Indexing and transporting mechanism

An indexing and transporting mechanism comprising a plurality of work-holding spindles spaced around a carousel, and journaled therein, the carousel being journaled for rotation about its longitudinal axis on a machine frame provided with work performing stations, means for indexing the carousel about its axis to carry the spindles sequentially from station to station, means for indexing the work-holding spindles through one complete revolution at some stations and not at others, a work-holding spindle orienting and indexing mechanism comprising an annular track carried by the machine frame concentric with the carousel axis, projecting means extending from the work-holding spindles engaging the track to prevent rotation of the work-holding spindles relative to the carousel over part of a revolution of the carousel, the track being interrupted at both sides of the stations where indexing occurs, there being an interrupted portion at each of the last named stations each interrupted portion of the track being mounted on track-carrying spindles carried by the machine frame and means for indexing each interrupted portion of the track on its track-carrying spindle through one complete revolution while the work-holding spindle is at the station.