Abstract: A method and apparatus are for use in the manufacture of self-sealing reinforcement tie rods for reinforcing HVAC ducts, of the type including an elongated threaded rod having fastened inwardly of each end thereof an abutment structure comprising an elongated hollow tubular body having a bore therethrough for coaxially receiving the rod, the tubular body having a longitudinally inwardly located tubular crown portion for attachment to the rod, and a longitudinally outwardly located, radial outwardly protruding annular flange portion for abutting and bracing a duct wall. The apparatus includes a work plate having in the upper surface thereof a slot having a lower wall which slopes downwardly and radially inwardly towards the center of the work plate, on which are positioned a single file line of abutment structures, flange down.

Abstract: A feed head has a delivery path along which nuts are fed to a pressing station in the feed head, the pressing station having a pressing die which is reciprocated transversely to the delivery path under the action of a press to fasten a nut to a sheet metal member. A cam is provided to reciprocate the pressing die manually to facilitate clearance of blockages in the feed head, and also to hold the pressing die in its lowered position to allow operation of the press without operating the die. A sensor for detecting nuts at the pressing station is positioned on the end of the delivery path, enabling a narrower feed head design. A electrical coupling and nut delivery tube are integrated to facilitate connection in confined spaces.

Abstract: A control system and method for automatic fastening machines wherein a multi-axes motion controller is utilized in place of the conventional PLC or CNC control to provide for virtually an immediate change in system response when the systems feedback devices indicate the need for variance. The major advantage of the process control approach of the present invention is that all system feedback information is controlled via a single on board processor thus eliminating any communication lag associated with multi controller applications. This also provides for an improvement in fastener installation cycle time. An additional advantage to the approach of the present invention is the elimination of many mechanical hard stops and their respective electrical position switch indicators, which in turn reduces the chance for machine breakdowns resulting in a greater increase in productivity.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling seatbelt webbing with a sill-end bracket has a form-feeding member with a tapered channel for receiving one end of a length of seatbelt webbing on an assembly line. A webbing pull-through member engages one end of the webbing. A bracket sensor senses the presence of a bracket at a correct position in the bracket support. Means responsive to a signal from a sensor may be provided for indicating the correct positioning of the sill-end bracket for feeding the pull-through member through the sill-end bracket. Means for driving the webbing into the tapered channel are provided so that said one end is located at a predetermined position relative to the form-feeding member. A method of manual or automatic assembling seatbelt webbing with a sill-end bracket is also disclosed.

Abstract: The system includes means for moving a rivet or a collar from a storage bin to an initial position for the respective gripping assemblies. The presence of the rivet and/or collar is recognized as it moves through a feeding mechanism. After the rivet or collar is gripped, they are moved either into an opening in the workpiece, in the case of a rivet, or onto the tail of a lockbolt, in the case of a collar. The gripping assembly is then released from the rivet or the collar, with the gripping means moving back to an initial position. Further operations can then be carried out on the rivet or collar.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus and a method for mechanically joining metal sheets, profiles and/or multi-sheet joints lying on top of each other, wherein joining tools are moved by power means towards the parts to be joined and a joint is made between the parts to be joined by the force effect of the joining tools. To make the joining tools easier to handle and widen the range of application for joints, it is proposed to reduce the reaction forces of the joining process by the fact that one joining tool applies the joining force to the joint at an exciting frequency which is above the characteristic frequency of the opposite joining tool, and the mounting of at least one joining tool is isolated from vibrations. The vibration isolation can also be arranged exclusively or in addition in the excited joining tool or the parts to be joined.

Abstract: A rivet setting tool is provided with a cycle control whereby a pressure switch or pressure transducer enables the electronic logic controller to monitor tool hydraulic pressure. When the pressure reaches a predetermined threshold and subsequently drops below a second threshold valve the controller deduces that a rivet has been set and removes pressure from the tool so that the tool can be immediately reset, thus reducing the tools cycle time. Upon determining that a rivet has been set, a mandrel collection window is set. The controller monitors whether a mandrel is returned to the mandrel collection system prior to the expiration of the timed window, and if not, the controller provides a fault signal to the operator. Multiple windows are utilized so that more than one mandrel can be in the return tube at one time without delaying operation of rivet setting system. The pressure sensors can also be utilized to confirm that a rivet has been loaded into the rivet setting tool without the use of a rivet sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for mechanically joining metal sheets, which lie flat one upon the other, by metal forming, having a tool set comprising at least one punch and one die which bounds a cavity in which the joining operation takes place, it being the case that at least one of these two tool parts can be driven via a driving force, produced by fluid supply, such that the punch displaces sheet-metal material out of a sheet-metal plane, and upsets it, under the action of deformation work, and the driveable tool part has a stop which is moved along with it and limits its penetration depth.

Abstract: A fastening system including a two piece swage type fastener including a pin and a collar in which the pin has relatively wide lock grooves and in which the lock grooves have a generally smooth root contour with the collar having a shank portion with a wall thickness defining an excess volume of material prior to swage greater than the volume of the confronting lock grooves and with the clearance between the inside diameter of the collar shank portion and the diameter of crests of the lock grooves being a minimum to reduce the compressive force required to swage the collar shank into the lock grooves and with the excess volume of collar shank material providing only a partial fill of the lock grooves upon swage.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for compliant positioning of an object during an assembly operation wherein the apparatus includes a base plate, a locator plate for mounting an object such as a clamp or a tool spaced from the base plate and a plurality of linear actuators connected between the base plate the locator plate by universal joints providing six degrees of freedom of movement. According to the apparatus and the method a control is connected to the actuators for selectively moving the locator plate to a predetermined position relative to the base plate for contacting a component to be assembled with an object mounted on the locator plate. Two or more of the actuators can be mechanically coupled to move the locator plate with less than six degrees of freedom. The control is responsive to a force applied to the locator plate through the object during assembly of the component for actuating the linear actuators to change the applied force.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus and a method for mechanically joining metal sheets, profiles and/or multi-sheet joints lying on top of each other, wherein joining tools are moved by power means towards the parts to be joined and a joint is made between the parts to be joined by the force effect of the joining tools. To make the joining tools easier to handle and widen the range of application for joints, it is proposed to reduce the reaction forces of the joining process by the fact that one joining tool applies the joining force to the joint at an exciting frequency which is above the characteristic frequency of the opposite joining tool, and the mounting of at least one joining tool is isolated from vibrations. The vibration isolation can also be arranged exclusively or in addition in the excited joining tool or the parts to be joined.

Abstract: An apparatus having a base for automatically opening interdigitated tab fingers formed on a hang strip. The base includes an item advancement station and an item attachment station is disposed at an edge of the base. A supply of hang strip material is provided at a base edge opposite the item attachment station. The hang strip supply is mounted to the base and is fed through the advancement station and across and through a tab retainer that maintains at least one of the interdigitated tab fingers open until the tab station is guided to the item attachment edge of the base. At the item attachment edge, perpendicular transversal of a corner or edge of the base causes one set of the interdigitated fingers to open, while at least one interdigitated tab finger opened at the item advancement station clears the back edge of the retainer.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for assembling a urgical needle (700) and a suture thread (110, 115), the device comprising an extractor device (300, 400, 500) for extracting one segment of suture thread (110, 115) from a bundle (100) of segments (110, 115) the extractor device (300, 400, 500) comprising means (322, 324, 400) suitable for displacing segments (110, 115) by air flowing transversely to the longitudinal direction of the bundle, a suction inlet (322, 324) suitable for being placed laterally relative to the bundle (100), and two sliding surfaces (310) suitable for guiding one segment (110, 115) to the suction orifice (322, 324) when the segments (110, 115) are displaced by the flow of air.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for minimizing undesirable gaps in riveted assemblies. The method includes the steps of selecting a rivet having a head and a tail with identical forming characteristics, positioning the selected rivet in an assembly that is countersunk on one of two sides, and applying a force over time to the head of the rivet and a force over time to the tail of the rivet that are equal and opposite, compensating for force unbalancing characteristics of the countersink.

Abstract: A machine includes a casing disposed in a housing for receiving one or more tubes and a number of fins engaged around the tubes. A frame is slidably received in the housing, and one or more rods are secured to the frame and moved to engage into and to expand the tubes to engage with the fins when the rods are moved toward the tubes. A bracket and a seat have one or more pipes slidably received in the barrels for slidably receiving the rods and for preventing the rods from being bent. The rods each includes a mold piece for further expanding the tubes.

Abstract: In order to fasten parts, such as cams, gear wheels, and discs, in a torsionally resistant manner on a hollow shaft, it is proposed to expand the shaft by pulling an expanding drift through the shaft after threading on the parts, which are provided with slight mating play, and consequently to establish at least frictional engagement between the shaft and the parts. A particularly secure connection can then be achieved when the bore of the parts is provided with a profiling into which the material of the shaft displaced by the expanding drift is pressed. Expansion of the shaft may be performed in stages by using an expanding drift having a staged increase in its effective diameter or successively using a plurality of expanding drifts of respectively larger effective diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided with a component feeding member for feeding electronic components having lead wires in a tape-bonded state, an insertion head for separating the electronic components fed from the feeding member from the tapes and inserting to holes of a board, and a fixing head facing the insertion head via the board for cutting and folding the lead wires of the inserted electronic component in the board thereby fixing the electronic component to the board. AC servo motors operating independently of each other are individually set in the insertion head and the fixing head, which are controlled by a device so as to be synchronous with each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fastening assembly system for applying fasteners along the seams of a cylindrical structure. The fastening apparatus includes a base unit which releasably attaches to a cylindrical structure, and a first fastening device coupled the base unit for applying fasteners along a seam of the cylindrical structure. The base unit may be embodied as either two crescent shaped members in parallel alignment for attaching to the upper half of the cylindrical structure. Alternatively, the base unit may include a base plate that is attachable to the floor beams on the interior of the cylindrical structure. In the preferred embodiment, the first fastening device cooperate with a second fastening device located on the opposite side of the cylindrical structure during the fastening process.

Abstract: A method for automatically forming armed surgical needles and for automatically packaging the same in a packaging tray, the automatic forming and packaging operating under control of a control computer, each armed surgical needle including a surgical needle having a suture receiving opening formed therein for attachment of a definite length suture material thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a needle attached suture manufacturing method and apparatus capable of cutting a suture exactly at the same length, with a simple construction and high efficiency. A transport/holding device 42 holds a suture Y and transports the suture straight forward toward a needle swaging device 20 a distance corresponding to a predetermined target value. Thereafter, the suture Y is cut at a certain position to obtain a suture strand. The suture strand is then inserted in an insertion hole formed at the end of a needle and is swaged by the needle swaging device 20. As an altered method, after the suture Y is inserted in the insertion hole of the needle, the suture Y is cut at a position away from the end of the needle a predetermined target distance.

Abstract: A wire-crimping device detects if an electrical terminal is stuck to a crimper after crimping, thereby effectively eliminating deformed terminals. Electrical wire-crimping device (1) has a ram (42) slidably mounted to a housing (4). A reflection light sensor (60) is mounted to the housing (4), and a pathway (80) that communicates with a wire-crimping member (40) is located in the ram (42). If an electrical terminal (30) should stick to crimpers (50, 52) after crimping, and if the wire-crimping member (40) mounted to the ram (42) rises, a wire depressor (54) will also rise, and an upper end of the wire depressor (54) will block the pathway (80). As a result, the light emitted from the reflection light sensor (60) will be reflected and detected by a light sensor, and it will be electrically detected that a defective part has been produced.

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: A clipping apparatus is provided which comprises a cartridge (100) for containing a plurality of substantially flat clipping members arranged in a pile, a delivery mechanism (30) for taking out one of the clipping members contained in the cartridge (100) and delivering the clipping member to a clipping position (13) where an end of a sheet member is clipped, and a clamping mechanism (50) for bending the clipping member (105) delivered to the clipping position (13) and fastening the end of the sheet member (S) inserted in the clipping position (13) with the clipping member (105) while holding both ends of the clipping member (105).

Abstract: The reliability of a gas pressure regulator is ensured through the use of the disclosed integrated crimp bias apparatus and method for biasing and crimping components of a diaphragm subassembly for the regulator. Omission of crimping of the components after biasing during forming of the diaphragm subassembly for the regulator is avoided by automatically locking at least one of the components of the subassembly in the apparatus before biasing and automatically releasing the locking only after crimping of the biased components. A pincerlike crimper of the apparatus includes a pair of pincers working on a pivot, each pincer having a handle to which a force can be applied and a grasping jaw for exerting a crimping pressure on the components. Grasping jaws each have two crimping elements which oppose respective ones of the crimping elements on the opposing grasping jaw during crimping. A fixture holds the components to be biased and crimp connected.

Abstract: A rivet tool has a rivet pin which can be moved in a bore of a stamp die. The tool consists of a hydraulic cylinder having two pistons in which the first piston carries the rivet pin and the second piston carries the stamp die. The chamber between the pistons is connected with a variable volume pressure chamber. The cylinder chamber, which is facing the first piston, is connected with a pressure cylinder. After a rivet has been conveyed to beneath the rivet pin, a pressure cylinder is activated and a throttle interconnected between the chamber between the pistons and the pressure chamber. The stamping process is carried out hereby and the first piston is then pressed in direction of the second piston, whereby the first piston then lies on top of the second piston to effect the stamping process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for minimizing undesirable gaps in riveted assemblies. The method includes the steps of selecting a rivet having a head and a tail with identical forming characteristics, positioning the selected rivet in an assembly that is countersunk on one of two sides, and applying a force over time to the head of the rivet and a force over time to the tail of the rivet that are equal and opposite, compensating for force unbalancing characteristics of the countersink.

Abstract: A semi-automated machine for singulating individual surgical needles from an bulk supply and attaching a suture to the surgical needle is described. Each of the surgical needles has a suture receiving opening formed therein for receiving a suture. The machine includes a singulation station having a sliding surface that assists an operator in singulating needles and depositing them in a pair of drop locations for subsequent automatic handling. Indexing conveyors, an articulated robot and a precision conveyor are used with a precise positioning station for orienting each needle for automatic handling. A universal gripper mounted on a rotary indexing device automatically receives each individual needle in a predetermined orientation and conveys the needle for sequential processing from station to station to form the needle-suture assembly.

Abstract: In order to improve a folding machine for joining the edges of two sheet-metal parts forming an angle between them by means of a folding procedure, comprising a machine frame, a folding carriage movable on the machine frame by a drive in a guide means extending along a folding direction, this carriage having at least one pair of folding rollers for folding the edges of the sheet-metal parts, and holding devices arranged on the machine frame for fixing the sheet-metal parts in position during the folding procedure, such that large, in particular, long sheet-metal parts can be handled in a simple manner on this machine and are easy to insert into it, it is suggested that the guide means be movable in an essentially vertical direction, and that the folding machine have support surfaces arranged on a supporting plane extending at right angles to the folding direction, the sheet-metal parts being placeable on these support surfaces with edges which extend transversely to the edges resulting in the fold.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting angle plates or corners into channel flanges of ducts which is compact and mobile is described. The apparatus includes wheels for portability and a corner supply magazine which is in essentially a vertical position or an angle position relative to a base plate to permit utilization of the device in various environments and which permits the device to be utilized with duct sections having various shapes. The apparatus operates on a controlled cycle and once the cycle is started, a sequence of operations is automatically performed until the angle plate is inserted into the flange and crimped.

Abstract: A process for seating a tight-fitting headed fastener in a hole in a workpiece so that the head of the fastener contacts the surface of the workpiece. The process includes inserting a distal end of the fastener, opposite its headed end, into the hole so that the distal end is tightly wedged into the hole and the headed end of the fastener is spaced from the workpiece surface. A driver of an electromagnetic impulse actuator is extended into contact with the fastener head, and the position of the driver when it is in contact with the fastener head is sensed and recorded to determine how far the fastener must be driven into the hole to seat the fastener head against the workpiece surface. A desired off-set distance of the driver from the fastener head is calculated which will result in seating of the fastener when the electromagnet impulse actuator is actuated, but will not cause excessive impact of the fastener head with the workpiece surface.

Abstract: A device, for use in a press, for feeding fasteners, especially nuts, and attaching the fasteners in workpieces by pressing with a punching head. Joining and pressing of the fasteners in the workpieces takes place, with an infeed and loading means on a tool or press part, and on a rigid feed, which together with a punching head can be attached to one of two antagonistic tool or press parts. A first conveyor section for the fasteners is located between the punching head and the loading means, and forms the fasteners. Each of the fasteners is supplied individually to a loading position of the loading means and each is moved by an infeed element from the loading position into a subsequent first conveyor section, forming a row which extends into the punching head, in which the fasteners tightly abut one another.

Abstract: In a method for binding rope- or cable-type cords with press-fit elements (13), the press-fit element (13) is placed over the cord, and the cord and press-fit element (13) are compressed radially and plastically via a pressing device (1, 11, 31, 41, 51) that is equipped with pressure clamps (3, 4), such that a reduction in the material cross-section results. In accordance with the invention, the longitudinal extension of the cord and/or the press-fit element (13) is gauged during the pressing process, and compression is halted when a predetermined end value (db) for the longitudinal extension has been reached.

Abstract: An improved method of monitoring the quality of a crimping machine includes setting the boundaries based upon the mean and standard deviation of a number of learned samples. By setting the boundaries based on actual samples, the system is better able to identify whether a particular sample is in fact defective or acceptable. In the prior art, the boundaries have been preset subjectively. By utilizing learned samples, the present invention is able to insure that the particular boundaries are proper given the particular size of wire, the particular type of connector, and particular arrangement of machinery that is being monitored.

Abstract: A crimping station of a motor-driven portable crimper (A) has a movable head driven by a motor (M) to reciprocate straight towards and away from a fixed anvil. An automatic switch will automatically stop the motor upon detection of the movable head retracted from or having approached the anvil, so that the head and other members stand still for a while relative to the fixed anvil to allow the wire end to be inserted readily into the contact and then the contact thus crimped can easily be withdrawn from the crimping station. A manual switch is operable to restart the motor and resume the crimping process. A blind plate attached to and outside the frame is disposed near the crimping station so as to inhibit a user from erroneously inserting wire ends to the contacts which have not arrived at the station.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided with a component feeding member for feeding electronic components having lead wires in a tape-bonded state, an insertion head for separating the electronic components fed from the feeding member from the tapes and inserting to holes of a board, and a fixing head facing the insertion head via the board for cutting and folding the lead wires of the inserted electronic component in the board thereby fixing the electronic component to the board. AC servo motors operating independently of each other are individually set in the insertion head and the fixing head, which are controlled by a device so as to be synchronous with each other.

Abstract: Riveting apparatus of the type in which an elongated mandrel, having an enlarged head at one end and loaded with a plurality of the tubular rivets forming a column of rivets on the mandrel, is gripped by gripping mechanism at or near the end remote from the head, and reciprocated relative to an abutment (32), by relative reciprocation between the gripping means (43) and the abutment, the rivets in the column being fed forwardly along the mandrel so that the leading rivet nearest the mandrel head is positioned between the mandrel head and the abutment (32) and can then be set by moving the mandrel rearwardly relative to the abutment (32) so as to draw the head of the mandrel through the bore of the rivet while the rivet is supported by the abutment (32), includes pneumatically operated rivet-feeding mechanism for feeding rivets forwardly along the mandrel, a valve mechanism for shutting off the supply of air to the rivet feeding mechanism thereby to disable it, and the valve mechanism is responsive to the pres

Abstract: An automatic fastener installation machine feeds fasteners to a fastener inserter and senses the orientation and size of the fastener in the fastener inserter prior to inserting the fastener into a fastener hole in a work piece to determine whether the proper sized fastener is properly oriented in the fastener inserter. A support structure holds the work piece in position under the fastener inserter and the machine moves to the next fastener insert position while a fastener feeder delivers a fastener to a fastener holder. A vision system creates an image of the fastener in the fastener holder and compares predetermined points in the image with corresponding predetermined points that would be produced by the vision system of an image of a properly sized and oriented fastener in the holder, and produces a signal for the automatic fastener installation machine to proceed with its cycle when it determines that a fastener of the correct size is positioned correctly in the holder.

Abstract: A rivet system (10) locks separate parts (12, 14) of an assembly (13) together on a support fixture (20) with the clamping devices (28); which prevents release of the parts (12, 14) from the fixture (20) until a required number of rivets (51) have been counted. A rivet setting tool (50) provides insertion of the rivets (51) between the parts (12, 14), and which disposes spent rivet mandrels (62) through a vacuum tube (58) to be sensed and counted. A controller (100) automatically locks the parts in the support fixture and counts the sensed mandrels (62) to allow release of the assembly (13) only upon a predetermined count of mandrels (62).

Abstract: A blind-rivet setting device, includes a tension device, an intermediate storage and computing device, an evaluation device and an electrical circuit. The tension device is driven by an electric motor having an input current and provides a tensile force on the blind-rivet. The intermediate storage and computing device stores and computes a rated current range depending on the material and dimensions of the blind-rivet. The evaluation device has a comparator for monitoring the input current received by the electric motor. The electrical circuit produces an error message when the maximum value of the input current is not within the rated current range.

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 compliance device for robot assemblies is provided which permits the automation of tooling operations that generate significant reaction loads, such as automatic riveting and the like. The compliance device includes a compliance control assembly and a tool isolation assembly. The compliance control assembly is an air cylinder having a tubular piston rod. An elongated shaft extends through the tubular piston rod and an axial bore in the piston of the air cylinder. The shaft is affixed to an end plate of the cylinder and includes a position locator cone affixed to its free end. The position locator cone is housed in the tool isolation assembly which is a cylindrical housing having a tool support end and a position locator end. Equally spaced-apart, radially-oriented rollers are affixed to an inside surface of the locator end of the tool isolation assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system control for directing and monitoring the operation of an automatic fastening machine, such as automatic drilling and riveting machine, by gathering, recording, and processing relevant data from each drilling and riveting cycle. The cycle data then becomes part of a master record that is useful for logging maintenance schedules, for establishing real-time cycle trends and for historical purposes. Real-time cycle trends are particularly beneficial to effect corrections in subsequent cycles.

Abstract: A fastener system for multi-piece swage type fasteners, including a pin and a collar, and providing a stump type fastener constructed to be set as a pull type fastener with the fastener pin having a threaded gripping portion and including an installation tool having a swage anvil and a rotary nut member adapted to be threaded onto the threaded pull portion of the pin whereby a relative axial force is applied between the pin and the collar via the nut member and swage anvil to cause the anvil to radially overengage the collar to swage it into locking grooves on the pin and the pull portion remaining on the pin after installation.

Abstract: A machine for fitting metal runners on a drawer comprises an actuator (44) for mechanically operating at least one hammer (24) for clinching gripping tabs against a side panel (16) of the drawer. The gripping tabs are laterally disposed along a longitudinally extending U-shaped groove formed in the runner (12) and extending from a longitudinal edge of the runner towards the hammer, prior to clinching. The hammer (24) and the corresponding anvil counter plate (22) extend in a longitudinal direction to the runner to simultaneously clinch all the gripping tabs. Advantageously, the machine comprises two clinching assemblies (20) to clinch both runners to a drawer in a single operation.

Abstract: A crimping apparatus includes a pair of relatively movable jaws (22) carrying a mating pair of crimping dies (25). Stop surfaces (30) on respective ones of the jaws are in abutting relationship when the dies are fully closed. A flat film sensor (40) on one of the stop surfaces is coupled in an electrical circuit so as to produce an electrical signal when the stop surfaces come together and a force is imposed on the sensor. The electrical signal may be used to illuminate a visual display, generate an audio tone, or trigger an actuator which causes the jaws to retract to an open position.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically forming a plurality of needle-suture assemblies out of a plurality of unsorted needles and an indefinite length strand of suture material, and, automatically positioning them within a package tray, comprises a first machine located at a first location for sorting a plurality of randomly oriented needles and orienting each needle for automatic handling at a first predetermined location, a second machine located at a second predetermined location for automatically drawing and cutting an indefinite length strand of suture material and automatically inserting a free end thereof into a suture receiving opening of the needle, and swaging the needle about the sutures to form a needle suture assembly, and a first indexing device for sequentially receiving individual oriented needles at the first location and transporting each of the needles from the first location to the second location to form the needle-suture assemblies.

Abstract: An automated machine for attaching a suture to a surgical needle having a suture receiving opening formed therein, and for packaging the same in a package tray comprises a first workstation including a device for sorting a plurality of needles and orienting each needle for automatic feeding to a second swaging workstation, a second workstation including a device for automatically cutting an indefinite length of suture material to a definite length and a device for automatically swaging the needle to close the suture receiving opening about a free end of the suture to secure the suture thereto and form a needle-suture assembly, a needle packaging station including a device for sequentially receiving at least one of the needle-suture assemblies in a package tray in synchronism with the second workstation, the needle packaging station having a device for automatically winding the depending suture portion of the needle-suture assembly into the package tray, a first indexing device for sequentially receiving indiv

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning the top surface of a workpiece in proper relationship with respect to tooling including a fully extended upper clamp bushing, or for positioning the fully extended upper clamp bushing in proper relationship with respect to the top surface of a workpiece, which establishes a desired workplane wherein the top surface of the workpiece is always disposed in a normal position with respect to the lowermost surface of the upper clamp bushing and just in contact with the lowermost surface even though the top surface was disposed either below or above the desired workplane at the commencement of the clamping operation. The method and apparatus is capable of moving the top surface of the workpiece or the tooling into a desired workplane and also of determining whether or not the top surface of the workpiece adjacent the area which is to be fastened lies within the desired workplane.

Abstract: Manufacture of brake drums having an annular brake ring and a drum back for mounting the ring for rotation about an axis defined at least in part by one or more openings in the back. Radial runout of the brake ring is measured, and the mounting openings in the drum back are located at a position to substantially cancel the first harmonic of measured radial runout. The radially inwardly directed braking surface of the drum ring is then finish-machined on a cylinder of revolution coaxial with the drum back mounting openings so as to provide a brake ring of substantially uniform thickness and weight distribution about the axis of rotation defined by the drum back mounting openings.

Abstract: An automatic rivet feed apparatus which can be used as a retrofit to an existing power driven riveting tool or incorporated integrally into a riveting tool. A rivet strip holds each of the plurality of rivets at individual fixed positions on the rivet strip. Included is a rivet strip release hook which stops the rivets, as they are advanced one-by-one, at rivet pick-up point and releases each of the rivets from the rivet strip. A hand mounted on the end of a pneumatic ram grips the rivets at the rivet pick-up point. The pneumatic ram moves the rivet forward and rotates to place the rivet in alignment with the nose piece of the riveting tool. The pneumatic ram then retracts and inserts the mandrel of the rivet into the nose piece and returns to the rivet pick-up point to repeat the steps.