Abstract: A die locking device including a press having a top end, a bottom end and a plurality of channels disposed around a perimeter of the press. The device also includes a plurality of actuators, each of the plurality of actuators affixed to a first end of one of a plurality of locking arms that are each at least partially disposed in one of the plurality of channels. The device also includes a plurality of locking clips, each affixed to a second end of each of the plurality of locking arms and each affixed to one of a plurality of hinges. The plurality of hinges is configured to receive and secure a die stack to the top end of the press.

Abstract: Rotary furnaces and processes for heat treating a workpiece generally include an external shell wall and a refractory lining abutting the shell wall to define a substantially cylindrically shaped interior chamber for treating one or more workpieces; an opening in the an external shell wall and a refractory lining for loading and unloading the workpieces; a rotatable hearth for receiving and rotating the workpieces within the substantially cylindrically shaped interior chamber; and a plurality of thermal isolation walls, wherein adjacent thermal isolation walls define a space effective to accommodate and thermally shield each one of the workpieces to be treated and have a height at least equal to a height of the workpiece. The presence of the thermal isolation walls substantially prevents heat transfer between the workpieces being treated.

Abstract: A die locking device including a press having a top end, a bottom end and a plurality of channels disposed around a perimeter of the press. The device also includes a plurality of actuators, each of the plurality of actuators affixed to a first end of one of a plurality of locking arms that are each at least partially disposed in one of the plurality of channels. The device also includes a plurality of locking clips, each affixed to a second end of each of the plurality of locking arms and each affixed to one of a plurality of hinges. The plurality of hinges is configured to receive and secure a die stack to the top end of the press.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for a forging manipulator includes a main body configured to be in operative communication with the manipulator; a contact plate attached to the main body and configured to be in physical communication with a heated metal part; and an insulating plate disposed between the main body and the contact plate, wherein the insulating plate is configured to substantially prevent heat transfer from the heated metal part to the main body.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for a forging manipulator includes a main body configured to be in operative communication with the manipulator; a contact plate attached to the main body and configured to be in physical communication with a heated metal part; and an insulating plate disposed between the main body and the contact plate, wherein the insulating plate is configured to substantially prevent heat transfer from the heated metal part to the main body.

Abstract: A ring mill apparatus and method utilizes at least one hydraulic or other direct drive motor to drive a roller in contact with a ring that is to be expanded by the ring mill. The motor may be two opposed radial piston hydraulic motors, to drive an upper king roller, which contacts the outside of the ring, which is inserted between the upper king roller and a lower mandrel roller, which contacts the inside of the ring. The lower mandrel roller is urged upwards against the ring by a ram driven carriage. Two hydraulic or other direct drive motors can be provided in-line with, and directly connected to, the king roller.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods, data processing apparatus and manufacturing systems for determining or using current supplier schedule are described. A current customer requirement file is received including data items specifying a customer's current requirement of different parts each having associated supply dates from the supplier. The total quantity of each different type of part for each of a plurality of different time periods is determined. Data items specifying the total quantity of each different part and respective associated supply dates are stored in a current supplier schedule file. The current supplier schedule file is exported and can be displayed. A current net change in the supplier schedule based on the current supplier schedule and a previous supplier schedule can also be determined.