Abstract: A wet-type flywheel brake system for use in a mechanical press includes a first and second brake assembly each installed within a respective brake housing space defined in a non-rotational quill. Each of the brake assemblies includes a brake lining element arranged in lateral facing relationship with the flywheel and an associated hydraulic seal-type piston that selectively moves the brake lining element into a friction-type braking engagement with the flywheel. The brake housing spaces are flooded with oil to immerse the brake lining elements. Oil for this purpose is provided from a flywheel bearing assembly integrated with the quill assembly and which is arranged for fluid communication with the quill-located brake housing spaces.

Abstract: A mechanical press having a wet clutch/brake assembly. The wet clutch/brake assembly is cooled and lubricated using a recirculating flow of lubricant. The entire press acts as a heat sink for the recirculating lubricant and effectively cools and lubricates the clutch/brake assembly. The recirculating flow of lubricant can be formed from press lubricant.

Abstract: A mechanical press having a variable drive arrangement. The press includes a link drive which drives a crankshaft. The drive altering mechanism includes adjustment means which changes the position of the link drive, thereby altering the drive mechanism of the mechanical press and the corresponding velocity curve of the press slide.

Abstract: An hydraulic piston-cylinder assembly configured within a press machine enables adjustments to be made to the shutheight parameter through changes in the positioning of the bed in accordance with hydraulic pressure variations in the piston-cylinder assembly. The cylinder device, which is arranged to be reversibly movable with respect to the piston device under the influence of the pressure variations, is coupled to the bed such that movements of the cylinder device induce a corresponding displacement of the bed, thereby changing the shutheight. The piston device is characterized by a property of tensile elasticity in at least one dimension thereof substantially coincident with the shutheight dimension. Accordingly, in one operating mode, there may be effectuated a reversible displacement of the cylinder device beyond its established range-of-motion by changing the hydraulic pressurization of the piston-cylinder assembly in a manner sufficient to induce an elastic tensile effect in the piston device.

Abstract: A mechanical press having a press deflection controller. The press includes press members which have work surfaces, such as a slide and a bed. The press deflection controller includes a tie rod which is encased in a tube. The tie rod is connected to the press member and is maintained in tension while the tube is maintained in compression. Adjusting the tension in the tie rod during press operation works to adjust deflection in the press member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically controlling the clutch torque of a mechanical press is utilized to lessen the impact of a die wreck condition. Press machine operation is continually monitored including slippage of the engaged clutch relative to the flywheel. The clutch is initially engaged at full engagement pressure. Clutch engagement pressure is then reduced until clutch slippage occurs. At the point at which clutch slippage occurs, clutch engagement pressure is increased until clutch slippage is eliminated. Clutch slippage continues to be monitored and if clutch slippage occurs again, a press fault is indicated. Since the operating tonnage of the mechanical press is kept to a minimum, press damage due to a die wreck is minimized.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a hand held device attachable to a mechanical press to measure press conditions. 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. A multi-contact switch connect the acceleration, velocity, and displacement processing circuitry together permitting an operator to select one of the calculated signals for input to the display circuitry. A method of utilization of the device is also described.

Abstract: A current monitoring system for an electric motor, whereby the current is halted to the motor if the electrical load exceeds calculated electrical load limits. The system includes a current measuring device, sensors for detecting operational functions, a system for setting an electrical current limit setpoint, and a switch for halting application of electrical current to the motor. A method of halting an electrical motor if the electrical load exceeds a calculated electrical current limit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plurality of hydrostatic bearing pads are each integrally formed in a respective pin or journal member being used within a mechanical press machine. The hydrostatic bearing pads are supplied with pressurized fluid sufficient to create a combined hydrostatic and hydrodynamic effect between the opposed bearing surfaces of the pin and an associated bushing. The hydrostatic bearing pads are used in conjunction with rotational and oscillating bearings in which relatively little rotation, oscillation, or slow rotational speeds exist or where it is desired to minimize the effects of hydrodynamic action which creates bearing “lift off” on journal bearings. These types of bearings are particularly associated with crankshaft and connection journal bearings, connection pins, and pivot pins used by a rocker-type coupling assembly that couples a weight assembly to the press machine piston or slide assembly or drive assembly.

Abstract: A drive rod composed of segments joined together to form a single length for use in a mechanical press. The individual drive rod segments may be separated for ease of assembly into the mechanical press or for servicing the mechanical press. In addition, a split locating collar is used for removably attaching the drive rod to the upper slide of a mechanical press. Drive rod length and slide shutheight may be changed by utilizing spacer elements.

Abstract: A mechanical press having a variable drive arrangement. The press includes a main gear which drives a crankshaft. The drive altering mechanism includes a two piece crown with the main gear connected to the upper crown and the crankshaft connected to the lower crown. Movement of one piece of the crown relative to the other varies the distance between the crankshaft center line and the main gear center line, thereby altering the drive mechanism of the mechanical press and the velocity curve of the press slide.

Abstract: A wet-type flywheel brake system for use in a mechanical press includes a first and second brake assembly each installed within a respective brake housing space defined in a non-rotational quill. Each of the brake assemblies includes a brake lining element arranged in lateral facing relationship with the flywheel and an associated hydraulic seal-type piston that selectively moves the brake lining element into a friction-type braking engagement with the flywheel. The brake housing spaces are flooded with oil to immerse the brake lining elements. Oil for this purpose is provided from a flywheel bearing assembly integrated with the quill assembly and which is arranged for fluid communication with the quill-located brake housing spaces.

Abstract: A press monitoring system includes an electronic processor for accessing a communication network connected to the processor. A sensor is used for measuring a desired quality of the press connected to the electronic processor. The processor sends the communication network corresponding to the measured quality. A remote unit connected to the communication network is adapted to accept the signal from the electronic processor, and to display the measured quality of the press, whereby the press may be monitored remotely during a production run.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically monitoring in real-time the operation of a press machine and tooling during actual production operations, in order to evaluate the true interaction between actual vibration activity occurring at multiple locations within the press machine geometry. A configuration of accelerometers is used to acquire measurement data indicating the acceleration of the press machine and for tooling at a plurality of press machine locations. An integrator converts the acceleration data into displacement data representing the displacement activity of the press machine at the indicated machine locations. Filtering the displacement data provides deflection measurements representing the vibrational activity occurring at the relevant machine and tooling location. Measurements of the relative press motion activity between selected machine locations provide an indication of the influence that deflection activity occurring at respective press machine locations has on one another.

Abstract: A coupling device joins and axially aligns segments of a driveshaft or other shaft to form one, continuous length, shaft for use in a machine press.

Abstract: A mechanical press having a wet or oil shear clutch/brake drive unit is provided including elimination of undamped clearances. Lubrication oil utilized in the press flywheel bearing is ported and communicated into the clutch brake unit for use therein, eliminating the use of two separate lubrication or oil transport systems. A hydrostatic oil bearing on the brake/clutch actuator member (actuation plate) eliminates the use or need of an anti-friction bearing between the actuator member and the brake and clutch members.

Abstract: A flywheel quill with thrust plate and axial rotor guiding. Bronze thrust plates are attached to the hub of a flywheel and hydrostatic pads secured to the frame of a press are adjoining the bronze thrust plates, such that axial motion of the flywheel with attached thrust plates is limited and reduced.

Abstract: A guide system for a dynamic balancer for use in a mechanical press. This system includes a dynamic balancer weight which reciprocates along a longitudinal axis and guiding means for preventing rotation of the balancer weight about the balancer weights reciprocal pathway longitudinal axis. In one particular embodiment, the system includes a guide post attached to the balancer weight and a "U"-shaped weight guide circumferentially located about the guide post whereby preventing rotational movement of the balancer weight around the guide post.

Abstract: A system for use in a press machine includes a drive assembly in the form of a pinion gear that selectively engages the flywheel to enable operative driving rotation of the pinion gear by the flywheel. A load system in the form of a hydraulic pump is arranged in operative driving relationship with the pinion gear. Accordingly, rotational energy withdrawn from the flywheel becomes available for use in driving the hydraulic pump, which is preferably arranged in fluid communication with the press machine to supply a flow of oil for lubrication purposes. An adjustment assembly is arranged to controllably reversibly displace the pinion gear to effect its selective engagement with the flywheel. The pinion gear is provided with a geared peripheral surface for intermeshing engagement with the flywheel at a geared periphery thereof. The system may also be operated in reverse to drive the flywheel.

Abstract: A tag for use in a press machine includes a reprogrammable storage area provided in the form of a read/write memory for storing reprogrammable die information associated with the die assembly. A communications device provided in the form of a transceiver transmits die data supplied by the read/write memory and receives data for storage in the read/write memory. The tag, which is integrally attached to one of the die members, establishes a wireless bi-directional communications link with a production monitoring system provided in the form of a reader module integrally associated with the press machine. The reader includes a transceiver arranged for RF communication with the tag transceiver. Die data received by the reader from the tag is supplied to a press controller, which may also provide the reader with information to transmit to the tag.