Abstract: Universal chuck for holding of irregular or regular shaped parts for machine processing such as milling, shaping, grinding and the like. Movable and fixed platens have grid-like patterns including protrusions and spaces into which gripping jaw members, having a configured bottom surface, align and secure. A robotic tool provides for selection and transfer of jaw members from a jaw storage fixture and for securing of the jaw members to the movable and fixed platens.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for allowing the operator of a plunge router to make accurate mortising or doweling cuts in a workpiece and more particularly to allow dowel holes or mortises to be executed in pieces of wood which are to be secured together. The apparatus comprises a base plate having adjustable lateral guides flanking an opening in the base for allowing the passage of a router bit. Removably securable to the base plate is a reversible member or gate including adjustable end guides such that removal and reversal of the gate member permits the user to perform an identical mirror image operation on the second of two workpieces to be matched.

Abstract: The turret punch press has a body frame (3); a ram (51) for striking a punch (41) to punch out work (W) in cooperation with a die (35); an upper turret (39) rotatably mounted on the body frame and having a plurality of punches (41), any desired punch being selectively located at a punch area (A1); and a lower turret (33) also rotatably mounted on the body frame and having a plurality of dies (35), any desired die mated with the desired punch being selectively located at the same punch area (A1). In particular, the upper turret (39) is formed smaller in diameter than the lower turret (33), and further the upper turret (39) is dislocated eccentrically from the lower turret (33) toward the punch area (A1) to provide an open die exchange area (A2) over a part of the lower turret (33). Or else, the upper turret (39) is formed with a cutout portion (53) to provide an open die exchange area (A2) over a part of the lower turret (33) when the upper turret is disposed concentrically on the upper turret (39).

Abstract: A multi-axis machining apparatus including structure for positioning a workpiece in a precise and repeatable manner in relation to a tool bit. The multi-axis machining apparatus includes a main table forming a horizontally disposed upper surface and having an opening for mounting a first tool in an inverted position therein and for projecting a first bit upward through the opening and above said upper surface. The horizontal upper surface has coplanar first and second axes intersecting each other in perpendicular relationship and the opening is centered on a vertical third axis, intersecting the first and second axes in perpendicular relationship therewith. A fence structure may be attached or formed integral to the carriage assembly for guiding movements of a workpiece along the upper surface of the main table. A second table assembly is attachable to the underside of the first table.

Abstract: An improved suction nozzle automatic changing apparatus for a surface mounting apparatus which is capable of simplifying the construction of the system and enhancing the reliability thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a key making machine that automatically extracts characteristics of an object key without human intervention. An object key is automatically aligned, key characteristics extracted and compared with known key manufacturers' information stored in memory, an appropriate key blank in a robotically accessible inventory is selected, cut, deburred, and automatically dispensed to the customer.

Abstract: A machine tool way cover to provide protection to a moveable machine tool which is provided with an interlocking feature to prevent misalignment or skewing of the actual way cover. The present invention provides a dramatic improvement over prior art machine tool coverings and way covers in that it eliminates the need for individual segments of the machine tool way cover to be manufactured to extremely tight physical tolerances by providing interlocking channels at the base of each way cover segment. The channels provide grooves within which the channels of smaller segments actually move as the machine tool and machine tool way cover move in and out. By providing such an interlocking mechanism, the machine tool way cover avoids becoming misaligned and inoperative even when objects or personnel impart substantial loads to the way cover.

Abstract: A workpiece gripper has a housing part on which is arranged a gripper element actuated by external force for gripping workpieces. Also provided is a joining part, for attaching the workpiece gripper to a tool holder, that can be transferred by means of a tool changing device between a magazine position on a machine tool and a working position on a receptacle in a spindle. Provided on the housing part is a connecting element that, when a tool holder is present in the receptacle, is in engagement with a joining element, to deliver energy for actuation of the gripper element, in such a way that the housing part is held nonrotatably with respect to the spindle head. An adapter is provided which is rotatably mounted on the housing part and to which the gripper element can be attached.

Abstract: A handle retainer includes a generally cylindrical, hollow body with first and second ends. The first end is C-shaped and defines a central opening. The second end is closed. The retainer is useful for mounting over a handle and receiver assembly in which the receiver is mounted on a shaft and the handle and receiver include mutually facing projections and recesses which are interlocked in the coupled condition. The C-shaped first end of the retainer is received behind the handle receiver with the shaft being positioned within the central opening, while the closed second end is received against a head of the handle. The retainer preferably includes a recess for receiving the handle head in a snap fit fashion.

Abstract: In an edge gluing machine, a milling device (6) with a rotating milling tool (9) is provided for shaping the corners (7,8) of the projecting edge bands (14), its pivoting device (11) being arranged on a vertically adjustable housing (15). During the adjustment of the bridge (2) to the respective thickness of workpiece (3), the housing (15) is adjusted vertically by a displacing member (18) and by means of a limit switch (28,29) such that the pivot axis (11') of pivoting device (11) is located in the center of workpiece (3). A linear path control activatable by a light barrier causes the milling tool (9) to be positioned at half the thickness of the workpiece from the leading or trailing narrow surface of workpiece (3). The position of the pivot axis (11') is thereby determined such that a perfect machining of the corners (7,8) is ensured.

Abstract: A very high speed adiabatic face milling machine whose configuration and operation provide a highly efficient machining process suitable for production manufacturing conditions. The milling machine preferably operates at speeds of approximately 15,000 sfm and at efficiencies of approximately 7 cubic inches per minute per horsepower. The preferred milling operation is conducted without the use of cooling liquids, instead employing a chip removal system which enables the milling machine to operate truly adiabatically such that no heat is transferred to the workpiece or the cutter. The efficiency of the chip removal system is such that chip recutting is nearly eliminated and tool life is improved. The milling machine also includes an improved cutter structure, fixturing, and transfer devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an instrument such as a technoscope, for machining the surfaces of for example, engine blades in normally inaccessible cavities, having a machining tool able to be simultaneously observed at the machining location with an optic, comprising an instrument shank to which a head is distally coupled, said head carrying the tool and being pivotable relative to the longitudinal axis of the instrument shank. In order to create the possibility of being able to measure damage to the surface to be machined with this instrument, a measuring tool with a measuring template is attachable to the instrument head, and with this instrument head, is pivotable into the field of view of the optic. The measuring tool may be attached to the head of the instrument in a simple manner instead of a machining tool. However the measuring template may also be arranged directly at the machining tool.

Abstract: A method of for performing a machining operation and recovering a liquid used in the machining operation. The method includes the steps of providing a machine tool to perform a machining operation, directing a liquid against at least one of a) a part of the machine tool and b) a workpiece on which the machining operation is being performed by the machine tool in such a manner that discrete particles become entrained in the liquid, directing at least a part of the liquid with the discrete particles entrained therein to a first location, and at the first location separating the liquid from the discrete particles.

Abstract: A tool conveyer for use with a machine tool includes: a rotatable first link (15); a first fluid pressure cylinder (17) for driving the first link: a second link (20) rotatably connected at its intermediate portion to an free end of the first link; a tool holder (11) connected to a first end of the second link; a first guide (23) for rectilinearly guiding the tool holder in a tool conveying direction; and a second guide (24) for a second end of the second link in a direction perpendicular to the first guide. When the second link is rotated by the first fluid pressure cylinder via the first link, the tool holder is rectilinearly transferred between a tool magazine and an automatic tool changer. The tool conveyer further includes first, second, and third gears (26, 27, 28); a second fluid pressure cylinder (29) for driving the first gear; and a catch (11a) provided on the tool holder for booking a pot (4) and a tool (3).

Abstract: A pistol-configured, electrically operated impact tool for seating and cutting a wire includes a D.C. motor whose output shaft has transversely extending, cam surface-engaging elements that engage a cam-configured impact element. As the output shaft is rotated by the operation of the D.C. motor, the cam surface-engaging elements are rotated to an angle where they begin to engage cam portions of the impact element. As a result of this engagement, the impact element is linearly translated away from the cutting tool holder and toward the electric motor. During this linear translation of the impact element away from the cutting tool holder, a bias spring is compressed, so as to increase the force stored in the spring. Eventually, the output shaft will be rotated to an angle brings the cam surface-engaging elements into alignment with a prescribed feature of the cam portions of the impact element.

Abstract: A single driving system (4, 5, 6) is provided for a plurality of pairs of controlled systems and axis controllers (1, 12:2, 13). This driving system is connected to a required pair of the controlled systems and the axis controllers as needed using an axis changing device (3) and a changing controller (7). At this time, the shaft position data of the driving system, at the time when a controlled system is separated from the driving system, is stored in a first axis shaft position data storing device (8) or a second axis shaft position data storing device (11). When the connection is returned, an offset signal is sent to the changing controller (7) from a first axis shaft position offset calculator (9) or a second axis shaft position offset calculator (10). Thus, a plurality of controlled systems can be driven by a single driving system.

Abstract: A chip disposal device used in a machine tool for continuously expelling chips produced from a cutting tool such as a drill to another place, while a work is being processed with the tool. In this device, a hooding means (13) is slidably provided relative to a work (w) for forming an air-tight space around a cutting tool (11) such as a drill which is mounted on a spindle (3) of the machine tool by means of a cutting tool mounting member, and an air suction pipe (15) is provided for sucking the air from the space inside the hood. In addition, an air hole (11a) is formed in the shaft of the cutting tool (11) in such a manner that it is open at the tip end of the cutting tool at one end and at the other end is caused to communicate with passageways (p1, p2) open to the atmospheric area. In this case, the air hole (11a) may be connected to a compressed air supply pipe (33) at the other end instead of being open to the atmospheric area.

Abstract: A robotic turret tool for use with an industrial robot is mountable onto the spindle of the robot and capable of having multiple tools mounted thereto. The turret tool includes a mounting bracket adapted to be affixed to the spindle of the industrial robot, the mounting bracket including a locking element support. A turret shaft affixed to said mounting bracket. A turret head is rotatably supported on the turret shaft with multiple tools attached to the turret head allowing the robot to select which tool to use through rotation of the turret head. A locking element is slidably mounted in the locking element support. The locking element including an upper electrical supply connector and an upper pneumatic supply conduit path. The locking element is movable from a locked position engaging said turret head to an unlocked position away from said turret head.

Abstract: A wire crimping apparatus includes a pair of wire-length setting rollers, a pair of crimping cylinders arranged in a direction of feeding a wire, a pair of wire guides which are openably/closably attached between said pair of crimping cylinders, a pair of moving tables which has connector container grooves opposite to said pair of crimping blades and can move independently of a direction horizontally orthogonal to a wire, and a wire guide stand which has a wire pushing-down cylinder and can move in the direction vertically orthogonal to the wire. On a pair of moving tables, each wire is crimped to the connector on a first moving table at a forward position in the direction of wire feeding, is extended to have a required length between the moving tables by the wire-length setting roller, crimped to the connector on a second moving table at a backward position in the direction of wire feeding, and the moving tables are moved in opposite directions to connect wires between the connectors in a crossing manner.

Abstract: A method and machine for repairing overhead cam engine cylinder heads and the like. The method includes the steps of removing the caps from the bases of the bearing towers or housings, removing material from the legs of the caps to reduce their height, replacing the caps on the bases, and boring the resulting bearings to produce bearings of the proper diameter. The machine includes a device for machining a bearing cap and a device for boring the bearings. The device for boring the bearings has a boring bar that is supported only at opposite ends of the cylinder head. The bar does not sag or chatter because it is made of an extremely hard and dense material such as a dense tungsten alloy or a ceramic-coated metal.