Abstract: A solid valve spool is split in two, by cutting through its center land diameter. A drill rod spacer is machined to length and inserted between the spool pieces to establish a spool assembly having a precise land width. The spool pieces and spacer are biased together in assembly so as to travel in unison, within a valve bushing, when shifted to control fluid flow, and the precisely-spaced land edges serve to pinch off fluid flow.

Abstract: A servomotor-driven U-axis tool member rotation device for a boring and facing head is affixed to a machine by a bracket, and has a torque coupling slidable on the servomotor shaft. A cover is mounted to a pivot shaft on the bracket, and is rotated by the servomotor to selectively cover and uncover the torque coupling. The cover pivot shaft has a driven gear, and the torque coupling has a driving gear. When a U-axis head is disengaged from the torque coupling and machine spindle, the gears are held in mesh by a biasing spring applied to the torque coupling, and the cover may be rotated. When a U-axis head engages the torque coupling, the biasing spring is overcome and the gears are forced out of mesh; at this time, the servomotor may rotate the input tool member of the U-axis head to position its tool, while the cover remains stationary in the open position.

Abstract: An article gripper has two cantilevered jaws biased together by a spring assembly to hold an article between arcuate surfaces of the jaws. The jaws are cantilever-mounted from respective pivot pins, and the article enters radially through an opening formed between the outboard ends of the cantilevered jaws. Between the pivot pins and the gripped article, the jaws have interengaging teeth which permit ease of engagement and disengagement as the jaws are pivoted, yet the teeth prevent unwanted sliding movement of one jaw past the other, as an article is located within the jaws.

Abstract: A machine assembly has mist or migration lubrication distributed by an air stream from a supply site to remotely spaced bearings. An elongate clearance hole is drilled within a wall of the machine member, and cross-drilling is provided to interconnect the supply site and bearings with the clearance hole. A flexible conduit is closely-fitted to the cross-drilled holes, the conduit being bent through a smooth curve. A hardenable material is flowed into the clearance hole to cement the tubing in position, to thereby provide a smooth transition path for conveying air and lubricant from the supply site to the bearing.

Abstract: A tool changing system for turning machines is disclosed wherein a tool magazine having a plurality of common-based tools carries the tools on a serpentine chain matrix. The tool holders are secured to the links of the chain. The tool storage magazine is removable from the tool changer base, and replaceable with a similar tool storage magazine. A tool interchange arm is carried on a dual slide assembly, wherein a first slide moves a pair of gripper fingers to positions between the tool holder block on the tool turret of the machine and the tool storage magazine. When changing ID tools, which are mounted to the face of a tool turret, a secondary slide is moved relative to the first slide, to provide additional onward stroke positioning, and a turn-around cylinder rotates the interchange arm housing and gripper fingers to bring the tools around to the face of the tool turret.