Abstract: A device for determining the quality of a part includes a sensor for detecting a strain on a selected portion of a part forming machine. A controller utilizes the detected amount of strain to make a determination regarding the quality of a corresponding part. In one example, the sensor detects a compressive or tensile strain on a machine frame when the sensor is aligned to detect a strain parallel to a direction of a force applied during the part formation process. The controller uses one or more characteristics of the sensor output and determines whether the detected amount of strain is within an acceptable range. In one example, monitoring the strain during the formation of a plurality of acceptable parts provides information for determining the acceptable range. The disclosed arrangements allow for making part quality determinations without requiring a sensor to be “in line” with the load.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pair of pressing jaws for hydraulic or electric pressing tools for pressing fittings onto pipes or for the press connection of electric cables, the two pressing jaws being disposed for rotation about a common axis and each pressing jaw forming a bearing eye for this purpose. In order to configure a pair of pressing jaws of the type in question in a more functionally advantageous manner, it is proposed that each pressing jaw forms two bearing eyes with coaxial bearing openings, and the bearing eyes are disposed in an interengaging manner in the assembled state.

Abstract: A compression assembly hand tool for attaching a connector to a cable by axially compressing the connector has a reduced actuation force to operate the tool. Increased leverage is achieved through the use of a long swing arm link having one end connected via a first pivot directly to the tool body and the other end connected via a second pivot to a handle. The handle is connected to drive a plunger via a third pivot.

Abstract: A tube partial thread forming apparatus and method is disclosed. A tube is placed on the apparatus around internal die sections, which are separated by a mandrel to cause the internal die sections to engage the tube. stripper pieces are moved into engagement around the outer surface of the tube to secure and support the tube. External die sections extend through the stripper pieces and engage the tube and form partial threads thereon.

Abstract: A work transfer apparatus for transferring a work within a press or between presses is provided which includes at least one lift beam which is provided in parallel with a work transfer direction and which is movable up and down, and which is provided substantially centrally in a work transfer path and outside of a press working area. A carrier is provided at the lift beam and is movable along a longitudinal direction of the lift beam. A guide is provided on the carrier, and a sub-carrier is movable along the guide in a carrier moving direction by a linear motor which moves the sub-carrier in the carrier moving direction. A work holding unit which is capable of holding the work is provided at the sub-carrier.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for shaping an article may comprise a plurality of movable dies arranged to form a chamber whose size may be varied by moving the dies. Each of the dies may have a contacting surface for contacting the article to be shaped. The chamber may have a first portion having a first cross-section and a second portion having a second cross-section. Either portion may include a taper. The first portion may have a differently shaped cross-section than the second portion. The first portion may have a cross-section of greater area than the second portion. The longitudinal axis of the first portion may be offset from the longitudinal axis of the second portion.

Abstract: A method of forming a workpiece using an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a first stage including a die fixture, a die actuator coupled to the die fixture, and a holding member configured to cooperate with the die fixture to hold the workpiece. The method includes holding the workpiece to the first stage die fixture using the first stage holding member, and conforming the workpiece to a first predetermined dimension using the first stage die fixture.

Abstract: Disclosed is an U/Z-shaped steel bar manufacturing process, which includes the steps of (a) supplying a steel sheet material from a material rack to a flattening machine, (b) operating the flattening machine to flatten the steel sheet material and then delivering the steel sheet material to a punch press for punching, (c) operating the punch press to selectively drive the punch dies to punch the steel sheet material with punch holes subject to a predetermined punch pattern, (d) delivering the punched steel sheet material to a roll forming machine and then operating the roll forming machine to ram the punched steel sheet material into an U/Z-shaped steel bar, (e) operating a straightening machine to straighten the U/Z-shaped steel bar, and (f) operating a conveyer to carry the finished product backwards for packing and further delivery or storage.

Abstract: A hemming die tool assembly for use with an anvil supporting a workpiece to be hemmed. A mounting plate is pivotally secured about an axis relative to the anvil while a vertical slide is slidably attached to the mounting plate along a first direction. An elongated channel is attached to the vertical slide so that the axis of the channel is transverse to the first direction. A hemming tool is secured to the vertical slide while a rocker arm is pivotally secured at one end to the mounting plate about the pivotal axis of the mounting plate while a second end of the rocker arm is longitudinally slidably mounted in the channel. A first cam assembly pivots the mounting plate between a retracted position, in which the hemming tool is positioned away from the workpiece, and an extended position in which the hemming tool overlies the workpiece.

Abstract: There is disclosed a punch for forging a metallic plate member. A first die is adapted to be opposed to a first face of the plate member. A second die is adapted to be opposed to a second face of the plate member. A plurality of first projections are provided on the first die and arranged in a first direction with a fixed pitch. Each of the first projections is elongated in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A plurality of second projections are provided on the second die and arranged in the first direction with the fixed pitch. Each of the second projections is elongated in the second direction and provided with a concave portion extending in the second direction at a distal end portion thereof. The plate member is sandwiched between the first die and the second die so that the first projections and the second projections are cut into the plate member in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, to perform a first forging work.

Abstract: A sheet metal bending brake having a frame with a sheet metal support surface. A clamping jaw is movable relative to the frame support surface to clamp the sheet metal between the clamping jaw and the frame. The clamping jaw has a linear front edge. An elongated bending arm is pivotally mounted to the frame by an elongated flexible strap having spaced apart edges. One edge of the strap is secured to the bending arm while the other edge of the strap is secured to the frame such that the bending arm extends parallel to and closely adjacent the clamping jaw front edge.

Abstract: A jaw arm for a compression tool has a jaw recess at one end and a jaw insert is supported in the recess for pivotal displacement relative thereto about an insert axis. A compression tool comprises a pair of parallel spaced apart side plates, and a pair of the jaw arms pivotally mounted between the plates. The pivotal inserts are self-aligning with respect to a pipe and coupling to be crimped together and provide for use of the compression tool in areas with limited accessibility.

Abstract: A wire bending device includes a bending head bearing two bending tools between which the wire to be bent is passed. Either tool is alternately capable of being fixed or being a pivot for rotation of the bending head therearound. The device also includes a mechanical device for feeding the wire axially in one direction or another; a mechanical device for rotatably driving the bending tools, in two different directions, about an axis of either bending tool; and a mechanical device for shifting the bending tools in a plane perpendicular to the axis about which the bending tools can rotate. There can be calculating controller for managing simultaneously the operation of the mechanical devices, so that the movements generated by the wire and bending tools are superposed.

Abstract: A crimping tool for connecting a cable fitting to the end of a cable is made up of an elongated body having a lever arm pivoted at one end of the body to actuate a plunger having a chuck at one end toward and away from axially slidable die portions on the body, and the die portions can be expanded to permit insertion of the connector sleeve and cable into engagement with the end of the chuck and contracted to apply a uniform crimping force to the fitting in response to an axial force applied to the chuck to increase the crimping force causing the die portions to be further contracted into crimping engagement following which the die portions can be expanded to release the fitting and cable from the tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing bent snowmobile studs for use in an assembly are disclosed. The assembly comprises a bent stud having a head and proximal and distal shank portions and a fastener which is adapted to connect with respect to the distal shank portion of the stud. The head and shank of the stud are engaged by members which are mechanically pivoted with respect to one another such that the shank is bent. The assembly prevents rotational movement between the stud and the track.

Abstract: A wire drawing machine includes a frame; at least one die operatively supported by the frame; at least one drawing block rotatably supported by the frame for use in drawing wire through the die; and, a motor for use in providing power. A belt system connects the motor to the drawing block so that the drawing block can be rotated. To adjust the speed and torque of the drawing block, the belt is removed and one sprocket is replaced with a second sprocket.

Abstract: Methods and an apparatus for monitoring and conditioning strip material are disclosed. The disclosed methods and apparatus receive encoder signals and sensor data to monitor a condition of a strip material. If an undesired material condition is detected, a material conditioner is adjusted to achieve a desired material condition. Each time a sheet is cut, flatness data associated with that sheet is recorded. Each time a bundle is finished, certification data associated with that bundle is printed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device and method obtains desirable crimp connections between a crimp connector and a wire, or bundle of wires, by assessing the desirability of connections made in a wire-to-wire connection and in other situations where two materials with good acoustic propagation characteristics are joined together via deformation. An embodiment of the device as a crimping tool comprises a compressing means, pulse-generating circuitry, at least one ultrasonic transmitting transducer, at least one ultrasonic receiving transducer, receiving circuitry, and a display. The user may return to a previously crimped connection and assess the desirability of the connection by compressing the device about the connection, sending an acoustic signal through the crimp, and comparing the received signal to a signal obtained from known desirable connections.

Abstract: A press forming apparatus, for metal separators for fuel cells, has a pair of peripheral portion holding dies which hold a peripheral portion of a material and are movable toward and counter to each other; a pair of intermediate portion forming dies for forming a intermediate portion of the material, which are disposed inside the peripheral portion holding dies and are movable toward and counter to each other; and a pair of center portion forming dies for forming a center portion of the material, which are disposed inside the intermediate portion forming dies and are movable toward and counter to each other, wherein one of the peripheral portion holding dies and one of the intermediate portion forming dies are fixed to each other, one of the center portion forming dies is movable with respect to one of the intermediate portion forming dies toward the material, the other intermediate portion forming die and the other center portion forming die are fixed to each other, and the other intermediate portion forming

Abstract: Stamped and deburred clutch discs (20a, 20b) are provided by progressive stamping apparatus (46) whose method of use performs a two step stamping of the clutch disc blank and a third deburring stamping step that removes burrs on opposite axial faces by contact in opposite directions.