Abstract: A tool carrier assembly for use at a machine tool, which includes at least one workpiece-carrying spindle for rotatably driving a workpiece received in the workpiece-carrying spindle. The tool carrier assembly includes a first slide being movable in a first direction, a tool carrier being supported on the first slide and configured to hold a plurality of tools, a tool drive unit including a tool drive for engaging with one of the plurality of tools held by the tool carrier to rotatably drive said tool, when the tool is arranged at a tool drive position with respect to the tool drive, and a drive mechanism for driving movement of the first slide together with the tool carrier in the first direction relative to the tool drive position, when the tool drive is disengaged with the tool, to relatively move another tool of the plurality of tools into the tool drive position.

Abstract: Loads that act on all the bearings that support a main spindle are derived from a variation in the state of the main spindle and, in addition, raceway surface contact pressures of the respective bearings are analyzed, so it is possible to accurately keep track of the state of each bearing. Then, when the raceway surface contact pressure exceeds a corresponding threshold, a machining condition is changed to execute control such that the raceway surface contact pressure does not exceed the corresponding threshold, and, furthermore, when the raceway surface contact pressure exceeds the corresponding threshold even when the machining condition is changed, the main spindle is controlled to stop, so it is possible to prevent a seizure of each bearing. Thus, it is possible to improve machining accuracy by controlling the main spindle with high accuracy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing operations on a workpiece. A first frame in a frame system may be held on the workpiece by applying a vacuum to the first frame. A second frame in the frame system may be detached from the workpiece by applying a pressure to the second frame. The second frame may be moved to a location on the workpiece. The second frame may be attached to the workpiece by applying the vacuum to the second frame. An operation may be performed on the workpiece.

Abstract: A new and improved automated gun tool dolly which comprises a plurality of nail guns, such as, for example, three nail guns, which are mounted upon a horizontally movable carriage assembly in a vertically and horizontally staggered mode so as to be disposed within a diagonal array. Movement of the carriage assembly along horizontally oriented guide rails is automatically controlled, such as, for example, by means of a programmable logic controller (PLC), such that the three nail guns are sequentially and continuously disposed at predetermined firing positions at which the nail guns are sequentially fired so as to insert nails within predetermined regions of 2×4 or 2×6 plate, header, or footer members of a wall panel or wall structure.

Abstract: A two gun tool dolly which is capable of firing and inserting two, three or four nails into plate, header, or footer frame members at predetermined locations thereof so as to fixedly secure top and bottom plate, header, or footer members to stud frame members of a wall structure or wall panel.

Abstract: An enhanced automatic riveting system of the type used in robotized precision facilities to perform multiple functions, such as boring, reaming, rivet insertion, riveting, cleaning, etc. at a single work point, using the same equipment, characterized by the fact that it uses a multi-tool head, which does not move itself but is fixed on a parallel kinematic machine, which carries out all the combined positioning movements of the multi-tool head, performing the relevant position corrections between the different physical locations of the separate tools placed in the tool-holder head.

Abstract: A system for installing and extracting a flowing water turbine below the surface of the water includes a flow inducer assembly for improving the conversation of the kinetic energy of a waterway to mechanical energy. The flow inducer assembly includes a nozzle that may be shaped as a cowling and a outlet diffuser. The system may be useful in a number of settings, including, but not limited to, streams, rivers, dams, ocean currents, or tidal areas that have continuous or semi-continuous water flow rates and windy environments.

Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system may include a hydro-generator, a control circuit and an energy storage device. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The control circuit may switch the electric power to charge the energy storage device and/or to supply the electric power to an electrical load. The control circuit may also selectively switch the energy storage device to supply electric power to the electrical load. Further, the control circuit may disable both the hydro-generator and the energy storage device from supplying electric power to the load.

Abstract: The tool support comprises a basic structure (8) on which a slide (5) is movable in a controlled manner transversely to the spindle axis (7), two tool holders (6) being mounted on said slide which are displaceable parallel to each other and serving to hold different tools (9,9?), said holders (6,6?) being selectively displaceable in the direction of the spindle axis (7) or away from that axis through an angle of 90° with respect to the direction of movement of the slide (5), and further comprising driving means (1,2,3,3?) to displace the slide (5) and the tool holders (6,6?) along their axis of movement (Y,Z) into a predetermined working position.

Abstract: A numerical control (NC) processor with an onboard grinding unit is disclosed in which a workpiece is first cut in a preselected contour with a Y-axis cutting tool, and then subjected to honing operation intact whereby both the cutting and honing operations can be performed with just a single processor with high-speed, high-acceleration. With the NC processor, the Y-axis cutting tool is mounted on a sliding base above an X-axis table in a way allowed to move back and forth in a Y-axis direction, while a grinding unit is installed in close proximity to the sliding base. A slider moves back and forth in synchronized relation with rotation of a work spindle to first let the Y-axis cutting tool cut the workpiece into a preselected contour, and then cause a buffing material of the grinding unit to grind a work surface of the workpiece into a high-quality surface finish in conformity with a programmed contour while the workpiece remains held intact in a chucking device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a machine and a method for assembling blower wheels. The machine comprises a drive motor rotatably coupled to a first die, whereon a plurality of blower wheel components reside. A second die is oppositely disposed from the first die, and is operable to engage one or more of the plurality of blower wheel components. A transfer gear assembly rotatably couples the first die and the second die, wherein a rotation of the first die generally transfers to the second die, and wherein the rotation of first die and the second die is generally synchronized. A two-stage press is coupled to the first die and the second die, and is operable to axially compress the blower wheel components between the first die and the second die. A deforming member is operable to deform the hub during the compression of the blower wheel components. One or more springs couple the second die to the press, wherein the second die is operable to axially translate with respect to the press.

Abstract: A coolant tube for use in a heat exchanger is manufactured by using a plate member as follows: the plate member is folded in substantially regular distances to form a plurality of folded portions; and two opposite ends of the plate member are joined in a manner that end parts of the folded portions are brought into contact with flat portions of the plate member to thereby form coolant flow passages.

Abstract: A fixed chain guide for absorbing vibrations during running of a chain is composed of a shoe in sliding contact with the chain and a plate base supporting the shoe. The plate base is secured to a mounting surface by two mounting seats integral with the base plate. The mounting seats are formed by bending them in opposite directions along bend lines, to have the seats in an essentially common plane but extending in opposite directions from the bottom edge of the base plate. The base plate is punched out of sheet stock in such a way that failure will not occur at the respective bend lines of the mounting seat by forming the ends of the bend lines so that there is a shear surface on the outside of the bend and a rupture surface on the inside of the bend. Punching the stock originally produces a shear surface adjacent one surface of the stock at the ends of one of the bend lines and a rupture surface adjacent the other side of the stock.

Abstract: An automated assembly machine for fabricating large mechanical structures including a floor assembly jig for receiving and holding parts in a desired orientation, a pair of carriages, a first drive mechanism for independently driving the carriages longitudinally, a second drive mechanism for moving the carriages vertically, a tool tray mounted on the carriages, and a plurality of tools, including a drill, a hole diameter measurement probe, a nut runner, and an electromagnetic riveter, mounted on the tool tray for lateral movement toward and away from a workpiece clamp-up position. The tools are positioned at the workpiece clamp-up position by moving one of the carriages longitudinally along the floor assembly jig and raising the other carriage to elevate the tool tray to a desired elevation.

Abstract: Complex machining such as lathe machining and milling including non-circular machining is effected by a single machine tool effectively and highly accurately.The machine tool comprises a spindle stock having the C-axis control function, a carriage which can be moved and positioned in a direction of the axis of a main spindle, and two tool rests installed on the carriage. Lathe machining and milling are performed by the first tool rest, and non-circular machining is performed by the second tool rest. A tailstock can be also moved in the direction of the main spindle axis, and positioning of the movable members is controlled by an NC device. A force for supporting a workpiece is controlled by a chuck and a tailstock spindle in response to an M function command.