Abstract: The invention provides devices that are attached to an extruder making the operation thereof more efficient and convenient and allowing for a quick change over of parts used to make various products prepared in the extrusion process. A high pressure relief assembly is attached to the extruder that allows for the rapid release of pressure from the extruder at the end of the process by venting product under pressure from the extruder and the extruder also has attached thereto a quick assembly locking device that allows for the exchange of assemblies, such as a density control assembly and other assembles, without the removal of nuts, bolts, and clamps by attaching the assembly to an arm that can be moved in and out of place in front of the extruder and wherein the device has a locking mechanism that seals and releases the assembly from the extruder.

Abstract: A modular adjustable vise is provided. The modular adjustable vise includes a base and a plurality of vise units mounted to the base. The plurality of vise units are spaced apart. Each vise unit includes a pair of jaws movable toward and away from one another to form an adjustable gap therebetween. Each of the vise units are independently adjustable such that the adjustable gap of each vise unit can be adjusted independent of the gap of the other vise units. A method for configuring a vise is also provided that includes machining a clamping surface of a jaw of the vise unit after the jaw has been mounted to the base.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement 1 is provided in which clamping pairs comprising a clamping pad 2 and seating pads 3 are arranged about a mounting end of a component 4. Thus, the component 4 is appropriately presented to a machining device but the component 4 can slip relative to the pads 2, 3 in order to relieve residual stresses in the component due to initial forging processes. A damper 8 is provided in order to augment vibration control in association with the contact abutments between the pads 2, 3. In such circumstances accurate machining of a component 4 to a final profile 6 from an initial rough profile 5 can be achieved more efficiently without periodic release of the component 4 so that distortions are avoided in the final component as a result of retained residual stresses by previous clamping.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a bitting pattern of a key comprising a housing used for optically outlining at least the profile of the blade of the key so as to form an image. The image is digitized and information created therefrom, including information about the width of the blade of the key at a plurality of selected longitudinal positions along the length to include the width of the blade at the location of at least one cut of the bitting pattern. The information about the bitting pattern of the key digitized can then be used to cut the bitting patten into a key blank. Alternatively, the information can be compared to stored information and the detected width of the blade adjusted at a location of at least one cut to be one of a plurality of predetermined widths from the manufacturer, thereby creating a regenerated bitting pattern of the key.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a bitting pattern of a key comprising a housing used for optically outlining at least the profile of the blade of the key so as to form an image. The image is digitized and information created therefrom, including information about the width of the blade of the key at a plurality of selected longitudinal positions along the length to include the width of the blade at the location of at least one cut of the bitting pattern. The information about the bitting pattern of the key digitized can then be used to cut the bitting patten into a key blank. Alternatively, the information can be compared to stored information and the detected width of the blade adjusted at a location of at least one cut to be one of a plurality of predetermined widths from the manufacturer, thereby creating a regenerated bitting pattern of the key.

Abstract: A fixturing apparatus for locating, orienting and holding a workpiece during a milling operation, having a workpiece specific mounting provided with means for accurately and reproducibly positioning the workpiece within the fixture. The workpiece specific mounting has a workpiece specific pattern of clamping, vibration dampening and supporting devices to hold the workpiece during the milling operation. Accurate, reproducible location and orientation of successive workpieces of the same geometry on the apparatus for the same milling operations is achieved quickly and positively and vibration and workpiece distortion are minimized during the milling operations.

Abstract: Apparatus for aligning an article, for example an optical fiber, relative to a datum, for example a Vee groove, another fiber, or a light source, includes means for manipulating the article in two intersecting directions. The manipulating means comprises a part fixed relative to the datum and a first arm coupled to the fixed part by a hinge. A second arm is coupled by a second hinge to the first arm at a position adjacent the first hinge. Adjacent its proximal end, the second arm carries a mount for the fiber. The arrangement is such that pivoting of the first arm displaces the mount in one of the intersecting directions. Pivoting of the second arm displaces the mount in the other of the intersecting directions. Preferably, the fixed part, hinges and arms are integral with one another, substantially eliminating play and backlash. The apparatus affords precise manipulation of articles such as single-mode optical fibers prior to and during fusion splicing.

Abstract: A chain saw holder for holding and supporting a chain saw during refueling, repair and other maintenance operations is disclosed. The chain saw holder includes a clamp for clamping to a fixed support such as a work bench, fence post, or tree branch. An extension member extends away from the clamp to a handle bar attachment means which provides a mouth for receiving a portion of the handle bar and releasably gripping the handle bar therein. The attachment means is adapted to provide for pivotal movement of the mouth about an axis generally perpendicular to the extension member so that the gripped portion of the handle bar is received by the mouth and is gripped in any orientation aligned with, oblique to, or perpendicular to the extension member. The chain saw holder is thereby capable of holding and supporting the saw regardless of the orientation of the fixed support or the extension member.

Abstract: An adjustable clamping frame for clamping the peripheral edges of a sheet of plastic material during the plasticizing and vacuum forming thereof, such frame including a first pair of parallel side elements having clamping elements mounted thereon and being selectively adjustable toward and away from one another to vary the spacing therebetween, and a second pair of side elements selectively mountable in any of a plurality of facing slots spaced along the length of the first pair of side elements.

Abstract: A table for use in plastic forming machines, the table including a plurality of upstanding tubular support members arranged in a predetermined pattern, a plurality of alternately usable platform members, each such platform member being of a different size to support different vacuum molds and each being mountable on selected ones of the upstanding tubular supports. A plastic material clamping frame having readily adjustable side elements for varying the size of the clamping frame is arranged to be selectively positionable, at all variable sizes thereof, between selected tubular support members to thereby hold the edges of a sheet of plastic material along and beneath the edges of different vacuum forming molds mounted on a platform member supported by the tubular support members.