Abstract: An apparatus and method for installing and removing a tool on a chuck connected to a robot arm. The chuck has a mandrel with two parallel flat sides and two protruding flanges. The tool has a tool coupling member which is supported and held against rotation by a support plate. The tool coupling member is cylindrical and has two lugs spaced apart to allow the flat sides of the mandrel to pass, but to lock over the flanges of the mandrel when the mandrel is rotated relative to the tool coupling member. A cam follower on the chuck follows a guide slot in the support plate to cause the mandrel to rotate relative to the tool coupling member. The cam follower also causes a key on the chuck to mate or disengage a key slot on the tool coupling member.

Abstract: A base frame mounts a first gang of saws in a common vertical datum plane and a first wood member conveyor device. A second gang of saws in a common vertical datum plane and a second wood member conveyor device are mounted on a carriage on the base frame for movement toward and away from the first gang of saws and first conveyor device. Each saw in each gang is independently vertically adjustable in its vertical datum plane and each saw is rotatable a full 180 degrees around the axis of a chord on the saw blade lying in the common datum plane of such saw. Each saw, during its angular rotation, is precisely supported on a double pantograph movement linkage which follows an arcuate track centered on said chord and vertical datum plane. A precision drive for the wood member conveyor devices and carriage obviates the necessity for a long torque shaft and enables much greater versatility of operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A base frame mounts a first gang of saws in a common vertical datum plane and a first wood member conveyor device. A second gang of saws in a common vertical datum plane and a second wood member conveyor device are mounted on a carriage on the base frame for movement toward and away from the first gang of saws and first conveyor device. Each saw in each gang is independently vertically adjustable in its vertical datum plane and each saw is rotatable a full 180 degrees around the axis of a chord on the saw blade lying in the common datum plane of such saw. Each saw, during its angular rotation, is precisely supported on a double pantograph movement linkage which follows an arcuate track centered on said chord and vertical datum plane. A precision drive for the wood member conveyor devices and carriage obviates the necessity for a long torque shaft and enables much greater versatility of operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A machine for producing web components for wooden floor trusses from dimensioned lumber cuts the web components with a high degree of accuracy and uniformity rapidly on a repetitive basis. Each workpiece, such as a 2 .times. 4, is cut by the machine into two pieces on each cycle of operation and each piece will be provided with two angled converging end faces which define an included angle of 90.degree.. The apparatus includes a base on which coacting rotary cutter heads are mounted through the medium of a carriage which is reciprocated relative to clamped workpieces by a linear actuator which forms a part of a hydro-pneumatic machine cycle control system. All vital apparatus adjustments are provided. Sturdiness and simplicity of construction and operation are featured in the apparatus.