Abstract: A process for operating a workpiece transport system for a press arrangement includes driving, the system by at least one driving device which can be held in a stoppage position with a braking device. By application of a predefined torque by the driving device, the functioning of the braking device is checked.

Abstract: Aa process for operating a press arrangement involves a press slide and at least one workpiece transport device that are electromechanically driven and electrically supplied by a supply and feedback device having at least one input and at least one output. In the event of a voltage drop at the input of the supply and feedback device, the current intensity at the input of the supply and feedback device is increased.

Abstract: A process for operating a workpiece transport system for a press arrangement includes driving, the system by at least one driving device which can be held in a stoppage position with a braking device. By application of a predefined torque by the driving device, the functioning of the braking device is checked.

Abstract: Aa process for operating a press arrangement involves a press slide and at least one workpiece transport device that are electromechanically driven and electrically supplied by a supply and feedback device having at least one input and at least one output. In the event of a voltage drop at the input of the supply and feedback device, the current intensity at the input of the supply and feedback device is increased.

Abstract: A process supplies energy to electronically controlled drives, particularly drives for workpiece handling devices, in and on a press having a press slide. The workpiece handling devices are electromechanically driven and electronically controlled. In the event of a power supply system outage, at least the workpiece handling devices are supplied at least for a short time by an intermediate circuit of a drive amplifier or an uninterruptable power supply system with voltage. Thereby, all devices important for the movement of the workpiece handling devices are supplied with voltage from the intermediate circuit or the uninterruptable power supply system.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement are used for transmitting data, signals and/or energy from stationary parts in or on metal-forming machines, particularly presses and/or stamping machines, or the environment to at least one sliding table and/or the transfer system of the metal-forming machine. For this purpose, a stationary device is provided as well as a movable device which complements the stationary device. The stationary device comprises at least one transmitter, a first coupler, a coupling loop, and a first antenna. The movable device, in each case, has at least one second transmitter and a second antenna. The stationary device and/or the movable device are arranged on base plates in this case.

Abstract: In control drives for high speed blanking presses, a serious problem of excessive tool wear arises from increases in the immersion depth of a top tool into its associated bottom tool when the stroke frequency increases. To overcome this, a control drive is provided wherein the top tool is held at a substantially constant immersion depth in the opening in the bottom tool over the entire stroke frequency range of the press. A measuring instrument detects the stroke frequency. This detected frequency is fed into a control circuit programmed with a characteristic corresponding to either immersion depth or ram adjustment as a function of stroke frequency. The output of the control circuit is a control signal coupled to a drive motor to maintain the constant immersion depth.

Abstract: In unloading a press, it is desirable to provide automatic unloading without the need for operators, even in situations requiring a definite stacking order in containers located next to the press. To achieve this automatic unloading, extraction grippers and a carrier frame are provided which can be moved in three directions which are at right angles to each other by servo drives controlled by a continuous-path numerical control unit.

Abstract: In automated press systems it is desirable to be able to control the actuators of an automation system associated with the press based on the speed of the press. To accomplish this, a circuit arrangement is provided which includes a pulse generator for producing a coded signal indicating the position of the press based on a press speed signal. An evaluation circuit having a parallel arrangement of a converter and a process control circuit receives these coded position signals. The outputs of the converter and process control circuit control the actuators of the automation system through pulse converters and positioning control circuits (e.g. speed and position control loops). Information as to the number of press strokes is also provided to the pulse converters through a generator. The converter can be an electronic curve shaper which controls the actuators when the press ram is moving, while the process control circuit can be a CNC control circuit which controls the actuators when the press ram is stopped.

Abstract: In press line operations, a workpiece conveyor device is necessary to carry workpieces from one press to another. Preferably, this conveyor should be readily removable for repairs, adaptable to a large number of presses, and readily reprogrammable to adapt to a variety of workpieces. To achieve this, a conveyor is provided having a cross member mounted on a movable carriage which moves along a track on a frame bridging the intermediate space between two presses. Horizontal movement of the carriage along the track, vertical movement of the cross member on the carriage, and movement of a positioning device for the workpieces is provided by setting drives controlled by a continuous-path numerical control unit. For repairs, the entire frame can be moved out of the intermediate space in a direction at a right angle to the direction of workpiece travel.

Abstract: A control system for controlling operating steps of a press and/or transfer mechanism therefor in dependence upon the position of a drive shaft of a drive mechanism of the press. The system includes a coded pulse generator supplying coded pulses indicative of the position of the drive shaft to a decoder from which decoded pulses are supplied to a control pulse distributor to an amplifying unit and appropriate regulating member for regulation of the operating step. A monitoring unit is also provided for monitoring the operation of the control system.

Abstract: A control arrangement for a dividing apparatus for dividing or cutting continuously fed strip stock of variable thickness. The dividing apparatus includes a drive arrangement for driving a cutting unit in a horizontal and vertical direction with an arrangement being provided for vertically adjusting the height of the cutting unit. A control arrangement is provided which includes a measuring device arranged in the dividing apparatus at a position upstream of the cutting unit, as viewed in the feed direction of the strip stock, with the measuring device dividing an output signal indicative of the measured thickness of the strip stock, which output signal is directed to control elements so as to correlate the speed of the drive arrangement and adjust the height of the cutting unit between minimum and maximum values in correspondence with the measure thickness of the strip stock.

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 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.