Abstract: Tools and tool supports in a press which permit a tool changeover operation to be performed quickly and easily are disclosed. A pivot arm is carried on a ram of the press. A punch has an aperture formed therethrough, allowing it to be slidably mounted on the pivot arm. The punch is normally retained by a keeper for use in a first operating position on the pivot arm. The punch may be reversed for use in a second operating position by raising the keeper out of its retaining position and moving the punch along the pivot arm toward a second position. There, the punch can be rotated one hundred eighty degrees about the pivot arm. Then, the punch is moved back to the first position. The keeper automatically retains the reversed punch adjacent to the first support block when the punch is moved back to its original position. To remove the punch from the pivot arm, a retainer pin is removed, allowing one end of the pivot arm to pivot away from the ram.

Abstract: A machine for cutting a relatively wide sheet of material into a plurality of relatively narrow strips to reduce bowing and camber in the cut strips is disclosed. The machine supports and moves the material along a path defined through the machine. The material initially engages a first pair of furrowing disc sets disposed on opposites sides of the sheet, which form a plurality of shallow furrows in the sheet as it passes therebetween. The material next engages a pair of slitting disc sets, also disposed on opposite sides of the sheet, which cut the relatively wide sheet into a plurality of relatively narrow strips as it passes therebetween. The slitting disc sets also engage and firmly hold the sheet near the furrows during the cutting process. Lastly, the material engages a second pair of furrowing disc sets which also engage and firmly hold the sheet near the furrows during the cutting process.