Abstract: An automated tool changer system for a drilling or other type of machine tool system. A gripper apparatus transports tools held in a tool magazine to a tool working unit such as a drill spindle. The tool working unit is supported by an upper support beam above a workpiece-supporting table mounted for movement in an X-Y plane. The magazine is supported by a sliding carriage mounted on the upper support beam, and can be moved upwardly and downwardly to insert and remove tools from the gripper apparatus. The gripper apparatus is supported by the X-Y table, and can be raised or lowered relative to the table during the tool changing operation. The gripper apparatus is provided with two possible grip pressures, and with a sensor for detecting the presence of the tool end at a predetermined grip jaw reference point. The sensor permits the tool to be inserted into the spindle chuck with a predetermined length of tool extending from the chuck.

Abstract: A drilling spindle having a pressure foot is disclosed for handling drilling tools having relatively large diameter shank regions and relatively small diameter drilling bit portions regions. The pressure foot assembly includes a shutter plate which contacts and clamps the workpiece during drilling operations. The shutter plate translates along an axis transverse to the rotor axis to align either a small aperture or a large aperture with the rotor axis. The small aperture is sized to receive the drilling tool region of the drill, and permits the drilling region to be extended therethrough while providing good clamping of the workpiece during drilling. The large aperture is sized to receive the shank region of the tool, and permits the tool to be inserted or withdrawn from the spindle during tool changing operations.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus determines the parameters, such as size, shape, and position, of figures on a surface. It includes a camera means generating a video signal. A table assembly adjusts the position of the camera and surface on the table with respect to each other as specified by position signals. Control circuitry generates the position signals so as to bring at least a portion of a figure into the camera's field of view. The video signal generated when this portion of a figure is in view is used by processing circuitry to determine the figure's parameters.In one embodiment, the expected parameter values for a figure are retrieved from storage circuitry and compared against the parameter values as determined by the processing circuitry. If the parameter values are out of range, an error signal is generated. Error data may be recorded or transmitted to an external device for statistical analysis.

Abstract: A shredding device is provided in which counterrotating parallel shafts carry interleaved cutting disks thereon. The rim of each cutting disk is of concave cross section so that cutting blade edges of acute angles are formed at the perimeter of each flat transverse surface of each disk. Also, a plurality of transverse grooves or notches are formed spaced along the rim of some of the disks. Cutting and shredding of material fed to the counterrotating disks is improved by virtue of the sharper blade cutting edges and because the notched disks tend to grab the material to be cut and forcibly draw it against the cutting edges of the counterrotating disks.

Abstract: A drill may be fed into a workpiece at a rate where the angle descent is less than the primary relief angle of the drill and wherein the extruding action takes place in 1/3 or less of the drill diameter. Unachieved rates of drill feed speed with high precision may be achieved without punching or crushing the material of the workpiece. In order to accomplish such drilling rates an improved feed mechanism, utilizing a positively driven lead screw is employed. In addition, in order to utilize the high drilling rate, a multiple bank of spindles is devised having an X-Y adjustable configuration used in combination with a worktable translated by a lead screw and nut combination. The lead screw of the worktable is disposed within the worktable in the proximity of the axis of symmetry to the worktable in order to minimize twisting moments to the worktable.