all its parts engage each other and the mechanical module; a second, so-called “extended” position, in which the whole equipment module or a subset of its component parts have slid on the supporting frame towards the rear so as to form a transversal handling passage running through and through the machine. The invention is useful for high speed machining.

Abstract: A rotary device for changing parts to be machined by a machine-tool. The device includes a supporting table which has at least two pallet supports arranged at regular angular intervals for receiving each a part-carrying pallet, and is rotationally mounted between the machining station of the machine-tool and the post for supplying part-carrying pallets arranged opposite said machining station. The supporting table is pivotally mounted about its central axis and tiltingly between a horizontal position and an inclined position relative to the horizontal plane. The invention is useful for changing parts for a machine-tool.

Abstract: A telescoping protective cowling for removing part of a machine tool. The device includes at least three elements consisting of panels and one of which is stationary or relative to the frame and provided with a window with inside edges restricting the freedom of movement of a moving part. The second panel is slidable relative to the first panel along two axes, is longer than the window of the first panel and is provided with a window within which the moving part is free to move. The third panel is movable and substantially larger than the window in the first panel and receives the moving part in its central portion. As a result, the movements of the moving part in the plane of the two axes in the window in the first panel means that the second panel has a proportional mobility and is thus able to fill the opening of the window in the first panel after it has been left clear by the third panel following the movements of the moving part.

Abstract: A handling device for a cylindrical electric tool holder spindle. The device includes a handling cradle including a combination of a receptacle in which the electric spindle is placed, a gripping member for lifting the handling cradle and a fastening member for fastening the cradle to the holder so that the electric spindle is held in place relative to the holder. The fastening member is arranged in front of the handling cradle and includes a cylindrical tube cut along a horizontal plane and having an outer diameter matching the inner diameter of the cylindrical holder so that it is coaxial therewith. It also has an inner diameter greater than the diameter of the rear body of the electric spindle. The device may be used for maintaining machine tools.

Abstract: A storage device for a machine tool having a ram, includes a cylinder of mounted for rotation in a chamber mounted to a frame of the machine tool adjacent the ram. The chamber has an opening and the cylinder is mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of the ram. This cylinder has parts for storing tools, a plurality of grippers for gripping a tool to be transferred to the ram, and a flap having dimensions corresponding to dimension of the opening, and mounted on the cylinder at a position such that it seals the opening. The grippers are mounted at angular positions which are different from those of the flap, and so are all protected by the flap when the flap closes the opening.

Abstract: A carriage slide for an electric spindle of a high speed machine tool. A sealed chamber is defined between the surfaces of the slide which contact the spindle. Two ring-shaped seals are arranged between the contact surfaces so that the spindle can be filled with oil. The slide includes three inwardly projecting shoulders which form rings. The first outer shoulder at the inlet of the slide defines a greater opening diameter than the other two shoulders. The slide can be used in high speed machine tools.

Abstract: A process and device for interpositioning the tools of a body assembly machine which includes departing from all the intermediate mechanisms for putting these tools in place, from the function of their geometric referencing, so as to impart to the tools themselves the ability to be interpositioned after temporary isolation of a part of them from their positioning mechanism. According to the process, these tools are made to have a lateral orientation.

Abstract: Machine for measuring by coordinates having 1 to n measuring axes comprising a piece support and at least one carriage moving on a measuring axis, a sensing device equipping a carriage, characterized by the fact that each axis comprises a carrying structure (1, 2) and a metrological reference structure (11, 21) associated with position sensors (23, 24, 33), these two structures being connected by a connection member, said sensors determining the position of the reference structure of row n in relation to the reference structure of the measuring axis of row n-1.

Abstract: An automatic unit for distributing and installing rings, particularly composite rings, on engine pistons, and which includes a first device for separating elastic expanders (b 1a) consisting of two pairs of helical ramps (26, 27) and (28, 29) having opposite winding directions driven simultaneously by a ring gear (30), and of an escapement mechanism (32) controlled by a cylinder (34) able to cause the turn portion corresponding to one helical ramp turn to be performed on this ring.

Abstract: Process for assembling bodies, particularly for vehicle production lines, of the type adapted to a plurality of models of vehicles and their variants, in which a perfect geometry of a body at a work station is assured by means of a machine module and a structure module; a complete work cycle incorporates a feeding of a body, a distribution and a presentation of geometry tools, an intervention of robots or operators, and an evacuation of the assembled body.

Abstract: A unit for assembly of an approximately plane, large-sized motor vehicle body element of the type including a plurality of work stations (P1-P6) between which the element is successively transferred by a lengthwise transfer device (12), wherein at each work station the body element is located in a plane (PC) forming a predetermined angle (.alpha.) in relation to the horizontal plane on which the assembly unit rests. The lengthwise transfer device (12) includes a transfer mechanism with drive bars located in a plane (PT) forming a predetermined angle (.alpha.') in relation to the horizontal plane equal to the predetermined angle.