Abstract: An apparatus for processing plant stalks after harvesting includes a frame structure supported from a ground surface for translatory movement at a predetermined rate and in a predetermined direction along a row of plant stalks and at least one pair of pneumatic tires having their peripheries in pressure contact with each other and thus forming a nip for receiving plant stalks therein. The rotating pneumatic tires are disposed at a predetermined angle relative to the ground surface, and the pair of pneumatic tires being rotated at a predetermined peripheral speed. The predetermined speed of the pneumatic tires is determined by and less than the rate of movement of the frame structure. The nip of the pneumatic tires thereby grasps the plant stalks for a sufficient period of time and for a sufficient distance of movement of the frame structure such that the plant stalks are pulled from the ground surface with their roots substantially attached thereto.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for measuring dimensions of workpieces, particularly rod shaped workpieces. The device includes a supporting means for supporting and roughly aligning the workpieces, a measuring mean for detecting the length of the workpiece, and a control unit including memory means for storing the measured values. The measuring device of the present invention is characterized in that the measuring means (1, 103) is provided with a sensor means (6, 104) for detecting dimensions of a cross-section of the workpiece (1, 101).

Abstract: The system for producing bent sheet-metal articles comprises a bending machine (80) having a punch (84) and a die (86) which cooperate with each other and define a bending space, and a manipulator (64) having a movable head (76) which can grip a piece of sheet metal and place it in the bending space. Each piece to be bent has its own gripper and the head (76) of the manipulator (64) has rapid-attachment means for gripping and releasing the gripper associated with each piece. A table for defining the position of a piece to be bent, a manipulator for gripping and moving a piece of sheet metal by means of a floating head, a bending machine comprising an auxiliary structure for measuring the relative displacement of the punch and the die, and a device for automatically replacing tools of the bending machine are also described.

Abstract: The cutting device with movable punch is of the type which has a body placed within a seat (2) which is formed in the structure (3) of the machine, and also a fixed die (4), a movable upright (5) and an elastic element (6). In particular the body is constituted by a punch placed in the central position within the seat (2), a shaped element (8) coaxial with the punch and a blank-holder (9) which is integral with the terminal lower part of the shaped element (8).

Abstract: A sheet material loading and unloading apparatus comprises: a frame having a lower frame and an upper frame attached to the lower frame in such a manner as to freely move to a vertical direction; a vertically movable lifter disposed within the frame; a truck going in and out over the lifter; a plurality of pallets supporting a material or a processed product; a plurality of escapable loading positioning members being disposed in the upper frame; a plurality of escapable material supporting members being disposed in the upper frame; and a carriage being disposed within the frame.

Abstract: A bending apparatus includes: an upper bending die 63U for downward bending both ends of the plate material gripped between upper and lower plates 59U and 59L provided on upper and lower frames 35U and 35L, respectively and a lower bending die 63L for upward bending both ends of the same plate material; and upper and lower bending mechanisms each including a link mechanism for moving the upper bending die or the lower bending die in both upward or downward direction, respectively. In the bending apparatus according to the present invention, since the upper and lower bending mechanisms 61U and 61L are constructed by a link mechanism, respectively, it is possible to move the upper or lower bending die 63U or 63L far away from the bending position of the plate material W.

Abstract: A bending press comprises an upper frame (6); a blank holding device (103) mounted on the upper frame, for holding a sheet panel on a member opposed to the blank holding device, the blank holding device including a central member (1), two extremity members (4,4'), and a plurality of additional members (3,3') disposed between the extremity members (4, 4') and the central member (1); a storehouse mounted on an upper section of the upper frame, for storing a plurality of central members, the storehouse including: an elongated carriage (141) supported on an upper section of the upper frame (6) so as to be movable in the lateral direction of the bending press, the elongated carriage extending in the lateral direction and being provided with a plurality of first vertical guides (151) arranged along a longitudinal axis of the elongated carriage, each of the first vertical guides being adapted to engage one of the central members so as to guide the same in the vertical direction, and a support surface (153) provided

Abstract: An improved method and device for separating parts from the sheet metal carrier. In particular, a single sheet from a stack of sheets having parts micro-joined to the carrier sheet is transported to the nip of a pair of pinch rollers. The pinch rollers move down to engage the front edge of the sheet, the pinch rollers moving the sheet to the nip formed between a pair of main rollers. The main rollers then move together to the drive position and transport the sheet to a separation device on the opposite side of the main rollers. The main rollers drive the sheet material in a manner such that the top surface of the leading edge of the sheet metal is engaged below the forward tip of the separation device. The separation device is then moves downwardly so that the upper surface of the separation device assembly is level to the part pass line.

Abstract: A machine for driving inserts into pieces of sheet metal includes an automatic loading device having a plurality of cartridges containing inserts of different types. Each cartridge can be connected selectively to an insert-supply duct integral with the punch.

Abstract: The system for producing bent sheet-metal articles comprises a bending machine (80) having a punch (84) and a die (86) which cooperate with each other and define a bending space, and a manipulator (64) having a movable head (76) which can grip a piece of sheet metal and place it in the bending space. Each piece to be bent has its own gripper and the head (76) of the manipulator (64) has rapid-attachment means for gripping and releasing the gripper associated with each piece. A table for defining the position of a piece to be bent, a manipulator for gripping and moving a piece of sheet metal by means of a floating head, a bending machine comprising an auxiliary structure for measuring the relative displacement of the punch and the die, and a device for automatically replacing tools of the bending machine are also described.

Abstract: A computerized method/system is provided for planning motion of a robot within a free space confined by obstacles, from an initial position to a goal position. In executing the method/system, a plan is generated so that the robot can hold and maneuver a workpiece throughout a sequence of bending operations to be performed by a bending apparatus. A plurality of proposed movements to be made by the robot are proposed for an mth movement within a sequence of movements, and at least a portion of the robot and the obstacles that confine the free space are modeled. A determination is made as to whether a collision will occur between the robot and an obstacle for each proposed movement, and a plan is generated including the sequence of movements by choosing for each movement in the sequence of movements, a proposed movement that will not result in a collision and that will bring the robot closer to the goal position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for managing and distributing design and manufacturing information throughout a factory in order to facilitate the production of components, such as bent sheet metal components. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the management and distribution of critical design and manufacturing information is achieved by storing and distributing the design and manufacturing information associated with each job. By replacing the traditional paper job set-up or work sheet with, for example, an electronically stored job sheet that can be accessed instantaneously from any location in the factory, the present invention improves the overall efficiency of the factory. In addition, through the various aspects and features of the invention, the organization and accessibility of part information and stored expert knowledge is improved.

Abstract: A punching tool storing and interchanging system of the present invention comprises a plurality of punching tool storing magazines respectively storing the multiplicity of punching tools; a stock area stocking the plurality of punching tool storing magazines at a position apart from the punching tool holding member; an operating area positioning the punching tool storing magazine used for interchanging operation among the plurality of punching tool storing magazines near the punching tool holding member; a magazine transferring apparatus transferring the punching tool storing magazine between the stock area and the operating area; and a punching tool interchanging apparatus. The system selects the punching tool among the multiplicity of punching tools stored in the plurality of punching tool storing magazines and interchanges with the punching tool held by the punching tool holding member in the punch press.

Abstract: Two drive motors (9L, 9R) are provided on both sides of the ball screw (5), and the ball screw is driven by these two drive motors simultaneously. Therefore, the ball nut (17) attached to the worktable and in mesh with the ball screw (5) can be moved reciprocatingly to move and locate the worktable (15) on which workpiece (W) is clamped. Since the ball screw can be rotated by the two drive motors together, even if a ball screw of large lead is used, the maximum rotational speed and the maximum acceleration can be both increased, so that the workpiece can be located in position in a short time. In addition, since the torsional stress and strain generated in the ball screw can be both reduced, the locating precision can be further improved.

Abstract: A press brake for bending a sheet-shaped work between an upper tool and a lower die and a method of bending the work are provided. In the method, at first, bending angles at plural positions of the work are measured by a trial bending. Next, based on the bending angles obtained, an engagement positional relation between the upper tool and the lower die is corrected to achieve accurate bending of the work at a target bending angle in order to carry out the method, the press brake includes a control unit for calculating a D value of a distance from a bottom of the lower die to a tip of the upper tool.

Abstract: The system for producing bent sheet-metal articles comprises a bending machine (80) having a punch (84) and a die (86) which cooperate with each other and define a bending space, and a manipulator (64) having a movable head (76) which can grip a piece of sheet metal and place it in the bending space. Each piece to be bent has its own gripper and the head (76) of the manipulator (64) has rapid-attachment means for gripping and releasing the gripper associated with each piece. A table for defining the position of a piece to be bent, a manipulator for gripping and moving a piece of sheet metal by means of a floating head, a bending machine comprising an auxiliary structure for measuring the relative displacement of the punch and the die, and a device for automatically replacing tools of the bending machine are also described.

Abstract: A machine for driving inserts into pieces of sheet metal includes a punch and a die movable relative to one another along an axis along which the inserts are to be driven. The punch and die define a driving zone therebetween, in which a hole in the piece in which an insert is to be driven is positioned. The axis along which the inserts are to be driven is substantially horizontal and the pieces are held in a substantially vertical plane by an automatic handling device.

Abstract: A multiple tool is disclosed wherein during a punching process by a predetermined punch, a workpiece is not damaged by other punches not used therein. A multiple tool is mounted on a rotatable holder (7) supported in a freely rotatably driven manner on a holder body (3) such as an upper turret. The multiple tool includes a punch holder (231), and a plurality of punches (241) supported in a vertically movable manner on the punch holder, and a striker plate (261) provided in the punch holder (231) in a rotatable and vertically movable manner relative to the punch holder (231).

Abstract: A fingerpad force sensor system is disclosed which is useful for detecting process variations during manufacturing processes in which a plurality of force sensors are applied to the gripper of a robot in order to monitor shear forces applied to the workpiece held by the robot during, for example, sheet-metal bending manufacturing processes. Each sensor is encapsulated in rubber pads which are secured to the gripper of the robot such that they monitor the status of the workpiece during all phases of automated bending: material acquisition, material handling, machine loading and unloading.

Abstract: A ram driving device for a press machine having: a ram; a horizontal drive axle (33) rotatably provided horizontally in a frame (3) of the press machine; a motion converting mechanism (35, 63, 83) associated with the horizontal drive axle, for converting a rotational motion of the horizontal drive axle into up-and-down motion of the ram (29); and a plurality of servomotors (43, 47) linked with the horizontal drive axle, for rotating the horizontal drive axle in synchronism with each other, to drive the ram up and down. The motion converting mechanism is a connecting rod (35); and a link mechanism (63) driven by a ball screw (61) and a nut member (77); and an eccentric ring cam (33) and a cam follower (91). Since the ram can be driven by a plurality of the servomotors synchronously, the device can generate a large press power of various moving stroke and various moving speed freely, without increasing the maintenance cost thereof.