Abstract: A form tie for joining the sidewalls of a polymeric concrete form comprises a pair of end trusses with an intermediate web truss. Each end truss comprises a pair of vertical struts with interior and exterior pairs of horizontal struts extending therebetween. The width of the web truss corresponds to the desired lateral distance between the interior surfaces of the form sidewalls. Upper and lower rectangular trusses and an intermediate truss are formed within each truss and rigidified by diagonal struts. The exterior struts of each end truss are embedded in the polymeric form of the sidewalls during the molding process with the interior struts of each end truss sealing the mold openings to prevent expansion of the foam from the mold. The interior struts are coplanar with the form sidewalls and serve as a visual gauge that the form and tie have been properly positioned. End ties having a height of one-half of the form sidewall are extended between the sidewalls at the ends of each form.

Abstract: A round open end container is supported and held on a turntable by a chuck. The edge of the container is guided and supported by rollers on roller heads mounted on brackets of stanchions positioned on opposite sides of the container. The brackets are movable vertically on the stanchions and the stanchions are movable radially relative to the turntable for positioning the rollers in supporting engagement with the edge of the container. A robot arm carries a C-shaped frame with opposing arms movable over the edge of the container between the rollers. Non-contact sensors are mounted on the arms of the C-shaped frame and are movable with the arms to predetermined vertical positions on opposite sides of the container wall for measuring the thickness of the wall at predetermined positions provided by rotation of the turntable.

Abstract: A bead former (14) has a gripping mechanism (90,92) for gripping a leading end (106) of a bead ribbon (12) at a position recessed in the surface (18) of the former (14) during the initial rotation of the former (14). The gripping mechanism (90,92) has a seat member (92) movable radially outward of the former (14) into a supporting position at the surface (18) of the former (14) after releasing the leading end (106) for supporting the leading end (106) during the latter rotation of the former (14). A pressure roller (20) is rotatably supported in a guide cage (54) mounted on a dual arm (22,48) having a dual actuation system (34,60) for moving the guide cage (54) and pressure roller (20) into position for guiding and compacting the convolutions of bead ribbon (12) wrapped around the former (14) and for providing a high pressure force to crimp the splice area (124 ) of the bead (16).

Abstract: A bead former (14) has a gripping mechanism (90,92) for gripping a leading end (106) of a bead ribbon (12) at a position recessed in the surface (18) of the former (14) during the initial rotation of the former (14). The gripping mechanism (90,92) has a seat member (92) movable radially outward of the former (14) into a supporting position at the surface (18) of the former (14) after releasing the leading end (106) for supporting the leading end (106) during the latter rotation of the former (14). A pressure roller (20) is rotatably supported in a guide cage (54) mounted on a dual arm (22,48) having a dual actuation system (34,60) for moving the guide cage (54) and pressure roller (20) into position for guiding and compacting the convolutions of bead ribbon (12) wrapped around the former (14) and for providing a high pressure force to crimp the splice area (124 ) of the bead (16).