Abstract: A press device for forming a work piece includes a punch and an adjustment mechanism. The punch is configured to move along a punch stroke toward a work piece located in a punch zone below the punch. The punch is configured to engage the work piece during the punch stroke to form the work piece. The adjustment mechanism is coupled to the punch. The adjustment mechanism includes an actuator and a transfer member. The actuator is rotationally coupled to the transfer member. The transfer member is operably coupled to the punch. The actuator is configured to rotate. The transfer member converts the rotational movement of the actuator into translational movement that advances the punch linearly from a first operative position relative to the punch zone to a second operative position relative to the punch zone to adjust a bottom location of the punch along the punch stroke.

Abstract: A press device for forming a work piece includes a punch and an adjustment mechanism. The punch is configured to move along a punch stroke toward a work piece located in a punch zone below the punch. The punch is configured to engage the work piece during the punch stroke to form the work piece. The adjustment mechanism is coupled to the punch. The adjustment mechanism includes an actuator and a transfer member. The actuator is rotationally coupled to the transfer member. The transfer member is operably coupled to the punch. The actuator is configured to rotate. The transfer member converts the rotational movement of the actuator into translational movement that advances the punch linearly from a first operative position relative to the punch zone to a second operative position relative to the punch zone to adjust a bottom location of the punch along the punch stroke.

Abstract: A movable die component for a press device includes a plate body having a workpiece engagement surface configured to engage a workpiece formed by the press device. The plate body has a plurality of internal pockets completely enclosed by the plate body. Optionally, the plate body may be formed by an additive manufacturing process, such as by forming a plurality of direct metal laser sintering layers. The direct metal laser sintering layers may include a lower layer, a plurality of middle layers, and an upper layer with the internal pockets being provided in the middle layers, and with the lower layer covering a bottom of each internal pocket and the upper layer coving a top of each internal pocket.

Abstract: A movable die component for a press device includes a plate body having a workpiece engagement surface configured to engage a workpiece formed by the press device. The plate body has a plurality of internal pockets completely enclosed by the plate body. Optionally, the plate body may be formed by an additive manufacturing process, such as by forming a plurality of direct metal laser sintering layers. The direct metal laser sintering layers may include a lower layer, a plurality of middle layers, and an upper layer with the internal pockets being provided in the middle layers, and with the lower layer covering a bottom of each internal pocket and the upper layer coving a top of each internal pocket.

Abstract: A relay assembly includes a coil and a stationary contact having a first contact surface. At least a portion of the first contact surface defines a wiping contact surface. The relay assembly also includes a movable contact having a second contact surface defining a contact area that engages the first contact surface. The movable contact is moved along a driving path toward the stationary contact when current is passed through the coil, and the movable contact is moved along a rebound path different from the driving path after initial impact with the stationary contact. The stationary contact is oriented or shaped with respect to the movable contact such that the movable contact engages, and wipes against, at least a portion of the wiping contact surface when the movable contact is moved along the rebound path.

Abstract: A relay assembly includes a coil and a stationary contact having a first contact surface. At least a portion of the first contact surface defines a wiping contact surface. The relay assembly also includes a movable contact having a second contact surface defining a contact area that engages the first contact surface. The movable contact is moved along a driving path toward the stationary contact when current is passed through the coil, and the movable contact is moved along a rebound path different from the driving path after initial impact with the stationary contact. The stationary contact is oriented or shaped with respect to the movable contact such that the movable contact engages, and wipes against, at least a portion of the wiping contact surface when the movable contact is moved along the rebound path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided in accordance with embodiments of the present invention for heat-treating electrical contacts. The method and apparatus include plating a core wire with at least one conductive coating to form an electrical contact that experiences internal stresses. The method and apparatus further include induction heating the electrical contact for a predetermined period of time to at least partially relieve the internal stresses. A plurality of electrical contacts may be mounted on a substrate that is held near induction coils to cause heating. The electrical contacts may be formed with spring shaped bodies that are aligned at a desired orientation within magnetic fields created during induction heating. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, different portions of each electrical contact may be annealed by different desired amounts.

Abstract: An electrical contact includes a body having a first wall and a second wall opposed to the first wall. A rigid lance is integrally formed with the first wall and projects away from the second wall, and a deflectable biasing beam is integrally formed with the second wall and extends away from the first wall in a direction opposite to the lance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided in accordance with embodiments of the present invention for heat-treating electrical contacts. The method and apparatus include plating a core wire with at least one conductive coating to form an electrical contact that experiences internal stresses. The method and apparatus further include induction heating the electrical contact for a predetermined period of time to at least partially relieve the internal stresses. A plurality of electrical contacts may be mounted on a substrate that is held near induction coils to cause heating. The electrical contacts may be formed with spring shaped bodies that are aligned at a desired orientation within magnetic fields created during induction heating. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, different portions of each electrical contact may be annealed by different desired amounts.