Abstract: A method of cleaning a die having an oxide layer is provided. The method includes discharging electromagnetic energy towards a working surface of the die having a layer of at least one of graphite and boron nitride thereon. The electromagnetic energy is discharged at a power output between about 6 kW and about 15 kW such that the layer of at least one of graphite and boron nitride is ablated, and such that the layer is removed without removing an oxide layer between the surface of the die and the layer.

Abstract: An industrial machine (1) for bending metallic flat elements (E) comprising a support framework (2) which insists on a reference surface (T), a working plan (3), connected to the support framework (2) and accessible to the operator, adapted to receive the metallic flat element (E) to be folded, bending means (4), arranged frontally to the working plan (3) and coupled to the support frame (2), suitable to bend upwards and/or downwards at least one side edge of the metallic flat element (E), handling and supply means (5), operatively connected to the working plan (3), suitable for supplying/removing the metallic flat element (E) to/from the bending means (4), and actuation means (6), operatively connected to the handling and supply means (5) to move them along a vertical direction (Y) and/or horizontal direction (X) determining the displacement with respect to the working plan (3).

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus conveys work that was conduction heated at an energizing position to a processing position that is separated from the energizing position in the horizontal direction in order to perform hot press-forming, and comprises: a holding member that freely clamps both end sections in the lengthwise direction of the work that has been conduction heated; a drive mechanism that moves the holding member from at least the energizing position to the processing position; and a guide member that extends between the energizing position and the processing position and guides and supports the middle section in the lengthwise direction of the work that has been conduction heated and is being conveyed toward the processing position. A hot press-forming apparatus comprises the conveyor apparatus when conveying conduction heated work to a downstream process.

Abstract: A system and method for processing a formable metal panel. The method comprises pressing the formable metal panel between a first die and a second die of a first press, creating a pre-formed panel. The pre-formed panel is annealed with a heating element. An evaporative cooling gas is applied to at least one region of the pre-formed panel for rapid cooling. The evaporative cooling gas may comprise a gas mixture including carbon dioxide or nitrogen. The pre-formed panel is transferred from the first press to a second press for additional forming operations.

Abstract: A portion measuring and dispensing device comprises a chamber, a handle and a hingeable lid. The chamber comprises a bottom, a side structure attached to the bottom, and an aperture opposite of the bottom. The handle comprises a body defining a longitudinal channel with a first end opening to the chamber and a second end opening at a distal point on the handle. The second end is proportioned to be received within a mouth of a bottle.

Abstract: A bending apparatus (1) is for bending a workpiece (object to be worked), using a bending die (2) formed in accordance with a bent form of the workpiece, and a linear die (3) linearly extended, and includes a table (10) having a work face (11a) where the bending die (2) and the linear die (3) are placed; and a pair of rollers (40, 50) configured to move along the work face (11a), wherein each of the rollers (40, 50) is configured to move from one end side of the bending die (2) and the linear die (3) to the other end side thereof in a state of pinching the bending die (2) and the linear die (3) in a die closing direction. According to this configuration, it is possible to configure the bending apparatus (1), to make a work space small, and to improve the work efficiency of the bending.

Abstract: A system for annealing a formable panel includes a stamping press configured to pre-form the panel using a first die and a second die. The system also includes a transfer device configured to engage the pre-formed panel and transfer the panel from the stamping press. The transfer device includes a heating element configured to anneal the pre-formed panel. The heating element anneals the pre-formed panel in the stamping press after the first die is disengaged from the panel and while the panel is being supported by the second die. A method of processing a formable panel and a method of processing a pre-formed panel in a multi-stage stamping operation, each using the system, are also disclosed.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for moving a wire along its own axis against a high resistance to its motion causing a substantial uniaxial compression stress in the wire without allowing it to buckle. The apparatus consists of a wire gripping and moving drive wheel and guide rollers for transporting the moving wire away from the drive wheel. Wire is pressed into a peripheral groove in a relatively large diameter, rotating drive wheel by a set of small diameter rollers arranged along part of the periphery causing the wire to be gripped by the groove.

Abstract: A rolling machine comprises parallel guides delimiting a workpiece conveying channel extending from a plurality of per se known rolling tools to a machined workpiece unloading arrangement, wherein, upstream of the workpiece unloading arrangement, one of the channel delimiting guides is operatively coupled to a structural element swingably supported by a pivot pin, the structural element being integral with the piston rod of a cylinder-piston unit slidably driving the structural element together with the channel delimiting guide, thereby providing a side unloading opening for the workpiece.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system includes a connecting rod, a rod bending device, and a plurality of bone screws. The connecting rod includes an elongate round portion, an elongate head portion and a neck portion connecting the elongate round portion with the elongate head portion. The rod bending device includes an elongate body defining an aperture configured and dimensioned to receive the connecting rod therethrough in a single orientation. The bone screws include a housing portion and a screw shaft distally extending from the housing portion. The housing portion includes an inner housing and an outer housing slidably surrounding at least a portion of the inner housing. The inner housing defines a slot configured and dimensioned to releasably secure the elongate round portion of the connecting rod therein. The outer housing is movable relative to the inner housing between an unlocked state and a locked state.

Abstract: A device to grip and handle a metal container, obtained as an extruded, deep-drawn or deep-drawn/ironed metal rough piece, especially suitable for use on high-speed machines intended to perform, in a sequence, a plurality of mechanical working operations or other sort of working on the metal container, and including a first or lower portion that is fit to interface-connect the device to the machine both at the working stage and at the transfer stage of the high-speed machine from one working station to the one coming next, and a second or upper portion that is adapted for firmly gripping the metal container during the handling and the entire working sequence of working operations.

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).

Abstract: A machine arrangement that operates on a plurality of articles includes a plurality of machines arranged to cooperate with each other in a manner to form a machine arrangement. Each machine includes a modular base, a transfer star wheel, and a turret mechanism configured to perform a working operation on an article. The turret mechanism includes a turret star wheel. A central axis of the transfer star wheel is approximately 45 degrees below horizontal relative to a central axis of the turret star wheel. The turret mechanism includes a cantilevered portion overhanging a portion of the base.

Abstract: A machine arrangement that operates on a plurality of articles includes a plurality of machines arranged to cooperate with each other in a manner to form a machine arrangement. Each machine includes a modular base, a transfer star wheel, and a turret mechanism configured to perform a working operation on an article. The turret mechanism includes a turret star wheel. A central axis of the transfer star wheel is approximately 45 degrees below horizontal relative to a central axis of the turret star wheel. The turret mechanism includes a cantilevered portion overhanging a portion of the base.

Abstract: A finished product receiving rack used in a corrugated metal sheet member fabrication system for receiving finished products in which two guardrails with protective members are arranged in parallel along the length of the rack body to guide delivering finished products in course and to prevent accidental injury to workers, and steering gears and guide screws are arranged on the rack body and rotatable by motors to move the guardrails and to further adjust the gap between the guardrails subject to the size of the finished products to be carried.

Abstract: A crimping device has a contact advancer provided with an exchangeable anvil part. A first pulley, a belt and an advancing motor drive a first carriage. A gripper for advancing the contact belt is guided in a direction crosswise to a direction of the first carriage. The distance between the gripper and the first carriage is determined by a second carriage and a roller of the gripper rolling in a fifth linear guide of the second carriage. The distance from the gripper is predetermined by the exchangeable anvil part and depends on the width of the contact belt. The gripper operates independent of the distance between the transport holes and independent of the width of the contact belt. The anvil part including the belt guide is an exchangeable part and only fits one type of crimp contact and is executed crimp-contact specifically.

Abstract: A hot forging facility enabling the manufacture of a hot forged product excellent in fatigue properties and cold workability is provided. A heating furnace for heating a steel material and a hot forging apparatus for perfonning forging of the heated steel material are sequentially arranged on a transport line. A partially cooling apparatus/apparatuses for partially cooling a forged product after hot forging is provided on an exit side of the hot forging apparatus.

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.

Abstract: A workpiece supporting device for a multiple-die horizontal forging press comprises a transfer pliers arranged at each recess of a die and having a movable stem operating as a workpiece ejecting means, the stem being coupled, at one end portion thereof, facing a driving mechanism, through a coupling bracket, to a driving rod, one end of which, arranged at a recess of the die respectively of the transfer pliers, houses a workpiece restraining device, formed by a rocker mechanism, which can swing about a cross pivot pin and against a spring means affecting an arm of the rocker mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming (e.g. die necking) open ends of open-ended metal container bodies. An exemplary embodiment provides a number of movable holders for container bodies that move the container bodies along a path extending through the apparatus. A motor advances the holders and container bodies along the path in steps with pauses between each step. Each step advances one or more container bodies (and preferably two or more). One or more groups of work stations positioned adjacent to the path provides tool sets for carrying out a forming operation on one (and preferably two or more) container bodies simultaneously. Individual container bodies, or more preferably groups of two or more, are subjected to one or more forming operations during passage along the path (preferably the periphery of one or more star wheels).

Abstract: A stamping system comprising a press system including a plurality of bolsters, and a chute system disposed below the press system. The chute system communicates with the press system via a plurality of through-holes formed in the bolsters. In this manner, parts manufactured using the press system may pass through the bolsters into the chute system.

Abstract: Transfer apparatus and method are provided from first (15A, 16A) to second (15B, 16B) stations of tooling in a cap (11) making press. This cap is biased against the first upper tools by a first airstream (50) introduced under the cap and moves upward with the first station punch (45). As the punch approaches its top location, a transfer airstream (52) begins while the first airstream is still on, and moves the cap out through a transfer chute (18) to the second station. The cap departs the chute and passes detents (67) on a pair of closed retention fingers (60) which define an extension of the transfer path from the chute into the open second station tools. A vacuum (85) applied to a port in the second station punch then holds the cup against the rising upper tools. When the punch clears the closing fingers and approaches its top location, an ejection airstream (87) commences to propel the finished cup via a discharge chute (19).

Abstract: A release mechanism for use in a leveling apparatus that performs a leveling process on a work object that has been wound in a coil configuration as a result of the work object being passed between a front side work roll in contact with the front side surface of the work object and a back side work roll that is in contact with the back side surface of the work, wherein the releasing mechanism switches between a work clamp state that allows performance of the leveling process and a release state that releases the work object from the clamp state by displacing a work roll support member that supports one of the work rolls relative to the another support member to change a distance between the work rolls by utilizing rotational movement of an electric motor.

Abstract: A press unloader is provided for unloading parts from a press. The unloader comprises at least one arm. The arm is operative to rotate responsive to rotation of a shaft into and out of the press between an internal position between the dies of the press and an external position that is not between the dies of the press. The shaft may be driven by a drive linkage connected to an upper portion of the press and may rotate responsive to the up and down motion of the upper portion of the press. The arm may be comprised of lower and upper portions in pivoting connection with each other. A guide member is operative to cause the angle between the upper portion and lower portion of the at least one arm to become relatively wider at the internal position and to become relatively narrower at the external position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing a part from a forming tool and supporting the part. The apparatus includes a support member having a surface contoured to conform to a formed shape of the part and an aperture disposed in the surface. A manipulator moves the support member near the part while the part contacts the forming tool. Pressurized gas is directed toward the part to cause the release of the part from the forming tool and to cool the part. The surface supports the part to inhibit distortion as the part cools.

Abstract: A wall has a fixed support plate and a die face. A transfer housing and an air cylinder have a cylindrical rod horizontally secured to the support plate. The housing and air cylinder are laterally reciprocable upon the rod. Fingers have lower free ends for receiving a workpiece to be cold forged and delivering the workpiece to a die. The fingers have an upper follower. The follower is vertically reciprocable to move the fingers between an expanded orientation for releasing the workpiece and a contracted orientation for retaining the workpiece.

Abstract: A workpiece ejector and transfer apparatus adapted to automatically extract a workpiece from a tool after work has been performed, and thereby reduce the cycle time for the operation. The apparatus includes a cylinder, a pair of cam plates adapted to convert the reciprocating motion of the cylinder into a rotational motion, and an engagement portion adapted to engage and unload the workpiece. When the cylinder is actuated, the cam plates are initially translated in an upward direction, and thereafter rotated. The initial upward translation of the cam plates is intended to engage and lift a processed workpiece such that it has sufficient clearance from its tool, whereas the rotation of the cam plates acts to transfer the processed workpiece such that the tool can accommodate a new workpiece. The processed workpiece is preferably transferred to a temporary retaining device while the new workpiece is loaded.

Abstract: A workpiece ejector and transfer apparatus adapted to automatically extract a workpiece from a tool after work has been performed, and thereby reduce the cycle time for the operation. The apparatus includes a cylinder, a pair of cam plates adapted to convert the reciprocating motion of the cylinder into a rotational motion, and an engagement portion adapted to engage and unload the workpiece. When the cylinder is actuated, the cam plates are initially translated in an upward direction, and thereafter rotated. The initial upward translation of the cam plates is intended to engage and lift a processed workpiece such that it has sufficient clearance from its tool, whereas the rotation of the cam plates acts to transfer the processed workpiece such that the tool can accommodate a new workpiece. The processed workpiece is preferably transferred to a temporary retaining device while the new workpiece is loaded.

Abstract: A reciprocating press for forming workpieces includes a tilting table that supports the workpiece and positions it with respect to the press tooling as the press closes, and then is pivoted upward into an inclined orientation as the press opens so that the finished workpiece falls down the table and is automatically discharged from the press. A preferred embodiment has a lifting arm attached to an upper reciprocating press member that carries an upper forming tool such as a punch. The lower end of the lifting arm engages the tilting table such that the table is pivoted about a horizontal axis in concert with the upward and downward movement of the reciprocating press member. The press preferably also includes a safety door that is automatically closed before the press fully closes and is opened again as the press opens such that operator access to the moving press parts is prevented by the door during a press cycle.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bending device, in which working data of feeding pitch between bending points, bending direction angle and bending angle is prepared from design data of a work, and a dividing point is determined to share the bending process by first and second joint type robots at one place of a straight line of the work able to be held by a chuck mechanism. After trial working, the working data is corrected. During the working, the first and second joint type robots having joints rotatable around axes parallel with the axial direction of the work are moved to the bending position. The work is held by a bending die and a clamping die rotatable around the bending die of a bending mechanism attached to the tip end of each joint type robot, and bent/worked by rotating the clamping die.

Abstract: A steel blank can be removed from the space between a lower stationary die and an upper movable die by employing a belt conveyor in a cavity in the upper die. The frame for the conveyor belt mounts an array of permanent magnets that exert a magnetic pick-up force through the lower run of the belt into the steel blank. The conveyor frame is floatably suspended to follow the upper die, while being downwardly deflected by the action of a stripper pad carried by the upper die, such that the blank is dislodged from the upper die and then transported out of the space between the two dies.

Abstract: A hemming system includes a hemming machine having upper and lower dies moveable between an open spaced apart position and closed hemming position. The upper die includes an engager operative for engaging a part thereon. A robot having a moveable arm with an end effector including lower and upper engagers on lower and upper surfaces thereof; the robot arm being operable to pick up a first part with the lower engager, place the part on the lower die and clear the hemming machine. The hemming machine is operable to close the upper and lower dies to hem the first part. The engager on the upper die is operable to engage the first hemmed part on the upper die as the dies are opened. The robot arm is operable to pick up a second part with the lower engaging means, place the part on the lower die, raise, and engage the first hemmed part on the upper engaging means.

Abstract: A process and a device for dividing a strand of wire rolling stock and/or for cutting the strand of rolling stock into a wire rolling material strand and pieces of scrap by cropping and/or chopping, has the strand of wire rolling stock moving at a high speed of at least up to 80 m/s. The strand of wire rolling stock (1) is briefly and with high intensity deflected by an electromagnetic force "F" acting perpendicular to the actual direction of movement, in a way such that the strand (1) of wire rolling stock is either moved into or out of the acting range between two cutting heads (2a, 2b) for cutting the strand (1). The cutting heads are arranged with their axes parallel to each other and are rotating in opposite directions and each are fitted with at least one knife (3a, 3b).

Abstract: A tube bending apparatus having a base and a bend arbor thereon and an X-axis extending spindle selectively rotatably mounted on the base for movement along the X-axis and for lateral movement in orthogonal Y-axis and Z-axis directions. The spindle has a clamping mechanism on the distal end thereof. A tube bend effecting arm is hinged relative to the bend arbor and is swingable about a bend axis. An elongate track is provided laterally offset from the base and extends continuously in a direction parallel to the X-axis. A tube loader is mounted on and for movement along the elongate track. The tube loader includes a feed mechanism for sequentially feeding one tube at a time to a specified position axially aligned with the spindle when in either of the first and second locations of the tube loader.

Abstract: An endless metal belt (26) for transporting shells (S) through a press (10) which converts the shells into can ends includes a plurality of shell-carrying apertures (32) and a plurality of drive holes (34). The belt is mounted about a pair of spaced-apart cylindrical drums (22,24), at least one of which is rotatably driven. The drive holes are engaged by drive pins (46) extending outwardly from the drive drum (22). Rotation of the drive drum causes the pins to engage the drive holes and advance the belt with the drum. Each drive hole has a hub (58) which is shaped to conform generally to a tapered and contoured edge (48) of a drive pin. At least a portion of the hub protrudes out of the planar surface (56) of the belt, and the pin edge and the lower surface (62) of the hub are mutually shaped to define rolling contact therebetween with no contact between the pin edge and the inner edge (54) of the drive hole.

Abstract: An indexing conveyor apparatus is driven with respect to a press having a reciprocal ram and bolster plate. An elongated conveyor is connectible to the press for moving material with respect to the press. The conveyor includes an endless conveyor belt disposed about a drive pulley at one end and an idler roller at an opposite end. A flexible member is connectible between the conveyor and the reciprocal ram for converting reciprocating movement of the ram into indexing movement of the endless conveyor belt through the drive pulley. The flexible member preferably includes a webbing material wound about a spool. The spool is spring biased to rewind the webbing on the spool while the ram is driven toward the bolster plate. As the ram is moved away from the bolster plate, the spool acting through a clutch drives the drive pulley to index the endless conveyor belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for bundling truss plates comprises a mechanism for forming a plurality of truss plates and a mechanism for forming these truss plates into a unitized bundle that is easily shipped, stored, and handled. The apparatus can include a mechanism for orienting each of the plurality of truss plates so that the backing members are substantially parallel to a predetermined plane, an aligning mechanism for aligning the oriented truss plates so that the peripheries of their backing members are substantially aligned, a stacking mechanism for stacking the oriented and aligned truss plates, and an interconnecting mechanism for interconnecting the stacked truss plates into a unitized bundle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for unloading presses with a nonhydraulic press unloader. The apparatus generally includes a support frame, a reciprocating tray, a tray arm, a link arm, an actuating arm, and an attachment arm. The support frame has a pair of support frame members having top surfaces. A tray roller, for supporting the reciprocating tray, is rotatably mounted to each end of the support frame member. The tray arm is slidably engaged with the top surface of one of the support frame members and is pivotally attached to the link arm. The midsection of the tray arm is pinably connected to the reciprocating tray. The actuating arm is pivotally connected to the other end of the link arm and to the support frame. A pickup roller is rotatably attached to the actuating arm near its midsection. A release roller is rotatably attached to the actuating arm also near the midsection and adjacent the pickup roller. As the press ram rises, the arms draw the tray in between the gap presented by the separating die halves.

Abstract: An end discharge system is disclosed for quickly removing blanked and formed end closures from a forming press, the end discharge system including rotating overhead belts mounted closely adjacent the press tooling, and operable to receive air-blasted or otherwise-ejected pre-curled end closures from the forming tooling and then rapidly draw the discharged end underneath the belt along a guide track in a discharge plate away from the tooling area, for subsequent delivery to associated cross conveyors or other end collection equipment. The belt discharge apparatus allows the container ends to be quickly deposited in a uniform, consistently spaced line or pattern upon the associated cross conveyors, all without any substantial damage to the ends and any coated surfaces thereon.

Abstract: A multiple lane ironing and doming apparatus for ironing and doming cup-shaped blanks into can bodies by pushing them through ironing dies by reciprocations of punches. The apparatus comprises: a plurality of punches vertically held and retained at their upper ends for vertical reciprocations; at least one ironing die unit arranged below and coaxially with each of said punches for ironing cup-shaped blanks into ironed can bodies; one doming unit arranged below the ironing die for doming the bottoms of the ironed can bodies into a predetermined configuration; stripping means for stripping the ironed and domed can bodies from the punches; and conveying means for discharging the stripped can bodies from below the punches.

Abstract: An apparatus under control of a computer for forming into a three-dimensional shape a generally planar workpiece having a pair of spaced holes therein at predetermined positions, the apparatus comprising a forming tool including a molding surface having a pair of spaced bores therein at predetermined positions and a locating pin disposed in each bore for selective axial movement therein; guide tracks and selectively operable drive mechanisms for moving the tool through an operating circuit including sequential mating, molding and removal stations; a selectively operable transferring mechanism at the mating station for disposing the workpiece on the molding surface of the tool with respective hole and bore positions in registration; a ram at the mating station for selectively projecting one end of each locating pin into a respective hole to restrain the workpiece on the molding surface; a hydropress at the molding station for forming the workpiece to the shape of the molding surface; and selectively operable g

Abstract: A conveyor belt and drive structure are disclosed for use with a conversion press in which an upper level of an endless metallic conveyor belt, preferably of stainless steel, is positioned between upper and lower tooling in the press. The conveyor belt is formed by seam welding together the ends of a length of thin flexible metal, and includes a plurality of transversely and longitudinally spaced shell-receiving carrier apertures. The edges of the conveyor belt at the ends of the weld seam are relieved with an elongated notch shape having corners formed on a radius to eliminate from the belt stress concentrations which may occur during the welding process.

Abstract: In production of a lock nut used for fastening in cooperation with a bolt, a tubular material of a polygonal transverse cross section is machined into a crude block integrally made up of an angled main body and a truncated cone having a common, circular cente hole which is then tapped, a series of crude blocks are periodically and intermittently supplied to and registered at a shaping center provided on a holder assembly, each crude block is compressed with a compression mould to deform its tapped hole into a polygonal transverse cross section in the region of its truncated cone, and a lock nut thus produced are delivered out of the shaping center after compression. The process is fully automatized and the deformed transverse cross section of the rapped hole assures halmless, elastic, blanced fastening on a bolt in screw engagement of the lock nut.

Abstract: Bending-shaping machine for sections (29) in which a drawing unit (10) located downstream of a bending unit (35) and on the same axis as the section (29) takes up not only a retracted position (10B) and a normal working position (10L) but also a high position (10A) to lift the section (129) above an abutment roll (12). Method for the automatic bending of the trailing end of sections (29) in a bending-shaping machine as above described, in which so as to invert the orientation of a bend (26) when making bends (26) in the trailing end (C) of a section (129), the drawing unit (10) moves from its working position (10L) to its high position (10A) and returns to its working position (10L) while a bending disk (11) is displaced sideways (from position 11S to position 11D or viceversa) by passing under the section (129) and thus re-positioning the abutment roll (12) in relation to the section (129).

Abstract: Apparatus for bending rod-shaped material to form concrete-reinforcement elements, having a frame (3) for supporting a material feed device (4) and having a bearer for bending members, which bearer is mounted on the frame so as to be rotatable about the axis of feed, is adjustable relative to the frame and is constructed as a material supporting table (10) which is adjustable in a predetermined angular position relative to the frame, on which material supporting table a cutting device (8) is provided upstream of the bending members (15,16) in the material feed direction for cutting off the rod-shaped material from the line of material after the bending operation.

Abstract: A resilient member handling apparatus comprising a frame, a mechanism on the frame for bowing successive resilient members, and a mechanism on the frame for forming a nested complement of the resilient members, the mechanism for forming including a first cage member stationarily mounted on the frame, and defining a primary chamber adapted to receive a resilient member, a second cage member stationarily mounted on the frame, and defining a secondary chamber adapted to receive a plurality of the resilient members, a mechanism for feeding resilient members one at a time into the primary chamber from the mechanism for bowing, and a mechanism for transferring the resilient members one at a time from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber.

Abstract: A method of treating hot metal slabs (6) aims to reduce the width of the slab (6) produced by a continuous casting process to avoid the need for the prolific number of moulds otherwise required to produce slabs of various widths. In order to achieve this the hot metal slab (6) is presented, with its width dimension vertically oriented, to a pressing machine (24) having a vertically movable top platen (26) and a fixed bottom platen (28). The slab (6) is incrementally displaced, longitudinally, through the pressing machine and pressing forces are applied to its opposing edges by the platens, to reduce its width. Subsequently, the slab (6) is turned so that its width dimension is oriented horizontally and rolled between the horizontal rolls of a rolling mill (22). An apparatus for performing the method is disclosed.

Abstract: An automatic frame bending machine is disclosed for bending off rod steel or steel bands, and a process and device for producing spring mattresses. The purpose of the invention is to design a frame bending machine with which frames of the most diverse types can be automatically produced without risk of material losses or of deforming the frames. The frame bending machine should also be easy to integrate in an assembly line. For this purpose, a spool is provided, after which the steel passes through a wire straightener composed of a rotor and rollers, measurement and traction rollers linked to the bending device, cutting means and a centering metal sheet. Hydraulic motors controlled by a microprocessor from a control panel are provided for driving and bending.

Abstract: A substantially rectangular metal blank is formed about a mandrel (76) to provide a very open shell (28) having a pair of axially extending lips (20c,20t) separated by a distance sufficient to permit a prewound spool (10) or other product to be inserted radially, laterally into the shell prior to closing the shell about the spool or other product.