Abstract: A punch press which has an X-Y guidance system for moving the workpiece relative to the workstation also includes means for rotating the workpiece on the worktable upon release of the workpiece from the X-Y guidance system. In this fashion, the workpiece may be rotated into a reoriented position and then reclamped in that position within the X-Y guidance system. This press includes a tool mounting means on the head of the press and means for effecting reciprocal motion of the tool mounting means along a vertical axis and rotation of the tool mounting means about that axis. Generally, the press will also include a die assembly in the base which includes at least a portion which is rotatable about the same vertical axis so that the workpiece when gripped therebetween may be freely rotated in a fixed clamped position to effect the desired reorientation.

Abstract: A surface grinding machine has a motor-driven grinding disc supported in a carrier movably supported above the base and a tool holding fixture on the base which is rotatable about a laterally offset axis. A control assembly includes a contact arm which is movable into an operative position to guide the tool into the initial grinding position, and includes means for moving the grinding disc downwardly against the tool surface in a controlled fashion upon movement of the contact arm into an inoperative position. The tool holding fixture is rotatable about its axis as the grinding disc rotates to eliminate substantially circular grooves and scratches in the tool being ground.

Abstract: A stamping or nibbling machine has upper and lower tool carriers, upper and lower tool magazines arranged respectively above and below the displacement range of a workpiece and rotatable about an axis of rotation which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of movement of a male die in the upper tool carrier, tool carriers in each magazine, and a tool exchanger operable to move a tool from each magazine into a tool carrier and vice versa. All the tools in each magazine, except the tool to be exchanged, are arranged completely above and/or below the displacement range of the workpiece, and the tool to be exchanged is lifted by a lifting device, relative to its magazine, into a transfer plane for movement into the working position in the machine. All the tools in each magazine, except the tool to be exchanged, are covered by a cover plate , and the plates define the boundaries of the displacement plane of the workpiece and prevent engagement of the workpiece with tools in the magazines.

Abstract: A copying tracer for tracing templates which have hollows or recesses or bores, particularly for stamping or nibbling machines, comprises a housing with a bore therein with a copying tracer plunger portion slidable in the bore which has a lower end which engages the template. The tracer plunger is biased by biasing means which act to provide a uniform downward biasing pressure on the plunger to engage the lower template engaging end portion of the tracer with the template and which is increased when the template begins to move downwardly, such as when it enters a recess or a groove, so that the movement becomes very rapid. The biasing may be accomplished by a spring system which includes one coil spring acting axially along the axis of the plunger tracer and an additional spring which is locked when the tracer engages the surface of the template but which moves transversely and acts against the plunger in a downward component of force after the tracer is initially moved downwardly.