Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated valve spring assembly includes a head assembly with a pair of elongated passageways that moveably support a pair of retainer keys for movement through the passageways. The head assembly including a moveable divider plate and a pair of jaws, a push member that closes off the passageways and that slides the retainer keys along opposite sides of the divider plate. The retainer keys contact surfaces of the jaws and rotate the jaws outwardly as the keys are moved by the pushrod. The retainer plate is then retracted, and the jaws shift inwardly and push or position the retainer keys on the valve stem where the retainer plate is configured to allow sequential engagement of the rings of the retainer keys to engage the valve stem.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated valve spring assembly includes a head assembly with a pair of elongated passageways that moveably support a pair of retainer keys for movement through the passageways. The head assembly including a moveable divider plate and a pair of jaws, a push member that closes off the passageways and that slides the retainer keys along opposite sides of the divider plate. The retainer keys contact surfaces of the jaws and rotate the jaws outwardly as the keys are moved by the pushrod. The retainer plate is then retracted, and the jaws shift inwardly and push or position the retainer keys on the valve stem where the retainer plate is configured to allow sequential engagement of the rings of the retainer keys to engage the valve stem.

Abstract: An escapement system for orienting a plurality of fasteners includes a housing member including a first station and a second station, and a drum member operably coupled with the housing member and adapted to move a fastener from the first station to the second station. The escapement system also includes a first seating assembly adapted to abuttingly engage the fastener at the first station and seat the fastener against the datum surface, wherein a selected one of the housing member and the drum member includes the datum surface. The escapement system further includes a first probe assembly separate from the first seating assembly and including a first probe member adapted to abuttingly engage the fastener and a first proximity switch operably coupled with the first probe, wherein the first proximity switch is configured to indicate proper alignment on the fastener within the first station.