Abstract: Apparatus for automatic assembly of universal joints which include a yoke with snap ring grooves in its yoke arms, a trunnion body, bearings, and snap rings to secure the bearings in the yoke, the apparatus comprising: (a) upper and lower parallel spring-separated plate pairs with axially-aligned holes; (b) upper and lower drive members aligned with holes in each plate pair; (c) a base plate; (d) a movable rod plate; (e) upper and lower power sources configured to provide axial movement of an upper driver plate in the upper plate pair and the rod plate, respectively; and (f) a programmed controller controlling the power sources such that automatic sequencing of the upper driver plate and rod plate sequentially urge snap rings into place in grooves within the snap ring grooves.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatic assembly of universal joints which include a yoke with snap ring grooves in its yoke arms, a trunnion body, bearings, and snap rings to secure the bearings in the yoke, the apparatus comprising: (a) upper and lower parallel spring-separated plate pairs with axially-aligned holes; (b) upper and lower drive members aligned with holes in each plate pair; (c) a base plate; (d) a movable rod plate; (e) upper and lower power sources configured to provide axial movement of an upper driver plate in the upper plate pair and the rod plate, respectively; and (f) a programmed controller controlling the power sources such that automatic sequencing of the upper driver plate and rod plate sequentially urge snap rings into place in grooves within the snap ring grooves.