Abstract: Apparatus for inserting components into a workpiece comprises a rotary disc cam having first and second communicating endless superposed, cam tracks for receiving a cam follower connected to a tool holder carrying a component insertion tool. Rotation of the disc cam drives to the tool through a component inserting stroke and a return stroke. Over tool driving lobes thereof, the cam tracks are offset from each other radially of the axis of rotation of the disc cam. The cam follower is carried by a slide in the tool holder, the slide being connected to a drive unit which is actuable selectively to move the slide between a first position in which the cam follower is engaged in one of the cam tracks and a second position in which it is engaged in the other. By virtue of the offset of the cam tracks, the component is inserted more deeply into workpiece in the second position of the slide than in the first.

Abstract: A connector pin inserter feeds and separates continuous, integrally formed connector pins from a belt-like carrier, and presses and thereby inserts the separated connector pins into through holes of a printed circuit board. The type of printed circuit board is detected and press-inserting conditions are determined for controlling the pin inserting operation, based on data relating to the board thickness, press-inserting position, pin size, and insertion pitch, corresponding to the detected type of printed circuit board, and provided to a press-inserting mechanism. Moving conditions are supplied to an X-Y positioning table which sets the position of the printed circuit board relative to the press-inserting mechanism for pressing the connector pins into the appropriate through holes of the printed circuit board in a sequence of program-controlled operations.

Abstract: Method to properly discriminate fitting pressure of articulated track links. Loading pressure in the ram of a track press is compared with both the lower and upper limit pressure values which are prescribed with reference to the range of fitting pressure specified for the links. Fitting of a link is determined acceptable when a sum of the press loading time is longer than a predetermined value while press pressure is maintained within the range between both the lower and upper pressure values; whereas it is determined unacceptable when the sum of press loading time is shorter than the predetermined one or when time in which press pressure exceeds the upper limit pressure is longer than a predetermined time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically attaching clips to a weather strip for an automobile. The clip attaching apparatus comprises a guide rail for supporting an elogated weather strip with a plurality of clip holes arranged in the axial direction thereof and guiding said weather strip in the axial direction thereof, a transport means for causing said weather strip to move and stop along said guide rail, a hole detection means disposed along said guide rail for detection a hole of the weather strip, a clip insertion means for inserting a clip into a hole of said weather strip, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the various means. Thus the operations for attaching clips can be completely automated.

Abstract: Pipets of virtually any size are delivered automatically and continuously with the assistance of gravity to an intermittent rotary transport mechanism which carries each pipet separately to a plugging station. At the plugging station, each pipet is engaged and held against movement while precut cotton plugs are inserted into the pipets by a reciprocating needle device controlled by a mechanism which simultaneously controls and coordinates the activity of scissor blades which sever a cotton roving during a dwell of a roving transport wheel on the shaft of the pipet rotary transport mechanism. After being plugged, each pipet is delivered from the rotary transport mechanism onto a collection apron. A multi-position stop element on the inclined pipet delivery rails of the machine allows pipets of varying diameters to be plugged with precision without requiring additional machine adjustments.

Abstract: A variable insertion rate control system for a component insertion machine is disclosed. An insertion rate is read and retained by the control system which thereafter authorizes insertion of components at the indicated insertion rate. In order to achieve relatively high insertion rates, the downward stroke of the component insertion head is commanded before the receiving medium is registered in position for receiving the component.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for securing a tubular member onto a post extending from the body of a jewelry piece supported at a work station wherein the member is positioned with its axis parallel to a preselected axis at the work station and, in response to the positioning of the member, the post is releasably engaged to align it with the first axis and wherein force is applied between the positioned member and the aligned post, thereby bringing the member into surrounding relationship with the post and causing the post to be released.

Abstract: A device for limiting the travel of an arbor press when pressing inserts into a panel. Two insert halves are pressed into a panel from opposite sides by means of an upper and lower anvil. The press movement is stopped by the device when a specified gap between the insert head and the exterior surface of the panel is obtained, compensating for any variations in the panel thickness.