Abstract: A robotic tool changer includes master and tool assemblies that are coupled by urging a plurality of rolling members contained in openings in the master assembly into contact with a bearing race contained in the tool assembly. Accumulations of debris in and around the contact points between the rolling members and bearing race are permitted to escape via a series of debris passages formed between the rolling members and the openings when the master and tool assemblies are coupled.

Abstract: An expandable attachment for securing a beverage container to a turner can include a linkage with arms, each of the arms having opposite ends, a grip pad pivotably attached to an end of each of the arms, the grip pad being configured to grip an interior surface of the beverage container, a threaded member, a base, the threaded member being rigidly secured to the base, and an end of an arm being pivotably attached to the base, another base, the threaded member being axially displaceable through the second base, and an end of the other arm being pivotably attached to the second base, and an adjustment wheel having threads therein engaged with threads of the threaded member. A method can include inserting an expandable attachment into a beverage container, and rotating a portion of the expandable attachment, thereby radially outwardly displacing grip pads of the expandable attachment.

Abstract: A roller assembly for a heat transfer printing system or hot foil transfer system is provided. The roller assembly includes a cylindrical roller core that extends around a center axis. The roller core includes an exterior surface and an opposite interior surface. The exterior surface is positioned to face a target object being printed upon. The roller assembly also includes a pliable tube in contact with the exterior surface and positioned to contact a thermal print ribbon disposed between the tube and the target object while the roller core is rotated to apply pressure on the ribbon and print onto the target object from the ribbon. The tube is not bonded to the roller core.

Abstract: A driving tool includes a body and an auxiliary handle. The body includes a first rod and a second rod perpendicular to each other. The first rod includes an insertion hole and at least one receiving slot. The second rod is mounted between two opposite ends of the first rod. The auxiliary handle includes a connection slot mounted on the body and an engaging recess. An adjusting member is mounted in the insertion hole and movable in relation to the first rod. At least one engaging member is received in the receiving slot and the engaging recess and is abutted against the adjusting member. Thus, the auxiliary handle is freely rotatable relative to the first rod.

Abstract: A display system is provided and includes a base, a collapsible support structure, a spinner connector, and a modular panel. The collapsible support structure connects with the base, and the spinner connector receives the collapsible support structure. The spinner connector independently moves around the collapsible support structure. The modular panel is removably connected to the spinner connector such that the modular panel can also move independent of the collapsible support structure.

Abstract: Nut runner system which includes holder table having tightening point at one end and coupling part at other end, and configured to hold plurality of bits, and nut runner main body including carrier coupled to wrist part of robotic arm, spindle supported by carrier, and bit changer coupled to spindle and which one of plurality of bits is attached. Coupling part of each of plurality of bits has an engaging hole coaxial with tightening point, and annular protrusion that continues in circumferential directions is formed in inner circumferential surface of engaging hole. Bit changer includes actuator, actuator made of engaging shaft to be inserted into engaging hole and operating pieces formed in engaging shaft, operating pieces moving between engaging position wherein operating pieces protrude radially outward from inner circumferential edge of annular protrusion and retracted position wherein operating pieces are retracted radially inward from inner circumferential edge of annular protrusion.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for releasable coupling of a hole saw to a drill arbor. The system includes an elongate drill arbor configured at a first end to be clamped in a drill chuck of a drill, and a hole saw adapter provided with a longitudinal bore in which the drill arbor can be received so that an inner surface of the longitudinal bore of the hole saw adapter is mounted slidably on an outer surface of the drill arbor in the longitudinal direction of the drill arbor. The drill arbor includes an actuator member and at least one retaining element co-acting therewith. The inner surface of the longitudinal bore of the hole saw adapter is provided with a recess into which the retaining element of the drill arbor can protrude.

Abstract: A clamping device for releasably holding a tool holder shank is formed with an engagement bore in a rear end. The clamping device includes a housing having a mounting bore for receiving the tool holder shank; a drawbar being mounted reciprocally movable inside the housing and which in a forward end is provided with an engagement segment which is arranged to engage with an engagement formation inside the engagement bore of the tool holder shank, wherein the drawbar is in a rear portion formed with a drawbar aperture extending through the drawbar, and a cam shaft extending through the drawbar aperture and comprising a cam formation. The cam shaft is rotatably journalled in the housing and arranged to impart an axial displacement to the drawbar in relation to the housing by the cam formation when rotating the cam shaft.

Abstract: A clamping device for releasably holding a tool holder shank is formed with an engagement bore in a rear end, and includes a housing having a bore in a forward end for receiving the tool holder shank, a drawbar reciprocally movable inside the housing and which in a forward end is provided with engagement means arranged to engage with an engagement formation inside the engagement bore of the tool holder shank, and which is formed with a drawbar aperture extending through the drawbar in a transverse direction of the same, and a cam shaft extending through the drawbar aperture. The cam shaft includes three cam formations and more precisely first and second spaced apart cam formations, which are journalled in seating apertures in the housing on opposite sides of the drawbar, and an intermediate third cam formation located between the first and second cam formations and positioned within the aperture of the drawbar. The drawbar is insertable into the bore from the forward end.

Abstract: A composite milling cutter includes a rotatable adapter plate and ring cutter. The adapter plate has a raised key portion with a peripheral side wall having a plurality of curved abutment surfaces symmetrically located on an inscribed circle, ICAP defined by the raised key portion. The cutter ring has an opening with a peripheral side wall for receiving the raised key portion of the adapter plate. The peripheral side wall has a plurality of curved abutment surfaces complimentary in shape to the curved abutment surfaces of the adapter plate and symmetrically located on an inscribed circle, ICCR, defined by the opening. A tolerance between the abutment surfaces of the peripheral side wall of the raised key portion and the abutment surfaces of the peripheral wall of the opening is such that run-out is minimized.

Abstract: A clamping device for releasably holding a tool holder shank formed with a bore includes a housing having a forwardly facing surface and a bore. A drawbar is mounted reciprocally movable inside the bore and in a forward end has engagement device, which is arranged to engage with an engagement formation inside the bore of the tool holder shank. The drawbar is, in a rear portion, formed with a drawbar aperture, and a cam shaft extending through the drawbar aperture and being rotatably journalled in the housing and arranged to impart an axial displacement to the drawbar in relation to the housing. The cam shaft includes first and second spaced apart cam formations and an intermediate circular cylindrical portion located between the cam formations, wherein the first and second cam formations are journalled in a first and second seating apertures, respectively, in the housing on opposite sides of the drawbar.

Abstract: An orthopedic device holder and related system and method are disclosed. The orthopedic device holder can include a body member, a cannulated plunger, and a resilient member. The body member can include a longitudinal main body and an extension portion. The cannulated plunger can be slidably mounted inside the body member and movable between a first position and a second position. The plunger can be configured such that in the second position, a plunger distal end extends past a main body distal end, and in the first position, the plunger distal end assumes a more proximal position. The resilient member can be positioned adjacent a plunger proximal end and can be configured to urge the plunger towards the second position. The extension portion of the body member can project distally from the main body distal end and can include a locking member, which can be configured to fit into a mating recess of an orthopedic device.

Abstract: A tool positioning device includes a rod, a movable member, a bead, a resilient member, a sleeve, a fixing ring and a rotary unit. The rod has a function end and a rectangular head respectively on two ends thereof. The rectangular head has a first recess, a second recess and a hole. The movable member is located in the first recess and has a cone-shaped section. The bead is located in the second recess. The connector extends through the hole and the through hole, and biased by the resilient member. The sleeve is mounted to the rod and has a shoulder. The connector contacts the shoulder. The connector moves within the first hole to move the movable member within the first recess by pulling the sleeve so that the cone-shaped section is backward and the bead is retracted into the second recess to release the tool attached to the rod.

Abstract: An expansion head for expansion tools for hollow work-pieces, particularly for the ends of plastic pipes and metal-plastic composite pipes, comprising a union cap having a guide flange directed radially inward, and a set of expandable jaws of sector-shaped design, each received individually by an inner flange sector overlapping the guide flange so that they are radially movable in the union cap, wherein the set of sector-shaped expandable jaws is movable between a closed state and an expansion state, and in a closed state, an approximately cylindrical lateral area is formed by an envelope of the outer walls of the set of expandable jaws, wherein characterized in that each expandable jaw is provided with at least one recess extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the expandable jaws so that in a closed state of the expansion head, the surface of the outer walls of the set of expandable jaws corresponds to 25% to 75% of the surface of the envelope of the outer walls of the set of expandable jaws.

Abstract: A core barrel assembly having a driven latch mechanism that can lock the core barrel assembly axially and rotationally relative to a drill string. The driven latch mechanism can include a plurality of wedge members positioned on a plurality of driving surfaces. Rotation of the drill string can cause the plurality of wedge members to wedge between an inner diameter of the drill string and the plurality of driving surfaces, thereby rotationally locking the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string. Drilling systems including the driven latch mechanism and methods of using the driven latch mechanism are also described.

Abstract: A tool securing device capable of clamping a tool to a machine spindle as well as assisting in the removal of a tool from a machine spindle, all in a tool-less manner. The tool securing device includes distal means to be releasably gripped by a machine draw bar as well as means to releasably engage a tool.

Abstract: An arbor of a machine tool has a collet arbor base, an expandable and releasable collet having a top band coupled to a bottom band, an actuator pin slidable from the collet arbor base arranged concentrically within the collet and having a reverse male taper on an upper end thereof that actuates the top band of the collet, and a conical ring with a taper angle matching the upper end of the actuator pin arranged proximate a lower part of the actuator pin concentric therewith, wherein the reverse male taper at the upper end of the actuator pin activating the top band and the conical ring having a matching taper activating the bottom band of the collet cause the collet to expand and retract accordingly.

Abstract: A chuck for a tubular body having a noncircular outer surface and an interior formed with a gripping formation has a spindle extending along an axis, axially displaceable claws in the spindle each having a pair of opposite ends, and a gripper head engageable with one of the ends of each of the claws in the spindle. This head is displaceable between a holding position in which the claws engage the gripping formation in the tubular-body interior and an open position disengaged from the gripping formation. The jaws move on displacement between the open position and the holding position by engagement of the gripper head with their one ends in a first pivotal movement and then at their other ends in a second pivotal movement to press their other ends against the working spindle.

Abstract: A manually actuated robotic tool changer includes a rapid coupling mechanism. The tool changer includes a master unit having a piston moveable along its axis between an unlocked position and a fully locked position, and a tool unit that is coupled to the master unit when the units are adjacent and the piston is moved to the fully locked position. A piston movement control mechanism selectively allows free axial motion of the piston between the unlocked position and a nearly locked position, when the control mechanism is actuated. The piston may be biased toward the locked position, allowing the master and tool units to be rapidly coupled by positioning the units adjacently, actuating the control mechanism to allow the piston to rapidly advance to a nearly locked position, releasing the control mechanism to restrict free axial motion of the piston, and manually advancing the piston to a fully locked position.

Abstract: A clamping unit for releasably holding a tubular toolholder shank has a base member with a canister sleeve mounted therein. To secure the canister sleeve within the base member and to minimize movement caused by tolerances, retention bolts are threadably mated within the base member to engage a slot within the canister, wherein the relationship between the retention bolt and the slot is such that the retention bolt is intentionally misaligned, so that when engaged with the canister slot, the retention blot resiliently deflects and provides both an axial force and a lateral force upon a canister sleeve.

Abstract: An automated tool includes a quick change spindle assembly. In another aspect of the present invention, the quick change spindle includes an attachment assembly for interchangeable fastener drivers. A further aspect of the present invention employs release member to actuate a drive member in the spindle assembly causing a retainer to uncouple a fastener driver with the spindle.

Abstract: A positioning and clamping device or tools and/or workpieces, comprising a base body, a piston arranged such as to be displaceable in the base body, a pin which may be connected to the piston and at least one locking mechanism, for locking the positioning and clamping device relative to a tool or workpiece holder which has a complementary form to the base body. The base body has a cylinder housing for housing the piston with a clamping cone between the piston and the pin with control surfaces formed on the clamping cone and the piston, with further control surfaces on the locking mechanism, cooperating with the control surfaces of the clamping cone and the piston and the locking mechanism is arranged to be radially displaceable in the base body.

Abstract: A chuck holds a disk by the inside diameter with a plurality of contact surfaces at the end of fingers. Axial motion of an actuator is translated into outward radial movement of the fingers to place the contact surfaces in contact with the inside diameter of the disk. The force that is applied to the disk is limited to reduce or eliminate warping or curvature of the disk, e.g., a sleeve that surrounds the fingers can be used as a hard stop to physically limit the range of outward radial movement of the fingers.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a chuck for detachable connection of two machine parts, with a chuck assembly arranged on or in a first machine part and a cooperating complementary part on or in a second machine part. The chuck assembly contains an axially displaceable tensioning element and several gripper elements associated with the tensioning element and radially movable by axial displacement of the latter, with a clamping surface for contact with a corresponding opposing surface of the complementary part. In order to allow a subsequent alignment or adjustment of the chucked machine part, the complementary part contains an outer part, an intermediate part arranged in the outer part, and an inner part arranged in the intermediate part, which are connected to one another by flexible outer and inner webs and are otherwise separated by outer and inner gaps. The intermediate and inner parts are adjustable in different directions relative to the outer part.

Abstract: A collet assembly that holds two disks to be processed simultaneously uses alternating pressure zones to press against the inner diameter of the disks to hold them in place in a processing machine. While the disks to be processed are typically media disks, any type of disk processing can make use of the collet assembly of the present invention. Each pressure zone includes a contact surface on a chuck blade. When a travel stroke is initiated by an actuating device (typically an air cylinder), the drawbar pulls an angled expander rearward. The expander urges the chuck blades outward. Half of the pressure zones apply pressure (via the contact surfaces on the chuck blades) to the first disk, while the other half of the contact surfaces press against the second disk, so that both disks are held securely in position.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for precisely positioning a datum surface of a component. The apparatus has a housing defining a tooling datum surface. A collet is supported by the housing that is selectively operable between a retracted mode and an expanded mode. In the retracted mode a clearing disengagement is defined with the component. In the expanded mode a contacting engagement with the component is defined. The contacting engagement and a simultaneous longitudinal force transferred by the contacting engagement to the component pressingly engage the datum surfaces together. The apparatus further has a bias member exerting the longitudinal force and urging the collet to the retracted mode.

Abstract: A machine tool arbor for holding a rotating machine part or workpiece is fitted with an actuator member at a back or distal end of an arbor main body for tool-less chucking and unchucking of a machine part or workpiece at a front or proximate end of the arbor main body. An actuator ring or knob is mounted at the back end of the arbor main body which, when rotated in one direction, causes an pusher member (collet pusher part, hydraulic piston) to move in such a manner as to displace a chuck member (inclined collet, flex collet, expansion ring) and release the machine part or workpiece that is chucked. When rotated in the opposite direction, the actuator knob causes the actuator member to move in an opposite manner as to fix the chuck member in a position to firmly hold the machine part or workpiece to be chucked.

Abstract: There is a central shaft. The central shaft is attached to a hole in the center of a round plate. Attached to the round plate is a multitude of arms that are able to pivot toward and away from the central shaft. There is a cone with a hole through it that fits onto the central shaft. The cone interfaces with the pivoting arms at the end away from the pivoting action.

Abstract: A mechanically actuated workpiece holding apparatus comprising a collet at least partially composed of a plastic material. The collet may include cantilevered leaves and may be a plastic coating over a metal substrate.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus comprises a chuck member and a collet member that includes, at its rear side, a peripheral shoulder. The top side of this shoulder is provided with a thrust surface adapted to engage radially displaceable clamping balls of the chuck member. The bottom side of the shoulder is provided with four centering grooves that cooperate with four centering cams provided in the chuck member. Upon clamping the collet member to the chuck member, the collet member is positioned in X- and Y-directions as well as regarding the angular orientation around the Z-axis by means of the centering cams of the chuck member engaging the centering grooves of the collet member. The collet member is provided with an annular rear surface adapted to rest on Z-reference surface portions of the chuck member upon clamping the collet member to the chuck member.

Abstract: A coupling for torque transmitting devices is disclosed. The coupling employs polygonally shaped first and second ends having retaining balls held within each of the corners of the polygon. Pin cones are provided in each of the first and second ends. Actuation of a set screw or the like causes each of the pin cones to push the retaining balls radially outwardly in a simultaneous fashion thereby engaging a first and second members to be coupled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of utilization thereof is provided for machining pistons of reciprocating piston internal combustion engines. The piston is held in a work station by its interior cavity and the oil rings, oval side surface and hinge pin bore are machined on the piston without any refixturing of the piston required.

Abstract: A clamping device for clamping a machine element (3), in particular a tool holder for a drilling, milling or grinding tool or the like, which rotates about an axis of rotation (9), comprises a base body unit (11) which has a receiving opening (21) which is central with respect to the axis of rotation (9) and into which a coupling shank (5) of the machine element (3) can be fitted axially from one end, a chuck (23) which is arranged in the receiving opening (21), and a chuck-actuating unit (25), which is guided on the base body unit (11) in such a manner that it can be displaced in the axial direction relative to the latter, for actuating the chuck (23).

Abstract: A coupling device, particularly for vehicle wheels undergoing surface finishing, comprising means (14) for the releasable fixing of the wheel (11) to a chuck (12), which act in holes (13) for the passage of screws for fixing the wheel (11) to a hub of a vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides a mandrel comprising a shaft (1) the forward end of which has the shape of a forward pointing truncated cone (7), an expanding sleeve (15) constituted by a ring provided with longitudinal slits designed to slide over said conical forward end (7), and a piston (8) which is guided in a cylindrical bore provided along the axis of the mandrel shaft (1), from which it projects forwards, with the sliding of said piston (8) driving said sleeve (15) so as to control the gripping or the releasing on said mandrel of a workpiece to be machined.

Abstract: The invention provides an expanding mandrel comprising a shaft (1) having a conical forward end (10), an expanding sleeve (5) constituted by a ring provided with longitudinal slits designed to slide over said conical forward end (10), the inner wall of said sleeve (5) itself also having the shape of a cone the apex angle of which is equal to that of the conical forward end (10), and a tie member (2) designed to be connected to a rod that can be caused to slide along the axis of the machine spindle to control the gripping or the release of a workpiece. According to the invention, the sleeve (5) is connected to said tie member (2) via a control ring (3) integral with the tie member (2), and the mandrel comprises a removable quick mounting means enabling the sleeve (5) to be secured to said control ring (3).

Abstract: A circular flexible collet that provides a 360 degree gripping engagement with a cylindrical workpiece and which is operable by an actuator member incorporated in a workpiece chuck. The collet may be constructed as an internal collet for gripping engagement with a workpiece internal periphery, or as an external collet for gripping engagement with a workpiece external periphery. The flexible collet may be used for single, or plural workpiece gripping actions. The collet includes a split spring steel body having a radial opening split space and an outer and an inner circular periphery. One circular periphery is a workpiece gripping surface, and the other circular periphery has a tapered cam surface engageable by a workpiece chuck actuator member. The tapered cam surface has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart slots, having an open outer end. In an internal collet the tapered cam surface is formed around the collet body inner periphery.