Abstract: A machine for fastening rail plates to cross-ties, utilizing spikes or the like, and method therefore, is disclosed in the present invention. The preferred apparatus of the present invention teaches a system wherein there is provided a conveyor for conveying a plurality of laterally arranged, aligned ties, a loader for loading a single tie upon a template conveyer, and a positioner for positioning a tie at each station during the pre-plating process. The present invention further includes a template system for securing the cross-tie or tie in place, feeding and positioning the rail-plate in place, feeding, dispensing, and positioning the spikes in place, driving the spikes, and discharging the processed tie, the template system utilizing as a principle motive force the displacement of the template reciprocating drive piston for positioning the template, as well as dispensing the plates.

Abstract: A pair of hinges are positioned on an automotive body for fastening purposes, using a manual fixture that includes spaced pegs for locating the fixture in a desired position on the body. Three or more clamps on the fixture are controlled to clamp the fixture to the auto body automatically after the fixture has been manipulated to a desired position. Proximity switches operate the clamps at the proper time in the cycle.

Abstract: A pair of hinges can be positioned on an automotive body for assembly fastening purposes, using a manual fixture that includes spaced pegs for locating the fixture in a desired position on the body. Three or more clamps on the fixture can be controlled to automatically clamp the fixture to the auto body after the fixture has been manipulated to a desired position. The process of aligning the spaced pegs with locator holes on the auto body is facilitated by a stabilization pin carried by the fixture. The stabilization pin and the two pegs provide a stable three point support for the fixture while the fixture is being manipulated to align the pegs with the locator holes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing laminated parts from a plurality of laminas, in which the laminas for forming the laminated parts are blanked from strip stock material. The laminas and are then cut and stacked to form the laminated part. The apparatus includes a measuring device placed with the die element of the press, for accurately measuring the thickness of successive sections of the strip stock. A controller, such as a computer or a programmable logic controller, receives the thickness value of the strip stock sections from the measuring device. Means are also included which is activated by the controller to provide a compensation adjustment at selected locations upon the strip stock sections to counteract the measured thickness variations, and to control the stack height.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for automatically pressure fitting parts. In the apparatus, a work with part fitting holes is set on a work bench, and parts are fed to a predetermined position while being heated. The work bench is moved in an X- and a Y-direction to bring a part fitting hole of the work to a position underneath the predetermined position. A holder is then lowered, then is caused to take hold of the part at the predetermined position and pressure fit the part in the part fitting hole of the work held below, and then is pulled upward out of the part having been pressure fitted and secured in the position in the part fitting hole. Parts may be fed while being vibrated with an ultrasonic wave instead of being heated, and then may each be pressure fitted while being vibrated in a part fitting hole of the work, followed by pulling the holder upward out of the part having been pressure fitted and secured in the position in the part fitting hole.

Abstract: A control system for an assembly tool includes sensors which monitor the status of the tool at each step of operation and a controller receives signals from the sensors to ensure proper status in any given step. The tool includes a collar transfer device which receives a fastener collar from a remote collar sending unit and transfers the collar to a collar-swaging assembly which moves the collar to a cooperating fastener pin and swages the collar onto the pin. The sensors of the system monitor the position of the collar transfer device, the presence or absence of a collar in the collar transfer device, the position of the swaging assembly, the presence or absence of a collar in the swaging assembly, and the presence or absence of a fastener pin of proper length in a position to be engaged by the collar.

Abstract: An electronic device mounting apparatus prevents an error at the setup time prior to startup of the apparatus and enables mounting of proper electronic devices without a mistake. A cartridge and a lane of a cartridge mounting rack have a cartridge side connector (upper electrode portion, connection plug, lower electrode portion) and a lane side connector (fixed plug) which are electrically connected when the cartridge is installed on the lane. An error detecting circuit is formed by employing these connectors as part thereof. The error detecting circuit determines whether or not the installation position of the cartridge is appropriate depending on the conductive state or non-conductive state from a power supply to a warning buzzer when the connectors are connected.

Abstract: A spoke inserting apparatus for inserting spokes into a hub of a wheel of a bicycle. The operation for adjusting a position, a direction and the like of driving apparatuses, photo-sensors and spoke entanglement preventive apparatuses constituting the spoke inserting apparatus is facilitated.

Abstract: A rod constituting a suspending rod is automatically connected or detached, and a rod is easily conveyed between a position where the rod is delivered to rod attaching/detaching means and a position where the rod is contained. A plurality of jacks are operated in synchronism. In the upper part of a boiler-side steel structure (58) is provided a boiler jack (60) for moving a boiler module (56) up and down via a suspending rod (52). Above the boiler jack is provided a device (68) for automatically attaching/detaching a rod. The device (68) is movable horizontally. The rod attaching/detaching device (68) grips a rod (52S) at the end of the suspending rod pushed up by the boiler jack, rotates it to remove, and transfer it to a rod conveyor device (70). Upon receiving the rod from the rod attaching/detaching device, the rod conveyor device conveys it ro a rod container (54) provided on a working floor (42).

Abstract: To manufacture a film unit, a filmstrip is advanced out of a cartridge shell by rotating a spool of the cartridge shell through a spool drive shaft. The spool drive shaft stops when the filmstrip is advanced a predetermined length out of the cartridge shell. A rotational position of the spool at the stop of the spool drive shaft is detected based on a rotational position of the spool drive shaft. The cartridge shell is disengaged from the spool drive shaft while the rotational position of the spool and the advanced length of the filmstrip are maintained unchanged. The spool of the cartridge shell is engaged with a film supply shaft, after adjusting a rotational position of the film supply shaft to the rotational position of the spool, while the leading end of the filmstrip is secured to a winding shaft. The filmstrip is wound into a roll by rotating the winding shaft.

Abstract: An inserting device for automated assembling of cone half-bits on the stem of a valve of an internal combustion engine, has an inner chamber at one end which is isolated from outside due to the engagement of the inserting device on the end of the valve when this device carries out the assembling of the cone half-bits. Immediately after assembling, pressurized air is introduced into this chamber and a check is carried out on whether there are any pressure losses in this chamber caused by air leakages due to improper assembling of the cone half-bits.

Abstract: Two riveting-set assemblies (14) are each mounted on a carrier device (4, 5) which may be an effector mounted on a robot arm (A, B), on each side of the workpieces (2, 3) to be joined by riveting. Each carrier device is provided with driving means which comprise an electric motor (21), preferably a brushless motor, which drives the riveting-set assembly translationally, for example via ball screws (18, 19). Control means (25) are designed to actuate the two motors (21) in such a manner that the riveting sets (14) encounter the rivet (1) with a time delay and/or a kinetic energy difference which are chosen in order to form the rivet in the desired manner, avoiding, at the workpieces to be joined, undesirable movements or stresses.

Abstract: A computer keyboard assembling apparatus includes a holding plate, a support plate and a pushing mechanism all mounted on a work table. The holding plate is movable relative to the support plate to hold the a metal plate and an insulation pad that are received within a keyboard support tray positioned on the support plate in position. The movement of the holding plate also triggers a micro-switch to actuate the pushing mechanism to apply a force to the metal plate through a side opening formed on the keyboard support tray so as to horizontally move the metal plate relative to the insulation pad to have engaging members thereof engaging and secured to each other.

Abstract: A filament applicator includes a frame which defines a machine axis through which an elongate element may be guided at an application station at which filaments are to be applied to or introduce into the elongate element, such as an optical cable. A plurality of chambers are provided, each of which defines a chamber axis substantially parallel to the machine axis and mounted on the frame for rotation about the machine axis. Each chamber is substantially closed and has a panel at an axial end of the chamber which is movable between an open position for inserting and removing a wound package of filament material within the chamber and closed position for substantially sealing the chamber and preventing air turbulence within the chamber upon rotation about the machine axis. Each panel has an opening therein through which the filament material can be removed from the wound package.

Abstract: In a workpiece assembling apparatus for assembling a torque converter to a transmission, a moving table and an inserting table are supported so as to approach and leave the transmission positioned. A suction pad for holding the torque converter is provided rotatably by a rotating shaft on the inserting table. The rotating shaft is rotated by a driving rotary unit to rotate the torque converter attracted and held by the suction pad to center it. Then, the torque converter is brought together with the inserting table close to the transmission, and pressed against it. Simultaneously, the torque converter is rotated about the axis of fitting. If the torque converter and the transmission are not fitted together, the torque converter is caused to reciprocate back and forth by the pusher cylinder 57 so that they will be fitted together.

Abstract: A synchronizer for a gear change box comprising a hub, a sleeve axially slidable on the hub and a cone clutch comprising an inner friction ring axially coupled to the hub, an outer synchronizing ring axially displaceable relative to the inner friction ring by the sleeve, and a double bevel ring disposed between the synchronizing rings, freely rotatable relative to the hub and frictionally gripped between the rings when the cone clutch is engaged, is assembled by a device comprising mounting stops for the outer synchronizing ring, the mounting stops being axially fixed with respect to the hub and distributed over the periphery thereof, a mounting stamp for axially loading the inner friction ring, means for axially loading the mounting stamp, means for controlling the loading means, and a load-sensing means for sensing the axial bias of the cone clutch, the load-sensing means being arranged between the outer synchronizing ring and at least one of the mounting stops, and the controlling means being responsive to

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic door flusher which uses one floating urethane flushing block, at least two tractor elements for urging the flushing block toward the body and urging the door toward the floating flushing block. The tractor elements can be pneumatic suction cups.

Abstract: The head of a pick and place system for removing IC parts from a tray and inserting them into a burn-in board (BIB) includes one or more sensors which detect light reflected from a part picked up from a tray and outputs a signal which can be analyzed to determine if the part is improperly seated in the head (misprecised) or improperly inserted into the socket of a BIB (misinserted).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically inserting valve stems of varying sizes into wheels of various sizes in which the appropriate valve stem size is selected by analyzing images of the wheel detected by a camera. The camera is used to determine the diameter, width, and color or contrast of the wheel as well as to determine when a valve stem opening in the wheel is in a proper position for insertion of a valve stem.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electronic parts mounting method in which it is possible to avoid a pick-up mistake for electronic parts (chips) in simultaneously picking up the chips respectively stored in juxtaposed parts feeders by a plurality of nozzles provided to a transfer head. Nozzle position data of first, second and third nozzles 9a, 9b and 9c are beforehand obtained by a first camera, and pick-up positions of the chips in parts feeders 4 are obtained by a second camera. After picking up respectively the chips in the parts feeders 4 by the nozzles 9a to 9c it is judged whether or not there would be caused the pick-up mistake. When it is judged there is caused no pick-up mistake, a transfer head is moved to a position above a board and each of the chips is mounted to the board.

Abstract: To align an aperture (16) in a nut (12) with a hole (18) in a threaded stud (14), the nut (12) is rotated on the stud (14) to move the aperture (16) over the hole (18). Light is projected into the aperture (16) as the aperture (16) approaches the hole (18). The light is sensed when it projects from the aperture (16) through the hole (18) upon movement of the aperture (16) into alignment with the hole (18). Rotation of the nut (12) is stopped in response to sensing of the light.

Abstract: An armature shaft having an eccentric cam body extending from one end thereof is gripped by an adjustable collet mechanism and rotated by a drive motor, preferably a stepping motor, having an output shaft movable in discrete increments. This rotation continues until an imaginary reference point on the periphery of the cam body reaches first and second angular positions. The preferred reference point is the point on the periphery of the end face of the cam body that is farthest from the axis of rotation of the armature shaft. The number of steps necessary to rotate the armature shaft so that the reference point is moved from the first angular position to the second angular position is determined as the armature shaft is rotated and used to determine the position of the reference point relative to a centerline between the first and second angular positions.

Abstract: The present invention is a tool for inserting an evaporator orifice tube check valve into an evaporator orifice tube. The tool uses a press pin comprising a pneumatically activated cylinder which forces the evaporator orifice tube check valve into the evaporator orifice tube a predetermined distance. The tool also includes a reciprocating cylinder which locates the valve to a proper seating depth, a signal generator which notifies the operator if the valve in a particular evaporator is not seated properly, and a marking device which creates a label on the evaporator orifice tube only if the evaporator orifice tube check valve is at the predetermined desired location.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for setting a door glass of a vehicle door to a vehicle body includes a frame for attachment to an inner panel of a vehicle door, at least one slide assembly to engage a vehicle body and to move a door glass of the vehicle door, and at least one locator on the slide assembly to locate and set the door glass relative to the vehicle body.

Abstract: An improved machine for applying surgical implements to handles comprising a fluent actuated power cylinder with a moveable rod having a distal end. A handle holder is secured to the distal end. The handle holder has a handle cavity therein for holding a surgical implement handle. The handle has an implement stud opening extending axially of the machine. An implement holder having a tool cavity therein for holding a surgical implement with a handle stud facing the stud opening on the machine axis is provided.

Abstract: A computer controlled assembly line (10) contains multiple work cells (40) for assembling a printed circuit board (PCB). Each work cell contains a conveyor (30) that can independently adjust its width, and the work cells are arranged to process the printed circuit board within the cell. The work cells are arranged so that they can pass the printed circuit board from the conveyor in one work cell to the conveyor in the next cell. The conveyors have two parallel rails (35, 36) situated so that the distance between the rails can be automatically adjusted to accommodate printed circuit boards of varying widths on the same assembly line at the same time. Each work cell independently adjusts the width of its conveyor (i.e. the distance between the rails) to accommodate the incoming printed circuit board.

Abstract: A cassette (110), to be loaded with a photo film strip, has a photo film passageway (119) through which a leader (123) of the photo film strip (23, 111) is drawn out of a cassette shell. On a spool (112) is retained a trailer (124) of the photo film strip. A loader apparatus has a light-tight dark compartment (147). A rotary barrel (163) is rotatable, and partially fitted in an opening formed in a downstream wall of the dark compartment. Two cassette holders (164, 165) are disposed on the barrel and in respective positions opposite about a rotational axis (163a) of the barrel, and hold the cassette removably. The barrel is rotated to move the cassette holders into and out of the dark compartment. The cassette is supplied to one of the cassette holders located outside the dark compartment. The trailer of the photo film strip is passed into the photo film passageway in the cassette in one of the cassette holders located inside the dark compartment.

Abstract: A method to automatically align the internal splines (20) of a torque converter (16) to mating external splines (18) of a transmission subassembly (14) during the assembly of the torque converter (16) to the transmission subassembly (14). The apparatus includes a robotic end effector assembly (26) coupled to an arm (22) of a robot (24). The end effector assembly (26) includes a compliance mechanism (51) and a distance sensor (48) that provide for compliance to allow the splines to align and detect if the splines are not properly mating. The end effector assembly (26) also includes an oscillator assembly (69) that is activated to cause non-aligned splines to become aligned during the automated assembly process.

Abstract: There is provided a plurality of component mounting apparatuses for sucking a plurality of components by a mounting head section and successively mounting the components onto a board located at a board positioning section. The component mounting apparatuses are arranged in parallel to one another, and a board transfer path is provided so that it penetrates the component mounting apparatuses. Even when the number of components to be mounted onto the board increases, the components are mounted on the component supply tables of the component mounting apparatuses as distributed thereto, and therefore, the whole apparatus is not dimensionally increased. The component supply tables are fixedly installed so as to become free of vibration, and the mounting head section executes the suction and the mounting of the plurality of components. Therefore, the component mounting operation speed can be remarkably increased.

Abstract: An apparatus for expanding the tubes in a heat exchanger of the plate fin and tube type. The expander is of the type that expands the tubes by driving a "bullet" through the tube with the bullet being attached to and driven by an expander or bullet rod. The apparatus has a sensor positioned so as to be able to measure the compressive force on the expander rod. The output of the sensor is proportional to the force exerted on the rod and can be used to provide an alarm or safety shutdown of the apparatus upon the sensing of excessive force on the expander rod. The sensor output can also be used for quality and process control.

Abstract: Provided is an automatic tire valve insertion apparatus for tubeless tire, in which a tire valve can be smoothly inserted into a valve hole of a wheel without entailing damage to the tire valve, wheel, push rod, etc. even though the position of the valve hole varies in the radial and width directions of the wheel. In the tire valve insertion apparatus, the valve hole of the wheel being rotated is detected, the wheel is stopped at a predetermined position by braking, and the tire valve is inserted into the valve hole by means of the push rod of a valve press-fitting device. A light emitting element for emitting a detection light to be transmitted through the valve hole and a light sensing element for receiving the detection light are arranged facing each other across the rotating wheel. The light emitting and sensing ranges of these elements are elongated in a direction perpendicular to a circular path of movement of the valve hole.

Abstract: A pipelined system for removing the contents of sealed coin-collection boxes, wherein each box requires a set of different operations to be performed in seriatim to remove the box contents. The operations include removing a seal, opening a box lid, removing the box contents, resetting the lid and resealing the box. The pipelined system comprises a rotary surface for supporting a plurality of the boxes at spaced locations. Stationary surfaces mount a plurality of box-processing units, including pneumatic actuators and processing tools, at spaced stations to form a pipeline. The processing units each perform a different one of the processing operations during each processing cycle. A motor assembly pivots the rotary surface for stepwise positioning the boxes at different ones of the stations. A control system, including computer and pneumatic systems, causes the box-processing units to perform the different processing operations simultaneously on all boxes in the pipeline.

Abstract: A method to automatically align internal splines (20) of a torque converter (16) to mating external splines (18) of a transmission subassembly (14) during the assembly of the torque converter (16) to the transmission subassembly (14). The apparatus includes a robotic end effector assembly (26) coupled to an arm (22) of a robot (24). The end effector assembly (26) includes a counterbalance mechanism, such as spring assemblies (62) and a position sensor (64) that provide for a reduced effective weight of the torque converter (10) to allow the splines to align and detect if the splines are not properly aligned. Upon sensing non-engagement, robot (24) lifts, rotates and lowers the torque converter (16) until the position sensor (64) detects alignment of the mating splines.

Abstract: A device for positioning two threaded pipes being threaded together within a target range of relative axial positions, which device generally includes a sensor base, and a calibrating device for positioning the sensor base a calibrated distance from the end of one of the pipes. The device further includes a sensor head extending from the sensor base, for abutting the end of the second threaded pipe during the threading of the pipes together, to indicate a relative axial position of the pipes. The device even further includes a signal generator that generates a signal once the sensor head indicates the relative axial position of the pipes are within the target range of relative axial positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically opening interdigitated tab fingers formed on a hang strip provides a base onto which an indexing station, a cutting station and an article attachment station are disposed. A supply of hang strip material is provided and is mounted to the base and is fed through the indexing station and across the cutting station and is guided through to an item attachment end of the base. At the item attachment end the otherwise interdigitated tab fingers are open and the item to be hung is placed onto the upwardly extended one(s) of the finger tabs and are caused to be closed upon themselves upon the continued advancement of the material through the attachment end of the base.

Abstract: A mounting device for mounting a harness applicator, such as a clip or a protector, to a wire harness positioned on a common base plate. A limit-switch for sensing the presence of the clip is incorporated in the mounting device. The limit-switch produces a completion signal when the clip is mounted on the harness W. An informing unit lights the lamp for informing a completion of the mounting in response to the completion signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for positioning a wing panel or other member for riveting or conducting other operations thereon. The member is loaded at floor level on a plurality of hydraulic cylinders spaced over the length thereof and raised to a position for conducting the operations thereon. The hydraulic fluid flow to and from the hydraulic cylinders is controlled to synchronize the movements of the cylinder piston rods so that each of the piston rods bears its share of the load throughout raising and lowering of the member. The cylinders are also individually operated to accommodate passage of riveting machine heads or other tooling relative to the member.

Abstract: Elongated thin strip stock is blanked to form interlocking laminas for electric motor or generator rotors or stators at successive blanking stations. At a final assembly station the laminas are stacked and pressed into interlocking relationship. In response to an operator input a predetermined number of reversals, or half turns about the stack axis of the previously stacked lamina are provided in order to compensate for nonuniform strip thickness to obtain a rotor or stator of substantially uniform height. Alternatively the thickness of the strip stock is gauged at transversely spaced points on the strip to determine cross feed thickness variation in the strip whereupon the stacked laminas are automatically provided with a number of reversals about the stack axis in response to a thickness differential that would result in a parallelism error in the stack that exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An assembly line includes a printing device for printing solder on a land of a circuit board, a mounting device for mounting an electric component at a predetermined position of the solder, and a soldering device for soldering the land to a terminal of the component. A monitored items detecting device detects predetermined to be monitored items of the board and equipment used in the printing, mounting, or soldering devices, and a control device analyzes a condition of the equipment and quality of the board with reference to warning criterion which do not exceed failure criterion, and then dynamically controls the various devices accordingly.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a hybrid integrated circuit by mounting an IC and a chip component on a circuit substrate. The system comprises a bar code reader for reading the characteristic data of each IC shown previously thereon to indicate the characteristic thereof, and a selector for selecting an optimal chip component in accordance with the read characteristic of the IC, thereby achieving manufacture of a satisfactory hybrid integrated circuit having predetermined performance.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically mounting electronic parts in which chip-like electronic parts supplied from a parts feeding device are mounted at predetermined positions on a printed substrate. For efficiently and accurately carrying out parts mounting operation by detecting the picked-up state of the electronic parts, the lower end position of the electronic part being held by a holding nozzle is identified at a plurality of points by a lower end position detecting section, while the lower end position memory section stores the detected lower end position. A selecting section selects the lowest end position among the lower end positions detected by the lower end position detecting section, and compares the obtained lowest end position data to data stored in the data memory section including lowest end position data for each sort of electronic part, and a judging section judges if the held state of the electronic part is normal or abnormal.

Abstract: In an automatic fastening machine 10 including a frame 12 for operating a workpiece 16 along a work centerline and having a drilling tool for drilling a hole in the workpiece, a bucking ram 26, and a milling tool 30 having a hole inspection assembly 22 mounted on the upper ram 88 thereof. The hole inspection assembly includes a hole probe assembly 24 that is movable axially along the work centerline to insert a probe member 25 into a position inside the hole in the workpiece. The probe is provided with a plurality of capacitor plates 25B that measure the peripheral extent of the hole to insure that the hole is drilled within a tolerance range and is also properly positioned on the workpiece before a fastener is inserted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a guiding method and device for the automatic introduction of a male piece into a female piece. The pieces are of general cylindrical or prismatic shape of given axis and are mounted on supports permitting their displacement with respect to each other according to three orthonormal axes of translation, one of which is parallel to axis and constitutes the introduction axis. The male piece is mounted so as to be flexible in rotation about two other axes with respect to its support and the device comprises a guide for guiding in relative movement and along a plane perpendicular to the introduction axis above the socket of the female piece, so as to cover part of the opening thereof, and when the male piece is brought into abutment against said guide, the piece is inclined of a predetermined angle.

Abstract: An automatic assembling apparatus automatically assembles such parts as an engine and a suspension to each work such as a car body conveyed by a conveyor. The system includes a parts truck and a screwing truck. The parts truck can be moved parallel to the conveying path of the conveyor and includes a coupling mechanism for coupling it to the conveyor and an approach truck for approaching the work while carrying the parts. The system further includes a screwing truck which can be moved parallel to the conveying path of the conveyor and includes a coupling mechanism for coupling it to the conveyor and a screwing mechanism for effecting screwing by approaching the work. The parts truck and the screwing truck are coupled to the conveyor and are moved in synchronism with the work. The parts are positioned as the approach truck approaches, and the screwing is effected as the screwing mechanism approaches. The parts are assembled without stop of the work.

Abstract: A spool (10) including a core (12) and end disks (18, 24) retained by tabs (16, 22) is assembled by sliding each end disk over the core into proximity with its associated tabs, contacting the end disk with at least a single point tool (106; 228-252) and rotating the tool to snap the disks past the tabs one by one. A transducer assembly (142-160) measures axial force applied to the core to detect successful installation of each end disk.

Abstract: A system of assembling wheels is disclosed, which comprises a steering angle correcting and phase matching unit for correcting the steering angle and also matching the phase of a hub of a car body suspended by a hanger being conveyed while being moved in synchronism with the car body and a wheel setting and hub nut tightening unit or setting a wheel on the phase-matched hub and tightening a nut thereon while being moved in synchronism with the car body. The horizontal distance between the steering angle correcting and phase matching unit and the wheel setting and hub nut tightening unit, is set to a distance such that when the wheel setting and hub nut tightening unit assembles a wheel onto the hub, the steering angle correcting and phase matching unit can correct steering angle and match the phase of the hub on which the next wheel is to be set.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a tooling jig system, which includes an alignment frame having plural fiducial fastening devices at spaced locations thereon and a conveyor guide extending along a length of the alignment frame a magazine adjacent the alignment frame, including a magazine conveyor guide in alignment with the conveyor guide of the alignment frame, a conveyor frame including guide apparatus for confining movement of the conveyor frame along a line of travel coincident with the conveyor guides of the magazine and alignment frames during travel of the conveyor frame from the magazine to the alignment frame, plural fiducial fastening devices at spaced locations on the conveyor frame, and apparatus for moving the conveyor frame from a starting location in the magazine to an end-of-travel location in the alignment frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for removing a stopper from a material holding container. A container holder is provided for immovably holding a stopper-fitted material holding container in place. While the material holding container is held by the container holder, the fitted stopper is grasped by claw members. The grasping claw members are driven by a linear drive source and swinging motion drive source. The fitted stopper is removed from the material holding container, while applying a pull-up force and twist force to the fitted stopper.

Abstract: A remote clamp connector will connect and disconnect hubs of abutting pipes. The connector has a clamp with segments which will pivot outward and inward for engaging external flanges of the hubs of the pipes. A remotely actuated drive member moves the clamp between closed and open positions. A carriage supports the clamp. The carriage is retractable along the pipe after the hub has moved to the open position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an impact wrench and a bolt-tightening method such that a spring force is applied, through the circumference of a spindle coupled with the output shaft of an electric motor, in the forward direction to a hammer which is capable of forward and rearward movement and rotational motion following the spindle. The hammer and an impact shaft are brought in coaxial mesh alignment by leaving a gap between them in the direction of rotation so that when a bolt to be tightened is inserted into a socket fixed to an end of the impact shaft to permit the bolt to be tightened, the mesh contact with the impact shaft is released as a result of the hammer being lifted up in the rearward direction against the reaction force due to the tightening of the bolt. An impact sensor detects release of the hammer from the impact shaft and an angle sensor measures the angle of rotation of the impact shaft.