Abstract: An apparatus for forming a stack of interlocked laminations (disks) that can be used as a rotor in an electric motor. Each disk is severed from a metal sheet that is passed horizontally through a die apparatus. The severed disks are sequentially driven downwardly into a vertical die opening having an upper diameter chosen to grip the disk edges, as a stack is being formed. The lower end of the stack advances into an expandable rotatable collet. When the stack has passed below the upper end of the die opening, the collet is opened to drop the completed stack to a conveyor.A sensor device detects the lowest disk in the descending stack. A signal generated by the sensor device is used to determine the number of disks necessary to finish the stack by dividing the unfinished height of the stack by the thickness of the advancing metal sheet.

Abstract: A die for manufacturing a laminated core for a rotor or a stator for an electric motor or a generator including rotary stacking and a skewing using a rotary die to stack the thin iron plates punched to a predetermined shape. Rotation of the crank shaft of the press is converted into a rotary stacking angle to take it out from the indexing device. Rotation of the crank shaft of the press is converted into a predetermined corresponding skew angle from the indexing device through a crank mechanism to take it out of the gear device. An amount of rotation having outputs from the indexing device and from the gear device combined with each other is taken out at the output shaft through a rotary friction transmitting mechanism and a rotation of this output shaft is applied to the rotary die.

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: A Tape Automated Bonding (TAB) process prepared multi-chip module (MCM) has semiconductor dice embedded into the substrate of the MCM through its top face. A heatsink, which in a preferred embodiment is a copper slug, is emplaced into the underside of the substrate so that the bottom surfaces of the dice engage the heatsink. A compliant, heat-conducting thermoplastic material is used to secure the dice to the heatsink and to maintain a good heat flow path. According to the present invention, the TAB formed component has beam leads that do not require bending to facilitate assembly. Rather, the beam leads are trimmed to length, leaving straight outer beam leads that, after the die is installed in the substrate, extend parallel to and overlie the top face of the substrate. The beam leads are thus positioned for convenient bonding to signal paths laid out on the top face of the substrate.

Abstract: An automated facility for the large-scale production of superconducting magnets for use in a particle accelerator. Components of the automated facility include: a superconducting coil winding machine; a coil form and cure press apparatus; a coil collaring press; collar pack assembly apparatus; yoke half stacking apparatus; a cold mass assembly station; and a final assembly station. The facility can produce, on an economical manufacturing basis, magnets made of superconducting material for use in the ring of the particle accelerator. Each of the components is under the control of a programmable controller for operation having repeatable accuracy. All of the elements which are combined to form the superconducting magnet are thus manufactured with the dimensional precision required to produce a known, uniform magnetic field within the accelerator.

Abstract: An automated facility for the large-scale production of superconducting magnets for use in a particle accelerator. Components of the automated facility include: a superconducting coil winding machine; a coil form and cure press apparatus; a coil collaring press; collar pack assembly apparatus; yoke half stacking apparatus; a cold mass assembly station; and a final assembly station. The facility can produce, on an economical manufacturing basis, magnets made of superconducting material for use in the ring of the particle accelerator. Each of the components is under the control of a programmable controller for operation having repeatable accuracy. All of the elements which are combined to form the superconducting magnet are thus manufactured with the dimensional precision required to produce a known, uniform magnetic field within the accelerator.

Abstract: A method of assembling a transformer core in which a lamination of rectangular plates formed of a magnetic material is inserted in the spaces in primary and secondary transformer coils, and in which the opposite ends of the lamination are brought into abutment each other to form the lamination into an annular shape. The lamination of the magnetic material plates is bent into a U-like shape with the transformer coils thereon and is magnetized by energizing the transformer coils, while the opposite ends of each magnetic material plate are restrained from being brought closer to each other. The opposite ends of the laminated magnetic material plates are successively released from the restrained state from the innermost opposed ends of the U-like shape to attract and closely contact each other by the magnetic force.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding bundles of laminations (PL) to a machine that processes or uses such bundles, particularly to a machine for making rotors or stators for electric machines, transformers, or the like, and having a vertical feeding duct (1) into which the vertically oriented bundles of laminations are introduced in sequence from above. A movable grasping and transferring device (10, 11) with one or more permanent magnets or electromagnets cyclically takes a bundle of laminations (PL) from a stationary or movable magazine (3) located in a withdrawal station and conveys this bundle co-axially over the opening of the feeding duct (1) of the machine, so as to set the bundle into the duct.

Abstract: A method of retaining a series of plates together in a stacked relationship, using integral projections and mating recesses formed by punching dies. As each plate is added to the stack, a restriking die is driven against the exposed face of the newly added plate to form transverse notches in the plate surface. The plate is thus deformed so that material flows into previously formed notches in a subjacent plate. The displaced material acts as a frictional interlock with the subjacent plate.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for pickup of packets with a varying number of stamped laminations, for instance for stators of electrical machines, from a lamination stack (98) compressed under tension between clamping plates (24, 100) is so performed that the first packet half of laminations are always rotated by 180.degree. before the entire lamination packet is measured off and picked up. Therefore, two different stops (42, 44) are needed for measuring off the first half and then the entire lamination packet for each packet height. In order to dispense with the necessity of having to exchange, when changing the packet height, the one clamping plate which heretofore was designed with various stops, the lamination packets with a differing number of laminations are always mounted between the same clamping plates (24, 100) and supported together with the one clamping plate (24) on axially adjustable stops (42, 44). Consequently, the device features axially adjustable stop (42, 44).

Abstract: An automatic assembly system for assembly of transformer laminated cores of the type having three parallel legs and two yokes. The laminations are stacked in a simple or complex configuration on a movable support frame on tracks, which receives the core laminations at a lamination loading station from four movable platforms on independent tracks. The platforms are grouped circumferentially about the support frame at four lamination feed positions while it is at the lamination loading station and have thereon stacked corresponding core laminations that are to be stacked on the support frame in a proper sequence and position order for forming a transformer laminated core. The system has four travelling gantry cranes that are on independent tracks and are each provided with a pick-up frame having suction cups arranged thereon for lifting the laminations individually from corresponding platforms at the four lamination feed positions and depositing them on the support frame in a properly stacked relationship.

Abstract: A stator of a dynamoelectric machine is preassembled using guidance members which are disposed at a skew angle with respect to a central axis of the stator. The outer perimeter of the preassembled elements is then machined to form guidance elements disposed parallel to a central axis of the stator. Then, the preassembled elements are mounted in a frame on further guidance elements disposed parallel to the central axis of the stator. During final assembly, axial compression forces act parallel to guidance forces, whereby hanging up is avoided.

Abstract: A proximity switch actuated by a press driven plunger is employed to generate a control signal at a predetermined point in the operating cycle of a high-speed stamping press when a press carried punch is at a precisely predetermined elevation above the die surface. Locating devices are provided for accurately locating the plunger at selected elevations relative to the die surface to establish an initial setting for the triggering of the proximity switch and to enable a resurfacing of the plunger concurrently with the sharpening of the die so that resetting of the proximity switch after a sharpening of the die is not required.

Abstract: Positioning of the individual portions is no longer effected on the laminating station but on a positioning station which is arranged upstream of the laminating station. In the positioning station the individual portions of a layer are deposited and positioned by being pushed against each other. The finally positioned individual layer is then delivered as a closed unit to the laminating station and laminated to form a transformer core. The individual portions are stacked on a stacking station in such a way that they are already arranged in the correct relative position with respect to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing laminated assemblies having ridges formed on projections which interlock with recesses of adjacent laminations. The improvement to the laminated assembly is a projection with a smaller cross-sectional area than the recess and with a plurality of exterior longitudinal ridges protruding from the projection surface for securing adjacent laminations together by compressive interference fit between the ridges and the recess in interlocking relationship throughout the laminated assembly.

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: A stacking device is provided for offset lamination stacks. The stacking device has aligning pins mounted in a base plate obliquely to the supporting surface of the base plate in accordance with the offset of the lamination stack. The guide openings for the aligning pins are formed as insertion grooves which are machined from the outer circumferential surface of the base plate. The aligning pins inserted into the insertion grooves are finally fixed in position by means of a closure ring which encloses the base plate on its outer circumferential surface and lies adjacent to the aligning pins.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing laminated assemblies having ridges formed on projections which interlock with recesses of adjacent laminations. The improvement to the laminated assembly is a projection with a smaller cross-sectional area than the recess and with a plurality of exterior longitudinal ridges protruding from the projection surface for securing adjacent laminations together by compressive interference fit between the ridges and the recess in interlocking relationship throughout the laminated assembly.

Abstract: A rotary apparatus of a successive feed die unit of a press apparatus includes an indexing apparatus and a frictional transmission apparatus for transmitting rotation to a lower rotatable die of the die unit for manufacturing a core lamination assembly. The indexing apparatus converts rotation inputted from a crank shaft of a press apparatus into intermittent rotation of a predetermined angle and outputs it to the frictional transmission apparatus. The frictional transmission apparatus has a changeable rotation speed without steps, inputs the intermittent rotation from the indexing apparatus, adds rotational volume of a predetermined skew angle in a positive or negative direction to the inputted intermittent rotation, and transmits the total rotation to the lower rotatable die.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for making circuit boards in which insulated conductors are applied and bonded to a nonconductive surface to form a conductive path between contact points thereon in a predetermined precise pattern.

Abstract: A rotor assembly machine which transports electric motor rotor laminates from a conveyor to a skewing nest where slots in the laminates are engaged by a plurality of vertical skew blades having a composite structure with two slightly separated spring steel vanes. The reduced width of the slot when the laminates are skewed is accommodated by the vanes of the skew blade flexing together. A particularly novel skew setting mechanism causes the skew blades to be tilted at a predetermined angle which is adjustable by varying the vertical distance between a higher fulcrum member and a lower blade pivot which rotated a predetermined angle causing the laminates to be skewed by an angle inversely related to the distances between the pivot and fulcrum, which distances in a multi-station machine may be separately adjusted thereby producing rotors from different stations with different skew angles.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing piles of magnetic plates of annular shape from stamped sheet metal segments having slots open toward the inside and formed by radially directed arms having enlarged inner ends comprises six operating stations namely a first station in which sheet metal segmented are fed from magazines to build up a stack of plates in which successive layers of segments are angularly staggered, a second station at which the height of a partially formed stack of segments is measured, third and fourth stations for feeding additional thinner segments or thicker segments to the stack according to the measurement in order to obtain a stack of predetermined thickness, a fifth station at which the segments are centered and fitted with rivets and a sixth station at which the stack of segments is compressed and the rivets are set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically forming stacks of mechanically interlocked laminated members comprises a punch and die assembly for forming one or more stacks of laminates of the same or different shapes and means associated with one of the laminate dies for measuring stack height to a predetermined dimension. When the desired stack height is reached, the measuring means, which is preferably an optical sensor, transmits a signal to responsive means which, in turn, activates an air cylinder and a slide cam carried by the punch assembly to recycle the operation by commencing the formation of a next stack of laminated members. Improved mechanical interlocking and stacking density is obtained by coining the areas of the mechanical interlocks prior to formation of bow tie shaped interlocks within the punch and die assembly.

Abstract: Three leg tablelets are disposed on a vertically movable truck extending in parallel spaced relationship in a longitudinal direction with a yoke tablelet located along one side of the truck in a cross direction. Two parallel spaced conveyors are disposed above the leg tablelets to have two positions in each of which they are vertically aligned with either one of the outer leg tablelets and the central leg tablelet. A magnet is normally located to each of the conveyors to magnetically attract a magnetic lamination to the travelling conveyors to move it to a predetermined position relative to the aligned leg tablelet whereupon the conveyors are stopped. The magnet can be lifted after or before a change in position of the conveyors in the cross direction, to cause the magnetic lamination to fall on the mating leg tablelet.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for winding an electrical conductor about the leg of a magnetic core. A single set of drive rolls and a single set of ironing rolls cooperatively tightly wrap the conductor about the leg of the magnetic core.

Abstract: A curved, shell-type magnet coil, adapted to be used in a superconducting magnet, is wound by providing a mandrel having a tubular cylindrical mid-portion terminating at both ends in tapered end portions formed with longitudinal slots having flexible fingers therebetween. An elongated electrical conductor is wound around an elongated oval-shaped pole island engaged with the outside of the cylindrical mid-portion, to form a multiplicity of oval-shaped turns engaged with a 180-degree segment of the mandrel. The coil turns have longitudinal portions with curved portions therebetween, engaging the tapered end portions of the mandrel.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method and apparatus for feeding axial lead components directly from a sequencer to an insertion head, while eliminating direct supplying of components to the insert head via a prededicated inventory such as reeled tapes or films having components attached thereto in a predetermined sequence. Preferably, an endless chain conveyor carries the components to the insert head in chain clips which positively retain the leads thereof while allowing centering of the bodies and electrical function testing of the components just prior to insertion of the leads into corresponding holes of a circuit board. Direct supply from a sequencer having a series of individually and programmably controlled dispenser heads provides for quick and flexible variation of an input sequence without manual intervention.

Abstract: A laminated core product producing apparatus wherein a projection is formed on part of a strip of core sheet material and core sheets are punched out of the strip and assembled in a linearly moving stack into the laminated core product by making use of the mutual fitting and crimping of the projections on the core sheets. The dimension of the laminated core product in the direction of the thickness of the core sheets is determined by controlling the intermittent punching out of the projections. A marking mechanism selectively marks a portion of the lateral side edge of a core sheet to be punched out, and at least one proximity sensor provided adjacent the stacked core sheets being assembled into the core product produces a signal corresponding to the distance of a marked core sheet from the head of the stack during movement of the marked core sheet along the stack.

Abstract: An axial flux induction electric motor and method and apparatus for the production thereof, said motor having a rotor and stator, each formed of a core consisting of metal strip having holes punched therein at longitudinally spaced locations so that holes on the core form radially extending slots on a radial face of the core, and wherein said core has the radially inner coils and the radially outer two coils fixed together by deformations thereby preventing unwinding of the core.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying electrode plates in the assembly of battery cell elements. The apparatus includes a shuttle feed device for containing a plurality of stacks of electrode plates of common polarity and successively dispensing a single plate from each stack, a walking beam transfer device for successively receiving plates from said shuttle device and moving the plates into a row with the plates commonly oriented and in predetermined spaced relation, and a plate loader for simultaneously engaging and removing from said walking beam transfer device the number of plates of common polarity required in the assembly of a battery cell element. The feeding device is adapted for easy plate loading, and in conjunction with the transfer device, is adapted to provide a reliable supply of electrode plates for use in the automated assembly of cell elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for very accurately aligning a stack of loose laminations in the manufacture of a stator core for an electric motor or other dynamoelectric machine. The stack of loose laminations is supported on a pallet having a very accurately machined upper surface which is perpendicular to the desired centerline of the rotor accommodating bore. The pallet and lamination stack are moved into the alignment station and the pallet is accurately centered and the reference surface oriented perpendicular to the centerline by means of a tapered pin which acts against a tapered surface on the underneath side of the pallet. An arbor is inserted through the rotor accommodating bore of the stack, and engages a spherical head of the pin lying within the reference plane defined by the reference surface of the pallet, and the opposite end of the arbor is located by means of a second pin so that it is perpendicular to the reference plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating chip type circuit elements on a printed circuit board includes an accommodating assembly for temporarily storing said circuit elements supplied from hoppers, a movable shutter placed under the accommodating assembly, and which supports and rotates circuit elements within the accommodating assembly, and a template placed under the shutter to receive the circuit elements dropped from the accommodating assembly when the shutter is removed laterally from under the accommodating assembly.

Abstract: A method of, and an apparatus for, constructing a laminated rotor for use in high speed stepping motors or the like. The apparatus consists of a rotatable carousel having a plurality of rotatable work stations each of which is carried to a plurality of operating stations. Lamina are punched from sheet metal stock and brought back into the stock and held in a friction fit. Sheet stock is then advanced to a stacking station where a lamina is forced onto a rotor shaft. The shaft is rotated thereafter in order to uniformly distribute any local metalurgical or planarity inconsistencies in the sheet stock throughout the laminated structure.

Abstract: A method of operating apparatus adapted for skewing a stack of laminations. In this method, one opposite end face of the stack is disposed on supporting means therefor, and skewing means pivotally associated with the supporting means is passed through passage means of the stack with a part of the skewing means extending beyond the other opposite end face of the stack. A rocker arm is associated with the other opposite end of the stack to initiate pivoting of the rocker arm generally about a pivotal arrangement with a means for carrying it, and the rocker arm is moved during its pivoting to engage the skewing means part so as to pivotally displace the skewing means from an at-rest position toward a displaced position thereby to effect the skewing of the laminations of the stack.Apparatus adapted for imparting skew to a stack of laminations is also disclosed.

Abstract: Two spaced stacks of magnetically soft E-cores, (17 and 18) are supported in spaced relation by pairs of magnets (38 and 39) on opposite sides of each stack. A pair of shuttles (41 and 47) move alternately toward and away from each other and under the stacks to pick off the lower core in each stack. The shuttles alternately advance the cores into a transformer frame (10) where a pair of magnets (66 and 67) are effective to hold the cores in an assembled position within the frame while the shuttles return for another E-core feeding operation. Entry of the cores into the frame is facilitated by a pair of rotating drums (71 and 72) having staggered arrays of magnets (78 and 79) which act to rapidly vibrate the E-cores (17 and 18) and thus prevent lodging of the cores against the frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making packets of rotor or stator sheets for electrical machinery. At a certain station to which a preselected number of sheets are delivered, the sheets are both aligned and joined together. Aligning is effected by an aligning device which includes aligning pins which move into openings in the sheets. While the sheets are still at the aligning station, joining means effect joining together of the sheets. The joining means may include a piston pressed into the opening in the sheets and/or a device for welding the sheets together. At a packet receiving station before the aligning and joining station relatively high stacks of sheets are placed into magazine baskets suspended from a central turntable member. A piston pushes a predetermined number of such sheets upwardly through its respective basket into a receiving head which carries those sheets to the aligning and joining station. The finished packets are then carried by the aligning joining means to a discharging station.

Abstract: A method for forming a magnetic core around a pre-wound wire coil involves: passing an end of a strip of magnetically permeable metal through the center of the coil and forming it into a loop encircling the wire coil through its center; revolving the loop to wind the strip onto the loop until it has the desired thickness of the magnetic core to be formed; retracting the strip from the coil to reduce its circumference and to draw it tightly around the coil to form the magnetic core; followed by severing the core from the retracted strip. Apparatus for the practice of the method is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting chip type circuit elements on a printed circuit board include a supply unit for supplying chip type circuit elements, a plurality of pallets adapted to be connected intermittently in a longitudinal direction, a sequence head adapted to shift the circuit elements onto the pallets, an X-Y table adapted to receive and support a printed circuit board, a mounting mechanism having mounting heads adapted to mount the chip type circuit elements on the printed circuit board carried by the X-Y table, and a shifting head for shifting the chip type circuit elements from the pallets to the mounting head of the mounting mechanism. The mounting mechanism constitutes a rotatably indexing disc on which a plurality of mounting heads are radially situated, the sequence heads, shifting head and mounting heads each utilizing suction pins to which the chip type circuit elements are fixed during their movement from the supply unit to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A spreading device for use in quantity production of lamination stacks for electric machines has sector pieces, which fit into the bore hole of the lamination stack and are placed on a spreading mandrel. The mandrel can be moved axially by a hydraulic drive. The end faces of the sector pieces are beveled on their insides and rest against a first conical surface connected to the spreading mandrel and against a second conical surface opposite to and facing the former. To achieve uniform alignment of the lamination stack over its full length, the second conical surface is displaced by a hydraulic drive and the two conical surfaces are moved towards each other by the same amount.

Abstract: A pick-off device for an automatic stacker useful in stacking laminations for electric machines in which the number of laminations required to form a stack is picked off by means of a head from an orderly supply of laminations stored in a magazine. The pick-off head can be tilted so that the picked-off lamination stack can be fed to a further processing station. In order to prevent individual laminations from dropping out when they are being picked off and to make it possible to vary the number of laminations picked-off, the laminations are arranged in the magazine on a horizontal carrier which is lined up with a take-up mandrel of the pick-up head, being aligned on the carrier by a guide bar connected to it. The take-up mandrel has a pick-off finger which fits into a cutout in the laminations and can be lifted relative to the carrier alone or together with the take-up mandrel to pick off the laminations.

Abstract: A device for assembling lamination stacks for use in electric machines in which a first quantity of laminations is picked off to form the lamination stack and the size of the stack so formed is measured at an intermediate station. Then a second quantity of laminations which depends on the measurement result, is picked up and is added to the first quantity. A transport and pickup device, provided for picking up the second quantity of laminations, is controlled by the measuring device and takes the laminations from a magazine. In order to avoid loading and monitoring the magazine separately, the magazine is provided with at least three storage places which consist of carriers, disposed horizontally at equal angular spacings from each other on a rotatable column. In forming the lamination stack, the first quantity of laminations is picked up from the first carrier and fed to the intermediate station for measurement.

Abstract: A method for manually assembling an inductor and calibrating it, and apparatus to facilitate practice of the method. Laminations are manually inserted into the ends of a hollow core of a wire-wound bobbin to build up a right hand stack of laminations and a left hand stack of laminations. Manual insertion of the laminations is facilitated by use of a stacking block which includes upright indexing posts to promote registration of the laminations. The left and right laminations are so stacked that an oversize air gap is included between the right hand stack and the left hand stack. After all the laminations have been stacked, the inductor is placed on a calibrator bed to facilitate calibration. The calibrator bed includes first and second sets of jaws which are closed along orthogonal directions under control of an operator. Closure of the first set of jaws brings the laminations into registration.

Abstract: An arrangement for aligning and stacking laminations and for transporting formed stacks of laminations with the laminations being provided with a circular inner and/or outer circumference and having stamped patterns defining a plurality of stampings distributed about the circumference of the laminations at equal centering angles. A stack forming device is provided for receiving laminations fed individually thereto with the stack forming device including at least two stack forming elements mounted so as to be selectively separable. The stack forming elements are disposed one above the other in a longitudinal direction of the stack forming device so as to form upper and lower stack forming elements. The lower stack forming element selectively engages the upper stack forming element, with such element being maintained in a fixed position when the lower stack forming element is displaced to a lowered position.

Abstract: An arrangement for aligning and stacking laminations for electrical equipment and for transporting formed stacks of laminations with the laminations being fed individually in the same position to a stack former which maintains the relative positions of the laminations. The laminations include a circular inner or outer circumference and a plurality of stampings distributed about the surface of the laminations at equal centering angles. The stack former is provided with an appropriate circular circumference and a guide which can be introduced into at least one stamping. The stack former is rotatably mounted relative to its longitudinal axis and is provided with a rotary drive which operates in a stepwise manner with the rotary steps of the drive being equal to the central angle of the stampings of the stamping pattern or a whole number multiple thereof.

Abstract: A supporting mandrel receives a plurality of electrical motor core laminations in columnar relation. An overhead ram carrying a ram head is in movable relation towards and away from the supporting mandrel along the columnar axis. A cylinder is formed in the ram head opening towards the supporting mandrel. A piston is reciprocably mounted in the cylinder and is coupled in force transmitting relation to the upper end of said column. Selectively releasable fluid pressure is operable to move the piston toward the supporting mandrel for compressing the laminations in the column. Coplanar pick-off fingers are mounted in an axially aligned member and are movable in a radial direction relative the axis and exert a holding force to at least one lamination. The plane of the fingers is spaced a predetermined axial distance from the upper column end defining a predetermined stack height of laminations. The holding force is maintained until the fluid pressure to the piston is released.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for assembling a stack having a precise height from a plurality of individual laminates having varying thicknesses are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises seven colinearly aligned dispensing stations for storing a stack of laminates and for dispensing a predetermined number of laminates from the first six stations and a variable number of laminates in the last seventh station; three walking beam assemblies for transporting the plates between the dispensing stations, and a means for controlling the number of laminates dispensed by the last, seventh dispensing station. The controlling means comprises a vertically extending engaging block resiliently mounted on the third walking beam for engaging the laminates to be dispensed and a resiliently mounted cut-off blade depending into and varying the height of a slot located at the bottom of the stored stack of laminates in the last dispensing station.

Abstract: A voltage multiplier circuit assembly circuit is fabricated by the use of an apparatus which comprises a pair of guide walls juxtaposed on a horizontal insulative support, each of the guide walls having first and second slits in opposed relation to the corresponding slits in the other. The guide walls define a first and a second area and an intermediate area therebetween. Condensers of the wafer type is placed alternately on the first and second areas with one of their electrodes facing downward. Diodes having a pair of connecting leads are placed on the intermediate area alternately with the condensers and alternately through the first and second opposed slits. Conductive cementing agent is applied between the contact points of the condensers and diodes.