Abstract: A motion control apparatus in the form of a sealed rotary table (10) includes a first annular seal (54) located between a bearing cap (48) of a case and an inner diameter of a cylindrical flange (60), and a second annular seal (56) located between a seal ledge (22) of an annular wall (18) of the case and the outer diameter of the cylindrical flange (60). An enclosure (24), the annular wall (18) and a planar annular disc (16) are integrally formed as a single piece part of homogenous material. A drive station (12) includes a rotor (110) rotatably mounted inside an annular sleeve (118) by a bearing (140) inside an annular end cap (136) at an axial extent less than that of the annular sleeve (118). An encoder (150) is located within the annular end cap (136) and within the axial extent of the annular sleeve (118).

Abstract: A tool changer for machine tools, the tool changer having at least one rotatable tool gripper, a supporting column for the tool gripper which can be lifted and lowered and rotated about a rotational axis, a mechanical cam gear for generating the lifting and rotating movements of the tool gripper, all driven by a drive motor connected to a cam barrel and intermediate gearing. The cam barrel has a tappet for the rotational drive of the tool gripper on its upper front and a cam curve or groove on its peripheral surface for the lifting movement of the tool gripper. The tappet drives a Maltese wheel supported on a shaft parallel to the rotational axis of the tool gripper. The Maltese wheel, the cam barrel, and the supporting column of the tool gripper are successively supported in a manner parallel to the axis.

Abstract: A controller of the present invention is provided for valve to be connected thereto. The controller is used for executing rotation and movement motion so as to operate the stem of the valve and to control connection conditions of the valve. As such, the valve assembled with the controller can be controlled and switched automatically. Cost of management of factories is minimized.

Abstract: An intermittent drive mechanism capable of noise reduction is provided. The intermittent drive mechanism comprises a drive gear, a fragmental gear, a first cam, an operating arm, an operating-arm drive mechanism, and a brake mechanism. The fragmental gear includes a mesh portion, of which teeth arranged in a predetermined region on a circumference mesh with the drive gear, and a non-mesh portion, which is free of teeth in the remaining region on the circumference and so does not mesh with the drive gear. The first cam rotates integrally with the fragmental gear. The operating arm contacts with the first cam to rotate the fragmental gear so as to put the same in a mesh state, in which the mesh portion meshes with the drive gear, from an optional, initial position in a non-mesh state, in which the non-mesh portion faces the drive gear. The operating-arm drive mechanism drives the operating arm upon energization of a solenoid.

Abstract: A rotating table apparatus using a cam mechanism and having a higher precision than a conventional rotating table is realized. A rotating table apparatus having a driven shaft supported by a housing and driven by a driving device, and a rotating table which is rotatingly driven by said driven shaft using a cam and cam followers, wherein the rotating table apparatus has an opposing surface which opposes an end surface of the rotating table in a direction along a rotation shaft of said rotating table, and oil is intervened in between the opposing surface and said end surface.

Abstract: A rotary table or turntable includes a work supporting platform with a driven pin carrier attached thereto. The pin carrier includes a circular array of pins engaged with a driven cycloidal gear. The cycloidal gear is driven by a prime mover, such as a servomotor, and a controller whereby the turntable is provided with a cycloidal pin gearing drive arrangement with antibacklash properties for improved positioning of work pieces on the work supporting surface.

Abstract: A turning disc intermittent rotary mechanism in accordance with the invention includes at least one top disc flexibly mounted to a bottom seat, wherein at the center of the top disc is provided with a through hole and the bottom surface thereof is provided with sliding slots; and a main driving wheel flexibly mounted to the bottom seat using a round through hole provided in advance, wherein at the side of the upper surface of the main driving wheel is provided with a small pulley that is disposed in the sliding slots and is capable of sliding. Consequently, the force produced by the small pulley acting at the long sliding slot thereof is effectively reduced, thereby lengthening the lifespan of the force transmission mechanism including the small pulley and the main driving wheel.

Abstract: A rotating table apparatus using a cam mechanism and having a higher precision than a conventional rotating table is realized. A rotating table apparatus having a driven shaft supported by a housing and driven by a driving means, and a rotating table which is rotatingly driven by said driven shaft using a cam and cam followers, wherein the rotating table apparatus has an opposing surface which opposes an end surface of the rotating table in a direction along a rotation shaft of said rotating table, and oil is intervened in between the opposing surface and said end surface.

Abstract: A turning disc intermittent rotary mechanism in accordance with the invention includes at least one top disc flexibly mounted to a bottom seat, wherein at the center of the top disc is provided with a through hole and the bottom surface thereof is provided with sliding slots; and a main driving wheel flexibly mounted to the bottom seat using a round through hole provided in advance, wherein at the side of the upper surface of the main driving wheel is provided with a small pulley that is disposed in the sliding slots and is capable of sliding. Consequently, the force produced by the small pulley acting at the long sliding slot thereof is effectively reduced, thereby lengthening the lifespan of the force transmission mechanism including the small pulley and the main driving wheel.

Abstract: A worm shaft having a worm thereon, a worm wheel meshed with the worm, and a motor for driving the worm shaft are provided. The worm shaft and a shaft of the motor are connected together directly without interposing a rotation transmission mechanism, such as a gear therebetween. Both end portions of the worm shaft are supported rotatably on bearings. The bearing for one end portion of the worm shaft is provided on a body frame, and the bearings provided on the side of the motor shaft are fixed to a cylindrical fitting portion of the retainer member to which the motor is fixed.

Abstract: An automatic motor-output-redirection system includes an automatic motor-output-redirection mechanism and a motor control unit for controlling the automatic motor-output-redirection mechanism which includes a turntable base arranged to be driven to rotate by a motor assembly. A primary Output shaft is coupled with the motor assembly in rotatable movable manner. A second idle gear is rotatably supported on the turntable base to couple with the primary output shaft. A plurality of the planetary output shafts are coaxially supported by the casing at positions around the turntable assembly, wherein the primary output shaft is arranged to drive the second idle gear to move between an engagement position that one of the planetary output shafts is driven to rotate and a disengagement position that each of the planetary output shafts is in an idle manner.

Abstract: The features of a turning disc intermittent rotary mechanism comprise at least one top disc, a through hole disposed at the center of the bottom disc plane, and the lateral side of the peripheral disc plane of the through hole is formed into a plurality of continuous plum blossom-patterned sliding slots; a bottom seat with its central convex section lively connected in the through hole, wherein a round through hole is mounted on the side of the bottom seat; a main driving wheel lively inserted in the round through hole, wherein a small pulley is mounted on the side of the top plane of the main driving wheel and slides inside the sliding slots; the rotation of the main driving wheel enables the small pulley to move inside the sliding slots and further drive the intermittent rotation and dwelling of the top disc, thereby to develop the turning disc in rotation to be designed, according to the need, into a process station with multi braking and dwelling points for providing multi-processing movements for the par

Abstract: The features of a turning disc intermittent rotary mechanism comprise at least one top disc, a through hole disposed at the center of the bottom disc plane, and the lateral side of the peripheral disc plane of the through hole is formed into a plurality of continuous plum blossom-patterned sliding slots; a bottom seat with its central convex section lively connected in the through hole, wherein a round through hole is mounted on the side of the bottom seat; a main driving wheel lively inserted in the round through hole, wherein a small pulley is mounted on the side of the top plane of the main driving wheel and slides inside the sliding slots; the rotation of the main driving wheel enables the small pulley to move inside the sliding slots and further drive the intermittent rotation and dwelling of the top disc, thereby to develop the turning disc in rotation to be designed, according to the need, into a process station with multi braking and dwelling points for providing multi-processing movements for the par

Abstract: A rotary drive adapted to perform a speed of rotation switching of a tool holding device, comprising an output drive shaft bearing the tool holding device, said output drive shaft being able to be moved into first and second axial positions by means of a setting drive. The output drive shaft is coupled in the first axial position with a power driven first drive gear wheel and in the second axial position with a concentric tubular shaft, which is adapted to be driven by a power driven second drive gear wheel by way of a worm drive.

Abstract: A driving cam of a Geneva mechanism includes a core member coupled to the driving cam, and including a circular arcuate portion to correspond to a circular arcuate concave of a driven cam and a groove formed along a peripheral surface of the circular arcuate portion; a plurality of rotating bodies arranged in the groove; top and bottom covers including rims formed at a location corresponding to the groove to be protruded to face each other, the rims having a gap therebetween and preventing the rotating bodies from being removed from the groove when the top bottom covers are coupled to the driving cam and contact upper and lower surface of the core member, respectively; and a coupling means for coupling the core member and the top and bottom covers.

Abstract: An intermittent transmission mechanism that includes a driving rotating body adapted to rotate around an input shaft and a driven rotating body adapted to rotate around an output shaft is disclosed. The driven rotating body has arcuate recesses and a gear. The driving rotating body has a partial gear adapted to mesh with the gear of the driven rotating body to drivingly rotate the driven rotating body at predetermined angles in an intermittent manner, and a cam portion provided with a rotation restricting surface which moves relatively along arcuate surfaces of the arcuate recesses. Provided around the cam portion of the driving rotating body are guide grooves for guiding rolling elements in contact with the arcuate recesses of the driven rotating body. The partial gear and the cam portion on the driving rotating body are displaced along the axis of rotation, and the gear and the recesses on the driven rotating body are displaced along the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A driving mechanism such as a Geneva Mechanism which allows a load, such as film in a motion picture projector, to be intermittently advanced with controlled acceleration. The Geneva Mechanism includes a star wheel and a rotating driver. The star wheel includes slots and is operationally associated with the load. The rotating driver includes a drive pin which cooperates with the slots to cause an intermittent rotation of the star wheel. Either the slots or the drive pin is shaped in a controlled manner to permit optimum acceleration and deceleration of the star wheel.

Abstract: The stepping gear mechanism is provided in particular for motion control of a machine tool turret and comprises two cam plates adapted to be driven in rotation in the same sense about an axis of rotation each and arranged in such manner with respect to a roller supporting member that circular stop zones of both cam plates each engage a roller at the same time and in mutually counteracting fashion, whereby the roller supporting member is prevented from rotating. Subsequently, a projection of a cam plate engages one roller, while another roller dips into an indentation of the other cam plate so that the roller supporting member will be rotated. The cam plates are disposed adjacent each other and their projections are movable past each other in overlapping relationship such that, alternating with these conditions of engagement, the stop zones of both cam plates engage one and the same roller simultaneously and opposingly, whereby the roller supporting member once again is prevented from rotating.

Abstract: A Geneva drive mechanism includes a Geneva gear having arcuate recesses and radially outwardly opening slots arranged alternately in a circumferential direction thereof, and a driving member having an engaging element for engaging the slots. The driving member has a cam. The cam includes a plurality of rolling elements rotatable and movable circumferentially of the driving member. The rolling elements are arranged in a portion of the cam which contacts the arcuate surfaces when the engaging element is disengaged from the slots and rotation of the Geneva gear is restricted.

Abstract: Tool turret device for machine tools, comprising a turret head bearing device, to which a turret head is attached for rotation about an indexing axis, a turret head indexing device as well as locking means for the turret head, the turret head indexing device having an indexing disk similar to a Maltese cross, which is rotatable about the indexing axis together with the turret head and has a slot open at its circumference for each tool station of the turret head, and a rotarily drivable driver with a driver finger for insertion into the indexing disk slots, wherein for shortening the indexing times and saving on separate locking means the driver has at least two driver fingers arranged at equal distances from the driver axis and the indexing disk slots are equipped at their free ends with arc-shaped curves widening the slot width outwardly in such a manner that angle of rotation regions, in which the driver secures the indexing disk against any rotation, adjoin an angle of rotation region of the driver, over w

Abstract: An indexing mechanism for providing intermittent rotation to a device includes a rotatable driven member having a pair of spaced oppositely disposed arcuate slots and a driving member having a pair of angularly spaced driving rollers engageable with the slots for rotatably accelerating and decelerating the driven member. The driven member locking rollers adjacent the slots engageable with the outer periphery of the driving member to prevent rotation of the driven member when it is not being indexed by the driving member. The indexing mechanism further includes a positive lock mechanism actuatable by a cam follower that rides within an endless cam track in the driving member. The positive lock mechanism is actuated by the cam follower to engage the indexed device and prevent rotation of the device when it is not being indexed.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing a series of operations upon a workpiece that include at least one modular mechanical unit having a worktable for supporting workpieces thereon. The worktable is periodically indexed by a Geneva wheel so that a workpiece on the worktable is intermittently moved through a plurality of work stations positioned about the worktable. A gear drive unit is employed to power the Geneva wheel as well as a movable tool support unit mounted in each of the work stations to move a tool mounted upon said support into and out of contact with a workpiece moved by the worktable into the work station. A number of modular units can be cojoined and arranged to be driven from a common prime mover.

Abstract: Bearing system for a turntable (10) with a stepping drive, in which a table plate (12) is rotatably mounted on ball bearings on top of a housing (14), having drive pins (36) disposed on the same diameter offset at uniform angular distances and protruding from the bottom of the table plate (12), the drive pins engage a cam groove (34) in a motor-driven roll (32) mounted on the housing, wherein the shape of the cam groove determines the characteristic of the rotary movement of the turntable (12); the table plate being circularly defined, has a diameter that is greater than the associated upper part of the housing (14) that forms the bearing area (40); the part of the table plate (12) reaching radially past the housing is thickened such that it reaches slightly downward over the bearing area (40) of the housing and the races of the rolling bearing for the table plate are formed in the bearing area of the outwardly facing wall of the housing (14).

Abstract: A table-turning driving apparatus comprises a pair of first and second worm shafts 16 and 17 which engage a driving shaft through gears and which is rotated in the same direction of rotation as that of the driving shaft. One 16 of the worm shafts is fixed, at the end thereof directed to the driving shaft, to a gear 28 by means of a fastening and connecting member 29, 30 so that the phase thereof is adjustable relative to the gear 28, and pinions 34, 40 integral with worm wheels 33, 39 which engage worms 32, 38 of the above-mentioned worm shafts 16, 17 are connected to a ring gear 65 of the table.

Abstract: A machine tool has a rotatable table with a plurality of lock plates located on the underside thereof at circumferentially spaced locations, and a geneva drive mechanism arranged to coact with the lock plates in rotatably indexing the table. The lock plates are shiftable with respect to the table by means of cooperating pairs of rotatably adjustable eccentric pins. Machine screws releasably fix the lock plates at selected positions of adjustment. The lock plates are shifted and releasably fixed from above the table.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and dispensing segments of thermoplastic material into receptacles such as crowns, particularly into those having relatively high sidewalls, includes a conveyor for conveying the crowns through a passageway at predetermined speeds, an extruder for extruding thermoplastic material through a discharge opening, a rotary knife having blades for cutting the extruded material into segments and depositing the segments into the receptacles as they are conveyed through the passage, and a drive system for rotating the blade in response to the conveying of the receptacles. The output or driven shaft of the drive system is coupled to the rotary knife and intermittently rotates 180 degrees at a time at a speed which is twice that of the input or drive shaft, thereby avoiding contact of the knife blades with the receptacle sidewalls and ensuring clean cutting of the thermoplastic material even at low speeds of closure conveyance.

Abstract: A dual switch actuator for coordinated actuation of two high-current switches, each having a switch operator with a shaft. The switch operator shafts are aligned paraxially with a main shaft of the actuator. A Geneva drive plate having an arcuate bearing surface and two drive pins is affixed to the main shaft. A modified Geneva follower plate is affixed to each of the switch operator shafts. Each follower plate has a drive slot for receiving a drive pin and a bearing surface complementary to the drive plate bearing surface. In a neutral position of the main shaft, each drive pin is positioned at a follower plate drive slot entrance and both follower plates bearing surfaces engage the main drive plate bearing surface. Rotation of the main shaft in either direction from neutral causes one guide pin to move inwardly of the follower plate drive slot, rotating the follower plate and its associated switch operator shaft to actuate one switch without actuation of the other.

Abstract: A device for driving a platen includes a motor for driving the platen, and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting the power of the motor to the platen. The power transmission mechanism includes a drive wheel having a pin and driven by the motor for rotation, and a driven wheel having a plurality of grooves in which the pin of the drive wheel is engageable. With this construction, the platen can be rotated and stopped.

Abstract: An intermittent drive mechanism is provided for intermittently driving an output shaft with an input shaft that has an axis that intersects the axis of the output shaft at an angle. A driving element on the input shaft couples with a driven element on the output shaft through pairs of corresponding accelerating and decelerating pin and slot combinations which engage each other intermittently at the surface of an imaginary sphere which is centered at the intersection point of the shafts. Embodiments are provided both with and without intermittent driving gears on the elements to maintain the output shaft rotation at constant maximum velocity through a predetermined arc. The slots are curved, preferably in circular arcs, so as to optimize acceleration and the rate of change of acceleration (jerk), particularly as the output shaft approaches and leaves the point of maximum angular velocity.

Abstract: A mobile component carrier in an instrument includes a disk with a scalloped periphery. A larger bearing and a smaller bearing are mounted on a support structure. The larger bearing has a radius greater, and the smaller bearing has a radius less than that of each of the scallops. The disk is urged into the bearings which have a relative spacing such that the larger bearing seats against two adjacent intersections of the scallops, and the smaller bearing seats against a dished surface between two other adjacent intersections.

Abstract: The tool turret comprising driven tools comprises a turret shaft (2) which carries the turret plate (4) and is supported in a turret housing (1) so as to be rotatable and axially displaceable. The turret shaft (2) can be locked at the turret plate end by a Hirth coupling. At the other end, the turret shaft (2) can be connected via a switchable coupling with a toothed wheel (23) of a gear unit (15) so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it, the toothed wheel (23) being supported coaxially relative to the turret shaft (2). A switchable intermediate wheel (26), which engages with a pinion (27) of a drive shaft (28) for the tools to be driven, can engage with the coaxial toothed wheel (23). The turret shaft (2) can be displaced axially into its two end positions by a double-action piston (6), the couplings (12, 13) connected with the turret shaft (2) being alternately engaged and disengaged in the two end positions.

Abstract: A stepper drive for a step-type transformer has an upper geneva wheel rotatable about a wheel axis, a lower geneva wheel spaced below the upper wheel and also rotatable about the axis, and a driver rotatable about a driver axis adjacent the wheels and having an upper abutment engageable with the upper wheel and a lower abutment engageable with the lower wheel and offset by about 180.degree. relative to the driver axis from the upper abutment. A selector abutment is provided on the upper wheel offset from the axis thereof. A selector lever pivotal about a selector axis offset from the wheel axis is engageble with the selector abutment in end positions of the upper wheel. A blocking plate shiftable radially on the lever between an actuated position and an unactuated position is urged by a spring into the unactuated position.

Abstract: There is disclosed a camming apparatus for a work station that provides for relative rotational motion between a cam and a cam follower connected to the work station, e.g., a liquid dispenser. The cam follower is movable on a carrier that frictionally engages the cam, unless the carrier is restricted. The cam is rotated by a gear. A locking mechanism is provided to lock the carrier against inadvertent rotation, and the improvement resides in the locking mechanism comprising a gear segment on the cam follower positioned to engage the gear during a portion of the engagement by the drive gear of the gear segment on the cam.

Abstract: To so improve a machine tool comprising a machine frame, a rotary table mounted on the machine frame for rotation about a center axis, machining stations arranged around the rotary table, at least one holding device mounted on the rotary table for rotation about an axis of rotation, and a rotary drive, that during rotation of the rotary table from machining station to machining station, rotation of the holding device through optionally small or optionally large angles is possible, it is proposed that the rotary drive comprise a first and a second cam track held stationarily on the machine frame and a first and a second cam element mounted on the rotary table so as to move along the cam track as the rotary table rotates, that the first cam track be located in a first surface and the second cam track in a second surface, and that the first and second cam elements be coupled for rotating the holding device and in each of their positions along the cam tracks hold the holding device in a clearly defined rotary pos

Abstract: A sheet paper feeder for use in a printing press, includes a cam mechanism interposed between sheet feeding rollers, and a source of drive force for the sheet feeding rollers which are adapted to be repeatedly rotated and stopped along a programmed continuous cam operation curve. A retracting mechanism associated with sheet holddown wheels operates in synchronism with the sheet feeding rollers to cause reciprocating movement of the sheet holddown wheels toward and away from the sheet feeding rollers.

Abstract: The tool-holder turret for lathes or like machining centers has a fixed support member (1; 52) bearing a rotary member (4; 51) to which there may be attached a tool-holder plate designed to bear a plurality of tools, each of which can brought into the operating position by the rotation of the rotary member, a drive motor (12; 54) also being provided, which is connected to a geared differential transmission unit (15, 18, 20; 47, 18, 20; 57, 64, 66) having three members, the first member, called the driver (15; 47; 57), being connected to the motor and controlling, on one hand, the opening and closing of the turret and, on the other hand, the rotation of its rotary member, the second member, which can be driven in rotation, of the differential unit (18; 18; 64) being connected to the rotary member and the third member, which can be driven in rotation, of the differential unit (20; 20; 66) being connected, via interposed cam transmission means (21, 23; 71, 72), to a rotationally fixed and axially movable member

Abstract: A machine tool having a main spindle head and an indexing table those being inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. The machine tool comprises the main spindle head, a main spindle, a reciprocation drive means and the indexing table. The main spindle is provided with a tool mount portion at one end portion thereof for mounting a tool, and the reciprocation drive means drives the main spindle head in an axial direction of the main spindle. The indexing table mounts thereon a workpiece and is angularly rotatable about its central axis. Further, an indexing apparatus is also disclosed. The apparatus comprises a base frame, an indexing table, an indexing shaft, a single drive source, a drive means, a follower member, coupling means and shifting means. The drive means is connected to the single drive source, and the follower member is connected to the indexing shaft and is engageable with the drive means for rotating the indexing shaft about its axis.

Abstract: A rotary actuator has a first rotor rotatable around a first axis and having a plurality of first projections circumferentially spaced and axially projecting from one end surface thereof, a second rotor rotatable around a second axis which is eccentric to the first axis and having at least a second projection circumferentially spaced and axially projecting from one end surface thereof, a rotating mechanism connected to the second rotor to rotate the second rotor, the first and second rotors being arranged such that their end surfaces face each other so that the second projection may engage with either one of the first projections to rotate the first rotor through a predetermined angle when the second rotor is rotated.

Abstract: An index table comprising a base, a main plate mounted on the base, a drive wheel mounted for rotation on one side of the main plate about a first axis transverse to the main plate, a work plate on the other side of the main plate rotatably mounted about a second transverse axis spaced from the first transverse axis, and a segment wheel mounted on the one side of said main plate and fixed with relation to the work plate. Circumferentially spaced segment drivers are mounted on the drive wheel and are adapted to engage circumferentially spaced slots on the segment wheel to intermittently drive the segment wheel and in turn the work plate. A yoke plate is mounted on the one side of the main plate for movement radially with respect to the drive wheel and the segment wheel. As the drive wheel rotates, each segment driver engages the yoke plate and moves the yoke plate relative to the segment wheel.

Abstract: A rotatable member to be indexed in a machine is intermittently rotated through specific angular displacements between predesignated indexing positions by an indexing mechanism driven by a hydraulic motor and is positively locked in each indexing position by a positive clutch coupling comprising a movable plate fixed to the rotatable member and a mating stationary plate fixed to a stationary part of the machine, the clutch coupling being engaged and disengaged by a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic motor and hydraulic cylinder are controllably and coordinately operated by a common hydraulic system including pipe and tank lines and at least one electromagnetic changeover valve of the two-position, four-connection type.

Abstract: Provided is a rotary indexing table comprising a circular plate having a peripheral race mounted to a base. A notched Geneva disk is provided with a plurality of cam followers which ride in the plate race. Between the plate and the disk is a dual slotted slide capable of periodically engaging at least one and preferably two of said cam followers to provide work station locking. Rotary means is also provided which bears a crescent shaped second cam follower lock and also a needle bearing cam follower member which is slidable in a second slot in said slide, said needle bearing cam follower sequentially engages and disengages said notches to effect Geneva disk rotation and also causes slide translation.

Abstract: An arrangement for adjusting a seat of a vehicle has a plurality of adjusting elements arranged to adjust the position of the seat, a drive motor, and a distributing transmission provided within the drive motor and the adjusting elements and including a plurality of driven shafts having gears and connected with the adjusting elements, and at least one intermediate gear driven by the motor, wherein the distributing transmission includes a stepping transmission arranged so that, with a selectable step, the stepping transmission brings the intermediate gear into driving engagement with a gear of a respective one of the driven shafts, and the intermediate gear is fixed in this position without preventing its rotation about its axis.

Abstract: A timing mechanism for use in an appliance such as a domestic clothes dryer, for example. The mechanism includes a synchronous motor and two output shafts. One output shaft is the conventional rotary output shaft of the speed reducing gear train associated with the synchronous motor. The second output shaft is the rotary axle of a Geneva follower gear that is driven by a Geneva driver gear that is in turn driven by a gear located intermediate the input and first output shaft of the gear train. The intermittent rotation of the second output shaft, wherein each intermittent rotation is accomplished in a relatively rapid time, permits a timing cam thereon to control a switch actuator to provide a precise and quite brief switching action of the order of five seconds, for example.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving an index table which includes a first shaft, an index table rotatably mounted on the first shaft having grooves therein forming a Geneva gear and a mechanism for driving the table in rotation including a drive motor, a second shaft driven by the motor, a crank mounted on the second shaft, and a Geneva pin mounted on the crank. The grooves have force bearing walls which include straight portions and sector portions. The Geneva pin is engaged in the grooves in the table to effect stepwise rotation of the table to equispaced, predetermined angular positions. The second shaft and the grooves are spaced from each other such that the distance from the axis of the second shaft to the circumferential surface of the pin is less than the distance from the axis of the shaft to the straight portions of the force bearing walls of the grooves.

Abstract: A stepping gear includes an output member attached to a wheel which is provided with a number of rollers on both faces thereof. In driving contact with these rollers is a pair of cam members having contours which allow for driving in the forward direction as well as a standstill or dwell phase. In addition, reverse movement of the wheel is made possible by providing an undercut in one of the cams coupled with a superelevation on the other of the two cams. Form locking engagement between the cams and the rollers is maintained during the forward driving phase, and the standstill and return phases as well.

Abstract: An indexing apparatus (10) is disclosed which is designed for use with various types of work transfer equipment and is operative to provide smooth rapid jerk-free acceleration and deceleration whereby workpieces may be smoothly and rapidly transferred between operating stations. The indexing apparatus (10) includes suitably arranged cams (90, 90', 106, 124, 130, 132, 150, 162, 180) and cam followers (38, 52, 114, 116, 166, 168, 174) which operate to convert a driving input motion which is typically rotary in nature to a desired output motion which may be either linear or rotary but which is characterized by substantially jerk-free, smooth acceleration and deceleration at the beginning and end of the respective indexing movements. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a crank arm (22) having cam followers (38, 52) provided thereon which control pivotal movement of transfer arm (58) which is in turn connected to a linearly reciprocable apparatus which may include a work supporting surface for example.

Abstract: A machine tool having a spindle assembly associated with an indexing tool storage rack on which a number of distinct tools are stored, and a transport or tool carriage for conveying a selected tool between the storage rack and the spindle assembly; and including a control circuit for sequencing the operation of the various component parts of the machine tool for either manual or automatic operation. The spindle assembly includes a variable speed motor drive for rotating a spindle having a drawbar for releasably securing a tool adaptor with the tool to the end of the spindle and which is associated with a push rod operable to control the release of the tool adaptor during a tool changing operation. A spindle gear shifting assembly is operatively connected to the spindle for shifting of the spindle between direct high speed drive and back gear low speed drive or to a neutral position in which the spindle is disengaged from the variable speed motor drive.

Abstract: A geneva mechanism has a slotted geneva wheel and a driving cam wheel engageable with the geneva wheel to impart stepwise rotation thereto. The geneva wheel carries rollers, two of which are simultaneously engageable by a first part-cylindrical surface on the cam wheel to lock the geneva wheel against rotation. This simultaneous engagement imparts a slight resilient stress to the parts and thereby prevents backlash movement during the locked condition. Additionally a second, parallel part-cylindrical surface on the cam wheel co-operates with the first such surface and with two of the geneva wheel rollers to maintain the geneva wheel under control of the cam wheel as the latter starts and ends its driving engagement.

Abstract: An indexable revolving turret has a rotary tool carrier which is movable to a plurality of angularly spaced indexed positions, and an indexing shaft which is connected with the tool carrier for indexing the same to the respective ones of these positions. Cooperating spur gears are provided on the tool carrier and on the housing and become disengaged preliminarily to indexing of the tool carrier. A control shaft is driven by a drive so as to be rotated by the same and transmits motion to a Maltese-cross drive, an input member of which is mounted on and rotatable with the control shaft. The indexing shaft can be moved axially of itself, thereby moving the tool carrier into and out of indexing position, and for this purpose a cam drum is mounted on the control shaft and the cam follower slides in a cam groove of the cam drum and is connected with the indexing shaft so as to move the same into and out of an indexing position, depending upon the angular position of the cam drum.

Abstract: A multi-stage Geneva mechanism comprises first and second Geneva mechanisms and a constant speed ratio drive, such as a gear train, interconnected between the Geneva mechanisms. An adjustment mechanism is connected to the gear train to selectively adjust the phase angle between a crank and wheel of the second stage Geneva mechanism, on the output side of the system. Selective change of such phase angle enables the operator to fine-tune the indexing time to accommodate more precisely the requirements of an automated production line.