Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a machine tool assembly is easily reconfigurable to perform single or multiple machining processes on a workpiece so that this machine has exactly the functionality required to perform a given set of machining tasks. The invention allows rapid changes in the machine structure and rapid conversion of the machine by relocating its basic building blocks. The assembly secures a raw workpiece to a table and includes support units that carry at least one single-axis spindle unit. The spindle units are easily attached to one of the support units and are easily movable thereon to perform machining processes from various positions and orientations relative the workpiece. A cutting tool, or other machining tool, is secured to each spindle, which is computer controlled to rotate the tool and stroke it linearly along its axis of rotation. The support units are reconfigurable and can be easily relocated to different positions and orientations about the workpiece.

Abstract: The machine tool comprises two headstocks (16,17), arranged on a support (10), which are movable independently of each other along their height and their longitudinal direction. A respective one (17) of the headstocks is active in the treatment of a workpiece attached on a workpiece carrier (20), while the other headstock (16) can be moved behind a tool magazine (24) for receiving a tool therefrom. While the one headstock is still working on the workpiece, the other headstock with the next tool can already be accelerated to the required working rotational speed and be advanced to the tool. Thus, the time required for exchange of tools is extremely shortened.

Abstract: A toolholder is provided for receiving, pressurizing, and conducting an external stream of coolant to a rotating cutting tool without mechanical containment between the toolholder and the coolant stream. The toolholder includes a shank attachably connectable to a rotatable drive shaft, an adapter, such as a collet chuck, for connecting a rotatable cutting tool to the shank, and a coolant inducer mounted between the shank and the adapter. The coolant inducer is formed from an impeller assembly having a plurality of uniformly spaced, coolant receiving openings around its periphery for receiving an uncontained coolant stream. A passageway is provided along the axis of rotation of the adapter for receiving and conducting the coolant pressurized by the impeller assembly to a cutting tool secured in the adapter. The impeller-type coolant inducer eliminates the need for fluid seals or other friction-generating mechanical interfaces between the rotating toolholder and the source of pressurized coolant.

Abstract: A wire harness-making apparatus includes a wire supply, a wire feeding unit for feeding and measuring harness wires from the wire supply, a wire transport unit for transporting the harness wires, and two connector crimping units positioned on the opposite sides of the harness wire set. The wire transport unit includes first and second wire clamps movable from opposite sides of the harness wires. The first and second wire clamps are driven along an associated top and bottom guides on opposite sides of the harness wire set. These clamps may he operated into and out of contact from vertical directions so as not to interfere with the feeding of wires by the wire feed unit.

Abstract: When pairs of fingers grasp tools and a tool exchange arm starts lowering, upper ends of lock pins which have been held by a spindle head are released, the lock pins are pushed up by urging forces of springs, and tapered portions of the lock pins push out steel balls to external sides. Thus, cylindrical portions of the pairs of fingers are prevented from opening, and opening and closing of the pair of fingers are locked.

Abstract: A drill press including a vertically disposed support post and a pivot assembly supported upon the support post is disclosed. A table is supported on the pivot assembly. The pivot assembly is pivotable about a first substantially horizontal axis, with the table pivoting about the first horizontal axis jointly with the pivot assembly. The table also is pivotable relative to the pivot assembly about a second substantially horizontal axis. The pivot assembly also may be pivoted around a vertical axis defined by the post and may be raised and lowered along the vertical post. A clamp plate is adjustable secured to the table and a telescoping extension arm is fixably secured relative to the table by the clamp plate. A guide fence is slidably disposable along the upper surface of the table and may be secured at various locations. A clamp may be adjustably secured either directly to the table or to the guide fence to vertically clamp a workpiece on the table.

Abstract: A double surface machining system for machining both side surfaces of a workpiece comprises, in an operational state, a pair of upper and lower spindle heads to be vertically positioned and driven, respectively, a pair of upper and lower spindles provided for the upper and lower spindle heads, respectively, in parallel to each other, to be rotatable about horizontal axes thereof, the upper and lower spindles having front ends to which tools are mounted, respectively, a pair of upper and lower workpiece supports for supporting the workpiece therebetween, which are vertically positioned and driven on one side of the upper and lower spindle heads as viewed from a workpiece feed direction, respectively, and another pair of upper and lower workpiece supports for supporting the workpiece therebetween, which are vertically positioned and driven on another one side of the upper and lower spindle heads as viewed from a workpiece feed direction, respectively.

Abstract: In a tool changer system comprising one or more tool grippers together with a pressure foot insert change pod supported on a U-V slide which is independent of the machine work table. The slide services a tool magazine mounted on the machine tool in close proximity to the work table. Because the tool changer is independent of the machine table, the selection and retrieval of the next tool to be used is performed while the machine tool is working in a work cycle. Similarly, the replacement of the used tool back into its storage location is also performed while the machine tool is working. Exchange of the pressure foot insert is also done as part of the tool change process in part during the tool change work cycle. Time is saved because the machine tool work need not be interrupted and the machine tool table need not be moved to accommodate the tool change.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens generating apparatus having a tool spindle comprising a motor, a lens surfacing tool and a coupling mounted between the motor and the lens surfacing tool for retaining the lens surfacing tool to the arbor of the motor. The apparatus of the present invention also comprises a first actuated table supporting the tool spindle in a movable manner along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. A massive base is mounted beneath the first actuated table for supporting the table and for dampening radial vibrations of the tool spindle. The apparatus further comprises a lens holder for holding an ophthalmic lens in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. A massive upright block is mounted on one end of the massive base behind the structural support supporting the lens holder, for dampening axial vibrations of the tool spindle and of the lens holder.

Abstract: A mechanical drive linkage for a blind spline broaching machine wherein a rotary motion provided by a servo driven helical ball or roller screw is converted to a linear reciprocal motion of a ram through the use of a kite link and a pivot link that as a part of their motion communicate with guide tracks in order to prevent side loads from being applied to the ball screw, its carriage, or the ram of the blind spline broaching machine.

Abstract: A device for manipulating workpieces has a support and linear actuators for moving the support. A coupling gear is connected to the support. The coupling gear includes at least two coupling members pivotably connected to one another. The at least two coupling members move the support in a plane of movement and lock a degree of freedom perpendicular to the plane of movement.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an adapter arm for coupling a fabrication tool or workpiece to the work table of a machine tool, the adapter arm comprising an elongated shaft having first and second ends, the first end being adapted to be removably connected to the work table, and a clamping device attached to the second end for releasably securing the tool or workpiece to the shaft, whereby movement of the work table is translated to the tool or workpiece through the shaft.

Abstract: A semi-automated machine for singulating individual surgical needles from an bulk supply and attaching a suture to the surgical needle is described. Each of the surgical needles has a suture receiving opening formed therein for receiving a suture. The machine includes a needle singulation station, a precise positioning station, a suture feeding station, a swage station, a pull-test station and an off-load station. The singulation station has a sliding surface that assists an operator in singulating needles and depositing them in a pair of drop locations for subsequent automatic handling. Indexing conveyors, an articulated robot and a precision conveyor are used with a pre-positioning and a precise positioning station for orienting each needle for automatic handling. A universal gripper mounted on a rotary indexing device automatically receives each individual needle in a predetermined orientation and conveys the needle for sequential processing from station to station to form the needle-suture assembly.

Abstract: A glass plate automatic drilling and milling machine, adapted to provide for holes and/or openings having different size, configuration and positioning, comprises a support structure provided with rotating rollers (23, 24) for the sliding of the plates disposed on vertical or slightly inclined direction thereon, as well as comprising a grasping pliers (25) for grasping each plate and transferring it toward a drilling and milling unit (13) with fixed installation, which in turn is provided with two carriages (15, 16) identical and opposite symmetrically to each other. Each carriage is provided with spindles (29, 30, 31, 32) for supporting drills and milling cutters having different size, of which the spindles of each carriage operate alternatively in opposition to each other. At the end of machinings, the plates in case are passed through a glass-cleaning machine (20) for being cleaned and subsequently packed.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for duplicating an original key, the keyway and keycode of the original key are measured and duplicated in a preform. The preform used in the duplication process need not include any keyway or keycode prior to the duplication process and, therefore, a single type of preform may be used in generating duplicates of many different types of keys. The apparatus may be automated to take the measurements of the original key and to cut the duplicate key, thus reducing the possibility of producing a nonfunctional duplicate.

Abstract: In a laser-assisted milling process at least one laser beam is directed onto the workpiece immediately upstream of the milling tool so as to heat at least one zone of the workpiece parallel to the cutting profile produced by the milling tool, and the laser beam is moved longitudinally over the workpiece in the same direction and at the rate of advance as the milling tool is moved longitudinally over the workpiece. The heated zone may be disposed immediately upstream of either or both of the points at which the cutting edge of the tool enters and exits the cutting zone of the workpiece, or it may be a zone parallel to the cutting profile and of a width equal to that of the cutting zone.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the condition of a tool in a machining operation for producing a plurality of toothed workpieces. The process comprises measuring the temperature of at least a portion of the plurality of workpieces each at essentially a same predetermined amount of time after machining. The temperature of each measured workpiece is compared to at least one workpiece reference temperature value indicative of a wear condition of the tool. If the measured temperature is less than or equal to the workpiece reference temperature value, machining of subsequent parts continues, or, if the measured temperature is greater than the workpiece reference temperature, the machining operation is stopped.

Abstract: A tool changer for a machine includes a disc having a number of protrusions extended radially outward and a number of grooves formed between the protrusions. A rod has a projection for engaging with the grooves of the disc and for precisely rotating the disc step by step when the rod is rotated. The protrusions each includes a curved rib. The rod includes a stud and one or more stops for engaging with the curved rib and for retaining the curved rib and the disc in place when the projection does not rotate the disc.

Abstract: A tool changer for a machine includes a disc having a number of protrusions extended radially outward and a number of grooves formed between the protrusions. A rod has a projection for engaging with the grooves of the disc and for precisely rotating the disc step by step when the rod is rotated. The protrusions each includes a curved rib. The rod includes a stud and an arc for engaging with the curved rib and for retaining the curved rib and the disc in place when the projection does not rotate the disc.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing the free ends of individual wires of a multi-conductor cable is disclosed. The apparatus includes a wire nest for separating the individual wires into distinct multiple wire sets and each wire of the wire sets includes multiple conductive strands. A wire stripper is provided in alignment with the wire nest to grip outer insulative coverings of the wires in each set and strip a preselected length of the covering therefrom. A wire twister is provided generally adjacent the wire stripper to engage and twist the multiple strands of each wire and a trimming knife cuts the exposed, twisted wires after they have been twisted.