Patent ID: 6179718
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: B21K,B23B,B23D,B23G,Y10T

Abstract:
In a fastener forming apparatus for forming fasteners from cylindrical workpieces, the apparatus comprising:a workpiece gripper supported for reciprocal movement along a forming axis and configured to releasably grip and carry a generally cylindrical workpiece in a coaxial disposition along the forming axis;a forming tool spaced from the gripper along the forming axis;at least one of the workpiece gripper and tool supported for relative reciprocal motion along the axis between a remote position and a proximate position, the gripper and tool disposed farther apart in the remote position than in the proximate position;a workpiece transfer mechanism configured to sequentially transfer a series of workpieces into the workpiece gripper and to drive preceding workpieces out of the workpiece gripper and onto an exit path;a reciprocator operatively connected to a reciprocating portion of the apparatus, the reciprocating portion of the apparatus comprising one of the workpiece gripper and tool, to drive one of the workpiece gripper and tool between the extended and retracted positions, the reciprocator having a stationary end connected to a stationary support and a reciprocating end operatively connected to the reciprocating portion of the apparatus, the stationary end being hydro-pneumatically coupled to the reciprocating end, the motion of the reciprocating end and the reciprocating portion of the apparatus being hydraulically dampened; anda rotator operatively connected to one of the workpiece gripper and the tool, the rotator being configured to provide relative rotational motion around the forming axis and between the workpiece gripper and the tool and to cause the tool to rotationally abrade and form a predetermined portion of the workpiece held in the gripper as the reciprocator moves one of the tool and workpiece gripper toward the proximate position; the improvement comprising:a positive stop including a reciprocating stop surface disposed on the reciprocating portion of the apparatus in a position to engage a stationary stop surface when the workpiece gripper and tool are in the proximate position to prevent the rotator and tool from abrading and forming other than the predetermined portion of the workpiece.