Fastener sorting apparatus

A fastener sorting apparatus comprising:

• a workpiece gripper configured to releasably grasp and hold a generally cylindrical workpiece in a coaxial disposition along an axis;
• electrically-conductive detection ring coaxially aligned with and spaced from the workpiece gripper, the detection ring pre-selected to have an inner diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of each workpiece in a series of workpieces to be sorted;
• at least one of the workpiece gripper and detection ring supported for relative reciprocal motion along the axis between a remote position and a proximate position, the workpiece gripper and detection ring being positioned farther apart in the remote position than in the proximate position;
• a workpiece transfer mechanism configured to sequentially transfer a series of workpieces into the workpiece gripper and to drive preceding workpieces out of the workpiece gripper and onto an exit path when the gripper and detection ring are in the remote position;
• the detection ring configured to encircle a portion of a relatively straight workpiece held in the gripper when the gripper and detection ring are in the proximate position, the workpiece withdrawn from the detection ring when the gripper and detection ring are in the remote position;
• a reciprocator operatively connected to one of the workpiece gripper and detection ring to drive one of the workpiece gripper and detection ring between the extended and retracted positions, the reciprocator having a stationary end connected to a stationary support and a reciprocating end operatively connected to one of the workpiece gripper and the detection ring, the stationary end being hydro-pneumatically coupled to the reciprocating end, the motion of the reciprocating end being hydraulically dampened;
• an electrical circuit including the detection ring, the gripper and a workpiece held in the gripper, the circuit being completed if a workpiece contacts the detection ring;
• an electrical power source connected into the circuit;
• and
• a bent workpiece diverter electrically connected into the circuit and mechanically supported adjacent the workpiece exit path, the workpiece ejector operable to shunt bent workpieces away from the exit path when the bent workpieces contact the detection ring and complete the electrical circuit.

A fastener forming apparatus for forming fasteners from cylindrical workpieces, the apparatus comprising:

• a workpiece gripper supported for reciprocal movement along a forming axis and configured to releasably grip and carry a generally cylindrical workpiece in a coaxial disposition along the forming axis;
• a forming tool spaced from the gripper along the forming axis;
• at least one of the workpiece gripper and tool supported for relative reciprocal motion along the axis between a remote position and a proximate position, the gripper and tool disposed farther apart in the remote position than in the proximate position;
• a workpiece transfer mechanism configured to sequentially transfer a series of workpieces into the workpiece gripper and to drive preceding workpieces out of the workpiece gripper and onto an exit path;
• a reciprocator operatively connected to a reciprocating portion of the apparatus, the reciprocating portion of the apparatus comprising one of the workpiece gripper and tool, to drive one of the workpiece gripper and tool between the extended and retracted positions, the reciprocator having a stationary end connected to a stationary support and a reciprocating end operatively connected to the reciprocating portion of the apparatus, the stationary end being hydro-pneumatically coupled to the reciprocating end, the motion of the reciprocating end and the reciprocating portion of the apparatus being hydraulically dampened;
• a sorter attachment comprising:
• an electrically-conductive detection ring supported in a position coaxially aligned with and spaced from the workpiece gripper, the detection ring having an inner diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of each workpiece in a series of workpieces to be sorted;
• the detection ring configured to encircle a portion of a relatively straight workpiece held in the gripper when the gripper and detection ring are in the proximate position, the workpiece being withdrawn from the detection ring when the gripper and detection ring are in the remote position;
• an electrical circuit comprising the detection ring, the gripper and a workpiece held in the gripper, the circuit being completed when a workpiece contacts the ring;
• an electrical power source connected into the circuit;
• an electrically actuated bent workpiece diverter connected into the circuit and mechanically supported adjacent the workpiece exit path, the workpiece ejector operable to shunt bent workpieces away from the exit path when the bent workpieces contact the detection ring and complete the electrical circuit;
• and
• a positive stop including a reciprocating stop surface disposed on the reciprocating portion of the apparatus in a position to engage a stationary stop surface when the workpiece gripper and tool are in the proximate position to prevent the reciprocator from causing the reciprocating portion of the apparatus to overshoot or undershoot the extended position.