Apparatus for fracturing connecting rod pre-forms

An apparatus for separation of an integral pre-form into a bearing cap and a connecting rod having a cylindrical aperture and two spaced apart bolt seat shoulders, the apparatus comprising:

• a base member;
• a guide member fixed with respect to said base member, said guide member defining a first guideway extending in a first direction;
• a first slide member having lateral edges mounted to said guide member for sliding movement in said first guideway in said first direction, said first slide member defining a second guideway also extending in said first direction intermediate said lateral edges of said first slide member;
• a second slide member mounted to said first slide member for sliding movement with respect to said first slide member in said second guideway in said first direction;
• a mandrel which is split to define a cap part fixed with respect to said first slide member and a body part adjustable with respect to said base member, said cap part being movable between a first position spaced away from said body part and a second position disposed adjacent said body part to define a substantially cylindrical body having an axis lying substantially in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, movement of said cap part being simultaneous with movement of said first slide member along said first guideway with respect to said guide member, said cap and body parts of said mandrel defining an internal tapered passageway;
• a wedge member movable into said tapered passageway when said cap part is in said second position to force said mandrel parts apart;
• a power drive for moving said wedge member;
• said second slide member including a first and a second hold down portion mechanically connected such that said hold down portions move dependant upon each other, said second slide member operable to bring said first and said second hold down portion into contact with the bolt seat shoulders on the integral pre-form when the cylindrical aperture thereof receives said split mandrel;
• a structure urging said second slide member toward said mandrel, thereby securely holding the integral pre-form in place;
• and
• movement of said wedge member through said tapered passageway forcing said mandrel parts apart and fracturing said pre-form into the bearing cap and the connecting rod.