Abstract: A system for leak testing industrial components, such as engine blocks, is disclosed and includes a conveyor system for transporting the engine components to and from a test area having a support surface. A robot is operable in the test area and includes a manipulator which engages and moves the industrial components. At least two leak test units are provided where each leak test unit includes a shuttle for receiving the industrial component from the robot and thereafter subjecting that industrial component to a leak test. Each leak test unit then generates a failure output signal in response to a failed leak test on the industrial component. Each leak test unit is movably mounted to the test area support surface between an operable position and an inoperable position. In its operable position the leak test unit is positioned in the test area to receive the industrial components from the robot and perform the leak test.

Abstract: An escapement is provided for use in conjunction with a conveyor having a frame which defines a plane on which articles are conveyed along a predetermined direction of movement. The escapement includes a housing which is pivotally secured to the conveyor frame about a first axis which is perpendicular to the predetermined direction of movement of articles on the conveyor. The housing includes a portion which is radially spaced from the first axis while a resilient shock absorber is disposed between the housing portion and the conveyor frame. A stop bar is movably mounted to the housing between an engage and a release position. In the engage position, one end of the stop bar is positioned above the conveyor plane so that, with the stop bar in the engage position, the stop bar prevents the passage of articles on the conveyor past the stop bar. Conversely, in its release position, the stop bar is retracted below the conveyor plane thus releasing articles for further movement on the conveyor past the stop bar.

Abstract: A modular roller conveyor system is disclosed having a first and second pair of elongated vertical supports. The first pair of vertical supports are adjustably secured together so that the first pair of supports are spaced apart and parallel to each other at a user selected spacing between the first pair of vertical supports. Similarly, the second pair of vertical supports are also adjustably secured together so that the second pair of vertical supports are spaced apart and parallel to each other at the same user selected spacing. A first elongated rail is then secured to the upper end of one of the first pair of vertical supports and to the upper end of one of the second pair of vertical supports. A second rail is then secured to the upper end of the other of both the first and second pair of vertical supports so that the rails are spaced apart and parallel to each other.

Abstract: A modular roller conveyor system is disclosed having a first and second pair of elongated vertical supports. The first pair of vertical supports are adjustably secured together so that the first pair of supports are spaced apart and parallel to each other at a user selected spacing between the first pair of vertical supports. Similarly, the second pair of vertical supports are also adjustably secured together so that the second pair of vertical supports are spaced apart and parallel to each other at the same user selected spacing. A first elongated rail is then secured to the upper end of one of the first pair of vertical supports and to the upper end of one of the second pair of vertical supports. A second rail is then secured to the upper end of the other of both the first and second pair of vertical supports so that the rails are spaced apart and parallel to each other.

Abstract: A roller conveyor system is disclosed having a frame with a pair of spaced apart rails and at least one roller assembly having an elongated shaft. A first bearing assembly is secured to one rail while a second bearing assembly is secured to the other rail so that the bearing assemblies are aligned with each other and each bearing assembly includes an inner and outer race. The elongated roller shaft extends through the inner races of the bearing assemblies so that a flat formed on the shaft is radially aligned with the inner race of one of the bearing assemblies. A threaded fastener is then threadably secured to the bearing inner race and has one end adapted to abut against the shaft flat. With the fastener in abutment with the shaft flat, the other end of the fastener is substantially flush with an outer surface of the bearing race.

Abstract: A modular roller conveyor system is disclosed having a first and second pair of elongated vertical supports. The first pair of vertical supports are adjustably secured together so that the first pair of supports are spaced apart and parallel to each other at a user selected spacing between the first pair of vertical supports. Similarly, the second pair of vertical supports are also adjustably secured together so that the second pair of vertical supports are spaced apart and parallel to each other at the same user selected spacing. A first elongated rail is then secured to the upper end of one of the first pair of vertical supports and to the upper end of one of the second pair of vertical supports. A second rail is then secured to the upper end of the other of both the first and second pair of vertical supports so that the rails are spaced apart and parallel to each other.

Abstract: An escapement is provided for use in conjunction with a conveyor having a frame which defines a plane on which articles are conveyed along a predetermined direction of movement. The escapement includes a housing which is pivotally secured to the conveyor frame about a first axis which is perpendicular to the predetermined direction of movement of articles on the conveyor. The housing includes a portion which is radially spaced from the first axis while a resilient shock absorber is disposed between the housing portion and the conveyor frame. A stop bar is movably mounted to the housing between an engage and a release position. In the engage position, one end of the stop bar is positioned above the conveyor plane so that, with the stop bar in the engage position, the stop bar prevents the passage of articles on the conveyor past the stop bar. Conversely, in its release position, the stop bar is retracted below the conveyor plane thus releasing articles for further movement on the conveyor past the stop bar.

Abstract: A roller conveyor system is disclosed having a frame with a pair of spaced apart rails and at least one roller assembly having an elongated shaft. A first bearing assembly is secured to one rail while a second bearing assembly is secured to the other rail so that the bearing assemblies are aligned with each other and each bearing assembly includes an inner and outer race. The elongated roller shaft extends through the inner races of the bearing assemblies so that a flat formed on the shaft is radially aligned with the inner race of one of the bearing assemblies. A threaded fastener is then threadably secured to the bearing inner race and has one end adapted to abut against the shaft flat. With the fastener in abutment with the shaft flat, the other end of the fastener is substantially flush with an outer surface of the bearing race.

Abstract: An industrial part washer is disclosed having a washer housing with an upper chamber, a lower chamber, and a fluid passageway connecting the chambers together. A fluid drain is connected to a lower chamber for draining fluid from it while a pump pumps a cleaning fluid into the upper chamber. A flood valve is positioned in the fluid passageway between the upper and lower chambers and this valve is movable between an open and a closed position. Parts are sequentially moved into a position adjacent the washer housing and are selectively loaded into the lower chamber, washed and, following completion of a wash cycle, subsequently unloaded from the lower chamber. A valve control closes the flood valve during the loading and unloading operations of the part into the lower chamber so that, during the loading and unloading portions of the wash cycle, the upper chamber at least partially and preferably completely fills with the cleaning fluid.

Abstract: A melt tank is disclosed having a plurality of cartridges wherein each cartridge is adapted to hold at least one molded part. An annular tank is provided having an open top while a substantially circular plate is coaxially rotatably mounted to the top of the annular tank. The circular plate includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings formed around its outer periphery wherein each opening is adapted to slidably receive and support one cartridge. The annular tank is filled with a heated liquid while a motor rotatably drives the plate with the molded parts immersed in the heated liquid. A robotic gantry selectively lifts the cartridges from the circular plate to enable the removal of finished melted out parts as well as the insertion of new molded over parts into the cartridges.

Abstract: A lift and carry accumulating conveyor is disclosed having a frame and a pair of elongated stationary rails attached to the frame such that the stationary rails are spaced apart and parallel to each other. A transfer rail assembly having a pair of elongated transfer rails is positioned in between the stationary rails and are movable relative to the stationary rails between both a raised and a lower position as well as between a forward and a retracted position. A pair of longitudinally spaced drive arm assemblies are pivotally disposed between the frame and a lower end of the transfer rail assembly. The upper end of each drive arm assembly abuts against the lower end of the transfer rail assembly so that, as the driver arm assembly is pivoted between a lower and an upper position, the drive arm assemblies simultaneously move the transfer rail assembly between its lower and raised positions.