Abstract: An apparatus for automatically adjusting the distance between two support members for carrying workpieces of different dimensions. The support members are mounted on guides that are fitted to pallets that travel on conveyor transport systems for automatic production/assembly lines. In one embodiment the support members have a locking device that frictionally secure the support members in place on the pallet and can be unlocked for movement along the guide. A positioning unit engages the pallet so that the locking device is unlocked and the support members are engaged and translated to the desired locations under the control of a drive. In a second embodiment the support members are translated along and under the control of a threaded bar. A positioning unit engages the pallet to activate the threaded bar by rotating it to translate the support members to the desired locations. The support members are independently translated using one threaded bar and a drive for each support member.

Abstract: The axial end portions of the insulating members which are used to line the longitudinal channels formed between circumferentially adjacent, radially inwardly projecting poles in a stator (e.g., an electric motor stator) are protected from damage by the wire being wound by providing terminal boards at each axial end of the stator having portions which overhang the axial ends of the insulating members. Temporary wire grippers may also or alternatively be mounted on the axial ends of the stator (e.g., on the above-mentioned terminal boards) for temporarily holding the leads of the stator coils prior to permanent termination of those leads on permanent terminals on the terminal boards.

Abstract: A pallet having adjustable support members and an apparatus for automatically adjusting the distance between two support members for carrying workpieces of different dimensions. The support members are mounted on guides that are fitted to pallets that travel on conveyor transport systems for automatic production/assembly lines. In one embodiment the support members have a frictional locking mechanism which can be locked in place on the pallet and can be unlocked for movement along the guide. A positioning unit engages the pallet so that the locking mechanism is unlocked and the support members are engaged and translated to the desired locations under the control of a threaded bar. The locking mechanism has a first condition which causes the guide to contact the support members to secure frictionally the support members to the pallet and a second condition which permits the support members to be moved. A positioning unit engages the pallet to translate the support members to the desired locations.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically adjusting the distance between two support members for carrying workpieces of different dimensions. The support members are mounted on guides that are fitted to pallets that travel on conveyor transport systems for automatic production/assembly lines. The support members have locking devices that frictionally secure the support members in place on the pallet and can be unlocked for movement along the guide. A positioning unit engages the pallet so that the locking devices is unlocked, and the support members are translated, under the control of the drive, to the desired relative position. A device for bringing a pallet and the positioning unit together to make the adjustment are provided. The positioning unit may have two movable carriages and a device for unlocking one or both support members from the guide, and drive for moving one or both of the carriages to slide one or both of the support members along the guides into their desired positions.

Abstract: The axial end portions of the insulating members which are used to line the longitudinal channels formed between circumferentially adjacent, radially inwardly projecting poles in a stator (e.g., an electric motor stator) are protected from damage by the wire being wound by providing terminal boards at each axial end of the stator having portions which overhang the axial ends of the insulating members. Temporary wire grippers may also or alternatively be mounted on the axial ends of the stator (e.g., on the above-mentioned terminal boards) for temporarily holding the leads of the stator coils prior to permanent termination of those leads on permanent terminals on the terminal boards.

Abstract: A production line capable of producing more than one variation of a particular type of electric motor component (e.g., more than one variation of armature or more than one variation of stator) is provided. The line includes at each workstation either a machine adjustable to the different variations to be produced, or more than one machine. Workpieces are carried down the line on coded pallets from which it can be determined automatically which variation it is, so that the workstation can be adjusted to perform the correct operation, or so that the pallet can be directed to the correct machine.

Abstract: A machine for winding two-pole stators includes a revolving table around which are located at least three working stations: a station to feed the machine with unwound stators from a conveyor placed alongside the machine and for returning the wound stators to the conveyor; a winding station where one or more winding needles with alternating translatory and angular motion wind the stator; and a terminating station with means to anchor the coil leads to the stator. The revolving table carries a plurality of circumferentially spaced stator housings, each stator housing having stator-containing means. The stator housings and table are equipped with mechanical, reciprocally meshing means, those on the table being located between the winding station and the load/unload station for rotating the stator housings about the horizontal axis tangentially to the table between a position in which the axis of the stator-containing means is vertical and a position in which that axis is horizontal.

Abstract: A pallet system for supporting a workpiece (such as an electric motor stator or rotor) during processing of the workpiece includes a pallet member on which a workpiece holder can be removably placed. The workpiece holder may have multiple workpiece-engaging sites, each of which is adapted to hold a differently configured workpiece, and multiple pallet-engaging sites, each of which is associated with a respective one of the workpiece-engaging sites and any one of which can be used to engage the pallet so that the workpiece holder can hold a workpiece of the appropriate configuration at the associated workpiece-engaging site. Methods and apparatus for storing and manipulating the workpiece holders.

Abstract: A machine for driving and variable length cutting of the paper used in the armature of an electric motor rotor. The machine comprises a feed distance covered by the paper between shaping rollers, over which a pressure wheel is located which pushes the paper against a ledge and then slips. A paper cutting blade is inserted between the wheel and the ledge. Transfer devices located between the blade and the ledge transfer the cut paper to a bending fixture, which gives the paper the shape of the rotor slot. The paper is pushed into the rotor slot by inserting devices. The rotor is moved from the conveyor on which it is supplied to a suitable position to receive the paper. Locking elements connected to the ledge vary the length of the cut paper with respect to the height of the rotor slots where the paper is inserted.

Abstract: A machine for forming electric motor stator insulating material and inserting it vertically directly into the stator placed on the pallet of a transportation system, without removing the stator from its pallet. The machine includes a guiding system for the paper fed from a feed roll, with the following elements working in sequence: a pair of rollers for trimming the paper to the required width; a pair of paper shaping and pulling rollers, at least one of which is motor-operated and the other of which can be moved away from the first one during insertion of the paper into the machine; a paper cutter operating in a substantially horizontal direction for cutting across the paper; a former for forming the cut paper inside vertical guides and operating parallel to the cutter; and an inserter for inserting the cut and bent paper into the stator slot and operating in a vertical direction moving through the paper former.

Abstract: A machine for forming electric motor stator insulating material and inserting it vertically directly into the stator placed on the pallet of a transportation system, without removing the stator from its pallet. The machine includes a guiding system for the paper fed from a feed roll, with the following elements working in sequence: a pair of rollers for trimming the paper to the required width; a pair of paper shaping and pulling rollers, at least one of which is motor-operated and the other of which can be moved away from the first during insertion of the paper into the machine; a paper cutter operating in a substantially horizontal direction for cutting across the paper; a former for forming the cut paper inside vertical guides and operating parallel to the cutter; and an inserter for inserting the cut and bent paper into the stator slot and operating in a vertical direction moving through the paper former.

Abstract: A machine for the automatic testing of electric motor rotors comprises a system for checking various characteristics of rotors arriving from a line of production thereof, in which system there are preset theoretical values of the various characteristics to be detected which are compared with the values detected on each rotor. Also provided in the machine is a display apparatus and/or a printer of the detected values, as well as a system of identification, in the tested rotor, of the type of characteristic whose detected value differs beyond an acceptable field of tolerance from the preset theoretical value.

Abstract: In a device for transferring a pallet-mounted electric motor armature to an armature winding formation station, the armature is made rigid with the pallet by members which enable it to be released therefrom, and the frame carrying the winding arms comprises a vertical gripper for gripping the armature and connected to drive means which cause it to rotate about its axis between said winding arms; means are also provided for vertically transferring either the armature alone or the armature rigid with the pallet from the conveyor belt to the winding arm zone in which the armature becomes released from the pallet and secured to the vertical gripper.

Abstract: In a production line for electric motor stators, the stators are rigidly fixed individually, onto respective individual pallets which advance along conveyor belts, in proximity to which the necessary stator-working stations are located; mechanical means are also provided for removing the pallets from the belts and handling them so that the respective stators become disposed in positions corresponding with the working stations located along the line, and in proximity to which said mechanical means are provided.

Abstract: An adjustable chuck for armature winding machines employs a pair of stationary longitudinal deflectors or wings and a separate pair of frontal deflectors or wings. At least one of the frontal deflectors is movable independently of the longitudinal deflectors so that the chuck can be adjusted to accommodate armatures having cores of various different lengths. Regardless of whether the frontal deflectors have been positioned to accommodate a long or short armature, they cooperate with the longitudinal deflectors to form a continuous wire guide path for a wire being wound around the armature.