Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a vibratory feeder are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods and systems include the following: a controller module including a graphical user interface for selecting operating parameters to be communicated to a bowl drive that causes a feeder bowl to move, monitoring algorithms stored in non-transitory memory for processing motion data to monitor motion of the feeder bowl, and adjustment algorithms stored in non-transitory memory for determining and automatically adjusting the operating parameters, and a motion sensor module configured to mount with and sense motion of the bowl drive, the motion sensor module including an accelerometer, a digital signal processor (DSP) microcontroller, and a transmitter. The DSP microcontroller samples output data from the accelerometer, determines motion data of the motion of the bowl drive, and transmits the motion data via the transmitter to the controller module.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a vibratory feeder are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods and systems include the following: a controller module including a graphical user interface for selecting operating parameters to be communicated to a bowl drive that causes a feeder bowl to move, monitoring algorithms stored in non-transitory memory for processing motion data to monitor motion of the feeder bowl, and adjustment algorithms stored in non-transitory memory for determining and automatically adjusting the operating parameters, and a motion sensor module configured to mount with and sense motion of the bowl drive, the motion sensor module including an accelerometer, a digital signal processor (DSP) microcontroller, and a transmitter. The DSP microcontroller samples output data from the accelerometer, determines motion data of the motion of the bowl drive, and transmits the motion data via the transmitter to the controller module.

Abstract: A metal insert having a body at a base diameter, a plurality of retention regions spaced apart and extending radially from the body, and an end effector at one end, for engaging a mating member. Each retention region consists of a circumferential series of alternating prongs and recesses. The insert is manufactured by selecting or processing a solid raw bar to produce an engineered rod having a plurality of axially continuous protrusions at a protrusion diameter alternating circumferentially with a plurality of axially continuous channels at a channel diameter. At axial intervals, the diameter of the engineered rod is decreased with a form tool to a base diameter smaller than the channel diameter, thereby producing a featured rod having a series of axially alternating spacer regions at the base diameter and radially outwardly extending feature regions consisting of a circumferential series of alternating prongs and recesses.

Abstract: A one-piece compression limiter that is simple to manufacture and install with a bolt or having a head, a smooth shank portion, and an enlarged lead portion including threads. The limiter and bolt can be supplied separately. At the time of installation into the though hole of a component, the limiter is first advanced with clearance along the lead portion toward the head into a loose position around the shank. The bolt is then aligned within the hole and the head is pushed to urge the remainder of the bolt and limiter into the hole together such that the wall of the hole compresses the limiter radially inwardly into close proximity to the shank, thereby trapping the limiter between the head and lead portion of the bolt. The disclosed limiter is a cylindrical tube with a longitudinal slit and a plurality of inwardly projecting dimples.

Abstract: A helical grooved pin for insertion into a hole in a hard host material includes a formed portion of helical lands and grooves. Pin material from the grooves is displaced to define lands at an expanded diameter relative to the pin stock material. The forming process employs a rolling die configured to produce substantially uniform cylindrical land surfaces. The helical lands have a width that is at least five times the height of the land. The expanded diameter of the formed portion of the pin is no more than 5% larger than the diameter of the pin stock material. These proportions provide a uniform, durable and reliable retaining surface to the pin which is particularly useful in applications where the host material is harder than the pin.

Abstract: A vibratory bowl feeder with a track extending generally helically upwardly on the inside of the bowl and then generally helically downwardly on the outside of the bowl and a return pan on the exterior of the bowl for returning parts to the bottom of the bowl, the track, return pan and bottom having smooth part support surfaces with perforations uniformly arranged over their entire surface areas, the perforations having a size substantially less than the size of the parts and covering at least approximately 40% of the total area to reduce the area of contact between the parts and support surface so that the parts are propelled upwardly from the support surface with greater effect during the advancement phase of vibratory movement to enable the support surface to be retracted below the parts during the retraction phase of vibratory movement. The bottom, in lieu of bottom perforations, has a raised spiral rib with evenly spaced convolutions.

Abstract: A packet feeder system having a track extending between a packet feeder and the packet receiving end of a magazine includes a discharge end of the track that is adjustably positionable relative to the receiving end of the magazine. Appropriate sensors are provided for detecting the position of the uppermost packet within the magazine relative to the discharge end of the track and a suitable control unit is responsive to the sensing device for controlling the adjustable position of the discharge end of the track. In addition, the track is provided with sequenced gating for controlling movement of the packets along the track. The gating includes a plurality of barriers spaced along the length of the track by a distance slightly greater than the length of the packets. The control unit is effective to sequentially move the barriers into and out of a packet restraining position in a sequence whereby adjacent barriers are prevented from being out of their restraining positions simultaneously.

Abstract: A linear vibratory feeder having a base, an overlying track support plate and a counterweight with an internal structure between the base and support plate and a pair of outer side plates secured to each of a plurality of separate, longitudinally spaced parts of the internal structure. A first pair of vertical, relatively flexible, flat leaf springs extend between the base and internal structure and a second pair of generally upright but slightly inclined, flat leaf springs extend between the internal structure and support plate. The first and second pairs of leaf springs are mounted in overlapping relationship to provide a low profile feeder and a short moment arm between the centers of gravity of the upper support plate assembly and counterweight.

Abstract: An insert installation machine is provided which features a power operated reciprocating quill mounted on a frame and an insert guide tube fixed to a carriage. The carriage is supported on the frame for reciprocation, toward and away from a workpiece, with the guide tube coaxially aligned with the quill. A shuttle is mounted on the carriage for transferring an insert from a stacking tube in the carriage to the guide tube in timed relation and in response to quill movements.

Abstract: In a manual spring pin inserter, a pair of jaws cooperate with a jaw preloading means to provide increased jaw clamping forces on a pin proportional to advancement of that pin into a hole of a workpiece.