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 punch element is mounted for sliding movement in the guide sleeve or casing with the punch point at its lower end for forming or punching a workpiece. A stripper element is located at the lower end of the guide sleeve which defines the casing of the punch assembly, and the stripper element has an opening aligned with the punch point through which the punch point passes to engage the workpiece. A matrix placement chamber is provided within the casing between the punch point and the guide sleeve so as to at least partially surround the punch point and at least one flexible lubrication matrix body is contained in the matrix placement chamber inside the housing.

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 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 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 punch press alignment instrument has upper and lower cylindrical components that are associated for vertical displacement relative to one another. Both components have outer tool holder engaging surfaces which are to be aligned with one another so as to in turn align the tool holders of the punch press when the upper and lower components themselves are in alignment. Alignment elements, e.g., ridges and grooves provided on mating surfaces of the components confronting each other are brought into contact with one another to move the components of the instrument into mutual alignment. An alignment control member, e.g., a screw is preferably provided for progressively bringing the upper and lower components toward one another and an indicator such as a lamp, a dial indicator or an audible indicator is provided for denoting the spacing between the upper and lower components to thereby confirm the alignment of the tool holders.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for marking a sheet-shaped workpiece using a marking tool. The marking tool is mounted in a punch holder of a punch press and a counter-support is fixed in place on a side opposite of a marking surface of the workpiece to be marked. The surface of the workpiece is marked by displacing the workpiece in its plane while engaging the marking tool with the workpiece. In one form, a support roller provides counter-support. In another form, an elastic element is cooperatively associated with the punch stroke of the punch press to translate an exactly defined contact pressure force between the tool tip and the workpiece to be marked.

Abstract: A punch guide assembly includes a retaining clip for retaining the stripper plate inside the punch guide or allowing removal thereof without disassembly of any of the remaining components of the punch tool. The retaining clip is easily insertable into the punch guide and removable therefrom through an opening in the sidewall of the punch guide without the use of additional tools.

Abstract: A deforming tool for forming an elongated deformation in a planer workpiece includes cooperating upper and lower parts, a roller ball being mounted in one of the parts and cooperating with a mating element in the other part, the workpiece being engaged above and below by the two parts. The roller ball is mounted for universal movement and thus allows for sharper turns when moving the workpiece without the risk of damage to the workpiece.

Abstract: A punch unit includes a punch driver having a punch connected to it. A guide bushing receives the punch for guiding its axial displacement. A compression spring urges the punch driver rearwardly, away from the guide bushing. An intermediate member located between the guide bushing and the compression spring includes a collar, a holding member positioned concentrically inside the collar and releasable retaining means. The collar is rotatable relative to the holding member such that rotation in a first direction moves the retaining means into a locked position in which the guide bushing is prevented from moving longitudinally out of said holding member and rotation of the collar in a second direction opposite to the first direction moves the retaining means into an unlocked position in which the guide bushing is removable from the holding member.

Abstract: The punch unit comprises a punch driver connected with a punch which on its back end has a base. Furthermore, safeguarding members which keep the punch and the punch driver free of relative rotation during the stroke of the punch, and a pre-loaded compression spring which during the stroke of the punch can be compressed between the base and a guide bushing receiving the punch so that it cannot be rotated, but is axially displaceable, are part of it. To obtain a simpler and quicker assembly and disassembly of the punch it is provided that the pressure spring is maintained under pre-load in the guide bushing which is embodied as one or several pieces. A catch releasably supported on the rear end of the guide bushing and releasably engaging a recess, open toward the back, in the circumferential surface of the punch driver head prevents the punch driver head from jumping toward the back out of the guide bushing.

Abstract: The punch unit is comprised of a punch driver connected with a punch and has a base at its rear end. Securing members keep the punch and the punch driver free of relative rotation during the stroke of the punch. A pre-loaded compression spring can be compressed between the base and a guide bushing receiving the punch, so that it cannot be rotated during the stroke of the punch, but is axially displaceable.