Abstract: A robot assembly 10 comprising a horizontal rail system 12 supported by a gantry 14 above the floor between two presses. A vertical lift 32 is supported for horizontal movement on the horizontal rail system 12 for supporting the pickup arms 18 and 20 by which a part P may be removed from the press on the left by the pickup tooling of arm 18 and moved to the buck 22 while the previously so disposed part P is moved from the buck 22 to the press on the right by the pickup tooling of the arm 20. The assembly is characterized by the vertical lift 32 including a pair of vertical beams 34 spaced from one another and braces 36 interconnecting the beams 34. The vertical lift 32 includes a pair of vertical rails 38 attached to the beams 34 and the horizontal carriage includes right and left-hand roller housings 40 and 42 supporting transverse 44 and lateral 46 rollers in rolling engagement with the vertical rails 38 for guiding the vertical movement of the vertical lift 32.

Abstract: A workpart transfer assembly (10) shuttles workpart stampings from a forming die (14, 16) of one stamping press (12) to a remotely spaced successive forming die (14, 16) in another stamping press (12) while the two stamping presses (12) cycle in unison. The assembly (10) includes a base (18) stationed in a clearance between the two stamping presses (12). A dual drive and dual rail transfer shuttle (26) slides on the base (18) between two oppositely extending cantilever positions. A carriage (44) slides along the transfer shuttle (26). A dual screw drive mechanism drives the transfer shuttle (26) on the base (18) while at the same time driving the carriage (44) along the transfer shuttle (26), thereby effecting highly accelerated movement of the carriage. A lift screw mechanism is carried on the carriage (44) for raising and lowering a slide plate (60) during the shuttling operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for casting polymer threads (32) in a nut cavity (14) complementary to the threads (44) of a casting screw (42) to minimize the formation of air pockets and air bubbles in the polymer threads. The cavity (14) of the nut (12) has a diameter larger than the diameter of the casting screw (42). The threads (32) of the nut (12) are formed in a polymer (30) which is dispensed into the nut cavity (14) and which cures around the threads (44) of the casting screw (42) after the screw is inserted into the cavity of the nut. The nut casting apparatus (10) includes support member (54) for closing the bottom of the cavity (14), and for containing the polymer (30) therein.

Abstract: A method for casting polymer threads (32) in a nut cavity (14) complementary to the threads (44) of a casting screw (42) to minimize the formation of air pockets and air bubbles in the polymer threads. The cavity (14) of the nut (12) has a diameter larger than the diameter of the casting screw (42). The threads (32) of the nut (12) are formed in a polymer (30) which is dispensed into the nut cavity (14) and which cures around the threads (44) of the casting screw (42) after the screw is inserted into the cavity of the nut. The method for casting the threads (32) includes the steps of closing the bottom of the nut cavity (14), thereafter filling the nut cavity with polymer (30), and thereafter inserting the casting screw (42) slowly down into the polymer.

Abstract: A preformed body (12) from powder material of metallic and nonmetallic compositions and combinations thereof, is consolidated to form a densified compact (12") of a predetermined density. An outer container mass (20), capable of fluidity in response to predetermined forces and temperatures and which is porous to gases at lesser temperatures and forces than said predetermined force and temperature, surrounds an internal medium (22). The internal medium encapsulates the preformed body (12) within the container mass (20) and is capable of melting at the lesser temperatures to form a liquid barrier to gas flow therethrough. The internal medium (22) is capable of rapid hermetic sealing during the early stages of preheat. External pressure is applied by a pot die (16) and ram (14) to the entire exterior of the container mass (20) to cause the predetermined densification of the preformed body (12) by hydrostatic pressure.

Abstract: A powder dispensing assembly including support structure defined by spaced end plates interconnected by a top plate with a purality of openings therein for passing particles therethrough. A Y-shaped chute has its upper extremities connected to the edges of the top plate and parallel lower extremities defining an outlet opening. A tubular receptacle is supported at each end on stud shafts extending from the end plates. The receptacle has a rear wall and a bottom wall extending from the rear wall to a lip over which the particles of powder move to define a falling curtain of powder particles. A bar extends between the end walls of the receptacle above the bottom wall to establish a gap between the bottom wall and the bar, the outlet of the chute being between the bar and the rear wall of the receptacle. A rod extends through one stud shaft at one end of the assembly and threadedly engages the receptacle for vibrating the receptacle rectilinearly in a direction parallel to the lip.