Abstract: Disclosed are vise embodiments designed to lower manufacturing cost and work well in an automated CNC milling production environment. The disclosed embodiments include rigid vises having high clamp force and low internal friction. The embodiments include features for resisting the ingress of metal chips into sensitive moving parts through the use of commonly available seals and the flow of CNC coolant to flush metal chips away from the vise.

Abstract: Disclosed are mechanical interfaces of an end-of-arm-tool (EOAT) and part-gripping devices. The EOAT mechanical interface is for operatively coupling a gripper actuator to the part-gripping device. The part-gripping device mechanical interface is matable to the EOAT mechanical interface for operatively coupling the EOAT to the part-gripping device. Among other improvements, also disclosed are improved gripper fingers.

Abstract: An improved clutch hub assembly is disclosed. The improved clutch hub assembly provides improved wear resistance at the interfaces between separator plates and a clutch hub while allowing an operator to have improved clutch lever control and modulation when manually engaging or disengaging the clutch system.

Abstract: A system and method for using a robotic arm and a part gripping jaw to tend a CNC machine. A robotic arm picks up a part gripping jaw and used the jaw to grip a part, and moves the part into a vise in the CNC machine. The part gripping jaw has features which the vise engages, and secures the part in the part gripping jaw for processing in the CNC machine. The system and method includes a novel racking system, robotic end of arm tool, jaw grippers and vise system. The jaw grippers that hold the part are moved from the rack system, with the part to be processed, by the robot, to the vise where the vise uses the jaw grippers to secure the part for processing. After the part is processed, the robot removes the part from the vise with the jaw grippers and stores the part back into the rack system using the jaw grippers.

Abstract: An improved clutch hub assembly is disclosed. The improved clutch hub assembly provides improved wear resistance at the interfaces between separator plates and a clutch hub while allowing an operator to have improved clutch lever control and modulation when manually engaging or disengaging the clutch system.

Abstract: An improved expanding friction disk for use in a clutch of a power transmission system. The improved expanding friction disk accommodates multiple clutch pack configurations including clutch packs utilizing novel improved friction disks, is compatible with wear liners and operates with reduced friction including a reduced difference between the static and dynamic coefficients of friction in the ramp mechanism.

Abstract: An improved expanding friction disk for use in a clutch of a power transmission system. The improved expanding friction disk accommodates multiple clutch pack configurations including clutch packs utilizing novel improved friction disks, is compatible with wear liners and operates with reduced friction including a reduced difference between the static and dynamic coefficients of friction in the ramp mechanism.

Abstract: A clutch apparatus is disclosed having concentrically spaced inner and outer clutches. The inner and outer clutches are coupled for rotation via a coupling ring. The present invention is well suited to a configuration wherein one of the clutches is dynamically actuated and one of the clutches is manually disengageable by the operator using a clutch lever. In this configuration, the operation of the clutch lever by the operator is unaffected by the dynamically actuated clutch. The concentric configuration of the clutches is beneficial in allowing the improved clutch to occupy a similar space compared to a traditional clutch mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method for using a robotic arm and a part gripping jaw to tend a CNC machine. A robotic arm picks up a part gripping jaw and used the jaw to grip a part, and moves the part into a vise in the CAN machine. The part gripping jaw has features which the vise engages, and secures the part in the part gripping jaw for processing in the CNC machine. The system and method includes a novel racking system, robotic end of arm tool, jaw grippers and vise system. The jaw grippers that hold the part are moved from the rack system, with the part to be processed, by the robot, to the vise where the vise uses the jaw grippers to secure the part for processing. After the part is processed, the robot removes the part from the vise with the jaw grippers and stores the part back into the rack system using the jaw grippers.

Abstract: A system and method for using a robotic arm and a part gripping jaw to tend a CNC machine. A robotic arm picks up a part gripping jaw and used the jaw to grip a part, and moves the part into a vise in the CAN machine. The part gripping jaw has features which the vise engages, and secures the part in the part gripping jaw for processing in the CNC machine. The system and method includes a novel racking system, robotic end of arm tool, jaw grippers and vise system. The jaw grippers that hold the part are moved from the rack system, with the part to be processed, by the robot, to the vise where the vise uses the jaw grippers to secure the part for processing. After the part is processed, the robot removes the part from the vise with the jaw grippers and stores the part back into the rack system using the jaw grippers.

Abstract: An improved expanding friction disk is disclosed. The improved expanding friction disk accommodates multiple clutch pack configurations including clutch packs utilizing novel improved friction disks, is compatible with wear liners and operates with reduced friction including a reduced difference between the static and dynamic coefficients of friction in the ramp mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method for using a robotic arm and a part gripping jaw to tend a CNC machine. A robotic arm picks up a part gripping jaw and used the jaw to grip a part, and moves the part into a vise in the CAN machine. The part gripping jaw has features which the vise engages, and secures the part in the part gripping jaw for processing in the CNC machine. The system and method includes a novel racking system, robotic end of arm tool, jaw grippers and vise system. The jaw grippers that hold the part are moved from the rack system, with the part to be processed, by the robot, to the vise where the vise uses the jaw grippers to secure the part for processing. After the part is processed, the robot removes the part from the vise with the jaw grippers and stores the part back into the rack system using the jaw grippers.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for automatic centrifugal engagement of a clutch incorporating a friction disk that expands when rotated above a threshold speed. The apparatus may include a clutch basket, a clutch pack capable of coupling the clutch basket with a center clutch, a pressure plate that may be easily adjusted to create a gap between the pressure plate and the clutch pack and an expanding friction disk assembly that may take the place of one or more friction disks. The assembly expands under centrifugal force to provide automatic engagement of the clutch. A mechanism is provided to manually override the automatic engagement of the clutch with a clutch lever and with improved operational performance of the clutch lever versus previous automatic clutch systems.

Abstract: A clutch apparatus is disclosed having concentrically spaced inner and outer clutches. The inner and outer clutches are coupled for rotation via a coupling ring. The present invention is well suited to a configuration wherein one of the clutches is dynamically actuated and one of the clutches is manually disengageable by the operator using a clutch lever. In this configuration, the operation of the clutch lever by the operator is unaffected by the dynamically actuated clutch. The concentric configuration of the clutches is beneficial in allowing the improved clutch to occupy a similar space compared to a traditional clutch mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for automatic centrifugal engagement of a clutch incorporating a friction disk that expands when rotated above a threshold speed. The apparatus may include a clutch basket, a clutch pack capable of coupling the clutch basket with a center clutch, a pressure plate that may be easily adjusted to create a gap between the pressure plate and the clutch pack and an expanding friction disk assembly that may take the place of one or more friction disks. The assembly expands under centrifugal force to provide automatic engagement of the clutch. A mechanism is provided to manually override the automatic engagement of the clutch with a clutch lever and with improved operational performance of the clutch lever versus previous automatic clutch systems.