A transfer mechanism for transferring armature forms between a supply pallet and an armature winding machine comprises a turret plate rotatable through 180.degree. angles for presenting opposite margins thereof successively to said supply pallet and said winding machine. In operation, the supply pallet is indexed to receive wound armature forms held by a first armature gripping mechanism mounted on said turret plate and to supply unwound armature forms to said first gripping mechanism. As these events occur, the turret plate supports a second armature gripping mechanism which presents unwound armature forms to the winding machine. The winding machine has winding guide members cooperating with semicircular spaces located in a post projecting upwardly from a mounting plate supporting the turret plate to support the unwound armature forms in position for the winding of coils thereon. The armature gripping mechanisms include means to rotate the armature forms and also includes means to appropriately position the wire being wound for tang connections. After such coil winding, the turret plate is rotated 180.degree. so that the wound armatures gripped by the second gripping mechanism can be returned to the supply pallet and unwound armatures can be simultaneously transferred by the first gripping mechanism for presentation to the winding machine.
In a device for transferring a pallet-mounted electric motor armature to an armature winding formation station, the armature is made rigid with the pallet by members which enable it to be released therefrom, and the frame carrying the winding arms comprises a vertical gripper for gripping the armature and connected to drive means which cause it to rotate about its axis between said winding arms; means are also provided for vertically transferring either the armature alone or the armature rigid with the pallet from the conveyor belt to the winding arm zone in which the armature becomes released from the pallet and secured to the vertical gripper.
A method and apparatus for the production of armatures for small electric motors is provided wherein the armatures are clamped in specially designed workpiece holders and continuously processed in successive work stations. The stations may include an armature loading station, a collector pressure-fitting station, a winding station, a welding station, an electrical testing station and an armature discharge station. The transportation of the workpiece holders through the apparatus is effected by a revolving conveyor belt which moves the workpiece holders individually or in groups to the successive work stations. At each work station, the workpiece holder is raised from the conveyor belt, secured in the work station, and connected by clutch devices to corresponding actuating devices within the work station.
Methods and apparatus for changing the collet assembly or armature-holding assembly of an armature winding machine are provided. The apparatus permits the collet assembly and selected sleeves of the armature-holding assembly to rotate about a longitudinal axis, while preventing undesirable translation along the axis. The apparatus permits translation of at least one other sleeve. The collet assembly may be removed from the armature-holding assembly to accommodate armature shafts of various diameters. Alternatively, the entire armature-holding assembly may be removed and replaced as a single unit, to accommodate commutators of various diameters. The change-over process can be automated.
Methods and apparatus for changing the collet assembly or armature-holding assembly of an armature winding machine are provided. The apparatus permits the collet assembly and selected sleeves of the armature-holding assembly to rotate about a longitudinal axis, while preventing undesirable translation along the axis. The apparatus permits translation of at least one other sleeve. The collet assembly may be removed from the armature-holding assembly to accommodate armature shafts of various diameters. Alternatively, the entire armature-holding assembly may be removed and replaced as a single unit, to accommodate commutators of various diameters. The change-over process can be automated.
Methods and apparatus for changing the collet assembly or armature-holding assembly of an armature winding machine are provided. The apparatus permits the collet assembly and selected sleeves of the armature-holding assembly to rotate about a longitudinal axis, while preventing undesirable translation along the axis. The apparatus permits translation of at least one other sleeve. The collet assembly may be removed from the armature-holding assembly to accommodate armature shafts of various diameters. Alternatively, the entire armature-holding assembly may be removed and replaced as a single unit, to accommodate commutators of various diameters. The change-over process can be automated.
