Abstract: A mechanical press has a ram carried by a frame and movable to advanced and retracted positions by a ball screw assembly driven by a reversible motor to actuate a cam and follower assembly connected to the ram by a linkage system. The linkage system has a pair of pivot links pivotally connected at one end to a fixed pivot shaft connected to the press frame and connected at their opposite end to a follower nut for movement thereby as the follower nut travels along the length of the driven screw. A pair of roller followers are also driven by the follower nut to move between first and second positions within cam tracks formed in a pair of first lever arms operably connected to the ram. In use, when the motor drives the screw in one direction the first lever arms are rotated in one direction to move the ram to its advanced position wherein the ram urges a die or tool into engagement with a workpiece.

Abstract: A machine tool module has a platen supported on a track above a metal-removing tool. A workpiece is placed on the platen at a loading station at one end of the track. A drive is provided to move the platen from the loading station to the metal-removing station where the tool removes material from the workpiece and then to an unloading station at the opposite end of the track. After the workpiece is unloaded, the platen is moved back to the loading station. A workpiece loading elevator is provided at the loading station and a workpiece unloading elevator is provided at the unloading station. Two such machine tool modules may be placed end-to-end so that a workpiece on the platen of one module may be transferred to the platen on the other module for machining by both modules in sequence.

Abstract: A press for press-fitting an axle tube into a differential housing having a locator and accurately locating a flange on the tube relative the locator by offsetting flange mislocation, deflection of the tube and press and deflection and/or shifting of the tube and housing fixtures during press-fitting. The press has a ram in operable communication with a drive and a computer in communication with the ram and drive to accurately control movement of the ram and depth of insertion of each tube. Carried by the ram is a probe that senses flange location relative on the tube for determining deviation in flange location and offsetting depth of insertion to compensate for any such deviation. Another sensor communicates to the computer the insertion force the ram is applying to the tube to determine tube and press deflection.

Abstract: Clamping mechanism for clamping a plate to a base comprises an arm having a clamp head on one end and a sleeve slidably receiving the arm. The sleeve is mounted for rotation on an axis perpendicular to the arm. A drive is provided to rotate the sleeve from a first position to a second position in which the arm is disposed with its head in position to clamp the plate to the base and to slide the arm through the sleeve when the sleeve is in the second position to draw the head tightly against the plate and clamp it to the base.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting a carrier for welding equipment or the like along a predetermined path comprises a latching mechanism capable of releasably latching onto the carrier. The latching mechanism has a pair of latch arms mounted on a latch housing. The latch arms have adjacent ends which are adapted to engage forwardly and rearwardly facing abutment surfaces on the carrier when the latch arms are extended. The latch arms diverge from their adjacent ends in directions away from one another and at their opposite ends have slidable pivotal connections with the latch housing. Linkage interconnects the latch arms so that they move in unison. A drag link is provided to extend the arms into latching engagement with the abutment surfaces on the carrier, and to retract the arms.

Abstract: A synchronized drive for a slide with a slip clutch which dissipates excess energy in an overload or crash situation to prevent damage to the mechanism. The slip clutch is coupled between a servo motor and a gear reducer to dissipate excessive force during a crash or an overload condition. A position feedback transducer is coupled to the gear reduced downstream of the clutch to maintain synchronization, even after a crash or overload condition, without requiring any re-homing sequence.

Abstract: A cylinder having a radially movable or pivoting rod slidably received in a floating gland disposed in a cavity or recess in an end cap of the cylinder. Preferably, seals are provided between the rod, gland and recess. Hence, the rod and gland can move radially while a fluid tight seal is maintained between the atmosphere and the interior of the cylinder to retain pressurized fluid therein. Preferably, to facilitate radial movement of the rod and hence the gland in the recess, the forces on opposed faces of the gland are equalized by an appropriate arrangement of seals to define equal surface areas on the opposed faces both of which communicate with the interior of the cylinder.

Abstract: A reciprocating linear drive for conveyors and like applications including a pair of cars mounted for translation on associated tracks. A reversible motor is coupled by a drive chain to the drive car for translating the drive car selectively in either direction through a defined drive stroke. An endless chain loop on the drive car is coupled by sprockets to revolve in one complete cycle during one stroke of the drive car. The conveyor car is coupled by a drag link to the chain loop to obtain uniform velocity of the conveyor car during an intermediate portion of the stroke and terminating in smooth cycloidal acceleration and deceleration at opposing ends of the drive stroke. In one embodiment, a pickup car is carried by the conveyor car and is selectively coupled by rack and pinion assemblies to the drive car for imparting continued motion of the drive car to the pickup car at ends of the stroke when the conveyor car is stationary.

Abstract: A rotary drive mechanism with periodic output dwell includes a fixed sprocket mounted on one end of a fixed hollow shaft. A drive input is rotatable on the hollow shaft and is coupled to a frame assembly which includes an arcuate plate coplanar with the fixed sprocket. A pair of idler sprockets are carried by the frame on opposite sides of the fixed sprocket at uniform spacing with respect thereto, with the peripheral edge of the arcuate plate extending from adjacent the peripheries of the idler sprockets at uniform radius with respect to the axis of the fixed sprocket and fixed shaft. An endless chain is looped around the sprockets and slidably along the plate edge. An output drive arm is fixed to an output shaft extending through the fixed hollow shaft. A slider is carried in a slot extending lengthwise of the arm and is affixed to the endless chain for driving the arm and output shaft as a function of travel of the endless chain around the fixed and idler sprockets and over the plate edge.

Abstract: A mechanism for loading workpieces into and/or unloading workpieces from a stamping press has a workpiece carrying arm and includes a drive mechanism for reciprocating the arm horizontally through a desired stroke and for reciprocating the arm vertically adjacent the opposite ends of its stroke. The drive mechanism comprises a crank for shifting the arm horizontally and a second crank for shifting the arm vertically. The cranks are operated sequentially and in timed relation by a pair of Geneva wheels driven by a motor-operated program wheel.