Douglas C Swanson

US Patent:

7918333, Apr 5, 2011

Filed:

Jun 1, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/455426

Inventors:

Douglas L Swanson - McKean PA, US

Assignee:

Swanson Systems Inc. - Erie PA

International Classification:

B65G 21/00

US Classification:

1988602, 1988601, 1988611

Abstract:

A plurality of modules of sufficiently light weight (

US Patent:

8376131, Feb 19, 2013

Filed:

Sep 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/238003

Inventors:

Douglas L. Swanson - McKean PA, US

International Classification:

B65G 21/08

US Classification:

1988602, 1988601, 1988611

Abstract:

A plurality of modules of sufficiently light weight (

US Patent:

62736353, Aug 14, 2001

Filed:

May 10, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/309164

Inventors:

Douglas L. Swanson - McKean PA

Assignee:

Swanson Systems, Inc. - Erie PA

International Classification:

B25G 300
F16B 300
F16D 100
F16G 1100

US Classification:

403299

Abstract:

A mounting fixture for a reconfigurable assembly machine having a plurality of modules with slots formed in their upper surfaces includes a hollow brick or cube having a plurality of intersecting keyways on the faces or surfaces of the cube. One of the keyways receives a first, locating key which is also received in the throat of the slots formed in the upper surface of the assembly machine module. The locating key includes a through opening which receives a threaded fastener having a head held captive in the T-slot. The key accurately positions the cube relative to the slot on the assembly machine module and the threaded fastener secures the cube thereto. The parallelism and perpendicularity of the various faces of the cube are highly accurate. Various assembly and testing components of the assembly machine are attached to the various remaining perpendicular and parallel (vertical and horizontal) faces or surfaces of the cube.

US Patent:

60360038, Mar 14, 2000

Filed:

Apr 26, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/299434

Inventors:

Douglas L. Swanson - McKean PA

Assignee:

Swanson Systems, Inc. - Erie PA

International Classification:

B65G 2106

US Classification:

1988602

Abstract:

A reconfigurable assembly machine includes a rigid platform, a plurality of identical modular supports which are arranged in an aligned, adjacent, longitudinally extending configuration, a plurality of links which form a continuous, recirculating chain and receive product fixtures, a chain drive module and idle module disposed at opposite ends of the longitudinally extending configuration of modular supports for translating the plurality of links and product fixtures and a plurality of work stations disposed on respective ones of the plurality of modular supports. The chain drive module also provides drive energy to the work stations in order that fabrication and assembly steps performed by such work stations occur in proper timed relationship to other steps and to movement of the chain and product fixtures. A particular modular support and associated work station may be readily installed and assembled with or removed from the assembly machine in order to add or remove a certain manufacturing function or assembly task.

US Patent:

62993925, Oct 9, 2001

Filed:

May 10, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/309162

Inventors:

Douglas L. Swanson - McKean PA

Assignee:

Swanson Systems, Inc. - Erie PA

International Classification:

B23Q 3700
B23Q 302

US Classification:

408234

Abstract:

A mounting fixture for a reconfigurable assembly machine having a plurality of modules with slots formed in their upper surfaces includes a square or rectangular solid block having a plurality of threaded openings. The openings receive fasteners adapted to secure various and diverse assembly machine components and devices to the mounting fixture. One surface of the block includes a channel or keyway having a width equal to the width of the throat of the slots formed in the upper surface of the assembly machine module. A locating key is received in the keyway in the block and the throat of the T-slot. The locating key includes through openings which receive threaded fasteners having heads held captive and the T-slot which, with suitable nuts, secure the block to the upper surface of the module.

US Patent:

44045050, Sep 13, 1983

Filed:

Mar 3, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/240146

Inventors:

Douglas L. Swanson - McKean PA
Ronald K. Turk - Erie PA

Assignee:

Swanson Systems, Inc. - Erie PA

International Classification:

G05B 1300

US Classification:

318561

Abstract:

A multiple position programmable movement machine including movable transfer means; means for producing signals indicating the actual position of the transfer means; drive means coupled to the transfer means for moving the transfer means; and programmable electronic control means for the drive means to position the transfer means at a plurality of selected positions. The control includes segmented velocity-position profile means to produce velocity profile outputs in response to actual position signals and modification signal generation means for producing a modification signal at about the final velocity-position segment to correct differences between the actual and selected positions of the transfer means.

US Patent:

42927340, Oct 6, 1981

Filed:

May 25, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/042306

Inventors:

Douglas L. Swanson - McKean PA
Norman H. Yeo - Georgetown MA

Assignee:

Swanson-Erie Corporation - Erie PA

International Classification:

B23P 1900
B23Q 703

US Classification:

29791

Abstract:

An in-line assembly machine is disclosed which is capable of commonly actuating tooling associated with the machine at a plurality of work stations. The machine includes a camshaft with a plurality of cams fixed thereto. Upper and lower elongated tool plates are also included. These elongated tool plates are reciprocated by first and second lifting rods, respectively, which are driven by the cams via followers. The rotation of the camshaft thus causes the upper and lower elongated tool plates to reciprocate, thereby commonly actuating tooling to perform operations on parts to be assembled.

US Patent:

50229095, Jun 11, 1991

Filed:

Oct 5, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/254272

Inventors:

Douglas L. Swanson - McKean PA

Assignee:

Swanson Systems, Inc. - Erie PA

International Classification:

C03B 2304

US Classification:

65278

Abstract:

The invention is a machine for processing tubes. Preferably the machine is adapted to create glass flares by flaring an end of each tube and then cutting a length off the flared end. The machine includes several holding devices, each of which is adapted to hold a tube, preferably in a generally horizontal position. Each holding device is pivotally connected to two adjacent holding devices to thereby form an endless loop. The endless loop of holding devices is adapted to travel in a first endless path, preferably obround. The machine includes devices for continuously moving the endless loop of holding devices in the first endless path. The machine also includes a plurality of tube processing devices, such as flaring heads, which are also adapted to travel in a smaller endless path, preferably circular. The endless path of the processing devices is configured and driven so that each processing device line up with and travel the same velocity as a tube as it travels through a portion of the path of the holding devices. As a result, the machine is capable of continuous and efficient operation.