Abstract: An apparatus and method for accurately positioning a wide tolerance work piece, wherein the work piece has a first portion with a known reference surface and a second portion whose position relative to the first portion is not exactly known. The apparatus includes a locating fixture for positioning the first portion of the work piece in a known relationship to the locating fixture. A work piece holding fixture having at least one non-synchronous gripping device conforms to the unknown position of the second portion of the work piece and holds the first portion of the work piece in the known position.

Abstract: The belt grinding assembly according to the present invention includes (1) a frame (2) a belt grinding mechanism comprising a continuous abrasive belt having a backing with front and rear surfaces, and abrasive granules attached along the front surface; a mechanism for driving the abrasive belt in a first direction along a path relative to the frame; (3) a backup having a support surface for the belt along the path; which support surface is straight in the first direction and has a uniform shape corresponding to the shape of the edge surface in a direction at a right angle to the first direction; (4) a wheel having a periphery, a wheel axis at a right angle to the first direction; a mechanism mounting the wheel on the frame for rotation about the wheel axis; drive mechanism for rotating the periphery of the wheel past a loading station relative to the frame, and then past the support surface at a generally uniform rate of speed and in a first rotational direction; and (5) a plurality of pivoting engagement me

Abstract: A tool holder assembly for use with a workpiece feed mechanism and machining mechanism for forming a new surface on a workpiece is described. The workpiece feed mechanism has slot surfaces extending defining an opening which includes bearing surfaces. The tool holder assembly comprises a removable support including a plate adapted to be received in the slot. The plate has surfaces defining a socket and has shoulder surfaces adapted to engage the bearing surfaces. The tool holder assembly includes a tool receptacle which is adapted to receive the workpiece. At least one detent is provided which includes detent surfaces adapted to engage the socket in the plate. The detents are mounted on the workpiece feed mechanism for movement between a locking position where the detent surfaces of the detent are engaged with the socket, and a release position where the detent surfaces of the detent are spaced from the socket to afford sliding movement of the support within the slot.

Abstract: A belt grinding assembly for grinding a smoothly radiused edge surface on an elongate bar such as a wrench. A bar manipulating mechanism moves the edge surface of the bar at a uniform rate of speed along an arcuate path about an axis at a right angle to a first direction in which an abrasive belt is driven into forceful engagement with the abrasive belt as it is driven along a support surface.