A method of delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to a brush comprises receiving the cartridge inside a sleeve through an inlet of the sleeve while a pressure cap, located proximate the inlet of the sleeve, is in an open position. The method also comprises moving the pressure cap, located proximate the inlet of the sleeve, into a closed position to sealingly couple the pressure cap with a trailing end of the cartridge and to sealingly couple a valve with a leading end of the cartridge. The method further comprises applying pressure to the glutinous substance in the cartridge through a pressure input of the pressure cap to urge the glutinous substance from the cartridge to the valve. The method additionally comprises rotating the brush and opening the valve to enable the glutinous substance to flow from the valve to the brush at least when the brush is rotating.

An apparatus for delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to an applicator is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a sleeve and a pressure-cap assembly coupled to the sleeve. The pressure-cap assembly comprises a pressure cap proximate an inlet of the sleeve. The pressure cap is movable between, inclusively, a closed position, in which the pressure cap is in sealed engagement with a trailing end of the cartridge, and an open position, in which the pressure cap provides clearance sufficient for insertion of the cartridge inside the sleeve through the inlet of the sleeve. The pressure cap comprises a pressure input, through which pressure is selectively applied to the glutinous substance in the cartridge. The apparatus also comprises an applicator interface proximate the outlet of the sleeve.

A progressive cold forming machine and a robot for automatically changing a cutoff cassette, tooling cassettes, a transfer slide and transfer cam. A loading area adjacent the machine and robot has provisions for supporting a tooling cassette pallet and a transfer slide and camshaft pallet and a holding area for temporarily receiving some of the componentry being exchanged.

An apparatus for delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to a brush is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a sleeve and a pressure-cap assembly. The pressure-cap assembly comprises a pressure cap, proximate an inlet of the sleeve. The pressure cap comprises a pressure input, selectively operable to apply pressure to the glutinous substance in the cartridge when the cartridge is received within the sleeve, the pressure cap is in the closed position, and a leading end of the cartridge is in sealed engagement with a valve. The apparatus further comprises a brush-arm assembly, configured to retain the brush and capable of rotating the brush. The valve is selectively operable to enable the glutinous substance to flow from the cartridge to the brush.

An apparatus (102) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) from a cartridge (166) to an applicator (154) is disclosed. The apparatus (102) comprises a sleeve (106) and a pressure-cap assembly (104) coupled to the sleeve (106). The pressure-cap assembly (104) comprises a pressure cap (110) proximate an inlet (124) of the sleeve (106). The pressure cap (110) is movable between, inclusively, a closed position, in which the pressure cap (110) is in sealed engagement with a trailing end (169) of the cartridge (166), and an open position, in which the pressure cap (110) provides clearance sufficient for insertion of the cartridge (166) inside the sleeve (106) through the inlet (124) of the sleeve (106). The pressure cap (110) comprises a pressure input (118), through which pressure is selectively applied to the glutinous substance (168) in the cartridge (166). The apparatus (102) also comprises an applicator interface (108) proximate the outlet (128) of the sleeve (106).

An attaching and detaching device that detachably attaches two structures includes a base fixed to one structure of the two structures and formed in a tabular shape, one or more engaging members supported by the base movably along a surface direction of the base and configured to engage with the other structure, an urging member configured to urge the engaging member toward an engaging direction in which the engaging member engages with the other structure, and a releasing mechanism including an operation lever configured to perform operation for moving the engaging member in a direction opposite to the engaging direction and releasing an attached state in which the two structures are attached to each other.

An applicator for delivering a glutinous substance to a workpiece from an end-effector is disclosed. The applicator comprises a body and a plunger. The plunger comprises a gate, movable within an outlet portion of a first channel of the body between, inclusively, an open position, allowing the glutinous substance to flow from an inlet of the first channel to an outlet of the first channel and a closed position, preventing the glutinous substance from flowing from the inlet of the first channel to the outlet of the first channel. The applicator further comprises an actuator, selectively operable to move the plunger such that the gate moves between, inclusively, the open position and the closed position.

A brush (400) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) to a workpiece (170) from an end-effector (102) is disclosed. The brush (400) comprises a body (402), having a rotational axis (438). The brush (400) also comprises a shaft (404), coupled to the body (402) and coaxial with the rotational axis (438). Additionally, the brush (400) comprises a tube (430), having a first end (411) and a second end (412), opposite the first end (411). The tube (430) comprises a first channel (408), coaxial with the rotational axis (438) and having an inlet (409) and an outlet (480). Furthermore, the tube (430) extends from the body (402) in a first direction (A) along the rotational axis (438), to the second end (412). The brush (400) further comprises bristles (420) that surround a portion of the tube (430), wherein the bristles (420) extend from the body (402) in the first direction (A).

An automatic tool changer (ATC) serves as an ATC for automatically changing a tool attached to a lower tool rest of a machine tool. The ATC includes a robot arm and a movement mechanism unit moving the robot arm between inside and outside of a machining area. The robot arm has a base unit coupled to the movement mechanism unit, an arm unit pivotably coupled to the base unit, and a gripping unit provided in the arm unit and detachably gripping the tool. The arm unit is formed to extend in an arm shape from the base unit toward the gripping unit, and swings on a pivot axis as a fulcrum relative to the base unit. By such a configuration, an ATC implementing an automatic change of a tool by a simple and compact mechanism and a machine tool including such an ATC are provided.

A combination component handling and connecting device connectable to a multi-axis robot for use in moving and connecting components and subassemblies includes a housing and an actuator fixedly connected to the housing. The actuator includes an actuating link movable from a first position to a second position. Connected to the actuating link is an end effector for concurrent movement with the actuating link. The component handling and connecting device includes a clamp having a first jaw and a second jaw. The second jaw is connected to the actuating link for selectively moving the second jaw toward the first jaw operative to engage a component.