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 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 workpiece transport device which includes at least one gripper tong arrangement driven in comformity with a work rhythm of a machine tool which is required to be charged and/or discharged. The gripper tong arrangement grips a marginal area of the workpiece, transports the workpiece, and deposits the workpiece at another machine tool or workpiece depository. An extensible and retractable support slide is provided for supporting the workpiece in a transport phase by being displaced beneath the workpiece in parallel to the gripper tong arrangement.

Abstract: A workpiece turning device is provided for an automated press train of the type where workpieces are turned after being withdrawn from a working chamber of a press and are then subsequently fed to a further press. The turning device includes separately movable gripper arms for clamping a workpiece therebetween, as well as a rotary unit for rotating the gripper arms as a unit about an axis parallel to the plane of clamping movement. In preferred embodiments the gripper arms are actuated by piston-cylinder units connected to a pressure source by a rotatable connection.