Abstract: An improved control circuit for the pneumatically operated punch press feeder illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,038,645; the use of which circuit permits a simplification of the construction of the feeder by enabling the stock clamping as well as the stock gripping motors of feeder to be single acting. This improved circuit and the resultant simplification of structure will allow benefits of the sequencing action of the dual valve system to be retained while reducing the cost of manufacture and maintenance of such a feeder.

Abstract: A dual slide pneumatic feeder for intermittently advancing stock into the work station of a punch press or the like wherein the fluid motors of the feeder are controlled by a fluid valve means that is adapted to be intermittently driven by a ratchet mechanism. The ratchet mechanism is adapted to be actuated from two different control points; first from a trigger means that is operable in response to the movement of the press ram, and secondly from a means operable in response to the completion of a feed stroke of one or both of the two feed slides. In this control environment the two feed slides may be made to execute a plurality of consecutive feed strokes in response to each cycle of operation of said press.

Abstract: A pneumatic stock feeder for intermittently advancing strip stock into the work station of a punch press having a reciprocating working ram; the feeder having a control plunger that is adapted to be operated by the press ram. The feeder has an improved and simplified semi-automatic fluid valving arrangement that is adapted to be controlled by the movement of said control plunger whereby the feed slide means of the feeder is normally positioned in an index position, i.e. in a position ready to feed stock, and upon being triggered by a pressure start pulse is actuated through first a feed stroke and then automatically returned through an index stroke back to its normal position where it will remain until the initiation of the next cycle triggering pressure start pulse.

Abstract: An improved control system for a dual slide type stock feeder for punch presses and the like, said control system being adapted to cause the feeder to execute two serial feed strokes in response to each cyclic operation of the punch press. The control system comprises a control plunger which is responsive to the movement of the press ram and which is adapted to actuate a fluid control circuit that causes one of said feed slides to execute a feed stroke and then causes the other feed slide to execute a feed stroke; there being two serial stock feed strokes produced for each cyclic operation of said control plunger. The feed slides may be controlled so as to operate in a substantially 180 degree mutual phase relation, or each may automatically complete an index stroke immediately after completing a feed stroke so that both of said feed slides are normally disposed in indexed positions.

Abstract: An improved pneumatic feeder for a punch press or the like wherein the operation of the feeder is adapted to be slaved in a semi-automatic manner to the operation of the punch press. The feeder is provided with a stock advancing feed slide and a control valve therefor whereby the stock advancing slide is normally positioned in a rearward or indexed position, and is adapted, when the feeder is triggered in response to the operation of the press, to execute a feed stroke and immediately thereafter automatically execute a non-feed stroke so as to return to said normal indexed position where it will remain until said feeder is again triggered in response to the next operation of said press.

Abstract: A pneumatic stock feeder for punch presses and the like, said feeder having an improved fluid actuating and control system. The feeder is provided with a stock gripping fluid motor means and a feed slide actuating fluid motor means; which fluid motor means are adapted to be controlled by an improved four-way slide valve arrangement. The slide valve includes a flat plate surface on which is disposed a recesses valve cup or pad that is laterally translatable between two operative valving positions. The recesses valve cup has a flat valving surface formed thereon that slidably engages said flat plate surface and valvingly cooperates with at least three ports formed in said flat plate surface so as to thereby control the operation of said fluid motor means. A control plunger and an associated coupling means are adapted to laterally shift said valve pad between its two operative positions in response to the movement of the ram of said punch press.

Abstract: A low cost pneumatic stock feeder for punch presses and the like wherein a one-piece U-shaped main frame is provided for supporting and guiding a reciprocating feed slide. One end of a stock gripper bar is pivotally secured to the feed slide while the other end thereof is adapted to be actuated by a fluid motor carried by said feed slide whereby an efficient mechanical advantage is afforded for the stock gripping action. A continuously acting friction braking means is provided for engaging just the longitudinal side corners of the stock material so that the latter may be yieldably held during the time when the gripper bar is released and so that there is a minimum of marring or scratching of that portion of the stock material from which parts are to be stamped.

Abstract: A high speed dual-slide type pneumatic feeder for intermittently advancing strip stock into the work station of a punch press or the like characterized by a novel asynchronous type fluid control system which includes a rotary control valve that is intermittently stepped to a plurality of predetermined operative angular positions by means of a ratchet mechanism that is adapted to be operated in response to the ram motion of the punch press. The feeder is also characterized by an improved, compact, flexible and more efficient structural arrangement, and by a novel stock grip releasing system and valving arrangement therefor that automatically causes the stock to be released immediately after completion of each feed stroke of the feeder.