Abstract: A wide belt orbiting sander having an improved workpiece conveyor system, wherein a plurality of resiliently biased platen segments are utilized to apply a force against the underside of the upper conveyor flight in oppositely disposed relationship to the sanding heads. The platen includes a number of individual segments, each segment occupying a certain finite portion of the transverse dimension of the conveyor, and with each of the platen segments being mounted for rocking and pivotal motion about both longitudinal and transverse axes. Wide belt sanders equipped with the improved conveyor system of the present invention are capable of handling a wide variety of workpieces including workpieces of variable and varying dimensions.

Abstract: A belt driven feed assembly having a plurality of floating passive pinch wheels and a plurality of floating drive wheels, staggered and offset from one another, for conveying flat stock having irregular upper and lower surfaces. The drive and pinch wheels coact with one another and the belt to vertically center the flat stock relative to a stationary milling assembly, whereby irregularities in the upper and lower surfaces are removed so as to obtain finished flat stock with relatively smooth and parallel upper and lower surfaces.

Abstract: Abrasive grinding apparatus having a continuously revolving turret assembly to which a plurality of workpiece holding platens are affixed. Associated with the turret are angularly positioned stationary grinding assemblies having drum driven abrasive belts. Work enters and leaves the grinding stations at an acute angle with intermediate, complete belt coverage, whereby necessary system drive power is minimized.

Abstract: A sanding and polishing machine for individual workpieces having an infeed conveyor for carrying workpieces along a predetermined path through one or more tandemly arranged working stations for exposure to a series of endless abrasive belts. The abrasive belt contacts the workpiece under the influence of a multi-segmented platen, with each platen segment being arranged for adjustable positioning relative to the plane of the surface of the workpiece. Positioning of each individual platen segment is accomplished by virtue of the combination of a workpiece sensor together with an adjustable selected input supplementing the workpiece sensor so that one or more platen segments disposed adjacent to those segments actuated by the workpiece sensing units are also actuated, thus increasing the number of segments responding to the presence of workpieces in the working station and either symmetrically or asymmetrically enhancing the sensed width of the workpiece.

Abstract: An improved double-acting fluid cylinder with primary and secondary chambers of tandem construction, wherein the primary chamber is utilized to provide ram motion in a first direction and wherein the tandemly arranged secondary chamber is provided with a single biasing spring means to resiliently bias the secondary piston and to buffer and control the rate of motion induced in the ram, and also to drive the ram in a direction opposite the stroke of the first direction and at a time subsequent to the stroke so as to temper the ultimate amplitude or extent of motion induced in the ram in response to forces applied within the primary chamber.

Abstract: A sanding and polishing machine for individual workpieces having an infeed conveyor for carrying workpieces along a predetermined path through one or more tandemly arranged working stations for exposure to a series of endless abrasive belts. The abrasive belt contacts the workpiece under the influence of a multi-segmented platen, with each platen segment being arranged for adjustable positioning relative to the plane of the surface of the workpiece. Positioning of each individual platen segment is accomplished by virtue of the combination of a workpiece sensor together with an adjustable selected input supplementing the workpiece sensor so that one or more platen segments disposed adjacent to those segments actuated by the workpiece sensing units are also actuated, thus increasing the number of segments responding to the presence of workpieces in the working station and either symmetrically or asymmetrically enhancing the sensed width of the workpiece.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the working force and relative disposition of the work-contacting surface of a driven endless abrasive belt while in contact with the surface of a workpiece held in a working station. The controlling apparatus includes a rigid belt back-up pad which is normally biased in a direction toward the working station, and linear cams are provided which include inclined relatively movable ramps for movably positioning the belt back-up pad into predetermined spaced relationship to the working station. Also, because of the relatively high forces involved, guides are provided for controlling the movement of the belt back-up pad along axes which are normal to the axis of the working station.

Abstract: An improved double-acting fluid cylinder with primary and secondary chambers of tandem construction, wherein the primary chamber is utilized to provide ram motion in a first direction and wherein the tandemly arranged secondary chamber is provided with a resiliently biased secondary piston to buffer and control the rate of motion induced in the ram, and also to drive the ram in a direction opposite the first direction so as to control the ultimate amplitude or extent of motion induced in the ram in response to forces applied within the primary chamber.