Apparatus for progressive broaching

A progressive broaching apparatus comprising:

• a base;
• an index table mounted on said base and defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced work stations;
• spaced first and second columns mounted on, and individually upstanding from, said base;
• first and second linear actuators respectively mounted on said first and second columns in overlying relation to respective spaced portions of said index table and operative to coact with said work stations in response to indexing movement of said index table to progressively transform an unfinished workpiece into a finished workpiece;
• a track mounted on one of said columns and defining a linear path extending through the space between said columns in overlying relation to said index table;
• and
• a trolley mounted for movement on said track along said path to facilitate the delivery of unfinished workpieces to said work stations and removal of finished workpieces from said work stations.

A progressive broaching apparatus comprising:

• a base;
• an index table mounted on the base and defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced work stations movable through a circular path in response to indexing movement of the index table;
• a linear actuator positioned over the index table and operative in coaction with indexing movement of the index table to progressively broach workpiece positioned on the index table;
• delivering conveyor means for delivering unfinished workpieces;
• discharge conveyor means for removal of finished workpieces;
• a trolley having first and second grippers;
• means mounting the trolley for movement between a position overlying the index table and a position in which the first and second grippers respectively overlie the delivery and discharge conveyor means;
• the conveyor being positioned outside of the circular path proximate one side of the path;
• the trolley being mounted for movement along a linear path extending from said conveyors to a location overlying a portion of the circular path opposite the one side of said circular path;
• the apparatus further including a column upstanding from said base;
• said linear actuator being mounted on said column;
• said linear path being defined by a track mounted on said column in overlying relation to said index table;
• and
• said trolley being mounted for movement on said track along said linear path.

A progressive broaching apparatus comprising:

• a base;
• an index table mounted on the base and defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced work stations, including a plurality of progressive broaching tool stations, a load station, and an unload station, said stations being movable through a circular path in response to indexing movement of the index table;
• a linear actuator positioned over the index table and operative in coaction with indexing movement of the index table to progressively broach workpieces positioned on the index table;
• delivery conveyor means for delivering unfinished workpieces;
• discharge conveyor means for removal of finished workpieces;
• a trolley having a load gripper and an unload gripper;
• means mounting the trolley for transfer movement between a position overlying the index table and a position in which the load and unload grippers respectively overlie the delivery and discharge conveyor means;
• and
• means coordinating the indexing movement of the index table and the transfer movement of the trolley and operative to move unfinished workpieces from the delivery conveyor to the load station utilizing the load gripper while moving finished workpieces from the unload station to the discharge conveyor utilizing the unload gripper.