Abstract Automatic machinery for performing multiple operations on different parts of workpieces includes an incrementally rotating, workpiece supporting turret provided with three workpiece supports. Upon rotating of the turret, a workpiece loaded on a support located at a first position is indexed about the axis of the turret to a second position at which a first operation is performed thereon, then to a third, idle position. Continued rotation of the turret results in an index of the workpiece to the first position, then again to the second position at which a second operation is performed thereon. After the next index to the third position, the workpiece is unloaded from the support. As the turret is indexed, the workpiece is rotated relative to the turret whereupon the workpiece is oriented differently each time it reaches the second position causing the operations to take place on different parts of the workpiece. The workpiece is loaded on one of the three supports following every second index and a workpiece is unloaded from one of the supports following alternate indexes. An operation is performed on a workpiece following each index. In the specifically disclosed embodiment, the workpiece is a two pole stator frame which is to be provided with two identical pieces of insulation at diametrically opposed points on the stator frame. The insulation is delivered along a predetermined path by a delivery mechanism. Accordingly, each stator frame is rotated through a net angle of 180* relative to the turret between the two intervals in which it is located at the second position in order to place the appropriate parts of the stator frame in the predetermined insulation delivery path.
Stator frame supporting apparatus for use with a machine for inserting insulators into stator frames wherein there are to be two insulators spaced apart by 180* in the stator frames, said support apparatus comprising a turret rotatable about a predetermined axis and having three stator frame receiving mandrels equally spaced from said axis and spaced circumferentially apart by 120*, unidirectional drive means for indexing said turret in successive increments of 120* each to sequentially position said mandrels at a predetermined position to receive an insulator fed to a stator frame mounted thereon by said machine, and means driven by said drive means for rotating each said mandrel relative to said turret through an odd integral multiple of 180* for each 360* rotation of said turret whereby each stator frame received upon a mandrel is rotated through 180* during the interval it first is moved away from said predetermined position and it next arrives at said predetermined position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
Stator frame supporting apparatus for use with a machine for inserting insulators into stator frames wherein there are to be two insulators spaced apart by 180* in the stator frames, said support apparatus comprising a turret rotatable about a predetermined axis and having three stator frame receiving mandrels equally spaced from said axis and spaced circumferentially apart by 120*, unidirectional drive means for indexing said turret in successive increments of 120* each to sequentially position said mandrels at a predetermined position to receive an insulator fed to a stator frame mounted thereon by said machine, and means driven by said drive means for rotating each said mandrel relative to said turret through an odd integral multiple of 180* for each 360* rotation of said turret whereby each stator frame received upon a mandrel is rotated through 180* during the interval it first is moved away from said predetermined position and it next arrives at said predetermined position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said last mentioned means rotates each said mandrel through 180* during each 120* index of said turret.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drive means includes a clutch assembly comprising a friction clutch and a one-way clutch and said apparatus further includes abutment means engaging said turret to prevent rotation of said turret beyond each 120* index thereof.