Abstract: A method of manufacturing produces an assembled product where a ring-shaped seal is attached to a channel in an inner circumferential surface of a ring-shaped component. The method includes: a holding step that moves an engaged portion of the seal inwardly in a radial direction using a deformation member, while restricting movement of the seal in a direction parallel to an inner circumferential wall of the channel, to cause deformation so that the outer diameter of part of the seal aside from the engaged portion becomes smaller than the channel inner circumferential diameter; and an attachment step that attaches the seal to the channel by releasing the seal to restore the seal from the deformation. The attachment step includes releasing the seal by releasing engagement by the deformation member and moving the seal body inside the channel while pressing out the seal body from inside.

Abstract: A manual tool for inserting a clip (10) with elastic coupling in a seat, having a body (23) from which protrudes a pusher (32) for the clip and a sensor (34) for detecting the thrust force of the pusher. An electronic controller (24) receives a force signal from the sensor (34) and emits a signal (25, 26) reporting correct or incorrect insertion depending on the pattern of the force signal detected during the insertion of a clip. A movable gauging element is advanced during the insertion thrust of the clip to detect the correct expansion of the clip at the end of insertion.

Abstract: A product tagging system includes a tag tool having a housing and a tag tool needle that extends from the housing. The system includes a protective assembly that is mounted to the housing, a first retaining member adjacent the needle, and a second retaining member adjacent the first retaining member. The first retaining member includes a first aperture and the second retaining member includes a second aperture substantially aligned with the first aperture. The retaining members define a gap therebetween that is adjustable to receive at least a portion of a tag. The system further includes a protective member that is adjacent the second retaining member and includes a third aperture substantially aligned with the first and second apertures with a curved surface disposed around at least a portion of the third aperture. The first, second, and third apertures may receive at least a portion of the needle therethrough.

Abstract: A flexible modular system for constructing a wireless communication terminal includes a keypad module and a display module. The keypad module includes a keypad module housing and a keypad mounted on the keypad module housing. The display module includes a display module housing and a display device mounted on the display module housing. The flexible modular system further includes a connector subsystem to selectively alternatively mechanically join the keypad module and the display module to form an integral wireless communication terminal having a first form factor and, alternatively, an integral wireless communication terminal having a second form factor different from the first form factor.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a tooling system and method for producing a profile edge on a stock part, for example, by casting a profile edge to a stock part, such as a table or the like. The tooling system is adapted to accommodate any stock part and generally includes a flexible tool device, a stock part with opposed ends defining an edge therebetween, and a securing device.

Abstract: A valve stem installation system (10) includes a conveyor (24) for moving wheel rims (14). A detector (50) is comparable with the conveyor (24) to detect size of the wheel rim (14) and a location of an aperture (12) of the wheel rim (14) to receive various valve stems (16, 18). Two robots (110, 112) are adaptable for matably moving the valve stem (16, 18) to the wheel rim (14). A controller (60) is operably communicated with the robots (110, 112) and the detector (50) for receiving a signal from the detector (50) as the detector (50) identifies configuration of the wheel rim (14) and then transmitting the signal to the robots (110, 112) thereby directing the robots (110, 112) to selectively engage the valve stem (16, 18) to be inserted into the aperture (12).

Abstract: An assembly and a method for removing a removable device from a wall box are provided. The removable device forms a substantially fluid-tight wall box seal with a wall box opening when the removable device is in a first position. The assembly for removing the removable device includes a sealing assembly located adjacent to the wall box opening and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal with a sealing portion of the removable device when the removable device is in a second position with respect to the wall box.

Abstract: A valve stem installation system (10) includes a conveyor (24) for moving wheel rims (14). A detector (50) is cooperable with the conveyor (24) to detect size of the wheel rim (14) and a location of an aperture (12) of the wheel rim (14) to receive various valve stems (16, 18). Two robots (110, 112) are adaptable for matably moving the valve stem (16, 18) to the wheel rim (14). A controller (60) is operably communicated with the robots (110, 112) and the detector (50) for receiving a signal from the detector (50) as the detector (50) identifies configuration of the wheel rim (14) and then transmitting the signal to the robots (110, 112) thereby directing the robots (110, 112) to selectively engage the valve stem (16, 18) to be inserted into the aperture (12).

Abstract: A device for applying a weatherstrip to a motor vehicle body, and a related method. The body bears an elongated receiving surface with a predetermined profile. The application device includes a plate for applying the weatherstrip on the receiving surface, a presser pressing the weatherstrip on the receiving surface, and a guide for guiding the application plate on a trajectory along the predetermined profile of the receiving surface The guide includes a programmable articulated mechanical element for moving the application plate, and that is programmable to adapt the trajectory of the application plate to different predetermined profiles corresponding to different vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a tooling system and method for producing a profile edge on a stock part, for example, by casting a profile edge to a stock part, such as a table or the like. The tooling system is adapted to accommodate any stock part and generally includes a flexible tool device, a stock part with opposed ends defining an edge therebetween, and a securing device.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning inserts in a rotating receptacle. The apparatus includes a magazine for holding a plurality of inserts. An insertion arm is provided for positioning inserts within the receptacle. The insertion arm has a first end and a second end, wherein the second end comprises an insert receiving structure. A first linear actuation device moves the insertion arm between a first linear position and a second linear position. In the first linear position, the insert receiving structure picks an insert from the magazine. A second linear actuation device is connected to the insert receiving structure. When the insertion arm is in the second position, the second linear actuation device causes the insert receiving structure to rotate from about 0° to about 90° to position the insert within the receptacle.

Abstract: A mounting device and process are provided for arranging a protective bellows on a component. The device includes a basic body, a mounting head, which is displaceable at the basic body, an adjusting device for providing an adjusting action and including an electromechanical drive and a position recognition system and gripping elements movable. The gripping elements include gripping arms and clamping fingers movable in relation to the gripping arms. The process includes bringing the gripping arms of the device into contact with the inner surface of a collar of the protective bellows and fixing the collar by the clamping fingers. The collar is expanded in preparation for the mounting and then released by loosening the clamping fingers such that the collar of the protective bellows jumps into a recess provided on the component as a consequence of its intrinsic elasticity after the necessary positioning of the protective bellows in relation to the component to be protected has been established.

Abstract: A pinch grip hanger mechanism dispenses pinch grip hangers, one at a time, and then opens the pinch grips for insertion of a garment. The insertion of a garment triggers the closing of the pinch grips, and reciprocation of a hanger feed push plate to dispense another hanger. The device may also automatically attach size indicia to the hanger as the hanger is dispensed. The closing of the pinch grips is initiated by safety triggers, which are triggered by insertion of a garment. This provides a safety feature for the device, since the operator needs to use both hands to hold the garment taut for insertion. Thus, both hands are away from the device at the time the pinch grips are opened and closed.

Abstract: A method and a corresponding apparatus provide for both the automatic lacing of a toroidal coil of a stator of a dynamo-electric machine, and the knotting of the end lacing terminal of the lacing cord, by using the same needle and the same thread-guide tube. The apparatus for lacing and knotting comprises an automatic control system that, accomplished the whole lacing operation on the coil, stops the rotation movement of the stator and drives the lacing needle according to a sequence of movements in order to form a plurality of linked rings closed one on the other for obtaining a closing chain on said end lacing terminal. A particular cutting system allows not generating scrap, i.e. undesired cord portions, accelerating the production process and increasing the system reliability.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for mounting a hollow work-piece on a machine includes a circumferential groove formed into an outer surface of a cylindrical supporting fixture of the machine, a dampening plug assembly for positioning inside the hollow workpiece adjacent the cylindrical supporting fixture, and an end pressure reducing device for mounting within the circumferential groove for centrifugally supporting and enabling the reduction of machining-induced pressure from the end of the hollow workpiece.

Abstract: A fixing band-tightening apparatus comprises a holding section for gripping a shaft section at both ends in an axial direction, the holding section being provided rotatably in a circumferential direction in accordance with a driving action of a rotary driving source, a stopper section arranged in a lateral direction substantially horizontal with respect to the holding section, for positioning a projection of a fixing band in the lateral direction except for a vertical direction, and a band-tightening section for forcibly nipping the projection of the fixing band positioned by the stopper section to tighten the fixing band.

Abstract: A pinch grip hanger mechanism dispenses pinch grip hangers, one at a time, and then opens the pinch grips for insertion of a garment. The insertion of a garment triggers the closing of the pinch grips, and reciprocation of a hanger feed push plate to dispense another hanger. The device may also automatically attach size indicia to the hanger as the hanger is dispensed. The closing of the pinch grips is initiated by safety triggers, which are triggered by insertion of a garment. This provides a safety feature for the device, since the operator needs to use both hands to hold the garment taut for insertion. Thus, both hands are away from the device at the time the pinch grips are opened and closed.

Abstract: A pinch grip hanger mechanism dispenses pinch grip hangers, one at a time, and then opens the pinch grips for insertion of a garment. The insertion of a garment triggers the closing of the pinch grips, and reciprocation of a hanger feed push plate to dispense another hanger. The device may also automatically attach size indicia to the hanger as the hanger is dispensed. The closing of the pinch grips is initiated by safety triggers, which are triggered by insertion of a garment. This provides a safety feature for the device, since the operator needs to use both hands to hold the garment taut for insertion. Thus, both hands are away from the device at the time the pinch grips are opened and closed.

Abstract: A clamp orientation machine and a method of operation therefor wherein the machine includes a magazine for containing at least one clamp, a movable clamp support member for supporting a clamp received from the magazine, a pair of movable gripper fingers for gripping and positioning a clamp received from the clamp support member and a cavity for supporting and positioning a hose for receiving a clamp from said gripper fingers.

Abstract: A more reliable and fool-proof method and apparatus for assembling an article of assembly (e.g. with predetermined screw torque requirements) in which the article of assembly has multiple fastening locations. The method comprises holding the article of assembly fixed while providing at least two different types of targets fixed relative to the article of assembly that correspond to the individual fastening locations. Fasteners are fastened into the article of assembly at the fastening locations. When fastening is occurring at one of the fastening locations, one of the targets is being sensed. Based on the target sensed, a target output is generated that differentiates between different types of targets thereby indicating fastening location of the fastening tool. The electronic target output is used for electronic control such as for stopping a conveyor to keep the article of assembly at an assembly station until the fastening operations have been completed.

Abstract: When a seal (10) with a lip (10A) is slid onto a shaft (14), the seal (10) is first slid from a D-cut portion (14C) to the end of a shaft body (14B) contiguous to the D-cut portion (14C), and then is slid at a first speed (at 40 mm/s) from this end to a position in which the seal (10) does not come into contact with a large-diameter portion (14A) of the shaft (14). Since there is a strong possibility that the lip (10A) of the seal (10) will have been completely curled at this time. the seal (10) is pulled out at a second speed (at 10 mm/s) on the shaft body (14B) from this position toward the D-cut portion (14C), and the seal (10) is again slid inward at a third speed (at 70 mm/s) from this position to an appropriate position. Thus, the seal (10) is slid without the lip (10A) being curled. The sliding operations at the second and third speeds may be performed a plurality of times.

Abstract: In an electronic component installation device for manufacturing an electronic circuit substrate, wherein components are picked up from a parts supply device and placed on a circuit substrate, the height of the installing surface s of an electronic component 10 from a reference surface is detected with the use of a three-dimensional imaging device 2, and the distance the suction nozzle 9 of the mounting head 1 is lowered is accurately determined with respect to each of electronic components that vary in thickness.

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: An apparatus for installing a snap ring comprises an inner press assembly which is spring biased downwardly from an upper press assembly. The inner press assembly includes a plurality of arms having first ends having an abutment surface adjacent a notch. During installation of the snap ring, the upper press assembly and inner press assembly move toward a component which receives the snap ring, such that the first ends of the arms abut the snap ring. The snap ring is thus moved downwardly into the component. If the snap ring expands radially outwardly into the snap ring groove, the abutment moves past the snap ring and the notches receive the snap ring. If the snap ring does not expand sufficiently radially outwardly into the snap ring groove, the abutment surface of the arms contacts the snap ring, thereby resisting downward movement of the inner press assembly. There is then relative axial movement between the inner press assembly and the upper press assembly.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a tool connectable to a robot for automatic installation of a sealing joint in a fillister or groove. The tool can be used, for example, for the automatic installation of a sealing joint around a vehicle door. The tool includes a frame designed to be attached to the wrist of a robot, and to which a functioning part of the tool is pivotally attached. The functioning part works in conjunction with the frame by means of pneumatic jacks which flexibly and precisely adapt the motion of the tool to the contour of the joint or of the element housing the joint along the path which the robot causes the tool to follow.

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 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: Upper and lower work-pieces are fitted with each other to obtain a product. The work-pieces are provided with separate pairs of lands 11, 12, 13 and 14 to be fitted with each other. A land of the least rigidity is initially selected, and a fitting operation is carried out for the first land at a portion of an assembling allowance. Then, a self-guided fitting of the remaining portion of the first land is carried out. Then, a provisional fitting condition is created by disengaging the first land except at the least rigid portion. Then, the correction of the deviation in the second land is done by obtaining a relative displacement between the upper and lower work-pieces while the engagement of the first land is maintained. Then, the fitting of the second land is carried out.

Abstract: A device for chucking a zigzag spring, which comprises a pair of pawl elements, a drive source, and a detector. One of the two pawl elements may be moved and stoped at at least one position by operation of the drive source through detection of the detector, and then both two pawl elements are brought into engagement with both end portions of the zigzag spring, respectively, according to a length of the spring. The detector may comprise a plurality of proximity switches, one of which detects movement of such one of the pawl elements to that particular position. By those plural proximity switches, a base position may be set for that one of pawl elements in relation to another of them, according to a selected one of plural different zigzag springs with different lengths.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for fixing holding clips (1) to a band (2) which is movable in its longitudinal direction, wherein the band (2) is deformed transversely relative to the longitudinal direction in such a way that the spacing of the band edges (3, 4) becomes less than the band width and the internal spacing of the holding elements (5, 6) provided on the holding clip (1) and the part of the band (2) which is between the band edges (3, 4) is curved forwardly out of the plane of the band defined by the band edges (3, 4), the band edges (3, 4) are brought into position between the holding elements (5, 6) and the deformation is substantially removed again so that the band edges (3, 4) substantially resume their original spacing and the holding clip (1) comes into frictional engagement with the band (2), and a corresponding apparatus.

Abstract: A robot for installing a fixed length of weather stripping in a body opening. The robot in a preferred embodiment includes an arm movable in a predetermined path, a powered variable angular displacement rate pressure roller mounted on the end of the arm for tracing the body opening and applying the fixed length to the opening, a calibration table for storage of preprogrammed datums for the pressure roller angular displacement rate and weather stripping feed rates for a plurality of locational segments along the body opening during an application cycle, a controller for delivering a signal representative of the calibration table preprogrammed datums to the pressure roller, an encoder for determining the actual angular displacement rate of the pressure roller, and an encoder for determining the actual feed rate of the weather stripping.

Abstract: A split ring assembly apparatus utilizes a unique combination of three major subassemblies whose interaction is microprocessor controlled to facilitate operator attachment of object to a split ring. A ring delivery and pick-up arm subassembly automatically delivers rings to an operating position where the combined interaction of the clamping/rotating and splitter wheel subassemblies precisely locate and position the ring gap adjacent the operator, open the split in the ring adjacent the gap to enable initial attachment of objects to the ring by the operator, and complete rotation of the ring with respect to the objects resulting in full attachment. Various position sensors monitor and control operation and interaction of the subassemblies to provide reliable, safe and efficient operation.

Abstract: A leading bung seal (BS1) in a magazine (4) is picked up by a bung seal transfer clamp (8) and is positioned between a bung seal receptacle (6) and a bung seal transfer device (10), which are axially aligned. A bung seal expansion pin (18) is advanced to drive the leading bung seal (BS1) into the bung seal receptacle (6), to force it against a resilient grommet (42) therein, and to extend through the bung seal (BS1) so as to expand it. A bung seal expansion sleeve (14) surrounding the expansion pin (18) is then advanced further to expand the bung seal (BS1) and the pin (18) is withdrawn leaving the bung seal (BS1) secured to the expansion sleeve (14) by its own resilience.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically tightening a tapped member such as a nut are disclosed. A socket of an open end air wrench mounted on a nut tightening robot is coupled with the tapped member. The robot rotates the socket in a first direction, i.e., a tightening direction, to a first relatively small torque, and subsequently rotates the socket in a second direction opposite to the first direction to a predetermined position, i.e., a central receptive position after the socket being disengaged from the tapped member. A rotary encoder is provided to generate pulses in response to the rotation of the socket in the second rotational direction. An angle of rotation of this rotation of the socket in the second direction is detected by counting the number of pulses generated by the encoder.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting direction of two component fasteners having a head element and a backing element for attachment to garment. The apparatus is a reciprocable driving device (8) for receiving the head element (7a) fed in from a hopper feeder (4a) through a chute (5) and charging it into a clamping device (12). The apparatus comprises an interlocking mechanism for rotating a support seat (9) for the head element (7a) in synchronism with the reciprocating movement of the driving device (8), a stopper (56) for stopping the rotation of the head element (7a), and a stopper exchanging device. The stopper exchanging device is a head element pressing section (43) comprising two layers (49, 50). The upper layer (50) having the stopper (56) is rotatable relative to the lower layer (49).

Abstract: The guide tube is disconnected and removed from the upper internals of the reactor to a work station in a pool of borated water. The work station includes a clamp-and-index tool, a metal-disintegration-machining (MDM) tool, pick-and-put tool, a brush tool, a nut hopper, a pin-insertion/torque tool, and a crimping tool. These tools are hydraulically operable. The clamp-and-index tool positions and, by repeated centering maintains the guide tube in precise position for removal and replacement of its split pins, the MDM burns through an old pin-and-nut assembly severing it into readily removeable fragments. This pin fragment is removed by an expeller on the clamp-and-index tool. This pick-and-put tool removes the burned nut fragment and replaces it with the new nut. The pin-insertion/torque tool inserts the new pin and torques the new nut onto the new pin. The crimping tool crimps a locking cap secured to the nut onto the pin. The tools are controlled from a command center external to the pool.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for securing clamping garment hangers to individual garments and includes a hanger holding magazine with fixed and movable stops to release the hangers one-by-one to an attaching station where the hanger is automatically positioned to receive a garment. The station also includes reciprocable cantilevered arms for closing and locking the hanger on the garment. Also disclosed is a special package for bulk shipment of the hangers, collated into groups suitable for charging the magazine.

Abstract: A carriage for moving urethane rings along a shaft is driven by an air motor powering a rack and pinion arrangement.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically assembling elastic bulbs to fragile tubular elements, such as the bulbs and pipettes of medicine droppers, in which a bulb and a tubular element held in axial alignment in a fixture are assembled by pressure exerted on the tubular element in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tubular element, including means for automatically inserting said bulbs and tubular elements in said fixture and aligning the same as aforesaid.

Abstract: A resilient insulator having a hole therethrough is supported and a first reciprocable mechanism is provided to telescope a hollow cylinder into the insulator hole to stretch the hole to a position larger in cross section. A second reciprocable mechanism is provided to telescope an insulated rod partway into the cylinder and insulator. A third electrically operable mechanism responsive to a contact touching one end of the rod is provided to actuate one of the first and second mechanisms to relieve the insulator in a manner to allow the same to hold the contact fixedly in inward radial compression in the insulator hole.