Abstract: A machine cell for the forming and joining of a first sheet material to a second sheet material includes an upper gate and a lower nest. The lower nest includes a vacuum pad having a recessed channel defined therein. A vacuum system is fluidly connected to the recessed channel to hold the first sheet material to the lower nest during the joining of the first and second sheet materials. The machine cell further includes an arrangement for aligning the first sheet material to the second sheet material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described to form and join a short flange on a periphery of a sheet material supported in a nest (30). The apparatus includes a positional pressure forming steel (PPFS) assembly (50) located on the end of a robotic arm (42). The PPFS assembly (50) includes a hub (52) slidably supported in a cylinder (56). At least one tool steel (70, 70?, 70?) is located on an extension (68, 68?) from the hub (52). A biasing element (58) interposed between the cylinder (56) and the hub (52) enables precise control of the forming pressure by defining a tool path control program which maintains a relative relationship between the PPFS assembly (50) and the nest (30).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming and joining a first sheet material (A) located in a nest (30) to a second sheet material (B) positioned on top of the first sheet material. The apparatus includes a positional pressure roller tool or positional pressure variance unit (50) for performing the forming and joining operations. The PPVU (50) may include both a main roller (58) and a touch-up roller (60). The PPVU (50) is operatively associated with a programmable positioning apparatus in the form of a robotic arm (52) and a machine cell (10) whereby the position of the robotic arm (52) relative to the nest (30) dictates the applied pressure at the interface between the roller (72) and the nest (30).

Abstract: A machine cell for the forming and joining of a first sheet material to a second sheet material includes an upper gate and a lower nest. The lower nest includes a vacuum pad having a recessed channel defined therein. A vacuum system is fluidly connected to the recessed channel to hold the first sheet material to the lower nest during the joining of the first and second sheet materials. The machine cell further includes an arrangement for aligning the first sheet material to the second sheet material.

Abstract: A cutting machine assembly is disclosed having a motor assembly with a motor housing, a motor shaft and spaced bearings which rotatably mount the motor shaft to the housing at opposite ends of electrical motor windings. A cutting tool is detachably secured to a forward end of the motor shaft. A casing is disposed around the motor and this casing has a first axial end secured to the motor housing adjacent the forward end of the shaft such that the casing forms an annular chamber between the casing and the motor housing. At least one and preferably several openings are formed in the first axial end of the casing adjacent the cutting tool and these openings are open to the annular chamber formed between the casing and the motor housing. An air vacuum is fluidly connected to the opposite axial end of the annular chamber so that, upon actuation, the air vacuum inducts air through the casing openings and through the annular chamber.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool is disclosed having an evacuation bore and generally radially extending passages to conduct away material being removed by the tool cutters. In one embodiment, intersecting cutters are disposed at the intersections of right and left hand flutes in the tool shank. In another embodiment, the cutters are radially disposed on a cutting disc.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for cutting a workpiece made of styrofoam or like material. The machine includes a frame having a generally planar base adapted to support the workpiece. A rotary cutter is supported above the workpiece and is rotatably driven about an axis perpendicular to the base of the frame. The rotary cutter is mounted to a carriage which is moveable on a slide in a first direction parallel to the base of the frame. The slide, in turn, is movably mounted to the frame in a second direction which is also parallel to the plane of the base but perpendicular to the first direction. The rotary cutter is also movably mounted to the carriage in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the base so that the cutter is moveable along all three or orthogonal axes. The cutter includes a plurality of radial bores which are fluidly connected with an axial bore in the cutter.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for cutting a workpiece made of styrofoam or like material. The machine includes a frame having a generally planar base adapted to support the workpiece. A rotary cutter is supported above the workpiece and is rotatably driven about an axis perpendicular to the base of the frame. The rotary cutter is mounted to a carriage which is moveable on a slide in a first direction parallel to the base of the frame. The slide, in turn, is movably mounted to the frame in a second direction which is also parallel to the plane of the base but perpendicular to the first direction. The rotary cutter is also movably mounted to the carriage in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the base so that the cutter is moveable along all three or orthogonal axes. The cutter includes a plurality of radial bores which are fluidly connected with an axial bore in the cutter.