#6,317,994 B1 Nov. 20, 2001 Robot Alignment Apparatus and Method for using same USA Inventors – J. Mangelsen and D. Bergmann

A robot aligning apparatus includes a pointer which may be connected to either the robot or the tool carried by the robot. The apparatus also includes a stationary post having a sleeve mounted thereon. The robot or the tool with the pointer mounted thereon are moved to a test station adjacent the sleeve and post, and the sleeve is moved upwardly over the pointer to indicate proper alignment.

#6,282,847 B1 May 27, 1999 Workcell Door and Wall Assembly USA Inventors – J. Mangelsen and F. Remley

An improved workcell is provided with a door hinged at a midpoint between the opposite sides and maintained in a parallel relationship to the workcell access opening, thereby minimizing the clearance space required to open and close the door. The workcell is formed of a plurality of posts and wall panels which can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled, such that the workcell is portable. The wall panels are pinned to the posts and include hollow ribs to receive cabling, wiring, and tubing for work functions within the workcell.

#5,399,837 Mar. 21, 1995 Wire Brake for Robotic Welding Torch USA Inventors – J. Mangelsen and D. Boyd

A wire brake for a robotic welding torch includes an adapter which is attached to the upper end of the welding torch and which includes an adapter bore through which the wire electrode is inserted. A cylinder body is threadably attached to the adapter and includes a reciprocating piston having a piston stem which is moveable into a brake position engaging the wire electrode so as to hold the wire electrode against axial movement within the adapter bore.

#5,083,070 Jan. 21, 1992 Index Table with Center Mounted Robot Arm USA Inventors – M. Poupard and E. Cooper

A combination work supporting table and computer controlled robot wherein, preferably, a rotatable index table includes a concentric column having a computer controlled robot mounted upon the column outer end in spaced relationship to the table work supporting surface. A computerized robot controller controls both the robot and the rotation of the index table permitting an extensive range of robot movement over a large work area in a concise space.

#6,891,128 B1 May 10, 2005 Rotational Flash Guard and Method of Use USA Inventors – M. Sidlinger, J. Mangelsen, A. Deitering, M. Skahill, and J. Kelsick

The invention relates to a rotational flash guard and method of use of a rotational flash guard. In general, the flash guard is attached to a support frame by an arm, a linkage mechanism pivotally interconnects the arm and the support frame, and an extensible power member connects the support frame to the linkage mechanism. Due to the unique configuration of the rotational flash guard it is adapted for movement about a work piece positioner to allow for use of a robotic tool while providing protection to the operator and other workers.

#6,375,178 B1 Apr. 23, 2002 Dual Cylinder Work Piece Positioner USA Inventors – C. Schilb and J. Mangelsen

A dual cylinder pivotal work piece holding device includes a fixture pivotally mounted on a frame. A crank arm drives the fixture about a pivot axis. First and second cylinders have rods pivotally connected to the crank arm at a drive point offset from the fixture pivot axis. The rods form an oblique angle with each other and a controller is provided for extending and retracting the rods in a coordinated cycle so that at least one of the rods is moving at any instant during rotation of the fixture.

#6,142,854 Nov. 7, 2000 Deburring System and Method For Using Same USA Inventors – F. Remley and J. Mangelsen

A deburring head is mounted on a frame for movement toward and away from a workpiece also mounted on the frame. The deburring head includes a plurality of deburring brushes which are rotated and which are adapted to engage the workpiece and remove burrs from the workpiece.

#6,276,284 Aug. 21, 2001 Side-By-Side Robot Workcell USA Inventors – F. Remley and J. Mangelsen

A side-by-side robot workcell includes two tables each of which is moveable from a work position to a load position. Linkages are connected to the tables and cause the tables to have a slow speed at the time the tables approach either the load or the work position, and a faster speed in the middle of the movement between the work and load positions.

#4,709,259 Dec. 13, 1998 Tool For Robotic Application Of Liquid To A Work Surface USA Inventors – J. Morris and D. Boyd

The tool of the present invention includes a compliance guide having a cylindrical vertical bore extending therethrough. Slidably mounted within the bore is a tool holder which is free to slide vertically, but which is held against lateral movement within the bore. Attached to the tool holder is a tool having a dauber pad at its lower end. A nipple is threaded within a vertical bore in the tool holder and extends upwardly therefrom through an aperture in a closure plate which fits over the upper end of the vertical bore in the compliance guide. A nut is threaded over the nipple above the closure plate and a spring below the closure plate yieldably urges the nipple and the tool holder downwardly until the nut engages the closure plate. Fluid is introduced through the nipple and extends downwardly to the dauber pad which absorbs the liquid and applies it to the work surface. A check valve is mounted within the dauber pad to prevent the dauber pad from receiving fluid until the dauber pad engages the work surface.

#6,450,490 B1 Sep. 17, 2002 Quick Change Tooling For Robotic Work Station USA Inventors – J. Mangelsen, J. Brewer and M. Skahill

A quick change fixture mounted arrangement includes a pair of mating ball-and-socket connectors at the headstock end of the fixture and a ball joint coupler at the tailstock end of the fixture. This arrangement allows for some misalignment of the fixture relative to the axis of rotation and permits the fixture to be rotated about a second, external axis of rotation.

#6,953,142 B2 Oct. 11, 2005 Method of Apparatus For Locating And Holding A Flange USA Inventors – J. Pingilley, R. Christensen, N. Cooley, M. McCreary, D. Stabenow and J. Hogue

Apparatus for locating and grasping a flange include a plurality of clamp arms that move from an unclamped position to a clamped position, clamping the flange to the upper surface of a support platform. A plurality of pins are adapted to move upwardly into flange holes within the flange for positioning the flange during the clamping action. The locating and the clamping of the flange to the upper surface of the support platform are accomplished by a single pusher rod that is connected to both the pins and the clamps. The method comprises using a single pusher rod connected to both the pins and the clamps for locating and clamping the flange to the upper surface of a platform.

#5,873,569 Feb. 23, 1999 Workpiece Positioner USA Inventors – D. Boyd, M. McCreary and C. Schilb

The invention relates to a workpiece positioner and assembly therefore which optimized workpiece rotation for manufacturing processes and specifically for use with an industrial robot. In general, the workpiece positioner assembly is supported on a base. The workpiece positioner assembly is rectangular in shape and includes drive arms and idler arms between which workpieces are supported. Due to the unique shape of the workpiece positioner assembly, the workpiece-to workpiece rotational clearance can be reduced to zero due in part to the position of cross tubing from the drive end of the workpiece positioner assembly to the idler end of the workpiece positioner assembly. The cross tubing does not interfere with the workpiece rotation area thereby allowing workpiece size and orientation to be increased without affecting positioner swing or operation height.

#6,023,045 Feb. 8, 2000 Torch Reamer and Method for Using Same USA Inventors – C. Magelsen and F. Remley

A torch reamer includes a reamer assembly having a reamer bit and a motor which are movable toward and away from a work station. A clamping arm is pivotablly mounted to a frame and is movable from an inoperative position to an operative position adjacent the work station. Movement of the clamp arm toward the work station causes a clamp member to clamp a torch nozzle and hold it in the work station while the reamer assembly rotates the reamer bit within the inside of the torch nozzle. Lifting of the torch nozzle causes the release of the clamp, the deactuation of the motor, and the retraction of the motor and reamer bit to an inoperative position.

#5,489,759 Feb. 6, 1996 Method and Device for Aligning A Tool Held By A Robot USA Inventors – R. Litt, C. Schilb and B. Gorge

A device for indicating the alignment of a tool held by the arm of a robot includes a frame mounted at a known coordinate, an electrical switch mounted on the frame and connected to the robot, a lever having opposite first and second end portions and a central portion therebetween pivotally connected to the frame such that the first end portion normally makes contact with the switch in the absence of outside forces on the lever. The second end portion of the lever has a target bore therein for receiving the tool with a given tolerance for misalignment of the tool. If the tolerance is exceeded, the tool engages the second end portion of the lever and forcibly picots the first end portion out of contact with the switch to indicate misalignment of the tool. The method of checking alignment with this device includes positioning the tool in an expected position of alignment with the target bore, moving the tool into the bore, and sending an electrical signal to the robot indicating whether the tool strikes the lever and pivots it out of contact with the switch.

#5,704,601 Jan. 6, 1998 Positioning Table (Versa 3M) USA Inventors – J.C. Mangelsen and J. Mangelsen

A reciprocating table assembly includes a frame, a table, and a bearing assembly for rotatably mounting the table to the frame. A cylinder assembly rotates the table at a pivot point by extending and retracting a piston rod from the cylinder. Three sensors sense which position the table is in its rotational path and signal the piston rod to either extend or contract at the appropriate time.

#6,282,847 Sept. 4, 2001 Workcell Door and Wall Panel USA Inventors – J. Mangelsen and F. Remley

An improved workcell is provided with a door hinged at a midpoint between the opposite sides and maintained in a parallel relationship to the workcell access opening, thereby minimizing the clearance space required to open and close the door. The workcell is formed of a plurality of posts and wall panels which can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled, such that the workcell is portable. The wall panels are pinned to the posts and include hollow ribs to receive cabling, wiring, and tubing for work functions within the workcell.

#6,776,082 Aug. 17, 2004 Fluid Powered Rotary Indexer USA Inventors – J. Mangelsen and N. Cooley

A fluid powered rotary indexer includes a housing with a piston rotatably mounted therein. The housing includes ports providing fluid communication to opposing compartments within the housing so as to rotate the piston clockwise or counterclockwise upon the introduction of fluid into one compartment or the other. The piston is rotatably supported by a bearing which is mounted to a work surface. An adapter is connected to the piston for rotation therewith and supports a tool or work piece. The sealing rings are provided between the piston and the housing to provide a fluid seal for the chamber. A central opening is provided in the assembly through which cables, wires, and tubing can be extended.

#7,171,737 Feb 6, 2007 Safety Barrier Inventors – M. Sidlinger, J. Mangelsen, J. Christen, H. Neumann, M. Skahill, G. Judge

A rollup barrier is provided for a robotic station. The barrier includes a track having a tapered portion at its lower end. A switch is mounted at the extreme lower end of the track. The switch prevents actuation of the robotic equipment unless the barrier is moved to its extreme lowermost position. Extensible cylinders are used for connection to a chain trained around a sprocket in order to roll the roller.

#6,708,956 B1 Mar. 23, 2004 Break Away Barrier and Method For Using Same USA Inventors – J. Mangelsen, K. Roys, M. Skahill and T. Scherer

A break away barrier utilizes first and second spaced apart upstanding posts positioned a predetermined safe distance away from the outer movement limit of a robot. A pair of barrier assemblies are hinged to the first and second spaced apart upstanding posts and are hinged for movement from a closed position inside the safe distance to an open position outside the safe distance. A break away latch permits the opening and separation of the fist and second barriers in response to a predetermined force.

#6,394,189 B1 May 28, 2002 Zero Gravity Robotic System and Method For Using Same USA Inventors – W. Moon and B. Gorge

A zero gravity robotic tool includes a robotic arm having a distal end. A motor is mounted on the distal end of the robotic arm andis rotated about a motor axis which passes through the center of gravity of the motor and the tool. A prime mover is connected to the robotic arm and to a pivot mechanism for causing the rotation of the motor and the tool about the motor axis.

#5,521,355 May 28, 1996 Welding Torch Assembly and Method USA Inventor – J. Lorentzen

A welding system includes a feeder with a reel rotatably mounted therein for supplying welding wire; and torch having a cable extending therefrom connected to the feeder for receiving wire therefrom and a pair of opposing conductive drive rolls connected to a source of charging power and mounted for powered rotation on the torch. The rolls engage, charge and deliver the wire to the workpiece. Opposing rollers driven by a motor through a clutch also pull the wire from the reel in the feeder an push it through the cable. The torch is equipped with a nozzle on the torch is fitted with a nonconductive delivery tube to guidingly receive the welding wire without sparking. A unique method of delivering a charged wire electrode in a MIG welding torch assembly is disclosed. Also disclosed is a special configuration for the groove for engaging the wire electrode between the rolls or rollers.

#4,778,976 Oct. 18, 1988 Welding Nozzle Cleaner Apparatus USA Inventors – R. Litt and J. Lorentzen

Apparatus to prevent the formation of welding material about the outlet end of a welding nozzle comprising valve units activated upon contact by engagement thereby of the welding nozzle, a pneumatic system connected with the valve units, and reciprocal hammer device proximate the valve units and fluid connected to the pneumatic system, the hammer device operable by the pneumatic system upon activation of the valve units to repeatedly strike the welding nozzle, thereby dislodging any material build-up thereon. The apparatus further includes a spraying unit connected with the valve units and pneumatic system to spray an anti-welding spatter compound toward and into the outlet of the welding nozzle.

#6,360,904 B1 Mar. 26, 2002 Adjustable Shelving For Robotic Work Station USA Inventors – C. Schilb and B. Niles

An adjustable shelving unit for a robotic work station includes a plurality of elongated upright channel members each having a C-shaped transverse cross-section, the channel members being arranged in parallel pairs; and at least one shelf being releasalby and movably clamped to the channel members by spring nut means so as to be adjustable in both height and angle with respect to the channel members. The adjustable shelving unit is useful in combination with a workpiece positioning device and can even be attached thereto so that bins for parts and parts can be stored near their point-of-use.

#6,314,686 B1 Nov. 13, 2001 Light Seal For Use With Robotic Equipment USA Inventors – T. Scherer and D. Juhl

A light seal for use with robotic equipment includes a window having a divider panel rotatably mounted therein. Flexible sealing flaps at the opposite sides of the window opening engage the divider panel when the divider panel is in a sealed position to provide a light seal between the edges of the divider panel and the edges of the window opening.

#6,921,011 B11 Jul. 26, 2005 Workpiece Holder Having Top Mounted Robot and Method of Use USA Inventors – J. Mangelsen, J. Kelsick and J. Christen

The invention relates to a workpiece holder with top mounted robot which optimizes floor space for a workpiece positioner and a robot. In general, the workpiece positioner assembly and the top mounted robot is supported on a base frame. Attached to the base frame, is a first superstructure and a second superstructure which supports a workpiece positioner and the top mounted robot. Above the first superstructure and second superstructure is a frame structure fixed in the unitary assembly to the first superstructure and the second superstructure. Attached to the frame structure is a robot stand and a robot. Due to the unique shape of the workpiece holder with top mounted robot, the floor space of the combined robot and workpiece positioner is significantly reduced, and the overall cost of the system is reduced.

#6,398,101 B1 Jun. 4, 2002 Bi-Directional Complaint Precision Linear Slide USA Inventor – P. Pollock

A bi-directional complaint precision linear slide apparatus having a base that supports two side bearing blocks, side rails and an internal air cylinder. The bearing blocks allow for a set of side rails to be moved in a first direction via the introduction or expelling of air to and from the air cylinder. A top rail allows for a top mounting bracket to be moved back and forth in a second direction, and a set of spring loaded plungers facilitate the precise positioning of the top mounting bracket within the top rails prior to bracket engagement to tube. The top mounting bracket is connected to a first component that is to be welded to a second component. Thus, by controlling the precise position of the top mounting bracket, the gap between the two components is controlled thereby affecting the type and quality of weld needed, reducing the amount of weld time, and reducing the amount of heat introduced into the two components during the welding process.