Abstract: An attachment retainer having a collar that, when at a collar locked position, has a first surface that is positioned above an open end of a passageway of a spindle to assist in retaining locking members in locking engagement with a driven tool. When in a collar release position, a second surface of the collar is positioned above the open end of the passageway to provide a space to receive a portion of the locking members so that the locking members can be disengaged from the driven tool. A plunger is displaceable to a position beneath another opening of the passageway to assist in retaining locking members in the passageway. A cam surface of a release ring can engage, and facilitate linear displacement of, release members as the release ring is rotated, which can facilitate axial displacement of the collar from the collar locked position to the collar release position.

Abstract: A holding system includes a force control module configured to generate a force signal to cause a holding device to perform at least one of a hold stroke and a release stroke. The hold stroke includes transitioning a gripping element of the holding device to a first position to grip an object. The release stroke includes transitioning the gripping element to a second position to release the object. The holding device is non-backdrivable. A stall detection module is configured to (i) monitor a sensor signal received from a sensor of an electric motor assembly of the holding device and (ii) detect a first stall condition of an electric motor based on the sensor signal. A shut off module is configured to shut off current to the electric motor based on the detection of the first stall condition during or at an end of the release stroke.

Abstract: A fully automatic machine tool for simultaneously broaching parallel slots on a plurality of workpieces mounted on a rotatable table in which the table is indexed between a plurality of broaching operations to revolve the workpieces and hence to effect rotation of the workpieces about their own axes with respect to the path of broaching tools.

Abstract: An improved automatic loading and unloading device (10) that can be used for high production machinery. The device (10) utilizes "straight-through" feeding of workpieces across a shuttle table (16) to a work station and through same to a discharge chute (70) minimizing the jamming of the pieces. In addition, the device simultaneously indexes new workpieces on the shuttle table (16) by means of a loading/unloading assembly (14) while previous workpieces are being machined. The device can also be used for supplying and indexing workpieces on a batch basis rather than an individual workpiece basis.

Abstract: Two vertically movable carriages are alternately reciprocated. Each carriage holds two broaches positioned at opposite sides of the ways that guide the carriage. In one embodiment workpieces are moved from a magazine between the carriages alternately to work stations beside each carriage. In another embodiment the workpieces are moved between the two broaches in a series of three steps, the first broach acting on a given workpiece during a dwell before the first step and the second broach acting on that workpiece during a dwell after the third step. In yet another embodiment the workpieces are held by a chuck which, between successive broaching strokes, rotates the workpiece about an axis normal to the broaching strokes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple-broach broaching machine for broaching a pattern of holes formed in a workpiece. This machine comprises means for moving and positioning the workpieces on the broaching machine, means for pulling the broaches and means for following the broaches, said pull means and follower means co-acting with the opposite ends of the broaches, respectively, to ensure their passage through the holes of the workpieces to be broached from one side to the other side of the workpieces, said pull means and follower means being provided for two similar sets of broaches adapted to operate simultaneously in opposite directions. A handling device is associated with said sets of broaches on either side of the plane in which the workpieces are positioned, for the purpose of transferring each set of broaches, by turning same through 180.degree., from said pull means to the adjacent follower means at the end of each pass.