Abstract: A conditioning line for steel pipes in which steel pipes are transversely transferred to effect the end processing thread cutting, thread inspection, hydrostatic testing, etc., on the steel pipes. With a view to increasing the efficiency of the conditioning operations, a reprocessing line is arranged to run parallel to a main line such that the steel pipes rejected on the main line are automatically transferred to the reprocessing line where the rejected steel pipes are reprocessed and automatically transferred back to the main line.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a plurality of studs on a flexible sheet material such as work fabric, leather or the like according to a desired pattern comprizes a holder for holding the sheet material, a supply device for supplying studs severally, a plastic working device including a punch and die set for attaching the studs on the sheet material, and a drive device for varying the relative position between the holder and the plastic working device. The studs may be supplied severally and attached sequentially to the sheet material while the relative position between the holder and the plastic working device is varied by the drive device.

Abstract: A method and a machine for automatically making wooden chair seats. A feed conveyor is provided to sequentially advance a plurality of boards in a series spaced apart manner along a plurality of separate work stations. Board positioning and holding elements are provided at each of the stations to hold the boards thereat at a precise location to effect a work function to the boards. The displacement of the boards are also synchronized together whereby they are displaced from all of the stations simultaneously. A drilling station is provided to drill holes on at least one side face of the boards. A routing station routes a pattern in a surface of the boards. A sanding station sands the routed surface and thereafter the boards are conveyed to a contour cutting station where a predetermined peripheral outline is cut in the boards. An edge sander than smoothes out the cut outline edge of the boards and a transfer device transports the boards after they have been completely machined into seats to an unloading area.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for assembling barge fenders which includes chain conveyors for conveying the workpiece through a series of work stations. Spaced pairs of saws are positioned to make angled cuts. Downstream of the saws drilling mechanism provide holes in the workpiece for insertion of threaded bolts which are used at the assembly station to fasten a plurality of workpieces together.

Abstract: A mechanism for quickly and precisely positioning one body relative to another body, which relies upon three support points between the two bodies. At a first point a hemispherical surface is received in an opening having the form of a trihedral pyramid. At a second support point a hemispherical surface is received in an opening having the form of a diahedral prism. At the third support point a rigid sphere held in loose confinement engages a flat surface.

Abstract: A CRT has a unique, machine-readable, coded marking in an external surface thereof. Assembling the CRT includes (1) providing at least one envelope part having a unique, machine-readable coded marking on an external surface thereof, (2) machine-reading the marking, (3) generating a signal in response to step (2) and, (4) in response to the signal, initiating a local process for action with respect to the envelope part. The action may include transportation of the part, assembly of other parts or subassemblies to the part, or testing of an assembly including the part.

Abstract: The method of assembling a CRT includes (1) providing at least one envelope part having a unique, optically machine-readable, process-survivable coded marking on an external surface thereof, (2) optically machine-reading the marking, (3) generating a signal in response to step (2), (4) in response to the signal, initiating a local process for action with respect to the envelope part and (5) recording data of the local process with reference to said coded marking. The action may include transportation of the part, assembly of other parts or subassemblies to the part, or testing of an assembly including the part.

Abstract: A system comprising a plurality of complementary numerically controlled machine tools in which different workpieces are each subjected to appropriate selected machining operations on selected machine tools in a selected order by appropriate delivery of common form pallets loaded with the workpieces. Transporters deliver pallets between the machine tools, a storage rack, and work-setting stations where workpieces, automatically delivered in bins from a bin store, are loaded on pallets. Tool magazines are delivered between a rack and the machine tools by transporter. Transport and machining operations are computer controlled, and monitors feed back signals indicative of location of pallets, tool magazines, and bins in the system.

Abstract: A structure for the rigidification of multiple station machine tools to increase accuracy of machining operations on workpieces moved intermittently on pallets to registry stations where machine tools move toward and away from the work. The machine tools and registry stations are mounted on a common base well below the axis of the machine tool movement. Means are interposed directly between the registry stations and the tool mounts on an axis in close proximity to the axis of the machine tool movement to rigidify the relationship between the tool mount and the registry stations and thus reduce the interfaces joining the two and the possibility of motion when tool pressure is applied to the work.

Abstract: A work support or pallet is slidable onto a holding device on bearing surfaces along a rectilinear guide defining parallel angular paths. The holding device has two clamping slides which are urged transversely to the rectilinear guide to bear on a mating surface part of work support to locate it both in the longitudinal direction and transversely thereof. One slide has slanting teeth mating with teeth on the work support in such a manner that the clamping force components locate the work support with respect to both longitudinal and transverse directions and hold the work support against the bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A metal-cutting machine includes a bed with slideways, a movable unit with a headstock and a drive for moving it in a horizontal plane over the bed slideways, a work table with stock guides for moving the pallets carrying the workpieces and provided with coupling members for gripping the pallets, at least one platform installed before the work table in the direction of movement of the workpieces and is provided with stock guides for the pallets. The platform and work table are arranged for movement relative to each other in a horizontal plane so that when the pallet moves to and from the working position the stock guides of the platform serve as a continuation of the stock guides of the work table. The machine also incorporates a device for gripping the pallet in order to move it over the stock guides of the platform and work table to and from the working position.

Abstract: This invention has to do with an automatic manufacturing system and, more particularly, to a plurality of work stations to which a variety of workpieces are carried by a network of conveyors, in which means are provided to identify each workpiece and means are provided to direct the workpiece through a path variable in accordance with load conditions in the network having various work stations where selected operations are automatically performed on the workpiece.

Abstract: A machine tool wherein an annular gear is rotatable in a horizontal plane to carry a plurality of pallets between adjacent peripherally arranged machine stations. The gear is lowered as each machine station is attained by the entry of gear support bearings into recesses in the underside of the gear. The pallets are supported on the gear for limited vertical and horizontal movement, and lowering of the gear positions the pallet on an abutment surface in alignment with the machining station. As the gear is further lowered, it is spaced from the pallet so as not to interfere with independent positioning of the pallet by any power actuated positioning means located at each machining station. Thus, the pallet can be adjusted independently of the gear when the gear is in its lowered position, yet is carried by the gear when the gear is in its elevated position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic apparatus for machining panels or similar articles and, particularly, for drilling and milling them in accordance with the "Folding" system. With this apparatus, the panel to be machined is carried by conveyor means, in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis, towards drilling and milling devices placed one after the other, the latter being able to mill the panel transversely with respect to the direction in which it moves forward. The operation of the drilling and milling devices takes place contemporaneously in unison, controlled by a feeler device located after the milling devices, which is able to perceive the presence of milling in the panel and to consequently cause the panel to halt and to be in the exact position necessary for the aforementioned drilling and milling devices.

Abstract: A system comprising a plurality of complementary numerically controlled machine tools in which different workpieces are each subjected to appropriate selected machining operations on selected machine tools in a selected order by appropriate delivery of common form pallets loaded with the workpieces. Transporters deliver pallets between the machine tools, a storage rack, and work-setting stations where workpieces, automatically delivered in bins from a bin store, are loaded on pallets. Tool magazines are delivered between a rack and the machine tools by transporter. Transport and machining operations are computer controlled, and monitors feed back signals indicative of location of pallets, tool magazines, and bins in the system.

Abstract: A transfer machine of the type in which workpieces are successively transferred through a series of work stations on either side of the line of movement of the workpieces with work heads located at each station to perform various operations on the workpieces. The disclosed transfer machine consists of one or more transfer machine module units, each module including a prismatic base having upwardly directed sides upon which are mounted a series of oppositely directed heads and the workpiece transfer system mounted to the base and extending between the work heads to convey the workpieces up and down the base sides. The resulting vertical spacing of the work heads from one another enables closer spacing of the work heads by enabling access to the tooling through the space through which the workpieces are transferred, while reducing the floor space required for the machine. Also, chips formed during machining operations fall away so as not to accumulate at the machining station.

Abstract: An automatic transfer machine having a plurality of machining units on a common table top with tool carriers above and a common drive below the table top connected through openings in the table top by distributor gears connecting the common drive with intermediate shafts, which shafts are arranged at approximately at right angles relative to the plane of the table top. Universal joint shafts which are telescopically extensible extend through each of the table top openings connecting intermediate shafts from below the table top to step down gears and control elements above the table top.

Abstract: A separating device for bar and pipe-shaped workpieces, especially a cut-off machine, with a chucking device for chucking the cut-off workpieces and with a separating unit such as a cutting head for cutting off bar and pipe sections. The separating device includes at least one machining unit for machining the ends of the cut off workpieces and at least one feeding device for feeding a cut-off bar or pipe section cut off by the separating unit, to the end machining unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to securing hanging-loops to cathode starting sheets and an assembly machine is disclosed which comprises a turntable having five circumferentially spaced, flat, tables the surface of each of which is substantially vertical, indexing means for indexing the turntable about the vertical axis through a sheet loading station, a loop strip loading station, a loop-rivetting station and an assembled-sheet-removal station, a sheet loading mechanism at the loading station, a loop strip loading mechanism the loop-strip loading station, a loop strip bending mechanism and a loop-rivetting mechanism at the loop-rivetting station, and a finished-sheet-removal mechanism at the assembled-sheet-removal station.

Abstract: A transfer machine composing of a rotary indexing table with a positioning device for transferring plural jig plates holding workpieces to be machined thereon and which are intermittently indexed and working units being arranged near the circumference of the indexing table. Every working unit having a cutting infeed device to make its cutter head step forward or backward in a working direction and multi-axes sliding devices for changing & adjusting the relative position between the cutter head and the jig plate, and these sliding devices being controlled by feed-volume setting devices corresponded with setting volumes selected therein and with the result that the said relative position being decided and set.

Abstract: A pair of substantially identical shuttle tables are mounted on the bed of a vertical spindle machine tool on opposite sides of the worktable thereof. A first pallet is mounted on the worktable and a second pallet is mounted on one of the shuttle tables. Both pallets have a tunnel therein that extends all the way through the pallet. A hydraulic ram with an elongated piston rod is mounted on each shuttle table. Each piston rod is long enough to pass completely through the tunnel in an adjacent pallet and to bear against a pallet on the worktable while the base of the piston rod bears against the adjacent pallet. When the piston rod is extended, both pallets are simultaneously pushed in the same direction so that the pallet on the worktable is shifted to the empty shuttle table while the pallet on the other shuttle table is shifted onto the worktable. When the piston rod is subsequently retracted, both pallets remain in their shifted position.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for a tape cassette includes: a rotary table having at least one pair of hub chucks for demountably holding a pair of hubs supplied to the rotary table; a mechanism for clamping an initial end of a supplied tape to one of the hubs held by the hub chucks; a tape winding member for winding a predetermined length of the supplied tape onto the one hub; a cutting member for cutting the trailing side of the wound tape on the one hub; another mechanism for clamping the terminal end of the cut tape to the other of the hubs; and an assembling mechanism for transporting the hubs to which the ends of the tape are clamped and on which the tape is wound, to a position adjacent to a mounted cassette half, demounting the hubs from the hub chucks and assembling the hubs into the mounted cassette half.

Abstract: A machine tool comprising one or plural storage magazines which are mounted along the vertical direction rotatably around a vertical axis on an upstanding support frame structure at a side of working station. Each of the magazines stores at the periphery thereof a plurality of spindle heads, workpiece supporting jigs or tool supporting heads which are alternatively set one by one to a set position at the working station for operation on workpieces. Alternative setting of such heads or jigs is achieved by a selective rotation of each magazine and by a selective lifting and lowering of the head or jig between the set position and a store position just above such set position. Floor space required for storing and exchanging the heads or jigs is largely saved. A particular exchanging device for exchanging heads or jigs stored by the magazines for another heads or jigs is provided which greatly enlarges processings possibly carried out at the working station.

Abstract: Workpiece blanks to be machined are transported on a conveyor past a bank of machine tools operating in parallel, each blank resting on an individual carriage which is slippably entrained by the conveyor so as to be arrestable at a stop in line with a machine tool by an escapement-type rocker in response to a signal from a sensing switch detecting the presence of such a blank on an arriving carriage. A gantry-type manipulator picks up the blank and delivers it to the associated machine tool while removing therefrom a workpiece already machined and depositing it on the waiting carriage in a position laterally offset from the one previously occupied by the blank. Another sensing switch at each stop, upon detecting the presence of a workpiece already machined on a carriage, lets that carriage continue on its way without actuation of the corresponding manipulator.

Abstract: A machine tool has a worktable slidably mounted on a bed for movement along a horizontal X axis opposite a spindle which is journalled for rotation about a horizontal Z axis perpendicular to the X axis, the spindle being slidably mounted on the bed for movement along the Z axis toward and away from the worktable and for movement along a vertical Y axis perpendicular to both the X and Z axes. A workpiece storage support is rotatably mounted on a frame adjacent to the worktable on the side thereof opposite the spindle. The worktable and workpiece storage support have guideways thereon for slidably receiving a pallet carrying a workpiece, the guideways being positioned so that they can be aligned to permit a pallet to be slid from the workpiece storage support to the worktable and vice versa along the Z axis. A pallet transfer bar is provided which is dimensioned on one end to fit in the spindle and is dimensioned on the other end to engage a pallet.

Abstract: Apparatus for placing a sheath on a vertically oriented elongated member, the sheath having an open end for receiving the elongated member, comprises an upright magazine for containing a stacked plurality of the sheaths with the openings thereof oriented downwardly, a downwardly extending passage having an upper end communicating with the magazine and a lower end having a discharge opening arranged on a vertical axis with which the elongated member is to be aligned for being received in a respective said sheath discharged from the discharge opening onto the elongated member, a first gate defining the boundary between the magazine and the passage and for blocking transit of the sheath from the magazine into the passage and a second gate below the first gate a distance about equal to the length of a respective said sheath for blocking transit of the sheaths to the discharge opening of the passage, whereby the sheaths may be individually discharged by gravity onto respective said elongated members consecutively

Abstract: A battery casing salvage machine comprising a plurality of discrete stations disposed in operative communication by a conveyor means to sequentially remove the original cover from the enclosed battery case and rebuild the battery case and battery cell partitions. The plurality of discrete stations includes a first station comprising a first cutting means including a saw cutting means to remove at least a portion of the original battery cover and the upper portion of the original battery case, a second station comprising a second cutting means including a bevel cutting means to remove the remaining portion of the original battery cover, and a third station comprising a third cutting means including at least one drill means to undercut the battery cell partitions where the cell connectors are fused together. The battery casing salvage machine further includes an automatic feed means disposed in operative relationship to the first station to continuously feed battery casings thereto.

Abstract: A rotary turret numerically controlled punch press is provided with a discharge station at 90.degree. from a punching station. A part is clamped in the turret, separated from a larger workpiece and then rotated with the turret to the discharge station. A transfer arm is slaved to the NC punch press and engages the part at an exact attitude and position relative to a reference point on the part and transfers the part to a rotary chuck. The part is placed in the chuck at an exact attitude and with the reference point at the axis of rotation of the chuck.Four rotary chucks are provided on a rotary turret contouring apparatus. The turret is rotated 90.degree. to position the part at a cutting station.A band saw is provided with rotary guides for changing the angle of the saw. While the part is rotated and linearly translated toward and away from the saw by the contouring apparatus, the saw cuts a peripheral shape on the path with the blade changing its angular attitude where necessary.

Abstract: A control system for machinery and plants generally, particularly for the applications to machine tools or welding machines for large mass production comprising a centralized unit pre-disposed for the general control of a unit of mechanical groups or machining stations; the connections between said central unit and the single mechanic groups or machining stations being embodied through local control units comprising control units for power services and a personalized logic standard unit with a programming device pre-disposed for a pre-selected sequence of stages on said single mechanical group or machining station; said logic unit comprising a step-by-step programmer operatively associated with said single machine or machining station in order to embody a sequence of operations as prefixed by means of said programming device.

Abstract: An automatic article working system particularly suitable for limited production of a variety of articles. The system comprises a plurality of pallets for loading articles to be worked, each of the pallets being used as a member for conveying the articles to be worked between machine, tools, pallet conveyor means, pallet storing means located on both sides of the pallet conveyor means, and pallet transfer means adapted to move a pallet in and out of the pallet storing means. A plurality of machine tools are adapted to work the articles, and manipulators are provided to convey the articles to be worked from a pallet which has been removed from the storage means to the machine tools and to return worked articles back to the pallet. A computer is operatively connected to all of the means to effect control thereof.

Abstract: A machining center having an endless track with movable tool heads, and one or more machining stations at which the tool heads may be successively stopped. Each station has means for driving the tool head and a workpiece saddle which may be advanced during the machining operation. The arrangement has high flexibility for automatically machining different types of workpieces and may be adapted to varying production requirements without unnecessary equipment.

Abstract: A computer controlled manufacturing system employing random access semiconductor wafer storage in the fabrication of integrated circuit devices.A computer controlled manufacturing system for fabricating semiconductor wafers into large scale integrated circuit devices and wherein each semiconductor wafer has scored, or recorded thereon, distinct identifying indicia, such as a machine readable serial number. A plurality of concurrently operable semiconductor wafer processing stations are independently computer controlled. Each of the stations performing at least one discrete fabrication step.

Abstract: A machine tool having relatively rotatable elements joined by a toothed coupling.

Abstract: A machine tool is provided with a traversing work table that has a mounting plate supported for vertical reciprocation and rotary indexing movement. A pallet is supported on the mounting plate and releasably locked to it by a bayonet connection with a clamp ring which is selectively rotatable in the mounting plate; and the pallet also has an annular toothed coupling meshed with a segmented annular toothed coupling in the base. Rotary indexing is permitted by elevating the mounting plate only enough to unmesh the toothed coupling. Elevating the mounting plate to a higher level releases the clamp ring from the mounting plate, and at that level the operation of a pallet changer rotates the clamp ring to release the pallet for removal from the mounting plate. Further, a rotatable cover has flanges that are normally between the segments of the toothed coupling on the base, and the cover rotates simultaneously with the clamp ring so the flanges overlie the toothed coupling segments during pallet changing.

Abstract: A rotary turret, numerically controlled punch press is provided with a discharge station at 90.degree. from a punching station. A part is clamped in the turret, separated from a larger workpiece and then rotated with the turret to the discharge station. A transfer arm having a part clamping mechanism is slaved to the NC punch press, engages the part at an exact attitude and position relative to a reference point on the part and transfers the part to a rotary chuck or part holder. The part is placed in the chuck at an exact attitude and with the reference point at the axis of rotation of the chuck.

Abstract: Machine tool apparatus for handling routine pallets and priority pallets with loading and unloading stations comprising a plurality of machine tools for performing machining operations on a workpiece mounted on a pallet; main conveyer means for carrying a pallet in one direction, buffer conveyer means for storing a pallet to be loaded onto a machine tool; return conveyer means for returning a pallet to an unloading station; pallet transfer means for moving a pallet among the conveyer means, stations and machine tools; and central control means for controlling the machine tools and the conveyer means; the pallet transfer means being responsive to the central control means for carrying a priority pallet from the main conveyer means to one of the machine tools and being responsive to the central control means for moving a routine pallet from main conveyer means to the buffer conveyer means and from the buffer conveyer means to one of the machine tools only when the machine tool on which the routine pallet is to

Abstract: A manufacturing system utilizing a plurality of satellite functional processing stations or sectors, each capable of stand-alone operation. The stations are interconnected by a handler or conveyor, which will transport individual ones of work-pieces from one processing station to the next in accordance with a prescribed sequence corresponding to the processing requirements for the workpiece.