Western Atlas Inc.

Marshall W Faith

Ricky L Mowen

Dennis F Rice

A work drive orienting system for a machine tool, such as a multiple belt grinder, comprises a head stock and a tail stock for supporting the workpiece to be machined, a locator retained by a spider in the head stock chuck, and a proximity sensor located in the loader operatively associated with the machine tool. The workpiece has journals at opposite ends, and spaced eccentric portions, such as cam lobes; also, a locating pin projects axially from one end of the workpiece. The locating pin has a predetermined angular relationship to the spaced eccentric portions of the workpiece. The locating pin must pass alongside the locator, which has a cylindrical body with a projecting tab, before power is supplied to the head stock and/or tail stock to drive same. A proximity sensor, located in the loader, scans an approximately 70.degree. arc on the workpiece, for the presence of eccentric surfaces, such as cam lobes. If no lobes are detected, the pin will be in a position to pass safely alongside the locator, and the chuck for the workpiece may be engaged. If lobes are detected, the work drive spindle must be angularly rotated relative to the workpiece, before the machine tool can accept the workpiece with the projecting pin, and the chuck can be engaged to clamp the workpiece in the desired angular orientation. The tab on the locator contacts the projecting pin, to establish angular orientation to the workpiece relative to the headstock spindle and chuck, before power is supplied to said machine tool.

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Waynesboro, PA, United States of America

Marshall W Faith