Abstract: Analog signals are generated in response to one or more operating parameters of a machine such as vibration and used to provide a log of the operating history of the machine. The analog signals are converted into root mean square (rms) values which are periodically sampled. The sampled signals are sorted into predefined rms value bands. Each occurrence of a signal in an rms value band is used to increment a counter in order to keep track of the number of occurrences of signals in a particular rms value band. The number of accumulated signals in each of the rms value bands provides an indication of the usage and condition of the machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fixture, system, and method for automatically and quickly indicating a condition of a the trunnion axis A of a computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine and optionally an alert to a machine operator. The fixture has a body preferably constructed of parallel first and second walls and a third wall disposed between, at right angles to, and connected to the first and second walls all mounted on a base. First, second, and third probe blocks are mounted on the body at first, second, and third angular positions, respectively, along an arc circumscribed by a radius about an axis of rotation. The first, second, and third blocks are mounted on an outer surface of one of the first and second parallel walls, the outer surface facing away from an other of the first and second parallel walls. The blocks include preferably co-planer respective first, second, and third flat surfaces with respective normals parallel to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A connecting rod is cracked by mounting it on a fixture having a split mandrel and driving a pair of opposed wedges between the mandrel halves. The fixture is mounted on a support and is transported by a conveyor through a series of stations where the rod is split, separated into two pieces, the crack zone is cleaned, and the pieces are reunited along the crack lines. The use of two opposed wedges cancels out the horizontal forces of the wedges and results in a vertical force that cracks the rod. The fixture floats relative to the support allowing the connecting rod to be centered relative to the wedges. A break limiter limits the displacement of the first side of the rod to crack to prevent distortion of the second side before it cracks. In the event the fixture malfunctions, the entire fixture is removed from the conveyor and replaced by another fixture, thus reducing downtime.

Abstract: With high speed machine tools, there is a desire to dampen vibrations and to retain the damper mass in proper position. The present invention relates to a tuned damped absorber support providing simultaneous energy dissipation in both horizontal and vertical directions which also provides for proper mass position retention. The tuned damped absorber assembly is attached directly or indirectly to a machine component requiring damping. Both single damper mass and double damper mass configurations are shown. With a double damper mass, the system can be tuned to two different frequencies. Therefore, the double damper mass provides for optimization in both a vertical and a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A grinding machine is disclosed comprising a main frame, a wheelhead, a worktable (16), a headstock (12) and tailstock (14) carried by the worktable (16). A computer is supplied with data indicative of at least one operational parameter of the grinding proces, and the wheelfeed is under the control of signals generated by the computer. Two small diameter grinding wheels (22, 24) are mounted on two parallel spindels mounted on a support member (32) and are independently driven by two motors (28, 30) mounted at the other ends of the spindles. The support member (32) is pivotally joined to the wheelhead. The headstock (12) includes a workpiece drive (20) for rotating the workpiece during a grinding, and its speed of rotation is also controlled by signals generated by the computer. The length of the spindles positions each of the motors (28, 30) axially clear of the tailstock assembly when the wheels (22, 24) are aligned to engaged regions of a workpiece nearest to the headstock (22).

Abstract: An apparatus for press fitting inserts into corresponding receptacles in workpieces includes a press comprising a ram and a backup tool spaced from the ram. An insertion tool is alignable between the ram and the backup tool. An insert magazine feeds inserts to the insertion tool. A workpiece positioner sequentially moves each workpiece through receiving positions that align the receptacles with the insertion tool between the ram and the backup tool. The ram repeatedly engages the insertion tool to press fit an insert into each of the corresponding receptacles. The backup tool supports the workpiece against the force of press-fit insertion.

Abstract: A hemming and in-situ laser welding method and apparatus for hemming peripheral flanges of an outer steel panel over peripheral edges of an inner steel panel and laser welding the resulting hemmed joints. A lower die supports an outer metal panel in a position to be hemmed over an edge of an inner panel. An upper die is mounted on a movable support for reciprocal motion and hems the outer panel by folding a flange of the outer panel over onto an edge region of the inner panel when the upper die moves from a raised position to a down position. A laser unit welds the flange of the outer panel to the edge region of the inner panel with the upper die in its down position holding the two panels together.

Abstract: A workpiece micro-positioning apparatus for correcting small pitch and yaw location errors in a workpiece supported on a fixture for a manufacturing operation such as precision machining or assembly comprises a biaxial micro-positioner that includes pitch and yaw motion mechanisms that support a workpiece for rotation about respective pitch and yaw axes. The yaw motion mechanism supports the pitch motion mechanism for rotation about a yaw axis generally normal to the pitch axis. A base supports the yaw motion mechanism. A fixture fixed to the micro-positioner releasably holds a workpiece. The micro-positioner allows the fixture to rotate about the pitch and yaw axes to correct any pitch and yaw deviations from a desired workpiece attitude relative to the base and to releasably lock the pitch and yaw motion mechanisms following such correction.

Abstract: A die post assembly that supports a metal panel in a position to allow an implement such as a roller or die steel to flange, pre-hem or hem an edge of the panel. A die post support surface is disposed on a panel support element and an edge member of the assembly. The die post support surface is shaped to support the panel and includes a bearing surface that supports an overlying portion of the panel against deformation as the marginal edge portion of the panel is bent in a flanging or hemming operation. The edge member includes the bearing surface and is supported on the panel support element. The edge member comprises a material more durable than the material of the panel support element. This material is sufficiently durable to allow the edge member to support a series of metal panels over a large number of hemming or flanging cycles without flowing or otherwise deforming due to heat and pressures typically generated in such operations.

Abstract: A mechanical press drive that uses a ballscrew apparatus to move the upper platen of a press upward and downward. A first coupling is connected to a screw of the ballscrew apparatus and connects the screw to one of a movable platen of a press or a stationary member of the press. A second coupling is connected to and couples a nut of the ballscrew apparatus to the other of the platen and the stationary member of the press. A drive motor is operably connected to one of the nut and screw and relatively rotates them to impart reciprocal motion to a movable press platen coupled to the other of the nut and screw. The two couplings cooperatively isolate the ballscrew apparatus from offset and moment loading that may occur during press operation.

Abstract: A flexible framing system including a framing station disposed along a vehicle body assembly line to receive and hold vehicle bodies for welding. A pair of framing gates is interchangeably supportable at the framing station. A pair of underbody tool support beams is also interchangeably supportable at the framing station. The gates and beams carry tools that positively locate and hold sub-elements of a vehicle body in predetermined positions relative to one another when the gates and beams are supported in respective framing positions engaging a vehicle body received at the framing station. A transport positioner disposed at the framing station moves the gates from respective supported positions at the framing station, interconnects the gates with the beams into a single gate-beam set, and moves the gate-beam set to a transport position for removal from the framing station.

Abstract: A gantry conveyor apparatus for transporting components between work stations in an assembly line. The apparatus includes an elevated gantry beam and two gantry carts movably mounted to roll along the beam. The gantry conveyor apparatus also includes a conveyor coupled to each gantry cart. The conveyor moves the carts along the gantry beam between stations in an assembly line. A lift tube is supported on each gantry cart and engages a part at one station, raises the part to an elevated transport position, and lowers and releases the part at a subsequent station. The apparatus also includes a harmonic lift drive coupled to the lift tubes and drives the lift tubes using a single motor rather than a separate motor at each lift.

Abstract: A laser welding method and apparatus includes a laser manipulator that directs a laser beam emitted from a laser generator at various predetermined angles toward predetermined positions within a laser work zone. A transport device passes workpieces through the laser work zone where the laser beam manipulator can direct a laser beam at desired interfacing portions of each workpiece to weld those interfacing portions together. The controller is programmed to cause the manipulator to weld the workpieces without halting their motion through the laser work zone.

Abstract: A transfer line apparatus for performing multiple machining operations on each of a plurality of workpieces in a transfer line. The apparatus includes a plurality of different kinds of machining units disposed at respective machining stations along a transfer path. A workpiece transporter moves workpieces along the transfer path to position each of the workpieces at each of the machining stations and allow each of the machining units to machine each of the workpieces as the workpieces move along the transfer path. A controller connected to the machining units responds to an inspection command by causing all machining units downstream from a designated machining unit along the transfer path to allow a workpiece selected for inspection to pass by without being machined by the downstream units. This allows the workpiece to be inspected in a form that the remaining machining units have not altered.

Abstract: A cutting tool retention mechanism, for example, typically used to retain a tool holder in a tool pocket of a tool changer magazine. A horizontal machine tool apparatus typically contains a plurality of tool pockets attached to a movable tool changer magazine and the mechanism of the present inventions provides an affirmative mechanism for retaining tool holders so that they do not separate from their respective tool pockets unless removal is desired. More particularly, a pair of opposed pivotal fingers each include a latch which can engage with or disengage from the internal groove of a tool holder to perform this function. Spring bias can be provided to encourage this affirmative engagement of the latches with the internal groove.

Abstract: An apparatus for press fitting inserts into corresponding receptacles in workpieces includes a press comprising a ram and a backup tool spaced from the ram. An insertion tool is alignable between the ram and the backup tool. An insert magazine feeds inserts to the insertion tool. A workpiece positioner sequentially moves each workpiece through receiving positions that align the receptacles with the insertion tool between the ram and the backup tool. The ram repeatedly engages the insertion tool to press fit an insert into each of the corresponding receptacles. The backup tool supports the workpiece against the force of press-fit insertion.

Abstract: A flange bending apparatus for bending an upstanding flange on an inside perimeter of an automotive window opening. A flanging steel drive reciprocally drives a flanging steel between retracted and extended positions on a frame. The retracted position of the first flanging steel allows a metal panel workpiece to be positioned on the frame with the flanging steel extending through an opening in the workpiece. When in the extended position the flanging steel overlies a portion of an inside perimeter of the opening. As it moves toward the extended position the flanging steel engages an inner surface of an upstanding workpiece flange that extends upward from around the inside perimeter of the workpiece opening. The flanging steel then bends the flange radially outward as the drive continues to move the steel to the extended position. The flanging steel bends the workpiece flange radially outward such that a lateral bend line is formed along the flange where no breakline was present before bending.

Abstract: A conveyor ratcheting apparatus for advancing a conveyor in one direction in discrete steps. A ratchet arm is pivotally supported on a frame. A ratchet actuator drives the arm reciprocally between first and second positions. A ratchet wheel is rotatably supported on the frame. Circumferentially spaced teeth are formed around an outer rim of the ratchet wheel. The ratchet arm sequentially engages each of the teeth and causes the ratchet wheel to rotate in one direction each time the ratchet arm engages one of the teeth and moves toward the second position from the first position. The ratchet arm disengages whenever the ratchet arm moves from the second position back toward the first position. A detent engagement member is supported on the frame and is moveable into engagement with one of four stop detents in the ratchet wheel when the first ratchet arm is in the second position.

Abstract: A bending and hemming apparatus configured to both bend and hem a sheet metal panel to form a body closure member at a single station. The apparatus includes a hemming machine movable between a retracted position spaced from a bending machine and advanced positions adjacent the bending machine to assist in the bending operation and to hem the body panel into a finished product. The apparatus also includes an anvil assembly pivotably supported on the hemming machine. The anvil assembly is movable between a lowered position where it engages the workpiece when the hemming machine is advanced to a bending position adjacent the bending machine. In the lowered position, the anvil assembly provides a fulcrum around which the workpiece is bent. The anvil assembly is pivotable to a raised position to allow the hemming machine to be advanced to a hemming position adjacent the bending machine from which the hemming machine can engage the bent workpiece to hem the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for control of pivoting machine members propelled by linear actuators so as to permit coordinated motion of the pivoting members with translating machine members. Position commands for the pivoting machine members are given in angular units. The propelling linear actuators are controlled by servomechanism control providing position and velocity control. Position measurements for the pivoting members measure linear displacement of the propelling actuator. Position commands for the pivoting members are compensated according to the non-linear relationship between displacement of the propelling actuator and the angular displacement of the pivoting member.