Abstract: This invention relates to a belt drive system for a tool driving shaft of an indexing tool turret assembly. A plurality of toolholders are radially supported on a top plate assembly, which is rotatably supported on a hub connected to a turret housing. A housing is provided that supports a driven pulley connected to the tool driving shaft. A spindle motor connected to the turret housing is coupled to the live toolholder via a belt drive. The housing advantageously includes at least one removal portion that provides access to and replacement of the belt drive. Further, the tool driving shaft is supported on opposite sides of the driven pulley.

Abstract: This invention relates to a belt drive system for a tool driving shaft of an indexing tool turret assembly. A plurality of toolholders are radially supported on a top plate assembly, which is rotatably supported on a hub connected to a turret housing. A housing is provided that supports a driven pulley connected to the tool driving shaft. A spindle motor connected to the turret housing is coupled to the live toolholder via a belt drive. The housing advantageously includes at least one removal portion that provides access to and replacement of the belt drive. Further, the tool driving shaft is supported on opposite sides of the driven pulley.

Abstract: A method and device for stacking a plurality of vertically oriented mailpieces into a stack, wherein mailpieces are sequentially received into the back end of the stack. A paddle is used to support the front end of the stack in order to prevent the top mailpieces from falling forward. A conveyor belt is used to move the mailpieces in the stack and relieve the pack pressure so as to allow new mailpieces to join the stack. Information indicative of the mailpiece thickness is provided to a movement control module so that the conveyor belt is moved according to the thickness of the mailpieces received into the stack. As such, the pressure in the stack can be properly adjusted. The thickness information can be obtained from an upstream collator, for example.

Abstract: An indexing tool turret assembly is disclosed including a rotatable indexable turret tooling plate having mounted thereon stationary as well as live tooling. A single drive motor is utilized in order to perform indexing as well as to drive the live tooling. A plurality of live tools can be simultaneously mounted on the turret tooling plate and the single drive motor is selectively engageable with each of the live tools so that only one of the plurality of live tools is driven at a given time. The selective live tool drive train includes an axially movable drive shaft and bevel drive gear for selectively engaging the driven bevel gear of the desired live tool. The axially movable shaft assembly includes a mechanism for adjusting the backlash between the driving and driven bevel gears when these gears are engaged with one another.

Abstract: A method and device for stacking a plurality of vertically oriented mailpieces into a stack, wherein mailpieces are sequentially received into the back end of the stack. A paddle is used to support the front end of the stack in order to prevent the top mailpieces from falling forward. A conveyor belt is used to move the mailpieces in the stack and relieve the pack pressure so as to allow new mailpieces to join the stack. Information indicative of the mailpiece thickness is provided to a movement control module so that the conveyor belt is moved according to the thickness of the mailpieces received into the stack. As such, the pressure in the stack can be properly adjusted. The thickness information can be obtained from an upstream collator, for example.

Abstract: A lathe base assembly is disclosed that decreases vibration and increases thermal stability in a lathe utilizing either a cast iron or composite base. Two separate pairs of rails mounted offset from each other are provided for mounting a secondary spindle and a tool turret, respectively. Vibration from the tool turret caused by the machining operation is thus isolated from the secondary spindle (and vice-versa). If a second tool turret is provided with the lathe, a third separate pair of rails can also be provided for mounting the second tool turret to increase vibration isolation. If a cast iron base is provided, cavities can be provided in the base for filling with a vibration damping material, such as a polymer composite. Alternatively, the base can be constructed from a composite material, and especially a polymer composite.

Abstract: An indexing tool turret assembly is disclosed including a rotatable indexable turret tooling plate having mounted thereon stationary as well as live tooling. A single drive motor is utilized in order to perform indexing as well as to drive the live tooling. A plurality of live tools can be simultaneously mounted on the turret tooling plate and the single drive motor is selectively engageable with each of the live tools so that only one of the plurality of live tools is driven at a given time. The selective live tool drive train includes an axially movable drive shaft and bevel drive gear for selectively engaging the driven bevel gear of the desired live tool. The axially movable shaft assembly includes a mechanism for adjusting the backlash between the driving and driven bevel gears when these gears are engaged with one another.