Abstract: A press assembly includes an elongated guide, and a ram that is at least partially mounted to the elongated guide and axially movable relative to the elongated guide. A fabricating tool is disposed at an outboard end portion of the ram. The ram including an internal chamber. A cylinder is disposed within an internal chamber of the ram and is secured to the ram such that the cylinder is fixed relative to the ram axially and rotationally so that the cylinder and ram move in unison. A spindle having a driving end region and a driven end region opposite the driving end region is disposed at least partially within a cylindrical bore of the cylinder. A motor is adapted to rotate the driving end region of the spindle to effect an axial displacement of the cylinder and the ram.

Abstract: A press assembly includes an elongated guide, and a ram that is at least partially mounted to the elongated guide and axially movable relative to the elongated guide. A fabricating tool is disposed at an outboard end portion of the ram. The ram including an internal chamber. A cylinder is disposed within an internal chamber of the ram and is secured to the ram such that the cylinder is fixed relative to the ram axially and rotationally so that the cylinder and ram move in unison. A spindle having a driving end region and a driven end region opposite the driving end region is disposed at least partially within a cylindrical bore of the cylinder. A motor is adapted to rotate the driving end region of the spindle to effect an axial displacement of the cylinder and the ram.

Abstract: A gag bar with a cam surface is used to reciprocate a kicker pin in a ram-driven punch assembly into the bore of a pierce nut in a pre-mounting position. The kicker pin and punch assembly are thereafter driven toward a workpiece to install the pierce nut in the workpiece and to fully separate a slug formed during the pierce nut entry from the workpiece. The gag bar and punch are thereafter reciprocated to allow the next pierce nut to be put in position.