Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus is provided for automatically loading a cylindrical workpiece into a machining system so that the workpiece is presented to the system in a prespecified orientation, the cylindrical surface of the workpiece containing a number of perforations, indentations or like apertures. The apparatus includes a feeding system for placing the workpiece in an initial position upon an upwardly inclined guideway, and further includes a pin, mounted in an advancement system, for alternatively contacting the cylindrical surface of the workpiece and engaging one of the apertures to urge the workpiece up through the guideway. The pin applies a frist frictional force to the workpiece when it is in contact with the cylindrical surface of the workpiece, and structure included in the guideway applies a second frictional force to the workpiece which interacts with the first frictional force to rotate the workpiece until the pin engages one of the apertures. A retaining system is provided for maintaining the workpiece in a position to which it is oriented by the engagement of the pin in one of the apertures, until the workpiece is presented to the machining system.

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First Claim