Abstract: Automated handling systems and methods for using the handling systems for handling a work piece in a machining process, for example, an electrical discharge machining (EDM) process, are provided. The handling systems include a robotic manipulator adapted to grasp a work piece and locate the work piece in a machining operation, such as, an EDM machining operation. The robotic manipulator includes tooling having gripping devices adapted to grasp and position the work piece so that the work piece can be transferred and positioned, for example, precisely positioned, whereby accurate machining of the work piece can be practiced with little or no custom tooling. Methods for handling a work piece are also disclosed.

Abstract: Automated handling systems and methods for using the handling systems for handling a work piece in a machining process, for example, an electrical discharge machining (EDM) process, are provided. The handling systems include a robotic manipulator adapted to grasp a work piece and locate the work piece in a machining operation, such as, an EDM machining operation. The robotic manipulator includes tooling having gripping devices adapted to grasp and position the work piece so that the work piece can be transferred and positioned, for example, precisely positioned, whereby accurate machining of the work piece can be practiced with little or no custom tooling. Methods for handling a work piece are also disclosed.

Abstract: Automated gripping devices and methods for using the gripping devices for handling a work piece in a machining process, for example, an electrical discharge machining (EDM) process, are provided. The gripping devices include at least one movable plate have a jaw that cooperates with a stationary jaw to hold a work piece. The movable plate is guided and supported by rods that pass through bearings in the movable plate and provide stiffness and positioning accuracy to the movable plate. The movable plate may be translated by a lead screw driven by a drive train, for example, a motor-driven belt drive train. The gripping devices may be used to manipulate and position a work piece in any machining process, but are uniquely capable of enhancing the handling of work pieces in the EDM machining process. Methods for handling work pieces are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for feeding and separating a plurality of items from a random accumulation of the items. The apparatus comprises a first hopper for holding the plurality of items in the random accumulation; a hopper conveyor to discharge items from the first hopper in a first group; a first transfer that receives the items in the first group; a second hopper that receives the items from the first transfer; a metering conveyor that meters the items from the second hopper into a second group; a second transfer that receives the items from the metering conveyor; and a plurality of sequential separating conveyors that receive the second group of items and separates the items. The method includes the steps of controllably feeding the items from the random accumulation in a first grouping; metering the items from into a second grouping; and feeding the items through a series of conveyors to separate the items and orient the items to a predetermined position at discharge.

Abstract: A machine for packaging uniform-sized articles having generally flat, parallel sides and uniform length, width and thickness comprising the use of an array of articulating vanes attached in tandem and moved in a closed curvi-linear path. As the vane passes a loading station, each vane receives a single article upon a loading surface thereof. Each vane then carries such article to an unloading station (which may include means for packing said articles into boxes). During the aforesaid transit, the article is retained between adjacent vanes, side retainer and inner and outer retaining rods the latter rods operating together which operate together to strip the article toward and into a packing box.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting: a) selective withdrawal of cup-like members and the like in which bakery products such as muffins or cupcakes are baked, wherein each cup-like member nested in a stack is subjected to a suction within the cavity defined by the member to cause the sidewall thereof to move away from the next member in the stack while being moved from the stack, and providing positive air pressure between and around the sidewall of any such next member which is frictionally engaged to the member being withdrawn, thereby to force such next member out of frictional engagement and back into its nested position; and b) apparatus including high production apparatus for dispensing cup-like members and the like into bakery receptacles.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting selective withdrawal of cups and the like in which bakery products such as muffins or cupcakes are baked, wherein each cup nested in a stack is subjected to a suction within the cavity defined by the cup to cause the sidewall thereof to move away from the next cup in the stack while being moved from the stack, and providing positive air pressure between and around the sidewall of any such next cup which is frictionally engaged to the cup being withdrawn, thereby to force such next cup out of frictional engagement and back into its nested position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for packaging a plurality of tape rolls of uniform diameter, each having a central core of uniform diameter a plurality of which are carried by a mandrel. The apparatus and method provides means for removing the aforesaid mandrel and for transferring the tape rolls thereafter to a conveyor which moves each roll seriatim into a magazine for stacking therein. The stacking apparatus provides means for lifting each tape in the magazine one tape width and for supporting and maintaining the lifted tape until the next tape conveyed into the magazine has also been lifted and supported and so on to create a prescribed stack. Thereafter the stack, or plurality of stacks created in the magazine can be lifted upon mandrels inserted into the core diameters of each stack, moved and inserted into cartons for shipment.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for feeding one or more fabric sections whose precise length is variable. The fabric sections are transferred to a delivery position, in which they are precisely centered, enabling uniform end margins to be realized notwithstanding length variability in the workpiece. As a workpiece is advanced on the shutter, its leading and trailing edges are sensed optically. A precise length determination is made by accumulating increments of lengths with a digital encoder. The leading edge of the workpiece is sensed at a delivery station, and the accumulated increment count is decremented at twice the rate of incrementation. When the accumulated count is reduced to zero, the workpiece is exactly centered in relation to a known position, and is engaged and held in that position while the shutter plate completes its transfer motion.