Abstract: A slide lock is adapted for positioning within the upper portion, or crown, of a stamping press adjacent its eccentric gears. The slide lock includes a hydraulically actuated, electrically controlled module pivotally mounted to the press crown and including an acme screw and pivoting nut combination, a sector gear, an eccentric, and a sliding block attached to the eccentric. Locking of the slide of the press at any position of the press stroke is initiated by the linear displacement of the slide lock module and by rotating the eccentric to lower the slide lock module toward an eccentric gear. If the sector gear is able to fully mesh with the eccentric gear, the slide lock will continue to lower, with the eccentric rotating beyond its centerline, or beyond bottom dead center, until it contacts a closed, or locked, mechanical stop. The sector gear and eccentric gear are fully in mesh with the eccentric in an axial positive mechanical locked position to prevent press eccentric gear rotation and slide movement.

Abstract: In a stamping press, an outer slide lowers an upper holding ring toward a lower holding ring for pinching the edge of a piece part for maintaining the piece part in fixed position between a lower die and a moveable upper die. Further downward displacement of the upper holding ring also moves the lower holding ring downward, stretching the piece part over the lower die. Striking of a lower die support by the lower holding ring is cushioned by gas-filled cylinders. With the stretched piece part maintained in fixed position on the lower die by the upper and lower holding rings, an inner slide then lowers the upper die toward the lower die for stamping the piece part. A drive mechanism lowers the outer and inner slides via respective pluralities of pull rods coupled to the slides. With the upper holding ring traveling at high speed at mid-stroke when it strikes the lower holding ring, a large instantaneous and momentary impact force is experienced which causes damage to press components over time.