Abstract: An apparatus for machining an end of bar stock includes a mechanism for positioning the bar stock along a longitudinal axis so that the end of the bar stock is positioned at a desired location with respect to a cutting tool. The mechanism for positioning the bar stock is capable of moving in a first direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, a second direction perpendicular to and above and below the longitudinal axis and a third direction which is perpendicular to the first and second directions.

Abstract: An automated workstation is adapted to cut parts of different size and shape from workpieces of flat sheet or molded preforms. A fixtured workpiece is moved into the work area of a preprogrammed cutting robot on a shuttle table. The position of the workpiece to be cut is determined by the robot which cuts it using preprogrammed instructions for the desired part. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of independently operable shuttle tables are provided so that the robot can work substantially continuously while workpieces are load, unloaded, machined or moved around.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for shaping a top surface of a product, such as an antiperspirant or deodorant product, to have a compound-curved shape. The apparatus includes at least one cutting blade which moves inward and outward in a second direction while the product passes by in a first direction perpendicular to the second direction, such that the cutting blade cuts the top surface of the product to have a desired profile in the first direction. The cutting blade itself can have a desired profile along a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, to impart to the top surface of the product a desired profile in the third direction. A plurality of cutting blades can be used, to incrementally remove product material to form a final shaped product surface. The product cut off in forming the shaped surface can be reclaimed for re-use.

Abstract: A transfer line for machining differential housings, in which the outer surface of the workpiece is clamped against angled locating surfaces in each work rest. The workpiece is rotated through 90.degree. and located against a work rest in a successive machining station which is oriented 90.degree. to the first mentioned work rest locating surfaces so that the same locating points on the workpiece are used for locating in the successive machining station despite the workpiece having been rotated to enable machining from a different angle.

Abstract: A system of machining lead frames (7), such as punching, cutting and bending of the leads consists of a number of machining devices (1, 2, 3) placed in series. Transport means (8) are provided for transporting the lead frames between the successive machining device. Each device comprises means for transporting the lead frames in horizontal and vertical direction, a tool carrier driving means for driving the tool carrier (18). Further, a control device (4) is provided for controlling, synchronizing and protecting the operation of the machining devices. The machining devices are purely mechanically driven and the system is a device on a modular basis.

Abstract: A workstock forming apparatus and method for forming both ends of workstock blanks without the necessity of reversing the ends of the workstock blanks. The apparatus and method include a loading servo or cylinder for successively loading individual workstock blanks such as pipe nipple blanks onto a turntable which initially receives and positions a first nipple blank to be threaded on one end by a first threading spindle. The turntable then sequentially rotates back into alignment with the loading cylinder and successively receives additional nipple blanks, which are rotated in sequence with the turntable and first nipple blank for threading on one end by the first threading spindle, while the first and succeeding nipple blanks are sequentially linearly displaced in a guide on the turntable and the unthreaded ends of the first and succeeding nipple blanks are simultaneously threaded by a second threading spindle.

Abstract: A progressive broaching apparatus comprising a base, an index table mounted on the base and defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced work stations, first and second columns mounted on and independently upstanding from the base, and first and second rams mounted on the first and second columns in overlying relation to respective spaced portions of the index table and operative to coact with the work stations in response to indexing movement of the work table to progressively transform an unfinished workpiece into a finished workpiece. A track is mounted on one of the columns to define a linear path extending between the columns in overlying relation to the index table and a trolley is mounted for movement on the track to facilitate the delivery of unfinished workpieces to the work stations and the removal of finished workpieces from the work stations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of building a machine system having a plurality of cutting machines involves a taking of the final print tolerance and budgeting and using the tolerances for fixtures and machines in a manner to determine stiffness requirements and tolerances for such as tool cut depth, tracking of feed slide and perpendicularity of the spindle face. To gauge very fine tolerances, special reference datum surfaces are provided on the fixtures and machines to provide a "granite" plane from which very precise measurements may be made to set up initially the machine with the assigned tolerances. Indicators can be mounted on the spindle to sweep the targets on the fixture to level the spindle face to very fine tolerances. An indicator traveling with cutting head along a feed slide may sweep targets on the fixture and a tracking means may be adjusted to a precise tracking tolerance.

Abstract: A supply conveyer carries to a supply position a pallet on which process boards and a sacrifice board fitting the process board are stacked, and after a robot positions the sacrifice board at a predetermined position of a suction table, the robot positions the process board on the sacrifice board in order. A numerical control router processes the process boards on the sacrifice board.

Abstract: The device includes a clamping assembly which has a stationary upright post with upper and lower casings coaxially mounted to the upright post, a threaded shaft to adjust a vertical height of the upper and lower casings, a drilling assembly which is adjacent to the clamping assembly and which has first and second drilling bits that respectively extends toward an axis of the upright post in a parallel manner and a worm mechanism for adjusting a vertical height between the two drilling bits and an index apparatus which can rotate the clamping assembly to a predetermined angle relative to the drilling assembly. The upper and lower casings have radially movable pieces with clamping members thereon. A synchronous moving unit moves the movable pieces relative to the upright post to define a distance which is equal to a radius of curvature of a curved plate that is to be clamped and drilled by the device.

Abstract: A machining system that has (i) plural machining cells spaced along a path, each having a single-point-tool and a rapid-positioning assembly for positioning the tool for multiple insertions into a workpiece as well as rapid tool exchange at speed rates that approach or exceed one G; (ii) table means for presenting a table surface in a selected plane for each cell; (iii) workpiece means for each table surface having keying surfaces for lockingly mating with a reference point of such table surface; (iv) transfer means for rapidly replacing a machined workpiece with an unmachined workpiece on a table surface, the just-machined workpiece being transferred to the next table surface while the substituted workpiece is undergoing machining; and (v) programmed electrical control means for activating the positioning assemblies and transfer means.

Abstract: A blind spline broaching machine for machining splines as well as sprockets, keyways, gears, cams and contours on workpieces, such as shafts. The blind spline broaching machine of the preferred embodiment has dual rams reciprocable relative to a rotary dial. The rams hold a corresponding pair of workpieces, while the rotary dial supports one or more broaching tools. The rotary dial is rotatable to index the workpieces to and from the rams. The blind spline broaching machine also incorporates a part moving unit on its periphery, which enables the use of a single loading/unloading station at which workpieces are alternately loaded onto and unloaded from the rotary table. Because the workpieces are loaded and unloaded from the same location on the periphery of the blind spline broaching machine, the side of the blind spline broaching machine opposite the loading/unloading station remains open to permit ready access to the tooling and the interior structure of the blind spline broaching machine.

Abstract: A flexible manufacturing system which includes a stack yard, a machine tool and a stacker crane. In the stack yard, a pallet group, formed by stacking a number of pellets, is stored. The pallet group is transferred to a machine tool cell by the stacker crane. Each pallet has a memory, and data of the pallet itself and the member loaded on the pallet are memorized by the pallet. There are various kinds of members such as work-piece, tool and chuck jaw. These members are stored on exclusive pallets made for each kind of the member. Of the members, each tool and chuck jaw has its own memory and memorizes its own data. The data of all the memory can be read and written; therefore, the position of the pallet, tool and chuck jaw can be controlled at all times.

Abstract: A machining system is provided which includes a selected number of machining centers for selectively cutting or machining metallic parts, the system further including a rack structure for providing inventory storage for parts which are to be machined by the centers. There is further provided a part transport device for moving a given one of the parts in a first part flow loop when the given part is in a condition which enables the part to be readily moved around a plant or other manufacturing establishment or to be shipped in commerce. The part transport device also moves the given part through a second part flow loop when the part is in a condition which enables the part to be machined by one of the machining centers.

Abstract: An automatic, moveable manipulator includes an arm supported on a carriage and holding at least one tool. Both the arm and the carriage can be moved under the control of signals transmitted from a remote location, such as a central controller, which signal is stored in a storage device. The manipulator further supports a reservoir for holding materials that can be used by the tool, for example to apply to the workpieces, such as fluids, fasteners, expendable materials, and the like. An automatic resupply system permits the manipulator to re-fill the reservoir, such as when it is emptied.

Abstract: An automatic assembling apparatus having two identical assembling jigs. One assembling jig is attached to a robot arm and the assembling jig is then moved by operation of a robot from a setting site to an assembling site for assembling a plurality of parts set thereon at the setting site to an article place at the assembling site. Simultaneously, the plurality of parts are set on the other assembling jig. The two units are alternately attached to the robot arm at the setting site. Two receiving tables, each of which is for mounting thereon each of the assembling jigs, are provided alongside of each other at the setting site. A transfer device is provided to transfer each assembling jig from one receiving table to the other receiving table. The assembling jig attached to the robot arm is detached from the robot arm and placed on the one receiving table and the other assembling jig mounted on the other receiving table is then attached to the robot arm.

Abstract: A tool carriage includes a main beam along which a subcarriage carrying the tool travels and is supported above a supporting table by two end parts each associated with opposite ends of the main beam. The main beam has a length sufficient to straddle the widest width of conventional supporting tables and is adjustable at one of the two end parts to accommodate different table widths. The end parts have rollers which support the carriage above the table support surface and against lateral displacement on the table. The lateral rollers on one end of the carriage are capable of being adjusted relative to horizontal and vertically extending directions allowing either end of the carriage to be generically adaptable to any table edge configuration.

Abstract: An indexing system for the rotary work changer of a machining center for supporting and interchanging work-holder pallets between the machining zone and the load/unload zone of the machining center.

Abstract: A carriage for carrying a labeller, bundler or similar tool for working on sheet material spread on a supporting table is moveable vertically and transversely relative to such table by an associated lifting and transport cart allowing the carriage to be lifted from one table and transported to another table at which it is lowered onto the new table to bring it into working relationship therewith. The carriage may be engaged by the cart from the side or end of the table. Accordingly, the carriage may be moved from one table to another even in cases where the carriage can not be easily moved onto or off of the end of a table because of such table end being inaccessible. Means hold the carriage against vertical and lateral movement relative to the table while the carriage is in working relationship therewith, and these means are moveable to disengaged positions to free the carriage for vertical movement relative to the table when removing the carriage from or placing it onto the table.

Abstract: The invention proceeds from a vacuum process apparatus for an article which is processed or treated, resp. at two stations, whereby each station has a charging and/or removing opening for the article. A transporting device is supported for rotation and includes a supporting portion which is successively moved onto the openings of the stations. The process plant is designed in such a manner that the surface normals determined by the surfaces of the openings and the space axis defined by the axis of rotation of the transport device do not run parallel and rather enclose together an angle of 90.degree. or 45.degree.. By such an arrangement it is possible to design extremely compact vacuum vapor deposition apparatuses having a plurality of individual stations, whereby additionally short transporting distances are obtainable and the volumes to be conditioned can be minimized.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically attaching a substantially U-shaped support stand to a fusee includes an annular indexable turntable provided with holders for receiving support stands at one workstation, and fusees in assembled relationship with the support stands at another workstation. The support stands are deformed from substantially straight shapes to substantially U-shapes as they are loaded into the holders on the turntable. The free ends of the support stand are subsequently inwardly curled prior to assembly with the fusees. The fusees are fed from a supply hopper, cleaned, and successively inserted into a holder on the turntable in assembled relationship with successively presented support stands. Subsequently, the turntable is indexed to additional workstations where predetermined lengths of polyfilament tape are successively applied to end portions of the fusees, and subsequently wrapped about the fusees and associated end portions of the support stand to securely join one to the other.

Abstract: A multipurpose cutting metal-working machine for the processes of deep hold making, boring, milling, drilling and cutting. The machine includes a tool drive unit which has a first horizontally vertically adjustable tool socket above a second horizontally adjustable tool socket at right angles for holding and driving different cutting metal-working tools, a track around the machine base thereof, a plurality of work tables movably supported on the track to carry metal workpieces into operative positions for processing by the cutting metal-working tool held in the first or second tool socket, a tool holder and a plurality of tool supports longitudinally aligned with the second tool socket for holding a long cutting metal-working tool in making deep holes on metal workpieces.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembling and machining apparatus which allows flexibly for changes in the machining/assembling setup following a modification in the production line configuration, thereby reducing the down time that occurs between such changes. Workpieces and/or part feeding pallets circulate along a loop-like transfer path composed of a first and a second transfer path and of two return units. A transfer unit takes the necessary workpiece or pallet from the circulation on the transfer path into a working area of one assembling/machining unit for work. With the current work completed, the workpiece or pallet is returned to the transfer path for subsequent work. The process is suitably performed by each assembling/machining unit. The workpiece or pallet on which all work is completed is detected by detecting means, either for transfer to the transfer path of the next adjacent assembling and machining apparatus or for ejection out of the current apparatus.

Abstract: A plurality of pallets for exchanging and fixing workpieces are placed on a plurality of respective tables supported vertically with spacing between one another, and the tables are rotated to transfer a required pallet to the predetermined exchange position to perform an exchange operation of the pallet by a pallet exchange device.

Abstract: A method for and a device to insert filters into disposable pipette tips uses a turntable adapted to receive a plurality of tips adjacent its circumference and powered by a stepping motor to incrementally rotate pipette tips to various positions for appropriate actions. After a tip is placed in the turntable, it is moved successively to a position where a filter of predetermined size may be inserted into the tip. The filter is then tamped into the desired final position at still another position. After checking for the presence of a filter, the pipette is removed from the turntable.

Abstract: A device for machining workpieces which includes a series of stationary machining stations (2, 42, 65, 81) arranged around a circle and a row of workpiece holders (3, 38, 64, 82) which are clamped temporarily in the machining stations (2, 42, 65, 81) and periodically interchanged. To ensure quasi-continuous operation with stationary machine stations (2, 42, 65, 81), an interchanger (5, 19, 44, 60, 87) rotates concentrically about the circle (41) of the machining stations (2, 42, 65, 81), grips the holders (3, 38, 64, 82) in succession and forms a transfer or interchange path (6, 45, 62, 90) for the holders (3, 38, 64, 82) to be interchanged between one machining station (2, 42, 65, 81) and the next. The interchange path contains a number of workpiece holders (27) which differs from the number of machining stations (2, 42, 65, 81) in the region bridged by the interchange path (6).

Abstract: A method and multiple station flexible boring machine for transferring and locating a pallet carrying a workpiece to be machined. The machine has at least two machining stations and a part loading and unloading station adjacent a transfer table carried by a base for carrying, generally locating and transferring a pallet and a workpiece to each station. The pallet has a curvic coupling locator ring with a plurality of circumferentially spaced and generally radially extending teeth for complementary mating engagement with a locator ring on an independent base of each station to accurately radially, axially and circumferentially locate the pallet on the station base. At the load station, the locator ring on the pallet is received in complementary mating engagement with the locator ring on the load base accurately locating the pallet with respect to the base and a workpiece is loaded, accurately located with respect to the load base and clamped to the pallet.

Abstract: A centering and clamping device for clamping a support (4) to a base (1) has contact surfaces (29 and 8) which come into contact with each other and have installed therein device parts (5 and 2), with passive (6) and active (3) coupling elements. The device parts have centering elements (31 and 33) which work in conjunction, one of which (31) is designed to yield elastically in the direction of clamping. The active coupling element (3) contained in the base part (2) of the device can be moved between its retracted position within the contact surface (8) of the base (1) and an operating position where it projects above this contact surface. The elastic centering element (31) is a circular collar having a base area, reduced in cross-section, and an S-shape (36) by narrow radial circular grooves (34, 35).

Abstract: A machine tool comprises: (a) a tool (22); (b) a body (2); (c) a tool supporting means (10) for supporting the tool (22) provided relative to the body (2); (d) a means (4) for supporting a pallet (P) for setting a work (W), the support means (36, 35) being provided relative to the body (2); (e) a first moving means (31, 32, 32a, 33, 34, 37, 39) for moving the means (4) about a center axis (U2) along a first direction (B1, B2); and (f) a second moving means (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) for moving the tool supporting means (10) so as to cause relative motion between the tool supporting means (10) and the means (4) for performing machining operation of the work (W).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pallet changing mechanism for a machine tool wherein when pallets loaded with works through an attachment are successively changed, an input and output cable or the like for connecting a control device of a machine tool and an attachment is automatically re-connected to an attachment next to be carried in from an attachment carried out of a machining table of the machine tool. The connector device comprises a movable portion provided on the machining table of the machine tool and a fixed portion provided on the pallet. Mounting and dismounting of the input and output cable or the like every time a pallet is changed is carried out simply and positively. A shield member is disposed on the connector device to thereby completely separate and shield a plurality of connector blocks from each other, and positive operation, detection and the like for the attachment are carried out.

Abstract: Palletized, unassembled workpieces are transported by a carousel to successive work stations at which pallets are deposited on work tables. The tables and each of the pallets are provided with registering mechanism so that the workpieces are identically located in each station. Robotic welding or other tasks requiring a high degree of repetitive accuracy can be performed at each station to fabricate the workpieces into finished or semi-finished end products. Both the depositing of pallets on and lifting them from the work tables can be accomplished at a creep speed.

Abstract: A machine tool includes a table (24) movable in a first direction and a second direction for supporting a work holder (H), a work storage magazine (3) for storing a plurality of work holders (H), and a work changer for transferring work holders (H) between the work storage magazine (3) and the table (24). The axis of the work holder (H) supported in the table (24) is directed in a horizontal direction. Each axis of the work holders (H) stored in the work magazine (3) is directed in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A pallet exchanger includes a machine tool table movable along a first axis and a second axis, a mounting arrangement for mounting a plurality of pallets each of which has a workpiece, a support for supporting the mounting arrangement, and a motive device for moving the mounting arrangement relative to the machine tool table along a third axis perpendicular to the first and second axes. The mounting arrangement includes a guide arranged along the first axis, first and second mounting parts, and an intermediate part between the first and second mounting parts. The motive device includes a drive device mounted on the support and an operating device driven by the drive device which moves the mounting arrangement on the support relative to the machine tool table.

Abstract: The numerically controlled machine tool provided with an automatic tool exchange device and a work indexing device. After the spindle head completely retreats, the preparation for the next tool, the exchange of the tools or the change of the machined surface are carried out. Since the interference region at the time of the change of the machined surface is determined, the tools can be exchanged closest to the work but without interfering with the work. The indirect operation time required for the exchange of the tools and the change of the machined surface can be minimized. When the work has multiple surfaces to machine, the work can be rotated minimum angle in a predetermined direction without interfering with the peripheral device by the indexing device to change the machined surface. The operator can confirm the direction on the display.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding workpieces (37, 38) to the collet (3) of a lens lathe comprises a loading device (12) and a magazine (10) for containing a plurality of workpieces (37, 38). The magazine (10) has an opening (11) at one end through which the workpieces (37, 38) are sequentially removable. The loading device (12) is arranged to accept workpieces (37, 38) sequentially from the magazine (10) at a loading station, and to feed them to the collet (3). The loading device (12) has a pair of star wheels (16) for holding a workpiece (37, 38) removed from the magazine (10), and means (34, 35, 36) for positioning said workpiece at the loading station in a predetermined position with respect to the collet (3). The loading device (12) has piston-and-cylinder devices (20) and (23) for moving the star wheels (16) so as to carry said workpiece (37, 38) from the loading station to the collet (3).

Abstract: Equipment for machining pieces on a pallet includes a work station, an adjacent station for the loading/unloading of pallets and a single device for transferring the pallets from the work station and the loading/unloading station. The work station includes a pallet-holding carriage which can slide horizontally on a fixed base and the loading/unloading station including two pallet-holding supports, one for receiving a pallet to be loaded with a piece to be machined and the other for receiving a pallet with a machined piece to be unloaded, at a distance from one another and parallel to the direction of sliding of the pallet-holding carriage. The transfer device includes an arm and a forearm articulated with respect to one another, mounted on a lateral appendix of the pallet-holding carriage and which can be operated so as to engage the pallet to be transferred and to move it from one to the other of the work and loading/unloading stations.

Abstract: A lumber processing apparatus provided with a woodworking router for cutting and processing a material to be processed into a predetermined shape by a cutting edge subjected to numerical control, includes a carriage for removing a material to be processed from a storage area and storing a processed product into the storage area, a supplying table lifter for receiving the material to be processed from the carriage, a first robot for transferring the material to be processed on the supplying table to a sending-in conveyor, a woodworking router for automatically processing the material to be processed, a conveyor for carrying the product processed by the woodworking router, a second robot for transferring the product carried by the conveyor to a carrying-out table lifter, and a control unit for controlling these systems.

Abstract: A machine tool has first and second spindles provided so as to face each other. The first and the second spindles are synchronously rotated without stopping their rotation. A machined workpiece, after a first machining routine, in a state of rotation is directly delivered from the first spindle to the second spindle, and a second routine of machining is immediately performed.

Abstract: The machining system (10) disclosed here is particularly well-suited for automatically machining flat parts from individual sheets of aluminum. The system (10) includes a machining table defined by a pair of spaced-apart, parallely-extending table beams (18, 20). Clamping rails (192) mounted to each beam (18, 20) grip opposite side edges of an individual sheet (11) of aluminum, in a manner such that the sheet spans the distance between the beams (18, 20). The clamp rails are driven linearly relative to the beams, in order to move the sheet back and forth therebetween. Upper and lower carriage beams (14, 16) also extend transversely across the table beams (18, 20), one above the sheet (11), and the other below. The upper carriage beam (14) carries both a spindle carriage (28) and an upper clamp carriage (30). The spindle carriage (28) moves a cutting tool back and forth sideways relative to the sheet (11), and vertically up and down, for cutting parts from the sheet (11).

Abstract: A manufacturing line along which PCB's are fed and operated on includes a processing fixture for receiving an individual board and displacing it clear of the line toward a router bit. The router bit is shiftable transverse of the line, and the processing fixture is shiftable parallel to the line and in an underlapping relation to adjacent stations so as to address the whole area of the board with the router bit without increasing the length of the manufacturing line.

Abstract: An apparatus having a robot on an frame having in front thereof a jig base for positioning thereon workpieces to which parts are to be assembled. The robot supports an assembling head equipped with a parts-holding member movable in a longitudinal and a vertical direction towards and away from the jig base so that the parts can be picked up out of a parts-containing pallet supplied at a predetermined pickup position on the frame and assembled to the workpiece positioned on the jig base. A pair of front and rear pallet chambers are formed in a space under the frame such that parts-containing pallets can be brought in and taken out in a stacked condition, one of the chambers being used as a feeding pallet chamber and the other as a discharging pallet chamber.

Abstract: An automatic drilling apparatus is provided for performing a drilling operation (such as routing) on a block. The drilling apparatus includes a track on which the block can travel. The track includes a receiving area adjacent to a first end of the track, and an operations area adjacent to a second send of the track. A generally vertical chute has a first end for receiving a block to be dispensed, and a second end disposed adjacent to the receiving area of the track for dispensing blocks onto the receiving area of the track. A block advancing device advances the block from the receiving area of the track to the operations area of the track. A selectively actuable side clamp is disposed adjacent to the operations area of the track. The side clamp mover moves the side clamp between a block-disengaged and a block-engaging position. A selectively actuable end plate is disposed adjacent to the second area of the track.

Abstract: An indexing apparatus includes a casing, an indexing unit, a gripping unit, a dynamic unit and a driving unit. The indexing unit includes a connecting rod journalled in the casing and having a top portion extending out of the casing, an indexing disc sleeved rigidly on the connecting rod, and several circumferentially equidistant limiting devices provided along the periphery of the indexing disc. The gripping unit slides along the periphery of the indexing disc and can engage with one of the limiting devices so as to prevent the gripping unit from sliding relative to the indexing disc. The dynamic unit supplies power to the indexing unit. The driving unit transfers motion of the dynamic unit to the indexing unit so as to rotate the indexing disc. In a case where the gripping unit is engaged with one of the limiting devices, the movement of the dynamic unit disengages the gripping unit from the limiting device so as to rotate the indexing disc until the gripping unit engages with the next limiting device.

Abstract: A conveyor for conveying a board into a zone wherein it is desirable to register the board in a longitudinal sense. A mechanism for conveying the board comprises two endless conveying elements spaced transversely, each mounting an endless series of pads. The board fits between two pads behind it and two pads ahead of it. A mechanism for registering the board comprises two elements spaced tranversely and arranged to be normally removed from and selectively insertable into the path of the board. In different arrangements, the elements are vertically insertable from above such path and pivotally biased, vertically insertable from below and longitudinally biased, or rotatably insertable from below and rotatably biased.

Abstract: A machining center with two or more cooperating machines has a magazine for tools and a magazine for adapters in each machine. The tools and adapters are shuttled between the respective magazines and the material removing stations of the respective machines by discrete automated manipulators. In addition, the machining center has a transporting system which delivers workpieces from a further station to and thereupon from the material removing stations of the machines and which also serves to shuttle sections of magazines for tools and adapters between the respective magazines and an additional station where the sections are relieved of some or all of their contents preparatory to receiving other types of tools and/or adapters. The machining center can be utilized with advantage for the treatment of five sides of large or medium-large workpieces, such as frames of machine tools.

Abstract: In an automated machine tool assembly where a plurality of work stations are interconnected by slide rails on which pallets can slide, the pallets having workpieces affixed to them, with at least one transfer bar for engaging a pallet and sliding the pallet longitudinally along the slide rails, a hydraulic lift and monitoring system includes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders in the transfer bar, a plunger in each cylinder, and a first source of pressurized fluid which urges each plunger upwardly against a pallet. The first source of pressurized fluid is adjustable so as to pre-set the pressure with which the plungers are urged upwardly. A second source of fluid under pressure is linked through the cylindrical chambers in series to a pressure-sensitive switch such that, if a plunger fails to rise to its uppermost position when not loaded with a pallet, the operator is given a signal from the switch that a malfunction exists.

Abstract: A machining apparatus for machining a work piece wherein the work piece is held above the work stations of the machine tool base so that chips will fall downwardly during machining operations. The tools are successfully indexed to the work station so that chip removal need be accomplished only at a single place and to make the arrangement more compact.

Abstract: A machine tool with automatic changeable tables that has an immobile bed unit. Mounted on the bed unit are linear guides. Multiple table units move along the linear guides for mounting and dismounting workpieces. The table units are placed on the linear guides and into position by a transferring drive unit. The present invention allows workpieces to be mounted and dismounted at a remote area while machining is in process.

Abstract: An improved method for forming holes in a board and an improved apparatus for practicing the improved method. Two or three linear arrays of holes are punched through the board, through its expansive faces, in a punching zone. A punch and a die coacting with the punch are used to punch each punched hole, in a press comprising a pressing ram and a pressing bed, upon relative movement of the pressing ram and the pressing bed toward each other. The board is registered in the pressing zone, in a predetermined position, by engaging its opposite edges and its opposite ends. Plural holes are drilled into each end of the board in a drilling zone. A physical measurement is conducted in an inspecting zone, by inserting a probe into each drilled hole, so as to determine whether such drilled hole has been drilled to a minimum depth. These punching, drilling, and inspecting steps of the improved method are carried out in a series of automated operations of the improved apparatus.

Abstract: A plurality of machine tools are disposed along a circulating conveyor transporting materials to be processed by the machine tools, and material selector subsystems associated with the respective machine tools are provided together with a load/unload command subsystem. The material selector subsystems exchange information therebetween to track materials loaded on the conveyor under command of the load/unload command subsystem so as to reserve materials requested by the individual machine tools. Each of the reserved materials is unloaded from the conveyor under command of the load/unload command subsystem as soon as it arrives at the position of the corresponding machine tool.