Abstract: In a parts handling device and method for handling parts having a central aperture output from a press, the curved slide is provided extending in sloping fashion with its upper end being positioned at the press and its lower end at a location for unloading accumulated parts. A frame is provided for mounting first, second and third clamp assemblies along the curve slide. First, second and third mounting elements are provided beneath the curve surface of the slide in space relationship from one another in alignment with the clamp assemblies. When only two of the clamp assemblies are closed, the tube is rigidly held in its slope position. The control system is provided for selectably opening and closing the first, second and third clamp assemblies in a sequence which permits the parts which are accumulating in front of the first or second clamp assemblies to pass through to the third clamp assembly and eventually to an off-loading station when the third clamp assembly is open.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for rotating loose laminations in a loose lamination die, a strip is fed through the die to a rotatable blanking chamber of a blanking station. There, a punch engages with a die ring to punch a lamination free from the strip. The rotatable blanking chamber is biased in an upwardly direction. When the punch is not engaging with the die ring, the rotatable chamber is in an upward position wherein a gap develops between laminations retained at a bottom of the rotatable chamber, and those laminations lying directly below the rotatable chamber. The rotatable chamber can then be rotated without damage to the laminations at the gap because of the presence of the gap. Thereafter, a succeeding lamination can be punched after the rotation has occurred. As the punch engages the strip on top of the die ring, the rotatable chamber is pushed downwardly so that the gap at the bottom of the rotatable chamber disappears.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for rotating loose laminations in a loose lamination die, a strip is fed through the die to a rotatable blanking chamber of a blanking station. There, a punch engages with a die ring to punch a lamination free from the strip. The rotatable blanking chamber is biased in an upwardly direction. When the punch is not engaging with the die ring, the rotatable chamber is in an upward position wherein a gap develops between laminations retained at a bottom of the rotatable chamber, and those laminations lying directly below the rotatable chamber. The rotatable chamber can then be rotated without damage to the laminations at the gap because of the presence of the gap. A finger joint having an upper and lower portion is provided below the rotatable chamber which permits the gap to develop when the rotatable chamber is biased in the upward direction.

Abstract: In a parts handling device and method for handling parts having a central aperture output from a press, the curved slide is provided extending in sloping fashion with its upper end being positioned at the press and its lower end at a location for unloading accumulated parts. A frame is provided for mounting first, second and third clamp assemblies along the curve slide. First, second and third mounting elements are provided beneath the curve surface of the slide in space relationship from one another in alignment with the clamp assemblies. When only two of the clamp assemblies are closed, the tube is rigidly held in its slope position. The control system is provided for selectably opening and closing the first, second and third clamp assemblies in a sequence which permits the parts which are accumulating in front of the first or second clamp assemblies to pass through to the third clamp assembly and eventually to an offloading station when the third clamp assembly is open.

Abstract: In a parts handling device and method for handling parts having a central aperture output from a press, the curved slide is provided extending in sloping fashion with its upper end being positioned at the press and its lower end at a location for unloading accumulated parts. A frame is provided for mounting first, second and third clamp assemblies along the curve slide. First, second and third mounting elements are provided beneath the curve surface of the slide in space relationship from one another in alignment with the clamp assemblies. When only two of the clamp assemblies are closed, the tube is rigidly held in its slope position. The control system is provided for selectably opening and closing the first, second and third clamp assemblies in a sequence which permits the parts which are accumulating in front of the first or second clamp assemblies to pass through to the third clamp assembly and eventually to an off-loading station when the third clamp assembly is open.

Abstract: In a method of making a pencil core having a plurality of substantially flat laminations wherein at least one lamination at the center of the core is wider than the other laminations, a flat strip of core steel is fed into a progressive die, and a plurality of scrap region blanking stations is provided each of which blank out two spaced parallel regions from the strip, but with each of the scrap region blanking stations blanking out the regions at a different spacing. At an embossing station, at least one embossment is provided in at least each of the laminations preceding the last lamination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically twisting two ends of a wire protruding from a stack of rotor lamination parts employs a holder for holding and positioning the parts stack. A rotatable collar is provided having an aperture through which the two ends of the wire project. A rotating and reciprocating substantially conically-shaped head traps the wire ends between an inner edge of the rotating collar facing the conically-shaped head and the conically-shaped head when the conically-shaped head is thrust into position against the inner edge of the collar. A unit is provided for positioning the conically-shaped head against the inner edge of the collar. A rotating member rotates the conically-shaped head to twist the two ends of the wire.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining an overall dimension of an electrically conductive object includes a support surface for receiving the object, an electrically conductive plate movable toward and away from the support surface along a path normal to such surface, the plate having a facing surface which faces the support surface and a voltage source for applying first and second electrical potentials to the object and the plate, respectively, to establish a voltage therebetween. A transducer is provided for developing a distance signal representing the distance between the facing surface and the support surface. A motor moves the plate toward the object while the object is received by the support surface and circuitry is provided for detecting when the voltage between the object and the plate disappears due to contact of the plate with the object whereby the distance signal at such time is representative of the overall dimension.