Abstract: The object is to propose an improved process for the production of a polyimide foam by which a large-sized polyimide foam in a state of fine and homogeneous cells can be readily obtained by easy operations and convenient steps. A melt-shaped body of a polyimide precursor obtainable by melt-treating in a closed state a powder of a polyimide precursor including at least an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid ester component and an aromatic amine component. A process for the production of a polyimide foam including the steps of melt-shaping in a closed state a powder of a polyimide precursor including at least aromatic tetracarboxylic acid ester component and an aromatic amine component to give a melt-shaped body of the polyimide precursor, and foaming the melt-shaped body of the polyimide precursor by a heat treatment.

Abstract: A pitch densification apparatus may be used to form a carbon-carbon composite material. In some examples, the apparatus is configured to pitch densify a material using one or more of a plurality of different pitch densification techniques. For example, the apparatus may densify a material with a selectable one of the resin transfer molding cycle, the vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding cycle, and/or the vacuum pressure infiltration cycle. The apparatus may respond to initial or changing properties of a material to be densified. In some additional examples, the apparatus includes a mold configured to receive a preform and a portion of solid pitch separate from the preform. The apparatus may include a heating source thermally coupled to the mold that is configured to heat the solid pitch above a melting temperature of the solid pitch. The apparatus may melt the pitch without external pitch melting equipment.

Abstract: An automated material delivery system including a material handling assembly, a compaction member, a handling actuator, and a cutting actuator is provided. The material handling assembly is configured and arranged to guide material. The material handling assembly includes a tacking member that is configured and arranged to selectively press the material over a forming surface of a tool. The compaction member is spaced a select distance from the tacking member. The compaction member is further configured to selectively press the material over at least a portion of the forming surface of the tool. The handling actuator is coupled to selectively move at least one of the material handling assembly and the compaction member to move the material handling assembly in relation to the compaction member. The cutting assembly is positioned between the tacking member and the compaction member. The cutting assembly is configured and arranged to selectively cut the material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for preparing a near infrared shielding fiber. The method includes the steps of preparing and compounding a composition, then pelletizing the compounded composition to obtain the near-infrared shielding masterbatch, and melt spinning the near-infrared shielding masterbatch into the near-infrared shielding fiber. The composition includes at least one metallic ionic compound powder in an amount of about 1-25 wt %, a cross-linking agent in an amount of about 0.1-2 wt %, a thermoplastic polymer in an amount of about 67-98.7 wt %, a cross-linking initiator in an amount of about 0.1-1 wt %, and a dispersing agent in an amount of about 0.1-2 wt %.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for producing strand-shaped goods in the form of small bands, fiber strands, monofilaments, or films, which are extruded from a polymer melt. After cooling in a cooling bath, a thermal treatment occurs between rolling feed units, wherein the goods are brought into contact with a hot medium. In order to be able to perform an individual thermal treatment depending on the thermoplastic material, the hot medium is provided optionally in the form of hot air or hot water according to the invention. For this purpose, the heating apparatus is formed from a forced-air oven and a water bath apparatus, which can be optionally activated to thermally treat the goods.

Abstract: A method for producing a moulding, the shape of which is adapted to an initial mould, in which method a plurality of layers are deformably placed on top of one another such that said layers can be joined to each other by heat, the layers are deformed by being pressed onto the initial mould and in order to join the layers, heat is applied in the deformed state, characterized by the fact that in the arrangement made of layers, at least one converter element is introduced that transforms supplied energy into heat energy and with which at least parts of the layers are heated to join the layers.

Abstract: A system for forming an article from composite polymeric material reinforced with fibers and other additives utilizing an extrusion system to heat and deliver the molten composite polymeric material onto a lower mold body riding on an x-y controlled structure. The combination of the x-y control of a lower mold and a volumetrically controlled extrusion device allow a “near net shape” deposition of molten composite material into the cavities of the lower mold, which is then moved over a conveyance system to a press containing the upper mold half which is used to compress and form the composite material into a final part under moderate pressures.

Abstract: A semiconductor device manufacturing method comprises: stacking semiconductor chips on a substrate, applying an underfill material around the semiconductor chips, inclining the substrate, heating the substrate to decrease the viscosity of the underfill material, and hardening the underfill material after gaps in the semiconductor chips have been filled with the underfill material. The method allows gaps in the semiconductor chips between chips and other chips and chips in the substrate to be filled with the underfill material, which may be, for example, a thermoset resin . The method allows the gaps to be filled quickly and without leaving unfilled voids in the semiconductor device that might adversely affect device performance.

Abstract: An injection mold assembly for manufacturing multiple-component articles includes opposed first and second mold halves and mold cores carried by the first mold half. Each of the mold cores is mounted for rotation between a first position and a second position about an axis of rotation. The mold halves are mounted for movement in reciprocal directions along an axis of reciprocation between an open position and a closed position forming molding cavities between the mold cores and the second mold halves. The axes of rotation of the mold cores are different from one another.

Abstract: The use of thermoplastic polymers for the preparation of injection-molded articles and the resulting articles are described. Also described, is the use of a lubricated polyamide, obtained by means of the addition of at least one lubricant during the polyamide polymerization method, for the preparation of injection-molded articles.

Abstract: A bead-forming apparatus and method for its use are described. The bead-forming apparatus includes a base with a pair of legs extending from a top surface. First ends of the legs couple to respective eccentric elements. The eccentric elements removeably and rotatably couple to a platen. Second ends of the legs are rotatably and slideably mated with a gear train disposed within the base. The legs are slideably translatable into the base and the gear train maintains a rotational orientation of the legs and the eccentric elements coupled thereto. The platen is thus moveable through a circular path defined by the rotation of the eccentric elements and legs. As such, a plug of moldable material placed between the base and the platen and in contact with the platen, is formed into a double-cone shape by movement of the platen through the circular path.

Abstract: A forming apparatus for forming objects by forming a sheet of thermoformable material includes a thermal conditioning station including a kiln for heating the material to an operating temperature, and a heating station positioned downstream of the thermal conditioning station and including a heating arrangement to heat set portions of the material to a temperature near a softening temperature of the material. In order to reduce reject material at the restart of the apparatus following machine downtime, the kiln and the heating arrangement are positioned near one another in such a manner that a part of the material interposed between the thermal conditioning station and the heating station is heated by the heat generated by a kiln and/or by the heating arrangement.

Abstract: A non-metallic material is separated using a single laser beam that is converted into a scribe beam and a break beam. A system includes a single laser source for generating a laser beam and a beam separator for converting the laser beam into a scribe beam having a first average power and a break beam having second average power. The beam separator directs the scribe beam to a scribe line on a substrate and the break beam to the substrate at a location that is spaced apart from the scribe beam. The scribe beam rapidly heats the substrate along the scribe line. A quenching subsystem applies a stream of cooling fluid to the substrate to propagate a microcrack along the scribe line. The break beam rapidly reheats the substrate quenched by the stream of cooling fluid to separate the substrate along the microcrack.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems (300), devices and methods for machining a work-piece from a plurality of directions using a single laser beam and galvanometer scan head (302). In some embodiments, such a system includes, for example, a scanning galvanometer head (“scan-head”) (302), having one or more mirrors (323) for directing a laser beam in at least one plane. Preferably, in some embodiments, the scan-head includes two mirrors for deflecting the laser beam in the at least one plane (e.g., an X-Y plane). A plurality of second mirrors (312A, 312B, 312C) is arranged after the scan-head (302) to direct the laser onto a predetermined portion of the exterior of the object to be machined. In some preferred embodiments, there are three such second mirrors (312A, 312B, 312C) each to direct the laser over a 120 degree area of the object.

Abstract: A method of building a three dimensional (3D) structure includes micro-dispensing a layer comprising a material using a syringe-based micro-dispensing tool, curing the layer, and repeating the steps of micro-dispensing and curing a plurality of times in order to build the three-dimensional structure. The material may be loaded with nano to micron sized particles, tubes, or strings.

Abstract: An example multi-dimensional component building system includes a first chamber having at least one base, a second chamber adjacent to and in fluid communication with the first chamber through a first door, and a third chamber adjacent to and in fluid communication with the second chamber through a second door. The second chamber is fluidly sealed from the first chamber if the first door is in a closed position. The second chamber includes a directed heat source, a build-up material and is configured to receive the at least one base if the fluid parameters of the first chamber and second chamber are approximately equal. The third chamber is fluidly sealed from the second chamber if the first door is in a closed position. The third chamber is configured to receive the at least one base, having a formed component disposed thereon, if the second door is in an open position.

Abstract: Systems and methods of fabricating a customized dose using a medication 3D printer are provided. According to one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a 3D printer that receives prescription dose instructions from a computer or mobile communication device via a network and assembles a customized medication dose according to the prescription dose instructions by selective application of materials stored in a medicament compound container having at least one reservoir containing the materials for assembly. The materials for assembly can be provided to the 3D printer by a master conduit connecting reservoirs in the medicament compound container to the 3D printer. The 3D printer accesses specified amounts of the materials, which include medicament compounds, via the master conduit, and assembles the customized medication dose according to the prescription dose instructions.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a container having a local recessed or relief impression, from a blank (2) of thermoplastic material. The method includes a heating step in which the blank (2) is exposed to infrared radiation and in which the infrared radiation is monochromatic or pseudo-monochromatic, the intensity of which locally has an extremum in front of a localized zone (11) of the blank, in such a way as to generate a temperature extremum in the zone (11). The method also includes a forming step in which a fluid under pressure is injected into the blank (2) thus heated, and in which the recessed or relief impression is formed at the localized zone (11).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reinforcing a substance or an object with continuous filaments comprising the steps of (a) supplying a fiber strand from a source of fiber strands, (b) passing said fiber strand horizontally through a passageway (21), (c) subjecting said fiber strand to a fluid such as air flow, within a channel (22) of rectilinear shape having an oblong cross-section, at an angle (?) substantially perpendicular with respect to the moving direction of the filaments so as to separate said fiber strand into a plurality of smaller strands or individual filaments, and then (d) pulling said separated strands and/or individual filaments horizontally through a divergent zone (23), wherein the area of its exit end (232) is larger than the one of its entrance end (231) and has an oblong cross-section, so as to spread said strands and/or filaments along its diverging wall in a plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming plastic pre-forms into containers with a blow mould which has at least two movable blow mould parts which, when closed form a container-forming cavity. The first blow mould part is removably arranged on a first blow mould carrier shell part, and the second blow mould part is removably arranged on a second blow mould carrier shell part. The first blow mould carrier shell part is movable with respect to the second blow mould carrier shell part for opening the mould. A holding device holds at least one blow mould part on the respective blow mould carrier shell part. The holding device has an actuating member extending through an opening in a wall of the blow mould carrier shell part. The actuating member is movable relative to the wall, and a first holding element for holding the blow mould part is arranged on the actuating member.

Abstract: A method for installing objects such as cabinets on a vertical surface such as a wall includes the use of a novel support device having an adjustable leg and an upper portion including two vertically spaced support surfaces. Two of the support devices are first placed at a selected height at an angle to the wall for initially supporting the object on a first support surface. The support devices are then sequentially moved to extend between a front portion of the object and the floor so that the object rests on the second support surface thus freeing both hands of the installer.

Abstract: An adjustable height turntable device includes a base unit having a mechanical pump and a release actuator, the base unit acting to position a telescoping shaft in a vertical orientation. An elongated, generally planar cake tray is removably secured to the top of the telescoping shaft, and a pneumatic lifting system positioned within the base unit acts to raise and lower the height of the cake tray.

Abstract: An adjustable clamping device for use in temporarily securing together opposed stairway stringers about one or more stair tread members includes a body member having opposed upper and lower ends. A length adjustable first arm is connected to the body member upper end and a length adjustable second arm is connected to the body member lower end. The clamping device includes a pressure plate having a generally planar configuration and situated parallel to the body member. An actuator having a first portion is operatively coupled to the body member and to the pressure plate to selectively move the pressure plate between retracted and extended configurations. A user input is attached to a proximal end of the actuator by which a user may operate the actuator to move the pressure plate.

Abstract: A recording medium post-processing apparatus includes: a stacker which is stacked with a plurality of sheet-like recording media with images being recorded thereon; an receiving device which receives at least one of information regarding the images to be recorded on the recording media and information regarding the recording media; an alignment device which applies an external force to the recording media stacked on the stacker so as to align the recording media; a controller which sets, on the basis of the at least one information received by the receiving device, at least one of (i) stacked-sheet number that is the number of the recording media, and (ii) a magnitude of the external force that is applied to the recording media and which controls the alignment device on the basis of the setted at least one of the stacked-sheet number and the magnitude of the external force.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus which is capable of preventing a stapling position and a folding position from being out of alignment when a stapling process is carried out. A sheet bundle, which is stacked in a housing guide, is stapled by a stapler using a staple at the stapling position. The sheet bundle is folded at a position of the staple after the stapling. After the stapling, the sheet bundle is moved from the stapling position to the folding position. During the movement, the staple is detected using a staple sensor disposed at a predetermined location between the stapling position and the folding position. Based on a moving distance of the sheet bundle before the staple is detected after the stapling process, a position of the sheet bundle with respect to the stapler for stapling on a subsequent sheet bundle is corrected.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus for performing post-processing on a sheet having an image formed thereon. A stapling section or a scoring section performs processing on a sheet and a sheet bundle. The upper limit value of a sheet count of sheets processable at a time by the post-processing unit is equal to N (N is an integer). A buffer path performs buffer processing for retaining a conveyed sheet, placing the retained sheet and a sheet following the retained sheet one on the other, and conveying the superimposed sheets as a sheet bundle. A CPU controls the buffer path the stapling section or the scoring section such that when the processing is being performed on the sheet or the sheet bundle, the buffer processing is performed on a following sheet, and that the processing is performed on each sheet bundle having been subjected to the buffer processing.

Abstract: A sheet transport device has a housing member, a sheet tray, a transport path, a dispensing portion, a feeding portion, and a projecting member. Sheets are accommodated in the sheet tray. The sheet tray is detachably attached to the housing member, and is configured to be pulled out of the housing member in a first direction. The transport path is disposed in the housing member, and extends from the sheet tray in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The dispensing portion dispenses the sheets to the transport path. The feeding portion is rotated in contact with the sheet for feeding the sheet toward downstream of the transport path. The projecting member is configured to be projected and retracted with respect to the transport path near the imaginary line extending from a sheet nip portion in the first direction.

Abstract: A sheet conveyor apparatus may include a sheet support portion, a first roller that feeds sheets supported on the sheet support portion, and a second roller disposed downstream of the first roller and rotatable about a rotation axis. The apparatus further include a holder supported swingably about the rotation axis, a wall opposite the sheet support portion with the holder interposed therebetween, and a pressing member disposed between the wall and the holder to press the first roller toward the sheet support portion. The pressing member includes a holding member movably supported by the holder to contact the wall, and a spring disposed between the holding member and the holder to apply a biasing force causing the holding member and the holder to move away from each other while maintaining a state in which the holding member contacts the wall regardless of swing of the holder about the rotation axis.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes drawing and conveying a sheet, applying negative pressure for sheet suction via a suction opening, moving a shutter member between a closing position where the suction opening in an upstream side in a sheet feeding direction is partially closed and an open position where the suction opening is opened, and controlling the shutter member to follow a preceding sheet that is drawn onto the suction conveyance member to move to the downstream side in the feeding direction to close the suction opening, and return to an open position at a predetermined timing to draw the sheets onto the suction conveyance member in a state where an upstream edge of the preceding sheet in the feeding direction and a downstream edge of the subsequent sheet in the feeding direction are overlaid by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A multi-function peripheral having an automatic document feeding device (ADF) suited for being configured in a body of an apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a first and second power sources to drive the ADF to transmit a paper in or out of the body. The ADF includes a limiting structure, a swinging member and a blocking member. The first and second power sources drive the limiting structure and the swinging member to swing respectively. The blocking member has a first end connected to the swinging member and a second end extending toward the limiting structure. When the limiting structure is at a second position and the swinging member swings toward a third position, the second end is trapped into the limiting space. When the limiting structure moves toward a first position and the swinging member swings toward the third position, the second end escapes from the limiting space.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus which is capable of increasing the number of stacked sheets without increasing a size of an apparatus is provided. The feeding apparatus includes a stopper member which is in contact with a leading edge of a sheet placed on a sheet stacking plate and blocks the sheet from entering a separation unit, and an actuating member which presses the stopper member in conjunction with a rotation of a holding member, and a movement distance of the actuating member is longer than a movement distance of the holding member.

Abstract: A medium feeding apparatus includes an apparatus main body, and a medium cassette removably inserted into the apparatus main body. The medium cassette is configured to store a medium. The medium cassette includes a medium positioning unit for determining a position of the medium, and a locking unit that locks a movement of the medium positioning unit when the medium cassette is inserted into the apparatus main body and before the medium cassette reaches a predetermined position in the apparatus main body.

Abstract: A drive controlling unit causes an ascending and descending unit to lower a recording medium discharge tray, and then causes raising of the recording medium discharge tray until detection of the upper surface of the recording medium by an upper surface detection sensor. A determining unit determines whether a raising time of the recording medium discharge tray measured by a measuring unit is a predetermined abnormal time. When the raising time is determined by the determining unit not to be the abnormal time, the drive controlling unit causes the recording medium discharge unit to execute the subsequent recording medium discharge into the recording medium discharge tray. When the raising time is determined by the determining unit to be the abnormal time, the drive controlling unit causes the recording medium discharge unit to stop the subsequent recording medium discharge into the recording medium discharge tray.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that can detect a leading edge of a tabbed sheet after skew correction with high accuracy and without increasing a size of the apparatus. A transfer unit transfers a toner image to the sheet, the skew of which having been corrected based on a detection result of a first skew detection unit, while the toner image is controlled to be synchronized with the sheet based on the detection result of the first skew detection unit and a detection result of a second skew detection unit.

Abstract: A skewed sheet correcting device includes: first and second shutter members which move to a first position in which the first and second shutter members are pushed to be movable by a leading edge of a sheet, a second position which is disposed further downstream of the sheet conveyance direction than the first position to latch the leading edge of the sheet, and a third position which allows the sheet to pass; and a movement regulating member which, when one of the shutter members does not move to the second position, regulates the other shutter member in the second position, and, when both the first and second shutter members move to the second position, allows the first and second shutter members to move to the third position.

Abstract: A sheet transporting apparatus, whereby the level of a transporting error for a sheet, such as a document or a printing medium, can be appropriately determined and coped with, and an image reading apparatus and an image printing apparatus equipped with this sheet transporting apparatus, are provided. In the image reading apparatus, in order to transport a sheet of a document, the driving amount per unit time of a transporting roller is compared with a plurality of different threshold values, and the results obtained by comparison are employed to determine whether a transporting error is a service error or an operator error.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which performs image forming processing on sheets and outputs the sheets to a sheet stacking unit includes an instruction unit configured to issue an instruction for shutting down the image forming apparatus, an acquisition unit configured to acquire a remaining amount of sheets stacked in the sheet stacking unit, and a control unit configured to display, when the instruction unit receives the instruction, a warning indicating a shift to a state in which sheets are not extractable from the sheet stacking unit, based on the remaining amount of sheets acquired by the acquisition unit.

Abstract: Card-handling devices include a card-holding area and a card output shoe. The card output shoe includes a card-way for passage of cards from the card-holding area into a dealing-ready area. A movable gate is positioned between the card-way and the dealing-ready area to prevent cards in the dealing-ready area from re-entering the card-way. Card shufflers include a gate mounted to allow movement of randomized groups of cards from card-receiving compartments to proximate a terminal end plate of a card output shoe and to block movement of cards in an opposite direction. In related methods of moving cards, card movement through the card-way to the dealing-ready position is allowed by a movable gate and card movement from the dealing-ready position into the card-way is prevented by the movable gate.

Abstract: A game, including a game board having a path between homelessness and having a home, the path having a plurality of spaces; and a game piece for showing a player's position on said path. A method of playing a game, including: providing a game board having a path between homelessness and having a home, the path having a plurality of spaces; and a game piece for showing a player's position on said path; and moving said piece along said path.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a table game are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a playing field, a ball launcher mechanism launching a ball into the playing field, and the ball launcher mechanism allows a first player to select one or more attributes affecting a ball trajectory. The apparatus further comprises a ball striker mechanism controlling a ball striker. The ball striker placed at a distance from the ball launcher mechanism in the playing field has a bat to hit a ball launched by the ball launcher mechanism and is controlled by a second player. One or more sensors are placed in predetermined locations in the playing field. The electrical signals generated by the one or more sensors are used to update a status of a game.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a projectile target is disclosed comprising a target having a substantially sealed chamber having a front face and a rear face with an enclosing side wall disposed intermediate. The front and rear faces are formed by membranes configured to allow a projectile to pass therethrough and then substantially seal to maintain the substantially sealed chamber. Pressure wave sensors are disposed within the chamber and are configured to detect pressure waves created by the projectile. A target controller receives signals from the pressure sensors indicative of the pressure sensed by the sensors and determines an impact point of the projectile on the front face of the target.

Abstract: A “indicating” projectile impact target, or group of such, that can be affixed to the front of an existing thin walled projectile impact target, where the indicating target(s) “actuate”, upon being struck by a projectile at one of the indicating target's bullseye locations, to leave a custom silhouette in the indicating target and the existing target, in order to indicate the bulls eye strike to the shooter.

Abstract: A cartridge-type magnetic fluid seal device has a flanged sleeve fixed to an external peripheral surface of the radially inside member of two members and which rotates together with the inside member is provided facing a pair of magnetic pole members. A packing is disposed in an annular space formed by the radial inside of a magnetic source and the pair of magnetic pole members. The packing is provided in the annular space so as to slide on an external peripheral surface of the flanged sleeve, and a magnetic fluid seal part, the packing, and the flanged sleeve form a unit.

Abstract: A piston ring exhibiting particles capable of wear resistance on its shoulder is produced by producing a melt of the base materials of a metal material, adding ceramic particles to the melt, pouring the melt into a prefabricated mould and cooling the melt. During cooling, the mould is aligned such that the ceramic particles gather on at least one of the piston ring shoulders.

Abstract: A shaft seal that is preferably a radial shaft seal has a sealing element of polyfluorocarbon that is provided with a sealing lip. The sealing element contacts a surface to be sealed under a radial force action acting in a radial direction of the shaft seal. An elastomer element is provided that is acting on the sealing lip and loads the sealing lip in a direction toward the surface to be sealed. The elastomer element supports the sealing element. The sealing element is resting flat on a face of the elastomer element, wherein the face is facing away from a medium side of the shaft seal.

Abstract: A metal seal which can be fastened by low fastening force and can show sufficient sealing ability when receiving fluid pressure. The metal seal is composed a U-shaped metal thin seal and a reinforcing outer-fit member which receives side wall portions and a bottom wall portion of the thin seal from a back side.

Abstract: A multi-layer gasket including first and second functional layers, each having an opening. Each of the functional layers includes a compression bead, and the compression beads contact and seal against one another when the gasket is compressed between a cylinder head and an engine block. At least one of the functional layers includes a stopper disposed between the compression bead and the opening. The stopper has a gear-like shape including a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth. Each tooth extends upwardly from a plane by a distance which is less than the combined height of the compression beads. When the gasket is compressed between the cylinder head and engine block, the stopper ensures that the compression beads remain elastically biased against one another and maintain a gas-tight seal.

Abstract: A cam lock quick coupling 10 includes coupling components 12 and 13. A gasket 47, 147, 247 for use in the coupling 10 includes a positioning portion 67, 167, 267 substantially adjacent an outer peripheral surface 50, 150, 250; a compression sealing portion 68, 168, 268 substantially adjacent an inner peripheral surface 49, 149, 249; and a connecting portion 69, 169, 269 closer to the outer peripheral surface than to the inner peripheral surface.

Abstract: Several preferred embodiments are disclosed for a tool-less blade clamping apparatus for a reciprocating tool of the type which has a reciprocating plunger which has a tool attachment receiving slot for receiving a tool attachment of the type that has a shank portion. The clamping apparatus has an unclamped position and a clamped position. In the unclamped position, a tool attachment can be easily inserted and when it is in its clamped position, the tool attachment is securely retained. The preferred embodiments have at least one spring biasing the apparatus toward the clamped position, a releasable retaining mechanism for holding the apparatus in its unclamped position after being placed in that position. When the blade shank portion is inserted into the slot a predetermined distance, the shoulders of the shank portion release the retaining mechanism to move it to its clamped position.

Abstract: A chuck has a chuck body rotatable about an axis, a plurality of jaws radially displaceable on the body for gripping a workpiece, a chuck drive for rotating the chuck about the axis, and a center point axially shiftable in the body and axially engageable with the workpiece gripped by the jaws. An electric drive is coupled to the center point for axially shifting same.