Abstract: An automated die transfer system for location adjacent to one end of a press brake bed. It includes an upper and lower tier storage rack for storing a die, or for transferring a die to a press brake bed. The racks may have different widths, and rollers spaced along their length. A wheeled carriage on rails carries the storage rack. A first drive motor moves the carriage horizontally along the tracks, while a second drive motor is linked to a drive for raising and lowering the storage rack. A control system, which includes a multi-axis axis control, is connected to both motors. The control panel is mounted on a hinged support arm. In use, the control panel is pivoted to the front of the press brake, turned on, and the multi-axis control is used to control the first drive motor to move the carriage into alignment with one end of a press brake bed, and is then used to control the second drive motor to cause the storage rack to move vertically adjacent to the end of the press brake bed.

Abstract: A counter-balanced pressure sensor for sensing a package carried by a belt-driven carrying roller conveyor includes a pivot support with a sensing roller attached. The sensing roller is deflected downward by the passage of the package on the conveyor, causing the pivot support to pivot downward, causing a feeler arm attached to the pivot support to contact a sensitive whisker valve mounted beneath the conveyor top surface. The conveyor includes a plurality of zones, all but one of which has one of the pressure sensors. When the pressure sensors in one or more succeeding zones detect the presence of a package in each of their associated zones, the belt drive in a preceding zone is disconnected from the rollers in that zone, putting the preceding zone into an accumulation mode. Each pressure sensor is sensitivity adjustable by adjusting a threaded connector for a counter balance positioned opposite the sensing roller on the pivot support.

Abstract: This device assists with the disengagement from and installation of a press brake die on a press brake. It includes a die receiving and holding device having a surface along which are located a number of spaced apart openings, each opening terminating at the surface of the press brake, adjacent to any press brake die which is in the press brake. Devices for engaging the bottom of a die are located within each opening, normally below the surface, but capable of movement out of the opening and above the surface. When the devices for engaging the die are moved out of their openings they engage the bottom of any die which is present, and move it away from the surace of the press brake. The system includes a mechanism for activating the movement of each die engaging device above the surface, and also for moving each die engaging device back below the surface of the press brake.