Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement in a press tool for reducing the relative speed at which a moveable sheet metal holder impacts against a press upper part for transmitting a working force or is separated therefrom on completion of pressing. The invention is characterised in that the force for acceleration of the sheet metal holder is transmitted from the press upper part by way of a mechanical transmission device fitted to the sheet metal holder in such a way that an initial movement is imparted to the holder before the press upper part comes to bear against the sheet metal fabrication and sheet metal holder, and that only then does the press upper part impact against sheet metal fabrication and sheet metal holder and for depression of gas-filled springs arranged adjacent to and supporting the sheet metal holder.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a can end having an annular ridge and a central panel and a can body with a can bottom is provided that exhibits reduced wrinkling in the material used to form the can end and can body. The method of the invention uses a two step doming process wherein material is first drawn or stretched and then held by a punch core ring and then further drawn, stretched or domed and then held by a punch core. The apparatus and method of the invention also include a lower piston located above an upper pressure sleeve and radially outward from a punch core ring wherein the lower piston has a bore and the lower piston, punch core ring and upper pressure sleeve define a gap to which pressurized gas may be supplied through the bore to selectively axially actuate the punch core ring.

Abstract: A tool pack assembly for use in the manufacture of two piece metal can bodies. The tool pack assembly of the present invention is constructed and arranged for use in a body maker assembly to form parts of metal cans. The tool pack assembly of the invention includes an improved die module structure. The improved die module includes compressible dampening structures to thereby float a die element to center and align the metal body with the die element.

Abstract: A cam assembly for mounting a pressure die to the arm of a standard pipe bending machine. The assembly comprises a base with a pivot post extending upwardly therefrom. A cam shaft has an off-center opening adapted to receive the pivot post. A pivot assembly is combined with the pressure die and has an opening adapted to receive the cam shaft so that movement of the cam shaft around the pivot post changes the position of the pressure die relative to the bending machine's arm. Movement of the pivot assembly around the cam shaft swings the pressure die out of the way to load and unload the pipe being bent.

Abstract: A fixing system for mounting and dismounting a bending tool relative to the top panel of a bending press, in which the bending tool is held clamped between a first clamping surface of a tool spacer and a pivotally-mounted clamp including a second clamping surface. The system further comprises a tool-retaining member comprising a plurality of blades, each blade comprising a first elastically-deformable branch secured in part to the clamp, at least one angled portion, and a second elastically-deformable branch pointing upwards, with the end thereof being suitable for penetrating into a retaining groove situated in the bending tool, and being suitable for co-operating with the bottom edge of the groove when the tool pivots.

Abstract: A one piece extruded differential side gear comprising internal splines which are used to connect to a drive shaft. The differential side gear includes outer circular gear teeth and defines a rectilinear blind hole in which an end portion of the drive shaft is received. The circular gear teeth and the blind hole are coaxially oriented along an axis of the differential side gear.

Abstract: The invention concerns a drive system (1) for a rolling mill, especially for a cold pilger rolling mill with at least one roll frame (1) movable back and forth, at least one crank drive (3) which has a crank arm (4) with a counterweight (5) for at least partial compensation of the inertial forces produced by the mill frame (2), a drive (6) and a connecting rod (7) which articulates the mill frame (2) and the crank arm (4) with one another and at least one counterweight (8, 9) which is eccentrically rotatable and serves to compensate the inertial forces and/or the moments of inertia. To achieve an efficient balancing of the inertial forces with a simple construction of the drive system, the invention provides that at least one counterweight (8, 9) is rotatably driven by a separate rod (10, 11) independently from the drive (6) of the crank drive.

Abstract: A notching, shearing, and hemming tool constructed with a table which receives the roofing panel, at least two notching devices (notchers), a pan shear pivotally mounted on the table, and a hemming tool pivotally mounted on the table. To prepare a finished end piece of roofing panel, the roofing panel is placed in a panel alignment section at a first end of the tool. Each of the notching devices is movable, so that the relative position of the two notchers is variable. After notching, the roofing panel is moved to the pan shear, which is set at the proper angle by movement of a lever mechanism connected to the notchers. The roofing panel is sheared along a center line of the notched area. This cut leaves a tongue of the flat pan of the roofing panel exposed on each cut piece. Following the shearing operation, the user is left with two cut panels, each having an exposed tongue section an inch-and-a-half long extending from the pan section.

Abstract: A scheme for electromagnetic formation of fuel cell plates is provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming a flow field plate is provided where an electromagnetic actuator is arranged opposite a profiled surface of a die portion. The profiled surface of the die portion is configured to at least partially define a network of flow field plate flow passages. The electromagnetic actuator is configured to generate a magnetic field upon activation and a sheet of material is positioned between the electromagnetic actuator and the profiled die surface. The sheet of material is characterized by an electrical conductivity sufficient to yield a repulsive electromagnetic force between the actuator and the sheet upon activation of the actuator. The passages are formed by driving the electromagnetic actuator such that the repulsive force is of sufficient intensity to deform the sheet against the profiled die surface.

Abstract: A scheme for deforming a sheet of material is provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for deforming a sheet of material is provided. The apparatus comprises a die portion, an electromagnetic actuator, and a conductive frame. The die portion defines a profiled surface. The electromagnetic actuator is arranged opposite the profiled surface of the die portion. The conductive frame is configured to (i) secure the sheet of material in electrical contact with the conductive frame in a position between the electromagnetic actuator and the profiled die surface, (ii) permit deformation of the sheet of material against the profiled die surface upon activation of the electromagnetic actuator, and (iii) define a return path for eddy currents induced in the sheet of material upon activation of the electromagnetic actuator.

Abstract: A hydraulic tool including a frame having a hydraulic conduit system; a ram movably connected to the frame; and a multi-speed ram advancement system for advancing the ram in at least two different rates of movement on the frame. The multi-speed ram advancement system includes a hydraulic pump connected to the hydraulic conduit system of the frame; and a conduit tube extending into a hydraulic chamber inside the ram and fixedly connected to the frame. The conduit tube is adapted to conduit hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic conduit system into the hydraulic chamber inside the ram. The conduit tube is axially rotatably connected to the frame and longitudinally stationarily fixed to the frame.

Abstract: An adaptable hand operated tool for tensioning safety cable to a predetermined tension limit, crimping a ferrule onto the cable, and cutting the cable. The tool comprises a body for adapting the tool to a hand operated hydraulic tool, a cable tensioner, and an elongated, removable nose. The cable tensioner comprises a wheel for applying tension to a cable wrapped around the wheel, and a clutch for prohibiting a rotational force from being applied to the wheel when a predetermined cable tension is applied. The elongated has an aperture for receiving a ferrule and passing the cable therethrough. A plunger is reciprocally operative in the nosepiece to crimp the ferrule on the safety cable and simultaneously severing a free end of the cable. The plunger is actuated by a piston of a hand operated hydraulic base tool.

Abstract: To easily adjust and change a locus of a leading end (an endless locus) of a cutter, a wire rod cutting apparatus of spring manufacturing machine has structure so that a slide may vertically slide via a connection rod by rotating a rotation shaft, and a cutter mounting oscillating arm can oscillate laterally via a sliding element by oscillating the connection rod, so that the locus thereof in the oscillating arm can be set to a predetermined shape (refer to a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) which is endless in a front view and different between an outward and a homeward routes, by sliding the slide and oscillating the oscillating arm by actuation of the actuating apparatus and that a lateral oscillating amount of the oscillating arm can be changed by changing the position of the sliding element, to change the locus of the cutter leading end.

Abstract: A method for forming sheet metal articles, such as automotive body panels, having complex curvatures. Opposing, complementary, pre-form and finish-form tools are used in a single press. A sheet of hot blow-formable sheet metal alloy, heated to a forming temperature, is placed between the tools. The pre-forming tool is lowered to a first stage closed position thereby trapping edges of the sheet between binder surfaces of the tools. The sheet is first stretched against the pre-form tool using pressurized gas to form a pre-form that undergoes most of the metal stretching required for the final part shape. Then the finish-form tool is pivotably advanced into a second stage closed position. The pre-form is displaced away from the pre-form tool and hot plastically formed against the opposing finish-form tool with pressurized gas to obtain the final sheet metal part shape. The finish-form tool is then pivotably retracted so as to avoid die lock or part interference conditions.

Abstract: A method for providing improved thickness control of a workpiece formed by impact forming. An impact forming device includes an upper die and a lower die that is configured and disposed for receiving the heated workpiece. The upper die is operatively connected to a ram for directing the upper die into a controlled impact with the lower die while the workpiece is positioned between the upper die and the lower die. This controlled impact forms the workpiece. A precise relationship is determined between a finished thickness of the workpiece and a time duration that the workpiece is in contact with the lower die prior to impact with the upper die to achieve the particular workpiece thickness. Once the workpiece is placed on the lower die, the ram is actuated to effect the controlled impact of the upper and the lower die in response to the precise relationship.

Abstract: A flange corner forming apparatus includes a die having a planar upper surface upon which a workpiece may be supported and side surfaces intersecting at a flange forming corner. A workpiece clamps the workpiece securely against the die with the flange corner of the workpiece extending along the corner of the die, and a forming roll cooperatively configured with respect to the flange forming corner and form the flange of the workpiece about the die corner. A wedge is movable between the workpiece and the die corner to support the flange as it is being formed by the roll. A controller controls the movement of the wedge, the forming roll and the clamp.

Abstract: To provide a wire rod forming machine for which it is possible to increase the production speed above that of the prior art. In the ring-forming machine 10 of the present configuration, between the respective edges 42 and 51 of the moving die 40 and the fixed punch 50, a prescribed location of the belt-shaped wire rod 90 is sheared and the ring 91 is cut off from the belt-shaped wire rod 90. Then, by pushing the ring 91 that was cut off with the moving die 40, the ring is forcibly removed from the forming tools 31, 32 and 33. Therefore, the speed of removal of the ring 91 can be coupled to the acceleration of the manufacturing speed and increased, allowing the production speed to be improved compared to that of the prior art. In addition, since the ring 91 that is cut off from the belt-shaped wire rod 90, pushed by the moving die 40, moves to the end side of the shaft shaped chute 34 to be collected, transport to the next process becomes easy.

Abstract: A wire forming pliers having opposed faces on jaws, each with a relief between the face and a pivot point of the pliers, the reliefs forming a recess, and a link loosely secured to the pivot point and carrying a post extending into the recess such that a loop can be formed in a U-shaped wire received in the recess around the post by closing the jaws until the faces compress the U-shape into a loop around the post.

Abstract: A wall has a fixed support plate and a die face. A transfer housing and an air cylinder have a cylindrical rod horizontally secured to the support plate. The housing and air cylinder are laterally reciprocable upon the rod. Fingers have lower free ends for receiving a workpiece to be cold forged and delivering the workpiece to a die. The fingers have an upper follower. The follower is vertically reciprocable to move the fingers between an expanded orientation for releasing the workpiece and a contracted orientation for retaining the workpiece.

Abstract: A high-speed wire spring forming apparatus capable of easily adjusting a coil diameter is provided that includes: a wire feeder having a pair of feeding rollers for feeding a wire to a spring forming stage via a quill serving as a wire guide; a revolving mechanism for revolving the feeding rollers about the axis of the wire to twist the wire fed out of the leading end of the quill to change the circumferential position, or angular position, of the wire; and a multiplicity of spring forming tools arranged radially on a spring forming stage, each of the spring forming tools movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the wire.