Abstract: An automatic material loading, positioning and unloading system is disclosed in connection with a machine tool turret punch. The device includes a loader which receives a stack of sheets to be fed to the punch machine. The loader includes means for lifting the sheets one at a time from a storage area, means for transporting the sheets to a loading area of the punch worktable and means for unloading the sheets at the worktable area. The punch machine includes automatically controlled workpiece grippers which receive the sheets from the loader, properly position them with respect to the machine tool, move them in a predesired sequence through the machine and transport them to an unload area of the worktable. The unload area of the worktable is effective to discharge the punched sheets from the machine to an unload stacker. The unload stacker receives and stacks completed sheets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ensuring sheet separation of a single sheet workpiece from a stack of workpiece sheets which consists of a lifting assembly having at least three spaced sets of sheet workpiece holding suction members with at least a poriton of one set being reciprocatable in a vertical movement to cause flexure of a sheet being raised by the lifting device to cause separation of an underlying sheet which may have adhered to the sheet being lifted.

Abstract: An automatic material loading, positioning and unloading system is disclosed in connection with a machine tool turret punch. The device includes a loader which receives a stack of sheets to be fed to the punch machine. The loader includes means for lifting the sheets one at a time from a storage area, means for transporting the sheets to a loading area of the punch worktable and means for unloading the sheets at the worktable area. The punch machine includes automatically controlled workpiece grippers which receive the sheets from the loader, properly position them with respect to the machine tool, move them in a predesired sequence through the machine and transport them to an unload area of the worktable. The unload area of the worktable is effective to discharge the punched sheets from the machine to an unload stacker. The unload stacker receives and stacks completed sheets.

Abstract: A punch press having multiple punch tool rotatable turrets wherein at least one of the punch tools on each of upper and lower turrets is indexable to different angular orientations. Rotation of the indexable punch tools is accomplished by a slideably mounted motor for engagement with a timing pulley, which through a timing belt and a harmonic gear drive, acts to rotate the punch tools. A brake and position sensors are also provided. Synchronization of punch and die orientation is achieved through servos and control.