Abstract: A new breed of die cylinders operating at 1000-5000 psig. working fluid pressures and adaptable for use individually or by manifolding with punch presses to cushion dies can be operated with maximum rated pressure force against a force which a ram develops in one direction and in the opposite direction with partial pressure force which the die cylinders exert when force balanced. The following is accomplished by loading a piston underside by the same working fluid pressure when the piston bottoms inside a cylinder housing at the end of the ram induced stroke enabling an instant high pressure surge of fluid, be it Nitrogen gas or other working fluid, to enter the piston underside provided with a piston rod and exert a resistance force proportional to the net free area exposed thereto thereby providing force balanced cylinder operation.

Abstract: An adjustable spring stop assembly (10) for a spring (S) received within a bore (B) is provided. The adjustable spring stop assembly comprises a washer member (12) and an adjustment member (14). The washer member is axially fixable within the bore and is provided with a centrally located aperture (16) and a plurality of radially extending, radially aligned slot pairs of different diametrical lengths (18--18, 20--20, 22--22, 24--24, and 26--26). The adjustment member is provided with a pair of axially extending and inwardly tapering ear portions (34) which may be received within any selected one of the slot pairs. The adjustment member is provided with a fitting (40) which is accessible from the exterior of the bore through the centrally located aperture in the washer member for incrementally selectively varying the separation (44) of a surface (32) on the adjustment member from the washer member.