Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating the upper and lower dies of a die set comprising first and second fixtures mounted in laterally spaced relation for movement toward and away from each other. The first fixture has a mechanism providing a die-supporting surface and is in the form of a cradle rockable between a loading position in which its die-supporting surface is generally horizontal and a transfer position in which its die-supporting surface is generally upright and faces the second fixture. The second fixture has a die-supporting surface and also is in the form of a cradle rockable between a transfer position in which its die-supporting surface is generally upright and faces the first fixture and a position in which its die-supporting surface is generally horizontal. Clamps are provided to clamp the lower die of a die set to the die-supporting surface of the first fixture and for clamping the upper die to the die-supporting surface of the second fixture.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating the upper and lower dies of a die set comprising a gantry having a fixture mounted on a main frame for up and down movement, and a sub-frame mounted on the fixture for 180.degree. of rotation. Clamping units are mounted on the sub-frame for clamping the upper die to the sub-frame when the fixture is in a lower position at a work-transfer station. The die set is transported on a cart to the work-transfer station where the upper die is clamped to the sub-frame. The fixture is raised to elevate the upper die to an upper position. The cart is moved away from the work-transfer station carrying only the lower die with it. The upper die is inverted, lowered onto a second cart and it, too, is then moved away from the work-transfer station. Both dies now face upwardly for convenient inspection, cleaning and/or repair. The transporter cart table on which the die set is supported can be rotated to any desired angle such as 90.degree.