Abstract: A clamping jaw arrangement for a broach puller assembly is described in which first and second jaw sets are engaged with the end face and one side of the annular groove of the broach tool. The second jaw set initially engages one side of the annular groove and is locked in position with an associated spring urged operating sleeve, and upon lifting of the broach tool in reaction to engagement with the workpiece, the first jaw set moves radially inward and is held against the chamfered end face of the tool to eliminate all axial play while ensuring proper seating of the jaw elements in each set.

Abstract: A linear motor piston turning and grooving machine (10) for turning non-round diameters and complex shaped pistons (W) in which a pair of oppositely facing CNC turning modules (14, 16) each are aligned with one of a pair of a vertical axis spindles (30, 32) having chucks (26, 28) for each piston (W). An overhead tailstock assembly (34, 36) is centered over each spindle (30, 32). A grooving mechanism (106, 108) is located to the rear of each tailstock assembly (34, 36) and includes a rocking support shaft (110, 112) for bringing tooling (114, 116) into engagement with the piston (W).

Abstract: A clamping arrangement is disclosed for an annular milling cutter comprises a receiving flange which has a centering collar concentric with the axis of rotation. With the aid of clamping means the milling cutter is held on the receiving flange and positively connected to the latter by at least one engaging member. To enable the gripper of a tool changer to have unobstructed access, a pressure flange carrying a number of radially protruding teeth on its rim is provided, axially movable by an actuator rod selectively operated by an actuator. The milling cutter has in its central opening radially inwardly protruding teeth, the spacing of which corresponds to the spacing of the teeth on the pressure flange. By setting the position of the teeth offset relative to one another, the milling cutter can be moved over the pressure flange, and rotating the cutter to align the teeth, the pressure flange can clamp the milling cutter against an abutment surface on the receiving flange, acting through the aligned teeth.

Abstract: A method and system (10) for controlling radial movement of a machine tool, such as a turning machine, relative to a workpiece (11), is characterized by a digital filter (70, 72, 74) which produces a filtered final control signal which is a function of both radial position and velocity of a cutting tool (24) of the turning machine. The method and system (10) utilizes a tool position feedback signal which is compared with an initial control signal to produce a signal which is then digitally filtered to, in turn, provide the resulting final control signal. The surface geometry of the workpiece (11), such as a piston, is determined by a data matrix of angular, axial and radial position coordinants of the tool. An angular position signal representative of the angular position of the workpiece (11) and an axial position signal representative of the axial position of the cutting tool (24) relative to the workpiece (11) are both generated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for finishing pistons (10) and the like from foundry-turned castings during one clamping operation to provide enhanced manufacturing productivity. Separate boring and turning modules (34, 24) of the apparatus are mounted on a primary base (18) and a grooving module (54) is mounted on a secondary base (72). The modules automatically groove the ring grooves (11), turn the complex shape of the skirt (15) and bore the wrist pin bore (13) through an ordered sequence of manufacturing steps. The piston stock is mounted for rotation on headstock and tailstock assemblies (82, 84). These assemblies are carried on the secondary base (72) which is slidably mounted on the primary base for movement into operative position with respect to the boring and turning modules according to the ordered sequence. The method and system improve piston quality while reducing manufacturing costs including saving factory floor space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and clamping a piston (10, 110) between headstock and tailstock assemblies (18, 118 and 20, 120) before rotating same about a rotary axis (22, 122) in a machining operation is characterized by an equalizing mechanism or member (50, 150) for equalizing the axial force between a pair of equalizing pins (48, 148) of a first set of axially extending locating pins (46, 48; 146, 148) to thereby create a locating plane on a first surface of the workpiece. The first set of axially extending pins coacts with a second set of axially extending equalizing pins (30, 130) to clamp the workpiece therebetween. The first set of locating pins are located in a housing member (38, 138). The first set of pins also includes two fixed locating pins (48, 148) which contact the outer surface of the piston.

Abstract: A tooling assembly (10) is disclosed having a plurality of tool holders (18, 20) for independently driven cutting tools (14, 16), the tooling assembly adapted for automatic insertion and removal from a spindle assembly (12). The plurality of cutting tools (14, 16) are disclosed as arranged to be able to simultaneously machine concentric round features on a workpiece (8), such as a valve stem guide bore (9) and valve seat (7). The tooling assembly (10) includes inner and outer tool bodies (30, 24) rotatably mounted together, each carrying a tool holder (20, 18), the tool bodies (30, 24) rotated at different speeds. A coupling arrangement for the tooling assembly includes an outer draw bar (82) moveable to couple the tooling assembly (10) to the spindle assembly (12), and an inner draw bar (84) separately coupled to moveable element (20) to enable independent axial advance of one of the cutting tools (14) by axial movement of the inner draw bar (84) and coupled moveable element (20).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for finishing pistons (10) and the like from foundry-turned castings during one clamping operation provide enhanced manufacturing productivity. Separate boring and turning modules (34, 24) of the apparatus are mounted on a primary base (18) and a grooving module (54) is mounted on a secondary base (72). The modules automatically groove the ring grooves (11), turn the complex shape of the skirt (15) and bore the wrist pin bore (13) through an ordered sequence of manufacturing steps. The piston stock is mounted for rotation on headstock and tailstock assemblies (82, 84). These assemblies are carried on the secondary base (72) which is slidably mounted on the primary base for movement into operative position with respect to the boring and turning modules according to the ordered sequence. The method and system improve piston quality while reducing manufacturing costs including saving factory floor space.

Abstract: A tool coupling arrangement is disclosed for a tooling assembly (10) adapted for automatic tool insertion into a spindle assembly (12), the tooling assembly (10) having an axially moveable element (20) for causing movement independently of the spindle assembly (12). In the particular disclosed applications, a pair of cutting tools (14, 16) are provided to simultaneously machine concentric features on a workpiece (8), disclosed as a valve stem guide bore (9) and valve seat (7) of an engine cylinder head. A first coupling arrangement secures this tooling assembly (10) after it is inserted within the spindle assembly (12), while a second coupling arrangement automatically couples the separately moveable element (20) to an inner draw bar (84) of the spindle assembly (12).

Abstract: A turning machine is characterized by a new and improved control and mechanism for positioning the turning tool on the head. A CNC control issues command signals for selectively positioning the tool on the head. These signals are developed from an encoder which provides the instantaneous position of the rotating part being turned and from a program in the CNC containing information about the part. A closed loop control system receives these command signals and converts same into a control current for a linear motor which is the prime mover controlling the positioning of the tool on the head. The linear motor operates a carriage on the head and the cutting tool mounts on the carriage opposite the connection of the linear motor to the carriage. The carriage is a hollow bar guided on the head by sets of rollers which are cooperatively arranged to provide yieldably forceful constraint of the bar.

Abstract: A gib (10) for a machine tool is insertable into a space between a machine tool carriage (42) and the positive way face (40) of a set of machine tool ways (44,96) supporting the carriage (42) for rectilinear movement. The gib (10) includes a body (12) having tapered ends (48) and a planar side surface (46) abutting the positive way face (40). The gib (12) further includes a fixed wedge (16) and a floating wedge (14), each of the wedges (14,16) having a crowned surface (50) in abutting relationship with one of the tapered ends (48) of the body (12), and having planar base surfaces (20,22) abutting a planar surface (38) of the carriage (42). An adjustment screw (28) traverses the body (12) and each of the wedges (14,16), and is rotatable to vary the spacing between the planar side surface (46) of the body (12) and the planar base surfaces (20,22) of the wedges (14,16).

Abstract: In a ball screw transfer drive for a transfer machine, first and second carriages are translated by rotation of a ball screw, the ball screw being actuated by a DC electric or other type of variable speed motor through a ball screw drive train. The first carriage is coupled to the ball screw through a first ball nut which is immovably joined to the first carriage and which has threads in engaging relationship with threads of the ball screw. The second carriage is coupled to the ball screw through a second ball nut which is journaled in bearings attached to the second carriage, threads of the second ball nut likewise being in engaging relationship with the ball screw. A power transmission train is mounted between the ball screw and the second ball nut to rotate the second ball nut during a specified rotation of the ball screw to maintain a pre-specified relationship between the speeds of translation of the first and second carriages during the specified ball screw rotation.

Abstract: Apparatus for aligning a machine tool saddle for movement along an axis of travel includes a pair of ways rigidly joined to a support structure in parallel relation with the axis of travel, each of the ways being in slideable engagement with a slot formed in the saddle. Each of the ways is provided with a face selectively angled to line on one of the legs of an imaginary "V" positioned so as to be bisected by a plane parallel to the ways and positioned midway between them. A number of keeper blocks are inserted between the saddle and each of the angled way faces to lock the keeper blocks having an angled face in closely spaced parallel relation with one of the angled way faces. Devices are positioned between the angled faces of the keepers and their respective closely spaced angled way faces to transmit forces between the ways and the saddle through the keeper blocks to maintain the saddle in alignment with the axis of travel as the saddle is selectively moved and positioned along the axis.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for mounting a rotatable member such as a machine tool spindle within a bore provided in a housing, the rotatable member being journaled in a number of bearings. A bearing support sleeve disposed within the bore to support the bearings includes a first portion tightly fitted in the bore, a second portion slip-fitted in the bore and positioned to apply a pre-load force to the bearings, and a yieldable member joining the first and second portions. The pressure in a fluid system associated with the yieldable member is increased to deform the yieldable member and to thereby urge the second portion axially to apply a pre-load force to the bearings which corresponds to the pressure increase.

Abstract: A mechanical quill having selective braking capability, achieved by a pneumatic cylinder (110) mounted to one motor (80) for selectively driving a braking member (120) into a braking material (104) coupled to a motor armature (84). This braking member (120) interrupts a clutch-type drive path through the motor as desired, to prevent advance of a quill.

Abstract: An induction heating apparatus particularly adapted for precisely positioning the inductor relative to the workpiece before initiating the heating process. The inductor is mounted on the end of an inductor shaft that is carried by a slide. The end of the shaft opposite the inductor is connected to a coupling that couples the shaft to a stepping motor. The slide moves the inductor into engagement with the workpiece and the stepping motor is then energized to move the inductor away from the workpiece the required amount to obtain the desired spacing.

Abstract: Transfer machine apparatus is provided, which includes a load station for receiving parts during at least some of the part reception periods in a succession of part reception periods, and which further includes a number of selectively located work units for performing prespecified work tasks upon received parts. A transfer mechanism is provided for moving a given one of the received parts from the load station to each of the work units in a prespecified sequence, the given received part being moved from one work unit to another during a part transfer cycle in a succession of part transfer cycles. A digital code storage device receives a digital code during each of the part reception periods, a first digital code being received if a part is received by the load station during a part reception period, and a second digital code otherwise being received.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for automatically loading a cylindrical workpiece into a machining system so that the workpiece is presented to the system in a prespecified orientation, the cylindrical surface of the workpiece containing a number of perforations, indentations or like apertures. The apparatus includes a feeding system for placing the workpiece in an initial position upon an upwardly inclined guideway, and further includes a pin, mounted in an advancement system, for alternatively contacting the cylindrical surface of the workpiece and engaging one of the apertures to urge the workpiece up through the guideway. The pin applies a frist frictional force to the workpiece when it is in contact with the cylindrical surface of the workpiece, and structure included in the guideway applies a second frictional force to the workpiece which interacts with the first frictional force to rotate the workpiece until the pin engages one of the apertures.

Abstract: A tool-head supporting structure having a hollow saddle reciprocally mounted on parallel ways surmounting a bed which is provided with a top portion that structurally directly interconnects the ways and provides a flat surface on which metal chips and the like created by the machining operation can collect ahead of the saddle. The forward feed motion of the saddle is limited by a fixed stop which is mounted on the bed beneath the saddle where, for all practical purposes, it is tamper free. Access is had to the stop for servicing or replacement when necessary through an opening in the front of the saddle, and the access opening normally is closed by a removable plate on which is mounted a wiper that pushes chips ahead of the saddle into a suitable chip trough and disposal system, whereby to prevent the chips from inadvertently lodging and accumulating around the stop and interfering with proper forward positioning of the saddle which in most if not all instances must be precise.

Abstract: A turning machine is characterized by a new and improved control and mechanism for positioning the turning tool on the head. A CNC control issues command signals for selectively positioning the tool on the head. These signals are developed from an encoder which provides the instantaneous position of the rotating part being turned and from a program in the CNC containing information about the part. A closed loop control system receives these command signals and converts same into a control current for a linear motor which is the prime mover controlling the positioning of the tool on the head. The linear motor operates a carriage on the head and the cutting tool mounts on the carriage opposite the connection of the linear motor to the carriage. The carriage is a hollow bar guided on the head by sets of rollers which are cooperatively arranged to provide yieldably forceful constraint of the bar.