Abstract: A system for operation of pneumatic tooling has a plurality of pneumatically operable tools (2). A servo-controller (21) is switchable to actuate any of the plurality of tools, to move that tool to a desired position. A position transducer (4) includes an element (9, 10) which is displaced from a home position by such actuation of any one of the tools. The position transducer sends a position feedback signal to indicate to the servo-controller when the desired tool position has been reached. The servo-controller is switchable by virtue of having its output connected to a number of valves (22), i.e. one valve per tool, where preferably only one valve is energized at a time. When a valve is at rest, the pneumatic circuit is such that the tool is held in its home position. When energized, the servo-controller outputs are routed to the tool to operate the tool.

Abstract: A double cutting spindle unit comprising a main spindle unit and a sub-spindle unit mounted on the main spindle unit and vertically slidable relative to the main spindle unit. The chucking member is normally biased toward its fastening direction by a fastening spring formed by a plurality of spiral belleville springs arranged around the chuck actuating shaft. A two-stage hydraulic cylinder comprising two coaxially arranged cylinders is mounted on a supporting frame arranged on the top cover, and the actuating rod of the hydraulic cylinder is arranged with its free end being opposite to the end of the chuck actuating shaft.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a machine tool assembly is easily reconfigurable to perform single or multiple machining processes on a workpiece so that this machine has exactly the functionality required to perform a given set of machining tasks. The invention allows rapid changes in the machine structure and rapid conversion of the machine by relocating its basic building blocks. The assembly secures a raw workpiece to a table and includes support units that carry at least one single-axis spindle unit. The spindle units are easily attached to one of the support units and are easily movable thereon to perform machining processes from various positions and orientations relative the workpiece. A cutting tool, or other machining tool, is secured to each spindle, which is computer controlled to rotate the tool and stroke it linearly along its axis of rotation. The support units are reconfigurable and can be easily relocated to different positions and orientations about the workpiece.

Abstract: An adapter is provided for connecting a vertical multi-drill with drill bits having thru-shank cooling fluid passageways.

Abstract: A gang tooling is disclosed for a lathe having a main spindle with an axis of rotation, a longitudinal carriage movable along a z-axis parallel to the spindle axis and a cross-slide carried by the longitudinal carriage and movable along a x-axis transverse to the spindle axis. The gang tooling comprises a longitudinal plate for removably securing to the cross-slide. The plate has a dovetail mortise and a wedge that cooperates with a dovetail tenon on the cross-slide for removably securing the plate to the cross-slide. The plate has a dovetail tenon for cooperating with a dovetail mortise in a plurality of tool holders for removably securing the tool holders to the plate. The plate can be removed from the cross-slide without disturbing and removing the tools installed on the plate, thereby permitting the tool holders to remain secured to the plate at their original relative positions.

Abstract: A multi-head electro-discharging machine, in which each head member has an independent transmission assembly; the head member can move in X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis directions by a guide screw rod; every head member can be adjusted independently for operation without intervening the others; every head member may be mounted with an electrode connector, and two head members can be operated simultaneously in a crossing manner; a plurality of head members are mounted along the rear side of a supporting frame of the machine, and one or more than one head members may be mounted on both ends of the supporting frame for further multi-processing operation.

Abstract: A plant for welding automotive vehicle bodies that are conveyed in succession in an assembly line to a single processing station having equipment for positioning, holding and welding different types of automotive bodies, a pair of opposed stationary frames pivotally supporting elongate members, which in turn rotatably support tool supporting units, each of which carries a plurality of tool assemblies. The elongate members pivot normal to the assembly line path to place the tool supporting units in and out of operating position; and the tool assemblies are revolvable about the rotatable tool supporting units to select one of the tool assemblies for a particular vehicle body type.

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 index plate (9) is moiunted on a shaft (7) which is supported against axial displacement on a machine frame (1) and is stepwise rotatably drivable, said plate carrying clamping devices (10) arranged around the shaft and each intended for one workpiece (11). On either side of the indexing plate (9) a unit carrier (20) is arranged axially displaceably of the unit carriers (20) towards the indexing plate (9) into a stop position and for displacement of the unit carriers (20) away from the indexing plate a displacement drive (31) is associated with each of said carriers. The two unit carriers (20) are guided solely on the shaft (7) and are supported on the machine frame (1) only against rotation.

Abstract: Apparatus for welding motor vehicle bodies which have previously been assembled loosely comprises a station for the forming and welding of the body, a conveyor line for transporting the loosely preassembled bodies to the station, at least two pairs of forming frames situated at the two sides of the station, each pair of forming frames being provided with positioning devices engageable with the body and adapted to the specific geometric shape of particular type of body, forming-frame conveyor means for bringing a pair of forming frames corresponding to the type of body which is in the welding station into correspondence with an operative position in the welding station from time to time, and at least one welding device for welding the body. At least one drum which can rotate about an axis parallel to the length of the welding station and carries on its periphery a plurality of forming frames suitable for various types of body is provided on each side of the conveyor line.

Abstract: Disclosed is an attachment member for a multiple-spindle head, which is used for attaching the multiple-spindle head to a quill of a drilling machine, a tapping machine or the like. This attachment member is attached to the quill through a cylinder having an attachment flange, and the attachment member includes a driving gear which is arranged so that when the attachment member is attached to the quill, the gear falls in engagement with a spindle in the quill and it is rotated by the spindle. The attachment member is used in the state where it is built in the multiple-spindle head, and in this state, gears for rotating drills, taps or the like attached to the multiple-spindle head are engaged with the driving gear through intermediate gears. At the time of exchange of the multiple-spindle head, the head is dismounted from the cylinder together with the attachment member, and another multiple-spindle head with which another attachment member has been combined in advance is attached to the cylinder instead.