Abstract: The invention comprises a bridge frame for a transfer press. In one aspect of the invention, a bridge frame includes a first plurality of horizontal beams operable to receive a press bed, a second plurality of horizontal beams disposed outwardly from the press bed and operable to receive a crown capable of moving a slide vertically relative to the press bed and the crown, and a plurality of vertical support structures disposed between the first and second plurality of horizontal beams and supporting the second plurality of horizontal beams.

Abstract: The invention comprises a bridge press, a method of assembling a bridge press, and a method of forming a work piece using a bridge press. In one aspect of the invention, a bridge press includes a first plurality of horizontal beams, a plurality of vertical support structures disposed outwardly from the first plurality of horizontal beams, and a second plurality of horizontal beams disposed outwardly from and supported by the plurality of vertical support structures. The invention further comprises a press bed disposed outwardly from the first plurality of horizontal beams and supported, at least in part, by the first plurality of horizontal beams, a crown disposed outwardly from the second plurality of horizontal beams and supported, at least in part, by the second plurality of horizontal beams, and a slide disposed between the press bed and the crown, the slide coupled to the crown and operable to move vertically relative to the bed.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus for supporting one or more dies used in a transfer press. In one aspect of the invention, the press die support structure comprises a gull wing shaped press bed comprising a top portion including two opposing wing portions, at least a part of each wing portion being supportable by one of a pair of approximately parallel horizontal beams, the top portion operable to support at least one press die, and a bottom portion having a center portion disposed between the wing portions.

Abstract: A multiple station transfer press (20) is provided. The cross bar assemblies (42) transfer work pieces (22) between adjacent press stations (24) in transfer press (10). Movement of the cross bar assemblies (42) is provided by raising and lowering transfer rails (38) and (40) along with reciprocating cross bar assemblies (42) along transfer rails (38) and (40). Each cross bar assembly (42) can also be tilted and/or tipped relative to the transfer rails (38 and 40). Cross bar assemblies (42) are used to dynamically orient work pieces (22) during transfer between adjacent press stations (24). A portion of the motion of each cross bar assembly (42) occurs while upper dies (36) and lower dies (34) are separated by less than a maximum distance. The cross bar assemblies (42) preferably include at least two cross bars (130, 132) which may be rotated one hundred and eighty degrees to accommodate changing holding devices such as suction cups (268, 270) while changing dies (36, 34).

Abstract: A reorientation station has front and rear vertical drives that are spaced apart from each other along a flow axis of the orientation station that coincides with the flow axis of the machine. A pivot carriage support bar is coupled at its front end to the front vertical drive and at its rear end to the rear vertical drive. The vertical drives are operable to move the pivot carriage support bar to predetermined heights and to orient the pivot carriage support bar at predetermined tilt angles. A pivot carriage is mounted on the pivot carriage support bar for rotation about a roll-axis defined by the pivot carriage support bar. A roll drive coupled between the pivot carriage support bar and the pivot carriage rotates the pivot carriage about the roll axis to a selected roll angle.

Abstract: A multiple station transfer press (20) is provided. The cross bar assemblies (42) transfer work pieces (22) between adjacent press stations (24) in transfer press (10). Movement of the cross bar assemblies (42) is provided by raising and lowering transfer rails (38) and (40) along with reciprocating cross bar assemblies (42) along transfer rails (38) and (40). Each cross bar assembly (42) can also be tilted and/or tipped relative to the transfer rails (38 and 40). Cross bar assemblies (42) are used to dynamically orient work pieces (22) during transfer between adjacent press stations (24). A portion of the motion of each cross bar assembly (42) occurs while upper dies (36) and lower dies (34) are separated by less than a maximum distance. The cross bar assemblies (42) preferably include at least two cross bars (130, 132) which may be rotated one hundred and eighty degrees to accommodate changing holding devices such as suction cups (268, 270) while changing dies (36, 34).

Abstract: A multistation transfer press (10) is provided. Cross bar assemblies (28) transfer work pieces (12) between adjacent press stations (14) in transfer press ten (10). Each cross bar assembly (28) moves work pieces (12) between adjacent press stations (14). Motions of cross bar assemblies (28) is provided by raising and lowering transfer rails (22) and (24) along with reciprocating cross bar assemblies (28) along transfer rails (22) and (24). Cross bar assemblies (28) are operable to dynamically orient work pieces (12) during transfer between adjacent press stations (14). Additionally, a portion of the motion of cross bar assemblies (28) occurs while upper dies (20) and lower dies (18) are separated by less than a maximum distance.

Abstract: A multiple station transfer press (20) is provided. The cross bar assemblies (42) transfer work pieces (22) between adjacent press stations (24) in transfer press (10). Movement of the cross bar assemblies (42) is provided by raising and lowering transfer rails (38) and (40) along with reciprocating cross bar assemblies (42) along transfer rails (38) and (40). Each cross bar assembly (42) can also be tilted and/or tipped relative to the transfer rails (38 and 40). Cross bar assemblies (42) are used to dynamically orient work pieces (22) during transfer between adjacent press stations (24). A portion of the motion of each cross bar assembly (42) occurs while upper dies (36) and lower dies (34) are separated by less than a maximum distance. The cross bar assemblies (42) preferably include at least two cross bars (130, 132) which may be rotated one hundred and eighty degrees to accommodate changing holding devices such as suction cups (268, 270) while changing dies (36, 34).

Abstract: A multistation transfer press (10) is provided. Cross bar assemblies (28) transfer work pieces (12) between adjacent press stations (14) in transfer press ten (10). Each cross bar assembly (28) moves work pieces (12) between adjacent press stations (14). Motions of cross bar assemblies (28) is provided by raising and lowering transfer rails (22) and (24) along with reciprocating cross bar assemblies (28) along transfer rails (22) and (24). Cross bar assemblies (28) are operable to dynamically orient work pieces (12) during transfer between adjacent press stations (14). Additionally, a portion of the motion of cross bar assemblies (28) occurs while upper dies (20) and lower dies (18) are separated by less than a maximum distance.

Abstract: Shifting apparatus for use in a transfer press having moving die bolsters. The shifting apparatus includes transfer rail sets that are located on the bolster and on the fixed bed that are interconnected during the normal transfer of the work pieces between dies. Transfer fingers are carried by both transfer rail sets that serve to engage the work pieces and move the work pieces through the positions of the transfer press. The transfer finger shift apparatus extends between the two rail sets and includes a shaft carrying a shift base member which has transfer fingers connected thereto. An elevating device is provided on the fixed bed to raise the transfer fingers sufficiently to pass over the top of the transfer fingers located on the bolster. When it is desired to move the transfer fingers from the fixed bed to the bolster, the transfer rails are moved in the direction of the bolster moving the transfer fingers along the shaft and onto the bolster.

Abstract: Shifting apparatus for use in a transfer press having moving die bolsters. The shifting apparatus includes transfer rail sets that are located on the bolster and on the fixed bed that are interconnected during the normal transfer of the work pieces between dies. Transfer fingers are carried by both transfer rail sets that serve to engage the work pieces and move the work pieces through the positions of the transfer press. Transfer finger shift apparatus extends between the two rail sets and includes a shaft carrying a shift base member which has transfer fingers connected thereto. An elevating device is provided on the fixed bed to raise the transfer fingers sufficiently to pass over the top of the transfer fingers located on the bolster. A piston rod, which is secured to the transfer fingers, is retracted into an air cylinder which is attached to the transfer rail set of the bolster, causing the transfer fingers to move from the fixed bed to the bolster.

Abstract: Shifting apparatus for use in a transfer press having moving die bolsters. The shifting apparatus includes transfer rail sets that are located on the bolster and on the fixed bed that are interconnected during the normal transfer of the work pieces between dies. Transfer fingers are carried by both transfer rail sets that serve to engage the work pieces and move the work pieces through the positions of the transfer press. The transfer finger shift apparatus extends between the two rail sets and includes a shaft carrying a shift base member which has transfer fingers connected thereto. An elevating device is provided on the fixed bed to raise the transfer fingers sufficiently to pass over the top of the transfer fingers located on the bolster. When it is desired to move the transfer fingers from the fixed bed to the bolster, the transfer rails are moved in the direction of the bolster moving the transfer fingers along the shaft and onto the bolster.

Abstract: An improved snubber apparatus for an air cushion within a forming press is provided. A floating piston is mounted within the air cushion and defines a snubbing chamber. As the air cushion returns to its top stroke position after yieldably deforming to cushion a member within the forming press, a movable piston within the air cushion contacts the floating piston, forcing it to move in the direction reducing the volume of the snubbing chamber. A check valve is provided between a cushion chamber and the snubbing chamber which maintains the pressure in the snubbing chamber at a minimum equivalent to the pressure in the cushion chamber. As the volume of the snubbing chamber is reduced, the air trapped within is rapidly compressed to a value snubbing the motion of the air cushion. The snubber valve is provided communicating with the snubbing chamber and maintained in a closed position by the air pressure within the cushion chamber.

Abstract: A continuously running mechanical transfer press includes a workpiece transfer system in which electric motors are used to provide reciprocating movements in the clamp, lift and transfer axes. An independent backup tracking system including a fault detection sensing control is provided which utilizes independent measures of the position of the workpiece transfer system in all three axes along with an independent measure of the position of the press die in its cycle to monitor proper synchronization and operation of the workpiece transfer system. The fault detection system indicates a fault in the event the transfer system loses synchronization with the moving die, in the event two separate measures of die position are not in agreement, or in the event the transfer system fails to maintain parallelism of the two transfer rails included in the system. The press is stopped in response to detection of a fault to protect the press and the transfer system from damage.

Abstract: A press machine (10) having a slide (18) operable by a clutch controlled rotatable drive system (24, 26, 30, 34) is provided. The press (10) includes a sensor (42) interconnected into the drive system (34) for sensing the rotation of the drive system (34). A timer (64) is provided for generating an elapsed time signal representing the amount of time for the drive system (34) to rotate from a first angular position to a second angular position. Circuitry (64) is provided for comparing the elapsed time signal with a predetermined magnitude to thereby generate a signal representing the speed of the press (10). Circuitry (64) is further provided which is responsive to the speed signal for generating a control signal. The control signal is appolied to the clutch solenoid (40) for deactuating the clutch (24) to thereby enable stoppage of the press at a predetermined position at the top of the slide's (18) cycle.

Abstract: A forming machine (10) is provided for forming a finished part (12) from a flat blank (14). Draw stations (18-24) are provided to initially form the intermediate part. Each draw station includes a punch (44, 62, 66, 70') and a draw die (48, 64, 68, 72). Each punch defines a shoulder along its length to create a first step (60) in the side walls (26) of the intermediate part. In a subsequent draw stage, a draw punch (70') forms a second shoulder along its length to create a second step (100) in the side walls (26) of the intermediate part. A draw shoulder (61) on the draw punch (71') mates with the step (60) to maintain the concentric shape thereof. In the subsequent necking and final form stages (30, 32, 34) the punch employed also has a shoulder to permit variation of the force applied to the intermediate part between the step and bottom portion.

Abstract: A forming machine (10) is provided for forming a finished part (12) from a flat blank (14). Draw stations (18-24) are provided to initially form the intermediate part. Each draw station includes a punch (44, 62, 66, 70) and a draw die (48, 64, 68, 72). Each punch defines a shoulder along its length to create a step (60) in the side walls (26) of the intermediate part. In the subsequent necking and final form stages (30, 32, 34) the punch employed also has a shoulder to permit variation of the force applied to the intermediate part between the step and bottom portion.

Abstract: A forming machine (10) is provided for forming a finished part (12) from a flat blank (14). Draw stations (18-24) are provided to initially form the intermediate part. Each draw station includes a punch (44, 62, 66, 70') and a draw die (48, 64, 68, 72). Each punch defines a shoulder along its length to create a first step (60) in the side walls (26) of the intermediate part. In a subsequent draw stage, a draw punch (70') forms a second shoulder along its length to create a second step (100) in the side walls (26) of the intermediate part. A draw shoulder (61) on the draw punch (71') mates with the step (60) to maintain the concentric shape thereof. In the subsequent necking and final form stages (30, 32, 34) the punch employed also has a shoulder to permit variation of the force applied to the intermediate part between the step and bottom portion.

Abstract: A forming machine (10) is provided for forming a finished part (12) from a flat blank (14). Draw stations (18-24) are provided to initially form the intermediate part. Each draw station includes a punch (44, 62, 66, 70) and a draw die (48, 64, 68, 72). Each punch defines a shoulder along its length to create a step (60) in the side walls (26) of the intermediate part. In the subsequent necking and final form stages (30, 32, 34) the punch employed also has a shoulder to permit variation of the force applied to the intermediate part between the step and bottom portion.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic press having adjustable preloading or prestressing means on the cylinder body to compensate for, and neutralize, any deflection or deformation of the cylinder body under the hydraulic pressures at which the press operates. The press is designed to operate at zero clearance.