Abstract: The invention provides a punch press and shearing tool which operate to provide a series of cuts linked end-to-end for severing a work piece such as a piece of sheet metal. The shearing tool includes first and second elongated, cooperating cutting blades. Each of the blades has a pair of slidably related faces that slide against one another in a plane of reciprocation. The cutting edges are oriented at a small angle, e.g. 2.degree. to 6.degree., relative to one another to sever a piece of sheet stock progressively along a line with a scissor action. An intermittent work piece advancing motor shifts the work piece toward the cutting blades and parallel to the cut when the blades are apart. Gripping members can be yieldably mounted adjacent the cutting blades to grasp and forcefully hold the work piece in place as one blade moves toward the other. Yieldable stripper members on opposite sides of the second blade engage and independently deal with the stock on opposite sides of the cut.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a punching assembly is provided which includes a punch slidably mounted in a housing. An air chamber is located between the punch and the housing for air cooling the punch, with means associated between the housing and the punch for automatically transferring air into the chamber in response to the reciprocation of the punch in the housing. The punch has a flange with a sliding fit in the housing to define a piston for changing the volume of the air chamber. In accordance with another feature of the invention, the stripper plate is removable and is automatically locked in place when inserted, i.e., it is self-locking.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a punching assembly is provided. The punch assembly preferably includes a casing or sleeve in which a punch is mounted for longitudinal sliding movement. In accordance with one feature of the invention, a stripper plate is provided adjacent the operating end of the punch. The stripper plate includes a central opening for the punch that surrounds and guides its cutting end. A retaining means is preferably provided to cover a portion of the stripper plate at times to keep the stripper within the assembly until it is to be released.

Abstract: A punch assembly is described for a punch press having a quick tool change capability. The punch assembly comprises a punch sleeve having a punch slidably mounted therein. A tang extends from the sleeve, and a bolt is connected between the tang and the punch. An ejection spring member is mounted between the tang and the bolt for yieldably biasing the bolt in the direction of the punch. An elastic retraction member is mounted in the sleeve for biasing the punch and tang toward one end of the sleeve. Means is provided for retaining the ejection spring and bolt within the punch assembly during partial disassembly thereof so that only the punch is removed during said partial disassembly while the ejection spring and bolt remain in place when the punch is withdrawn after the bolt is unscrewed from the punch. A screw-threaded punch length adjustment platen is threadedly connected between the tang and the punch for adjusting the distance that the punch extends from the punch assembly.