Abstract: The mechanical hand (16) comprises, on one hand, a zone (46) for the support and sliding of a panel or slab (SP) in a horizontal working plane (WP) and, on the other hand, a handling gripper (36) which can move horizontally along and across the whole range of said supporting and sliding zone (46). The gripper (36) has a lower jaw (40) located below the working plane (WP). The support and sliding zone (46) is defined by retractable members consisting of an array of vertically moving pillars (48) with each of which are associated positive control means for causing them to perform selectively a travel independently of that of the other pillars between a raised position in which one of its upper support and sliding surfaces is in the working plane (WP), and a lowered position in which the surface is at a level which is lower than that of the lower jaw (40) of the gripper (36).

Abstract: A blank holder having variable assembly is used in a folding machine for the production of a sheet panel. It comprises a central element (3), a plurality of additional elements (6), a pair of expander elements (4), two extremity members (7), at least one programmable carriage (15) movable along the blank holder which is operable to modify the length of the blank holder.

Abstract: The load bearing ball of the type which has a main ball (1) of substantially high diameter on which the loads rest, in turn rests on a plurality of balls (2) of diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of ball (1), which are placed on the bottom (3) of a suitable container (4), the latter having a substantially hemispheric shape. A main feature of the invention consists of the particular structure capable of closing the container and capable of holding the several balls in the interior of the container. This structure serves also for the purpose of fastening the main large ball to the border of the opening (6) formed on the supporting plane (7) of the same load bearing ball.

Abstract: A device for moving blades of a press used for bending sheets, has blades supported and placed in motion by a bending block which is movable in the vertical direction with respect to two counter blades with the sheet to be bent being placed between the two counter blades. For the purpose of imparting motion to the bending block with respect to the counter blades, there is provided a track along which the bending block rolls. There are also provided two connecting rods, the upper end of which is hinged to the lower part of the bending block. The two rods are pivoted in the lower part to an arm (7) which is placed substantially radially and which is integral with a cylinder (8). Cylinder (8) is integral with a second arm (9) which is connected with a fluid dynamic cylinder. There may also be provided a second fluid-dynamic cylinder which forms with the first fluid-dynamic cylinder a structure having cylindrical symmetry.

Abstract: A device for supporting slabs during the phases of punching and in general operations of plastic deformation has a plurality of jacks (6) placed under the slab in a position corresponding to at least a substantial portion of the surface of the slab during all the operations being carried out on the slab. These jacks are normally placed in contact with the lower surface of the slab and are capable of lowering for the purpose of avoiding interference with the portions of the slabs which have already been plastically deformed.

Abstract: A gripping assembly for a manipulator for plate sheets of the type which comprises a vise having two superimposed jaws disposed around a vertical axis, the jaws being capable of gripping a single plate along its thickness, the plate having borders, the jaws being also adapted to rotate around the axis whereby each border of the plate to be folded is brought in front of the press machine. The assembly has a pair of clamps (5) disposed laterally with respect to the vise. The clamps grip firmly the plate along its thickness and permit the simultaneous displacement from jaws in the area corresponding to the vise towards the folding machine.

Abstract: The manipulator comprises a support structure 1 with a vice 5 vertically disposed capable of grasping a plate sheet 22 and carrying it to the press 23, the plate sheet performing a rigorously linear course. The support structure is intended to perform a rototranslatory motion, rotating around pivot 11 which is located corresponding to the extremity of the support structure opposite to the extremity in which the vice 5 is placed. This pivot slides along guide 13 which is located laterally with respect to the direction of advance of the plate, the direction of the guide being perpendicular with respect to the direction of advance of the plate. The energy required to transport the plate from the loading zone to the press is reduced to about one-half with respect to the energy required in similar devices of known type in which a support structure which carries the plate sheet from the loading zone to the press performs exactly the same course of the plate (see FIG. 3).

Abstract: The folding press provides two blades 7 and 8 which are supported and actuated by a cutter block 6 which is C-shaped and which is movable in the vertical direction with respect to two counterblades 1 and 5 between which the plate 19 is placed. The cutter block 6 is actuated by one or more cylinders 9 of the fluid-dynamic type and and in its rear part has rolling elements 14 and 15 which move on tracks 16 and 17, the latter extending essentially in the vertical direction and having curved portions 18 at the extremities. The rolling elements travelling on the tracks cause the cutter block 6 to make a motion of curvilinear shape, a fact which causes the operation of the blades 7 and 8 and the folding of the plates. There are also provided an eccentric structure 12 and a pivot 13' which are capable of varying the position of the cylinders 9 so as to vary the folding angle of the border of the plate 19 upwardly or downwardly, the folding being determined respectively by the lower blade 8 and by the upper blade 7.