Abstract: An inspection method using an automatic inspection system comprises the following: (a) a step of loading a 3D file from which the program has been selected; (b) a step of inputting into the program information on one or more selected components of the mold assembly of the 3D file loaded into the program; (c) a step of checking a setting value of the selected component according to a mode selected from a check list preset in the program; and (d) a step wherein, if the set value of the component selected in step (c) is out of the range of the value set in the selected mode, the color of the component out of the range of the set value among the selected one or more components is changed to a preset color and monitored.

Abstract: A method and system for installing a fastener system. A collar in the fastener system is automatically positioned on a hole on a first side of a structure prior to an insertion of a pin in the fastener system into the hole from a second side of the structure in which the pin has a pin tail. The pin with the pin tail is inserted through the collar in which the pin extends through the hole and the collar. A force is applied on at least one of the collar or the pin tail along a centerline extending centrally though the collar until the pin tail becomes separated from the pin such that the collar engages an engagement feature on the pin when the pin with pin tail is inserted into the hole from the second side.

Abstract: A blade set for paper shredders is disclosed. In one embodiment, a notched blade having at least two notches in proximity to a central hole is brought into contact with a mating blade also having a central hole. Force is applied to the mating blade in such a fashion as to displace some of the body of the mating blade into the notches. This acts to substantially secure the blades together. In another embodiment, the notches are disposed on the edge of the blade and through the periphery. In yet another embodiment, one blade can have holes and not notches.

Abstract: A crimping tool for crimping an electrical contact toward engagement with an electrical conductor, including a housing, a pair of crimping dies, a die support arrangement supporting a first one of the crimping dies in a stationary position on said housing, and a displacing mechanism for displacing the other crimping die between open and closed positions relative to the stationary crimping die. The displacing mechanism includes a rotary drive shaft, a crimping arm having a first end portion connected with the movable crimping die member, and a rotary-to-reciprocatory motion converting mechanism adjacent the other end of the crimping arm for transforming the rotary motion of the drive shaft to a reciprocatory motion of the crimping arm, thereby to displace the movable crimping die between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: The system includes a collar feed assembly which includes a channel within a step assembly at the end thereof, which defines a receiving cavity for the collar. The receiving cavity is configured so that the collar can move slightly therein, permitting a die portion of a die tool to engage a center opening of the collar, so that the collar can come into accurate alignment with the center axis of the die tool. The die tool is mounted to be movable slightly transversely to permit a reliable transfer of the collar onto the bolt. The collar is more compliant than the die tool during loading of the collar onto the die pin and the die tool is more compliant than the collar during transfer of the collar from the die pin onto the bolt.

Abstract: A tool for producing composite objects, including a first and a second material path, along which a first and second sheet material are stepwise feedable. Along the first and second material paths there are disposed a number of processing stations for processing the first and second sheet materials by shearing, punching, pressing, bending etc. The first and second material paths intersect one another and in the zone of intersection an assembly station is disposed for joining together or assembling component parts from the first and second material paths. A method of producing from sheet material a composite object includes the steps of stepwise feeding a first sheet material in a first feeding direction, the sheet material being processed between certain feeding steps, feeding a second sheet material stepwise in a second feeding direction, the second sheet material being processed between certain feeding steps.

Abstract: The press is used for assembling a section of a railing system. It comprises at least one set of tab-bending punch heads designed to bend end tabs provided on pickets. The tabs are inserted through a corresponding opening made in a rail of the section of the railing system before activating the press. Using this press, a plurality of pickets can be simultaneously connected to the rails.

Abstract: This part supplying and press-fitting apparatus for supplying an annular part to a predetermined position and press-fitting the part into a press-fit hole of a work in a state of being positioned in a circumferential direction includes a grip device for gripping the part; a rotation device for rotating the grip device around a hole axis of the part in a state of having gripped the part; a detection device for detecting the detected portion of the part being rotated by the rotation device; a stop device for stopping the rotation of the grip device when the detected portion is detected; a move device for moving the grip device stopped by the stop device to the predetermined position; and a press-fit head configured to descend to the predetermined position and to press-fit the part into a press-fit hole of the work.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for assembling a camera module comprising a support frame that is formed in a rectangular shape and has a jig horizontally connected to an upper end thereof; a plurality of stages that are vertically stacked and installed in the support frame and adjust a printed circuit board (PCB) in three-axis directions; a board holder that is formed to extend from one end of the uppermost stage and has the PCB mounted on the extending end thereof; and a jig assembly that is disposed on an opening of the jig and has a barrel-integrated housing mounted on the central portion thereof.

Abstract: A vehicular body panel or component part having a reinforcing backing plate reconciled or joined to a part of a blank material at a position wherein a bending formation is implemented. The backing plate has one or more apertures formed in at least one lateral row at a location equivalent to the position of the bending formation. When forming the blank material and the backing plate concurrently by a bending operation, the backing plate becomes intimately associated with the blank sheet to avoid the backing plate from locally separating from the blank material and from forming a gap relative thereto, with a resultant improved product quality.

Abstract: A T-bracket and spring plate riveting machine for use with a T-bracket making machine is disclosed to have a conveyer for carrying T-brackets from the T-bracket making machine to a front side for processing, two pitch-adjustable riveting units for stamping metal sheet materials into spring plates and riveting two spring plates to the ends of each T-bracket, and sensor-controlled corrector frames for correcting the position of the T-bracket before riveting if necessary.

Abstract: A tool for piercing nuts that includes a die part, a punch part and a piercing nut feeder incorporated into the punch part. The piercing nut feeder is adapted to feed piercing nuts into a piercing nut holder in the punch part so that these nuts, when the punch part is pressed against the die part by a press, are to punch holes in and be attached to a metal sheet inserted between the punch part and the die part. A gas spring is arranged between the press and the punch part, which gas spring has at least one cylinder and a piston which is movably arranged in said cylinder and which is aligned with the press. The pressure in the cylinder to adjust the pressure exerted upon the piercing nut by the punch part.

Abstract: A calendar slide includes a hanger that is secured to the slide during the tinning or crimping process in which the slide is secured to the calendar. The hanger has a hole for hanging the calendar or other work piece tinned with the slide and hanger. Advantageously, according to this invention, the hanger does not need to be riveted or staked to the slide for secure attachment. The slide may include at least one through slot into which a leading edge of a roll of hanger material is inserted. The leading portion of the hanger material is severed or cut from the remainder of the roll while it is positioned in the hanger. An edge of the calendar or work piece is inserted between the spaced legs of the slide and initially crimped between the spaced legs. The hanger is severed from the roll either prior to the initially crimping operation, during the initial crimping operation or immediately there after.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for loading a rivet module (10), which can be vertically displaced between a lower placement position and an upper loading position, with blind rivet nuts (100) using a rivet feed (22). The invention is characterized in that next to the rivet placement head (12), a cup (24) for accommodating blind rivet nuts is laterally arranged such that it can be displaced between a position underneath the rivet feed (22) and a position underneath the rivet module (10) that is located in the loading position, whereby the cup (24) is provided with a clamping cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming armed sutures has a swaging station for receiving, holding and swaging needles that are deposited therein. A linear motor drives a suture insertion gripper, which pulls suture from a supply reel and inserts a cut end thereof into a needle held in the swaging station. A ganged needle transfer assembly with a plurality of spaced needle gripper units carries needles along a line substantially at right angles to the suture line and transfers them to and from the swaging station and other needle processing stations. A precisor orients needles prior to placement in the swaging station and a pull test assembly tests armed sutures in both destructive and non-destructive modes. Both ends of the production line may be automated, e.g., by robots which load and offload needles prior to and after swaging, respectively. The apparatus is capable of forming double armed sutures by using a rotatable mount for the suture insertion gripper and a secondary, loop gripper.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for attaching filamentary members to a substrate are disclosed. The substrate includes a plastic layer and the apparatus includes an anvil, a needle and a swaging tool movable relatively to the anvil. The method includes the steps of penetrating the substrate with the needle to create an opening, positioning the filamentary member in the opening, and compressing the substrate between the swaging tool and the anvil so as to deform the plastic layer and swage the filamentary member to the substrate. The needle is heated to melt the plastic layer so that it fuses with the filamentary member upon swaging. Motion of the needle and swaging tool is controlled by cams under the command of a microprocessor control unit. A substrate to which filamentary members are swaged is also disclosed.

Abstract: A continuous manufacturing system for composite aluminum panels comprises a continuous expanding device for expanding a raw material of a core and a main body of a continuous manufacturing system of composite aluminum panels. The continuous expanding device consists of a cramp for holding raw material, a raw material supplier, a number of sliding rods for sliding raw material and the core, a subsidiary cramp that reciprocates from side to side and ascends and descends on racks, a cramp for expanding a raw material and a roller running idle transferring to the main body. The main body consists of a supplying part for providing top and bottom aluminum plates, a supplying part for providing adhering materials, a combination part comprising the upper and lower rollers and a hot pressing part comprising rollers for hot pressing and supporting are provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for closing a fastener includes a first member adapted to engage and bend a fastener toward a closed position, a second member defining a recessed fastener guide adapted to engage and bend the fastener toward the closed position, the recessed fastener guide being generally aligned with the first member to receive at least a portion of the fastener from the first member, structure for moving the first member, and structure for moving the second member relative to the first member to move the fastener toward the closed position.

Abstract: A button indexing device used in a button attaching machine for attaching a button to be indexed in a specific orientation on a fabric of garments or the like, including lower mold provided at a button attaching position of the attaching machine, a driving section for turning the lower mold around a vertical axis, a laser beam source for irradiating a laser beam onto a point of a specified circular track of the button to be held in the lower mold around the vertical axis, an optical sensor for detecting light reflected from or scattered by the button, and a stop section for stopping said lower mold in a rotation position capable of obtaining the right orientation when said optical sensor detects the minimum or maximum amplitude.

Abstract: A system for verifying the quality of a pressing operation of a press-fit part onto a receiving portion of a receiving assembly. The system is applicable to the installation of a bearing cup onto a shaft, or a valve seat into a cylinder head. A probe measures a predetermined dimension of the press-fit part to establish a first measurement value. In the case of a valve seat installed a receiving pocket of a cylinder head, a measuring probe is inserted into the receiving pocket of the cylinder head to measure its depth. The depth is recorded as a second measurement value. The valve seat is then pressed into the pocket, and the residual depth is measured to determine the distance between the outermost surface of the pressed in valve seat and the outer surface of the receiving pocket. A computation compares the depth of the pocket against the thickness of the valve seat to determine a difference which is then compared to the residual depth.

Abstract: An electrical connector crimping die comprises a first section for removably connecting the die to an electrical connector compression tool. A second section of the die, which is connected to the first section, is provided for crimping a connector. The second section comprises a generally concave crimp projection of a given height which defines a primary crimp surface and at least one concave shaped secondary pre-crimp surface. The secondary pre-crimp surface is recessed relative to the primary crimp surface by the given height. The primary crimp surface and the secondary pre-crimp surface are arranged relative to the first section so that a major portion of a crimping force applied by the compression tool to the crimping die is applied to the primary crimp surface to crimp a first portion of the connector and so that a minor portion of the crimping force is applied to the secondary pre-crimp surface to pre-crimp a second portion of the connector. A hydraulic crimping tool employs such a crimping die.

Abstract: A crimping installation with first and second crimping stations includes at each station a device platform with device stations and a crimp press. A cable is advanced by a tape drive whereby the leading cable end is taken over by a first grip arm arranged on a first swivel arm, which supplies the stripped cable end to the first crimping station. After the leading cable end is provided with a crimping contact, a first swivel arm moves backwards into an axis of the tape drive. Then the tape drive continues to advance the cable until the desired length of a cable section is reached. A separation and a stripping station separates the cable section from the cable and removes the insulation at the cable ends. The lagging cable end of the cable section is taken over by a second grip arm arranged on a second swivel arm which supplies the lagging cable end to the second crimping station for assembly with a crimping contact.

Abstract: The invention provides a manufacturing device for improving working property and reducing the burden of a worker in manufacture of support parts. This manufacturing device has a conveying device for intermittently conveying a main body of the support parts respectively having a bearing press-fitting portion and a bolt press-fitting hole along a predetermined conveying path while the main body is temporarily stopped every constant conveying distance. Plural holding members for holding the main body in a constant posture every constant clearance in a conveying direction of the conveying device are arranged. One stopping position of the holding members in the conveying path is set to a supply setting portion of the main body.

Abstract: An apparatus for press fitting inserts into corresponding receptacles in workpieces includes a press comprising a ram and a backup tool spaced from the ram. An insertion tool is alignable between the ram and the backup tool. An insert magazine feeds inserts to the insertion tool. A workpiece positioner sequentially moves each workpiece through receiving positions that align the receptacles with the insertion tool between the ram and the backup tool. The ram repeatedly engages the insertion tool to press fit an insert into each of the corresponding receptacles. The backup tool supports the workpiece against the force of press-fit insertion.

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: A production line for assembling a pair of left and right car components, capable of assembling a pair of high quality car components by on line at high operating efficiency and productivity and capable of controlling jigs and molds with high dimensional accuracy. The production line of this invention related to a production line for assembling a pair of left and right front doors for supply to an assembly line of the white body of a car, is constructed by arranging various processes on one line, which comprises a work tack welding process A comprising a work input device 3 for alternately inputting the left right front door panels LDP and RDP, an incremental welding process B for welding either one of the works while transferring the other, a marriage process C, a door skin input and sealing process D, a hemming process E, a hemming delivery process F, and a front door delivery portion.

Abstract: A convertible flange insertion machine for the insertion of a pair of internally threaded flanges into a drum head of a shipping container is disclosed. The machine includes a pair of continuously moving drum head conveyor chains running along conveyor supports and between a pair of tooling dies that upon compression insert flanges into the drum head. A pair of flange conveyors run along side the drum head conveyor and include a pair of side rails with two lips for guiding the lips of flanges according to two different flange styles. The flange conveyors terminate at a lateral transfer mechanism. One lateral transfer mechanism includes an indexer with two pawls that sequentially indexes flanges in a two step procedure over a pair of spring loaded stops and into the receiving pocket of a tooling block. The tooling block places the flanges over the tooling die where a release assembly forces the flanges out of the tooling block and onto the die.

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 invention is a system for use in a single-anvil hydraulic press or compression system for automatically selecting and changing both the upper and lower tooling. The system is installed between the upper and lower compression anvils of a hydraulic press. The upper portion includes a set of holders for upper tools and adjacent orientation structures or jaws. The upper tool holders and jaws are mounted on a horizontal member that may be moved such that one of the upper tools is "selected" by being placed immediately below the upper anvil of the press. As part of this selection process, the anvil removes the tool from the selected holder, and holds it using pneumatic suction. Then the horizontal member shifts over so that the upper anvil is situated directly above the adjacent orientation structure for that tool. To switch to a different upper tool, the horizontal member again moves the (empty) holder below the upper anvil, whereupon the pneumatic suction is removed causing the tool to drop into the holder.

Abstract: A workpiece which is made by integrally combining an outer member and an inner member through hemming is manufactured efficiently in a common apparatus. An outer member and an inner member are combined to alternately subassemble two kinds of workpieces at a common subassembly station. A hemming station is disposed on a downstream side of the subassembly station in a manufacturing line. In this hemming station, a first hemming apparatus for the first kind of workpiece and a second hemming apparatus for the second kind of workpiece are disposed in a side by side relationship with each other. The first kind of workpiece subassembled in the subassembly station and the second kind of workpiece are alternately fed to the first hemming apparatus and the second hemming apparatus by a workpiece feeding robot.

Abstract: The invention is a system for use in a single-anvil hydraulic press or compression system for automatically selecting and changing both the upper and lower tooling. The system is installed between the upper and lower compression anvils of a hydraulic press. The upper portion includes a set of holders for upper tools and adjacent orientation structures or jaws. The upper tool holders and jaws are mounted on a horizontal member that may be moved such that one of the upper tools is "selected" by being placed immediately below the upper anvil of the press. As part of this selection process, the anvil removes the tool from the selected holder, and holds it using pneumatic suction. Then the horizontal member shifts over so that the upper anvil is situated directly above the adjacent orientation structure for that tool. To switch to a different upper tool, the horizontal member again moves the (empty) holder below the upper anvil, whereupon the pneumatic suction is removed causing the tool to drop into the holder.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improvements in an Automated Swage Wind and Packaging Machine that is particularly adapted to assist in the automated singulation of surgical needles to enable subsequent automated handling of the needle, automatic swaging of the suture into a receiving end of the needle, automatic pull testing of the combined needle and suture, and automated packaging of the pull tested combined needle and suture into a tray having a cover.

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: This invention relates to a method for manufacturing a needle attached suture and an apparatus therefor. A needle attached suture is obtained by inserting a suture into an insertion hole formed in the end of a needle N which is held by a needle retaining unit 16 and by swaging the end of the needle with the suture. The method and the apparatus have been developed to accurately position the end of the needle for swaging with the suture to stabilize the swaging strength between the suture and the needle. Before the swaging, the needle is held by the needle retaining unit 16, and the end of the needle N is pushed to a certain position by a rod 99 or its equivalent. Thereby, the end of the needle N relative to the needle retaining unit 16 is accurately positioned.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a needle attached suture manufacturing apparatus, with a simple construction and reduced cost, capable of assuredly inserting the lead end of a suture in an insertion hole formed in the end of a needle before the end of the needle is swaged. In order to accomplish the above object, a needle swaging device 20 of this apparatus includes die support members 101 and 102 on which swaging dies 111 and 112 are mounted to be movable toward and away from each other. Suture guide plates 95 and 96 are mounted on the die support members 101 and 102 and are formed with guide grooves 95a and 96b, respectively. Before a swaging operation of the needle end by the swaging dies 111 and 112, the suture guide plates 95 and 96 move to a contact state or to a close contact state with each other when the swaging dies 111 and 112 are set to a pre-swaging position in contact with or in close contact with the end of the needle.

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 needle singulation station, a precise positioning station, a suture feeding station, a swage station, a pull-test station and an off-load station. 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. A suture feeding and cutting station automatically cuts an indefinite length of suture material to a definite length suture strand and automatically inserts an end of the definite length suture strand into the suture receiving opening formed in the needle.

Abstract: An apparatus for the high-volume manufacture of assembled wall frame structures for use in the residential and commercial building industry is arranged to receive and support a pair of laterally spaced apart top and bottom plate members and move them longitudinally in indexed, stepwise increments through a stud-inserting and fastening station in which wall stud members are automatically positioned to engage and extend perpendicularly between the plate members at predetermined intervals therealong, whereupon the opposite ends of a stud member are secured to the opposite plate members by a fastening device, whereby complete wall frame assemblies may be quickly and efficiently made on a continuous basis according to desired specification as ordered and thence delivered to a construction site for erection.

Abstract: Two mating fastener elements are attached to material and each other at a setting station through an electric motor. The motor rotates a cam having its profile cooperate with a cam follower on an upper pivotally mounted arm to move a ram, which supports one of the fastener elements, towards a support, which supports the other of the fastener elements. The support is moved by a lower pivotally mounted arm attached to the cam by a crank arm so that it has a harmonic motion. The ram is stopped and held in its stopped position before a controlled setting force is applied through the support to move the other fastener element into engagement with the one fastener element.

Abstract: A clip attachment mechanism includes therewith a two-stage mechanism for feeding a cord loop sequentially and singly into the pathway of a u-shaped metal clip moving down a channel in the clipper for attachment about casing material. The two-stage operation includes a mechanism for removing loops, one at a time, from a tape having a plurality of loops mounted thereon. The loop removed from the tape is positioned through a series of shutters. It is then transported by a second transport mechanism along a defined pathway and the tie end of the loop is inserted into a window to the clip channel of the clipper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an arcuate brake shoe from a first strip of material which is to provide a web of the shoe and has a plurality of projections extending from one edge and a second strip which has a plurality of corresponding openings to receive the projections and which is to provide the platform of the shoe. The two strips are secured together with projections and openings engaged and formed into an arcuate shape by passage through a roller arrangement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching sutures to curved surgical needles. A vibratory bowl and vibratory rail function to present individual surgical needles to a transfer system in a predetermined orientation. The transfer system then delivers each oriented needle to a frame which positions the needle for subsequent swaging by a rotating die system which selectively impacts the needle to secure the suture thereto.

Abstract: A press and assembly machine has a die set which has guide posts securely mounted on a base plate, and a cylinder plate securely mounted on top portions of the guide posts, and a movable plate slidably mounted on the guide posts. A cylinder is mounted on the cylinder plate. A piston rod of the cylinder is connected to the movable plate. A pick-and-place device is mounted on the base plate. The pick-and-place device comprises a pair of guide rails mounted on the base plate at opposite sides of the lower die, opposite sliding members slidably mounted on the guide rails, a connecting member connecting the sliding members, a reciprocating cylinder for reciprocating the connected sliding members, and a plurality of gripping actuators provided on the opposite sliding members. The gripping actuator has opposite gripping cylinders, opposite gripping fingers operated by a piston rod of the corresponding cylinder for gripping a work. A parts-feeder is provided for feeding works one by one to the pick-and-place device.

Abstract: A powered hand tool (10) is disclosed for crimping terminals (30) to a conductor. The tool includes a linear actuator (18) for driving a cam (70) along a linear path (272). The cam (70) interacts with a pair of followers (192, 194) to first cause the crimping mechanism (16) to crimp the terminal and then, during the last part of the power stroke, to open the crimping mechanism (16) so that the crimped terminal (30) can be removed during the return stroke. Additionally, during the last part of the power stroke the feed mechanism (22) is actuated to store energy so that during the return stroke the main mechanism can utilize the stored energy to effect the feeding of the next terminal into position for crimping.

Abstract: A device for mounting parts has an upper tool with an upper stamp and a lower tool with a lower stamp. A drive unit for driving the upper and lower tools is provided. A feeding device for feeding parts to the upper and lower tools is present. A gear arrangement connects the upper and lower tools to the drive unit such that the upper and lower tools are movable in a reciprocating manner toward one another. The gear arrangement has an eccentric disk and a drive lever connected to the eccentric disk. A rocker arm is provided having a swivel axis about which the rocker arm swivels. The rocker arm pivotably connected with a first end to the drive lever and with a second end to the lower tool. A control rod is connected to the rocker arm and the drive lever, wherein a plurality of points of attachment are provided for the control rod.

Abstract: An automatic grommeting machine for high speed, large volume insertion and setting of eyelets, grommets, etc., and their mating washers, without requiring pre-punching of a hole. Dual cams are connected to a series of linkages which control the movement of a top set, a bottom set and a clamper, as well as controlling the withdrawal and insertion of grommet and washer roadway slides in synchrony with the top and bottom sets. The grommeting machine is fully automatic, i.e., the operator simply inserts a piece of material into the machine and activates the machine by pressing a single pedal to insert and set a grommet or eyelet and its corresponding washer in the material.

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: A swaging station incorporates a drawing tower that automatically draws, cuts, and inserts an indefinite length strand of suture material within the suture receiving end of a surgical needle for swaging thereof. The suture receiving end of the surgical needle is positioned within a swaging assembly located at the top of the drawing tower that comprises a first fixed swage die and a second movable swage die forming a swage die opening for positively gripping the suture receiving end of the needle positioned therein. A first suture alignment die and a second suture alignment die are precisely registered below and adjacent the respective first and second swage dies to form a lower funnel guide that is axial with the swage die opening for positioning the tip of the suture strand therein. The lower funnel guide has an exit diameter that is larger than the diameter of the suture tip and smaller than the diameter of the suture receiving end of the needle for easy placement of the suture tip therein.

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 of making an injection and sampling site adapted to receive a blunt cannula. The method comprises providing an elastomeric septum, and a housing adapted to receive that septum; making a slit in the elastomeric septum; inserting the elastomeric septum into the passageway of the housing; and swaging an outer annular ledge on the housing inwardly over the septum until a septum-engaging portion of the swaging tool applies a predetermined amount of force to the septum. Before the swaging step, a pin is inserted into the passageway of the housing against the inside end of the septum to inhibit deformation of the septum during swaging.

Abstract: A can end (1) having an openable portion (14) defined by a score line (13), has a ring pull defining an aperture in which is retained a token (16) which may be removed as proof of purchase to qualify the purchaser for a prize or other premium offer. The token (16) is preferably made from a plastics material which is retained by clinching of peripheral material of the ring pull, and may be marked with indicia.