Abstract: The invention provides a ball-lock insert assembly adapted to be mounted axially in a mount opening formed in a holder plate having a desired thickness. The ball-lock insert assembly comprises an insert body having an axis and an elongated interior recess extending at an angle relative to this axis. The elongated interior recess is configured to house a resiliently-biased engagement member. The invention also provides retainer assemblies that include ball-lock assemblies, as well as methods of producing retainer assemblies, which methods include providing ball-lock assemblies.

Abstract: The invention provides press brake and press brake tooling technology. Certain embodiments of the invention provide a press brake tool that has an elongated, retractable safety key. In certain embodiments, the invention provides click-in/slide-out press brake tools. In some of these embodiments, the tool has a safety key defining a flat (i.e., a planar wall section/planar surface) that is adapted for sliding along a surface of a tool holder when the tool is dismounted from the holder by moving the tool horizontally out of the holder. In certain embodiments, the flat has a longitudinal length of at least about 0.008 inch (in some cases, at least about 0.010 inch, at least about 0.015 inch, or at least about 0.020 inch), ranging up to the full longitudinal length of the tool. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a press brake tool and a tool holder in combination. Finally, the invention in some embodiments provides methods of press brake operation.

Abstract: A press brake tool that is adapted to be mounted in a tool holder. The tool has a lockable safety key that is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. The press brake tool has a lock that is operatively coupled to the safety key and is movable between a locked position wherein the safety key is locked in the extended position and an unlocked position wherein the safety key is permitted to move between the extended position and the retracted position. Also provided is a press brake tool having a particularly advantageous, longitudinally-elongated safety key.

Abstract: A punch guide assembly is provided for removably carrying a stripper plate. The punch guide assembly comprises a punch guide and a stripper plate guide movable axially with respect to the punch guide. The stripper plate guide has a locked position wherein the stripper plate is secured to the punch guide assembly and an unlocked position wherein the stripper plate can be readily removed from the punch guide assembly. The stripper plate guide is resiliently biased axially toward its unlocked position yet is restrained against axial movement relative to the punch guide when in its locked position.

Abstract: A press brake tool and tool holder. The tool is provided having a body that terminates downwardly in a work piece engaging surface and that includes a tang extending upwardly from the body for reception in a tool holder. The tang has a first wall defining a vertical surface for engagement with a cooperating vertical surface of a tool holder, and a second wall on the reverse side of the tang that defines an arcuate, concave surface engagable with a clamp of the tool holder. The concave surface includes an upper contact surface tangent to a plane that is downwardly convergent with respect to the vertical surface such that a force delivered to the contact surface includes an upward component tending to lift the tang into the tool holder. The upper contact surface may be formed on a first radius about a horizontal axis and is tangent to a first plane that is downwardly convergent with respect to said vertical surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a ball-lock insert assembly adapted to be mounted axially in a mount opening formed in a holder plate having a desired thickness. The ball-lock insert assembly comprises an insert body having an axis and an elongated interior recess extending at an angle relative to this axis. The elongated interior recess is configured to house a resiliently-biased engagement member. The invention also provides retainer assemblies that include ball-lock assemblies, as well as methods of producing retainer assemblies, which methods include providing ball-lock assemblies.

Abstract: Adjustable length punch assemblies are disclosed. An adjustable length punch assembly in accordance with present invention may be used with a punch press including a tool holder adapted to receive punch assembly and a ram adapted to move longitudinally along a ram axis. An adjustable length punch assembly in accordance with present invention preferably includes a punch body assembly disposed in threading engagement with a drive body assembly having a surface adapted to be struck by ram of punch press. The length of punch assembly may be adjusted by rotating of one body relative to other body. The adjustable length punch assembly preferably includes a lock mechanism for selectively preventing rotation of the punch body assembly relative to the drive body assembly. The lock mechanism preferably comprises a lock shaft coupled to one of bodies and a lock key slidingly coupled to other of bodies such that lock key slides along a lock key path.

Abstract: A punch tool including a punch driver and a punch element. The punch element can include a punch secured to a punch holder, with the punch holder and punch slidably disposed within a punch guide. The effective length of the punch tool can be increased by rotating the punch driver about threads relative to the punch element. The punch tool includes a latch mechanism for preventing rotation of the punch driver relative to the punch element when the latch is in a locked position, but allowing such rotation when the latch is in an unlocked position, thereby controlling unwanted free rotation of the punch driver relative to the remainder of the punch tool. During punching operation, the punch driver, punch holder, and punch are forced slidably relative to the outer punch guide. When a length adjustment is desired, the punch driver can be rotated relative to the punch, punch holder, and punch guide, which typically do not rotate. A locking disk can be rotatably secured to the punch driver.

Abstract: The invention provides a ball-lock insert assembly adapted to be mounted axially in a mount opening formed in a holder plate having a desired thickness. The ball-lock insert assembly comprises an insert body having an axis and an elongated interior recess extending at an angle relative to this axis. The elongated interior recess is configured to house a resiliently-biased engagement member. The invention also provides retainer assemblies that include ball-lock assemblies, as well as methods of producing retainer assemblies, which methods include providing ball-lock assemblies.

Abstract: Adjustable length punch assemblies are disclosed. An adjustable length punch assembly in accordance with present invention may be used with a punch press including a tool holder adapted to receive punch assembly and a ram adapted to move longitudinally along a ram axis. An adjustable length punch assembly in accordance with present invention preferably includes a punch body assembly disposed in threading engagement with a drive body assembly having a surface adapted to be struck by ram of punch press. The length of punch assembly may be adjusted by rotating of one body relative to other body. The adjustable length punch assembly preferably includes a lock mechanism for selectively preventing rotation of the punch body assembly relative to the drive body assembly. The lock mechanism preferably comprises a lock shaft coupled to one of bodies and a lock key slidingly coupled to other of bodies such that lock key slides along a lock key path.

Abstract: Press brake tool holders suitable for releasing and securing press brake tools in response to applied fluid pressure. One press brake tool holder includes a horizontally elongated body having a cam shaft bore disposed longitudinally therethrough, and receiving a slidably and sealingly mounted cam shaft therein. The cam shaft can have at least one axial camming surface, having a large outer diameter region axially tapered to a small outer diameter region, and in contact with a cam follower pin slidably disposed in a cam follower pin bore transversely disposed through the body. The cam follower pin can bear against a pivotally mounted clamp disposed about the body. In response to applied fluid pressure, the camming surface can slide axially, thereby increasing the effective outer diameter as seen by the cam follower pin, thereby urging the cam follower pin outward and against the upper portion of the pivotally mounted clamp, and closing the lower clamp portion about a press brake tool.

Abstract: A tool holder apparatus for a press brake is provided. The apparatus comprises a support plate having a first receiving surface. A pivotable clamp has an engagement portion that is moveable toward the first receiving surface of the support plate by pivoting the clamp. The engagement portion has therein formed a bore in which a lifting shaft is rotatably received. The engagement portion defines an opening communicating with the bore. The shaft has therein formed a notch that is adapted to be engaged through the opening by an exterior corner of a forming tool.

Abstract: Press brake tool holders suitable for releasing and securing press brake tools in response to applied fluid pressure. One press brake tool holder includes a horizontally elongated body having a cam shaft bore disposed longitudinally therethrough, and receiving a slidably and sealingly mounted cam shaft therein. The cam shaft can have at least one axial camming surface, having a large outer diameter region axially tapered to a small outer diameter region, and in contact with a cam follower pin slidably disposed in a cam follower pin bore transversely disposed through the body. The cam follower pin can bear against a pivotally mounted clamp disposed about the body. In response to applied fluid pressure, the camming surface can slide axially, thereby increasing the effective outer diameter as seen by the cam follower pin, thereby urging the cam follower pin outward and against the upper portion of the pivotally mounted clamp, and closing the lower clamp portion about a press brake tool.

Abstract: A press brake die holder for holding a press brake die having an upper, work-contacting surface and a lower, elongated tang. The die holder has an elongated body having a slot defined by opposing walls, the slot being configured to receive the tang of the press brake die. One of slot walls has a cavity opening into the slot toward the other slot wall, and a resilient plug is received in the cavity and protrudes into the slot toward the other wall. As the tang is received in the slot, the resilient plug contacts and urges the tang resiliently into contact with the other slot wall to restrain the tang from wobbling in the slot.

Abstract: An American style press brake tool and tool holder having a safety key. The holder has a body with walls defining a downwardly open, tool receiving recess having a top, a downwardly facing force-delivering shoulder adjacent the bottom of said recess, and a shelf within said recess having an upwardly facing surface spaced upwardly from said force-delivering shoulder. The tool comprises a body having a lower work-engaging surface, an upwardly facing force-receiving shoulder engageable with the shoulder of the tool holder, and an upwardly extending tang receivable in said recess, the upper end of the tang being spaced from the top of the recess. A manually operable actuator is spaced below said force-receiving shoulder, and a safety key is coupled to the actuator for movement horizontally into and out of alignment with the shelf between locked and unlocked positions, respectively.

Abstract: Press brake tooling comprising a die and mating punch for bending sheet stock, the punch having an elongated, generally V-shaped punch tip and the die being of steel and having an elongated, generally V-shaped groove within which said punch tip is received during a bending operation. The V-shaped groove of the die has a floor and sidewalls that extend from the floor and terminate in edges that are spaced from each other across the width of the groove. The edges have surfaces that are configured to slidingly encounter the surface of a workpiece as it is bent between the tool and die. At least the die edge surfaces are nitrided or nitrocarburized to provide a slippery surface over which the workpiece slides during a bending operation, the edge surfaces having a hardness in the range of 52-70 Rockwell C with such hardness extending to a depth not exceeding about 0.06 inches.

Abstract: A self-aligning multi-tool for use in a punch press having a ram. The multi-tool includes a housing carrying a striker and a magazine bearing a plurality of circumferentially spaced tools and rotatable with respect to the housing so as to bring a single desired tool into alignment with the striker. The housing has a striking surface adapted to be engaged by the ram of a punch press and configured to rotationally lock to the ram when correctly rotationally aligned therewith to prevent the housing from rotating as the magazine is rotated. The housing is provided with at least one alignment pin having a tapered cam surface and positioned such that the ram will contact and cam against the tapered cam surface of the pin as the ram approaches the striking surface if the machine ram and the striking surface are rotationally mis-aligned so as to urge the housing to rotate into correct alignment with the ram to enable rotational locking therebetween.

Abstract: An adjustable gage block for a press brake comprises a base attachable to the press brake and a body pivotally carried by the base for pivoting movement about a vertical axis. The body carries a first guide member, and a second guide member is pivotally carried by the body for pivoting movement about said vertical axis with respect to the first guide member. One or both of the guide members have upwardly-facing guide surfaces laying in a horizontal plane to support a workpiece, and each guide member has a vertical guide surface, with the vertical guide surfaces laying in convergent planes. Adjustment means are provided for adjusting the angle between the vertical guide surfaces of the guide members to accommodate the shape of a workpiece. Desirably, a workpiece support is mounted to the press brake spaced from the gage block, the workpiece support having an edge guide surface positioned to engage an edge of the workpiece and to orient the workpiece with respect to the gage block.

Abstract: A tool holder for securely holding a forming tool in its intended position on a press brake. The tool holder includes a tool holder plate having first and second receiving surfaces oriented to respectively engage first and second mounting surfaces of a press brake tool, an actuator arm movable toward and away from the tool holder plate and having a camming surface, a clamp carried by the actuator arm and being movable with respect to the actuator arm toward and away from the respective receiving surfaces of the tool holder plate, and a cam surface on the clamp oriented to be engaged by the camming surface of the actuator arm to receive force therefrom in response to engagement of the respective camming surfaces of the actuator arm and the clamp. The force thus received has substantial force vector components normal to the first and second receiving surfaces of the tool holder plate to press against these surfaces, respectively, the first and second mounting surfaces of the tool.

Abstract: An adjustable die holder for a press brake comprising an elongated base block adapted to be attached to a jaw of a press brake and having a first bore formed therein and a horizontal upper surface; a top plate slidable on the upper surface of the base block. The top plate bears a die holding element and having a second bore formed through it, the second bore being in substantial alignment with the first bore. A die carried by the die holding element has a working surface oriented away from the die holding element. Extending through the first and second bores is an elongated threaded member having external threads. A handle is provided for rotating the threaded member with respect to an internally threaded element which threadingly mates with the elongated threaded member, the handle having an unlocked position wherein the top plate is free to slide upon the upper surface of the base block and a locked position wherein the top plate is locked to the base block.