Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately positioning parts precisely in a predetermined location, including a frame having a part receiving zone on which said parts are placed for movement to the predetermined location. Two positioners are mounted on linear bearings connected to the frame and are connected to a cable for opposed motion toward and away from the part on the receiving zone under control of the cable. The cable is trained around a four pulleys mounted on said frame and connected to a cable cylinder. The cable passes axially through cylinder and connects to a piston on the centerline of the piston. Movement of the piston in one direction in the cylinder is operative to move the cable and the attached positioners toward each other to center the part. Movement of the piston in the opposite direction moves the positioners away from each other to release the part.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding and applying double edged adhesive tape to non resilient objects includes a tape supply spool, a tape tensioning device, a tape backing remover and tape backing take up reels. A folding apparatus folds over portions of top and bottom edges of the tape and pulls the object being taped and the tape along a work surface during the taping operation. An optional "w shape" folder applies an additional pleat to the folded tape.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding honeycomb core parts down on a conveyor while dust is being cleaned from the cells of the honeycomb by an upper air knife blowing a narrow jet of air down through the honeycomb cells as the part is being carried on a conveyor belt through an exhaust hood, and a pair of upwardly aimed air knives below the conveyor belt blowing two narrow jets of air on both sides of the first air knife through the honeycomb cells. The part is held down on the conveyor belt against the lifting force of the two air jets from the two lower air knives by a floating hold-down mechanism, which is adjustably counterbalanced to control the amount of hold-down force it exerts on the honeycomb part. The upper air knife is mounted on a counterbalance system that enables it to ride above and blow down through the hold-down mechanism without exerting significant force on the honeycomb part.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning dust from the cells of a honeycomb core part includes an upper air knife for blowing a narrow jet of air downwardly through the honeycomb core cells as the part is being carried on a conveyor belt through an exhaust hood. A pair of upwardly aimed air knives below the conveyor belt blow two narrow jets of air on both sides of the upper air knife upwardly through the honeycomb core. The part is held down on the conveyor belt against the lifting force of the two air jets from the two lower air knives by a floating hold-down mechanism, which is adjustably counterbalanced to control the amount of hold-down force it exerts on the honeycomb core part. The upper air knife is mounted on a counterbalance system that enables it to ride above and blow downwardly through the hold-down mechanism without exerting significant force on the honeycomb core part.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting parts to allow the parts to manipulated such as for application of protective coatings and paint. The apparatus includes a support rack and at least one flexible wire-like clamp. In an exemplary embodiment, the clamp includes an engaging end which support the part configured as a pair of helical rings which support the part against an edge of the rack. The opposite end of the clamp includes a pair of opposing rings which engage opposing faces of the support rack. In some embodiments, the clamp may be rotated to adjust the distance between the engaging rings and the support rack edge in order to accomodate parts of different sizes and configurations. The clamp includes a finger which is inserted within a selected one of a plurality of holes in the support rack so as to prevent unwanted rotation of the clamp and thereby maintain it in a selected position.

Abstract: A rivet injector/rejector device (10) is provided for use with a riveting machine (12) having a plurality of rivet gripping fingers (120, 122). The device (10) includes a supporting member (16) fixedly mounted to the riveting machine (12). A tubular member (92) is provided for delivering a rivet (148) to the fingers (120, 122). The tubular member (92) is mounted to the supporting member (16) so that an end portion (118) of the tubular member may be moved downwardly relative to the fingers (120, 122). The end portion (118) is shaped so that as it moves downwardly it spreads the fingers thereby permitting a rivet to drop free therefrom.