Abstract: A combination cylinder boring and deck milling machine that has horizontal and vertical tools that can be used for drilling or machining a work piece.

Abstract: A stringer clip end effector (21) suitable for use with a computer-controlled (CC) machine tool is disclosed. The stringer clip end effector (21) includes a pair of jaws (45,47) for picking up a clip (23) at a presentation location. After being moved by the CC machine tool to an insertion location adjacent to a hat-shaped stringer (31), a pair of cams (60a, 60b) located on opposite sides of the clip (23) are extended into the stringer cavity (25) and rotated to spread the stringer walls (27,29). Thereafter, the clip (23) is positioned in the stringer cavity (25). Then, the cams (60a, 60b) are rotated to a nonspread position, and clamp elements (49a, 49b, 51a, 51b) are actuated to press the walls (27, 29) of the stringer (31) against the clip (23). Next, drill bits (57a, 57b, 59a, 59b) that face the outer surface of the stringer walls (27, 29) are energized and moved toward the stringer walls. After holes are drilled through the stringer walls and the clip, the drill bits are withdrawn.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive mechanism in a machine tool, in which both the ends of a feed rod connected to frontward/reverse rotation drive means are journaled in bearings by a base frame and a cylinder frame, a feed plate is threadably mounted on the feed rod between the cylinder frame and the base frame, reciprocatively movable members are connected to the rods of double-acting cylinders, the primary chambers and secondary chambers of these cylinders are respectively connected to the primary chambers and secondary chambers of double-acting drive cylinders being oil pressure sources for the first-mentioned cylinders, the drive cylinders are fixed to one surface of the cylinder frame and have their rods inserted through holes provided in the cylinder frame, the distal ends of the rods of the drive cylinders turnably connected to the feed plate, and the other surface of the cylinder frame is confronted to the base frame with a proper spacing therebetween.

Abstract: A wood working machine comprises a carriage on which a plurality of working heads are mounted in a juxtaposed relationship, and a tool magazine and an exchanging unit provided on the carriage for each of the working heads such that exchanging of a tool can be performed on the working heads independently of each other on the carriage. A dust collecting passageway is formed between a motor for a spindle of each of the working heads and a motor hood for the motor, and an additional auxiliary dust collecting passageway is formed on each of rams on which the working heads are individually held. A wide dust collecting range is thus assured.

Abstract: A drilling unit mounted on an arm of an assembly robot. In order to enable a drill bush of a nose piece, for guiding a drill, to be adjustably moved into exactly registering relation with a bore of a template laid on a workpiece, the nose piece is mounted on a first cylindrical member which is mounted on a second cylindrical member through a first compliance mechanism comprising elastic support members which constitute oblique links of a trapezoidal link mechanism having an imaginary intersection of the oblique links at a front end of the drill bush. The drill bush can therefore make a swinging motion about the intersection. The second cylindrical member is mounted on a guide plate through a second compliance mechanism which enables the second cylindrical member and hence the drill bush to adjustably move in a radial direction of a rotational shaft of the drilling unit.

Abstract: A multi-axis, remote control, mobile, robotic machining center of Cartesian structure having three mutually perpendicular X, Y and Z linear movement axes in which an elongated horizontal ram, adapted to carry various working tools at one outer end thereof, is rigidly supported on a vertical pedestal for movement along the vertical Y axis and linear Z-axis. The ram also is mounted for rotational movement about a horizontal A axis normal to the Y axis and is thereby capable of being selectively positioned in either of two horizontal operating attitudes in which the working tools are operably disposed on opposite sides of the pedestal.

Abstract: A drilling and milling machine comprises a travelling pillar (20) having a tool spindle (25) which is movable along its own spindle axis (Z) and along the two further axes (X, Y) of a three-dimensional coordinate system (X, Y, Z), and a workpiece carrier (30) which is stepwise rotatable about a pivot axis (A). The pivot axis (A) extends horizontally and at right-angles to the spindle axis (Z). The workpiece carrier (30) is constructed for clamping a material bar (18), the axis of which coincides with the pivot axis (A) and the end portion of which forms a workpiece (18') to be machined by the workpiece spindle (25). On the travelling pillar (20) a severing unit (26) is arranged which in each operating cycle severs a machined workpiece (18') from the workpiece bar (18). The resulting partition face can then be further machined by the drilling and milling machine.

Abstract: An automatic manipulator capable of performing various programs and adaptively controlled operations with respect to work including operations on work. Automatic tool changing means are provided wherein the manipulator changes tools with respect to its tool holding fixture, tool head or heads. In one form, a plurality of tools to be used are supported on a rack adjacent the manipulator and the manipulator is automatically operated to effect the uncoupling of one or more tools from its operating head and the coupling of one or more tools with respect to such operating head. In another form, the tools are supported by the manipulator itself and the manipulator is automatically controlled to effect the transfer of tools between its operating head and a storage location for the tools. In a third form, tool heads themselves are automatically changed and received either from storage on the manipulator or adjacent the manipulator.

Abstract: A multi-purpose machine tool which can include and provides for drilling, sawing, shaping, planning functions, all mounted in a sturdy frame of parallelepiped shape.

Abstract: A robot end effector exchange system comprises a movable robot arm and an end effector. Connecting structure on each of the arm and end effector are operable for releasably attaching the arm and end effector in an operative relationship. A fixture supportably receives the end effector attached to the robot arm and includes restraining structure operable for holding the end effector on the fixture to permit attachment and detachment of the end effector and the arm. Hydraulic actuators on the fixture selectively operate the connecting structure and the restraining structure.

Abstract: A multiple-task end effector attachable to the articulatable head of a computer controlled robotic machining center or "robot" operable to impart multiple linear and rotational axis movements to the end effector which comprises a tool head attachable to the mobile head of the robot for carrying a plurality of working tools held by a power actuated shuttle. The shuttle is selectively operable to position or index each tool carried thereby to a position of coaxial alignment with the central axis of the robot's mobile head and the end effector's tool head. In operation two robots are positioned on opposite sides of fixture held work pieces so that end effectors attached thereto are coaxially aligned and operable to clamp work pieces therebetween with measured, balanced forces.

Abstract: A tool is to be automatically connected to a robot arm in well-defined angular position such that a sufficiently high torque is transmitted. The robot arm has a conical recess extending over a tool cone. A threaded sleeve is rectilinearly guided in the tool cone and displaceable with respect to a spring. A flange of the threaded sleeve engages an annular shoulder. A threaded spindle extending with a threaded head in a recess is mounted in the robot arm. The threaded spindle first pushes the threaded sleeve back against the action of the spring, such that the spindle engages the threaded sleeve with a well-defined force. Then the threaded head is screwed into the threaded sleeve and through the flange pulls the tool and the robot arm against each other by rectilinear movement. The conical surfaces and of the recess and the tool cone ensure the torque transmission.

Abstract: This invention relates to a machining center including a machine tool and a three-dimensional measuring machine. The machining center machines a workpiece and then measures the shape of the machined workpiece. The measuring machine includes a probe unit for measuring the shape of the machined workpiece on a table of the machining center. For effecting measurement, relative motion between the probe unit and the machined workpiece is achieved by the first to third drive means.

Abstract: An automatic tool exchanging device for a machine tool, comprising a stopper block (5, 5') attached to a magazine supporting member (2) supporting a magazine (1) at the lower end thereof and capable of swinging to the front and rear, and pulled by an elastic member (8) having one end connected to the upper end of the magazine supporting member (2). Upon arrival of the magazine (1) at a standby position from a tool exchanging position, a stopper (4, 4', 11) is engaged with the stopper block (5, 5') to prevent vibration of the magazine (1). A desired tool among various tools stored in the turret magazine is selected automatically and automatically exchanged for a tool on the machine tool.

Abstract: A multiple-task end effector attachment for the articulated head of a computer controlled robotic machining center capable of imparting multi-axis linear and rotational movements to the end effector which comprises opposingly aligned master and slave related tool heads that carry multiple tool drivers receptive of selectively changeable tooling. The tool heads are interjoined and rigidly supported in opposing alignment on opposite sides of fixture held stationary work pieces by means of an intervening generally U-shaped yoke or frame of selected configuration dedicated to the particular shape of the parts assembly. The master tool head of the end effector is connected directly to and carried by the mobile head of the robot which powers and controls the positioning and operation of both tool heads of the end effector.

Abstract: An automatic processing head replacement device for a NC type wood working machine in which a rack is provided on one of beams, a carriage is mounted on rails another beam, a slide block is mounted on rails on the other beam, the carriage and slide block are connected together, a pinion on the carriage is driven by a motor and meshes the carriage, the plurality of head holders are arranged in side by side relationship for movement in unison with the carriage and slide block.

Abstract: A system and method for storing and selectively transferring cutting tools to a tool holder of a machine tool comprising a bar coder for providing coded labels containing information such as the type of tool and their offsets and affixing the label to the cutting tools. The indexed cutting tools are placed in a tool storage magazine that presents the tools for transfer where a bar code reader scans the labels and selects the needed cutting tool. A tool changing mechanism grips the selected tool, removes it from the storage magazine and transfers it to the tool holder while concurrently transferring a cutting tool from the tool holder to the storage magizine.

Abstract: The drive means (3) is arranged directly on the tool (2) and can be moved together therewith about a plurality of axes (A, B, C and D). The drive means is provided with a tool holding means for automatically delivering or receiving tools in a tool magazine (5) which is arranged above the region of operation of the tool (2). In that way a plurality of tools can be operated with a single drive means, wherein the tool guidance, workpiece forward feed and interchange of tools can be fully automated and programmed.

Abstract: A tool changer has a rotatably supported driving shaft, a cylindrical double-walled support member composed of an inner cylindrical wall and an outer cylindrical wall, disposed coaxially with the driving shaft, and engaged therewith through helical splines, a cylindrical guide member having a cylindrical portion interposed between the inner cylindrical wall and outer cylindrical wall, a plurality of claw members fixed to the outer cylindrical wall for retaining tools, and a servomotor for rotating the driving shaft clockwise and counterclockwise. In an outer periphery of the cylindrical portion of the guide member are formed a plurality of axially extending straight grooves, each having an inclined side surface at respective tip ends, which extends in one direction, and an engaging member biassed by a spring member projects into one of the straight grooves so as to be engaged therewith.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for changing tools of a numerically controlled machining center having a tool chain magazine which has a straight chain strand. Previously the tools were only changed individually. In order to acclerate the tool change, a cassette (6) having a plurality of tool receptacles (7) is proposed which can assume a normal position and a further position, in which arrangement, in the further position, one tool or a plurality of tools can be transferred directly from the cassette (6) to the strand (1) or vice versa and, in the normal position, the cassette (6) can be loaded and unloaded with regard to the tools or can be exchanged for another.

Abstract: A flexible machining system includes a four axis double end slant bed unit which can be operated as a single or double spindle chucker, a precision boring machine, a way-type machine, a lathe or an automatic bar feeder. By providing the unit with a fifth axis, it may also function as a jig milling machine.

Abstract: A machine tool with a vertically reciprocating spindle head has an automatic tool changer including a rotatingly indexable tool support connected to the machine tool frame and vertically movable independently of the spindle head, a first cam-and-crank mechanism activated by spindle head vertical movement to move the tool support with the spindle head during a first portion of the tool changing operation and away from the spindle head during a second portion of the tool changing operation, a second cam-and-crank mechanism also activated by spindle head vertical movement for opening and closing a tool holder on the tool support during another portion of the tool changing operation, a tool holder with a pair of rotatably supported L-shaped fingers which hold a tool in a substantially perpendicular direction to the axes of finger rotation, a tool taking device for taking a tool out of a tool magazine, and a vertical stop for preventing vertical movement of the tool support with the spindle head into the machining

Abstract: A tool mounting construction which includes a tool holder having a pneumatic cylinder, a piston in said cylinder for mounting a tool, pressure regulating means in communication with the cylinder for maintaining the pressure in the cylinder substantially constant regardless of the forces applied to the tool holder to thereby cause the piston to press the tool against a workpiece with a substantially constant force, an elongated rod having a first end for bearing against an external surface remote from the workpiece, and a connection between the tool holder and a second end of the rod for effecting a connection therebetween to thereby apply a force on the tool holder from the bearing relationship between the rod and the external surface. The foregoing tool mounting construction is mounted in a kit with a plurality of tubular extension rods for varying the length of the rod.

Abstract: A spindle mechanism is capable of rotating for a rotative tool and is capable of being locked for mounting a nonrotative tool. First and second curvic couplings may be forced into engagement by a large hydraulic force which concurrently unloads a combined thrust and radial bearing at the outboard end of the support. This permits the spindle, when mounting a nonrotative tool, to be rigidly supported in a nonrotative condition. A smaller hydraulic force may be utilized to move the spindle axially inwardly which disengages the first and second curvic couplings and preloads the combined thrust and radial bearing providing a properly preloaded rotational mode of support when the spindle is mounting a rotative tool. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Abstract: Stitch-machining the walls of a cylindrical blind cavity of a workpiece, the cavity being deep and narrow with respect to the axis of the cavity, is carried out by: (a) supporting a tubular housing for axial movement throughout substantially the axial extent of the cavity interior and in close-fitting tolerance to the walls of the cavity, the tubular housing having a free end; (b) rotationally driving a spindle (10,000-40,000 rpm) in the tubular housing for conjoint axial movement with the tubular housing, the spindle extending beyond the housing end for carrying a radially adjustable cutting tool; (c) inserting the tubular housing together with the rotationally driven spindle into the cavity (at lineal speeds of 400-800 inches/minute) with a cutting tool radially positioned for rough boring of the cavity walls, while guiding and steering the tubular housing and spindle to accurately concentrically position the cutting tool with respect to the cavity axis; (d) substantially immediately upon the execution of r

Abstract: The invention concerns a tool magazine for program-controlling machine tools, comprising a supporting structure, a holder including the tool receptacles, and a program-controlled electrical drive mechanism for moving the holder together with the tool receptacles to predetermined positions for a change of tools. In accordance with the invention the tool holder is subdivided into a plurality of exchangeable segments adapted to be transported by way of a transfer apparatus to and from the magazine and to be assembled therewith and disassembled therefrom.

Abstract: An automatic tool changer for a machine tool of the type having an upstanding spindle rotatably mounted to a spindlehead for joint vertical displacement therewith between a lower machining position and an upper retracted position via a tool change position therebetween. The tool changer includes an indexing tool magazine rotatable about a fixed slanting axis and carrying a set of cutting tools at prescribed angular spacings for successively bringing them to a position of axial alignment with the spindle. Also included are a chuck control cam for controlling the chucking and unchucking of the successive cutting tools to and from the spindle, and a gripper control cam for actuating a pair of gripper jaws releasably holding each cutting tool on the tool magazine. The tool magazine, chuck control cam and gripper control cam are all driven mechanically from a common drive motor for quick, reliable tool changing operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is directed to onsite repair of vehicle front axle steering components. The apparatus includes a pair of generally mirror-image members coupled by linear bearings and locking device which secure them to the ends of the axle. A first drive assembly provides rotary power to a boring bar which extends between the members and through the eye of the axle and a second drive assembly advances the boring bar axially along the eye. The mirror-image members accept pairs of an assortment of collars which adapt the apparatus to various sizes of eye diameters and corresponding boring bar sizes. The method includes the steps of selecting appropriate pairs of collars and a boring bar, positioning the members on the axle, tightening the apparatus to the axle and making appropriate cutting passes, typically a rough and finish cut, through the eye of the axle.

Abstract: Where components are drilled by means of a robot a problem occurs when different size holes are needed to be drilled. The existing solution to this problem is to provide a drill unit (including drill bit, chuck and feed device) for each size of hole to be drilled and programme the robot to select the appropriate drill unit from the series of drill units supplied, perform its task, replace the drill unit in its store and select a further drill unit. Thus a complete drill unit is changed for every change in hole size. The presently described arrangement provides means to effect only drill bit change, the chuck and feed unit remaining on the robot at all times. The arrangement also provides means to effect such drill bit change while the chuck is rotating thereby obviating the need to stop and restart every time the drill bit is changed.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for exchanging a variable number of tool holders in which only one tool holder at a time is brought into working position. The operations involved with accessing a variety of holders, one at a time, to a working position requires movement of minimum mass to the working position adjacent the drive unit--while one or more remaining tool holders are located in a series of accessible independent storage positions or in at least one storage magazine.

Abstract: A machine tool with a vertically reciprocating spindle head has an automatic tool changer including a rotatingly indexable tool support connected to the machine tool frame and vertically movable independently of the spindle head, a first cam-and-crank mechanism activated by spindle head vertical movement to move the tool support with the spindle head during a portion of the tool changing operation, a second cam-and-crank mechanism also activated by spindle head vertical movement for opening and closing a tool holder on the tool support during another portion of the tool changing operation, and a vertical stop for preventing vertical movement of the tool support with the spindle head into the machining region.

Abstract: An automatic tool changer for use in a machine tool includes a chain (1) having a plurality of tool pots (2), a plurality of tool holders (H) set in the tool pots (2) in a fixed address manner so that the tool holders (H) are returned to their original tools pots (2) after use, a spindle (39) for rotating a selected one of the tool holders (H), a transfer pot (16) placed between the chain (1) and the spindle (39) for holding the selected one of the tool holders before and after it is used at the spindle (39), a first changer (110) placed between the chain (1) and the transfer pot (16) for exchanging one of the tool holders (H) set in the tool pots (2) and the holder (H) held by the transfer pot (16), and a second changer (120) placed between the transfer pot (16) and the spindle (39) for exchanging the tool holder (H) held by the transfer pot (16 ) and the tool holder (H) set in the spindle (39).

Abstract: A combination woodworking machine for attachment to an electric plunge router, which may be configured as a horizontal boring and slot mortising machine, an overarm router and a router table. An x-y-z table is mounted on a column supported by feet, and a plunge router with its base removed is mounted in various orientations on the column by sliding it onto steel dowels mounted on the column. An electronic speed control reduces the router speed for boring, and an electronic digital readout provides accurate measurement of horizontal movement of the table.

Abstract: An end-forming machine tool comprises a machine bed (1), which carries workpiece-gripping means (2) and at least one headstock (3), which is guided for a displacement along the axis of the workpiece relative to the workpiece-gripping means. In order to permit efficient forming operations to be performed within a short time and to achieve a high precision and high surface finish in conjunction with long edge lives of the tools, the machine bed (1) is provided with a milling unit (4), which is disposed between the workpiece-gripping means (2) and the headstock (3) and is displaceable along the axis of the workpiece. The milling unit (4) is provided with an internally cutting annular inserted-tooth cutter, which is adapted to be driven and rotatably mounted in a tool slide (7), which is movable transversely to the axial direction of the workpiece.

Abstract: An automatic manipulator capable of performing various programs and adaptively controlled operations with respect to work including operations on work. Automatic tool changing means are provided wherein the manipulator changes tools with respect to its tool holding fixture, tool head or heads. In one form, a plurality of tools to be used are supported on a rack adjacent the manipulator and the manipulator is automatically operated to effect the uncoupling of one or more tools from its operating head and the coupling of one or more tools with respect to such operating head. In another form, the tools are supported by the manipulator itself and the manipulator is automatically controlled to effect the transfer of tools between its operating head and a storage location for the tools. In a third form, tool heads themselves are automtically changed and received either from storage on the manipulator or adjacent the manipulator.

Abstract: Universal press to process and/or for the application of small items such as stamping, drilling, die-punching, button-holing, riveting and similar operations, including: a base (19); a "C"-shaped structure (1) fixed to the said base; a hollow, vertical cylindrical body (2), to which the control device (4) is fixed and the support (9) of the moving tool (10), arranged at the end of the upper arm of the structure (1) and carriage (14), or (15) to support the fixed tool holders (12) complete with guides which match the coherent vertical guides (16) of the lower arm.

Abstract: An automated tool positining system is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of work stations, each having a set of guide rails disposed along the length thereof. A single control device is provided and includes a set of guide rails adapted to be temporarily aligned with the guide rails of each work station. The control device is thus movable from work station to work station and operates with a novel tool support member which may be selectively positioned along any guide rail to support a cutting tool at a selected position on a particular work station. The tool support member includes arcuate bearing surfaces which permit the cutting tool to be rotated through a conical section having its vertex at the cutting point of the tool in reponse to the output of a workpiece surface detection circuit. In this manner, the cutting tool may be automatically and accurately positioned normal to the contoured surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A spindle head unit having a bell crank lever (24) mounted pivotally on a spindle head (10) of a machining center to depress a drawbar (18) inserted through a spindle (14) mounted on the spindle head (10). One of arms of the bell crank lever (24) is located so as to be capable of being engaged with a guide cam (28) and a depressing end (24a) in the shape of a spherical protrusion which is not connected mechanically to an upper end (18a) of the drawbar (18) is formed in a free end of the other arm of the bell crank lever (24). The bell crank lever (24) is urged continuously by a spring means (32) so that the former arm is urged toward the guide cam (28).

Abstract: A machining center, particularly adapted for automated turning of workpieces, includes a headstock with one or more rotatably mounted spindles located in spaced generally horizontal alignment with drive means connected to rotate the spindles independently of each other as necessary. Automatic chucks or collets are mounted on and driven by each spindle. A bed supporting a power-driven cross slide extends across the axis of the spindle and at one end substantially beyond, in an offset T configuration, defining one or more machining areas between the chucks and one end of the bed. A ram carrying one or more tools, and mounted on the slide parallel to the spindle axes, faces into the machining area. A ram drive moves it toward and away from the chuck to maneuver a tool with respect to workpieces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool for multiple surface machining having a work supporting device provided on a base and having a work supporting portion which is freely rotatable and freely adjustable in a vertical position, a slide base freely adjustably movable on the base in a horizontal direction toward and away from the work supporting device, a tool supporting table provided on the slide base, the tool supporting table being freely adjustably movable in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the direction of movement of the slide base, a vertical machining device mounted on the tool supporting table to perform machining from the upper direction on a workpiece that is supported by the work supporting portion, and a plurality of horizontal machining devices mounted on the tool supporting table to perform machining on the workpiece from the horizontal direction.

Abstract: In an automatic fastening machine comprising a frame, drilling assembly carried by the frame for drilling a fastener receiving hole in a workpiece and an arrangement carried by the frame for installing a fastener in the hole drilled in the workpiece, the drilling assembly comprising a drill spindle having an axis of rotation and a drilling tool at one end thereof and rotatably mounted in a ram movable on the machine frame toward and away from the workpiece, the improvement of a brushless synchronous a.c. servomotor including an output shaft having an axis of rotation and an arrangement for connecting the motor directly to the drill spindle with the axis of rotation of the motor shaft coincident with the axis of rotation of the drill spindle. There is also provided a fan on the frame and positioned to direct cooling air onto the motor.

Abstract: A flexible machining system includes a four axis double end slant bed unit which can be operated as a single or double spindle chucker, a precision boring machine, a way-type machine, a lathe or an automatic bar feeder. By providing the unit with a fifth axis, it may also function as a jig milling machine.

Abstract: A machine tool is disclosed as exemplified by a drilling machine for creating holes in printed circuit board blanks, comprising one or more toolheads each releasably holding a drill for working on the blanks on a table, the latter being movable horizontally to and away from a preassigned tool change position. The table has mounted thereon a row of old tool pots each for temporarily holding a worn drill released from one of the toolheads, prior to discharge to a recovery mechanism under the table, and a row of new tool pots each for temporarily holding a new drill to be held by one of the toolheads in substitution for the old drill released therefrom in the associated old tool pot.

Abstract: A milling and drilling head for a machine tool has an input shaft housed in a stationary case also incorporating a control means drivingly connected to a ring gear which is fast with a moving case portion accommodating at least one tool holding spindle driven off the master spindle of the machine tool and being set at an angle to the X-axis thereof.

Abstract: The device comprises a series of tool carriers each of which is provided with a tool, a connector tang and aseries of three abutments disposed substantially around the axis of the tool and in a plane orthogonal to the axis itself, a rack provided with a plurality of seats each of which is able to support a tool carrier, a support unit fixed to the head of the machine is provided with a series of frontal surfaces operable to constitute bearings for the said abutments; this unit is provided with connector means operable to grip the connector tang of one of the tools, and displacement means operable to support the connector means and to displace it with respect to the support unit in the direction of the axis of the tool from a first position in which the abutments of the said series of abutments are at a predetermined distance from the frontal surface of the first defined series, to a second position in which the abutments themselves are in contact with the frontal surfaces, the displacement from the first to t

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic tool assembly apparatus for a modular constituted tool. The automatic tool assembly apparatus has a tool stock unit for storing a plurality of types of modular constituted tools for a machine tool disassembled in units of modules, a tool transfer unit for assembling a predetermined modular constituted tool from a plurality of modules in the tool stock unit and conveying the assembled modular constituted tool from the tool stock unit, and a control unit. The tool stock unit holds the modular constituted tool disassembled in units of modules. The stock position of each module required for assembling a tool requested by the machine tool is indexed from a signal from the control unit. The modules are then sequentially positioned at the assembly position. The tool transfer unit has an assembly head which is movable in a direction to approach and separate from the assembly position in response to an instruction from the control unit.

Abstract: A device is provided for spraying an anti-corrosion agent into the hollow spaces of a vehicle body wherein one spraying nozzle, selected from a set of spraying nozzles which are each specific to a portion of the vehicle body, can be selectively coupled fluidically and mechanically by means of a quick change slip-on coupling to a spraying nozzle holder apparatus. To facilitate quick spraying nozzle changes by one hand operation and to make it possible to employ robots for the purpose of changing nozzles, all spraying nozzles are retained next to one another in a defined manner by retainers on a support so as to be fixed but detachable from said retainers. This arrangement permits the coupling component part of each nozzle to be easily accessible to the spraying nozzle holder apparatus.

Abstract: A drilling and mounting machine for furniture production suitable for the drilling of holes as well as for the insertion of dowels or hinge casings into drilled holes is operable by hand or by means of a lever, as well as by means of a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. A fastening plate is screwable to a housing of the machine and a pneumatic or hydraulic piston-cylinder unit may be fastened to such fastening plate to actuate the feed of the machine.

Abstract: The invention concerns a receiver (1) in the probe head of a multiple-coordinate measuring machine in which probe-pin combinations (21) can be replaceably chucked with high precision with respect to their position in space. The receiver contains an isostatic three-point support (14) against which the base (15, 16, 17, 18, 19) of the probe-pin combination is drawn by an electrically operated clamping device. The clamping device is coupled with the control computer of the measuring machine so that a probe change can be effected automatically.In a preferred embodiment, the clamping device consists of a permanent magnet (11) and of an electromagnet (10) by which the field of the permanent magnet (11) can be selectively counteracted or increased to achieve pick-up and release functions. In another embodiment, a motor-driven screw thread performs the pick-up and release functions, and assures that the picked-up probe will unambiguously be drawn into correct isostatic engagement with the three-point support.

Abstract: A pick-up head especially for use in a machine for placing electrical components on a substrate comprises a tool holder mounted for movement, conveniently by a lead screw driven by a motor, between a plurality of datum positions and further positions remote therefrom, having means for interchangeably mounting a pick-up tool with a datum face of the tool located at a predetermined position relative to the tool holder. The head further comprises a plurality of orienting jaws mounted for movement towards and away from a component carried on the datum face of a tool on the tool holder when the holder is in one of the datum positions whereby the jaws can engage the component to orient the component.