Abstract: An improved honing tool including a holder having an open sided cavity located in one side thereof, a sidewall portion extending around at least a portion of the cavity, and one or more elongated filaments of a polymeric material having particles of an abrasive substance dispersed throughout, each of the one or more filaments having an end extending into the cavity, the one or more filament ends being heated sufficiently so as to be softened or melted to conform to the shape of the cavity and intimately engage the sidewall for retaining the one or more filament ends in the cavity. The method for manufacturing the present honing tool includes the steps of applying energy to the holder to heat the holder to a temperature sufficient to soften or melt the one or more filament ends while pressing the filament ends into the cavity so as to conform them to the shape thereof, the holder being preferably heated by induction.

Abstract: A machine tool display device provides a continuous real time display of a machine tool load as a function of position of a tool relative to a work surface being machined. Position is displayed on a first axis and load is displayed on a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. A mirror image of the display may be provided about a third axis perpendicular to the first axis so that a cross sectional representation of the working surface is displayed. The machine tool includes means for manual or automatic adjustment of the position of the tool relative to the work surface in order to achieve a predetermined final work surface profile.

Abstract: A honing device for mounting on a honing tool for rotation therewith including a backing material having opposite end surfaces, opposite side surfaces, and an edge surface extending between the opposed end and side surfaces, and a layer of an abrasive such as a superabrasive material and a binder attached onto one of the side faces and extending therealong to the edge surface whereby an edge of the abrasive layer and the adjacent edge surface engage the workpiece surface to be honed.

Abstract: A linkage controlled spring powered feed system for maintaining a virtually constant force against a linearly movable member such as the feed member of a honing machine or other device, the system including a lever member having one end which bears against the linearly movable member and an opposite end, the lever member being pivotally mounted at a location between the opposite ends thereof on the machine frame, a linkage assembly bearing against the opposite end of the lever member in a direction to apply force against the linearly movable feed member, the linkage assembly including a first expandable link member having a compression spring for exerting force against the lever member and a second link member for adjusting the position where the linkage assembly engages the lever member as the lever member moves about the pivotal support to change the effectiveness of the compression spring in applying force to the linearly movable member.

Abstract: A honing tool or mandrel mountable for rotation on a honing machine comprising a tubular abrasive sleeve member retained coaxially within a modular tubular honing assembly having an opening or passageway extending the entire length therethrough adaptable for insertably receiving an elongated expander member positioned for axial movement therewithin. The modular tubular honing assembly includes a drive member for attaching to a typical honing machine, a cage member adaptable for slidably receiving the abrasive sleeve member, and a retainer member for holding the abrasive sleeve member in operative position within the cage member. The abrasive sleeve member has inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface being conically tapered over its entire length while its outer surface includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal projections positioned adjacent longitudinal channels, each projection including a honing surface having abrasive particles located thereon.

Abstract: A honing mandrel having an elongated body with a passageway extending along the length thereof including at least one open sided portion, the mandrel including an abrasive assembly positioned for radial movement in the open sided passageway portion having a radial outer surface formed of an abrasive material and a radial inner portion including spaced surfaces acutely angularly oriented relative to the axis of the mandrel body, cooperatively engageable surfaces on the abrasive assembly and on the body to prevent relative axial movement but not relative radial movement therebetween, and an operator member positioned in the passageway for axial movement therein, the operator member having surface portions thereon acutely angularly oriented relative to the axis of the mandrel body and positioned to make surface-to-surface slidable engagement with respective ones of the inner surfaces on the abrasive assembly whereby axial movements of the operator member in one direction relative to the abrasive assembly will pr

Abstract: An improved honing head construction having one or more honing stone assemblies arranged around a rotatable mandrel body that includes a central body portion and pair of opposed end plate forming together a scroll feed up assembly operable for radially moving the honing assemblies during rotation of the mandrel for such purposes as adjusting the honing diameter, honing pressure and material removal rate, the scroll feed up assembly comprising helical scroll feed grooves located adjacent to each opposite end of the mandrel body and arranged to be positioned as mirror images of one another, each honing assembly having a pair of pin members arranged in axially aligned pairs and extending radially inwardly into radial extending bores in mandrel body, each of the Pin members having at least one tooth cooperatively engageable with one of the respective helical grooves such that all of the honing assemblies move radially in concert when the end plates are rotated relative to the central body portion.

Abstract: An adjustable support fixture and method for using same with a cutting assembly for milling or grinding a flat surface on a workpiece, the fixture including a suspended platen on which the workpiece is mounted, removable apparatus for establishing the cutting plane, devices for positioning the flat surface of the workpiece against the plane-establishing apparatus, and a mechanism for retaining the workpiece in this position as the plane-establishing apparatus is removed and the cutting operation is performed.

Abstract: A parts loading apparatus comprising a turret structure having one or more passages therethrough for receiving and holding a row of parts to be fed therefrom one at a time, the plurality of such passages being arranged at angularly spaced locations around a central axis, each having an opening adjacent one end from which the parts held therein can pass, and a rotary actuator mechanism operatively connected to the turret structure to rotate the structure to locate different ones of the passages in alignment with a parts receiving fixture adjacent to one end of the passage and with a source of pressure adjacent to the opposite end of the passage. The subject parts loading apparatus may also be constructed to have a single elongated tubular member capable of holding a row of aligned parts therein with the piston positioned therein adjacent one end of the row of parts whereby applying pressure into the passage moves the piston and the row of parts therein and ejects the end most part therefrom.

Abstract: An improved support mechanism for supporting a boring bar at spaced locations along its length within a workpiece during a boring operation, the present support mechanism being particularly adaptable for precision in-line boring of the cam shaft bores associated with overhead cam cylinder heads such as the Ford Escort overhead cylinder head presently in use and being specifically directed to centrally supporting the boring bar intermediate the respective opposite end portions of the cylinder head or other workpiece, the present support mechanism including a first annular member slidably positionable on the boring bar at an intermediate location along its length, the annular member being constructed to enable the boring bar to rotate freely therein, a second member slidably positionable within any one of the lifter bores associated with the particular cylinder head or other workpiece to be re-bored, the second member including a locking mechanism for locking the second member within any one of the lifter bores

Abstract: An improved radially expandable honing mandrel construction wherein a radially extendable work engaging portion can be positively retracted into the body member of the mandrel by operation of the adjusting member in a direction opposite its direction for expanding the work engaging portion, which positively retracting feature comprises a surface adjacent one side of the work engaging portion and a tab extending from the side of the adjusting member for engagement with the surface to retract the work engaging member when the adjusting member is operated in a direction opposite from that used for expanding the work engaging member, the surface and tab also cooperating to retain the work engaging portion in the mandrel. The invention also includes structure on the mandrel engageable with the adjusting member to prevent lateral movements thereof in the body member.

Abstract: An improved method for plating super abrasive materials onto the working portion of a honing tool, which method includes plating or otherwise coating a relatively thin layer of a composite material comprising a metal or metal alloy material having a friction reducing or lubricating type material occluded or otherwise associated therewith over the top of the bond already established between the abrasive particles and the working portion of the honing tool so as to substantially reduce and minimize the occurrence of having stock material build-up and collect between the abrasive particles, which stock build-up causes galling or scoring of the honed work surface during a honing operation. In the preferred embodiment, the composite material comprising the anti-galling coating surface is a nickel/phosphorous alloy material having micron-sized Teflon particles occluded therein.

Abstract: A honing tool or mandrel mountable for rotation on a honing machine comprising an elongated substantially tubular member having inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface being conically tapered over substantially the length thereof, the outer surface including a portion having abrasive particles thereon, an elongated expander member positioned extending through the tubular member and having an outer surface tapered for making surface-to-surface contact with the tapered inner surface of the tubular member, the expander member being axially movable within the tubular member to change the diameter thereof uniformly along its length, the tubular member being attachable to a honing machine for rotation therewith adjacent one end portion thereof by a mounting structure which enables the tubular member to expand and contract thereat to increase or decrease the diameter thereof.

Abstract: A floating fixture platen for use on machine tools having a machine support structure and a machine tool portion rotatable about an axis of rotation, the floating fixture platen including a planar member mounted on the machine support structure in a position normal to the axis of rotation of the rotating tool portion, the platen supporting a workpiece to be operated on by the rotating tool, apparatus on the support structure enabling the platen limited relative free movement in a plane substantially normal to the axis of rotation of the tool whereby rotation of the tool will produce torque in the platen and in the workpiece supported thereby, first and second oppositely facing fluid assemblies each having a piston portion engagable with a surface on the platen and positioned to oppose rotation of the platen, the fluid assemblies having pressure generated therein by the movement of the platen, and a fluid connection between the fluid assemblies to equalize the pressures therein.

Abstract: A computer controlled machine tool such as a honing machine having a work engaging portion and apparatus to control the machine tool including to establish certain machine operating parameters based on the characteristics of the work to be done, including a computer device having an entry device for entering data as to the workpiece to be operated on, a computer storage device containing data pertaining to certain operating conditions and parameters, said computer device producing output data for establishing the operating parameters of the honing machine based on the entered data as to the workpiece, and the stored data, the computer device having outputs at which signals are produced for establishing the operating parameter for the machine tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting workpieces while feeding them into position to have a surface thereof operated on by a machine tool such as a honing material rotatable about an axis including a support assembly having a canted wall structure located to be intersected at an intermediate location by the axis of rotation of the tool, a plurality of spaced sprocket assemblies mounted on the canted wall structure each having a pair of space sprocket gears, an endless chain assembly mounted on the sprocket assemblies for movement when the sprocket assemblies rotate, a reach of the chain assemblies extending adjacent to where the axis of the tool intersects the canted wall structure, at least one elongated workpiece support member extending transversely through and from one side of the chain assembly substantially normal to the canted wall structure for supporting a workpiece to be fed, and mechanism for laterally displacing a portion of the chain assembly in the reach thereof that extends adjacent to where the axis of

Abstract: A gaging head assembly for use on dial bore gages and the like for gaging the diameter and surface characteristics of cylindrical work surfaces including an elongated tubular member having first and second end portions and an opening extending therethrough, an adjustment member positioned for axial movement in the opening, the tubular member being attachable at the first end portion to a dial bore gage and having pairs of opposed work engaging elements adjacent to the second end portion for movement primarily in a radial direction to change the gaging diameter thereof, the adjustment member having a tapered end portion located inwardly of the work engaging elements to simultaneously engage and radially move the pairs of opposed work engaging elements during axial movements thereof, one of the pairs of opposed work gaging elements extending radially outwardly a greater distance than the other pair of opposed elements in all positions of adjustment of the adjustment member.

Abstract: A device for gripping and holding workpieces while they are being worked on by a machine tool or like device including a support structure, a flexible band having first and second opposite ends, a first assembly mounted on the support structure and having a mechanism thereon for attaching to one end of the flexible band and a second assembly on the support structure spaced from the first assembly and having a mechanism thereon for attaching to the second opposite end of the flexible band, at least one of the first and second assemblies being positioned on the support structure for pivotal movement whereby the opposite band ends are moved relative to each other to form a band loop in one position for receiving a workpiece to be gripped and supported and to another position to grip and support a workpiece positioned in the space defined by the band, and apparatus associated with one of the assemblies for maintaining the band engaged with the workpiece while the workpiece is being worked on.

Abstract: An improved dial bore gage having an adjustment mechanism associated therewith for adjusting the relative axial positions of the probe and dial portions of the gage, the adjustment mechanism including a first member operatively connected to the dial portion of the gage having a first threaded portion associated therewith of a predetermined thread pitch, a second member operatively connected to the probe portion of the gage having a second threaded portion associated therewith of a different predetermined thread pitch, and an adjustment member rotatably mounted to the first and second members, the adjustment member having spaced threaded portions to correspond to and mate with the threaded portions on the first and second members whereby rotation of the adjustment member will produce relative axial movement between the first and second members and this in turn will produce changes in the gage setting for each position thereof.

Abstract: A gage support device for mounting on a setting fixture having spaced opposed fixture setting surfaces in position to support by suspending a gage such as a dial bore gage in position with the contact portion of the gage including the work engaging contacts positioned between the fixture setting surfaces. The support device has adjustment features that can be adjusted so that the device can accomodate gages of different sizes and ranges including an adjustment feature for adjusting the height at which the gage is supported on the setting fixtures, an adjustment feature for adjusting the horizontal position at which the gage is supported on the setting fixture, and an adjustment feature for adjusting the angular orientation of the gage as it is supported relative to the setting fixture.