Abstract: A press brake die holder for holding a press brake die having an upper, work-contacting portion and a lower, elongated tang. The die holder has an elongated body with a channel bounded by confronting walls, the channel being configured to receive the tang of the press brake die.

Abstract: Press brake tool holders suitable for holding press brake tools for punching and/or otherwise deforming workpieces, such as sheet metal. Provided in some embodiments is a press brake tool holder. Some embodiments provide the tool holder in combination with a press brake tool. Methods of using press brake tool holders are also provided. In certain embodiments, the tool holder has a tool-seating mechanism adapted for moving a tool parallel to a pressing axis of the tool holder.

Abstract: A press die holder holds an upper die with its receiving structure above the die body. This configuration allows the die to be removed from the holder in the configuration in which it will be loaded into the press. The operator does not have to flip the die over before loading the die into the press. The holder may be configured to hold a lower die with its receiving structure disposed below the die body. This also prevents the lower die from being flipped over when it is removed from the holder and loaded into the press. One configuration of the invention provides a holder having a pair of fingers that engage the pair of continuous grooves defined by the receiving structure of the die so that the die hangs from the fingers.

Abstract: A system for quickly clamping asymmetric bending tools with either a rear or front orientation using front side and rear side clamping bars on opposite sides of a support body. The clamping system includes front and rear side intermediate bars that are unbalanced as to a clamping screw that passes there so as to hang down adjacent to opposed front and rear sides of the support body. Thus, the intermediate bars on the front side of the support body or the intermediate bars on the rear side of the support body can be independently engaged and swung up by a tool surface on that same side of the support body when the tool is inserted into the clamping system on that same side. The unbalanced intermediate bars that are not engaged by an inserted support surface of the tool remain in the unbalanced state on the opposite side.

Abstract: A press brake die holder for holding a press brake die having an upper, work-contacting portion and a lower, elongated tang. The die holder has an elongated body with a channel bounded by confronting walls, the channel being configured to receive the tang of the press brake die.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for fixing a bending tool (34), said tool comprising a retaining groove (38). The system comprises a clamping body (12) able to collaborate with one of the fixing surfaces of the tool and a tool clamp (20) mounted to pivot, said clamp being able to adopt a first tool clamping position and a second position for mounting/dementing the tool, and a tool retaining member comprising a plurality of elastically deformable blades (58), each blade comprising a first end (58a) secured to the clamping body, a running part (58b), a second end (58c) comprising at least a first angled part (64) angled toward to the tool with respect to the running part and a second angled part (66) angled in the opposite direction so that said angled parts, when said blade is at rest, are held elastically in the groove of the tool.

Abstract: The invention provides press brake technology. In more detail, the invention involves a press brake tool holder having a thermally-responsive actuator. In certain embodiments, the actuator comprises a thermally-expandable polymer and/or a shape-memory alloy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bending press comprising a bottom panel, a moving top panel, N bending-tool clamps, each clamp being mounted to pivot about a common axis, and means for causing the clamps to pivot. The means for causing the clamps to pivot comprise: a plurality of actuators each suitable for taking up two states; a plurality of transmission means for transmitting the state of each actuator assembly to a plurality of adjacent clamps, in such a manner each clamp is associated with a single actuator; and means for separately controlling the state of each actuator between a first state which brings the clamps associated with the actuator into a position for clamping the bending tool, and a second state which brings the clamps associated with the actuator into a position for removing said bending tools.

Abstract: A cam assembly for mounting a pressure die to the arm of a standard pipe bending machine. The assembly comprises a base with a pivot post extending upwardly therefrom. A cam shaft has an off-center opening adapted to receive the pivot post. A pivot assembly is combined with the pressure die and has an opening adapted to receive the cam shaft so that movement of the cam shaft around the pivot post changes the position of the pressure die relative to the bending machine's arm. Movement of the pivot assembly around the cam shaft swings the pressure die out of the way to load and unload the pipe being bent.

Abstract: A fixing system for mounting and dismounting a bending tool relative to the top panel of a bending press, in which the bending tool is held clamped between a first clamping surface of a tool spacer and a pivotally-mounted clamp including a second clamping surface. The system further comprises a tool-retaining member comprising a plurality of blades, each blade comprising a first elastically-deformable branch secured in part to the clamp, at least one angled portion, and a second elastically-deformable branch pointing upwards, with the end thereof being suitable for penetrating into a retaining groove situated in the bending tool, and being suitable for co-operating with the bottom edge of the groove when the tool pivots.

Abstract: A toolholder unit for sheet metal bending brakes, comprising a bar to be associated with a fixed or movable part of the brake, and provided with at least one recess forming with a jaw associated therewith a groove to receive the shank of the tool, there being provided elastic means to maintain said jaw spaced from said recess and from the shank contained therein, and locking means to clamp said jaw against said shank, said locking means comprising: at least one slider axially slidable within a seat facing that side of the bar facing the jaw; at least one appendix projecting from said slider beyond that side of the bar facing the jaw; at least one cavity provided in the bar, or in a part rigid with it, to receive said appendix; and means of variable profile to cause said slider to undergo controlled translations relative to said bar.

Abstract: A press brake tool that is adapted to be mounted in a tool holder. The tool has a lockable safety key that is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. The press brake tool has a lock that is operatively coupled to the safety key and is movable between a locked position wherein the safety key is locked in the extended position and an unlocked position wherein the safety key is permitted to move between the extended position and the retracted position. Also provided is a press brake tool having a particularly advantageous, longitudinally-elongated safety key.

Abstract: A press brake tool and tool holder. The tool is provided having a body that terminates downwardly in a work piece engaging surface and that includes a tang extending upwardly from the body for reception in a tool holder. The tang has a first wall defining a vertical surface for engagement with a cooperating vertical surface of a tool holder, and a second wall on the reverse side of the tang that defines an arcuate, concave surface engagable with a clamp of the tool holder. The concave surface includes an upper contact surface tangent to a plane that is downwardly convergent with respect to the vertical surface such that a force delivered to the contact surface includes an upward component tending to lift the tang into the tool holder. The upper contact surface may be formed on a first radius about a horizontal axis and is tangent to a first plane that is downwardly convergent with respect to said vertical surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bending press comprising a bottom panel, a moving top panel, N bending-tool clamps, each clamp being mounted to pivot about a common axis, and means for causing the clamps to pivot.

Abstract: A fixing system for mounting and dismounting a bending tool relative to the top panel of a bending press, in which the bending tool is held clamped between a first clamping surface of a tool spacer and a pivotally-mounted clamp including a second clamping surface. The system further comprises a tool-retaining member comprising a plurality of blades, each blade comprising a first elastically-deformable branch secured in part to the clamp, at least one angled portion, and a second elastically-deformable branch pointing upwards, with the end thereof being suitable for penetrating into a retaining groove situated in the bending tool, and being suitable for co-operating with the bottom edge of the groove when the tool pivots.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for fixing a bending tool (34), said tool comprising a retaining groove (38).

Abstract: In a multistage forming machine, an apron is screwed to a press slide. At its upper end, the apron has six elongated clamping cams, distributed over its width, while four upwardly projecting clamping lugs are fitted at is lower end. Suspended in the apron is a combined tool block with a wedge-shaped supporting plate. Four clamping lugs, distributed over the width, are formed at the upper end of the supporting plate, while four clamping cams are formed at the lower end. The clamping lugs of the combined tool block are suspended by means of the clamping cams of the apron, while the clamping cams of the combined tool block are inserted between the clamping lugs and the main part of the apron. By means of two clamping devices, a clamping force acting in the vertical direction of the combined tool block is produced, bringing about a clamping of the combine tool block and the press slide in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: Safety tool for supporting and holding an interchangeable utensil, which includes a holding clip, hinged to the utensil support body joined to the beam, the said clip being pushed on one side, while on the other side there are teeth facing the utensil support body, and of which a tooth is used for holding a safety hook and a lower tooth presses against the outer side of a spring for lifting the hook. The safety hook, being positioned between the holding clip and the utensil support body, has a seat on one side, along which the said first tooth of the holding clip is inserted, while on the other side, there is a hooking terminal with a leading plane, that is inserted inside a groove, preferably of the type for utensils with a standard shank.

Abstract: The bending brake comprises an intermediate member (10) fixed to the upper toolplate of the brake, and at least one jaw (20) connected to the intermediate member (10) and rotatable about a horizontal axis (R) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the intermediate member (10); the lower portions (20′) of the jaw (20) and of the intermediate member (10) are arranged to clamp and alternately release the tool shank (8). There are provided pressing members (30), carried by the intermediate member (10) and connected thereto in such a manner as to be able to slide in a transverse direction, to thrustingly act on the upper portion (20″) of the jaw to cause it to rotate, and a thrust member (40) having its longitudinal axis (B) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the intermediate member (10).

Abstract: Press brake tool holders suitable for releasing and securing press brake tools in response to applied fluid pressure. One press brake tool holder includes a horizontally elongated body having a cam shaft bore disposed longitudinally therethrough, and receiving a slidably and sealingly mounted cam shaft therein. The cam shaft can have at least one axial camming surface, having a large outer diameter region axially tapered to a small outer diameter region, and in contact with a cam follower pin slidably disposed in a cam follower pin bore transversely disposed through the body. The cam follower pin can bear against a pivotally mounted clamp disposed about the body. In response to applied fluid pressure, the camming surface can slide axially, thereby increasing the effective outer diameter as seen by the cam follower pin, thereby urging the cam follower pin outward and against the upper portion of the pivotally mounted clamp, and closing the lower clamp portion about a press brake tool.

Abstract: Press brake tool holders suitable for releasing and securing press brake tools in response to applied fluid pressure. One press brake tool holder includes a horizontally elongated body having a cam shaft bore disposed longitudinally therethrough, and receiving a slidably and sealingly mounted cam shaft therein. The cam shaft can have at least one axial camming surface, having a large outer diameter region axially tapered to a small outer diameter region, and in contact with a cam follower pin slidably disposed in a cam follower pin bore transversely disposed through the body. The cam follower pin can bear against a pivotally mounted clamp disposed about the body. In response to applied fluid pressure, the camming surface can slide axially, thereby increasing the effective outer diameter as seen by the cam follower pin, thereby urging the cam follower pin outward and against the upper portion of the pivotally mounted clamp, and closing the lower clamp portion about a press brake tool.

Abstract: A press brake punch holder provides a single actuation assembly to apply symmetrically opposed, lateral forces to a series of otherwise independent punch clamps for securing a corresponding series of punches within the clamps. The clamps are each pivotally secured to the holder assembly by a series of generally centrally disposed bolts therethrough, with the clamps rotating through a limited arc on spherical bearings between the clamps and the holder body. The laterally acting actuator urges the upper ends of the clamps apart, thereby urging their opposite lower ends together to clamp the punches therebetween, or between each clamp and a central structure. Release of lateral pressure allows the punches to be removed as desired, with light spring pressure holding the punches in place when, lateral pressure is removed. Actuation may be provided by a laterally acting wedge assembly, or by laterally acting fluid pressure (hydraulics or pneumatics).

Abstract: The bending brake comprises an intermediate member (10) fixed to the upper toolplate of the brake, and at least one jaw (20) connected to the intermediate member (10) and rotatable about a horizontal axis (R) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the intermediate member (10); the lower portions (20′) of the jaw (20) and of the intermediate member (10) are arranged to clamp and alternately release the tool shank (8). There are provided pressing members (30), carried by the intermediate member (10) and connected thereto in such a manner as to be able to slide in a transverse direction, to thrustingly act on the upper portion (20″) of the jaw to cause it to rotate, and a thrust member (40) having its longitudinal axis (B) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the intermediate member (10).

Abstract: In an apparatus mounted on an automatic machine for packaging articles into blister packs, a working station (A) applies numeric codes to a blister band and a scoring station (B) equipped with scoring members (20), traces scoring lines on the blister band. In a cropping station (C) the blister packs are separated from the blister band, and in a disposal station (D), the remaining off-cuts are chopped. All these working stations are connected to a support body (1) and provided with plates (5,125) acted upon by pressers (53,54,55) which are released by motorised releasing elements (60,80). The pressers and plates clamp each of the devices for numbering (10), cutting (20), and severing (30) the blister band. The releasing elements (60,80) act on the pressers to allow substitution and automatic adjustment, performed by an automatic adjustment system (110), of devices for numbering (10), cutting (20), and severing (30) the band in relation to the size of blister packs to be obtained.