Abstract: A process and apparatus for the positive actuation of a weight compensating mechanism for a ram of a press accommodating a tool set. The process includes the detecting of at least one condition indicative of the changing of a tool set of the press, preventing working operation of the press in response to such detected condition, and then initiating operation of the weight compensating mechanism. The process also includes the enabling of the working operation of the press upon completion of the weight compensating operation. The apparatus for carrying out the process includes at least one signal generator for providing an output indicative of the changing of a tool set, a device for preventing working operation of the press in response to the detection of such condition and a control arrangement for initiating operation of the weight compensating mechanism in accordance with sensed conditions of the press.

Abstract: A plurality of toggle drive mechanisms are provided for transferring rotational shaft movement as linear movement of a press ram guidably supported in a press frame. Each of the toggle joint drive mechanisms includes a triangular shaped drive member eccentrically driven by a crankshaft, which drive member is pivotally connected to a pair of respective facing link members, which link members in turn are pivotally attached one each to the press frame and the press ram. The pivotal connection of the link members to the drive members are at corners of the triangle facing away from the smallest acute angle corner of the guide member. In one preferred embodiment, four separate such toggle joint drive mechanisms are provided for a single press ram and are connected by way of lower link members at four respective ram coupling points of the press ram.

Abstract: A press having mechanical drive elements acting on the ram through at least one pressure cushion serving as a hydraulic overload safety device, at least one cylinder-piston unit operating under the effect of a compressed fluid for counterbalancing the weight of the ram associated with an upper die of the press, and a control system for adjusting fluid pressure in the cylinder-piston unit to a value for counterbalancing the weight. The control system includes a pressure relief valve and a pressure meter associated with the pressure cushion wherein the meter detects the pressure in the pressure cushion in a measuring range including a predetermined value. An actuating member serves for initiating a counterbalancing operation which includes operation of the pressure relief valve and control of supply and discharge valves for supplying and discharging fluid to and/or from the cylinder-piston unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for stripping articles from a press ram including a plurality of individual strippers supported in ring members surrounding the press ram. Each of the strippers is formed as a rigid member having an operating piston and a stripping piston rigidly joined together by a web section with the pistons extending parallel to and laterally spaced from one another. The operating pistons of the respective strippers are rotatably supported in bores provided in a first support ring and the operating pistons are guidably supported in radial slots at a second support ring. The two rings are rotatably moved with respect to one another by way of a piston-cylinder unit, with relative rotation of the rings effecting a forced rotation of the strippers about the operating pistons into and out of respective stripping positions adjacent the press ram.

Abstract: Apparatus for the control and regulation of the cutting interval for a strip advanced by a roll feed device and of the synchronism of a cutting mechanism effecting the cutting operation with the strip material during the cutting step. A common main drive serves for effecting movements of the cutting mechanism and of the strip material along its travel path and an auxiliary drive is effective on movements of one of the cutting mechanism and the strip material by way of a superposed gear system.

Abstract: Driving apparatus for imparting linear reciprocating movement to a shear on a flying shear apparatus or the like. A continuously constantly rotatable axle is provided with a pair of disks having cam surfaces on the periphery thereof engageable with guide rollers fixed at two lever arms of a three-armed lever, the third lever arm being connected to the flying shear by way of a coupling rod pivotably attached at the third lever arm and the flying shear. The cam disks are configured so as to impart motion to the shear in a feeding direction with a first feed segment of increasing velocity, a second feed segment of constant velocity, and a third feed segment of decreasing velocity, whereby the shearing operation can conveniently be executed during the phase of constant velocity.

Abstract: Press apparatus including a blank holding ram and a drawing ram which are reciprocally driven such that the holding ram can hold a blank of material while the drawing ram moves relatively to the holding ram to perform a drawing operation on the blank. Stops are provided for limiting the movement of the holding ram with pressure fluid cushions being arranged in the drive train for the holding ram so as to accommodate a dwell phase with the holding rams against the stops during the drawing operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for driving an automatic workpiece conveyor in a press train which includes a plurality of linkage members articulated to one another to drivingly interconnect a drive element of a press with a workpiece conveyor. The linkage members are interconnected and configured so as to assure movement of the workpiece conveyor between two end positions, with a predetermined stopping interval at the end position, with a continuously moving press drive element. These linkage members include a coupling point interconnecting two of the members which is constrained to move in a predetermined path including two arcuate sections spaced from one another and having the same radius of curvature, which arcuate sections correspond to the end positions of the conveyor. A secondary linkage system is provided for operating a turning device for turning the workpieces when in the end positions.

Abstract: Punching press apparatus including an exchangeable tool set having upper and lower punching tools movable toward one another by a pressing ram to punch parts from sheet metal material. A stacking duct extends vertically downwardly from thepunching dies to accommodate a plurality of the punched out parts, which parts are then conveyed by endless magnetic conveyor belts arranged below the stacking duct, to remote part stacking mandrels and the like. In order to accommodate exchange of the punching tools without disconnection or emptying of the stacking ducts, the stacking ducts extend downardly to a position spaced upwardly of a press table supporting a toolholding plate, which toolholding plate supports the lower punching tool. The stacking ducts are formed as inserts in the toolholding plate so that a very simple exchange of the punching tools and toolholding plates can be effected by lateral movement of the units including the toolholding plate and punching tool out of the press ram working area.

Abstract: Apparatus for stripping hollow articles off of a press ram including a stripper supporting ring extending circumferentially around the press ram, a plurality of segments mounted on said supporting ring for limited radial displacement with respect to the press ram axis, and a plurality of individual hydraulically cushioned strippers mounted in each of said segments for direct engagement with the article to be stripped from the press ram. Various preferred embodiments include various mechanisms for permitting and/or positively providing radial displacement of the segments so as to accommodate passage of the press ram and article to be stripped. Several of these preferred embodiments include biasing means such as springs and/or pressure medium forces for biasing the segments radially inwardly and chamfered conical beveled edges on the segments for accommodating an outward biasing force application by way of the article and press ram.