Abstract: An apparatus for forming a stack of interlocked laminations (disks) that can be used as a rotor in an electric motor. Each disk is severed from a metal sheet that is passed horizontally through a die apparatus. The severed disks are sequentially driven downwardly into a vertical die opening having an upper diameter chosen to grip the disk edges, as a stack is being formed. The lower end of the stack advances into an expandable rotatable collet. When the stack has passed below the upper end of the die opening, the collet is opened to drop the completed stack to a conveyor.A sensor device detects the lowest disk in the descending stack. A signal generated by the sensor device is used to determine the number of disks necessary to finish the stack by dividing the unfinished height of the stack by the thickness of the advancing metal sheet.

Abstract: A method of retaining a series of plates together in a stacked relationship, using integral projections and mating recesses formed by punching dies. As each plate is added to the stack, a restriking die is driven against the exposed face of the newly added plate to form transverse notches in the plate surface. The plate is thus deformed so that material flows into previously formed notches in a subjacent plate. The displaced material acts as a frictional interlock with the subjacent plate.

Abstract: A proximity switch actuated by a press driven plunger is employed to generate a control signal at a predetermined point in the operating cycle of a high-speed stamping press when a press carried punch is at a precisely predetermined elevation above the die surface. Locating devices are provided for accurately locating the plunger at selected elevations relative to the die surface to establish an initial setting for the triggering of the proximity switch and to enable a resurfacing of the plunger concurrently with the sharpening of the die so that resetting of the proximity switch after a sharpening of the die is not required.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing laminated assemblies having ridges formed on projections which interlock with recesses of adjacent laminations. The improvement to the laminated assembly is a projection with a smaller cross-sectional area than the recess and with a plurality of exterior longitudinal ridges protruding from the projection surface for securing adjacent laminations together by compressive interference fit between the ridges and the recess in interlocking relationship throughout the laminated assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing laminated assemblies having ridges formed on projections which interlock with recesses of adjacent laminations. The improvement to the laminated assembly is a projection with a smaller cross-sectional area than the recess and with a plurality of exterior longitudinal ridges protruding from the projection surface for securing adjacent laminations together by compressive interference fit between the ridges and the recess in interlocking relationship throughout the laminated assembly.