Abstract: A wire defect detection apparatus (70) is disclosed for use in a machine (10) that process wire (48) during the course of a sequence of manufacturing operations. The defect detector (70) includes a pair of rollers (80, 86), one being a follower roller (86), between which the wire is passed. The follower roller (86) is journaled for rotation on one end (88) of a pivoting arm (72), the other end (104) of the arm having an accelerometer (100) attached thereto. During operation of the machine (10), the accelerometer (100) produces a signal (118) that is received by a detection circuit (108). If the signal (118) is above or below predefined limits, indicating a defect in the wire (48), another signal (120) is sent to the controller (114) of the machine to either stop the machine or to execute some other change in the sequence of operations of the machine. Otherwise the machine (10) is permitted to continue operating uninterrupted.

Abstract: A device for regulating the flow of electrical current to a power tool includes a switch and handle combination coupled to a wiring component which serves to bypass an electrical circuit of a power tool. In a first embodiment, the wiring component can be "hard wired" into the electrical circuit of a power tool in a permanent arrangement. In a second embodiment, the wiring component is self-contained, and includes a power cord bisected by a junction box, the junction box for accepting the plug adaptor of a power tool. An anchoring device serves to anchor the switch and handle to an accessible location upon the power tool, so that the switch may be easily reached, should a user need to increase, decrease, reverse or stop the flow of electrical current to the power tool motor.

Abstract: A device for preventing shearing or pinching of a foreign object is suitable for use in SMIF (Standard Mechanical Interface) systems. A barrier which is constructed as a solid body is fastened at and displaceable relative to one of two parts which can move past one another. The barrier is fastened to this part at a distance above electric contact elements in three-point formation, which distance is greater than the maximum braking distance required for stopping movement. The barrier is substantially adapted in shape and position at its shearing line to the part moving past it, wherein contact is broken in at least one contact element and accordingly in an otherwise closed circuit when the barrier is displaced relative to the part. Such devices serve to prevent injuries and damage in the operation of systems in which two parts move past one another at a slight distance.

Abstract: An adjustable, battery-powered, constant pressure gun for dispensing viscous materials such as caulk and adhesive. The gun includes a housing having a handle, an operator-actuated trigger, and a battery compartment with power supply terminals. A motor mounted within the housing drives a dispensing mechanism. The flow of current through the motor is controlled by an electronic switch. A current-to-voltage converter including a low-pass filter is coupled to the motor and provides a feedback pressure signal representative of the actual dispensing pressure as a function of the current drawn by the motor. A set-point voltage signal representative of a desired dispensing pressure is provided by an operator-adjustable pressure control.

Abstract: A detector on a wire lead machine includes a pair of contacts biased into a normally closed position. The wire is fed between the contacts, keeping the contacts open, and the insulation on the wire prevents electrical conductivity between the contacts. If the wire runs out, the contacts close to shut off the machine. Additionally, a splice on the wire establishes an electrical path between the contacts and, again, the machine is shut off. The detector includes a detection circuit which generates a control signal. In the event a splice is passing through the contacts, the detection circuit generates a control signal having a relatively short time duration (as for example, 100 microseconds) and holds the signal for a sufficient time period (as for example, 500 milliseconds). This allows a suitable control means (which may include a microprocessor) to shut off the machine because of either wire runout or a splice on the wire, thereby preventing serious damage to the machine and maintaining productivity.

Abstract: A vision system for detecting mispositioned parts during the operation of a powder metal press and preventing damage to the press and tooling associated therewith, wherein the gross level of light is read at specified locations of the press during predetermined points in the press stroke, compared to gross light levels established during a teaching stroke of the press, with the press being automatically deactivated when the difference between the gross light level read and the established gross light level is not within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A control apparatus for the electromagnetic brake of a brake device or unit of a weaving machine or loom comprises a cam-controlled brake-pulse transmitter rotating with the machine shaft and two continuous signal switching stages which act upon two parallel connected AND-gates or circuits, each having connected thereafter an adjustable or regulatable time-delay element. The latter jointly cooperate with an OR-gate or circuit which delivers a related stop signal to the brake device or unit. In this way it is possible to achieve a simple, precise and reliable regulation of the angular position of the crank, so that the regulatable time-delay between the output pulse of the AND-gate and the output pulse of the time-delay element constitutes a measure for the corresponding angular position of the crank.

Abstract: A detection device for positively sensing the ejection of a workpiece from a cyclically operating machine after each operating cycle assuring that no malfunction has occurred, enabling initiation of the next cycle. The device includes a chute having a pivotally mounted section in the floor of the chute which is moveable between a normally raised position and an actuated or lowered position responsive to the weight of an ejected workpiece thereon. Means are provided for sensing the actuated position of the moveable section and conveying a signal to the central control circuit of the machine. The central control circuit of the machine is programmed to prevent further operation if a signal is not received.

Abstract: A machine draws stock from a source to a first work station at which a first operation is performed on the stock. The stock is then delivered to a second work station so a second operation may be performed on the stock. The machine has an electromechanical system which drives the machine and a switch energizes and deenergizes the system. The stock is engaged by a lever arm as it moves toward the first work station, the lever arm being held in a first position when engaging the stock and moving from the first position toward a second position when the end of the stock is reached. A contact bar moves the switch from its "on" to its "off" position to deactivate the electromechanical system and terminate the drawing of stock. The lever arm and the contact bar are interconnected so movement of the lever arm from its first position to its second position is transmitted to the contact bar.

Abstract: A continuous feed stamping machine, press or the like, has a control system for automatically stopping the machine in the absence of material to be stamped. The control system includes a normally closed limit switch which is held open by the presence of material to be stamped. After each stamping operation, as the stamped product is released from the die area, the limit switch returns to its normally closed position. If the limit switch is not opened by the feed of more material, within a predetermined time interval, the machine is stopped. The time interval is related to the operating frequency of the machine such that in the absence of material the machine will be stopped before the machine is damaged. The control system, which may operate in either the astable (oscillating) or monostable (one-shot) mode, effects the charging of a capacitor when the limit switch closes, and the capacitor discharges when the limit switch opens.

Abstract: A stop motion apparatus is disclosed for disengaging a drive motion on a carding machine in response to the detection of a desired operating condition wherein the carding machine is of the type having motorized drive means for imparting a drive motion to the carding machine when engaged and actuator means for selectively enaging or disengaging the drive motion. The stop motion apparatus includes a base for attachment to the carding machine and a pivotable arm assembly carried by the base. A linkage assembly connects the pivotable arm assembly to the actuator means of the carding machine. The pivotable arm assembly has a first position in which the actuator means disengages the drive stopping the carding machine and a second position in which the actuator means engages the card drive.

Abstract: A controller for stopping a punch press when a stock material becomes jammed, includes: translating means for converting the motion of the stock material exiting from the punch press to rotational motion of rotating means which is operatively associated with said translating means, and a movable element, operatively associated with said rotating means. The rotational motion of rotating means produces centrifugal force which keeps the movable element in an operating position. As the stock material buckles or becomes jammed in the press, the motion of the exiting stock material ceases, causing a decrease in and/or subsequently elimination of the angular velocity of the rotating means and therefore a decrease in the magnitude of the centrifugal force. When the centrifugal force diminishes by a predetermined amount or is entirely eliminated, the movable element moves from the operating position to stopping position.

Abstract: A progressive die sensor of the disclosure for sensing an unaligned workpiece condition includes a housing having an upper mounting surface engaged with an upper punch holder during mounting. A depression in the mounting surface is located in a spaced relationship to a downwardly extending probe that moves relative to the housing to indicate an unaligned workpiece condition. A switch received within the depression includes an actuating plunger that is moved by a push rod in response to the probe movement to cause switch actuation for generating an electrical signal which indicates the occurrence of the unaligned workpiece condition. A switch cover is received within the depression to cover the switch. The housing depression preferably opens upwardly and the switch cover includes downwardly extending side portions that receive the switch therebetween intermediate opposite sides of the switch depression.

Abstract: A safety device for lint cleaners and the like through which lint is traveled in a predetermined path in a bat which varies in thickness between acceptable limits and occasionally exceeds such limits having a probe mounted adjacent to the path engageable with the lint and movable in response to variations in thickness thereof, and a switch in controlling relation to the lint cleaner responsive to movement of the bat engageable means adapted to render the cleaner inoperable whenever the thickness of the bat exceeds a predetermined maximum.