Abstract: A machine comprises on the one hand a mechanical working device, for working sheet material by pressing or stamping, and on the other hand a laser working device. The mechanical working device comprises a gantry hydraulic press comprising a frame, a table, an hydraulic press ram and a slide member. Several tools are stored in a storage device from which they are brought, on rails, up to the axis of the press by means of a jack. The laser working device comprises a resonator producing a laser beam which is conducted up to the axis of the press through a tube and by a reflecting mirror located on the axis of the slide member. When the laser cutting head is not in service it is retracted within one of the columns of the frame of the press, a jack producing the displacement of the cutting head. This equipment enables the carrying out, on a common axis of working, of either mechanical punching, cutting, folding, cumbering and pressing operations, or working by means of the laser.

Abstract: A protection device is provided for a machine which works sheet shaped material to stop the displacement of the machine when the protection device encounters an obstacle. The machine includes clamps which are displaced by the machine and which hold the material. The protection device includes two blades arranged parallel to each other and disposed on the machine in a loop shape surrounding each clamp. The two blades form a pair of normally open contacts of which at least the outer blade is flexible and resiliently deformable to allow the blades to be brought into contact with each other and close the contacts when the outer blade encounters the obstacle. A stop device is coupled to the normally open contacts to stop the displacement of the machine when the contacts are closed.

Abstract: The die of a punching tool has a body of relatively soft and elastically deformable material with a through hole in extension of a through hole of the die but of smaller section, corresponding to that of a punch which passes through the die with a clearance, so that as the punch is withdrawn waste pieces are retained in the body by elastic deformation.