Abstract: A crystal growing system includes a rotating seed lift assembly to rotate and lift a seed crystal supported by a cable. The seed lift assembly includes a spool that rotates to wrap the cable around the spool, thus raising the cable. As the spool rotates, it moves in an axial direction to avoid displacing the cable in the axial direction. Movement of the spool and rotation of the seed lift assembly induce deviations in the center of mass of the seed lift assembly with respect to its axis of rotation, which can cause undesired movement of the cable and thus seed crystal. A dynamic counterweight system makes use of one or more sensors to detect movement of the seed lift assembly and dynamically control a motor-driven, movable counterweight to offset these deviations, thus maintaining the center of mass at or substantially in line with the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A die matching system which is preferably implemented in die rolling machinery for fasteners employs witness or reference marks on each of the dies. An eddy current sensor is employed to sense the witness marks and to detect change in the relative position of the witness mark and hence the position of the rotatable dies. The change in position is then processed and a signal is transmitted to servo motors to change the relative position of the dies to compensate for the position changes continuously during the operation of the die rolling machinery. In one preferred form, the witness mark is in the form of a recess milled into the bottom end surface of the cylindrical die.

Abstract: A die matching system which is preferably implemented in die rolling machinery for fasteners employs witness or reference marks on each of the dies. An eddy current sensor is employed to sense the witness marks and to detect change in the relative position of the witness mark and hence the position of the rotatable dies. The change in position is then processed and a signal is transmitted to servo motors to change the relative position of the dies to compensate for the position changes continuously during the operation of the die rolling machinery. In one preferred form, the witness mark is in the form of a recess milled into the bottom end surface of the cylindrical die.

Abstract: A machine tool system (30) includes a tool (32) for cold forming a workpiece over an operating cycle and a sensor device (40) which senses each operating cycle of the tool (32). Identification data for the tool (32) and operating data for the tool (32) are stored on an electronic device (34) fixedly mounted to the tool (32). At least one interface device (46) provides communication between the electronic device (34) and the sensor device (40).

Abstract: A machine tool system (30) includes a tool (32) for cold forming a workpiece over an operating cycle and a sensor device (40) which senses each operating cycle of the tool (32). Identification data for the tool (32) and operating data for the tool (32) are stored on an electronic device (34) fixedly mounted to the tool (32). At least one interface device (46) provides communication between the electronic device (34) and the sensor device (40).