Abstract: A machine tool apparatus for a press brake, folding press or punch press system includes a tool holder body having a receiving portion configured for selective engagement with a coupling end of a machine tool. The apparatus also includes a magnetic coupling assembly comprising one or more magnetic elements configured to generate a magnetic coupling adapted for the selective engagement of the tool holder body with the coupling end of the machine tool. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include an actuator configured to manipulate at least one of the magnetic elements to modulate the strength of the magnetic coupling for selective engagement and disengagement of the tool holder body with the coupling end of the machine tool.

Abstract: A punch system or assembly includes a punch body and a punch tip or insert with a working end and a stem configured for selective engagement and disengagement within a cavity in the punch body. A latch mechanism which can be operated without tools is configured to engage the punch tip stem within the axial cavity in a closed position, and to disengage the punch tip from the punch body in an open position.

Abstract: A punch assembly includes a punch body having an axis and a replaceable punch tip configured for a punching operation, e.g., in a punch press apparatus. A laterally manipulated coupling pin is provided to selectively engage the punch tip with the punch body along the axis, and to selective disengage the punch tip from the punch body.

Abstract: A punch assembly for a turret-type punch press includes an outer guide sleeve having an inner bore in which a punch shank fits for reciprocating but not rotating movement. The punch shank has a concentric, downward opening formed in a lower end in which is received a head portion of an insert that has a punch point formed on it. Built into the shank is a latching mechanism for releasably wedging and thereby securing the insert to the lower end of the shank.

Abstract: A multiple punch and die assembly body member has dies or strippers that are held within multiple pockets in a multipunch body member by means of a centrally positioned retaining member formed from a rigid or flexible material located in a central recess at the middle of a ring of the surrounding dies or strippers. The retaining member is preferably held in place by a push plate that can be secured to the multipunch body member by a tightening element, e.g., a screw fastener for pressing the peripheral surface of the retainer member into engagement with the dies or strippers to hold them in their respective pockets in the multipunch body member.

Abstract: A punch assembly for a hydraulic punch press machine that affords the ability to compensate for punch point metal loss due to resharpening by facilitating accurate repositioning of the punch point relative to an aperture in a stripper plate through which the punch point member projects during a stamping stroke of the punch assembly.

Abstract: A punch assembly for a turret punch press having a two piece reciprocally movable punch member that has a punch point insert removably attached to a punch driver that allows replacement of the punch point insert without the need to extract the punch member from its punch guide. A locking assembly having four vertical guideways containing slider strips for coupling the punch point insert to the punch driver ensures precision registration of the punch point insert with its driver.

Abstract: A punch assembly for a hydraulic punch press machine that affords the ability to compensate for punch point metal loss due to resharpening by facilitating accurate repositioning of the punch point relative to an aperture in a stripper plate through which the punch point member projects during a stamping stroke of the punch assembly.

Abstract: A formation tool is used for deforming sheet metal on punching machines. The formation tool has an upper or top die tool and a lower or bottom die tool. Toward the top die, there is an upper mold insert movable relative to a holding-down device, and toward the bottom die, a lower mold insert movable relative to a stripper plate. The deformation of the metal sheet is effected upward with respect to a punching stroke plane. The formation tool has a lifting device for aiding in lifting the lower mold insert from an initial position which is at or below the punch stroke plane before a deforming operation, to a level above the punching stroke plane.

Abstract: A multiple punch and multiple die assembly has a workpiece protector as a punch lifter that is operatively associated with each punch for supporting each of the punches in an inactive position as an active punch is moved by the ram to the active, i.e. operating position to thereby eliminate scoring or marking of the sheet material or other workpiece that is being punched. To eliminate the need for hand tools and hand assembly or disassembly, a manually moveable retainer on the punch assembly is provided that can be moved by hand between a punch-releasing and punch-retaining position for holding the punches within the multi-punch assembly during operation. To prevent stress fractures that formerly occurred in die carriers, support of each die is distributed between two different die components thereby reducing impact stress on the carrier as the ram drives the punch through the workpiece.

Abstract: A multiple punch and die assembly adapted to a punch press for carrying out a punching or forming operation comprises a punch assembly for holding a plurality of selectively operable punches that selectively engage a workpiece. The punch assembly has a punch carrier for reciprocal motion within a punch guide and a striker body engaging the punch carrier, said striker body being selectively, toollessly connectable to the punch carrier while permitting relative rotation of the striker body and punch carrier to select a punch for engagement by the striker. A detent means releasably positions the striker body in one of a plurality of operating positions, at which a punch is positioned for being struck selectively by the ram via the striker body such that one punch is driven to an operating position when at least one other punch is inactive, the inactive punches engageable by a lock plate.

Abstract: A multiple punch and multiple die assembly has a workpiece protector which is a punch lifter that is operatively associated with each punch for supporting each of the punches in an inactive position as an active punch is moved by the ram to the active, i.e. operating position to thereby eliminate scoring or marking of the sheet material or other workpiece that is being punched. To eliminate the need for hand tools and hand assembly or disassembly, a manually moveable retainer on the punch assembly is provided that can be moved by hand between a punch-releasing and punch-retaining position for holding the punches within the multi-punch assembly during operation. To prevent stress fractures that formerly occurred in die carriers, support of each die is distributed between two different die components thereby reducing impact stress on the carrier as the ram drives the punch through the workpiece.

Abstract: A multiple punch and multiple die assembly has a workpiece protector as a punch lifter that is operatively associated with each punch for supporting each of the punches in an inactive position as an active punch is moved by the ram to the active, i.e. operating position to thereby eliminate scoring or marking of the sheet material or other workpiece that is being punched. To eliminate the need for hand tools and hand assembly or disassembly, a manually moveable retainer on the punch assembly is provided that can be moved by hand between a punch-releasing and punch-retaining position for holding the punches within the multi-punch assembly during operation. To prevent stress fractures that formerly occurred in die carriers, support of each die is distributed between two different die components thereby reducing impact stress on the carrier as the ram drives the punch through the workpiece.

Abstract: A split ring alignment ring for holding a punch has a split ring by which the alignment ring can be tightened onto the punch shaft. The alignment ring has a pair of radially aligned cut outs, on its inner circumference and are on its out circumference. A pin on the tool shaft engages the inner cut out to fix the tool against rotational movement relative to the ring. A second pin projects axially from the top of a punch point of the tool to engage the outer cut out, also to prevent rotational movement relative to the ring.

Abstract: A punching tool has a guided, axially displaceable die plunger, which is fixed against relative rotation, in a guide bushing. In a bore in its front end a punching die is seated. During the punching stroke the punching die rests against a front face of the die plunger and is axially fixed in place by means of one or several snap-in balls each of which is seated in a transverse bore, which snap-in balls are maintained in engagement with an annular groove by means of a resilient ring in the die plunger. The outer diameter of the resilient ring is only slightly less in the engagement position than the inner diameter of the guide bushing and can be resiliently widened for releasing the punching die outside of the guide bushing.

Abstract: A punch assembly for a punch press has a punch housing with a punch that is slideably mounted for reciprocation along punch axis within the punch housing and at least one resilient member in the housing for yieldably biasing the punch upwardly in the housing along the punch axis. A punch length adjustment subassembly is provided in the punch housing. The subassembly has a base member that is slideable axially but non-rotatably mounted within the housing and a punch head member having an upper end that is positioned to be struck by a punch ram of a punch press for driving the punch downwardly to an operating position. The punch head is mounted for rotation on the punch axis relative to the base member but is held against axial movement relative to the base member.

Abstract: A punch press tool for stamping successive multicharacter impressions into a workpiece such as a piece of steel, sheet metal, or other workpiece, includes a guide body in which a stamp driver is slidably mounted for being driven downwardly toward the workpiece by a punch press ram which is a standard part of a high speed commercial punch press. A multicharacter marking stamp is supported at the lower end of the stamp driver for reciprocal movement therewith. The marking stamp includes multicharacter wheels that are rotated automatically during operation for advancing characters in sequence responsive to the movement of a character advancing arm. At least one character stamp operating lever is operatively associated with the punch press tool for articulation responsive to motion imparted to the tool by the ram.

Abstract: A tapping tool having a guide body, a driver for longitudinal movement of a tap within the guide body, and a pump for lubricating the tap. A keyway in the outer body of guide body mates with an indexing key in a rotatable indexing holder of a turret press, which causes the guide body to rotate in sync with the turret press. A driver cylinder is centrally disposed in the guide body. The driver is adapted for sliding, mating engagement within the driver cylinder. A chamber in the lubrication pump holds the lubrication which is ejected by the pump onto the tap. Lubrication is ejected onto the tap through a normally closed ejector inlet that is opened by downward movement of a plunge pin against the lubrication in the chamber. The ejector is sized to restrict the flow of lubrication from the ejector outlet, which creates back pressure in the lubrication chamber. The back pressure forces a ball to close the lubrication conduit when the plunge pin moves downward.

Abstract: A multiple punch and multiple die assembly has a workpiece protector comprising a punch lifter that is operatively associated with each punch for supporting each of the punches in an inactive position as an active punch is moved by the ram to the active, i.e. operating position to thereby eliminate scoring or marking of the sheet material or other workpiece that is being punched. To eliminate the need for hand tools and hand assembly or disassembly, a manually moveable retainer on the punch assembly is provided that can be moved by hand between a punch-releasing and punch-retaining position for holding the punches within the multi-punch assembly during operation. To prevent stress fractures that formerly occurred in die carriers, support of each die is distributed between two different die components thereby reducing impact stress on the carrier as the ram drives the punch through the workpiece.

Abstract: A multiple punch and multiple die assembly has a workpiece protector which is a punch lifter that is operatively associated with each punch for supporting each of the punches in an inactive position as an active punch is moved by the ram to the active, i.e. operating position to thereby eliminate scoring or marking of the sheet material or other workpiece that is being punched. To eliminate the need for hand tools and hand assembly or disassembly, a manually moveable retainer on the punch assembly is provided that can be moved by hand between a punch-releasing and punch-retaining position for holding the punches within the multi-punch assembly during operation. To prevent stress fractures that formerly occurred in die carriers, support of each die is distributed between two different die components thereby reducing impact stress on the carrier as the ram drives the punch through the workpiece.