Including Means To Permit Maneuvering Of Work Or Product At Tool Zone Patents (Class 72/420)
  • Patent number: 10933460
    Abstract: A wire processing apparatus comprises a frame, a clamping device mounted on the frame and adapted to clamp a wire to be processed, and a straightening and cutting device mounted on the frame. The straightening and cutting device is adapted to press a conductor of the wire into a straight shape and cut the conductor to a predetermined length after pressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignees: Tyco Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., TE Connectivity Corporation, Measurement Specialties (Chengdu) Ltd, Shenzhen AMI Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yingcong Deng, Lan Gong, Qian Ying, Dandan Zhang, Lvhai Hu, Yun Liu, Qinglong Zeng, Yong Yan, Roberto Francisco-Yi Lu
  • Patent number: 10730099
    Abstract: A pilot assembly and method has a cylindrical pilot body with a tapered outer end, a grooved inner end, and a central portion with at least one inwardly curved side wall relief, as well as internally mounted reciprocating ejector pins with outer ends that protrude through holes in the outer body end to strip stock from the pilot. A spring has its outer end mounted in the groove in the outer body end, and an inner end attached to the inner body end in a pre-tensed condition. A cap screw has an enlarged head that has at least a portion thereof fit into the pilot sidewall relief, and a threaded shank that anchors the pilot in an associated die member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: STANDARD LIFTERS, INC.
    Inventors: Scott M. Breen, Joel T. Pyper
  • Patent number: 10427893
    Abstract: A handling device is provided. The handling device has a holding unit which has at least one holding element with which the part to be bent which is to be received and is arranged on a loading surface can be gripped on one of its flat sides by forces acting in a pulling manner on one side of the flat side at a plurality of successive locations in the longitudinal direction, that the holding unit for its part can be pivoted relative to a pivoting carrier unit about a first pivot axis parallel to the longitudinal direction, that the pivoting carrier unit can be pivoted relative to a pivoting carrier base about a second pivot axis which extends parallel to the first pivot axis, that the pivoting carrier base can be moved by means of a carrier base moving unit in a direction transverse to the second pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: RAS Reinhardt Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Grünewald, Jürgen Hentsch, Joachim Köhler, Jochen Willmann
  • Patent number: 10265748
    Abstract: The invention relates to a production device (1) and to a method of operating said device, comprising a bending press (2) for producing workpieces shaped by bending between bending tools (13) of a stationary bench beam (8) and a press beam (9) that is adjustable in relation thereto. The production device (1) further comprises a tool magazine (4) and a handling device (3) with a gripping device (17) for the bending tools (13) and a stop device (23) which has at least one adjustable stop finger (28), and also a control and monitoring device (24). The stop device (23) is connected to a comparator circuit of the control and monitoring device (24) and has a measuring sensor system and at least one measuring means for determining reference position data of the bending tool (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: TRUMPF Maschinen GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventor: Alfred Haselboeck
  • Patent number: 9339860
    Abstract: The invention relates to a production system (1) for free-form bending. It includes a bending press (3) with bending tools (4) which are interchangeably held in tool holders (19, 20), a manipulator (28) with gripping tongs (30) having gripping fingers (31, 32), and a recess (35, 36) disposed in the bending tool (4) with stop regions (49, 50) disposed at a distance apart from one another for manipulating the bending tool (4). Additional contact surfaces (40) are provided on ends (38, 39) of the gripping fingers (31, 32) on sides of the gripping fingers (31, 32) facing away from one another. The ends (38, 39) of the gripping fingers (31, 32) are inserted in the recess (35, 36) in order to hold the bending tool (4). The contact surfaces (40) are pressed against the stop regions (49, 50) in the direction opposite the clamping force for holding the workpiece (2) to be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: TRUMPF Maschinen Austria GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventor: Thomas Denkmeier
  • Patent number: 9227808
    Abstract: A gripper type material feeding apparatus for the intermittent feeding of a workpiece. The apparatus includes a first linearly guided gripper mechanism which is movable in a first direction of feeding and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first gripper mechanism includes a first gripping member and a second gripping member wherein the second gripping member is movable relative to the first gripping member for gripping the workpiece. The apparatus includes a first release actuator for moving the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism in a direction relative to the first gripping member of the first gripper mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Vamco International, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Gentile, Bryan P. Gentile, Vaughn H. Martin
  • Patent number: 9205477
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for straightening dents and irregularities in wheels including a spindle, a platen mounted on the spindle configured such that the wheel can be mounted on the spindle with the spindle projecting through the central hub hole and at least one actuator device positionable between the spindle and a section of the wheel to be straightened, the actuator exerting a straightening force on the rim of the wheel and a mobile device including the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Inventor: Donald Neubauer
  • Patent number: 9090426
    Abstract: An apparatus for the intermittent feeding of a workpiece. The apparatus includes a first linearly guided gripper mechanism which is movable in a first direction of workpiece feeding and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first gripper mechanism includes first and second gripping members wherein the second gripping member is movable relative to the first gripping member for gripping the workpiece. The apparatus further includes a gripper mechanism drive actuator which is angularly adjustable, reversible and rotary, a fixed length driving member connected to the gripper mechanism drive actuator for rotation therewith. The apparatus further includes a first gripper mechanism drive connecting link with a first end pivotally connected to a first end of the fixed length driving member and with a second end pivotally connected to the first gripper mechanism for moving the first gripper mechanism in the first and second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Vamco International, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Gentile, Bryan P. Gentile, Vaughn H. Martin
  • Publication number: 20150052965
    Abstract: A pilot assembly and method for metal forming dies has a generally cylindrical pilot with a stripper that strips stock from the pilot when metal forming dies diverge. The pilot assembly is secured to one die member by a fastener by itself or in combination with a window mount. A spring within the pilot assembly contacts the stripper to force the stripper to reciprocate when the dies are pulled apart. Thus, the pilot assembly helps locate the stock within the metal forming die while also having a stripper to help strip the stock from the pilot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: JOEL T. PYPER, SCOTT M. BREEN
  • Patent number: 8950233
    Abstract: A pilot assembly with a self-contained stripper and method for metal forming dies has a cylindrical pilot with internally mounted reciprocating ejector pins with outer ends that protrude through holes in the body of the pilot to strip stock from the pilot. The pilot assembly is secured to the die by a window mount such that one or more surfaces of the pilot abut surfaces on the window mount and die to secure the pilot to the die and window mount when the window mount is secured, via a fastener, to the die. A spring within the pilot assembly contacts an end of the ejector pins to force the pins to reciprocate when the dies are pulled apart. The assembly can be made without the locating pilot surface to provide a stripper assembly for stripping the stock from the associated die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Standard Lifters, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel T. Pyper, Scott M. Breen
  • Patent number: 8875370
    Abstract: A panel loading method for loading an inner panel to an outer panel that has a bent portion provided by bending a periphery thereof, the outer panel and the inner panel being overlapped to integrate the outer panel and the inner panel at the periphery thereof. The method includes: providing at least one of the outer panel and the inner panel by an elastic body; disposing the outer panel onto a panel receiver so that the bent portion is directed upward; placing a guide plate on or above the bent portion; loading the inner panel into the outer panel from above the guide plate; and inserting the inner panel into an inside of the bent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Kunita, Tetsuji Nakashima
  • Publication number: 20140250964
    Abstract: A reshaping device for reshaping a workpiece, includes a worktable, a reshaping assembly, a measuring unit, a positioning assembly, and a controller electrically connected to the reshaping assembly, the measuring unit, and the positioning assembly. The positioning assembly includes a pair of positioning subassemblies and a movable supporting subassembly. Each positioning subassembly comprises a supporting bracket and two positioning members, the two supporting brackets are distributed on the worktable, spaced from each other, for holding the workpiece. The movable supporting subassembly comprises two transmission members and two driving members. The two transmission members are laminated together and disposed on the worktable. The two driving members are respectively assembled to the two transmission members and drive the two transmission members to slide along different directions, thereby supporting the workpiece. The present disclosure further discloses a positioning assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FU DING ELECTRONICAL TECHNOLOGY (JIASHAN) CO.,LTD.
    Inventors: WEI-ZHONG DAI, DONG-DONG NIU
  • Publication number: 20140144202
    Abstract: A pilot assembly with a self-contained stripper and method for metal forming dies has a cylindrical pilot with internally mounted reciprocating ejector pins with outer ends that protrude through holes in the body of the pilot to strip stock from the pilot. The pilot assembly is secured to the die by a window mount such that one or more surfaces of the pilot abut surfaces on the window mount and die to secure the pilot to the die and window mount when the window mount is secured, via a fastener, to the die. A spring within the pilot assembly contacts an end of the ejector pins to force the pins to reciprocate when the dies are pulled apart. The assembly can be made without the locating pilot surface to provide a stripper assembly for stripping the stock from the associated die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventors: Joel T. Pyper, Scott M. Breen
  • Patent number: 8677798
    Abstract: A device for turning over a flattening element having a plurality of spaced-apart cylinders rotatably mounted on a frame and a device for securing it to the turning-over device, includes two uprights extending vertically from a base. A supporting and securing device for the flattening element engages with the securing device of the flattening element. The supporting and securing device is disposed between the uprights. A device rotates the supporting and securing device about a horizontal axis between a first position in which, when the flattening element is connected to the turning-over device, the cylinders of the flattening element are oriented downward, and a second position in which, when the flattening element is connected to the turning-over device, the cylinders of the flattening element are oriented upward. Vertical translation drive devices vertically translate the supporting and securing device. Each vertical translation drive device is connected to one respective upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens VAi Metals Technologies SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Chazal, Bernard Dumas, Vincent Philippaux
  • Publication number: 20140047894
    Abstract: A pilot assembly and method for metal forming dies has a generally cylindrical pilot with a stripper that strips stock from the pilot when metal forming dies diverge. The pilot assembly is secured to one die member by a fastener by itself or in combination with a window mount. A spring within the pilot assembly contacts the stripper to force the stripper to reciprocate when the dies are pulled apart. Thus, the pilot assembly helps locate the stock within the metal forming die while also having a stripper to help strip the stock from the pilot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Standard Lifters, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel T. Pyper, Scott M. Breen
  • Patent number: 8544312
    Abstract: A press molding die structure having a paired press lower die and press upper die that are relatively movable to each other in which a work transferred into a portion between the press lower die and the press upper die is press-molded thereby to form a molded work. A concave portion is formed to a molding surface of the press lower die, and a suction cup of a vacuum stabilizer is provided to the concave portion formed to the molding surface of the press lower die, wherein the suction cup elastically sucks and retains the work at least at a time when the press molding dies are opened, thereby stabilizing a posture of the work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kengo Imai, Hidemi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8511136
    Abstract: A gripper assembly for a forging manipulator includes a main body configured to be in operative communication with the manipulator; a contact plate attached to the main body and configured to be in physical communication with a heated metal part; and an insulating plate disposed between the main body and the contact plate, wherein the insulating plate is configured to substantially prevent heat transfer from the heated metal part to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Firth Rixson Limited
    Inventors: David Hebert, Matthew Louis Foley, II, Chris Meyers, Diane Pham
  • Publication number: 20130167612
    Abstract: A pilot assembly and method has a cylindrical pilot sleeve with an apertured outer end in which a separate pilot pin is received, a grooved inner end, and a central portion with at least one inwardly curved sidewall relief, as well as internally mounted reciprocating ejector pins with outer ends that protrude through holes in the outer body end to strip stock from the pilot pin. A spring has its outer end mounted in the sleeve groove, and an inner end captured in a die pocket in a pretensed condition. A mounting screw has an enlarged head that has at least a portion thereof fit into the pilot sidewall relief, and a threaded shank that anchors the pilot sleeve in the die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Scott M. Breen, Joel T. Pyper
  • Patent number: 8459085
    Abstract: A tubular workpiece with a throughgoing bore is held by a handler having a passage alignable with the bore and of a predetermined inside passage diameter. A rod carrying a mandrel and of an outside rod diameter is provided with a guide having an outside guide diameter slightly smaller than the inside passage diameter but greater than the outside rod diameter The passage is aligned by the handler with the workpiece bore and the mandrel is inserted through the handler passage into the workpiece bore while sliding the guide along the passage and centering the rod in the passage with the guide out of contact with an inner surface of the passage. The workpiece is externally engage around the mandrel with forging tools and thereby forged around the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: SMS Meer GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Muschalik, Klaus Steingiesser
  • Patent number: 8424359
    Abstract: The invention describes a manufacturing device (1) and a method for bending blanks (4) or workpieces (5), having a bending press (2) and having a manipulator (3), which can be displaced in a raceway parallel to a longitudinal extent of a table and bending beam (10, 14), for workpiece transfer between a feeding or removal apparatus for the blanks (4) or the workpieces (5) and a forming region between bending tools (21). The manipulator (3) has an articulated-arm arrangement (33) having preferably three arms (34, 35, 36) which can be pivoted via pivoting bearing arrangements (37) about pivot axes (39) which are oriented parallel to the raceway, and said manipulator has a rotary unit (41), having a rotational axis (42) which extends perpendicularly with respect to the pivot axes (39), at one distal end of the articulated-arm arrangement (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: TRUMPF Maschinen Austria GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Helmut Theis, Otto Walter, Hagen Strasser
  • Publication number: 20130091920
    Abstract: A pilot assembly and method has a cylindrical pilot body with a tapered outer end, a grooved inner end, and a central portion with at least one inwardly curved side wall relief, as well as internally mounted reciprocating ejector pins with outer ends that protrude through holes in the outer body end to strip stock from the pilot. A spring has its outer end mounted in the groove in the outer body end, and an inner end attached to the inner body end in a pre-tensed condition. A cap screw has an enlarged head that has at least a portion thereof fit into the pilot sidewall relief, and a threaded shank that anchors the pilot in an associated die member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Scott M. Breen, Joel T. Pyper
  • Patent number: 8381566
    Abstract: Attachments for power assisted lifting devices capable of rigidly positioning an object in three-dimensional space, for example pneumatically assisted manually operated mechanical arm manipulators, wherein the attachment is capable of securing an object for remote positioning thereof. More particularly, an end effector for a pneumatic manipulator that is capable of both passively following the motion of a secured object and actively adjusting the position of the secured object in an arcuate direction relative to the attachment of the end effector to the manipulator. The end effector is able to rotate the object about an axis passing through the end effector that also moves arcuately with the end effector. The end effector is particularly useful in the bending of metallic sheets or plates using a conventional sheet metal brake, as the end effector is capable of both positioning heavy sheets in the brake and following the movement of the sheet as it is being bent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Givens Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond David Givens, Christopher William Garland, David Chivers
  • Patent number: 8347496
    Abstract: Methods are provided for automatically crimping terminals or connectors to wires wherein the terminals or connectors are provided in strip form and may be of varying sizes, shapes, and pitches. A method according to the present invention includes providing a plurality of terminal connectors, the connectors being secured to a terminal strip in side-by-side relationship with their axes extending laterally from the strip; moving a crimping die on a ram through a working stroke towards, and a return stroke away from, a crimping anvil to crimp an individual terminal connector located therebetween onto a wire during each working stroke of the ram; and indexing the strip between successive crimping operations thereby to locate a next leading connector on the strip between the die and anvil, wherein the strip is indexed by a drive mechanism contacting the strip through pressure-engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: SureTech Assembly, Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley Thomas Garner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8272244
    Abstract: The invention describes an apparatus for stamping can lids or the like, having a bridge (10) supported on a frame and carrying stamping tools (1) actuated vertically in a continuously repeating manner, having a longitudinal conveying device (30) gradually transporting metal sheets (11, 12) under said tools (1) in each case with the latter opened, and having a transverse conveying device (20, 40) laterally displacing to a limited extent the metal sheet (11, 12) moving or moved longitudinally in each case, wherein a separately controllable transverse conveying device (20, 40) is arranged in a stationary position in each case on the feed and discharge side approximately symmetrically to the tools (1) close in front of and behind the latter, said transverse conveying device (20, 40) in each case carrying a driving roller pair (31, 32; 51, 52) as the longitudinal conveying device (30, 50), which delivers the metal sheet (11, 12) in a controlled clamping manner or releases it in a controlled manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: Frank Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8196443
    Abstract: A method corrects a head suspension by irradiating an objective part of the head suspension with a laser beam. The method is capable of precisely correcting the head suspension even when correcting the head suspension a plurality of times. The method removes residual stress created by the preceding correction from the head suspension, and then, carries out the next correction. Accordingly, the method can precisely correct the objective part of the head suspension with a laser beam even if the objective part has once been irradiated with a laser beam in the preceding correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eijiro Furuta
  • Patent number: 8146399
    Abstract: A modular spring retainer and method for metal forming dies includes a base shaped for detachable connection with an associated die plate, having a threaded central aperture, and an adjacent lock dowel aperture which extends through the threaded central aperture to form a window. A cylindrically-shaped spring retainer is configured to receive a spring therein, and has a threaded exterior portion which engages the threaded central aperture of the base, such that mutual rotation of the same adjusts the longitudinal position of the spring. A locking dowel is closely received in the lock dowel aperture in the base, and has an unthreaded exterior surface which protrudes through the window and abuttingly engages an adjacent portion of the threaded exterior surface of the spring retainer to securely, yet detachably, retain the spring member in a selected longitudinal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Standard Lifters, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel T. Pyper, Scott M. Breen
  • Patent number: 8117880
    Abstract: This invention provides a billet-rearranging device which receives billets fed in a row and rearranges two billets in tandem. The billet-rearranging device “A” is disposed between a chute “S” with an outlet to feed billets “b” in a row to the device “A” and a charger “Cg” with a holder unit “B” with two holders “B1” and “B2” to hold two billets “b” in tandem and has a billet-rearranging mechanism to rearrange two billets “b” in tandem and feed them to the holder unit “B” of the charger “Cg.” The billet-rearranging mechanism comprising (i) an upper slide plate 1 positioned below the outlet of the chute “S”, (ii) a lower slide plate 2 positioned below the upper slide plate 1, and (iii) a fixed plate 3 positioned below the lower slide plate 2, above the holder unit “B” of the charger “Cg.” The upper slide plate 1 has the function of rearranging two billets “b” in tandem. The lower slide plate 2 has the function of feeding two billets “b” in tandem one by one to the fixed plate 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeharu Onishi, Shinobu Masuda
  • Patent number: 8074484
    Abstract: The invention relates to a manipulation device (3) for manipulating a workpiece (4) on a bending press (2), comprising multiple successive moving elements (17), in particular articulated arms (18), connected to one another via articulated joints (19), wherein one moving element (22) has a rotary head (23) which is rotatable about a rotational axis (24) which at least approximately coincides with a center axis (25) of the moving element (22), and comprising a gripping device (27) connected thereto having a gripping zone (34), formed by one or more gripping elements (32), by means of which the workpiece (4) may be held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Trumpf Maschinen Austria GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Denkmeier, Bernhard Fischereder
  • Patent number: 8061027
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatically crimping terminals or connectors to wires wherein the terminals or connectors are provided in strip form and may be of varying sizes, shapes, and pitches. A method according to the present invention includes providing a plurality of terminal connectors, the connectors being secured to a terminal strip in side-by-side relationship with their axes extending laterally from the strip; moving a crimping die on a ram through a working stroke towards, and a return stroke away from, a crimping anvil to crimp an individual terminal connector located therebetween onto a wire during each working stroke of the ram; and indexing the strip between successive crimping operations thereby to locate a next leading connector on the strip between the die and anvil, wherein the strip is indexed by a drive mechanism contacting the strip through pressure-engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: CTI Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley Thomas Garner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8015854
    Abstract: The present invention relates to means for feeding blanks into the thread rolling part of a thread rolling machine in accurate timing and accurate position. A transport screw for transporting blanks e.g. in a thread rolling machine is disclosed, said transport screw comprises a transport helix for transporting a blank along said transport screw when said transport screw rotates, said transport screw further comprises a feeding area being a widening of said transport helix, whereby said feeding area can receive and feed said blank into said transport helix upon rotation of said transport screw. Further, a method of feeding blanks into a transport screw and a feeding system comprising a transport screw, a blank height adjustment mechanism and a blank alignment mechanism are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Enkotec A/S
    Inventors: Martin Borchsenius Kristensen, Jorgen Duelund Nielsen
  • Patent number: 7997113
    Abstract: A hemming system and method is taught. The system and method employs tool platen assemblies comprising an anvil and one or more beam assemblies which are configured on the tool platen assembly and which tool platen assembly can be removed and replaced in the hemming system without the need for reconfiguration of the tool platen components. This allows for relatively rapid change over for the hemming system to hem different components. Further, the lift table of the hemming system includes a lift plate which moves the anvil through a predefined constant vertical stroke, but the start and end positions of that constant stroke length can be changed by inserting and removing a set of spacers from the anvil lift path. When the spacers are in the lift path, the lowered position and the raised position of the anvil are both higher than the corresponding lowered position and raised position when the spacers are removed from the lift path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dermody, Michael W. Dorsett
  • Patent number: 7913532
    Abstract: A manipulator of a metal sheet (4) is disclosed, comprising pickup means (8) for picking up the metal sheet, which pickup means (8) is connected to a rack (3) associable with a first pinion (1) and an operating head (9). The manipulator comprises at least a second pinion (2) and the first (1) and the second (2) pinions are arranged along the movement path of the metal sheet (4); at least one between the first (1) and the second (2) pinions are each time engaged with said rack (3) to move the rack from one part to the other of the operating head (9) (FIG. 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Salvagnini Italia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Claude Battheu, Gianfranco Venturini
  • Publication number: 20110048095
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process and an apparatus for positioning blanks in a tool provided with at least one die, at least one locating device for centring the lamination and at least one stripper element for separating the blank from the locating device. The locating device has an engaging portion having shape and dimensions so as to engage the contour of a centring hole placed inside the profile of the lamination obtained as final product and having the shape of a portion previously blanked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: ERNESTO MALVESTITI S.P.A.
    Inventor: Sergio Confalonieri
  • Patent number: 7793532
    Abstract: A protective sheet loader may comprise a first roller, a second roller, a sheet of material spanning between the first and second rollers, and a loading mechanism. A portion of the sheet of material may be loaded into the crimping chamber of an apparatus for reducing the size of a medical device. A medical device may be placed within the crimping chamber such that the sheet of material forms a barrier between the walls of the crimping chamber and the medical device and prevents cross-contamination between the medical device and the crimping device. After a crimping step is completed, the medical device and the contaminated portion of the sheet of material may be removed from the crimping chamber, and a clean portion of the sheet of material may be loaded into the crimping chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Asmus, Dennis Aamoth, Thomas Walch
  • Patent number: 7757536
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plate-shaped workpiece positioning structure for hot press forming that, upon executing a hot press forming of a heated plate-shaped workpiece (16), positions the plate-shaped workpiece relative to a pair of press dies (10, 12, 14). The positioning structure includes (a) a first positioning opening (20b) and (b) a second positioning openings (22a, 22c). The first positioning opening is arranged in a center part of the plate-shaped workpiece, and engages with a first positioning pin (22b) provided on one (12) of the pair of press dies to position the plate-shaped workpiece. The second positioning openings are arranged between the first positioning opening and a predetermined outer peripheral parts (16a, 16b) of the plate-shaped workpiece, and are formed in an elongate shape that extends along a line connecting the first positioning opening and the predetermined outer peripheral part of the plate-shaped workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanobu Ichikawa, Tatsuya Ito
  • Patent number: 7748249
    Abstract: A work conveyance device for a pressing machine, consuming less energy and enabling reduction in production costs. The workpiece conveyance device has a pair of transfer bars provided in parallel to a feed direction, support members for moving each of the transfer bars freely in the feed direction while restricting the transfer bars in a lift direction, linear motors interposed between the support members and the transfer bars for moving the transfer bars in the feed direction relative to the support members, lift devices for moving the support members in the lift direction, and workpiece holding jigs detachably mounted to the transfer bars for holding a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Shiroza
  • Publication number: 20100101298
    Abstract: A dynamic centering apparatus, suitable for centering a workpiece on a work surface, comprising a plurality of hydraulic actuators coupled to individual cells of a hydraulic pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: Peter T. Carstensen
  • Publication number: 20100064761
    Abstract: This invention provides a billet-rearranging device which receives billets fed in a row and rearranges two billets in tandem. The billet-rearranging device “A” is disposed between a chute “S” with an outlet to feed billets “b” in a row to the device “A” and a charger “Cg” with a holder unit “B” with two holders “B1” and “B2” to hold two billets “b” in tandem and has a billet-rearranging mechanism to rearrange two billets “b” in tandem and feed them to the holder unit “B” of the charger “Cg.” The billet-rearranging mechanism comprising (i) an upper slide plate 1 positioned below the outlet of the chute “S”, (ii) a lower slide plate 2 positioned below the upper slide plate 1, and (iii) a fixed plate 3 positioned below the lower slide plate 2, above the holder unit “B” of the charger “Cg.” The upper slide plate 1 has the function of rearranging two billets “b” in tandem. The lower slide plate 2 has the function of feeding two billets “b” in tandem one by one to the fixed plate 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Takeharu Onishi, Shinobu Masuda
  • Patent number: 7669446
    Abstract: An indexer is used on or in combination with a sheet bending brake to cut or bend a piece of sheet metal at a predetermined location without having to make pre-measurements and marks. The indexer comprises a scale and a rotable shaft having a handle. A first bending arm with a gauge and opposed second and third bending arms are connected to the shaft. Second and third arms each have a stop that positions the sheet metal to make a cut or bend at the predetermined location. An example of a method of using the indexer is also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Edmund Burke, Inc.
    Inventors: Ammon B. Miller, Daniel B. Miller
  • Patent number: 7610785
    Abstract: Regarding predetermined positioning criteria (M1, M2), ((G1, G2), (N1, or N2), (K1, K2)), there is provided image processing means (40B) for obtaining by image processing, measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)), and for moving a work (W) in a manner that the measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and the reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)) coincide with each other, thereby positioning the work (W) at a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Amada Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichio Akami, Koichi Ishibashi, Teruyuki Kubota, Tetsuaki Kato, Jun Sato, Tatsuya Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7610787
    Abstract: A spring manufacturing apparatus 100 comprises: a wire feeder 300; a wire guide 320 for guiding the wire; tool units 400B and 400D, a plurality of which can be slidable toward a spring forming space; a grip unit 500 having face-to-face fingers arranged to be adjacent to an end portion of the wire guide for gripping part of an yet-to-be-cut spring that has been formed primarily into a partially finished shape in the spring forming space; grip driving units 520 and 530 for executing reciprocal motion of the grip unit which is parallel to the wire axis line and rotational motion of the grip unit on the wire axis line; and an arm unit 540 extended forward from the forming table for holding the grip unit and grip driving unit through a holder 550 fixed to the end portion of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Itaya Seisaku Sho
    Inventor: Ichiro Itaya
  • Patent number: 7596861
    Abstract: A vehicular body panel or component part having a reinforcing backing plate reconciled or joined to a part of a blank material at a position wherein a bending formation is implemented. The backing plate has one or more apertures formed in at least one lateral row at a location equivalent to the position of the bending formation. When forming the blank material and the backing plate concurrently by a bending operation, the backing plate becomes intimately associated with the blank sheet to avoid the backing plate from locally separating from the blank material and from forming a gap relative thereto, with a resultant improved product quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruo Kamada, Noriaki Iwanami, Masamitsu Numano, Takashi Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 7594420
    Abstract: The present invention is a novel machine for repairing damaged wheel rims whereby pressure is applied to a damaged rim from a plurality of pressure applicators, and whereby all of the pressure applicators may be used without impairing the sightline of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Inventor: Brian Len
  • Publication number: 20090211324
    Abstract: An apparatus for actively transferring a coil of hot metal within a coilbox in hot strip mill. The apparatus is located downstream of the initial coilbox uncoiling station and includes at least one singly pivoting coil cradle. Such a coil cradle has a first support roller with a fixed rotational axis, a swing-frame mounted to pivot about that axis, and a second support roller mounted to the swing-frame, able to pivot about the fixed rotational axis of the first support roller to permit the coil of hot metal to be passed from the coil cradle. In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes a plurality of such singly pivoting coil cradles. The apparatus may also include at least one dually pivoting coil cradle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Carl McKenney, Martin Murray, Maurizio Darini, Dino Rubli
  • Publication number: 20090056398
    Abstract: A wheel reconditioning apparatus provided. The wheel reconditioning apparatus includes a support frame upon which a base support plate is attached. A rotatable adapter plate is supported on the base support plate by a precision bearing for supporting the rotation of the adapter plate about the vertical axis of a mounted wheel. Adjustable chucks are set in place on the adapter plate. The disfigured wheel is mounted on the adjustable chucks and held in place by the chucks during the reconditioning process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Robert G. Stretch
  • Publication number: 20080302153
    Abstract: A plurality of press devices 2 are arranged in a plastic working system. The plastic working system includes: a loop correction sensor 13 for watching a slack of a coil material C intermittently delivered from a preceding first press device 2a; and a second slack watching means 19 for watching a slack of the coil material C generated at the time of sending the coil material C to a succeeding second press device 2b. According to the slack generated by intermittent feeding of the coil material C sent from the first press device 2a, intermittent feeding is converted to continuous feeding by the feeding means 15. At the same time, the continuous feeding speed is subjected to speed increasing/decreasing control. On the other hand, by the second slack watching means 19, a slack of the coil material C is watched at the time of feeding the coil material C to the second press device 2b and the preceding first press device 2a is subjected to speed increasing/decreasing control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, DENSO PREAS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumio Kondo, Shoichi Takenouchi, Takayuki Nakanishi, Osamu Matsui
  • Patent number: 7444850
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a shaping machine (1) having a tool (2), in particular a shaping machine having a shaping tool, in which the workpiece is handled by means of a handling device (3) during the manufacturing process. To improve the production process, the invention provides that before machining of workpieces on the shaping machine (1), the position and/or orientation of the tool (2) is/are determined by approaching at least one reference surface (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) on the tool (2) with a handling device (3) equipped with at least one sensor (4, 4?), transmitting the determined positions of the reference surfaces (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) to an evaluating means (11), and determining in the evaluating means (11) the position and orientation of the tool (2). The invention further relates to a shaping machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Langenstein & Schemann GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Bauersachs, Harald Barnickel
  • Patent number: 7441435
    Abstract: An automatic swaging machine including a conveyor system for moving tubes into position for swaging a clamping apparatus to secure the tubes adjacent a swaging station to receive a swaging tool releasing a clamping apparatus during the swaging operation, reclamping the tools after swaging to remove the swaging tool from the ends of the tubes and moving the tubes with the conveyor system into a receiving receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Western Tube & Conduit Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Tuan Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7434438
    Abstract: A folding brake includes a frame having a pair of vertically disposed and spaced side members and a lower clamp member rigidly attached to each side member and disposed in a horizontal plane. An upper clamp member is pivotally positioned in relationship to the lower clamp member for selectively clamping a workpiece positioned thereon. A first drive member generates a clamping force and selectively moves the upper clamp member. A pivotally mounted bend rail is engageable with a portion of such workpiece protruding beyond a front edge of the lower clamp member. A second drive member generates a bending force and selectively pivots the bend rail in a first direction to apply the bending force to such workpiece and in a second direction to disengage the workpiece. A controller is provided for operating the first and second drive members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Clarence Kornelsen
  • Patent number: 7429034
    Abstract: An apparatus for thermal cutting of workpieces includes a cutting means for separating a workpiece into a finished part and a residual part, a workpiece support, and support elements for supporting the workpiece. Separate first and second support elements are provided for adjustable support of the finished part or the residual part and are disposed at a mutual separation in the region of the separating cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Werner Erlenmaier