US2916950A - Indexing units - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 15, 1959 E. P. BULLARD in 2,

INDEXING umws Filed Jan. 31, 1957 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.! Z M INVENTOR EDWARD F- BULLARPJIE ATTORNEY Dec. 15, 1959 E. P. BULLARD Ill 2,916,950

INDEXING UNITS Filed Jan. 31, 1957 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR EDWARD F. BULLARD, III

ATTORNEY Dec. 15, 1959 E. P. BULLARD m 2,916,950

INDEXING um'rs Filed Jan. 31, 1957 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 F'IG-3 INVENTOF? EDWARD F. BULLARD,]I[

ryn/mm 7 AT'TORNEY Dec. 15, 1959 E. P. BULLARD m 2,915,950

momma UNITS Filed Jan. 31, 1957 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG..5

INVENTOFQ EDWARD P. suLLAaqm ATTORNEY ec- 15, 1959 E. P. BULLARD m 2,916,950

momma uurrs Filed Jan. 31, 1957 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 EDWARD P- BULLARDJII CLAMJM/ WW Q ATTORNEY Dec. 15, 1959 E. P. BULLAIIRD m 2,

INDEXINC UNITS Filed Jan. 31. 1957 k 9 Sheets-Sheet a INVENTOR EDWARD P- BULLARD,I|I

AT'TORNEY Dec. 15, 1959 E. R. BULLARD m INDEXING UNITS 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Jan. 52., 1957 M1 241 311 w /z-j Mpi "i INVENTOF? m LMU D A R A w D E United States Patent INDEXING UNITS Edward Payson Ballard III, Farmington, Conn., assignor to United Aircraft Corporation, East Hartford, Conn, a corporation of Delaware Appiication January 31, 1957, Serial No. 637,398

11 Ciaims. (Cl. 74-821) This invention relates to the indexing of parts to be machined and more particularly to an indexing head to perform the indexing operation.

It is an object of this invention to provide an indexing head which may be operated either manually, semi-automatically or fully automatically.

It is an object of this invention to provide an indexing head which does not depend upon the accuracy of drive gear, special indexing rings and lock pins but which utilizes a highly accurate electric system to accurately position and hold the indexing head and therefore the part being machined.

It is a further object of this invention to use the sine arm principle in the manual and semi-automatic index ing operations and to use the sine arm principle in positioning the indexing automatic electric contact or positioning pins for fully automatic operation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an indexing head which is capable of positioning a work piece within two seconds of are.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an indexing unit which is driven mechanically but positioned electrically by an electrical system which causes actuation as a result of electrical switch closing and solenoid energizing to bring about greater indexing accuracy.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an indexing unit which is highly flexible yet very accurate in that the unit can easily be changed to new indexing positions without any disassembly. This is highly desirable on equipment which is used to machine several different types of parts or a given part which is subject to frequent change due to engineering developments or the like.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an indexing unit which may be set up in one setting to be able to index any of several dilferent Work pieces interchangeably.

It is a further object of this invention to use a sine arm principle not only in setting the equipment up for indexing but also for checking accuracy of the indexing at any time in operation and further such that the sine arm equipment is not worn out in operation since it is not a part of the working or rotating equipment.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an indexing unit in which indexing errors can be detected easily in operation and corrected on the machine or equipment without any type of disassembly.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the specification and claims, and from the accompanying drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a practical embodiment of my invention shown aligned with machining apparatus for which it is performing an indexing function.

Fig. 2 is a top view of my invention as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end view of my indexing unit showing a sine pin table and sine arm.

. 2,016,950 Patented Dec. 1 5, 1959 Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of the view of my indexing unit shown in Fig. 3 but with the indexing arm rotated a predetermined angular distance, for example 30', from the sine arm zero position shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a showing of my indexing unit comparable to Fig. 3 but illustrating a different type of counterweight.

Fig. l0 is a perspective showing of the mechanism comprising levers and pawls which bring the electrical system of my indexing unit into actuation.

Fig. 11 is a showing, partially sectional, of the apparatus used to' position automatic positioning pins which I use with my indexing unit.

Fig. 12 is a showing, partially sectional, of the attachment means used to attach the automatic positioning pins in my indexing unit to the sine pin table.

Fig. 13 is a schematic showing of the electrical portion of my indexing unit utilizing both the customary patent reference numerals and also the Joint Industry Conference symbols to designated the electrical units.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary showing of the apparatus used to position automatic positioning pins using set-up or adjustment means. i t

For the purpose of continuity of explanation, major reference will be made to a schematic showing of my indexing unit (Fig. 4), however, a practical embodiment is also shown and, for purposes of illustration, the reference numerals used to describe the schematic will be used to identify corresponding parts of the practical embodiment.

Referring to Fig. 4-, we see a schematic overall system designated as indexing unit 10 which comprises work table 12 to which the parts 11 which is being machined by machining apparatus 13 is attached by any known clamping means and which rotates in a clockwise direction when viewed from the front of the indexing unit 10. Worktable 12 is connected by a spindle or shaft 14 which is concentric about axis of rotation16 and which connects work table 12 to sine pin table 18 such that sine pin or indexing table 18, spindle 14, work table 12 and the work piece rotate as a unit.

Sine pins 20 are accurately positioned :and attached to sine pin table 13 by means of sine pin adjusted rings 22. Sine pins 20 are of very accurate 1.00005" diameter, and while not necessarily so limited, they may be of 1.0000" diameter. Sine pin table 18 also carries sine arm 24 which is very accurately positioned to be concentric with sine pin table 13. Sine arm 24 is pivotable about axis of rotation 16 with respect to sine pin table. Sine arm 24 carries a counterweight such as 26 on one side of its axis of rotation (see Figs. 3, 4,. and 8) and size block surface 30 on the opposite side of its axis of rotation. Any type of counterweight, such. as weighted pulley unit 31 (see Fig. 9) may be used. Sine arm 24 further carries an adjustable flush pin 32 which is received in hole 34 of stationary indicator stand 36, on which an indicator such as a height gage may be stood. Sine arm 24 may merely carry an adjustable projection which contacts a floating flush pin carried in hole 34. Sine arm 24 further carries semi-automatic or sine bar positioning pin 40 which trips pawl 39 on semi-automatic or sine bar actuating lever 44 during semi-automatic operation.

It should be noted that work table 12, spindle 14, drive gear 86 (to be described), sine pin table 1.8, and sine arm 24 rotate as a rotating unit 25 during semi-automatic and manual indexing operations since the counterweight causes sine arm 24 to bear against one of the sine pins 26. During fully automatic operation, sine arm 24 is allowed to hang freely as the counterweight is released. Sine arm 24 loosely engages spindle 14 in bearing-journal fashion such that with the counterweight in operation, sine arm 24 bears against sine pin 20 and will rotate with rotating unit 25 and such that with the counterweight disengaged or removed, sine arm 2d will hang vertically downward and not rotate with rotating unit 25.

Still referring to Fig. 4-, the mechanism which drives rotating unit 25 comprises primary motor which causes pulley block, ring or gear 52 to rotate and, due to the chain drive or pulley connection 54, gear 52 causes gear 56 to rotate in the same direction, which is clockwise in the view shown in Fig. 4. Ring 56 is attached thru. chain drive or pulley connection 58 to ring or pulley block 6! which is larger than and rotates in the same direction as pulley block 56. Pulley block 56 is attached to and drives high speed drive shaft 62 While pulley block 60 is attached to and drives low speed drive shaft 6d. High speed shaft 62 carries gear ring 68, which drives high speed worm wheel, or high speed drive gear 70 while low speed shaft 66 carries gear ring 72, which engages and drives low speed worm wheel or low speed drive gear 74. Both high speed drive gear 79 and low speed drive gear 74 are attached to one-piece drive shaft 80. Worm gear 82 is attached to and rotates with drive shaft 80. Worm gear 82 engages and drives drive gear 86 which is attached to and rotates with spindle 14 and thereby drives rotating unit 25. High speed drive gear 70 loosely engages and is capable of rotating freely about drive shaft 80 and carries portion 90a of high speed clutch 90.

High speed clutch 90 also comprises clutch portion 90b which is attached to and is carried by clutch plate 92 which is keyed to drive shaft fit) by key 94 and rotates therewith. When high speed clutch 90 is engaged drive shaft 89 is driven at the speed of high speed gear 70 since overrunning clutch 96 causes the rotation of low speed drive gear 74 to be ineffectual.

Low speed drive gear 74 carries clutch portion ltitla of low speed clutch 100 while portion of low speed clutch 100 is carried by low speed clutch plate 102, which also carries overrunning clutch 96. With this connection, when high speed clutch 90 is engaged, drive shaft 8d, worm 82 and therefore rotating unit 25 operate at the speedof high speed drive gear 70, for overrunning clutch 96 is then causing the rotation of low speed drive gear 74 to be inefiectual. Once high speed clutch Stl is disengaged drive shaft 80, worm S2 and rotating unit 25 are rotated at the speed of low speed drive gear 74 when low speed clutch ltltl is engaged.

High speed clutch 90 is caused to engage and disengage by the action of high speed clutch actuating piston and cylinder unit 11% which comprises cylinder 112 and piston 114. Piston 114 causes lever 116 to move with piston 114 due to the fact that link 113 connects piston 114 and lever 116. The movement of lever 116 causes shaft 129 to rotate since lever 116 is attached to shaft 120 in crank fashion, thereby causing high speed clutch yoke 122 to either engage or disengage high speed clutch 90. As shown in Pig. 4 as piston 114 moves to the left, clutch 99 becomes disengaged. High speed clutch actuating shaft 120 is supported such that it is free to pivot within supports 124 and 126.

Low speed clutch 100 is actuated by low speed clutch actuating unit 130* which comprises piston 132 and cyl inder 134. Piston 1.32 is attached to arm 136 by link. 138. Arm 136 is attached to low speed clutch actuating shaft 140 in crank fashion such that the movement of piston causes the rotation of shaft 14%.,

in zero position.

Shaft is supported loosely so as to be pivotal within supports 142 and 144. Shaft 14% carries low speed clutch yoke unit 150, the arms of which are pivotally attached to and cause the movement of low speed clutch plate 182. As shown in Fig. 4, as piston 132 moves to the right, low speed clutch 106 is disengaged whereas when piston 13?. moves to the left low speed clutch 190 is engaged.

Motor 152 or wheel 15% may be used to rotate drive shaft 80 during manual operation. Overriding clutch 155 is provided such that the rotation of semi-automatic motor 152 is ineffectual during automatic operation.

Still referring to Fig. 4, pneumatically or hydraulically operated binder unit 1&0 is shown to comprise piston 162 and cylind 1&4 and pivotal binder arm 166. Pivotal binder arm 156 pivots about pivot point 168 such that when compressed air or other pressure means causes piston 162 to move to the right as shown in Fig. 4, pivotal arm 16d rotates in a clockwise direction to cause flange 170, which projects from and is carried by work table 12, to bind against surface 172 to thereby stop and position work table 12. V

In the preferred embodiment, plain bearings are. used in all main parts of indexing unit It) so that there is suflicient friction that rotating unit 25 will stop immediately when low speed clutch 100 is disengaged for there is no inertia in unit 25 at creep s eed.

During manual 0 eration a rest block 18-1) (see Figs. 3 and 8) is placed between sine pin 20 and size block surface 3% or" sine arm 24. Plush pin 32 is regulated by lock nuts to be flush with the surface of indicator stand 36. A height gage 181 or any other type of accurate measuring instrument may be used to insure this flushness. Vvith sine arm 24 so set, rotating unit 25 is now The work piece 11, carried by unit 25, may now be worked as required in this position. By way of example, if it is next desired to place a hole 30 of arc, space or distance from a zero position hole just drilled, or, to express the example another way, if we wish to drill a hole in an accurate angular position 30 from the zero position, such may be done manually by placing size blocks 182. of a predetermined distance in a clockwise direction when viewed from the rear of indexing unit 10, which distance represents the desired 30 angle in view of the sine arm principle now to be described. Pointer 8E may be used to roughly indicate the 30 or any angular position.

To more accurately explain the sine arm principle as utilized herein let us assume that we wish to cause rotat ing unit 25 to rotate 30 and that the accurate distance between axis 16 and the center of pin 20, dimension R, is exactly 12.5000. Since a right angle, A, will be formed between size block surface 30 and size blocks 182 when combined with rest block and since the hypotenuse of this right triangle is 12.5000", by trigonometry it may be determined that the combined height of rest block.

180 and size blocks 182 must be 6.250, distance L, using the trigonometric sine function for a 30 angle of 12.5000" hypotenuse. With proper size blocks 1S2 inserted, wheel 154 may be turned manually or motor 152 may cause rotating unit 25 to rotate until sine arm 24 rotates in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the rear of index unit 10 until flush pin 32 again becomes flush with the surface of indicator stand 36-as indicated by the indicator 181 resting thereon. Rotating unit 25 is then in the 30 angular position. Counterweight 26 serves the function of causing sine arm 24 to cause rest block 189 and sine blocks 182 to bear firmly against sine pin 20.

For the purpose of further description and without reference to the electrical system which will be described later, the semi-automatic operation of this indexing apparatus 10 will now be described. With rest block 180 (see Figs. 3 and 8) in place on size block surface 30 of sine arm or sine bar 24, the operator will cause motor 56' and drive shaft 80 to drive or rotate rotating unit 25. This rotation continues until sine bar or semi-automatic actuating pin 40 (see Fig. contacts pawl 39 on sine bar or semi-automatic actuating lever or rod 44 and causes it to rotate slightly so as to engage a limit switch, SLS, which energizes solenoid 190. Normally a high pressure source such as compressed air is provided to the small area 192 of piston 114 to cause high speed clutch 90 to be engaged. The same high pressure source acts upon small area surface 194 of piston 132 to engage low speed clutch 100. While rotating unit is being rotated by motor and drive shaft to the position where sine bar or semi-automatic positioning pin 40 first contacts actuating lever 44, both high speed clutch and low speed clutch are engaged but due to the action of overrunning clutch 96 within low speed clutch 100, drive shaft 80 is causing rotating unit 25 to rotate at the speed of high speed drive gear 70. When semi-automatic positioning pin 40 rotates actuating lever 44 a predetermined amount so as to energize solenoid 190, the high pressure supply is then provided to large area side 196 of piston 114 thereby moving piston 114 to the left as shown in Fig. 4 to cause shaft to rotate so as to cause yoke 122 to move high speed clutch portion 90b to the left thereby disengaging high speed clutch 90. When high speed clutch 90 is disengaged, drive shaft 80 then drives rotating unit 25 at the speed of low speed drive gear 74, which is an exceedingly slow speed, known as creep speed, such that the movement of the rotating unit 25 is not perceptible to the eye and further such that there is no tendency for rotating unit 25 to rotate due to inertia movement when it is no longer being driven by low speed gear 74 due to the slow speed of rotation and the fact that the friction effect is greater than the inertia effect. Rotating unit 25 continues to be driven by low speed gear 74 until sine bar or semi-automatic positioning pin 40 causes sine bar or semi-automatic actuating lever 44 to rotate through a predetermined are where a second micro switch 10LS (see Fig. 10) is closed which energizes solenoid 202 thereby causing a high pressure source to act against large area surface 204 of piston 132 causing piston 132 to move to the right in Fig. 4 and causing shaft to rotate so as to pivot yoke to move low speed clutch portion 10% to the right thereby disengaging low speed clutch 100. At the moment that low speed clutch 100 is disengaged there is no longer any driving force causing rotating unit 25 to rotate and, as previously described, rotating unit 25 was driven at such a low rate of speed by low speed drive gear 74 that it will immediately stop as soon as low speed clutch 100 is disengaged. However, to insure instantaneous stopping and positioning of rotationg unit 25 at the point where low speed clutch 100 is disengaged, and such may be necessary in installations where low speed drive gear 74 operates at a higher degree of speed or where, for any reason, there is a rotary inertia effect within rotating unit 25, due to the use of anti-friction bearings and the like, solenoid unit 206 and binder unit are provided. Solenoid 206 is energized by the same micro switch contact LS10 which energized solenoid 202. The energizing of solenoid 206 ports a high pressure source to surface 208 of binder piston 162 thereby causing piston 162 to move to the right in Fig. 4 to cause lever 166 to pivot clockwise about pivot pin 168 thereby forcing flange 170 of work table 12 against stationary binder surface 172 to stop and position rotating unit 25.

By the foregoing operation we have brought rotating unit 25 to its zero position and the work piece may be worked at this point as desired. As a double check on the position of indexing unit 10 it might be well to place an indicator such as 181 on indicator stand 36 to indicate the relative position between flush pin 32 and the surface of indicator stand 36. Since we will be using the same electrical system to stop rotating unit 25 in desired positions henceforth, it was necessary to first arrive at the zero position by means of our electrical system. Itwill be noted that indexing unit 10 does not depend upon the accuracy of. a mechanical system to stopthe work piece in proper position after it has been driven to that proper, position bythe gear train.

If we now wish to drill a second hole in angular position 30" from a zero position hole using tlie "semi-auto matic operation now being described we would rotate sine arm 24 away from sinepin 20 and place size blocks 182 between rest block and sine pin 20 such that the total height of rest block 180 and-size blocks 182 is 6.250" (see Fig. 8) representing the trigonometric sine function for a 30 angle where the triangle hypotenuse is 12.500", as described supra To cause rotating unit 25 to rotate thru exactly 30 we again actuate our electrical system to cause solenoids and 202 to be deenergized thereby engaging high speed clutch 95 0, and low speed clutch 100 and'furtherde-energizing solenoid 206 so as to release binder unit 160 such that rotating unit 25 is free to rotate. Motor 50 then drives drive shaft 80 at the speed of high speed drive gear, 70 as previously described until sine bar positioning pin 40 contacts sine bar actuating lever 44 and causes actuating lever 44 to rotate through a predetermined are so as to energize solenoid 190 to declutch high speed clutch 90, as described previously. Rotating unit 25 is then driven by drive shaft 80 at the very low creep speed of low speed gear 74, high speed clutch 90 now being declutched. As rotating unit 25 further rotates actuating lever 44 to a point where solenoids 202 and 206 are energized, low speed clutch 100 is disengaged and binder unit 160 en: gaged simultaneously, stopping and locking rotating unit 25 in position. Since we have used the same accurate electrical system in again stopping rotating unit 25, we have rotated rotating unit 25 through exactly 30 and as a check on the accuracy of our system we may use a measuring instrument, such as indicator 181, to insure that flush pin 32 is again in the same relative position to the surface of 36 as it was at the zero position. If desired, a second hole exactly 30 from our first hole may now be drilled in our work piece. In this. fashion, we can use indexing unit 10 in semi-automatic operation to drill any number of holes in the work piece at any desired angular spacing.

Fully automatic operation of indexing unit 10 will now be described without respect to the electrical system which will be described later. Concentric circumferential grooves such as 210, 212, 214 and 216 (see Figs. 4 and 5) or any selected number of grooves are placed either on the surface of sine pin or on index table 18 opposite from sine pins 20 or on the ring concentric with and attached externally to sine pin or indexing table 18.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the greater the radius between axis 16 and sine pins 20, and similar positioning parts, the greater will be the accuracy provided by the indexing unit 10.

For automatic operation, the sine arm 24 and size blocks 182 are used in the same fashion as the semiautomatic operation already described, excepting that they are used solely to position automatic positioning pins, such as pins 220, 222, 224 and 226 in grooves210, 212, 214 and 216. Automatic positioning pins such as 220, 222, 224 and 226 are positioned very accurately at predetermined distances apart, 180 from the sine bar zero position and the other angular sine bar positions. There may be any number of automatic positioning pins in any of the concentric circumferential grooves. The desired angular positions of automatic positioning pins 220, 222, 224 and 226 are determined by means of the semi-automatic operation, already described briefly supra and to be described in greater particularity later. Automatic positioning pins 220, 222, 224 and 226 are then rotated with rotating unit 25 and contact automatic oper ation actuating levers such as levers 230, 232, 234 and 236 (Fig. 4) to cause rotating unit 25 to be brought to a stop in a highly accurate angular position, in the same fashion as occurred when semi-automatic actuating pin 40 contacted and rotated semi-automatic actuating lever 44. There will be as many automatic actuating levers such as 230, 232, 234 and 236 provided as there are rows of positioning pins 220, 222, 224 and 226 in the concentric circular grooves 210, 212, 214 and 216.

Rotating unit 25 is brought to its zero position as previously described for semi-automatic operation and a positioning pin such as 226 is anchored within circumferential groove 216 to be exactly 180 from zero position. The automatic positioning pins are located a fixed distance from setting surface 301 using a gage block or an indicating means 279 (see Fig. 11) to determine position. The positioning pins shoulder against table 18 of rotating unit 25. A screw 239 (see Fig. 12) inserts thru the pins, such as 226, and a T nut 241 fastens on the other end. The T nut 241 locates in T slot 243 at bottom of the circumferential groove 216 tightening of screw locks pin in position. the setting surface 301 at which the positioning pins are located is determined, actuating levers 230, 232, 234 and 236 are adjusted so that pins set from setting surface will actuate these levers to stop rotating unit 25 exactly 180 from the positioning pin setting position. Therefore it should be noted that automatic trip or positioning pins are set exactly 180 from the posittion where they will stop rotating unit 25 on automatic index. Levers 230, 232, 234 and 236 may be contained within a single enclosure such as 135 (see Figs. 4 and 2).

If the next machining operation is to take place on the work piece 11, 30 from this zero position, size blocks are placed between sine pin and rest block 180 for a total height of 6.2500 (Fig. 8) as described for semiautomatic operation supra and rotating unit is caused to rotate to the position where it is stopped by our electrical system and a second pin such as automatic positioning pin 222 is then accurately positioned in row 212, for example, 180 from this 30 angular position in a manner to be described later. The same operation by means of accurate size blocks 182 is carried out to position additional automatic positioning pin 224 and 226 in accurate predetermined angular position from zero position or pin 220 following the procedure already outlined for semi-automatic operation. Any number of automatic positioning pins may be placed in circumferential grooves 210, 212, 214 and 216. After all positioning pins are positioned in the circumferential grooves 210, 212, 214 and 216, the electric system will be actuated to engage high speed clutch 90 and low speed clutch 100 and to disengage binder unit 160. Motor will then cause high speed drive gear 70 to drive rotating unit 25 thru drive shaft 80 at the speed of high speed gear 70 until, for example, automatic positioning pin 226 contacts and rotates the first automatic actuating lever 230 a predetermined amount whereupon solenoid 190 is energized to disengage high speed clutch 90 so that rotating unit 25 is being rotated by and at the speed of low speed gear 74 until automatic positioning pin 226 rotates automatic actuating lever 230 thru a further predetermined distance whereupon solenoids 202 and 206 are energized to declutch low speed clutch 100 and bind rotating unit 25 in accurate angular position thru binder unit 160. The work piece is then in position for machining in the accurate angular position of pin 226. Our electrical system is again actuated to cause rotating unit 25 to rotate, for example, until second automatic positioning pin 224 strikes second automatic actuating lever 232 causing rotating unit 25 to be brought to rest and held in an accurate angular position of pin 224 by the energizing of solenoids 190, 202 and 206 in the fashion just described. The work piece is then in its second accurate angular position ready for machining. This sequence is carried out until the work piece is fully machined.

During automatic operation it is not necessary to have Once the fixed distance from sine arm or bar 24 rotate with sine pin table 18 and, therefore, the weight in counterweight 26 is moved toward axis 16 of rotating unit 25 such that sine arm 24 will hang vertically downward and not rotate with rotating unit 25. Recess 333 in sine arm 24 permits sine pins 20 and sine pin table 18 to rotate while sine arm 24 is stationary. If a weighted pulley counterweight 31 is used, the pulley may be disengaged.

If, at any time, it is desired to check the accuracy of indexing unit 10 when in automatic operation, for example, to chest; the accuracy of indexing at the 30 angular position, such may be done without removing the work piece or in any way disassembling unit 10. The accuracy of the 30 angular indexing position may be checked by indexing automatically to the 30 angular position, then placing the proper height of size blocks 182 and rest block 180 between sine arm 24 and the sine pin 20 which was used to place the 30 positioning pin. If the 30 positioning pin is in proper position, it should cause unit 10 to stop at such a point that, when size blocks are used in the fashion just mentioned, flush pin 34 will be flush with indexing stand 36.

With reference to Fig. 10 and by way of introduction to the description of the electrical system, one portion of the mechanical features of indexing unit '10 which actuate the electrical system will be described. The portion of the overall system described will be that which relates to sine bar or semi-automatic positioning pin 40 and sine bar or semi-automatic actuating lever 44. It should be borne in mind that there is a similar mechanical system associated with each automatic positioning pin such as 220, 222, 224 and 226, to be more particular, there is a similar electrical system used with the automatic positioning pins in eachconcentric groove 210, 212, 214 and 216 with one electrical system per groove. Sine bar positioning pin 40 contacts pawl 39 of sine bar actuating lever or red 44 causing pawl 39 and sine bar lever 44 to rotate in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 10. Sine bar actuating lever 44 carries circuit actuating lever 252 such that circuit actuating lever 252 rotates with sine bar actuating lever 44. Lever 44 also carries circuit actuating lever 254 which fits loosely on sine bar actuating lever 44 and does not rotate therewith. Undercut surface 256 of circuit actuating lever 252 depresses plunger 258 of limit switch or position pin setting electrical switch 5L5 due to the force exerted by spring 260 on circuit actuating lever 252 and sine bar actuating lever 44. With plunger 258 depressed, limit switch 5LS is in its circuit open position as shown in Fig. 13. Due to the action of spring 262, circuit actuating lever 254 depresses plunger 264 on limit switch or position pin setting electrical switch 10LS which is located adjacent to limit switch SLS. It will be noted that circuit actuating lever 252 carries arm 266 projecting therefrom thru which adjustable set screw 268 passes.

As sine bar positioning or actuating pin 40 causes sine bar actuating lever 44 to rotate in a clockwise direction,

this also causes circuit actuating lever 252 to rotate in a clockwise direction thereby releasing switch plunger 258 so as to close the circuit in which limit switch SLS is located, thereby dcclutching the high speed clutch electrically by way of solenoid energization in a manner to be described later. Since circuit actuating lever 254 does not rotate with lever 44, it continues thru the action of spring 262, to depress switch plunger 264 until the rotation of lever 252 causes set screw 268, which is carried by arm 266, to contact surface 270 of circuit actuating lever 254 thereby causing lever 254 to rotate in a clockwise direction and release switch plunger 264 so as to close limit switch 10LS thereby energizing the circuit in which limit switch 10LS is located so as to declutch the low speed clutch and actuate the binder unit thru solenoid energization by electrical means to be described hereinafter.

Set screw 268 may be adjusted to vary the point in rota- 9 tion of levers 252 and 44 that lever 254 will be caused to move.

It should be borne in mind that a system similar to the one just described is provided for each row of automatic positioning pins such as 220, 222, 224 and 226. Each of these positioning pins 40, 220, 222, 224 and 226 work thru a system of levers such as 44, 52 and 254 andlimit switches such as SLS and 10LS just described to actuate the same electrical system which performs the function of causing the work piece and rotating unit 25 to first reduce the speed of rotation to creep speed and then stop and lock same in a predetermined accurate angular position. It should be noted that the length of pawl 39 with respect to the length of arms or levers 252 and 254 is relatively small by comparison so as to add greater accuracy to the system by amplifying the movement of pawl 39 with respect to the releasing of contacts 258 and 264 due to this lever length ratio.

Referring to Fig. 13 we see the electrical circuit and controls for indexing unit 10. The electrical system is purposely made simple and contains the safety feature that whenever run-stop switch 30% (SSW) is switched to the stop position, solenoids 190, 202 and 206 will be energized thereby declutching both high speed clutch 90 and low speed clutch 100 and applying binder unit 160. It should be noted that electrical system used on this indexing unit 10 is constructed such that the clutches 90 and 100 are disengaged and the binder 160 is applied when solenoids 130, 202 and 206 are energized and when limit switches are closed. The purpose of having the desired actuations take place as a result of solenoid energizing and limit switch closing is to get greater accuracy and consistency into this indexing system timewise by eliminating such variables as residual magnetism and hysteresis which may affect actuation when caused by solenoid de-energizing. For the purpose of simplifying this description for those skilled in the art, both the usual numerical reference numerals and Joint Industry Cnferences (I.I.C.) electrical symbols will be used.

By referring to Fig. 13 we see that our electrical system comprises indexing motor 50 (1MTR), transformer 302 (IT), time delay unit 304 (ITD), motor starter 306 (IM), the operators on-off switch 308 (25W), transformer 310 (2T), rectifier 312 (1RE), capacitor-resistor 314 (1C, 1R), index switch 316 (SSW), rows-sine bar selector switch 318 (48W), sine bar run (momentary), normal selector switch 320 (78W), and rows selector switch 322 (68W). Additional features of the electrical system will be brought out in the course of this description.

The operator uses switch 308 (25W) to apply and remove power to the machine. Run-stop switch 300 (38W) performs the function of either stopping rotating unit 25 from rotating by energizing solenoids 190 (IS), 202 (25),

and 206 (38) to disengage clutches 90 and 100 and apply binder 160 or, when in run, to de-energize solenoids 190 (18), 202 (28) and 206 (38) to engage clutches 90 and 100 and disengage binder 160. Rows-sine bar selector switch 318 (45W) determines whether we are to be in sine bar, that is, semi-automatic operation or in rows, that is, fully automatic operation. Rows selector switch 322 (65W) selects whether actuation is to take place by means of the automatic positioning pins located in circumferential grooves or rows 210 and 212 or 214 and 216. Index switch 316 (SSW) serves the function of commencing rotating unit 25 to rotate once all other switches are properly set and selects between actuation by means of the automatic positioning pins located in grooves or rows 210 and 214 or 212 and 216.

For purposes of illustration, let us consider that we wish to operate in semi-automatic operation to position one of the automatic positioning pins 220, 222, 224 or 226. Switch 318 (45W) will be in the sine-bar position and switch 300 (38W) in its stop position and switch 320 (78W) in its normal position. When the operator turns on-olf switch 308 to the on position, power from the three-phase power supply flows thru lines 324, 326 and 328, thru transformer 302 (IT) which changes its voltage from 440 v. to roughly 110 v. thence thru constant voltage transformer 310 (2T) and rectifier 312 (lRE) to become 24 v. D.C. current passing down positive bus bar 330 to ground 332 and down negative bus bar 334 with 24 v. D.C. therebetween. resistor 314 1C, 1R) performs the function of smoothing out the 110 v. ripple. Current flows thru switch 300 (38W) and line 340 to energize solenoid 190- (18) to disengage the high speed clutch 90 and also flows thru line 342 after passing thru switch 300 (3SW) to energize solenoids 202 (28) and 206 (35) to disengage low speed clutch 100 and applybinder 160 to stop the rotation of loci: rotating unit 25. Time delay unit 304 (1TD) causes a time delay of some ten seconds in the motor circuit during starting operation after which time it actuates energizing motor starter 306 (IM) which closes starter contacts ,344, 346, 348 to start indexing motor 50 (IMTR) running. At this point in the operation, rotating unit 25 is locked in position by binder 160 and while indexing motor 50 is operating, due to the fact that clutches 90 and 100 are disengaged, there is no force attempting to drive rotating unit 25. When We wish to cause rotating unit '25 to rotate, switch 300 (38W) is thrown to. its run and switch 320 (75W) is held against its spring to the sine bar run position' (switch 320 (78W) must be held in the sine bar run position) deenergizes solenoids 1% (IS), 202 (28) and 206 (38) thereby/ engaging high speed and low speed clutches 90 and 100 and disengagin g binder 160 such that motor 50 (lMTR) now causes rotating unit 25 to rotate in indexing fashion When sine bar actuating or positioning pin 40 contacts pawl 39 (see Fig. 10) and causes sine bar actuating lever 44 to rotate thereby rotating lever 252 and releasing switch plunger 258, this has the effect of releasing limit switch 5L3 permitting it to close the circuit in line 350 to energize solenoid 1% (1S) and thereby decouple high speed clutch 20 so that rotating unit 25 shifts to creep speed and is caused to rotate at the speed of low speed clutch 100. When sine bar actuating lever 44is caused to rotate further, set screw 263 in Fig. 10 contactssurface 270 of lever 254 to rotate lever 254 thereby releasing. switch plunger 264 which permits limit switch 10LS to close thereby closing the circuit in line 352 to energize solenoids 202 (28) and 206 (33) to thereby disengage low speed clutch 100, so that rotating unit 25 is no longer rotated, and to simultaneously apply binder 160 to lock rotating unit 25 in position. Power is appliedfthru l tiLS, line 352, 342, 320 (78W) to green pilot light (P) on sine bar position which shows that the proper stopping position has been reached and that switch 320 (78W) may then be released. Indexing unit 10 is now in its zero position and the zero position automatic positioning pin may be set in row 210, 212, 214 or 216 by means of index pin locating bracket 279 (Fig. 11). If 'welwish to set a 30 angular position automatic positioning pin, then by way of semi-automatic operation, we use size blocks as described supra to determine the degree to which sine bar 24 is rotated off of zero posi tion. Switch 300 (38W) is thrown to the stop position clutches. 90 and 100 already being inoperative and I binder 160 already being applied to rotating unit 25.

As sine arm 24 is moved, sine arm lever 44 is drawn back to its original positionand circuit actuating arms 252 and 254 are caused to depress switch plungers 258 and 264 so as to force open limit switches 5LS and 10LS. With sine arm 24 in its 30 angular position, switch 300 (35W) is thrown to the run position thereby deenergizingsolenoids 190 (1S), 202(2S) and 206 (38) to engage clutchesfit) and and release binder thereby causing rotating unit 25 to rotate at the speed of high speed clutch 90. Again, when sine arm or semi-automatic positioning pin 40 strikes pawl 39 to rotate sine arm Capacitoractuating lever 44, limit switch LS is permitted to close to actuate solenoids 190 thereby declutehing high speed clutch 90 and thereby putting rotating unit into creep speed until limit switch 10LS is permitted to close to energize solenoids 202 (2S) and 206 (3S) and thereby declutch high speed clutch 100 and apply binder 160 to stop rotating unit 25 in its angular position. We may then place the 30 angular position positioning pin by means of unit 279 to be described hereinafter. This semi-automatic indexing process is followed until all automatic positioning pins are set. To one skilled in the art this will be recognized as a highly flexible indexing system.

It will be noted in the previous description of the electrical system that the sine arm actuating pin 40 automatically actuates switches SLS and 10LS to stop rotating unit 25 in two-step operation. Automatic operation positioning pins 220, 222, 224 and 226 take the place of sine arm actuating pin 40 during fully automatic operation and our electrical circuit is so set up that automatic positioning pins in only one of our circumferential grooves or rows 210, 212, 214 or 216 may be operated at a given switch setting. By manipulating switches 322 (6SW) and 316 (SSW) our electrical circuit can be energized in any of our four rows. This permits indexing for several dili'erent work piece types at one time.

Let us consider that we wish to utilize our indexing unit 10 fully automatically and we want to cause the electrical system to be actuated by a pin in the first row or groove 216 (rows are numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4 from outer diameter inwardly). Switch 322 (6SW) is thrown to its 1 and 2 row or upper position while switch 318 (4SW) is thrown to its rows or upper position then to initiate rotation of unit 25, index switch 316 (SSW) is thrown to its 1 and 3 or upper position. It willbe noted that with our switches in these positions, open limit switches or indexing electrical switches 1LS and 6L3 are preventing the energizing of solenoids thru lines 354 and 356. With switches 322 (68W), 316 (SSW) and 318 (48W) so positioned, and with switch 320 (78W) in its normal or upper position, and with switch 300 (SSW) in its stop position, solenoids 190 (IS), 202 (28) and 206 (38) are energized thru lines 340 and 342 so as to disengage clutches 90 and 100 and engage binder 160. When switch 300 (38W) is thrown to its run position, solenoids 190 (IS), 202 (2S) and 206 (38) are de-energized to engage clutches 90 and 100 and release binder 160 thereby causing rotating unit 2 5 to rotate at the speed of high speed clutch 90. When automatic operation positioning pin 2 26 strikes pawl 261 on automatic actuating lever 230, such causes automatic actuating lever 230 to rotate and because lever 230 is associated with mechanisms of thetype shown in Fig. 10, a lever comparable to lever 252 releases pressure on switch plunger comparable to 258 which permits limit switch (ILS) to close thereby energizing solenoid 190 (18) and disengaging high speed clutch 90 to cause rotating unit 25 to rotate at the speed of low speed clutch 100. As automatic actuating lever 230 rotates further a lever comparable to lever 252 contacts a surface comparable to 270 thru a set screw comparable to 268 which rotates a lever comparable to 254 releasing switch plunger comparable to 264 to permit limit switch 6LS to close thereby energizing solenoids 202 (25) and 206 to disengage the low speed clutch and apply a binder such that rotating unit 25 is stopped in the accurate angular position represented by automatic positioning pin 226.

If we now wish to index indexing unit 10 to a position represented by the second automatic operation positioning pin 224 in the second circumferential groove 214, switch 316 (SSW) must be thrown to its lower or 2 or 4 position such that when positioning pin 224 strikes the pawl 263 on corresponding second automatic actuating lever 232, limit switch LS2 will be permitted to close to energize solenoid 190 (IS) and disengage high speed clutch 12 and when lever 232 rotates sufiiciently to release limit switch 7LS to energize solenoids 202 (28) and 206 (38) thereby disengaging low speed clutch and applying binder to position rotating unit 25 in a position corresponding to second row automatic operation position pin 224.

Time delay (ITD) performs the additional function that when the operators on-olf switch 308 (25W) is turned off, the power on D.C. lines 334 and 330 is maintained until time delay 304 (lTD) times out. This allows motor 50 (lMTR) to stop before solenoids 190 (15), 202 (28) and 206 (35) are de-enengized, engaging clutches 90 and 100 and releasing binder 160.

In similar fashion, limit switches 3LS and 8LS are operated by automatic positioning pin 222 in third row 212 while limit switches 4LS and 9L5 are operated by automatic positioning pin 220 in fourth row 210.

Seleniiun rectifiers (2RE, 3RE, and 4RE) are placed in lines 360, 362 and 364 to avoid arcing at associated switch contacts by shunting and absorbing the high reverse voltage which would otherwise exist across solenoid coils 190 (IS), 202 (28) and 206 (38) at the instant of de-energizing.

It will be noted that switch 366 (llLS) is placed in lines 340 and 342. Switch 366 (llLS) is normally closed to prevent rotating unit 25 from rotating when automatic positioning pins 220, 222, 224 and 226 are being placed in position in rows or circumferential grooves 210, 2 12, 214 and 216 by means of automatic positioning pin locating bracket 279.

For the purpose of describing in greater particularity the set-up function relative to index unit 10, obviously and as a part of the machine manufacture, sine pins 20 must be very accurately positioned on sine pin table or indexing table 18. To determine our zero position manually, semi-automatically and automatically, and such is done relative to the accurately positioned pins 20', we must first rotate index table 18 until positioning pins 20a and in Fig. 3 are exactly the same height above the machine base 275. Such is done by means of well known electronic height gages. Then, with rest block positioned against block surface 30 and with sine arm 24 in the position shown in Fig. 3, flush pin 32 should be flush with indicator stand 36 as determined by indicator 181 and, if such is not the case, flush pin 32 may be screwed inwardly or outwardly from sine arm 24 to be made flush with indicator surface 36. We are now in our 0 manual position. From a semi-automatic standpoint, with sine arm 24 in this zero position, semi-automatic or sine arm positioning 'pin 40 should have rotated semi-automatic actuating pin or pawl 39 to the point where limit switch EGLS has just been actuated to stop rotating unit 25. To insure that such is the case, a volt meter is used to check continuity in the electrical circuit in which 10LS is located. If adjustment is needed, such may be done thru set screw 268, shown in Fig. 10. We are now ready to set a fully automatic positioning pin, for example consider pin 226 in the first circumferential groove 216. This is best shown in Fig. 12. Automatic positioning pin setting indicator unit 279 (see Fig. 11) is placed on accurately positioned indicator surface 301. While it might be desirable to position automatic positioning pin 226 precisely 180 from the 0 manual position, such is not altogether necessary, as one of the advantages of this indexing unit is that a degree of flexibility may be allowed since the difference can be made up in setting the limit switches. A small gage 281 (Fig. 14) is placed in the position which will eventually be occupied by automatic positioning pin 226 and with small gauge 281 in place, indicator 283 is set at zero. Indicator unit 279 comprises metal ball 289 and whiifie tree bar 285 extends in fulcrum fashion between metal ball 289 and indicator plunger 287. Gage 281 is used to set indicator 283 so as to read zero at almost precisely the 180 position. Automatic positioning pin 226 is then placed in the position as shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 and secured within groove 216 at the location where. indicator 283 reads zero. Rotating unit 25 is then rotated until sine pin b, first referred to in connection with Fig. 3, is caused to rotate to the position formerly held by sine pin 200. It will be noted that sine pin 20b is exactly 180 away from sine pin 20 so that reversing their positions causes rotating unit to rotate thru 180. With sine pin 20b in the position occupied by sine pin 20a in Fig. 3, and with rest blocks 180 and sine arm 24 positioned as shown in Fig. 3, indicator 181 will read zero.- Limit switch 6L8 should then be in its just-closed position. If such is not the case, the set screw used in the electrical circuit in which limit switch 6LS is located and which would be comparable to set screw 268 shown in Fig. 10, is adjusted to bring limit switch 6LS to its just-closed position. If automatic positioning pins are to be set up in circumferential grooves 214, 212 and 210, the same procedure will be repeated with respect to those grooves and their corresponding electrical circuits. If additional automatic positioning pins are to be placed in any of the circumferential grooves, for example, circumferential grooves 214, the groove in which positioning pin 224 is located, such may be done by the use of sine blocks of the proper height in connection with sine pin 20!: to cause rotating unit 25 to rotate to this accurate angular position Where indicator 181 will read zero and then using the same method and by means of automatic positioning pin setting unit 279 shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, the second automatic positioning pin is placed in its accurate angular position within circumferential groove 214.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiment herein illustrated and described, but may be used in other ways without departure from its spirit as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. Indexing apparatus comprising a rotating unit including a Work table for carrying the work piece, an indexing table spaced from said work table and a spindle joining said work table and said indexing table, a drive gear attached to and rotatable with spindle, drive means comprising-a drive shaft, a worm gear attached to and rotatable with said drive shaft and engaging said drive gear in drive fashion, a high speed worm Wheel loosely engaging said drivegear, a high speedclutch fixed for rotation with said drive shaft and adapted to engage said high speed worm wheel, a geared high speed shaft engaging said high speed worm wheel in drive fashion, a low speed worm wheel loosely engaging said drive shaft, a low speed overrunning clutch surrounding said drive shaft and adapted to engage said low speed worm wheel such that said drive shaft and rotating unit are driven by said high speed Worm wheel when said high speed clutch is engaged and such that said drive shaft and rotating unit are rotated by said low speed Worm wheel when said high speed clutch is disengaged, a geared low speed shaft engaging said low speed Worm wheel in drive fashion, means to drive said high speed shaft, means to drive said low speed shaft, at least one sine pin of accurate diameter positioned in an accurate angular position on said indexing table and at an accurate distance from the axis of said rotating unit, a sine arm adjacent said indexing table and pivotable about the axis of said rotating unit and having a flush pin projecting from its extremity and further having a block surface positioned substantially the same distance from the axis of said rotating unit as said sine pin such that right triangles may be formed between said sine pin and sine arm, at least one positioning pin attached to the opposite surface of said indexing table from said sine pin which positioning pin is located in accurate angular position by means of said sine pin and said sine bar, electrical means actuated by said positioning pin to close a limit switch to energize a solenoid to disengage said high speed clutch to reduce the speed 14 of said rotating unit from high speed to low speed as said rotating unit approaches the desired angular position, elec trical means actuated by said positioning pin to close a limit switch to energize a solenoid to disengage said low speed clutch to disconnect said rotating unit from said drive means at the desired angular position, and electrical means actuated by said positioning pin to close a limit switch to energize a solenoid to actuate a binder unit to lock said rotating unit in said desired angular position.

2. Indexing apparatus comprising a rotating unit in cluding a work table for carrying the work piece, an indexing table spaced from said work table and a spindle joining said work table and said indexing table, a drive gear attached to and rotatable with spindle, drive means comprising a drive shaft, a worm gear attached to and rotatable with said drive shaft and engaging said drive gear in drive fashion, a high speed worm wheel loosely engaging said drive gear, a high speed clutch fixed for rotation with said drive shaft and adapted to engage said high speed worm wheel, a geared high speed shaft engaging said high speed worm Wheel in drive fashion, a low speed worm wheel loosely engaging said drive shaft, a low speed overrunning clutch surrounding said drive shaft and adapted to engage said low speed worm wheel such that said drive shaft and rotating unit are driven by said high speed Worm wheel when said high speed clutchis engaged and such that said drive shaft and rotating unit are rotated by said low speed worm wheel when said high speed clutch is disengaged, a geared low speed shaft engaging said low speed Worm Wheel in drive fashion, means to drive said high speed shaft, means to drive said low speed shaft, at least one sine pin of accurate diameter positioned in an accurate angular position on said indexing table and at an accurate distance from the axis of said rotating unit, a sine arm adjacent said indexing table and pivotable about the axis of said rotating unit and having a flush pin projecting from its extremity and further having a block surface positioned substantially the same distance from the axis of said rotating unit as said sine pin such that right triangles may be formed between said sine pin and sine arm, and further having a semi-automatic positioning pin projecting therefrom at least one automatic positioning pin attached to the opposite surface of said indexing table from said sine pin which positioning pin is located in accurate angular position by means of said sine pin and said sine bar, electrical means actuated by either said semi-automatic or automatic positioning pin to close a limit switch to energize a solenoid to disengage said high speed clutch to reduce the speed of said rotating unit from high speed to low speed as said rotating unit approaches the desired angular position, electrical means actuated by either said semi-automatic or automatic positioning pin to close a limit switch to energize a solenoid to disengage said low speed clutch to disconnect said rotating unit from said drive means at the desired angular position and electrical means actuated by either said semi-automatic or automatic positioning pin to close a limit switch to energize a solenoid to actuate a binder unit to lock said rotating unit in said desired angular position.

3. Indexing apparatus comprising a rotating unit including a work table for carrying the work piece, an indexing table spaced from said work table and a spindle joining said work table and said indexing table, a drive gear attached to and rotatable with spindle, drive means comprising a drive shaft, a worm gear attached to and rotatable with said drive shaft and engaging said drive gear in drive fashion, a high speed worm Wheel loosely engaging said drive gear, a high speed clutch fixed for rotation with said drive shaft and adapted to engage high speed worm wheel, a geared high speed shaft engaging said high speed worm wheel in drive fashion, a low speed worm wheel loosely engaging said drive shaft, :1 low speed overrunning clutch surrounding said drive shaft and adapted to engage said low speed worm wheel such that said drive shaft and rotating unit are driven by said high speed worm wheel when said high speed clutch is engaged and such that said drive shaft and rotating unit are rotated by said low speed worm wheel when said high speed clutch is disengaged, a geared low speed shaft engaging said low speed worm wheel in drive fashion, means to drive said high speed shaft, means to drive said low speed shaft, at least one sine pin of accurate diameter positioned in an accurate angular position on said indexing table and at an accurate distance from the axis of said rotating unit, a sine arm adjacent said indexing table and pivotable about the axis of said rotating unit and having a flush pin projecting from its extremity and further having a block surface positioned substantially the same distance from the axis of said rotating unit as said sine pin such that right triangles may be formed between said sine pin and sine arm, a counterweight attached to said sine arm to cause said sine arm to bear against or be positioned a preselected distance from said sine pin, stationary platform means adjacent said indexing table with which said flush pin may be made flush, means to position at least one positioning pin in accurate position or said indexing table with respect to said sine pin, electrical means including a lever rotated by said positioning pin to a first position to close a limit switch to energize a solenoid to disengage said high speed clutch to reduce the speed of said rotating unit from high speed to low speed as said rotating unit approaches the desired angular position and to a second position to close a limit switch to energize solenoids simultaneously to simultaneously disengage said low speed clutch to disconnect said rotating unit from said drive means and actuated a binder unit to lock said rotating unit in the desired angular position, by engaging said indexing table and means to vary the interval between the operation of said first and second electrical means.

4. Indexing apparatus comprising a rotating unit including a work table for carrying the work piece, an indexing table spaced from said work table and a spindle joining said work table and said indexing table, a drive gear attached to and rotatable with spindle, drive means comprising a drive shaft, a worm gear attached to and rotatable with said drive shaft and engaging said drive gear in drive fashion, a high speed worm wheel loosely engaging said drive gear, a high speed clutch fixed for rotation with said drive shaft and adapted to engage said high speed worm wheel, a geared high speed shaft engaging said high speed worm wheel in drive fashion, a low speed worm wheel loosely engaging said drive shaft, a low speed overrunning clutch surrounding said drive shaft and adapted to engage said low speed worm wheel such that said drive shaft and rotating unit are driven by said high speed worm wheel when said high speed clutch is engaged and such that said drive shaft and rotating unit are rotated by said low speed worm wheel when said high speed clutch is disengaged, a geared low speed shaft engaging said low speed worm wheel in drive fashion, means to drive said high speed shaft, means to drive said low speed shaft, at least one sine pin of accurate diameter positioned in an accurate angular position on said indexing table and at an ac curate distance from the axis of said rotating unit, a

sine arm adjacent said indexing table and pivotable,

about the axis of said rotating unit and having a flush pin projecting from its extremity and further having a block surface positioned substantially the same distance from the axis of said rotating unit as said sine pin such that right triangles may be formed between said sine pin and sine arm and further having a semi-automatic positioning pin projecting therefrom, a counterweight attached to said sine arm to cause said sine arm to bear against or be positioned a preselected distance from said sine pin, said semi-automatic positioning pin located when rotating with said rotating unit to actuate first electrical means to close a first limit switch to energize a first solenoid to disengage said high speed clutch to reduce the speed of said rotating unit from high speed to low speed as said rotating unit approaches the desired angular position in semi-automatic operation then to actuate a second electrical means to close a second limit switch to simultaneously energize second and third solenoids to simultaneously disengage said low speed clutch to disconnect said rotating unit from said drive means and actuate a binder unit to lock said rotating unit in desired angular position in semi-automatic operation determined by the position of sine arm, at least one automatic positioning pin attached to the opposite surface of said indexing table from said sine pin which automatic positioning pin is located in the desired angular position to which said rotating unit is brought by means of said sine pin, said sine bar and said semi-automatic positioning pin, electrical means actuated by said automatic positioning pin to close a limit switch in parallel with and in the same electrical circuit as said first limit switch to energize said first solenoid to disengage said high speed clutch to reduce the speed of said rotating unit from high speed to low speed as said rotating unit approaches the angular position of said automatic positioning pins by automatic operation, electrical means actuated by said automatic positioning pin to close a limit switch in parallel with and in the same electrical circuit as said second limit switch to simultaneously energize said second and third solenoids to simultane ously disengage said low speed clutch to disconnect said rotating unit from said drive means and actuate a binder unit to lock said rotating unit in angular position of said automatic positioning pin by automatic operation.

5. Indexing apparatus comprising a rotating unit including a work table for carrying the work piece, an indexing table spaced from said work table and a spindle joining said work table and said indexing table, a drive gear attached to and rotatable with said spindle, drive means comprising a drive shaft, a worm gear attached to and rotatable with said drive shaft and engaging said drive gear, a high speed clutch fixed for rotation with said drive shaft and adapted to engage said high speed worm wheel, a geared high speed shaft engaging said high speed worm wheel in drive fashion, a low speed worm wheel loosely engaging said drive shaft, a low speed overrunning clutch surrounding said drive shaft and adapted to engage said low speed worm wheel such that said drive shaft and rotating unit are driven by said high speed worm wheel when said high speed clutch is engaged and such that said drive shaft and rotating unit are rotated by said low speed worm wheel when said high speed clutch is disengaged, a geared low speed shaft engaging said low speed worm wheel in drive fashion, means to drive said high speed shaft, means to drive said low speed shaft, at least one sine pin of accurate diameter positioned in an accurate angular position on said indexing table and at an accurate distance from the axis of said rotating unit, a sine arm adjacent said indexing table and pivotable about the axis of said rotating unit and having a flush pin projecting from its extremityrand further having a block surface positioned substantially the same distance from the axis of said rotating unit as said sine pin such that right triangles may be formed between said sine pin and sine arm and further having a semiautomatic positioning pin projecting therefrom, a fixed indicator stand located external of said rotating unit, means to manually rotate said rotating unit until said flush pin becomes flush with said indicator stand to either position said rotating unit manually or check the accuracy of automatic indexing, said semi-automatic positioning pin located, when rotating with said rotating unit, to actuate a first electrical means to close a first limit switch to energize a first solenoid to disengage said high speed clutch to reduce the speed of said rotating unit from high speed to low speed as said rotating unit ap proaches the desired angular position in semi-automatic operation then to actuate a second electrical means to close a second limit switch to simultaneously energize second and third solenoids to simultaneously disengage said low speed clutch to disconnect said rotating unit from said drive means and actuate a binder unit to lock said rotating unit in desired angular position in semiautomatic operation determined by the position of said sine arm, at least one automatic positioning pin attached to the opposite surface of said indexing table from said sine pin which automatic positioning pin is located in the desired angular position to which said rotating unit is brought by means of said sine pin and said sine bar and said semi-automatic positioning pin, electrical means actuated by said automatic positioning pin to close a limit switch in parallel with and in the same electrical circuit as said first limit switch to energize said first solenoid to disengage said high speed clutch to reduce the speed of said rotating unit from high speed to low speed as said rotating unit approaches the angular position of said automatic positioning pins by automatic operation, electrical means actuated by said automatic positioning pin to close a. limit switch in parallel with and in the same electrical circuit as said second limit switch to simultaneously energize said second and third solenoids to simultaneously disengage said low speed clutch to disconnect said rotating unit from said drive means and actuate a binder unit to lock said rotating unit in the angular position of said automatic positioning pin by automatic operation.

6. Indexing apparatus comprising a rotating unit including a work table for carrying the work piece, an indexing table spaced from said work table and a spindle joining said work table and said indexing table, a plurality of concentric circumferential grooves in said indexing table, a drive gear attached to and rotatable with said spindle, drive means comprising a drive shaft, a worm gear attached to and rotatable with said drive shaft and engaging said drive gear, a high speed clutch fixed for rotation with said drive shaft and adapted to engage said high speed worm wheel, a geared high speed shaft engaging said high speed worm wheel in drive fashion, a low speed worm wheel loosely engaging said drive shaft, a low speed overrunning clutch surrounding said drive shaft and adapted to engage said low speed worm wheel such that said drive shaft and rotating unit are driven by said high speed worm wheel when said high speed clutch is engaged and such that said drive shaft and rotating unit are rotated by said low speed worm wheel when said high speed clutch is disengaged, a geared low speed shaft engaging said low speed worm wheel in drive fashion, means to drive said high speed shaft, means to drive said low speed shaft, at least one sine pin of accurate diameter positioned in an accurate angular position on said indexing table and at an accurate distance from the axis of said rotating unit, a sine arm adjacent said indexing table and pivotable about the axis of said rotating unit and having a flush pin projecting from its extremity and further having a block surface positioned substantially the same distance from the axis of said rotating unit as said sine pin such that a plurality of right triangles may be formed between said sine pin and sine arm and further having a semi-automatic positioning pin projecting therefrom, a fixed indicator stand located external of said rotating unit, means to manually rotate said rotating unit until said flush pin becomes flush with said indicator stand to either position said rotating unit manually or check the accuracy of automatic indexing, said semi-automatic positioning pin located, when rotating with said rotating unit, to actuate a first electrical means to close a first limit switch to energize a first solenoid to disengage said high speed clutch to reduce the speed of said rotating unit from high speed to low speed as said rotating unit approaches the desired angular position in semi-automatic operation then to actuate a second electrical means to close a second limit switch to simultaneously energize second and third solenoids to simultaneously disengage said low speed clutch to disconnect said rotating unit from said drive means and actuate a binder unit to lock said rotating unit in desired angular position in semi-automaticoperation determined by the position of said sine arm, a plurality of automatic positioning pins attached to the opposite surface of said indexing table from said sine pin and in said circumferential grooves which automatic positioning pins are located in the desired angular positions to which said rotating unit is brought manually by means of said sine pin and said sine bar and the plurality of right triangles which may be formed therebetween or said semi-automatic positioning pin, electrical means actuated by said automatic positioning pins to close a limit switch in parallel with and in the same electrical circuit as said first limit switch to energize said first solenoid to disengage said high speed clutch to reduce the speed of said rotating unit from high speed to low speed as said rotating unit approaches the angular position of said auto matic positioning pins by automatic operation, electrical means actuated by said automatic positioning pins to close a limit switch in parallel with and in the same electrical circuit as said second limit switch to simultaneously energize said second and third solenoids to simultaneous disengage said low speed clutch to disconnect said rotating unit from said drive means and actuate a binder unit to lock said rotating unit in the angular position of said automatic positioning pin by automatic operation, means to selectively position said rotating unit by any of said automatic positioning pins such that more than one work piece may be indexed with one indexing setup, and means to disconnect said drive means from said rotating unit when said automatic positioning pins are being positioned and secured in said circumferential grooves.

7. Indexing apparatus comprising a fixed unit having a reference point, a rotating unit having an axis and including a work table for carrying the work piece, an indexing table spaced from said work table and a spindle joining said work table and said indexing table, a plurality of sine pins positioned at accurate angular positions on one side of said indexing table and located at an accurate radius about the axis of said rotating unit, index position establishing means comprising a sine bar coaxial and rotatable with said rotating unit, means to cause said sine bar to pivot about said rotary unit between a first sine bar position in which said sine bar bears againsta first of said sine pins to establish a zero degree position on said rotating unit with said sine bar aligned with said reference point on said fixed unit and a second sine bar position in which said sine bar is positioned at a preselected perpendicular distance from said first sine pin constituting the trigonometric sine function for the angular difference desired between said first and second sine bar positions with said radius of said sine pin ashypothenuse so that when said sine bar is rotated with said rotating unit until said sine bar and reference point align said rotating unit will have rotated the precise angular difference between said first and second sine bar positions, means to position a positioning pin on the opposite side of said indexing unit with reference to said fixed unit reference point when said sine bar is aligned therewith in both said first and second sine bar positions, and means to selectively index said rotating said unit to the angular position of either of said positioning pins.

8. Indexing apparatus comprising a rotating unit including a work table for carrying a work piece, an indexing table spaced from said work table and a spindle joining said work table and said indexing table, a'plurality of sine pins positioned at accurate angular positions on one side of said indexing table and located at an accurate radius about the axis of said rotating unit, means useable in connection with said sine pins to position a plurality of positioning pinsat accurate angular posi-' tions on theopposite side of said indexing table, first mechanical drive means to drive said rotating unit at low speed, second mechanical drive means overriding said first mechanical drive means to drive said rotating unit at high speed, first disconnect means to disconnect said second mechanical drive means from said rotating unit to thereby reduce the speed of rotating unit from high speed to low speed as said rotating unit approaches the desired angular position, first electrical means actuated by said positioning pin to actuate said first disconnect means, second disconnect means to disconnect said first mechanical drive means from said rotating unit at the desired angular position and locking means to lock said rotating unit in said desired angular position, and second electrical means actuated by said positioning pin to actuate said second disconnect means and said locking means simultaneously.

9. Indexing apparatus comprising a rotating unit including awork table for carrying the work piece, an indexing table spaced from said work table and a spindle joining said work table and said indexing table, a plurality of sine pins positioned at accurate angular positions on'one side of said indexing table and located at an accurate radius about the axis of said rotating unit, means useable in connection with said sine pins to position a plurality of positioning pins at accurate angular positions on'the'opposite side of said indexing table, mechanical drive means including a high speed clutch and a low speed overrunning clutch to drive said rotating unit at high speed and at low speed, a first motor to actuate said high speed clutch, a second motor to actuate said low speed clutch, a first solenoid to actuate said first motor, a second solenoid to actuate said second motor, rotating unit locking means including a third solenoid and a hydraulic motor actuated thereby, electrical means comprising a first limit switch selectively closed by any one of said positioning pins to energize said first solenoid thereby actuating said first motor to decouple said high speed clutch thereby reducing the speed of said rotating unit from'high speed to low speed as said rotating unit approaches the desired angular position of said positioning pin, electrical means comprising a second limit switch closed by the same positioning pin to energize said second solenoid thereby actuating said second motor to decouple said low speed clutch from said rotating unit at the desired angular position and to energize said third solenoid thereby actuating said hydraulic motor to lock said rotating unit in said desired angular position.

10. Indexing apparatus comprising a fixed unit having a reference point, a rotating unit having an axis and including a work'table for carrying the work piece, an indexing table spaced from said work table and a spindle joining said work table and said indexing table, a plurality of sine pins positioned at accurate angular positions on one side of said indexing table and located at an accurate radius about the axis of said rotatingum't,

cause said sine bar to pivot about said rotary unit .be-

tween a first sine bar position in which said sine-bar bears againstia first 'of said sine pins to establish a;zero

degree position on said rotating unit with said sine bar aligned with said reference point on said fixed 'unit and a second sine bar position in which said sine bar is positioned .atta preselected perpendicular distance from said first sine pin constituting the trigonometric sine function for the "angular difference desired between said first and second sine bar positions with said radius of said sine pin as hypothenuse so that when said sine bar is rotated with said rotating unit until said sine bar and reference point align said rotating unit will have rotated the precise angular difference between said first and second sine bar positions, and means tov position a positioning pin on the opposite side of said indexing unit with reference to said fixed unit reference point when said sine bar is aligned therewith in both said first and second sine bar positions.

11. Indexing apparatus comprising a fixed unit having a reference .point, a rotating unit having an axis and including a work table for carrying the work piece, an indexing table spaced from said work table and a'spindle joining said work table and said indexing table, a plurality of sine pins positioned at accurate angular positions on one side of said indexing table and located at an accurate radius about the axis of said rotating unit, index position establishing means comprising a sine bar coaxial and rotatable with said rotating unit, and means :to cause said sine bar to pivot about said rotary unit between a first sine bar position in which said sine bar bears against a first of said sine pins to establish a zero degree position on said rotating unit with said sine bar aligned with said reference point on said fixed unit and a second sine bar position in which said sine bar is positioned at a preselected perpendicular distance from said first sine pin constituting the trigonometric sine function for the angular difference desired between said first and second'sine .bar positions with said radius of said sine pm as hypothenuse so that when said sine bar is rotated with said rotating unit until said sine bar and ref erence point align said rotating unit will have rotated the precise angular difierence between said first and second'sine bar positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,656,313 Blood et al Jan. 17,1928 1,814,424 Barr July 14, 1931 2,259,948 Bullard Oct. 21, 1941 2,341,383 Johnson Feb. 8, 1944 2,386,432 Bullock Oct. 9, 1945 2,481,383 .Bickelltet al. Sept. 6, 1949 2,489,725 Rutemiller Nov. 29, 1949 2,500,798 Bullard Mar. 14, 1950

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