Connecting rod cracking apparatus

An apparatus for splitting the connecting rod cap from the big end of a connecting rod comprising the following:

• a conveyor and a plurality of fixtures mounted on the conveyor;
• a plurality of stations located around the conveyor including a connecting rod loading station and a connecting rod cracking station, whereby the conveyor transports the fixtures one at a time to the stations;
• a split mandrel on each fixture for engaging the bore of the big end of the connecting rod and a passageway formed between the halves of the split mandrel;
• a pair of opposed wedges positioned in the passageway formed between the halves of the split mandrel;
• and,
• a break limiter mounted at the cracking station for limiting the separation of the connecting rod cap from the body during the splitting process, whereby the break limiter prevents distortion of the second side of the connecting rod to crack after the first side of the connecting rod has cracked.

An apparatus for splitting the connecting rod cap from the big end of a connecting rod comprising the following:

• a fixture adapted to receive a connecting rod thereon;
• a bore engaging member on the fixture for engaging the bore of the big end of the connecting rod;
• a wedge member for separating the bore engaging member in order to apply a splitting force to the bore of the big end of the connecting rod;
• a ram and a back-up anvil for applying a compressive force to the wedge member;
• a support plate for supporting the bore engaging member, said support plate being able to move forward and backward to allow the connecting rod to be centered between the ram and the back-up anvil.