Abstract: A device to facilitate the feeding of a supply of parts from the flat central area of powered feeders to a predetermined exit point at the perimeter of the feeder. The device is comprised of the distribution cone and retaining means placed on and in the powered feed table. The cone is fixed in a off-center position in the feed table by means of a shaft attached to the cone that rides in a adjustable bearing block where it is free to rotate but not move laterally. The bearing block is mounted on a stationary support that comprises a tube and/or a rod with fixed end plates that mount permanently on the base of a powered feed table. The rod of one support is fitted into the tube of the other support thereby allowing the use of the assembly on various width and diameters of feed tables. When the cone is fixed in the proper position, parts that are carried on the feed table surface will be guided along the edge or over the cone to the perimeter of the feed table and from there to the exit.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting and sorting drills oriented in the same direction in a hopper assembly. The hopper assembly feeds the drills, one at a time, and places them in a predetermined ready location. A camera, part of the inspection assembly, mounted directly over the predetermined ready location, takes preliminary measurements and alerts the system controller that a drill is available for a high resolution second inspection for wear and then for sorting. A robot assembly then picks up the drill from the ready location and orients it in front of two high resolution cameras, also part of the inspection assembly, for a visual inspection for wear. A control assembly then analyzes the results of the inspection and determines the drill size and whether or not it needs to be re-ground. The robot assembly then sorts the drill into an appropriate predetermined bin within a bin assembly as a function of size and wear. The process is then repeated.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding drills, one at a time, from a hopper containing a supply of drills and for feeding them to a final predetermined position. The apparatus includes a hopper assembly having a hopper for supporting the drills, a blade for lifting the drills one at a time from the supply to an upper position, and a pusher to axially transport the lifted drills to the final predetermined position. The apparatus also includes a base assembly for supporting the hopper assembly at a predetermined location and controls for sequencing the feeding of the drills.

Abstract: A tool in the form of a honeycomb cutter/chip breaker assembly for conveniently and efficiently machining a workpiece of honeycombed material or the like. The assembly includes a honeycomb cutter member having a cutting knife and a shaft. The cutting knife is disc-shaped with a sharp peripheral edge and is formed integrally with the outboard end of the shaft for concurrent rotation therewith. The inboard end of the shaft is adapted to be received by rotational motion imparting mechanisms. The assembly also includes a chip breaker/chaf remover device having a central bore mountable over the shaft with its outboard face in contact with the inboard face of the cutting knife for rotation therewith during operation and use. The radially outward edges of the chip breaker/chaf remover device are formed as sharp breaker edges for breaking the material cut by the cutting knife.

Abstract: An improved power drill having means for sensing when the drill bit has penetrated through the workpiece and for then retracting the drill bit from the workpiece. An electrical signal responsive to the axial force between the drill and the drill bit is used to sense when the drill bit pierces the workpiece. A sudden decrease in the axial force triggers a mechanism for retracting the drill bit from the workpiece. Means are included to detect broken bits, missing bits and previously drilled holes.