Abstract: An actuator for precisely moving and positioning a manufacturing component includes a housing on which a magnet is mounted. An electrical coil is wound around a coil piston which is slidingly mounted on the housing for movement within the magnetic field generated by the magnet. A grip, having a member for gripping the component, is attached for movement with the coil piston. In the operation of the actuator, a current is selectively passed through the coil. This current in the coil then moves the coil piston and the attached grip within the magnetic field to position the component as desired. Additionally, a position sensor can be mounted on the device to determine the location of the coil piston and a controller can be incorporated in the actuator to use this position determination for controlling movement of the coil piston and the attached grip. The grip is removably attached to the coil piston and is slidingly journaled within a resilient bushing mounted to the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring and sorting component parts of an assembly includes a single station wherein parts are continuously fed, precisely measured, sorted by measurement, and then transported. For measuring the parts a contact member is mounted for extremely precise and controlled movements by a voice coil motor. The contact member is initially referenced with respect to a datum and is then placed into contact with the part. An optical encoder senses the position of the contact member to enable a determination of the critical dimension. The contact member includes a removable portion that is shaped to measure a desired critical dimension. This may include the height, inside diameter, outside diameter, roundness, or location of a feature of the part.

Abstract: An actuator for precisely moving and positioning a manufacturing component includes a housing on which a magnet is mounted. An electrical coil is wound around a coil piston which is slidingly mounted on the housing for movement within the magnetic field generated by the magnet. A rod, having a member for gripping the component, is attached for movement with the coil piston, and a source of electrical current is connected to the coil which is wrapped around the coil piston. In the operation of the actuator, a current is selectively passed through the coil. This current in the coil then moves the coil piston and the attached grip within the magnetic field to position the component as desired. Additionally, a position sensor can be mounted on the device to determine the location of the coil piston and a controller can be incorporated in the actuator to use this position determination for controlling movement of the coil piston and the attached grip.