Abstract: A machine is disclosed for the expansion of pipes for heat exchangers, including a machine frame equipped with a drive unit for pressing or pulling an expansion mandrel through a pipe as well as an expansion mandrel. In at least one embodiment, the machine includes at least one drive unit with at least one motor-driven drum as well as a band or wire guide which extends horizontally from an outlet of the drum and forwardly to the pipe, the drive unit including a set of lateral plates. In at least one embodiment, the drum is disposed between the lateral plates of the drive unit and is equipped with a band or a wire and is additionally adapted to press or pull a band or a wire with an expansion mandrel through a pipe, wherein the expansion mandrel is expandable.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method whereby components are arranged in a mounting device, outside an internal high-pressure forming press, in accordance with their position and their function, such that they are linked to one another. The mounting device comprises an upper part and a lower part including cavities identical to the cavities of the internal high pressure tool. Once the components have been installed, the mounting device is introduced in the internal high-pressure press, then the upper part or the lower part of the mounting device is withdrawn, the part of the mounting device remaining in the internal high-pressure press being displaced against the upper tool or the lower tool. For the forming process, the components are maintained in a part of the tool by depression or by clamping, then the part of the mounting device is removed from the internal high-pressure press, thereby ensuring high precision positioning of components. Additionally, the production rate is substantially increased.

Abstract: A high production multiple station endforming machine mounts a plurality of work stations upon an indexable rotary head whereby rotation of the head permits the work stations to be indexed between loading, operational and unloading positions. The workpieces are locked in jaw members operated by an over-center linkage wherein the position of the linkage is controlled by expansible chamber motors.

Abstract: An automated machine for attaching a suture to a surgical needle comprises a first apparatus located at a first predetermined location for sorting a plurality of randomly oriented needles and orienting each needle for automatic handling at a first predetermined location, each of the needles having a suture receiving opening formed therein. A second apparatus located at a second predetermined location is provided for automatically cutting an indefinite length of suture material to a definite length suture strand and for automatically inserting an end of the definite length suture strand into the suture receiving opening formed in the needle. Also provided is a third apparatus for swaging the needle to close the suture receiving opening about the suture to secure said suture thereto and form therefrom a needle and suture assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for removing a very open shell (28) from a forming mandrel (76), the mandrel being configured so that when the shell is released from the mandrel, the shell springs to an open form. The apparatus includes a fixture (44) for receiving the shell from the mandrel after the shell has been formed and clamped in place, the fixture comprising a pair of spaced claw elements (308,310) having aligned openings (426) through which the mandrel and the shell can pass with the shell formed and clamped in place on the mandrel, the openings being sized to hold the shell in its open form due to the spring force of the shell, and a support (394) connected between the claw elements for maintaining the alignment of the openings. A universal mount (394,424) for the fixture enables it to be positioned accurately to receive the shell from the mandrel.

Abstract: A feeder mechanism for use with an applicator die in which a supply of terminals is fed to the die in the form of a plurality of interconnected terminals and the die functions to crimpingly apply a terminal to an end of each of a plurality of leads successively fed to the die and sever the terminals from the terminal strip. The feeder mechanism comprises a wheel mounted such that the periphery of the wheel moves proximate the applicator die and a plurality of lead receiving assemblies are positioned at circumferentially spaced intervals around the periphery of the wheel so that the wheel may be incrementally rotated to bring successive lead receiving assemblies into proximity to the applicator die so as to allow a terminal to be crimpingly secured to the lead brought to the applicator die by each successive assembly.

Abstract: The proposed cross transfer device has two parallel support tubes (2a, 2b) which are displaceable in reciprocating manner in the workpiece transfer direction in the forming area and to which are fixed in each case an upper and a lower gripper box (3a, 3b). The two gripper boxes are used for the rectilinear guidance of gripper jaws (11) which interact in pairs, seize a workpiece at each forming station (U1 to U3) and can be transferred to the in each case adjacent forming station (U2 to U4) and released again. Transmission levers (6a, 6b) pivotably mounted in the gripper boxes (3a, 3b) are used for driving the gripper jaws (11), the pivoting movement of which transmission levers (6a, 6b) is controlled by a rotating camshaft (4a, 4b) which in each case is centrally mounted in one of the support tubes (2a, 2b) via antifriction bearings (15) and supporting pins ( 14).

Abstract: A machine for forming heads on shanks, in particular nail heads, where the shanks are temporarily secured in a preferably rotary tool defining wholly or partially the shape of the heads and co-operating with a rotary roll. According to the invention at least one roll is adapted for internal rolling with respect to one or more of rings serving as tools, the shanks being located substantially radially in said rings.

Abstract: The skeleton discharge mechanism receives the leading edge portion of scrap skeleton sheets one at a time from a press at an entrance portion of a support surface exactly positioned by the press relative to a pick-up station and transversely spaced pairs of engagement members move partially upwardly through the support surface on a timed basis to engage the sheet leading edge through press formed part openings. The engagement members are secured to chains constantly moving over sets of sprockets along closed paths and after engaging the sheet leading edge move longitudinally along the support surface to a surface exit portion pulling or dragging the sheet through the mechanism.