Abstract: A system monitors vibration activity in a press machine environment and generates a signal indicative of vibration level severity. An accelerometer can provide measured peak acceleration data that serves as an indication of vibration level. The vibration measurement, is compared to a reference vibration level that corresponds to a run condition of desired operating parameters. A controller controls the press machine shutheight in accordance with the differential expressed in the comparison result. The consequent shutheight adjustment effects a change in the vibration activity that acts as a correction to the deviation in vibration behavior expressed by the differential.

Abstract: An adjustment stroke connection for a mechanical press includes an eccentric bushing disposed within a press connection member and an eccentric crankshaft member disposed within the eccentric bushing. A rotatable crankshaft is connected to the eccentric member. A mechanism is provided for connecting the eccentric bushing with the press connection member in a manner that prevents rotation therebetween and concurrently permits rotation of the eccentric member relative to the eccentric bushing. When the mechanism is activated, driving rotation of the crankshaft produces a press stroke adjustment. A torque actuator delivers equal driving torque to plural eccentric crankshaft members to enable minimization of relative bushing angle slip. Suitable control of the bushing angle and slide position crank angle during bushing expansion and contraction also minimizes relative bushing angle slip.

Abstract: A guide system is provided to slidingly guide a reciprocating dynamic balancer weight within a press machine. An elongate stationary guide rail is disposed within a vertical channel formed at one side of the balancer mass. In this configuration, the guide rail is arranged in guide support relationship to the balancer mass. An arrangement of wear plates is mounted to the guide rail to provide additional bearing support to the reciprocating balancer mass. An arrangement of hydrostatic pads is mounted to the guide rail in facing opposition to the balancer mass to enable the formation of a hydrodynamic/hydrostatic lubricating action therebetween during reciprocation of the balancer mass. A machined steel plate is secured to the balancer mass at the same side where the guide rail is located and includes a set of lateral apertures formed therethrough that receive guide support members extending therethrough. The guide support members anchor the guide rail to the press crown.

Abstract: An adjustment stroke connection for a mechanical press includes an eccentric bushing disposed within a press connection member and an eccentric crankshaft member disposed within the eccentric bushing. A rotatable crankshaft is connected to the eccentric member. A mechanism is provided for connecting the eccentric bushing with the press connection member in a manner that prevents rotation therebetween and concurrently permits rotation of the eccentric member relative to the eccentric bushing. When the mechanism is activated, driving rotation of the crankshaft produces a press stroke adjustment. A torque actuator delivers equal driving torque to plural eccentric crankshaft members to enable minimization of relative bushing angle slip. Suitable control of the bushing angle and slide position crank angle during bushing expansion and contraction also minimizes relative bushing angle slip.

Abstract: An instrument system for a press machine environment includes a monitoring apparatus to determine the flywheel speed, slide speed, and slide displacement relative to, for example, Top Dead Center. These measurements are used to determine the energy consumed by the slide as a function of slide displacement as its travels during its work stroke. A piston-cylinder combination is disposed at a die location to emulate a die set and to facilitate a determination of the load developed by the slide as it actuates movement of the piston. A computation of the work produced by the slide during piston movement can be determined on the basis of measurements of piston displacement and slide-induced pressure applied to the piston. A display plots various graphs to depict slide energy, slide work, and flywheel speed as a function of slide displacement.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the force severity of a mechanical press able to do so without utilizing a contact force sensor. The method continually computes values of dynamic deflection for the press being monitored and utilizes these values to compute load on the press at any point in time. Also provided is a method and apparatus for generating a theoretical slide displacement curve and an actual displacement curve as well as a system for comparing such curves.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system supplies two or more fluids to a rotatable shaft integrated within a device such as a mechanical press and develops damped clearance spaces at the bearing surfaces of the fluid coupling device. In one arrangement, a rotary union is adapted for driving rotation by the shaft and provides two fluid pathways disposed in flow communication with a fluid access channel formed in the shaft. Bearing support is provided by an oil film present within a clearance space defined between the rotary union and a stationary housing disposed thereabout. In another arrangement, a stationary fluid transfer device is adapted for non-rotation and disposed within a crankshaft cavity to define a clearance space there between. A fluid pathway formed therein communicates fluid to the crankshaft access channel. Bearing support is provided by an oil film present in the clearance space. There are no sliding face seals in the arrangements.

Abstract: An instrument system for a press machine environment includes a monitoring apparatus to determine the flywheel speed, slide speed, and slide displacement relative to, for example, Top Dead Center. These measurements are used to determine the energy consumed by the slide as a function of slide displacement as its travels during its work stroke. A piston-cylinder combination is disposed at a die location to emulate a die set and to facilitate a determination of the load developed by the slide as it actuates movement of the piston. A computation of the work produced by the slide during piston movement can be determined on the basis of measurements of piston displacement and slide-induced pressure applied to the piston. A display plots various graphs to depict slide energy, slide work, and flywheel speed as a function of slide displacement.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a monitoring system device attachable to a mechanical press, to measure long term reliability press conditions while in production operation. The device includes signal processing circuitry for processing a corresponding signal developed from an accelerometer. The signal processing circuitry has acceleration processing circuitry for calculating a press acceleration signal, a velocity processing circuitry for calculating a press velocity signal, and displacement processing circuitry for calculating a press displacement signal. Display circuitry is used for displaying at least one of said calculated signals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring, comparing, calculating, storing, transmitting, and billing durable goods operating usage fee for equipment based on the type amount and location of usage amount of usage, location of usage, of the equipment. Based on the type of usage, a discount or penalty can be added to the equipment usage fee based upon predetermined depreciation levels. Also, an equipment availability fee can be added to the equipment usage fee.

Abstract: A shutheight adjustment system incorporating tie rods and accompanying hydraulic tie rod nut assemblies in connecting a bed to a bolster of a mechanical press for dynamically altering the tensioning of the tie rods. Each hydraulic tie rod nut assembly includes a cylinder with an inner sliding piston threadably engaging the tie rod. A pressurizing mechanism injects pressurized fluid within a chamber formed by the piston and cylinder. By increasing pressure within the chamber of the hydraulic tie rod nut assembly, compression between the press bed and press bolster may be increased, thereby increasing the press shutheight.

Abstract: A shutheight adjustment system incorporating tie rods and accompanying hydraulic tie rod nut assemblies in connecting a bed to a bolster of a mechanical press for dynamically altering the tensioning of the tie rods. Each hydraulic tie rod nut assembly includes a cylinder with an inner sliding piston threadably engaging the tie rod. A pressurizing mechanism injects pressurized fluid within a chamber formed by the piston and cylinder. By increasing pressure within the chamber of the hydraulic tie rod nut assembly, compression between the press bed and press bolster may be increased, thereby increasing the press shutheight.

Abstract: An auto-positioning inching control for a mechanical press allows a press operator to select one of a plurality of preset slide stop zones in which the slide may be stopped. A programmable logic controller is utilized to compute values of clutch dropout which will operatively position the slide in one of a plurality of preselected slide stop zones. An additional inching mechanism may be utilized for further movement of the slide within the preselected slide stop zone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring die penetration depth of a mechanical press which does not directly measure die penetration depth is disclosed. Actual slide displacement curves under load conditions are continually generated for the press being monitored. The point at which the slide contacts the stock material, the dynamic die bottom dead center point of the slide, and the material thickness are utilized to compute actual die penetration depth. Additionally, theoretical die penetration depth may be calculated using values of theoretical contact point, theoretical bottom dead center and material hardness. Computed values of actual and theoretical die penetration depth as well as corresponding press operational parameters are stored in a database and provide a means of predicting die penetration depth for a particular operational condition of a mechanical press.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a press machine eliminates the free clearances present between the threaded portions of a screw and adjustment nut assembled in a shutheight adjustment mechanism. A hydraulic assembly directs a pressurized fluid against an outer periphery of the adjustment nut to effectively compress the adjustment nut and cause its threaded portion to be displaced into interlocking engagement with the threaded portion of the screw. Alternatively, the hydraulic assembly may be arranged to hydraulically pressurize an interior space of the screw to effectively expand the screw and cause its threaded portion to be displaced into interlocking engagement with the threaded portion of the adjustment nut.

Abstract: An infinite variable slide motion for a mechanical power press is achieved by use of a differential located on the press drive system. Differential movement means are employed to rotate the differential relative to the drive system so that the output of the differential may be increased or decreased relative to the drive system.

Abstract: A feedback control system for use in a press machine is adapted to monitor and adjust the clearance between the gib and slide. A pressurized chamber, such as a hydraulic piston-cylinder combination is disposed in actuating relationship to the gib. Selective pressurization of the piston-cylinder induces a controlled displacement of the gib towards or away from the slide, thereby regulating the spatial relationship therebetween. A sensor provides a measure of any possible clearance between the gib and slide. The clearance measurement is compared to allowable reference data. A controller controls the pressurization of the chamber in accordance with the comparison results, thereby controllably moving the gib. The gib may be selectively displaced to optionally effectuate a minimal clearance condition.

Abstract: An adjustable clamping mechanism includes a slider block annularly disposed about a rod device within a mechanical press. The mechanism utilizes a press or interference fit connection between the components. During operation, high-pressure oil is injected into the location between the slider block and rod, thereby relieving the press fit and making it possible to have relative movement therebetween. An actuator causes selective linear displacement of the slider block along the longitudinal axis of the stationary rod during the release condition. Once the slider block is repositioned, the high-pressure oil is removed, which reactivates the press fit connection and causes the slider block to once again lock up against the rod and prevent movement therebetween.

Abstract: A press die certification system for certifying a press die including a vibration severity monitor operationally connected to the press die to be certified, the monitor creating output containing vibration severity data and press run speed data. Software is utilized for creating a die certificate and die certificate data, calculated on monitor output data obtained from data memory and from press setup information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for adjusting the stroke length of a slide in a press. A sleeve works as a fluid bearing in relation to a shaft. Upon applying pressure to the sleeve, the sleeve creates an interference fit with the shaft. Once the interference fit exists, the position of the shaft can be adjusted to change the stroke length of the slide in the press.