Abstract: A forging press for producing flashless forgings from metal billets or pre-forms has a die-head (26) slidably mounted in a press-head (10) whereby it may retract into the press-head if a predetermined pressure on the die-head is reached or exceeded during the forging stroke. The die-head (26) is slidably mounted in a bore (30) containing hydraulic fluid and connected via conduits (38) and pressure relief valves (40) to a hydraulic reservoir (32). A die cavity for the billet or pre-form is defined between relatively movable die halves (16) and (18).

Abstract: A mechanical handling device comprises a carriage reciprocable between a loading station and an unloading station, stationary and movable grip members on the carriage, each including two independent grip faces so arranged that there are two pairs of grip faces with each pair comprising a stationary and a movable face, and an actuator for moving the movable grip member to grip a workpiece by either one of the pairs of faces. The movable grip member may include a rotatable shaft having two arms extending in opposite directions with a jaw at the end of each arm, and the fixed grip member comprise a bar between the jaws so that rotation of the shaft in either direction brings one of the pairs of gripping faces into operation.The device is particularly applicable to the loading and unloading of billets in relation to a circular rotary hearth furnace.