Keller J Mcgaffey

US Patent:

7374526, May 20, 2008

Filed:

Aug 29, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/652089

Inventors:

Roy L. Wolschlager - Rochester MI, US
Ali M. Saeedy - Sterling Heights MI, US
Hussein M. Kalaoui - Troy MI, US
Philip S. Szuba - Algonac MI, US
Keller J. McGaffey - Troy MI, US
Floyd P. Crelley - Linden MI, US

International Classification:

B23Q 3/157

US Classification:

483 55, 483 3, 483 54, 483 56, 483 57, 483 59

Abstract:

A tool changing apparatus automatically changes tools mounted on the spindle of a transfer machine module. The apparatus includes a tool gripper magazine that releasably holds at least two tools. A guillotine supports the tool gripper magazine for motion between a raised stand-by position clear of the spindle and a lowered tool change position closer to the spindle so that the tools in the magazine can be exchanged with a tool supported on the spindle. A carriage movably supports the guillotine on a support frame for motion between a forward position adjacent the transfer line and the spindle and a rearward position displaced from the transfer line. When the carriage is in the rearward position, the guillotine can be lowered to a position where it is easily accessible to an operator so that the tools in the magazine can be replenished.

US Patent:

20040026842, Feb 12, 2004

Filed:

Aug 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/216372

Inventors:

Peter Beecherl - Shelby Township MI, US
Philip Szuba - Algonac MI, US
Jairam Manjunathaiah - Warren MI, US
Keller McGaffey - Troy MI, US
Floyd Crelley - Fenton MI, US
Shreyes Melkote - Roswell GA, US

International Classification:

B25B001/24

US Classification:

269/266000

Abstract:

A flexible fixturing apparatus for securely holding and positively locating a workpiece for manufacturing operations. The apparatus includes a two-dimensional pin array comprising parallel pins movably supported on a housing for individual reciprocal axial motion toward contact with a workpiece to be supported. A pin locking mechanism releasably locks the pins of the first pin array against axial motion relative to the housing once the pins have contacted and conformed to the shape of a workpiece. The pin locking mechanism includes a first clamp supported in the housing for reciprocal motion toward and away from the pin array such that panel motion towards the pin array presses the pins of the array against a pin retaining wall of the housing. A second clamp is supported in the housing for reciprocal motion toward and away from the pin array. Motion of the second clamp towards the pin array locks the pins more securely by further crowding the pins. Motion of both the first and second clamps away from the array more fully releases the pins for subsequent axial repositioning than moving only a single clamp.

US Patent:

20060037377, Feb 23, 2006

Filed:

Aug 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/206584

Inventors:

Philip Wiens - LaSalle, CA
Keller McGaffey - Fenton MI, US
Darius Gheorghita - Belle River, CA
Kenneth St. Denis - Tecumseh, CA
Gabor Sztvorecz - Windsor, CA
Dominique Baulier - St. Clair Beach, CA

International Classification:

B21D 39/02

US Classification:

072312000

Abstract:

A hemming die tool assembly for use with an anvil supporting a workpiece to be hemmed. A mounting plate is pivotally secured about an axis relative to the anvil while a vertical slide is slidably attached to the mounting plate along a first direction. An elongated channel is attached to the vertical slide so that the axis of the channel is transverse to the first direction. A hemming tool is secured to the vertical slide while a rocker arm is pivotally secured at one end to the mounting plate about the pivotal axis of the mounting plate while a second end of the rocker arm is longitudinally slidably mounted in the channel. A first cam assembly pivots the mounting plate between a retracted position, in which the hemming tool is positioned away from the workpiece, and an extended position in which the hemming tool overlies the workpiece. A second cam assembly pivots the rocker arm about its pivotal axis and, in doing so, vertically displaces the vertical slide relative to the mounting plate to perform the prehemming operation.