Abstract: A forming disc exchanging method and apparatus for use in a forming apparatus for performing bending operations in multiple directions by timing and sequentially operating a plurality of bending slides. The forming apparatus includes a forming disc which includes a plurality of bending slides, a gear mechanism for actuating the bending slides, a product discharging device and a mold. A main forming machine has the forming disc removably attached thereto and includes a guide structure for allowing the disc to slide thereon. Further included is a truck which includes a drive device having the forming disc removably attached thereto for turning the gears, guides for allowing the disc to slide thereon, and a transfer device for sliding and transferring the forming disc.

Abstract: A grip-feed machine for gripping a material in the form of strip or the like and feeding the gripped material in a bending machine which has a sun gear, comprising: a guide bracket having a guide shaft securely received therein; a cradle member having lower and upper portions and movable axially forwardly and backwardly on and along the guide shaft and formed at the lower portion thereof with a rack gear in parallel to the guide shaft; a gripping mechanism for gripping the material and feeding the gripped material in the forward and backward directions of the guide shaft; a pinion gear held in mesh with the rack gear of the cradle member; a direct current servomotor for driving the pinion gear to rotate about an axis thereof; an angular position detector having mounted thereon a detecting gear which is held in mesh with the sun gear and adapted for detecting the angular position of the detecting gear to produce a pulse signal indicative of the angular position of the detecting gear; and control mechanism for