Loader/unloader for blind broaching

Apparatus for the progressive blind broaching of a plurality of workpieces comprising an indexing table having a central axis, means mounting said table for rotation about said central axis, means for intermittently indexing said table about said central axis in a step-by-step motion, a load station, an unload station, tool stations, all of said stations being arranged on said table in circumferentially spaced relation in a circle about said central axis, broaches mounted on said table at said tool stations, first and second rams mounted in circumferentially spaced relation adjacent to said table, each of said rams being adapted to releasably mount a workpiece to be broached opposite said circle of stations, means for moving said rams toward and away from said table at intervals between intermittent table indexing to cause said broaches to perform a material removing cut on workpieces mounted on said rams, said load station having a workpiece holder to deliver unbroached workpieces to said rams for broaching and said unload station having a releasable workpiece holder adapted to receive broached workpieces from said rams after broaching, a workpiece exchange depot adjacent said table, and means for transferring workpieces from said exchange depot to said load station and for transferring workpieces from said unload station to said exchange depot, said transferring means comprising a shuttle, means for moving said shuttle from a first position adjacent said exchange depot to a second position adjacent said circle of stations at one side of said table and to a third position adjacent said circle of stations at the opposite side of said table, said shuttle having workpiece pick-up and deposit means, said pick-up and deposit means, when said shuttle is at said first position, being operative to deposit two broached workpieces at said exchange depot and to pick up two unbroached workpieces from said exchange depot, said pick-up and deposit means, when said shuttle is at said second position, being operative to pick up a first broached workpiece from said unload station and deposit one of the unbroached workpieces at said load station, said pick-up and deposit means, when said shuttle is at said third position, being operative to pick up a second broached workpiece from said unload station and deposit the other unbroached workpiece at said load station, said first and second broached workpieces being subsequently deposited at said exchange depot as aforesaid.