Abstract: A fastener forming apparatus comprises a positive stop that prevents workpieces from overshooting the end of a forming stroke. A workpiece transfer mechanism transfers one unformed workpiece at a time into a workpiece gripper and drives completed workpieces out of the workpiece gripper and onto an exit path. A compound hydro-pneumatic cylinder moves the gripper and one workpiece at a time downward on a forming stroke into contact with a rotating forming tool. A limit switch causes the reciprocator to reverse direction at the end of the forming stroke. The forming tool includes a tool adapter head that holds various forming implements such as cutting blades or drill bits. In one embodiment the forming tool is a groover apparatus that cuts circumferential grooves around fasteners. In this embodiment, the lower limit switch signals a controller to hold the reciprocator at the end of the forming stroke while the groover forms the groove.

Abstract: A hole forming apparatus comprises a workpiece transfer mechanism that transfers one unformed workpiece at a time into a workpiece gripper and drives completed workpieces out of the workpiece gripper and onto an exit path. A compound hydro-pneumatic cylinder moves the gripper and one workpiece at a time downward into contact with a rotating forming tool. The forming tool includes a tool adapter head that holds various forming implements such as cutting blades or drill bits. The head also accommodates broachers and reamers, in which case a precision logic control detects and rejects defective workpieces that have no holes to broach or ream. The apparatus may also include a positive stop that prevents workpieces from overshooting the end of a forming stroke.

Abstract: A fastener sorting apparatus is configured to mount on a fastener forming machine and to shunt bent workpieces through a wastegate of the fastener forming machine when the bent workpieces contact a detection ring. The detection ring is electrically-conductive and is coaxially aligned with a part gripper of the forming machine. The ring has an inner diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of a series of workpieces to be sorted. Either the ring or the gripper are moved so that a workpiece held in the gripper passes through the ring. If the workpiece is bent beyond acceptable limits it will contact the ring, closing an electrical circuit. Closing of the circuit causes a workpiece diverter to shunt the workpieces through the wastegate.

Abstract: A fastener forming apparatus comprises a positive stop that prevents workpieces from overshooting the end of a forming stroke. A workpiece transfer mechanism transfers one unformed workpiece at a time into a workpiece gripper and drives completed workpieces out of the workpiece gripper and onto an exit path. A compound hydro-pneumatic cylinder moves the gripper and one workpiece at a time downward into contact with a rotating forming tool. A knurled ring is adjustably supported on a threaded portion of a lower piston of the hydro-pneumatic cylinder in a position to contact a stationary stop surface when the workpiece gripper and tool reach the end of the forming stroke, halting the downward motion of the workpiece. The ring also actuates a lower limit switch at the stationary stop surface which causes the reciprocator to reverse direction. The forming tool includes a tool adapter head that holds various forming implements such as cutting blades or drill bits.