Abstract: A mandrel assembly for use in shaping and injection molds, the assembly includes a support having compressed air channels, and a mandrel extending upwardly from the support and having spaced-apart ramps extending radially outwardly therefrom. A cap slidingly fits over the mandrel and has a free end positioned over the compressed air channels of the support. The cap also has an inner groove loosely receiving the ramps of the mandrel such that the cap is secured to the mandrel yet is able to slide up and down on the mandrel such that the free end of the cap will cover and uncover the channels. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the mandrel has an outer groove, and a plurality of balls are received in the outer groove. The cap has an inner groove corresponding to the outer groove that loosely receives the balls such that the cap is secured to the mandrel yet is able to slide up and down on the mandrel such that the free end of the cap will cover and uncover the channels.

Abstract: A quick-change chuck includes a power-assist clamp feature for use in a machine tool having a powered draw bar. The chuck body includes inner and outer faces with a bore formed therethrough. A tapered polygon alignment pin extends inwardly from the inner face to center the chuck on a longitudinal axis of the machine tool. An axially-movable member is supported by the body for reciprocation along the longitudinal axis, and jaws which move radially as the axially movable member is reciprocated, are connected to the movable member for receiving and clamping a workpiece. The jaws are normally spring-biased to a preload or clamped position. A clamping stud is also connected to the movable member for receiving the draw bar gripping fingers. An initial stroke of the powered draw bar pulls the stud and registers the chuck onto the machine tool, and further stroke in the same direction displaces the clamping stud and movable member to provide the power-assist clamping to the workpiece.

Abstract: A proximity switch mounting plate is rotatable about a center point and releasably-clamped to a mounting surface of a device. The cylindrical proximity switch is attached to the mounting plate at a location spaced outwardly from the center point, and the detection end of the switch extends to a moving member within the device. Rotation of the mounting plate around its center point adjusts the radial position of the detection end of the switch.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a machine tool having a base supporting a workhead and a second machine part such as a spindle housing, headstock or tool turret, and wherein a rotatable workpiece changing mechanism is provided in conjunction with the workhead. The cover assembly includes an external housing member which encloses the workhead and the second machine part and permits movement of the second machine part therewithin. The external housing member further includes a workpiece exchange opening and a workpiece exchange shield which is reciprocable between a first position which effectively closes the opening, and a second position which allows unencumbered rotation of the workpiece changing mechanism. The shield is reciprocable in parallel with the workpiece changing mechanism to obviate added machine idle time. An internal housing substantially encloses the second machine part within the external housing, and is mounted for movement with the second machine part.

Abstract: An alignment system and method wherein a machine module is aligned with and secured to a machine base. A plate is loosely held on the module by screws, and the base and plate have mating pin holes. A pin is inserted through the mating pin holes, and the plate moves to find its aligned position. The screws are then tightened to fix the plate on the module, and the pin is removed. Subsequent realignment can be easily accomplished by reinsertion of the alignment pin to insure registration between the preset plate and base pin holes.

Abstract: A spindle is rotatably mounted within a housing on spaced-apart antifriction bearings. The inner races of the bearings are held solidly against shoulder portions of the spindle and the outer race of the front bearing is mounted against a shoulder in the housing. The outer race of the rear bearing is supported in a circular diaphragm concentric with the spindle axis, which may be flexed along the axis to load the bearings against one another. A hydraulic chamber is formed against the diaphragm to load the diaphragm at preselected intervals, and a stop plate is provided in the housing to limit movement of the outer race is a distance corresponding to a maximum preload in the bearings. When the stop plate is contacted, hydraulic pressure may be greatly increased to further load the diaphragm and its corresponding outer race solidly against the stop plate without further increasing the preload in the bearing set, providing a high holding force resistant to spindle pull out.

Abstract: In a machine tool having cooperating first and second slides slidably with respect to one another, an improved way damper has a damper plate carried by the first slide in slidable engagement with the second slide, and the plate is retained so as to permit slight movement of the plate in a normal direction to the movement of the first and second slides. A sealed damping chamber is formed between the damper plate and the first slide, having a viscous medium within the chamber which effects squeeze film damping as the damper plate and first slide undergo relative vibratory motion. An alternate embodiment employs a visco-elastic medium in the damping chamber to effect damping.

Abstract: A pallet receiver for a machine tool is disclosed utilizing a pin and socket for registration and alignment. A pallet clamp piston is employed to clamp the pallet to the receiver base for subsequent machining operations. A registration pin is rigidly secured to the receiver base, and a cooperating pin socket is mounted to the pallet underface by means of a compliant diaphragm spring so that as the socket and pin are engaged during the first portion of clamp piston movement the pallet will be registered and aligned with respect to the receiver base, and during the second and final portion of piston movement the axially compliant pin socket will permit the pallet to engage a rigid clamp down surface on the receiver base, thus insuring a positive final resting position for the pallet on the receiver base.

Abstract: A machine tool has a pallet transfer system comprising a rotary deck having a pair of pallets oppositely disposed about a vertical rotary transfer axis, wherein at the transfer position, the pallets are further movable along a horizontal linear transfer axis toward and away from the pallet transfer system. A vertical guard plate is affixed to the rotatable section or deck of the transfer system, and the plane of the guard plate passes through the rotary transfer axis at an oblique angle to the linear transfer axis. The rotatable guard plate interacts with an elastomeric seal at the interface of a guard opening in a stationary guard assembly on a machine tool to substantially confine coolant overspray and the like within the machine guard enclosure. By passing obliquely across the linear transfer axes of the pair of parallel pallets, substantially full access of a stationary pallet lying outside the machine guard enclosure may be had.