Abstract: A multi-spindle lathe includes a pair of main spindles, a first spindle being located on one side of a main spindle head and a second spindle being located on an opposite side of the main spindle head. A supporting shaft extends through the main spindle head, and the head is selectively engageable with a head stock. The head stock is provided with an assembly for rotatably driving either of the main spindles when such spindle is positioned below the main spindle head, in order that a workpiece can be operated upon, while the spindle is positioned above the main spindle head in order for a workpiece to be attached or detached.

Abstract: A shock wave generating apparatus is provided which includes a shock wave generating chamber and a rotatable carousel in which a plurality of microexplosive carrying members are removeably positioned. Each of the microexplosive carrying members are adapted to be pushed downwardly by a piston through a bore in the casing body and into a shock wave generating chamber. The microexplosive is detonated by heating a detonator adjacent to the explosive by virtue of electrical contact between the microexplosive carrying member and the piston, and activation of a microswitch. Alternately, the housing for the microexplosive carrying members can include a spring for forcing the members over the bore, with each member being forced downwardly by an piston to detonate an explosive charge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing intermittent explosion of a plurality of explosive charges initially attached to an explosive capsule support belt. The belt is indexed so that a plurality of spaced capsules on the belt can be separated from the belt by generally vertical movement of an explosive capsule holding rod and then detonated within a shock wave generating chamber which has at least part of its interior surface area which in the shape of a pseudo-ellipsoid. The belt comprises two spaced members which are attached to each other by a plurality of reinforcing rods, with a plurality of capsules being positioned between the base members in a first direction and between the reinforcing rods in a second direction; the capsules are held to the base members by attaching rods which extend from opposed base members.