Abstract: A cut off apparatus is provided to be in line with a roll-forming machine and sweep-forming apparatus, and is particularly adapted for adjustably receiving and perpendicularly cutting bumper-length segments from any elongated compound swept article. The cut off apparatus includes a frame having a base, support columns, an overhead support, and support braces. A movable carriage is mounted on the support columns for ascending and descending the support columns. A first arm is pivotally mounted on the carriage, and a second arm is pivotally mounted on the first arm. The first arm includes a stop block for engaging and carrying the second arm when the first arm pivots. A cutter housing is pivotally mounted on the second arm for receiving and cutting the elongated compound swept article. The carriage, first arm, second arm, and cutter housing are maintained in a substantially “weight free” state by a counterbalance means.

Abstract: A hydraulic press is provided with a fixed base and at least one rail. The hydraulic press is slidably disposed on the rail. A die is slidably mounted on the hydraulic press for operatively engaging a moving coil of material upon activation of the hydraulic press. A clamp is fixably connected with the die and is slidably mounted on the hydraulic press. The clamp has a pneumatically powered anvil which secures itself to the moving coil of material to cause the clamp and the die to move along with the moving coil of material. A first stop is disposed between the press and the die for providing engagement there between to stop relative movement between the die and the hydraulic press. An accelerator displaces the hydraulic press with respect to the base to move along with the moving coil of material. The clamp holds the material while the die engages the moving coil of material to ensure tension in the moving coil of material.

Abstract: An air filter cleanness gauge is provided. The gauge in a preferred embodiment includes a transparent cover. The housing has a first opening for fluid communication with the atmosphere and a second opening having fluid communication with a fluid source exposed to a filter. A vane is pivotally connected within the housing and provides a pressure boundary between the first and second openings. Movement of the vane indicates a change in pressure differential between the atmosphere and the fluid source, thereby indicating a need to change the air filter.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic press has a hydraulic die that is pulled to move along a work path relative to the hydraulic press by a moving coil of material. After movement the hydraulic die engages the hydraulic press and the two begin to move together. With this arrangement, the moving material only need initially overcome the inertia of the hydraulic die. The moving hydraulic die has momentum when it engages the hydraulic press, and that momentum assists in overcoming the inertia of the relatively heavy hydraulic press. A relatively thin sheet material can thus be utilized to move both the die and hydraulic press.

Abstract: A hydraulic press comprises a hydraulic drive for driving a die surface towards and away from a moving workpiece. The die surface and the hydraulic drive both move with the workpiece on rails. This is an improvement over prior art systems where only the die surface would move with the workpiece. In another aspect of the present invention a plurality of pickups also move with the hydraulic press. These pickups engage apertures in the workpiece to properly align cutting elements on the die with the workpiece. A control selectively actuates certain ones of the plurality of pickups to allow one to quickly change the size of elements formed by the die.

Abstract: A unique roll forming machine is described which includes a flare control unit for removing flares at the longitudinal ends of the part. An arbor is positioned longitudinally adjacent a pair of flare rollers, and the part moves along the arbor and flare rollers. The arbor moves through an open portion of the part, and forces the ends laterally outwardly, should they be deformed laterally inwardly from a desired location. The flare rollers are positioned longitudinally adjacent the arbor, and bend the ends of the part laterally inwardly, should they be deformed laterally outwardly from a desired shaped. Several embodiments of the invention structure are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved roll forming machine has a machine base, a mounting plate affixed to said machine base, a fixed base plate mounted to said mounting plate, and a movable base plate laterally movable with respect to said fixed base plate. A main block is mounted to said fixed base plate in which are journalled a first plurality of pairs of roller receiving shafts. Journalled to upright stands affixed to the movable base plate are a second or equal plurality of axially aligned roller receiving sleeves which fit over reduced diameter portions of the shafts and are rotated thereby. Movement of the movable base plate causes the sleeves to slide laterally on the shafts and change the width of the workpiece produced by the roll forming machine.

Abstract: The roll forming machine includes a base, a motor drive, a power transmission connected to the motor drive, a rafted roll form assembly including a raft plate and a plurality of vertically aligned power rotated longitudinally spaced pairs of complemental rolls, arranged in a set to successively and operatively receive and feed there between elongated strips of stock, and a gear train including a plurality of gears and a drive gear interconnecting the set of rolls. The transmission includes a drive shaft connected to a gear reduction box having a power rotated sleeve aligned with the drive gear of the gear train. In order to change the rafted roll form assembly including the raft plate and the set of complemental rolls carried by the raft plate to another roll form assembly for making another metal part, a quick disconnect structure is provided which includes a drive clutch on the drive gear of the gear train of the raft assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power assembly and fluid supply system for use in a two cycle air cut-off press. The power assembly includes a bell crank having first and second arms extending outwardly at an angle from a fulcrum with the bell crank being pivotally mounted opposite the fulcrum. The arms have rollers connected to them and are positioned beneath guide bars which are alternately reciprocated by power cylinders. Due to the rollers, there are no lateral forces, reducing wear. A link interconnects the bell crank with the ram plate of the press. As the bell crank oscillates about its pivotal mount, the link transfers the oscillatory movement to the ram plate as reciprocal movement. The fluid supply system of the present invention includes an adjustable three-way valve connected to a source of pressurized fluid.

Abstract: In a two cycle air cut-off press having a bed plate, guide posts, a top plate upon the posts and a ram plate guidably mounted upon the post defining with the bed plate a die set area an improved power mechanism for the ram plate including first and second cylinder assemblies mounted upon the top plate including piston rods. A bell-crank is pivotally mounted upon the top plate and pivotally connected to the piston rods. A toggle linkage including a plurality of pairs of pivotally interconnected upper and lower links at their outer ends are connected respectively to the top plate and to the ram plate. A horizontally reciprocal control arm is connected to the toggle linkage and to the bell-crank whereby on alternate reciprocal movements of the piston rods and reciprocal pivotal movements of the bell-crank, the control arm is reciprocated and through the linkage effects reciprocal vertical movements of the ram plate.

Abstract: In a roll forming machine having a base, a motor drive, a gear drive transmission connected to the motor drive and a plurality of vertically aligned longitudinally spaced pairs of complimental pass forming rolls of progressive different shapes respectively arranged in a longitudinal set to successively receive, feed and form therebetween an elongated strip of stock in a continuous operation. Gear means interconnect the transmission and forming rolls for rotation thereof in unison. A rotatable turret mount assembly is provided to support a plurality of radially extending preset sets of form roll tooling, with each set being adapted for a different form of final product. The turret mount assembly is adapted for selected limited rotation upon a longitudinal axis to rapidly place any one of the plurality of preset sets of tooling in its operational position.