Abstract: A workpiece engaging apparatus forms a hem at the edges of two overlapping sheets or workpieces. A plurality of guide members are pivotally interconnected at one end and have selectively shaped cams formed therein which are traversed by a cam follower driven by a linear drive. The cams and cam follower interact to pivot a hold down member mounted on one of the guide members into engagement with the overlapping workpieces to stationarily hold the workpieces during the hemming operation prior to the engagement of a hem bar attached to another of the guide members with an upstanding edge on one of the workpieces. Pivotal movement of the guide member having the hem bar attached thereto bends the flange of one of the workpieces around and over the edge of the adjacent workpiece to form a hem between the workpieces.

Abstract: A workpiece engaging apparatus includes a drive having a linearly reciprocal drive member. Two pairs of arms are arranged in opposed, inverted relationship with respect to each other and are pivotally connected at one end to the drive. Each arm has a cam formed therein. The cams in each of the pairs of arms are identically constructed, but the cams in one pair are disposed in opposed, inverted relationship with respect to the cams in the opposed pair of arms. Cam follower members mounted on the linear drive member engage the cams during reciprocal movement of the drive member to pivot the pairs of arms between an open, spaced-apart position and a closed workpiece engaging position. Each of the cams includes a first arcuate shaped first end portion which smoothly merges into a substantially linear second end portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a portion of a member to a predetermined reference position includes a sensor which locates the actual position of the member. A positioning device positions first and second panel holding members into position to engage the member at the actual located position of the member. A drive unit moves the first and second holding members into engagement with the member to hold the member in a fixed position. The drive unit also moves a forming member into engagement with the member to form a portion of the member between the holding members to the predetermined reference position. A pierce pin, also operated by the drive unit, optionally punches an aperture in the formed portion of the member. A method of forming a portion of a member to a known reference position employs the above-described elements.

Abstract: A tool mounting fixture includes a frame formed of a plurality of parallel, elongated tubular members interconnected by a plurality of bases arranged in a predetermined geometric pattern and connected to adjacent ones of the tubular members. The bases include slots for receiving one end of one of first and second support members positionable over the frame. The second ends of the first and second support members are positionable in an overlaying relationship at a predetermined X-Y coordinate with respect to the frame and secured together by a fastener. A workpiece engaging member is mounted on the second end of the second support member for releasably engaging a workpiece spaced above the frame. Cam operated lifters may be employed with certain workpiece engaging members to raise the workpiece engaging members into engagement with the workpiece.

Abstract: A workpiece engaging apparatus includes a drive having a linearly reciprocal drive member. Two workpiece engaging members are arranged in opposed, inverted relationship with respect to each other and pivotally connected at one end to the drive. Each workpiece engaging member includes a workpiece engaging surface and at least one cam. In one embodiment, the cams in each of the first and second workpiece engaging members are identically constructed, but are disposed in opposed, inverted relationship with respect to the cams in the opposed one of the first and second workpiece engaging members. Cam follower members mounted on the linear drive member engage the cams during reciprocal movement of the drive member to pivot the workpiece engaging surfaces of the first and second workpiece engaging means between open and closed workpiece engaging positions.

Abstract: An electrode cap mounting station includes a linearly reciprocal drive member. Two electrode cap engaging members, each having opposed facing knife edges, are arranged in inverted relationship with respect to each other and pivotally connected at one end to a body surrounding the linear drive member. Each electrode cap engaging member includes at least one cam. Cam follower members mounted on the linear drive member engage the cams during reciprocal movement of the drive member to pivot the electrode cap engaging members from an open, spaced apart position to a closed position in which the opposed knife edges engage the joint between an electrode cap and a welding electrode on which the cap is mounted to forcibly separate the electrode cap from the welding electrode. In an electrode cap mounting station, a similar linear drive member pivots first and second electrode cap mounting members. The electrode cap mounting apparatus is substantially identical to the electrode cap removing apparatus.

Abstract: A parts transfer apparatus for progressively advancing workpieces through successive work stations. A frame is movably mounted within a surrounding, rigid, support structure. Workpiece engaging devices are mounted on the frame for engaging a workpiece in each work station. Pairs of cams are fixedly mounted on the support structure and disposed on opposite sides of the frame to define a reciprocal path of movement for the frame. Cam followers mounted on the frame engage and move along the pairs of cams. A drive mechanism, preferably in the form of opposed acting fluid cylinders, is coupled between the support structure and the frame for reciprocatingly driving the frame between the first and second ends of the support structure.