Abstract: A breakaway mechanism for supporting a non-contact tool to protect the tool in the event of an inadvertent collision includes a non-redundant locating system to establish precise tool repositioning and a magnetic holding device to retain the tool in its operative attached position. The non-redundant locating system assures initial mounting and relocating after breakaway which is immune from inaccuracies resulting from manufacturing tolerances and the magnetic mounting device permits breakaway separation free from any mechanical restraint. The invention is particularly suitable for use on an automatic metal cutting torch, but may be applied to many non-contact tools which are positioned and operated by computer or robotic control.

Abstract: A vertical spindle numerically controlled machining center includes a stationary bed or base on which a workpiece holding table is slidably mounted for movement along a first axis. A vertically extending upright or column, having a vertically reciprocal spindlehead slidably mounted thereon, is slidably mounted on the bed for movement along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis so that the spindlehead overlies a portion of the table. Within the upright is a recess adjacent to the bed. A tool storage magazine is located in the recess and is slidably mounted on the bed for movement through the recess along an axis parallel to the second axis. During a tool change cycle, the toolholder then held in the spindle is returned to the tool storage magazine by first moving the spindlehead to the ready position and then moving the tool storage drum toward the spindlehead to engage the tool then held in the spindle.

Abstract: A rotating disc has perforated seed pockets which pick up individual kernels of seed from a cavity of a planter housing. Bulk seed flows by gravity from a hopper to the cavity which is pressurized by a blower. As the disc rotates through the cavity, air flowing through the perforated pockets will move the seeds into the pockets and hold them there as the disc rotates to bring the seed carrying pockets into axially confronting relation with a flat sealing surface. The flat sealing surface holds the seed in the pockets as the disc rotates further to a position wherein the pockets are exposed to an open bottom area of the housing at which point the seeds are free to fall by gravity into the soil.