Abstract: The invention includes a tool for adjusting the timing of eccentrics on a crankshaft connected by an infinitely variable, pressure actuated connection. In cases where there is more than a single adjustable eccentric on the crankshaft, it is preferable that all of the eccentrics display the same timing characteristics relative to the crankshaft. If one eccentric has a location or timing different than that of the other eccentrics, the tool and method is used to adjust such eccentric to place it back into its preferred location and timing relative the crankshaft and other eccentrics.

Abstract: A drive disk assembly for use in a press machine is segmented into a plurality of discrete drive disk segments each having a friction pad attached thereto. The segmented drive disk permits individual disk segments and friction pads to be removed after installation without disassembling the entire arrangement. The disk segments may grow thermally without causing the flex disk being utilized to shift axially or radially. A slot formed throughout the disk segment acts as an effective heat barrier to protect sensitive parts from undue thermal exposure.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic oil film system is disclosed for developing a lubricant film between a flywheel and an associated stationary bearing during press machine operation. Hydrostatic bearing pads formed in the inner bearing surface of the stationary bearing are used to receive pressurized fluid. A hydrodynamic effect is produced during rotation of the flywheel enabling fluid transmitted into the hydrostatic bearing pads to be provided within the clearance between the flywheel and the stationary bearing. In another aspect, an oil film is produced between the keyed sections of the stationary bearing and an adjacent bearing support block to which the stationary bearing is interengaged for anti-rotational purposes, thereby preventing pounding out of the material from the key surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for intermittently feeding a workpiece to a press, the device including a feed roll with a pinch roll opposite the feed roll, so that a workpiece may pass between the rolls. A servo screw, pinch roll actuator is connected to the pinch roll so that during apparatus operation, changes in pinch roll pressure may be developed between the pinch roll and the workpiece without causing loss of contact between the pinch roll and the workpiece. A new belt drive system and method of pinch roll control is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mechanism for guiding and controlling the clearance of slides of single or multiple slide mechanical presses. A novel gib mount assembly with at least one substantially flat bearing surface is utilized adjacent a portion of a slide to control clearance and undesired movement of the slide while sealing press lubrication oil from the area of the press where products are produced. Between the bearing surface of the gib mount and slide is created a squeeze seal oil film region to assist in controlling the clearance therebetween. One or more vacuum pressure regions are created about the boundaries of the oil film region to suction and capture any oil escaping from the oil film region thereby preventing oil contact with the stamped parts or products.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system supplies fluid to a rotatable crankshaft integrated within 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 crankshaft and provides a fluid pathway disposed in flow communication with a fluid access channel formed in the crankshaft. 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 therebetween. 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 either of the arrangements.

Abstract: An adjustment stroke connection for a mechanical press with an eccentric bushing is disposed within a press connection member with a second eccentric member disposed within the eccentric bushing. A rotatable crankshaft is connected to the second eccentric member. A mechanism is included for connecting the eccentric bushing with the press connection member to prevent rotation therebetween and permitting rotation of the second eccentric member with the eccentric bushing whereby rotation of the crankshaft, when the mechanism is activated, causes a press stroke adjustment.

Abstract: The invention includes a press having two slides disposed in opposed relationship to each other with a single crankshaft connected to each slide whereby rotation of the crankshaft causes each slide to move toward and away from the other slide. A drive mechanism is utilized to rotate the crankshaft. The drive mechanism is located under the two slides to provide protection against oil leaks. Dynamic balancers are utilized to substantially balance press inertia forces during operation, to where over 90 percent of vertical press inertia forces are balanced. By balancing such press inertial, the press may be stopped within one crankshaft revolution.

Abstract: Stock material is supplied to a machine press by a coiled material supply apparatus which utilizes a damped follower loop control system for distributing loop reaction among two separate loops so as to reduce coil material slippage and deformation caused by high material acceleration and deceleration forces caused by an intermittent feed device. Coiled material is advanced into a coil straightener section via feed rollers and is then advanced into an intermediate damped follower drive roller section, which advances the stock material toward the intermittent feed device. An electronic controller monitors loop and press positions and generates drive signals for controlling the feed rollers, the damped follower drive rollers and the intermittent feed device to maintain optimum velocity profiles of the coil material stock being advanced at each drive roller section.

Abstract: The invention includes a mounting system for a press having an elastomeric isolator operatively associated with the press bed along with an air mount isolator operatively associated with the press bed for support of the press bed relative to a floor. A monitoring mechanism is provided for activating the air mount isolator based on a predetermined condition of the press so that the press bed is supported by the elastomeric isolator before air mount isolator activation and the press bed is supported solely by the air mount isolator after activation.

Abstract: A dynamic oil control mechanism for a press including a vacuum inducing ejector or jet-pump to vacuum oil leaking from about an oil seal. The oil seal is located around the drive piston on the press slide to prevent oil migration from the press crown to the die area or slide of the press. A drain port is located about the housing in which the drive piston reciprocates. The ejector maintains a low pressure area within the drain port to pull oil leaking from the seal into the drain port and away from the drive piston. The vacuumed oil is then transferred to an oil reservoir.

Abstract: A mechanical press having a very precise shutheight control system is disclosed. The press includes a bed connected to a frame with a slide connected with the frame for reciprocating motion opposing the bed. The slide and bed together define a shutheight of the press. A drive mechanism is attached to the frame for driving the reciprocating slide, the drive mechanism includes a drive piston and a tie rod. The shutheight control system includes a chamber located between the drive piston and tie rod with a pressurizing mechanism in communication with the chamber for selectively pressurizing the chamber with a predetermined pressure. The pressurizing mechanism causes the tie rod to one of expand and contract to thereby control press shutheight.

Abstract: A mechanical bodymaker drive system for an under drive type vertical punch including a scotch yoke mechanism utilized to drive the punch. Two counterrotating cranks with counterweights are geared together to balance inertial forces on the scotch yoke driven slide. The scotch yoke mechanism, employing a slider block and slide, eliminates second harmonic inertia forces acting on the machine and allows counterrotating counterweights to totally balance inertia forces throughout the stroke. The punch is additionally hydrostatically attached to the scotch yoke mechanisms to compensate for deflections and thermal stress during operation. The hydrostatic pads eliminates the clearance between the face of the punch and the scotch yoke yet permits small lateral movements.

Abstract: A mechanical press having a very precise shutheight control system. The press includes a bed connected to a frame with a slide connected with the frame for reciprocating motion opposing the bed. The slide and bed together define a shutheight of the press. A drive mechanism is attached to the frame for driving the reciprocating slide, the drive mechanism includes a drive piston and a tie rod. The shutheight control system includes a chamber located between the drive piston and tie rod with a pressurizing mechanism in communication with the chamber for selectively pressurizing the chamber with a predetermined pressure. The pressurizing mechanism causes the tie rod to one of expand and contract to thereby control press shutheight.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a press comprising, a drive mechanism, a slide and at least two connecting rods connecting between the drive mechanism and the slide for reciprocally driving the slide. At least two fluid valves are connected to respective connecting rods and manifolded together with a hydraulic chamber disposed in or adjacent the connecting rods. An electrically adjustable proportional valve is connected to the fluid valves which operate to vary the pressure at which the fluid valves open to unload the slide. A variable system pressurizing mechanism for pressuring said chambers to a predetermined system pressure is utilized while the mechanism may unload the slide if pressure within a hydraulic chamber exceeds a predetermined system pressure. A variable relief mechanism automatically relieves pressure within the hydraulic chambers dependent on an operating state of the press.

Abstract: An oil mist eliminator filter used with a dynamic oil control mechanism consisting of a vacuum-inducing jet-pump to vacuum oil leaking from about an oil seal, an oil seal located around the drive piston on the press slide, a drain port located about the housing in which the drive piston reciprocates. The oil mist eliminator filter, downstream of the jet pump, separates the oil from the air with 99.97% efficiency allowing the cleaned air to escape freely to atmosphere without causing pressurization of the press reservoir and leaks at the press reservoir, and allowing the oil to constantly recirculate back to the press reservoir thus permitting use of the oil control system without the need to shut the oil control system off to drain accumulated leakage oil.

Abstract: A shutheight adjustment assembly of a mechanical press including an adjustment nut rotatably connected to an adjustment screw. Hydrostatic bearing pads are provided below the adjustment nut to reduce frictional forces associated with nut rotation and to provide a squeeze film thickness to withstand large press loadings. A hydraulic chamber supplied with pressurized fluid is positioned above the adjustment nut and produces a preload force on the hydrostatic bearing pads. Hydrostatic bearing pads are also arranged radially outward of the adjustment nut to radially center the nut during operation. A hydraulic chamber between the adjustment nut and screw may be furnished to resist bolster rebound during press operations.

Abstract: An inching drive system for a mechanical press including a hydraulic motor and gear mechanism, that engages the flywheel of the press. The hydraulic motor is mounted for rectilinear movement toward and away from the flywheel for selective engagement therewith and includes a gear that meshes with teeth on the periphery of the flywheel. A separate hydraulic piston/cylinder arrangement moves the inching drive system into and out of engagement with the flywheel.

Abstract: A dynamic oil control mechanism for a press including a vacuum inducing ejector or jet-pump to vacuum oil leaking from about an oil seal. The oil seal is located around the drive piston on the press slide to prevent oil migration from the press crown to the die area or slide of the press. A drain port is located about the housing in which the drive piston reciprocates. The ejector maintains a low pressure area within the drain port to pull oil leaking from the seal into the drain port and away from the drive piston. The vacuumed oil is then transferred to an oil reservoir.

Abstract: A shutheight adjustment mechanism of a mechanical press including a piston member restrained from moving vertically by a sealed liquid-filled chamber of relatively short height. The chamber acts as a stiff liquid-spring that limits deflection and movement of the piston member and ultimately the slide or bolster. Seals define the chamber to assure that the chamber is filled with liquid. The liquid-filled chamber damps free movement between parts thereby helping to resist changes in shutheight. Liquid also is injected between the piston member and both the adjustment nut and the housing. This liquid reduces torque requirements for shutheight adjustment.