Abstract: A clamping device used for mounting die sections on machine platens, the device including a support carriage slidably mounted on the platen and having a clamp arm thereon. Means is provided for advancing and withdrawing the carriage from a die section on the platen and for moving the engaging end of the clamp arm toward and away from the platen, the carriage and clamp arm being activated from the periphery of the platen. Preferably, a camming assembly is engaged with an advancement screw and is slidably mounted on the platen to shift with the carriage. The camming assembly and the carriage are biased apart, but converge when the carriage contacts the edge of the die section in order to cam the clamp arm onto the die section.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for causing a plurality of follower members to follow the contour of an elongated article moved axially through an opening formed by the follower members. The follower members are supported for rotation on a pair of rotatably mounted annular members and driven by a common drive. As the angular position or phase of the annular members is changed with respect to each other, the follower members are urged to move toward or away from the axial center to follow the contour of the elongated article. One of the annular members is coupled directly to the common drive while the other is connected to the drive through a differential mechanism by which the phase relationship of one of the members can be varied with respect to the other to thereby position the follower members into contour following engaging relationship with the elongated article.