Abstract: A force isolating machine tool. The invention is directed to a machine tool divided into two separate cooperating structures, a first frame structure for supporting and guiding a pair of tools to provide precision of movement and a second frame structure for transmitting reaction forces. The first and second frame structures are pivotally connected along the axis along which the tools move.

Abstract: Compliance apparatus, for gripping and transporting workpiece sheets such as appliance door blanks to be formed to and from a work station having precision locator sheet stop surfaces, is mounted on a carrier for travel in a generally horizontal path toward the work station. The compliance apparatus includes a plurality of generally horizontally spaced apart, workpiece-aligned suction grippers for collectively gripping the top surface of a workpiece sheet. Resilient mechanism connecting each of the grippers to the carrier provides for relative individual lateral movement of the sheet carrying grippers from neutral positions to positions displaced therefrom in any required direction, as dictated by the sheet engaging one of the locator sheet stop surfaces and being forced to a correctly aligned position in engagement with the other locator sheet stop surface as the carrier moves in its said path of travel.

Abstract: An apparatus under control of a computer for forming into a three-dimensional shape a generally planar workpiece having a pair of spaced holes therein at predetermined positions, the apparatus comprising a forming tool including a molding surface having a pair of spaced bores therein at predetermined positions and a locating pin disposed in each bore for selective axial movement therein; guide tracks and selectively operable drive mechanisms for moving the tool through an operating circuit including sequential mating, molding and removal stations; a selectively operable transferring mechanism at the mating station for disposing the workpiece on the molding surface of the tool with respective hole and bore positions in registration; a ram at the mating station for selectively projecting one end of each locating pin into a respective hole to restrain the workpiece on the molding surface; a hydropress at the molding station for forming the workpiece to the shape of the molding surface; and selectively operable g

Abstract: A plurality of notches are formed in one or both ends of long pieces of sheet metal by means of a notched template and a notching tool. The notches establish the break lines on the pieces. The side edge of a sheet metal bending brake is provided with an attachment having a pointed notch receiving and locating edge intersecting the bending axis of the brake which automatically positions the stock for bending. After a bend is made on a break line, the stock is repositioned and another notch used to self-align the stock on another break line. By turning the stock over, notches in the other end can be used to position and locate a break line to perform breaks in an opposite bending direction. Labor cost is greatly reduced, waste due to improper positioning is reduced, and more accurate reproducible bends produce greater uniformity in the finished pieces.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing a pipe bend from a straight pipe piece by means of actuating members acting on the outside of the pipe piece and making an open shaping station, the diameter of the actuating members being expandable and compressible under the action of force, said method comprises the steps of: stepwise moving the pipe piece to and through the shaping station; grasping and pulling the pipe piece during its move to the shaping station by means a reciprocating member during the progressive motion of the reciprocating member; introducing the leading end of the pipe piece into the shaping station, supporting the pipe piece on its inside; upsetting and calibrating the pipe piece by compressing the actuating members of the shaping station while maintaining the supporting of the pipe piece on its inside; loosening the reciprocating member from the pipe piece; retaining the pipe piece in the shaping station during the retrograde motion of the reciprocating member; and repeating these steps until the pipe

Abstract: In a manipulator (1) for forging machines, for example multiple-ram forging machines with a plurality of rams acting radially on the forging (2), the workpiece (2) is moved axially according to the forging sequence and the feed drive of the manipulator (1) takes place at a constant speed, an actively controllable, axially effective superposed drive acting intermittently on the gripper axle (5) of the manipulator (1) and at least one hydraulically working piston/cylinder unit (12) being provided for supporting the axially displaceable gripper axle (5) in relation to the manipulator housing (4). To design the control of the manipulator (1) in a mechanically constructive way so that it functions simply and reliably, the front and rear stroke spaces (18, 19) of the piston/cylinder unit (12) are connectable by a line (28) by means of a valve (26), and the piston/cylinder unit (12) is designed as a servo-control device (17), by means of which the piston/cylinder unit (12) can be controlled.

Abstract: The method is of the type in which the metal sheet (W) is manipulated by means of a movable gripping member (G) of a manipulator robot controlled by a programmer (PC) according to a program for positioning successive lines of working of the metal sheet in correspondence with a pair of linear tools (16, 18).The programmer (PC) starts the working program by transporting the metal sheet to the position which corresponds with the first virtual or imaginary working line (B.sub.o). Sensors (S.sub.1, S.sub.2, S.sub.y) detect the position of the virtual working line and signal to the programmer whether and to what extent the position of this virtual working line differs from the correct position. This is equivalent to the entering in the programmer of a datum relating to the displacement of the engagement point (C.sub.o) of the gripping member from its theoretical engagement point (C) on the metal sheet.

Abstract: A press brake for bending plates. A press brake is provided for bending plates, including a pair of dies which act in mutual cooperation to bend a plate, a plate clamping manipulator which grasps and moves a plate which is to be placed in scheduled location with respect to the dies and a plate position detector mounted on the press brake in a specified positional relationship with respect to the dies, for detecting a position of the plate grasped by the manipulator, and a controller for controlling the manipulator in response to a signal from the plate position detector.

Abstract: A thin-web frame feeding device for intermittently feeding a thin-web frame at a predetermined pitch along a guide rail has first and second shafts supported by bearing stands for synchronized axial sliding motion in the same direction and for rotation in opposite directions. The first and second shafts are provided with feeding claws rotatable in accordance with the rotation of the shafts into and out of positions where spontaneous portions of the thin-web frame are clamped. The feeding claws are axially moved in accordance with the axial sliding movement of the shafts to feed the thin-web frame.

Abstract: A sheet workpiece manipulating apparatus for delivering, supporting, and removing large sheet workpieces to a sheet bending press includes a plurality of rotationally and linearly translatable support arms. A gripping device is disposed on each free end of each support arm. The sheet workpiece is captured and rigidly restrained by the paired gripping devices, such as opposing suction cups operationally connected to a vacuum source, which are detachably attached to the support arms in a magnetically cooperating arrangement. Large gripping forces are developed by the gripping devices, which are separately replacable with alternate gripping devices sized to accommodate workpieces of different sizes, shapes, and materials, as well as a particular manipulation procedure. Perforated as well as imperforated sheets may be manipulated by the apparatus due to the paired, opposing relationships of the suction cups.

Abstract: A gripping assembly for a manipulator for plate sheets of the type which comprises a vise having two superimposed jaws disposed around a vertical axis, the jaws being capable of gripping a single plate along its thickness, the plate having borders, the jaws being also adapted to rotate around the axis whereby each border of the plate to be folded is brought in front of the press machine. The assembly has a pair of clamps (5) disposed laterally with respect to the vise. The clamps grip firmly the plate along its thickness and permit the simultaneous displacement from jaws in the area corresponding to the vise towards the folding machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a portion of a member to a predetermined reference position includes a sensor which locates the actual position of the member. A positioning device positions first and second panel holding members into position to engage the member at the actual located position of the member. A drive unit moves the first and second holding members into engagement with the member to hold the member in a fixed position. The drive unit also moves a forming member into engagement with the member to form a portion of the member between the holding members to the predetermined reference position. A pierce pin, also operated by the drive unit, optionally punches an aperture in the formed portion of the member. A method of forming a portion of a member to a known reference position employs the above-described elements.

Abstract: A machine for straightening anode rods has a portal-like frame through which the rods are transported in succession with the aid of a suspended rail conveyor. Jaws which engage on the sides of the rods are used to squeeze the rods. Beneath the jaws there is a rotatable fork which can engage and entrain with a shaped end piece on the lower end of one of the anode rods. The fork and its rotary drive is raised and lowered and guided for this reciprocal movement. An anode rod can thus be transposed through 90.degree. enabling the jaws to squeeze against all the sides of the rod.

Abstract: A press brake system for bending, flanging, folding and forming an elongate and curved worksheet, and a worksheet handling device for handling such a worksheet are disclosed. The press brake system includes a press brake including a punch and a matrix which cooperate along a bending line in a working plane, and members for straightening an elongate and curved worksheet. The worksheet handling device includes members for straightening an elongate and curved worksheet. Such straightening members include: forcing members for applying force to the worksheet at central portion or end portions of a longitudinal edge, the force being in a direction perpendicular to the bending line and within a loading plane; and fixing members for fixing the worksheet so that it can not move against the force. This design enables the system to carry out appropriate bending or flanging to obtain a work with flanges of constant width along bending lines.

Abstract: A shaping machine for bending a plate into a cylindrical shape which comprises a frame and first, second, and third roll assemblies disposed on the frame. Each of the roll assemblies includes a roll for engaging a plate to be bent and a plurality of pairs of support rollers axially distributed along and supporting the roll. There is a drive disposed at the frame for rotatably driving each of the rolls of the first, second, and third roll assemblies, and at least one of the roll assemblies is displaceable transversely to the longitudinal axis of its roll.

Abstract: An upsetting device for upsetting the ends of elongated workpieces such as wire pieces and the use of such a device in a wire-working nail press. The device includes an upsetting tool moveable forwards and backwards by means of an upsetting carriage. The upsetting tool is separate from the upsetting carriage and mounted to be displaceable in its direction of movement in its own longitudinal guide separately from the carriage guide. The upsetting tool also positively bears against the part of the upsetting carriage which acts on it.

Abstract: A punch press is oriented horizontally with the first and second opposed tools being mounted on first and second members both of which are movable horizontally. These motion members are driven with rapid acceleration toward each other for impacting the fast-moving first and second tools simultaneously against opposite sides of material to be formed between the tools. The two opposed motion members are arranged for the momentum of the first tool with its associated moving parts at the instant of impact be equal to the momentum of the second tool with its associated moving parts so that equal and opposite impulses resulting from momentum cancel each other out. As a result of this opposed motion with momentum-balanced-at-impact, very little energy or work is wastefully lost into the platform on which the punch press is supported and only an insignificant or very modest amount of mechanical shock and vibrations are induced into t he platform.

Abstract: A lever of a metallic binding band is gripped by holding pieces. A pair of forming pieces are located in the loop section of the binding section of the metallic binding band. Forming pieces having outer circumferential arc faces are offset from each other laterally so that the binding section is expanded by the forming pieces into true circle.

Abstract: A unit (1) for bending sheet metal (38) comprises a bending press (2), a device (4) for manipulating the sheet metal (38), and an auxiliary gripping device (16) for turning the metal sheet through 180.degree. about an axis (D) perpendicular to the bending line (B) of the press (12). The auxiliary gripping device (6) includes a plurality of grippers (36). The grippers (36) are carried by a support (24) fixed to the base structure (8) of the press (12) above the manipulation space (MS) at a height so that, when the grippers are above the manipulation space (MS), the auxiliary device (16) does not obstruct access of operators to the press (2) if the press is used manually. A device (111) for manipulating sheet metal (222) for a bending press (444) includes a main device (100) which is slidable along a guide beam (160) fixed parallel to the bending line (J) of the press (444) and an auxiliary gripping device (240) for turning the metal sheet over about an axis (L) perpendicular to the bending line (J).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for receiving a molded carrier ring package and removing the electronic component from the surrounding ring while cutting and forming the leads of the component. The shear provides that leads on two opposite sides of a rectangulopiped component are cut just prior to the leads extending from the remaining two sides, during one stroke of the shear, such that the applied force required to cut all of the leads is reduced by acting on one-half of the leads at a time, and such that the applied forces are balanced on opposite sides of the component. Each of a punch and die is easily interchanged with a replacement, and a scrap remover is continuously adjustable during closing of the jaws thereof, so that it is a simple matter to change the tooling and otherwise accommodate devices of different sizes. Also, the apparatus provides for diverting the forces of the shearing and forming action from a shuttle for transporting the device so as to minimize wear and tear on it.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically forming pointed ends for raw metal pipes such as aluminum pipes subject to a drawing process, the pointed end of the pipes being of a reduced diameter convenient for the drawing process. A transporting device moves each raw pipe, which is in alignment with an axis of a pipe inlet of a swaging machine for producing the pointed ends, to a position below the inlet. Each pipe is raised by a lifting device to a height of the pipe inlet so as to be chucked by a gripping device which moves forward to insert a leading end of the pipe into the inlet. The lifting device and the raw pipe are kept out of contact with each other while the leading end is being processed to form the pointed end at the inserted end in the swaging machine whereby efficiency and productivity are improved for the process.

Abstract: A press brake for bending plates. A press brake is provided for bending plates, including a pair of dies which act in mutual cooperation to bend a plate, a plate clamping manipulator which grasps and moves a plate which is to be placed in a scheduled location with respect to the dies, and a plate position detector mounted on the press brake in a specified positional relationship with respect to the dies, for detecting a position of the plate grasped by the manipulaator, and controlling the manipulator in response to a signal from the plate position detector.

Abstract: A two arm robot for selectively manipulating a workpiece comprising an elongated cross beam assembly having an elongated axis extending between opposed ends, a frame assembly supported by the cross beam assembly for selective linear movement parallel to Y and Z axes and for selective pivotal movement about the elongated axis, the elongated axis being parallel to the X axis and the X, Y and Z axis being orthogonal, a pair of arm assemblies supported by the cross beam assembly for selective independent linear movement parallel to the X and Y axes, a wrist assembly operatively supported by each arm assembly and including a motor for selectively moving the wrist assembly about a rotation axis parallel to the Z axis, and motor and mounting structure for moving the arm assemblies relative to the cross beam assembly parallel to the X and Y axes.

Abstract: A device for controlling a manipulator for handling a workpiece processed by a press brake. The press brake is equipped with a side sensor for detecting the horizontal X-axis direction positions parallel to the longitudinal direction of the upper and lower dies of the press brake. The manipulator is arranged to be movable in the X-axis direction and the head of the manipulator is arranged to be rotatable about first and second shafts of the manipulator. The device includes apparatus for inputting a position of the workpiece for an initial bending stage and apparatus for inputting an angle of rotation of the workpiece about the first and/or second shafts of the manipulator for each of a plurality of bending stages.

Abstract: A tubular material drawing apparatus for manufacturing precision tubes comprises a plug set device, provided to a back bench, for holding a plug rod in a horizontal state, a travel base to be movable backward with respect to the back bench in a horizontal direction, a holding mechanism, provided to the travel base and capable of holding a rear end portion of a tube element, for holding the rear end portion of the tube element and moving the tube element in a horizontal direction to fit the tube element on the plug rod upon movement of the travel base, a clamp, movably provided to the travel base in a horizontal direction, holding the rear end portion of the tube element and then bringing the rear end portion to the holding mechanism, a carriage guide horizontally extending, a carriage which is guided by the carriage guide and is movable forward, die provided between the back bench and the carriage, and a chuck portion, provided to the carriage and capable of holding a front end portion of the tube element.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a workpiece in plurality of manufacturing steps with small time losses between successive manufacturing steps, which utilizes a small number of manufacturing machines, according to which the manufacturing machines and the transferring machines are controlled such that while one manufacturing step is being applied by one manufacturing machine and then the workpiece is being transferred by the transferring machine from that one manufacturing machine to another manufacturing machine for applying a next manufacturing step to the workpiece, the another manufacturing machine is prepare for the next manufacturing step by placing an appropriate one of the manufacturing press dies under the ram of the press machine of the another manufacturing machine by intermittently moving the plurality of manufacturing press dies.

Abstract: A manipulator for manipulating metal ingots comprises a wheeled carriage with a peel assembly supported on it so that the peel assembly can move relative to the carriage. The peel assembly is supported adjacent one end of the carriage by at least one piston-cylinder device and a plurality of elongate links are pivotally coupled to the peel assembly and to a rigid support means on the carriage away from the end.

Abstract: A loop transport system for baskets containing looped rod material to be drawn in a drawing machine is provided. Such system includes a conveyor arranged in a substantially closed loop. The conveyor supports and guides a plurality of baskets containing the material to be drawn sequentially to a feeder station, a payoff station, a delivery station and a basket removal station. In these different stations the functions to be performed therein are executed simultaneously or at least partially at the same time. To significantly improve the effectiveness of such a transport system and to reduce the drawing time, due to the inevitable tears in the looped rod material, the invention provides in the area between the payoff station and the delivery station a basket handling branch for the introduction and extraction of baskets containing the looped rod material to be drawn.

Abstract: Strip feeding mechanism intended for use in a stamping and forming machine comprises an intermittently rotated sprocket wheel which is located adjacent to the operating zone of the machine in which the stamping and tooling is located. The strip material is held against the periphery of the sprocket wheel by a retaining shoe so that the sprocket teeth will enter pilot holes in the strip and advance the strip during feeding intervals. During non-feeding intervals, the pilot pins which are part of the stamping and forming tooling, will adjust the position of the strip relative to the tooling performing the operation thereon. The construction of the biasing shoe and the sprocket wheel is such that the strip is not firmly held by the feeding mechanism and can be moved by a very slight amount by the pilot pins in order to position the strip precisely in the operating zone.

Abstract: A system for continuously producing plate-shaped catalysts includes a mold press machine for press-molding a belt-shaped catalyst into a predetermined form. Two pairs of reciprocating grip delivery mechanisms are provided at the downstream side of the mold press machine. A cutting device is provided at the downstream side of the pair of belt-shaped catalyst grip delivery mechanisms. The length of the catalyst is detected after it passes through a cutting device. The cutting device is operated in response to a signal from the length detector. Control of the grip and delivery mechanisms includes performing a pass of delivery of the plate-shaped catalyst and release of the gripping mechanisms as necessary during cutting of the plate-shaped catalyst. The mold press can be operated continuously and the cutting is performed to always produce plate-shaped catalyst members having the predetermined length.

Abstract: A press having a work positioning carriage for moving a workpiece horizontally along relatively transverse X and Y axes to position different areas of a workpiece at a work station. Lower forming tools are fixed at the work station and a lower stripper is mounted for vertical movement relative to the lower forming tools. Upper press tools are mounted on the press ram and operative when the ram is moved downwardly to force the workpiece downwardly over the lower forming tools and depress the lower stripper. The lower stripper is yieldably biased upwardly to raise the workpiece off the lower press tools when the upper press tools are raised. A work carrier is mounted for horizontal movement by the work positioning carriage and the work carrier has a workpiece support that is vertically movable relative to the work carrier.

Abstract: A peel assembly for a manipulator comprises an outer housing (25) surrounding an inner housing (19) in which a shaft (1) is rotatably mounted. The inner housing (19) is slidable in the direction of its length relative to the outer housing (25) and the shaft (1) is rotatable with respect to the inner housing (19). The shaft (1) carries an enlarged head (3) having a pair of jaws (9) for gripping an ingot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which are useful for fabricating integrally bladed rotors. In particular, the method and apparatus are used to increase the twist of the blades on the rotor from a first degree of twist to a second degree of twist under superplastic forming conditions. The apparatus is constructed and arranged such that the method can be carried out at ambient atmospheric conditions. A key feature of the invention is that the blade twisting dies are present in the blade heating zone only when the dies contact the blade. When the dies are not in contact with the blades, they are at ambient conditions where oxidation is at a minimum.

Abstract: A one-armed handling device having a single pick-up member designed to secure a metal sheet coplanar to a pick-up plane through the aforementioned pick-up member; which member is supported on a head so as to turn about two perpendicular axes by virtue of a first element designed to turn about a first axis perpendicular to the pick-up plane, and to which the pick-up member is secured directly, and a second element designed to turn about a second axis parallel with the pick-up plane and supporting the first element; the aforementioned head, in turn, being designed to travel along three cartesian axes, by means of an arm, with no variation in the position of the second axis (FIG. 1).

Abstract: Stamping and forming machine has first and second tooling assemblies which are movable relatively towards and away from each other. Pilot pins are mounted on, and moved with, the first tooling assembly. The pilot pins enter pilot holes in the strip material and are movable on the first tooling assembly between extended positions and retracted positions. When the tooling assemblies are in their open, or separated, positions, the pilot pins are in their retracted positions and clearance is provided to permit feeding of the strip between the two tooling assemblies. As the tooling assemblies move to their closed positions, the pilot pins move to their extended positions and perform their piloting function. The pilot pins are actuated by an actuator which is separate from the actuator which moves the tooling assemblies.

Abstract: A forging manipulator has a billet gripper carrier rotatable about its longitudinal axis in bearings, which in turn are displaceable transversally along cross arms on a carriage. To reduce height and to reduce bending moments, the cross arms are above the bearings and above the gripper carrier, which are suspended from the cross arms. The cross arms are raised and lowered, by telescopic piston and cylinder units which support the cross arms on the upper ends of the cylinders, the piston rods being suspended on the carriage.

Abstract: In a straight side press having a bed, a reciprocal slide, a power drive for the slide and apparatus for feeding a stock strip onto the dies, and a conventional die set, the improvement of modifying the press to function as a transfer press by replacing the conventional die set with a transfer unit. The unit includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced sequential dies upon a lower die shoe having a sub-plate secured to the bed to define a series of stations. A plurality of corresponding spaced sequential punches are mounted upon an upper die shoe and secured to the slide. A pair of slide bars are reciprocally mounted upon the lower die shoe outwardly of the dies mounting pairs of opposed workpiece gripping fingers adapted for engagement with the respective workpieces at each station. The transfer unit includes a slide bar translator mounted upon the sub-plate and has a reciprocal end plate connected to the slide bars for intermittently transferring the workpieces from station to station.

Abstract: A forging manipulator for a forging machine is moved longitudinally by a rack and pinion mechanism comprising a pair of longitudinal guide rails on opposite sides of the manipulator, and respective toothed racks associated with these guide rails, the toothed racks being inclined inwards (in cross section), and the manipulator carriage being provided with a respective travel drive for meshing with each rack, the travel drives similarly having their axes inclined to the horizontal.

Abstract: A device for aligning an elliptical blank relative to a female die half comprising a drawpad having an elliptical opening supporting a blank in position on a female die half. Alignment pins are movable rearwardly of the minor diameter of the blank within slots formed in the drawpad for engaging the perimeter of the blank for rotating the blank to the aligned position, in preparation for press forming the blank into the desired shape.

Abstract: A continuous processing machine for bending long metal rods includes a rod bundle handling machine for separating a bundle of rods and advancing the rods one after the other, a rod cutting station and a rod bending station provided downstream of the handling machine for cutting and subsequently bending the rods. Transfer means are provided for transferring the rods from station to station.

Abstract: A continuous process for bending long metal rods comprises separating and feeding a bundle of rods and advancing the rods one by one to a rod cutting station downstream, cutting the rods and feeding them to a rod bending station downstream of the cutting station, and subsequently bending the rods and removing them from the machine.

Abstract: An automatic tube bending machine, in which, an electric motor is adapted to drive a speed reduction multiple-pulley system which in turn powers a synchronous intermittent feeding device to feed tube pieces piece by piece into a moulding seat from a storage rack, the same pulley system also actuates a flywheel, and this flywheel drives a gear system that then spins a crank shaft having two symmetrical crank arms, which in turn move two face to face arranged splines, then this two splines drive their respective gears engaged therewith, and these gears in turn actuate two L-shaped outward bending moulds to rotate; at the other end of the same crank shaft, it is provided with a bevel gear; engaged with another bevel gear system so to drive another crank shaft, in such a manner, these two crank shafts rotate synchronously in opposite directions; in the meanwhile the latter crank shaft drives a sliding seat, on which is provided with an inward bending mould, located in the opposite side of the two L-shaped opposit

Abstract: A method of producing a conical shell from a metal sheet cut to size. The method includes feeding the sheet in a nip between two transport rollers an incremental distance between respective positions in which nonparallel straight line generatrices on the sheet defining the shell to be produced are in an aligned with the nip, translating a bending roller into engagement with the sheet to incrementally bend the sheet in a direction perpendicular to the generatrix between the nip, then retracting the bending roller away from the sheet, and successively repeating the above steps until the sheet is in the shape of the conical shell to be produced.

Abstract: A compression tool head assembly for compressing a metal connector about a conductor. The assembly includes a head section having two, opposing arms moveably connected thereto, each of the arms having a compression point thereon; a rigid column disposed between the opposing arms and having a die mounted therein, the die having a compression point at one end and a mechanism for centering the cylindrical connector over the compression point at approximately a central location between the arms prior to compressing the connector; a hydraulic pump section is connected to the head section and operates to move the head section towards the rigid column; the arms have cammed surfaces which interact with rollers fixed to the rigid column to cause the arms to move towards each other as the head is moved towards the rigid column; as the arms move towards each other the compression points on the arms will compress an article disposed therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for consolidating and sintering a tube preform (12) previously fabricated by powder metallurgical techniques. A plurality of forming dies (22, 24) and movable mandrels (30, 32) cooperate to form tube consolidation zone (58,60). One-way tube gripping means (42) permit the tube (12) to progress through the apparatus (10) by the retraction of the mandrels (30, 32) while preventing the tube (12) from retreating back into the zone (58) when the mandrel (30, 32) is advanced. Heating coils (18A, 18B and 18C) heat the tube (12) to sinter it and cause it to expand clear of the mandrels (30, 32). The tube (12) is reduced in diameter and consolidated to greater than 90% theoretical density.

Abstract: An apparatus for displacing a line of track chain is disclosed which is employable for the purpose of disassembling, assembling, or reassembling the chain. A guide table for guiding movement of the chain is adapted to tilt only in the upward direction together with a pair of rails which are raised or lowered by actuating a first cylinder. A trolley moves forward and backward in the space as defined by both the rails by actuating a second cylinder while it is guided along the rails. The trolley is provided with an engagement rod which extends upwardly therefrom through a slot on the guide table to come in engagement to a bushing in the chain.

Abstract: A device for handling metal sheet workpieces for a bending press or other metal-working machine has a pair of vertical plates which are movable along the front of the press and are spanned by guide columns upon which respective slides are movable vertically to carry the tongs. A turntable on the press allows rotation of the plates about horizontal axes in the vertical plane.

Abstract: In a method for the radial expansion of rings, in particular by means of rolling tools, it is provided in accordance with the invention that the radial surfaces and the end faces of the ring that is to be machined are machined in alternation using the same pair of tools. The apparatus for performing the method includes a ring rolling machine in which the ring that is to be formed rests on a support that is pivotable by 90.degree. to alternatively bring the radial surfaces and the end faces of the ring into engagement with the tools.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic shaping and/or decoration of longitudinal members in modular units of preset size, such as wire, tube, flat strip or linked pressings, from which ultimately to fashion articles of jewelry in precious metal or articles of costume jewelry, featuring the following steps: two-point support, tensioning and guiding of a longitudinal member through and along its own longitudinal axis; shaping/decoration of a stretch of the longitudinal member lying between the supports, at points located in opposition either side of a longitudinal median plane; and linear and/or rotational movement of the longitudinal member along and/or about its own longitudinal axis relative to means which carry out such shaping or decoration.

Abstract: A one-armed handling device having a single pick-up member designed to secure a metal sheet coplanar to a pick-up plane through the aforementioned pick-up member; which member is supported on a head so as to turn about two perpendicular axes by virtue of a first element designed to turn about a first axis perpendicular to the pick-up plane, and to which the pick-up member is secured directly, and a second element designed to turn about a second axis parallel with the pick-up plane and supporting the first element; the aforementioned head, in turn, being designed to travel along three cartesian axes, by means of an arm, with no variation in the position of the second axis (FIG. 1).