Abstract: A tool support and monitoring assembly for a press. The tool includes upper and lower die shoes, back-up plates, and upper and lower die tooling. The die tooling is secured to the back-up plate and includes a first surface facing the back-up plate and an opposite second surface. The back-up plate defines an air plenum which is connected to a pressure monitoring device. The die tooling defines a plurality of small bores which communicate with the air plenum. The bores extend from the first surface toward the second surface of the die tooling. The pressure monitoring device detects air pressure in the air plenum and bores, and shuts down the press to prevent a subsequent stroke when a pressure drop indicative of tool failure is detected.

Abstract: A safety lock for use in connection with large chain-driven machines, such as die cutting and platen press machines, which positively prevents movement of the various cooperating moving parts of the machine when the machine is in a stopped, set-up position. The safety lock, when in the locking position, securely engages one or more of the sprocket wheels of the machine in a manner to positively prevent accidental rotation thereof.

Abstract: The safety switch assembly is designed to provide a switch assembly to a tool, such as a meat slicer, in order to prevent the operation of the tool without manually holding the secondary switch and the depression of a button. The assembly contains a control box having a ground fault interrupter/on-off switch, signal device a pneumatic switch power receptacle and a control circuit. A safety handle is installed on the tool and the handle has an actuation button and a safety button, which functions as a four way valve, installed in series, and connected to an air tube that connects the safety handle to the control box pneumatic air switch. The operation of the tool requires that power be supplied to the control box. When the individual depresses the safety and squeezes the button on the handle, the control box provides power to the tool itself.

Abstract: A contact sensing system senses the contact of two parts, such as the closure of two die parts in a molding machine, and controls a subsequent event such as the introduction of fluent molding material into the mold when closure of the die parts is sensed. One of the die parts is provided with an orifice which is covered by the other die part when the mold is closed. Sensing is achieved by delivering air through the orifice using an air line and sensing the pressure increase in the line when the orifice is closed by the other die part. A control module houses the components of the sensing system and protects the components in hostile environments.

Abstract: A safety system for a power stroke machine including: a probe for sensing an obstruction in the work area; means for moving the probe between an extended position to sense obstructions in the work area and a retracted position; means for detecting the probe in the retracted position; means for detecting the probe in the extended position; start switch means for driving the means for moving, to selectively move the probe to the extended and retracted positions; a power output circuit, responsive to the start switch means and the means for detecting the probe in the extended position, for providing a power output to operate a power stroke machine when the start switch means is closed and the probe is in the extended position; a reset circuit for providing a set output in response to either the start switch means being closed or the probe being not retracted; a latching circuit responsive to the set output and the power output, for providing a latch output as long as the set output continues; and an output contr

Abstract: In a mechanical press brake, a photoelectric sensor causes extension of an air cylinder in the linkage between the operating pedal and the clutch lever, thereby disabling the pedal whenever the operator's hand or arm is in dangerous proximity to the machine's ram. The piston of the air cylinder is connected to the pedal through a lost-motion, and the pedal is continuously urged toward its rest position by a spring. The lost-motion and spring prevent repeated extension and retraction of the cylinder from causing dangerous and annoying operation of the pedal during preparation for a forming operation.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed for a machine of the type having a main drive which may be activated to move a ram with a high force against a workpiece. The improvement is a safety device which includes an apparatus in addition to the main drive for moving the ram to a position near the workpiece with a low force capable of being stopped by contact with a part of the human body. Further apparatus is provided that allows the main drive to become activated only when the ram is within a preselected distance of the workpiece. As a result, the distance can be selected to be smaller than, say, a finger, so that the presence of a finger between the ram and a workpiece will prevent the ram from being driven at a high force.

Abstract: An automatic programmed machine tool having guard doors is shut down by an interlock system whenever a guard door is opened.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for facilitating safe operation of mechanical presses. The press includes a press ram mounted on a crank shaft and adapted for reciprocatory movement along a vertical path between uppermost and lowermost points on the path. A motor is provided for turning the crank shaft through 360 degrees rotation including an upper dead center position. The press further includes main clutch and brake means for disconnecting the crank shaft from the motor and stopping the ram at the uppermost point of its path of travel after completion of a stroking cycle. At this point the crank shaft is at its upper dead center position. The press also includes an auxiliary clutch which is operatively connected in series with the main clutch and which is normally engaged for transmitting power from the motor to the crank shaft.

Abstract: A machine, particularly for stamping or nibbling, comprises a reciprocating tool drive having a plurality of tools connected to the drive for selective reciprocation thereof. The drive includes means for stopping at least one of the tools for exchange purposes and a tool-change member is mounted for movement alongside the tool drive and includes a member movable transversely to the reciprocation direction for engaging and removing a tool which is stopped or disconnected from the drive in order to effect an exchange with another tool without stopping the drives of these other tools. The machine also includes means for engaging and moving a workpiece transverse to the reciprocating direction.

Abstract: A rocker-arm safety device which rotates into and out of the path of the movable platen on a press. When in the latter position, it allows the press to proceed normally through its usual operating cycle. When in the path of the platen, it protects an operator's hands in the working area by preventing the press from closing. A power source, separate from that for the press, rotates the arm between its positions. This assures its proper safety functioning notwithstanding some malfunction in the primary power source. To avoid damaging the axle on which the rocker arm pivots, the device includes a bar which contacts the arm when lying in the platen's path. The arm then transmits the force received from the platen to the bar, rather than to the axle. With no need to bear the weight of the press, the axle may move on needle or ball bearings to minimize the force needed to change the rocker arm's position.

Abstract: To permit safe operation of clutch actuated moving ram machines, especially when the operator is to be permitted to "float" the ram, the operating linkage to the clutch is formed with a connection which requires input motion of the linkage in predetermined degree to actuate a safety mechanism. The purpose is to prevent ram operation until the operator is out of harm's way. The linkage is formed such that additional motion of the input elements to the clutch is ineffective to actuate the clutch until the safety apparatus is properly positioned whereupon such additional motion of the input member is made effective to actuate the clutch. An apparatus effective to perform according to that method comprises a piston and a cylinder capable of movement relative to one another and both capable of movement relative to a frame on which the clutch is mounted.

Abstract: Logic circuitry in combination with a limit switch on a press automatically controls the operation of the press during the press cycle without visual monitoring of the cycle by an operator.

Abstract: An enclosure, for example, a safety enclosure around noisy or potentially dangerous machinery, includes a door which, when opened, stops the operation of the machine to prevent injury to personnel who may examine or maintain the machine. A pneumatic safety system for the door includes, in series, a source of compressed air, an air regulator valve, a series of disconnectable air connectors and a transducer, such as an air pressure limit switch, which converts a decrease in air pressure into a control signal to stop the operation of the machine. One air connector member is mounted on the door and another on the door frame, so that they are automatically disconnected when the door is opened, thereby opening the pneumatic line and causing the air pressure to decrease. The connector members each have a flat face which meet in a flush relationship, one connector member having a round orifice and the other connector member having a multi-slotted orifice which leads to an internal air cavity.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting tools of hydraulically operated fine punch presses of the type having a main piston as well as quick-closing pistons for imparting movement to the press ram. Keying pistons are arranged at the ram in series with and extending in the same direction as the quick-closing pistons to form a keying gap, variable in response to resistance pressure applied to the ram movement at or near the closing operation. A safety stop switch is arranged for detecting the keying gap and for effecting a stoppage of the machine in the event the keying gap is below a predetermined amount indicating an impediment in the path of the ram.

Abstract: A safety system for garment pressers which have a head movable against a buck with a garment therebetween and steam vents opening through the head and buck, the safety system being operable to deactivate the press and raise the head in the event the operator's hand or arm should be caught in the press, and including an involuntary safety comprising a bar movable relative to the press during normal operation to engage a portion of the operator's hands or arms, if caught in the press, regardless of the attitude of the hands or arms, mechanism operable by such engagement to deactivate the press, possibly also including a voluntary, manually operable safety for deactivating the press intentionally, and a device for preventing either the involuntary or voluntary safety devices from being used to shorten the pre-set pressing cycle time to gain production at the expense of quality.

Abstract: Safety apparatus for a press or the like having dies which are movable relative to each other and which define an open area therebetween for receiving an article includes a gate that is pivotable about a primary pivot axis from an open position to expose the open area to a closed position to shield the open area, and a secondary pivot axis that is parallel to and spaced from the primary axis. In the closed position, the gate engages a normally closed switch means and thereby enable the dies to move towards each other. When the gate is in the closed position and an obstruction is aligned with the gate, movement of the dies causes the obstruction to contact the gate which is pivoted about the secondary pivot axis, whereby the switch means closes and movement of the dies is interrupted.