Abstract: A system monitors vibration activity in a press machine environment and generates a signal indicative of vibration level severity. An accelerometer can provide measured peak acceleration data that serves as an indication of vibration level. The vibration measurement, is compared to a reference vibration level that corresponds to a run condition of desired operating parameters. A controller controls the press machine shutheight in accordance with the differential expressed in the comparison result. The consequent shutheight adjustment effects a change in the vibration activity that acts as a correction to the deviation in vibration behavior expressed by the differential.

Abstract: A system monitors vibration activity in a press machine environment and generates a signal indicative of vibration level severity. An accelerometer can provide measured peak acceleration data that serves as an indication of vibration level. The vibration measurement, is compared to a reference vibration level that corresponds to a run condition of desired operating parameters. A controller controls the press machine shutheight in accordance with the differential expressed in the comparison result. The consequent shutheight adjustment effects a change in the vibration activity that acts as a correction to the deviation in vibration behavior expressed by the differential.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the force severity of a mechanical press able to do so without utilizing a contact force sensor. The method continually computes values of dynamic deflection for the press being monitored and utilizes these values to compute load on the press at any point in time. Also provided is a method and apparatus for generating a theoretical slide displacement curve and an actual displacement curve as well as a system for comparing such curves.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a monitoring system device attachable to a mechanical press, to measure long term reliability press conditions while in production operation. The device includes signal processing circuitry for processing a corresponding signal developed from an accelerometer. The signal processing circuitry has acceleration processing circuitry for calculating a press acceleration signal, a velocity processing circuitry for calculating a press velocity signal, and displacement processing circuitry for calculating a press displacement signal. Display circuitry is used for displaying at least one of said calculated signals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring, comparing, calculating, storing, transmitting, and billing durable goods operating usage fee for equipment based on the type amount and location of usage amount of usage, location of usage, of the equipment. Based on the type of usage, a discount or penalty can be added to the equipment usage fee based upon predetermined depreciation levels. Also, an equipment availability fee can be added to the equipment usage fee.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring die penetration depth of a mechanical press which does not directly measure die penetration depth is disclosed. Actual slide displacement curves under load conditions are continually generated for the press being monitored. The point at which the slide contacts the stock material, the dynamic die bottom dead center point of the slide, and the material thickness are utilized to compute actual die penetration depth. Additionally, theoretical die penetration depth may be calculated using values of theoretical contact point, theoretical bottom dead center and material hardness. Computed values of actual and theoretical die penetration depth as well as corresponding press operational parameters are stored in a database and provide a means of predicting die penetration depth for a particular operational condition of a mechanical press.

Abstract: A press die certification system for certifying a press die including a vibration severity monitor operationally connected to the press die to be certified, the monitor creating output containing vibration severity data and press run speed data. Software is utilized for creating a die certificate and die certificate data, calculated on monitor output data obtained from data memory and from press setup information.

Abstract: An apparatus which forms a controlled engageable low maintenance seal between the slide and the gib of a mechanical press and which prevents lubricant from exiting the area between the slide and the gib and entering the die space. The sealing arrangement is selectively actuatable depending upon an operational condition of the press.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the original warranty and extended warranty for a mechanical device. A value indicative of the severity of the use of a mechanical device is utilized to develop a value of original warranty and a value of extended warranty. Extended warranty information may additionally be used to offer an automatic buyback of the mechanical device.

Abstract: A press feed mounting system for mounting a press feed having a feed direction to a press includes a base member rigidly connected to the press for supporting the press feed, a shock isolation mounting located between the press feed and the base member, and a press feed link connected between the press feed and the press parallel to the feed direction.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring the operation of a press machine over a series of press running cycles. A plurality of press operating events associated with the operation of the press machine are defined. Each press operating event has a modifiable control function associated therewith. An arrangement of accelerometers measures the press machine vibrational activity associated with each press operating event that occurs during the series of press running cycles. A processor processes the vibration measurements associated with the press operating events to identify the presence of a vibration trend therein meeting a defined trending criteria. A controller is responsive to trend identification signals generated by the processor for modifying the respective control function of each press operating event which is associated with identification of the vibration trend.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the carry through state of a mechanical press is disclosed. Actual slide displacement curves under load conditions are continually generated for the press being monitored. Values of rebound height, rebound count, and rebound number for the press slide may then be determined and utilized as indicators of the carry through state of the press. Measured values of rebound height, rebound count, and rebound number can then be displayed and used as indicators that the energy of the slide should be increased to bring the press closer to a carry through state.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring the operation of a press machine over a series of press running cycles. A plurality of press operating events associated with the operation of the press machine are defined. Each press operating event has a modifiable control function associated therewith. An arrangement of accelerometers measures the press machine vibrational activity associated with each press operating event that occurs during the series of press running cycles. A processor processes the vibration measurements associated with the press operating events to identify the presence of a vibration trend therein meeting a defined trending criteria. A controller is responsive to trend identification signals generated by the processor for modifying the respective control function of each press operating event which is associated with identification of the vibration trend.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the tipping moment severity of a mechanical press for the purpose of accurately predicting die reliability. The method includes generating a unique tipping moment severity chart for the press application to be monitored and continually monitoring the tipping moment level during production operation of the press. Apparatus is used to monitor the applied load which is communicated to a computational device for computing and plotting tipping moment severity on the tipping moment severity chart.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the operation of a press machine employs a sensor to measure the peak acceleration levels of a slide assembly. The sensor measurement data represents peak load levels being developed within the press machine. A data means provides load level capacity data representing the maximum allowable compressive and tensile load levels for the press machine. The capacity data is provided in the form of plural press machine operating zones each representing a corresponding range of load values and having a respective rating factor which indicates the relationship of the particular operating zone to a respective one of the maximum allowable compressive/tensile load levels. A processor evaluates the peak load levels in relation to the operating zone data to determine which respective ones of the plural press machine operating zones encompass each respective one of the peak load levels.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of monitoring, analyzing and managing mechanical press usage. The method of this form of the current invention includes the steps of: monitoring vibration severity, including vibration severity zone; monitoring tipping moment severity; monitoring press repair information, including die repair information; monitoring press maintenance information, including die maintenance information; monitoring press applied load; and analyzing the effect of vibration severity, tipping moment severity, press repair, press maintenance and applied load to determine necessary press modifications.

Abstract: A press die certification system for certifying a press die including a vibration severity monitor operationally connected to the press die to be certified, the monitor creating output containing vibration severity data and press run speed data. Software is utilized for creating a die certificate and die certificate data, calculated on monitor output data obtained from data memory and from press setup information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the force severity and impulse energy of a mechanical press for the purpose of accurately predicting operating reliability of a press during its production operation. The method includes continuous or intermittent, automatic or manual monitoring the load during production operation of the press. Apparatus is used to monitor the load which is then communicated to a computational device which computes the impulse energy for one slide stroke of the mechanical press.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring the operation of a press machine over a series of press running cycles. A plurality of press operating events associated with the operation of the press machine are defined. Each press operating event has a modifiable control function associated therewith. An arrangement of accelerometers measures the press machine vibrational activity associated with each press operating event that occurs during the series of press running cycles. A processor processes the vibration measurements associated with the press operating events to identify the presence of a vibration trend therein meeting a defined trending criteria. A controller is responsive to trend identification signals generated by the processor for modifying the respective control function of each press operating event which is associated with identification of the vibration trend.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a hand held device attachable to a mechanical press to measure press conditions. The device includes signal processing circuitry for processing a corresponding signal developed from an accelerometer. The signal processing circuitry has acceleration processing circuitry for calculating a press acceleration signal, a velocity processing circuitry for calculating a press velocity signal, and displacement processing circuitry for calculating a press displacement signal. Display circuitry is used for displaying at least one of said calculated signals. A multi-contact switch connect the acceleration, velocity, and displacement processing circuitry together permitting an operator to select one of the calculated signals for input to the display circuitry. A method of utilization of the device is also described.