Abstract: A system for leak testing industrial components, such as engine blocks, is disclosed and includes a conveyor system for transporting the engine components to and from a test area having a support surface. A robot is operable in the test area and includes a manipulator which engages and moves the industrial components. At least two leak test units are provided where each leak test unit includes a shuttle for receiving the industrial component from the robot and thereafter subjecting that industrial component to a leak test. Each leak test unit then generates a failure output signal in response to a failed leak test on the industrial component. Each leak test unit is movably mounted to the test area support surface between an operable position and an inoperable position. In its operable position the leak test unit is positioned in the test area to receive the industrial components from the robot and perform the leak test.

Abstract: An escapement is provided for use in conjunction with a conveyor having a frame which defines a plane on which articles are conveyed along a predetermined direction of movement. The escapement includes a housing which is pivotally secured to the conveyor frame about a first axis which is perpendicular to the predetermined direction of movement of articles on the conveyor. The housing includes a portion which is radially spaced from the first axis while a resilient shock absorber is disposed between the housing portion and the conveyor frame. A stop bar is movably mounted to the housing between an engage and a release position. In the engage position, one end of the stop bar is positioned above the conveyor plane so that, with the stop bar in the engage position, the stop bar prevents the passage of articles on the conveyor past the stop bar. Conversely, in its release position, the stop bar is retracted below the conveyor plane thus releasing articles for further movement on the conveyor past the stop bar.

Abstract: A method for cleaning and drying industrial parts, such as crankshafts, engine blocks and the like, is disclosed. The part is first washed in a cleaning solution which is typically water based and may contain degreasing agents. Thereafter, the part is spun at a speed and for a time period sufficient to eject most of the water remaining on the part by centripetal force. Thereafter, the part is subjected to a vacuum sufficient to remove substantially all of the remaining solution on the part.

Abstract: A modular roller conveyor system is disclosed having a first and second pair of elongated vertical supports. The first pair of vertical supports are adjustably secured together so that the first pair of supports are spaced apart and parallel to each other at a user selected spacing between the first pair of vertical supports. Similarly, the second pair of vertical supports are also adjustably secured together so that the second pair of vertical supports are spaced apart and parallel to each other at the same user selected spacing. A first elongated rail is then secured to the upper end of one of the first pair of vertical supports and to the upper end of one of the second pair of vertical supports. A second rail is then secured to the upper end of the other of both the first and second pair of vertical supports so that the rails are spaced apart and parallel to each other.

Abstract: A hemming machine is disclosed having a base, a nest adapted to support a part to be hemmed, a nest carrier which supports the nest and in which both the nest and nest carrier are vertically movably mounted to the base. At least one hemming die is laterally slidably mounted to the base and movable between an extended position in which the die overlies a portion of the nest, and a retracted position in which the die is spaced laterally outwardly from the nest. A lock unit selectively locks the nest carrier against vertical movement relative to the base in at least one, and preferably two positions, so that, with the nest carrier locked against movement relative to the base, inflation of a hydraulic bladder sandwiched between the nest and nest carrier displaces the nest vertically upwardly from the carrier so that the part carried by the nest is compressed against the hemming dies and performs the hemming operation.

Abstract: A “soft touch” lifter for an automotive “Body in White” geometry station like a framing system is disclosed having a unique lifting assembly for elevating both the automotive body and the underbody tooling to a geometry position. The system includes a lift assembly which is vertically slidably mounted to a stationary base and movable between a first position in which the lift frame is positioned beneath a skid positioned at the geometry station and upon which the automotive body is supported, and a second position elevated from the first position. An underbody tooling assembly is mounted to the lift frame, and this tooling assembly includes a plurality of locators which register with position receptors on the automotive underbody when the skid is positioned at the geometry station.

Abstract: A modular roller conveyor system is disclosed having a first and second pair of elongated vertical supports. The first pair of vertical supports are adjustably secured together so that the first pair of supports are spaced apart and parallel to each other at a user selected spacing between the first pair of vertical supports. Similarly, the second pair of vertical supports are also adjustably secured together so that the second pair of vertical supports are spaced apart and parallel to each other at the same user selected spacing. A first elongated rail is then secured to the upper end of one of the first pair of vertical supports and to the upper end of one of the second pair of vertical supports. A second rail is then secured to the upper end of the other of both the first and second pair of vertical supports so that the rails are spaced apart and parallel to each other.

Abstract: A hemming machine is disclosed having a base, a nest adapted to support a part to be hemmed, a nest carrier which supports the nest and in which both the nest and nest carrier are vertically movably mounted to the base. At least one hemming die is laterally slidably mounted to the base and movable between an extended position in which the die overlies a portion of the nest, and a retracted position in which the die is spaced laterally outwardly from the nest. A lock unit selectively locks the nest carrier against vertical movement relative to the base in at least one, and preferably two positions, so that, with the nest carrier locked against movement relative to the base, inflation of a hydraulic bladder sandwiched between the nest and nest carrier displaces the nest vertically upwardly from the carrier so that the part carried by the nest is compressed against the hemming dies and performs the hemming operation.

Abstract: A hemming machine for sheet metal is disclosed having a base adapted to be supported on a ground support surface. A cradle is vertically slidably mounted to the base while a nest is mounted to the cradle and adapted to support the part to be hemmed. Hemming tooling is mounted to the base and movable between an extended position in which the hemming tooling overlies the nest, and a retracted position in which the hemming tooling is spaced laterally outwardly from the nest. A pair of spaced ball screws are rotatably mounted to the base and threadably connected to the cradle on opposite sides of the nest so that rotation of the ball screws vertically displaces the cradle relative to the base. A single drive motor is drivingly connected through a two speed gear box to both ball screws to rotatably drive the ball screws in synchronism with each other.

Abstract: A roller conveyor system is disclosed having a frame with a pair of spaced apart rails and at least one roller assembly having an elongated shaft. A first bearing assembly is secured to one rail while a second bearing assembly is secured to the other rail so that the bearing assemblies are aligned with each other and each bearing assembly includes an inner and outer race. The elongated roller shaft extends through the inner races of the bearing assemblies so that a flat formed on the shaft is radially aligned with the inner race of one of the bearing assemblies. A threaded fastener is then threadably secured to the bearing inner race and has one end adapted to abut against the shaft flat. With the fastener in abutment with the shaft flat, the other end of the fastener is substantially flush with an outer surface of the bearing race.

Abstract: A workpiece loader/unloader system for an industrial machine, such as a hemmer, is disclosed. The system includes a single pocket shuttle movable between an extended position in which the shuttle overlies a work station on the industrial machine, and a retracted position in which the shuttle is laterally spaced from the work station. A gripper on the shuttle selectively engages and supports the workpiece after the workpiece has been machined at the work station. A loader manipulator is movable between a preload position in which the loader supports an unmachined workpiece at a position laterally spaced from the work station, and a load position in which the loader manipulator overlies the work station. An actuator moves the loader manipulator between the preload and load position.

Abstract: An inside perimeter hemming machine is disclosed having a base adapted to be supported by a ground surface. A nest adapted to support the part to be hemmed is vertically movably mounted relative to the base between predetermined vertical positions while at least one actuator vertically moves the nest relative to the base. A die assembly housing is mounted to the base, and this die assembly housing extends through the-opening on the part to be hemmed. At least two die sets are horizontally slidably mounted to the housing so that the die sets are movable between an extended and a retracted position. In their extended position, the die sets overlay the part to be hemmed so that, upon vertical displacement of the nest, a prehem or hem is performed. Conversely, when the die sets are in their retracted position, the nest together with the part to be hemmed is freely vertically movable. A wedge drive member is utilized to simultaneously move the die sets between their extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A margin blade holder assembly is disclosed in which the assembly includes a housing having a first part and a second part. An elongated margin blade has a first end swivelly secured to the second housing part such that the margin blade extends outwardly from the second housing part having the ability to axially rotate in it on a slight angle and has a free second end adapted for insertion into a gap. The housing parts are secured together by connecting arms so that the second housing part is movable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the margin blade relative to the first housing part between a first and second position. A spring resiliently retains the second housing part, and thus the margin blade, at an intermediate position between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A dryer for industrial parts, such as engine blocks, is disclosed having a receiving frame and a conveyor which sequentially moves the industrial parts into the receiving frame. A lock pin is movably mounted to the frame and movable between a lock position in which the lock pin engages the industrial part and prevents the movement of the industrial part relative to the receiving frame, and a release position in which the lock pin is spaced from the industrial part thus permitting movement of the industrial part relative to the receiving frame. A shaft is rotatably mounted to the housing and secured to the receiving frame while a motor is mechanically coupled to the shaft so that, upon activation of the motor and with the lock pin in its lock position, the motor rotatably drives the frame with the industrial part thus expelling water and debris from the industrial part by centripetal force.

Abstract: A pinion support is disclosed for use with a motor set on a gear box casing and an output drive pinion having an axial recess at the outer end of the pinion. The pinion support includes a housing which is rigidly secured against movement to the gear box casing and includes a portion which overlies the outer end of the pinion. A pin is rigidly secured to the portion of the housing and this pin extends coaxially into the axial recess at the outer end of the pinion. A bearing assembly is operatively positioned between an outer surface of the pin and an inner surface of the pinion recess. The pinion support is particularly well suited for use in an automotive framing system.