Abstract: A machine component includes an elongated base plate with side edges and a slide plate which is rectangular in cross-section and has parallel straight side edges. A cylinder and piston assembly are provided, one part of the assembly being supported from the base plate the other being connected to the slide plate. Two elongated guide members each have a rectangular slot which slidingly receives the edge of the slide plate. Each elongated guide member has a lower part and an upper part and fasteners securing them together. The lower part is attached to the base plate, and the rectangular slot has (1) a first side wall adjacent to and parallel with the base plate, the first side wall being defined by a surface of the lower part, (2) a second side wall defined by a surface of the upper part, and (3) a bottom wall defined by a surface of one of the upper and lower parts.

Abstract: There is provided herein a method and associated apparatus for processing groups of elongated cylindrical members such as tubing or the like. The cylindrical members are arranged and transversely clamped in a substantially flat array by a reciprocating clamp which operates to advance the array of cylindrical members a predetermined distance toward operation performing apparatus whereupon a second clamp engages the members and maintains them in the generally flat array while an operation is performed upon each of the members. Additional apparatus is provided which receives the cylindrical members longitudinally from the operation performing means and delivers the array transversely to other apparatus. Hold down apparatus are also provided on this additional apparatus as well as on the operation performing device and reciprocating clamp device which are designed for rapid accurate adjustment to accommodate different diameter cylindrical members.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for automatically processing the end portions of a plurality of pieces of tubing of a constant predetermined length, comprising two separate processing modules the distance between which may be quickly changed for processing tubing of a different constant predetermined length, each module being independently powered and having its own transport means for moving the tubing in "hand-to-hand" fashion to and from all of the processing stations thereon, the transport means being designed to handle only the ends of the tubing disposed in the vicinity of the module. Means for synchronizing the transport means on the two modules is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for orienting cap-like articles in the same direction and delivering them to an exit port from which the cap-like articles may be delivered to any suitable apparatus for placing them over the ends of tubes, bars or other parts. Included is a rotatably mounted member having a surface which is inclined at an acute angle to the horizontal and which is provided with a number of radially extending grooves therein each with an open end remote from the center of the rotatable member. Pins are located in each of the grooves opposite the open ends thereof and receive thereover and retain caps thereon when the caps are delivered to the pins via the grooves with the open ends of the caps facing the pins. A reservoir for caps is arranged adjacent to and in communication with a portion of the aforementioned member so that caps in the reservoir are picked up in the grooves as the surface rotates past the reservoir.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method and associated apparatus for processing groups of elongated cylindrical members such as tubing or the like. The cylindrical members are arranged and transversely clamped in a substantially flat array by a reciprocating clamp which operates to advance the array of cylindrical members a predetermined distance toward operation performing apparatus whereupon a second clamp engages the members and maintains them in the generally flat array while an operation is performed upon each of the members. Additional apparatus is provided which receives the cylindrical members longitudinally from the operation performing means and delivers the array transversely to other apparatus. Hold down means are also provided on this additional apparatus as well as on the operation performing means and reciprocating clamp means which are designed for rapid accurate adjustment to accommodate different diameter cylindrical members.

Abstract: A bundling mechanism collects tubes from a tube processing machine, holds a selected quantity of the tubes in a bundle-like shape and wraps the bundles with lengths of adhesive backed tape. The bundles are indexed between first and second wrapping stations with one-half of the wrap being accomplished at each station. The end of a roll of tape extends tangentially between the bundles at the two stations. A special cutter-wrapper moves between the wrapping stations to cut the tape and wrap the cut tape ends around adjacent portions of the bundles.