Abstract: A drive apparatus includes a movable member, at least one linear electrical actuator for generating a first force, and at least one linear hydraulic actuator for generating a second force. The at least one linear electrical actuator and the at least one linear hydraulic actuator are arranged such that the first force and the second force act in parallel on the movable member in order to result in a combined force.

Abstract: A press machine includes a press frame, a crankshaft having a first eccentric portion, at least one crankshaft motor connected to the crankshaft, a ram, an upper tool section supported by the ram and a lower tool section fixedly attached to the press frame, a linkage type ram drive mechanism connected to the crankshaft and including at least one pivot support pin, and a ram adjustment mechanism including a pivot support member supporting the at least one pivot support pin. Wherein the at least one secondary ram drive link is pivotally connected at a first end to the at least one pivot support pin and at a second end to a first end of the at least one main ram drive link. The at least one main ram drive link is pivotally connected at a second end to the ram.

Abstract: A press machine includes a press frame having first and second portions, a crankshaft, a crankshaft, a ram, a ram drive mechanism supported by the first portion of the press frame at a primary force application location, a ram guide linearly guiding the ram, and supported by the second portion of the press frame at a ram guide location; and a working tool including an upper tool section and a lower tool section configured for the processing of a workpiece. The upper tool section is fixedly attached to the ram and the lower tool section is fixedly attached to the press frame at a lower tool location. The primary force application location has a first working position during the processing of the workpiece, and a second resting position when the workpiece is not being processed. The ram guide location has a first working position during the processing of the workpiece, and a second resting position when the workpiece is not being processed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for adjusting the stroke length of a reciprocating member such that the stroke length can be infinitely varied between a minimum and a maximum stroke length. A pair of crankshafts are each connected to an eccentric and configured to operate with a phase offset such that the stroke length can be varied by adjusting the phase offset.

Abstract: A roll type material feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding a workpiece such as a strip-like sheet material, to a stamping machine or similar machine. The apparatus includes a frame, a first driven feed roll, a second feed roll, a first drive motor arranged to rotate in driving engagement with the first driven feed roll, a first rotary position sensor arranged to rotate in driving engagement with the first drive motor, and a second drive motor.

Abstract: A press machine includes a press frame, a crankshaft having an eccentric portion, at least one crankshaft motor connected to the crankshaft, a ram, a linkage type ram drive mechanism operably connected between the ram and the crankshaft, a first motor, with a first rotary position feedback device, a second motor with a second rotary position feedback device. The eccentric portion of the crankshaft is located between first and second ends of the crankshaft.

Abstract: A press machine includes a press frame, a crankshaft having an eccentric portion, at least one crankshaft motor connected to the crankshaft, a ram, a linkage type ram drive mechanism operably connected between the ram and the crankshaft, a first motor, with a first rotary position feedback device, a second motor with a second rotary position feedback device. The eccentric portion of the crankshaft is located between first and second ends of the crankshaft.

Abstract: A press machine includes a press frame, a crankshaft having a first eccentric portion, at least one crankshaft motor connected to the crankshaft, a ram, an upper tool section supported by the ram and a lower tool section fixedly attached to the press frame, a linkage type ram drive mechanism connected to the crankshaft and including at least one pivot support pin, and a ram adjustment mechanism including a pivot support member supporting the at least one pivot support pin. Wherein the at least one secondary ram drive link is pivotally connected at a first end to the at least one pivot support pin and at a second end to a first end of the at least one main ram drive link. The at least one main ram drive link is pivotally connected at a second end to the ram.

Abstract: A press machine includes a press frame having first and second portions, a crankshaft, a crankshaft, a ram, a ram drive mechanism supported by the first portion of the press frame at a primary force application location, a ram guide linearly guiding the ram, and supported by the second portion of the press frame at a ram guide location; and a working tool including an upper tool section and a lower tool section configured for the processing of a workpiece. The upper tool section is fixedly attached to the ram and the lower tool section is fixedly attached to the press frame at a lower tool location. The primary force application location has a first working position during the processing of the workpiece, and a second resting position when the workpiece is not being processed. The ram guide location has a first working position during the processing of the workpiece, and a second resting position when the workpiece is not being processed.

Abstract: A gripper type material feeding apparatus for the intermittent feeding of a workpiece. The apparatus includes a first linearly guided gripper mechanism which is movable in a first direction of feeding and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first gripper mechanism includes a first gripping member and a second gripping member wherein the second gripping member is movable relative to the first gripping member for gripping the workpiece. The apparatus includes a first release actuator for moving the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism in a direction relative to the first gripping member of the first gripper mechanism.

Abstract: A roll type material feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding a workpiece such as a strip-like sheet material, to a stamping machine or similar machine. The apparatus includes a frame, a first driven feed roll, a second feed roll, a first drive motor arranged to rotate in driving engagement with the first driven feed roll, a first rotary position sensor arranged to rotate in driving engagement with the first drive motor, and a second drive motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for the intermittent feeding of a workpiece. The apparatus includes a first linearly guided gripper mechanism which is movable in a first direction of workpiece feeding and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first gripper mechanism includes first and second gripping members wherein the second gripping member is movable relative to the first gripping member for gripping the workpiece. The apparatus further includes a gripper mechanism drive actuator which is angularly adjustable, reversible and rotary, a fixed length driving member connected to the gripper mechanism drive actuator for rotation therewith. The apparatus further includes a first gripper mechanism drive connecting link with a first end pivotally connected to a first end of the fixed length driving member and with a second end pivotally connected to the first gripper mechanism for moving the first gripper mechanism in the first and second directions.

Abstract: A drive apparatus includes a movable member, at least one linear electrical actuator for generating a first force, and at least one linear hydraulic actuator for generating a second force. The at least one linear electrical actuator and the at least one linear hydraulic actuator are arranged such that the first force and the second force act in parallel on the movable member in order to result in a combined force.

Abstract: A gripper type material feeding apparatus for the intermittent feeding of a workpiece. The apparatus includes a first linearly guided gripper mechanism which is movable in a first direction of workpiece feeding and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first gripper mechanism includes a first gripping member and a second gripping member wherein the second gripping member is movable relative to the first gripping member for gripping the workpiece. The apparatus includes a first release actuator for moving the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism in a direction relative to the first gripping member of the first gripper mechanism. The apparatus includes a first release connecting link with a first end pivotally connected at a first pivot axis to the first release actuator and with a second end pivotally connected at a second pivot axis to the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for the intermittent feeding of a workpiece. The apparatus includes a first linearly guided gripper mechanism which is movable in a first direction of workpiece feeding and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first gripper mechanism includes a first gripping member and a second gripping member wherein the second gripping member is movable relative to the first gripping member for gripping the workpiece. The apparatus further includes a gripper mechanism drive actuator which is angularly adjustable, reversible and rotary, a fixed length driving member connected to the gripper mechanism drive actuator for rotation therewith. The apparatus further includes a first gripper mechanism drive connecting link with a first end pivotally connected to a first end of the fixed length driving member and with a second end pivotally connected to the first gripper mechanism for moving the first gripper mechanism in the first direction of workpiece feeding and the second direction.

Abstract: A drive apparatus includes a movable member, at least one linear electrical actuator for generating a first force, and at least one linear hydraulic actuator for generating a second force. The at least one linear electrical actuator and the at least one linear hydraulic actuator are arranged such that the first force and the second force act in parallel on the movable member in order to result in a combined force.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of determining the correct timing of a material release mechanism of a material feed mechanism and includes the steps of: cycling a press mechanism through a working portion of a tooling mechanism; monitoring the press mechanism position; determining, by a location device, the desired timing for the material release mechanism to release contact with material; and correlating the desired material release mechanism timing to the press mechanism position.

Abstract: This invention includes a method of determining the correct timing of a material release mechanism (42) of a material feed mechanism (14) and includes the steps of: cycling a press mechanism (12) through a working portion of a tooling mechanism (17); monitoring the press mechanism (12) position; determining, by a location device (58), the desired timing for the material release mechanism (42) to release contact with material (18); and correlating the desired material release mechanism (42) timing to the press mechanism (12) position. The present invention also is a stamping system (10) for working the material (18). This stamping system (10) includes a press mechanism (12) having a tooling mechanism (17) configured to punch holes (66) in the material (18). The stamping system (10) also includes a material feed mechanism (14) to feed material (18) to the press mechanism (12), and this material feed mechanism (14) includes a material release mechanism (42).

Abstract: This invention includes a method of determining the correct timing of a material release mechanism (42) of a material feed mechanism (14) and includes the steps of: cycling a press mechanism (12) through a working portion of a tooling mechanism (17); monitoring the press mechanism (12) position; determining, by a location device (58), the desired timing for the material release mechanism (42) to release contact with material (18); and correlating the desired material release mechanism (42) timing to the press mechanism (12) position. The present invention also is a stamping system (10) for working the material (18). This stamping system (10) includes a press mechanism (12) having a tooling mechanism (17) configured to punch holes (66) in the material (18). The stamping system (10) also includes a material feed mechanism (14) to feed material (18) to the press mechanism (12), and this material feed mechanism (14) includes a material release mechanism (42).