Abstract: A high speed apparatus for assembling washers on headed parts such as bolt blanks, wherein individual washers are mechanically positively placed and seated onto individual blanks. The apparatus includes a linear transfer mechanism for progressively shifting the blanks through successive stations at which a washer is first placed on the end of a blank, is then "stuffed" axially along the shank of the blank, and is then positively abutted with the head. Various movements of the washers and blanks are effected by individual servomotors that greatly simplify the complexity of the apparatus, provide timing/stroke flexibility, and independent control.

Abstract: Tool cassettes in a progressive forging machine are configured to facilitate their machine controlled changeover by the ability to be installed and removed through vertical movement in and out of the machine and by the incorporation of self-alignment features. The die cassettes, which have precision machined cylindrical surfaces, establish the work station centers of the machine on the die breast and receiving zones on the slide for the punch holder cassettes are established with gage blocks that are sized by reference to the respective die work station centers. The cassette system can provide a level of alignment between punch and die elements not previously practical in large machines and a flexibility in tool size that is not subject to the traditional restraint of work station center-to-center distance.

Abstract: Tool cassettes in a progressive forging machine are configured to facilitate their machine controlled changeover by the ability to be installed and removed through vertical movement in and out of the machine and by the incorporation of self-alignment features. The die cassettes, which have precision machined cylindrical surfaces, establish the work station centers of the machine on the die breast and receiving zones on the slide for the punch holder cassettes are established with gage blocks that are sized by reference to the respective die work station centers. The cassette system can provide a level of alignment between punch and die elements not previously practical in large machines and a flexibility in tool size that is not subject to the traditional restraint of work station center-to-center distance.

Abstract: Clearance take up means is provided to take up the running clearance between the bed frame and slide of a progressive former at least near the end of the advance of the slide to top dead center, so that the advance is completed under essentially zero clearance conditions. A header slide system must allow a certain amount of running clearance to give room for lubricant and allow for expansion of the slide and bed due to variations in the temperature of the slide and bed. This clearance however compromises the concentricity of the work piece. The present invention enables normal running clearances to be maintained; however, near the front of the slide stroke clearances are eliminated completely by putting a side load on a system of wedges. This system reduces the side to side movement of the slide as well as the cocking about the vertical axis of the slide that occurs with offset heading loads.

Abstract: A progressive forging machine having automatically adjustable cam timing for transfer finger opening and closing movement and for knockout pin action. The cams can be adjusted without manual effort to thereby reduce changeover time and the level of skill required to effect a changeover. For each of the transfer finger and knockout actions, a separate cam assembly is provided with a series of cam sections that are selectively repositionable on a common shaft by appropriate operation of a corresponding series of cam stop actuators and a common clutch actuator.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding and optionally drawing wire to a forging machine or the like. The apparatus is a compact unit that conserves floor space and offers manufacturing economies by permitting the use of common components whether or not the optional drawing feature is selected. Large hydraulic clamping forces for wire drawing operation are developed by a relatively large piston and cylinder that operates mechanically through a relatively small piston and cylinder. The relatively small piston and cylinder enables the apparatus to quickly grip and release wire stock to achieve high machine speeds. When the draw option is not selected, the relatively large piston and cylinder are not supplied, but otherwise most of the same components including the small high speed piston and cylinder are retained to reduce the number of different parts used in the manufacture of the apparatus.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for a progressive forging machine in which the fingers for transporting workpieces from station to station are arranged to pick the workpieces axially out of dies from which they are being discharged, transfer the workpieces laterally from the discharging stations to receiving stations, place the workpieces axially into the receiving stations, and then open wide enough to clear tooling on the slide and return to the original delivery stations. Included in the mechanism is an adjustment for the axial stroke of the fingers and a cassette mounting for the fingers enabling them to be readily replaced with another cassette for a changeover in the workpieces being forged.

Abstract: Apparatus for separately adjusting the shut height of individual tools on a progressive forging machine "on the fly" when the machine is running. The apparatus includes individual load bearing wedge blocks on the slide for supporting associated tool cassettes. Each wedge block is displaced by a secondary wedge-like cam driven by an associated power actuator. The wedge geometry yields a compact, rugged construction. The cassettes are supported by precision located surfaces that allow desired axial adjustment without loss of alignment with opposed dies.

Abstract: A thread rolling machine in which the dies are monitored for a mismatch condition by a proximity sensor responsive to displacement of the moveable die in a direction parallel to the axis of the workpiece. This displacement, which occurs when a mismatch condition exists, is permitted by the running clearances in the slide carrying the moveable die. When more than a negligible displacement occurs, corrective action can be taken to reject out of specification workpieces and to adjust the relative positions of the dies to maintain them in a matched condition.

Abstract: A flat die thread rolling machine provides a cam drive for the reciprocating slide which operates through a linkage to cause reciprocation of the slide. The cam provides a dwell which holds the reciprocating die stationary before the commencement of the working stroke to allow insertion of a workpiece into the dies while the dies are stationary relative to each other. The cam produces slow acceleration of the reciprocating die during the initial portion of the rolling operation to prevent workpiece slip page. The working stroke exceeds one-half of the machine cycle. Die match can be adjusted while the machine is running. Separate adjustment means are provided to adjust the tilt, parallelism, and pitch of the dies, with the pitch adjustment permitting pitch adjustment while the machine is running and without affecting tilt and parallelism adjustment. A hydraulic drive is provided to power the machine and provide high torque during jog operations and speed control during normal running operation.

Abstract: A flat die thread rolling machine provides a cam drive for the reciprocating slide which operates through a linkage to cause reciprocation of the slide. The cam provides a dwell which holds the reciprocating die stationary before the commencement of the working stroke to allow insertion of a workpiece into the dies while the dies are stationary relative to each other. The cam produces slow acceleration of the reciprocating die during the initial portion of the rolling operation to prevent workpiece slippage. The working stroke exceeds one-half of the machine cycle. Die match can be adjusted while the machine is running. Separate adjustment means are provided to adjust the tilt, parallelism, and pitch of the dies, with the pitch adjustment permitting pitch adjustment while the machine is running and without affecting tilt and parallelism adjustment. A hydraulic drive is provided to power the machine and provide high torque during jog operations and speed control during normal running operation.

Abstract: A progressive former and method of producing progressive formers is disclosed in which the bed frame is formed of two side frame members and a spacer member. The two side frame members and the spacer member are substantially fully machined before the side frame members are assembled on opposite sides of the spacer member. Within a given machine size, the side frame members are identical and the width of the spacer member is adjusted to provide the proper spacing between the side frame members for the particular number of work stations in a given machine. By utilizing component parts to produce the machine bed frame rather than a one-piece casting, substantial cost savings are achieved. Further, since the side frame members are identical in machines of a given size having different numbers of work stations, it is economically feasible to produce side frame members for inventory and then assemble them with an appropriate spacer member to provide the desired number of work stations.

Abstract: A flat die thread rolling machine provides a cam drive for the reciprocating slide which operates through a linkage to cause reciprocation of the slide. The cam provides a dwell which holds the reciprocating die stationary before the commencement of the working stroke to allow insertion of a workpiece into the dies while the dies are stationary relative to each other. The cam produces slow acceleration of the reciprocating die during the initial portion of the rolling operation to prevent workpiece slippage. The working stroke exceeds one-half of the machine cycle. Die match can be adjusted while the machine is running. Separate adjustment means are provided to adjust the tilt, parallelism, and pitch of the dies, with the pitch adjustment permitting pitch adjustment while the machine is running and without affecting tilt and parallelism adjustment. A hydraulic drive is provided to power the machine and provide high torque during jog operations and speed control during normal running operation.

Abstract: A progressive former and method of producing progressive formers is disclosed in which the bed frame is formed of two side frame members and a spacer member. The two side frame members and the spacer member are substantially fully machined before the side frame members are assembled on opposite sides of the spacer member. Within a given machine size, the side frame members are identical and the width of the spacer member is adjusted to provide the proper spacing between the side frame members for the particular number of work stations in a given machine. By utilizing component parts to produce the machine bed frame rather than a one-piece casting, substantial cost savings are achieved. Further, since the side frame members are identical in machines of a given size having different numbers of work stations, it is economically feasible to produce side frame members for inventory and then assemble them with an appropriate spacer member to provide the desired number of work stations.

Abstract: A flat die thread rolling machine provides a cam drive for the reciprocating slide which operates through a linkage to cause reciprocation of the slide. The cam provides a dwell which holds the reciprocating die stationary before the commencement of the working stroke to allow insertion of a workpiece into the dies while the dies are stationary relative to each other. The cam produces slow acceleration of the reciprocating die during the initial portion of the rolling operation to prevent workpiece slippage. The working stroke exceeds one-half of the machine cycle. Die match can be adjusted while the machine is running. Separate adjustment means are provided to adjust the tilt, parallelism, and pitch of the dies, with the pitch adjustment permitting pitch adjustment while the machine is running and without affecting tilt and parallelism adjustment. A hydraulic drive is provided to power the machine and provide high torque during jog operations and speed control during normal running operation.

Abstract: A progressive former and method of producing progressive formers is disclosed in which the bed frame is formed of two side frame members and a spacer member. The two side frame members and the spacer member are substantially fully machined before the side frame members are assembled on opposite sides of the spacer member. Within a given machine size, the side frame members are identical and the width of the spacer member is adjusted to provide the proper spacing between the side frame members for the particular number of work stations in a given machine. By utilizing component parts to produce the machine bed frame rather than a one-piece casting, substantial cost savings are achieved. Further, since the side frame members are identical in machines of a given size having different numbers of work stations, it is economically feasible to produce side frame members for inventory and then assemble them with an appropriate spacer member to provide the desired number of work stations.

Abstract: A flat die thread rolling machine provides a cam drive for the reciprocating slide which operates through a linkage to cause reciprocation of the slide. The cam provides a dwell which holds the reciprocating die stationary before the commencement of the working stroke to allow insertion of a workpiece into the dies while the dies are stationary relative to each other. The cam produces slow acceleration of the reciprocating die during the initial portion of the rolling operation to prevent workpiece slippage. The working stroke exceeds one-half of the machine cycle. Die match can be adjusted while the machine is running. Separate adjustment means are provided to adjust the tilt, parallelism, and pitch of the dies, with the pitch adjustment permitting pitch adjustment while the machine is running and without affecting tilt and parallelism adjustment. A hydraulic drive is provided to power the machine and provide high torque during jog operations and speed control during normal running operation.

Abstract: A progressive former having quick-change tooling provides tooling supports with means for adjusting the tools. The tooling is mounted so that the tooling and the structure for adjusting the tooling can be removed as units without loss of the fine-tuning of the adjustments and so that reinstallation does not require readjustment of the tooling. A transfer also provides adjustable cams for opening and closing gripper fingers which transport workpieces from one work station to the next. The adjustable cams are removable with the dies as units and can be reinstalled without further fine-tune adjustment. With the invention, entire tool sets can be changed in a very short time to eliminate loss of production capacity of the machine. Similar sized machines are provided with a fixed spacing between the locating surfaces for the stationary dies and the reciprocating tools so that tool sets having adjustments fine-tuned in one machine can be installed in a similar machine without further retuning of the adjustments.

Abstract: A progressive former having quick-change tooling provides tooling supports with means for adjusting the tools. The tooling is mounted so that the tooling and the structure for adjusting the tooling can be removed as units without loss of the fine-tuning of the adjustments and so that reinstallation does not require readjustment of the tooling. A transfer also provides adjustable cams for opening and closing gripper fingers which transport workpieces from one work station to the next. The adjustable cams are removable with the dies as units and can be reinstalled without further fine-tune adjustment. With the invention, entire tool sets can be changed in a very short time to eliminate loss of production capacity of the machine. Similar sized machines are provided with a fixed spacing between the locating surfaces for the stationary dies and the reciprocating tools so that tool sets having adjustments fine-tuned in one machine can be installed in a similar machine without further retuning of the adjustments.

Abstract: A stock feed and cutter system for forging machines and the like in which stationary grippers and linearly movable grippers alternately grip rod or wire stock. The movable grippers reciprocate toward and away from the stationary grippers and operate to feed the stock without slippage a precise distance into a cutter. A stock gage is therefore not required and an optimum cutter structure can be provided even for very short workpieces. After each feed operation, the cutter shears a workpiece from the end of the stock, which is subsequently formed to a desired shape. A running adjustment is provided for the reciprocating grippers so that the machine operator can adjust the length of the workpiece produced while the machine is running. A short blank detector independently measures the length of stock being fed and is connected to cause rejection of such short blank. The grippers operate without slippage and, in cooperation with the cutter, produce very uniform workpieces.