Abstract: A device for centering a work piece with respect to a centerline of a tool includes a radially-stationary component rigidly secured with respect to the tool such that the radially-stationary component and the tool are concentric. A biasing mechanism is biased away from the radially-stationary component to apply substantially equally-distributed radial force at a periphery of the work piece to thereby center the work piece with respect to the tool. A method of broaching a work piece having an inner and an outer diameter includes machining the outer diameter and then applying circumferentially-distributed radial force to the inner diameter or the outer diameter to thereby center the work piece with respect to a broach tool. After the applying step, the method includes broaching the inner diameter of the work piece using the broach tool.

Abstract: A portable, mechanically operated, key-duplicating machine that relies on a punch-cutting system that selectively punches out the particular notches or “bittings” of a key blank in response to the details of an adjacent and aligned master key. The duplicating machine comprises a frame having cutting end and an alignment end. The frame defines a longitudinal axis. A carriage is movable along the longitudinal axis and includes a transverse axis. A key clamping assembly has a first key clamp for holding the key blank and a second key clamp for holding the master key. The key assembly is selectively slidable along the transverse axis. A cutting assembly is located at the cutting end and includes a punch-type cutter pin that is adapted to selectively cut pre-shaped notches from the held key blank. The cutter pin includes a guide section that aligns with the notch-profile of the held master key.

Abstract: A linear broaching machine for machining rotating parts wherein a plurality of tooling carriages are mounted upon a moving chain and broach type tools are supported by the carriages wherein the tools are moved in a linear path into engagement with a rotating workpiece to remove metal from the workpiece and form an accurately sized cylindrical surface concentric to the workpiece axis of rotation. The tool carriages are spaced from each other providing non-machining access durations wherein the workpiece may be loaded or unloaded from its rotating support spindles.

Abstract: In order to manufacture parts with an outer profile, a workpiece (32) is pressed by a pressure piece (24) through a ring-shaped cutting tool (34). The cutting tool (34) has a plurality of disks with inner cutting edges (62) for removing material from the workpiece (32). The cutting edges are progressively longer in the advance direction, so that each cutting edge removes material chips and the last cutting edge in the advance direction corresponds to the desired outer profile of the part. In order to improve chip removal, the chip chambers (74) located between the cutting edges communicate with the outside through radial connection openings (128) which are distributed all around their circumference. To hold the workpiece (32) securely on the pressure piece (24), a pressure pad (76) extends through the cutting tool (34) and is supported on the side of the workpiece (32) opposite to the pressure piece (32), and a hydraulic piston (80) generates a compression force on the pressure pad (76).

Abstract: A very high speed adiabatic face milling machine whose configuration and operation provide a highly efficient machining process suitable for production manufacturing conditions. The milling machine preferably operates at speeds of approximately 15,000 sfm and at efficiencies of approximately 7 cubic inches per minute per horsepower. The preferred milling operation is conducted without the use of cooling liquids, instead employing a chip removal system which enables the milling machine to operate truly adiabatically such that no heat is transferred to the workpiece or the cutter. The efficiency of the chip removal system is such that chip recutting is nearly eliminated and tool life is improved. The milling machine also includes an improved cutter structure, fixturing, and transfer devices.

Abstract: A broaching machine for cutting keyways in a bore of a piece part. There is a stationary bed plate on which is slidably mounted a moveable vise which slides along the bed plate. The jaws of the moveable vise clamp the piece part which is to be machined. A broach holder lowers the broach through an upper fixed support which has upper broach guide means disposed therein. The broach then passes through the piece part and through a lower broach guide means positioned in the bed plate. A broach pulling unit receives the bottom of the broach and reciprocates the broach in an up and down vertical cutting operation. The broach is maintained in position and alignment by means of the upper and lower broach guide means which are disposed above and below the piece part. The upper and lower broach guide means are removable and replaceable after a predetermined amount of wear has occurred.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming a longitudinally extending keyway portion in a mill roll having a central bore. The keyway portion may be either a keyway or a tab portion. A cutting head is provided, and includes a body and one or more cutting tools extending from the periphery of the cutting head body. The cutting head is driven through the central bore of the mill roll, and the cutting tools form one or more keyway portions adjacent and communicating with the central bore.

Abstract: A portable hand-held device for code cutting notches in a key blank by a punching mechanism permits quick and easy modification to accommodate key blanks of different configurations and keys requiring different notch depth, notch spacing and notch angle. A key-gripping vise slidably held by a carriage moves transversely to the punch to achieve proper notch spacing. The carriage is controllably moved to different heights above the punch by detents in a circular drum, whereby the depth of the notch is determined. The punch rod and matching anvil may be replaced to achieve a different notch angle.

Abstract: The boss of a steering wheel is serrated by setting the steering wheel on a serrating broaching machine, inserting a serrating broach into a through hole defined in the boss of the steering wheel, and then pulling the serrating broach with a broach chuck gripping the serrating broach to cut serrations on an inner surface of the through hole in the boss. The steering wheel is positioned nonrotatably in a prescribed angular orientation on the broaching machine while placing the boss on a holder of the broaching machine. Then, the serrating broach is inserted through the through hole in the boss into the holder of the broaching machine while holding the serrating broach in a prescribed angular orientation around the axis thereof with respect to the broach chuck. Finally, the serrating broach is pulled from the boss with the broach chuck gripping the serrating broach to cut serrations on the inner surface of the boss.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for broaching an outer surface of a resin layer of a resin-coated part whose external side surface is coated with the resin layer, wherein a backing plate is used to back the resin-coated part such that the plate is held in contact with an end face of the part at which a movable broach terminates a broaching cut in a direction along the outer surface of the resin layer. The backing plate has an external profile similar to a cutting edge contour of the broach. The backing plate is positioned on a work bed of the broaching apparatus such that its external profile is inwardly spaced from the cutting edge contour of the broach a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement of the broach. The backing plate, which forms a part of a work-holding fixture, serves to protect the resin layer from breakage, chipping or other defects at the end of a broaching pass along the outside of the resin-coated part.

Abstract: A work set up method and apparatus is disclosed for use with tape controlled machine tools including quick connect ball locks which accurately lock one or more fixtures and workpieces to a work table. The tape is indexed with one ball lock and controls the machining of the workpiece. The fixture and workpiece may be locked to the table of other tape controlled machines for performing other machining functions on the workpiece. A second embodiment includes a work set up apparatus in combination with a drill holding mechanism and at least one multiple spindle drilling head secured to the vertically movable head of a multiple drilling head machine. Depending upon the complexity and size of the workpiece and the number of drills in the second embodiments, set up time is reduced from a prior art time of between about 4-16 hours to between about 5-20 minutes in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A high production surface broaching machine, in which a plurality of parts are located and clamped simultaneously in broaching position, broached, and simultaneously unclamped and discharged into an outchute. The plurality of parts are moved horizontally into position below the broaching position, and are then raised into accurately located broaching position against horizontal locating and ejection bar means. After broaching, the bar means pushes the broached parts down into laterally open recesses in an elongated bar, which is then moved longitudinally relative to a cam which guides the parts out of the recesses into an outchute.

Abstract: A broaching machine has a broach carrying ram mounted for reciprocating movement in a vertical path through a downward cutting stroke and an upward return stroke. A work holding table has a support plate on its upper surface receiving a part holding fixture thereon to hold parts in position for cutting by said tool, and the lower surface of said table has a pivot mounting to the machine base. Horizontal shuttling movement of said plate toward and away from the ram path is provided by a cam block movable transversely in said table and having a cam slot extending at an angle to the path of movement of the cam block. A cam follower is attached to the underside of the table and extending into said cam slot, and pistons are arranged in the table to reciprocate the cam block. The cam slot extends at an acute angle to the path of the cam block.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a flat surface on a metallic member may comprise: a frame assembly including a clamping device on which a metallic member may be placed for clamping the metallic member in a firmly fixed position; a broach frame mounted on the frame assembly for movement between a first position engageable by and against which the metallic member may be firmly clamped by the clamping device and a second position away from and not engageable by the metallic member when on the clamping device; a broach blade having cutting surfaces thereon carried by the broach frame for reciprocal movement, when the broach frame is in the first position, between a first terminal and a second terminal position for cutting a flat surface on the metallic member when clamped against the broach frame; and a power device mounted on the frame assembly and attached to the broach blade between the first and second terminal positions.

Abstract: The device allows the broaching of thin-walled workpieces with high precision and an excellent surface condition. It comprises mainly a fixed support defining a radial abutment surface, a sleeve defining ramps, wedge-shaped members bearing against said ramps and against the outer surface of the workpiece. These wedge-shaped members are carried by a plate which is capable of being brought to a wedging position under the effect of springs or to a disengaged position by means of ramps.