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: A signal generator is disclosed. The signal generator includes a variable frequency selector that is configured to provide a variable frequency for generation of a variable frequency signal. The signal generator also includes a periodic signal generator. The periodic signal generator is used to generate a periodic signal. The periodic signal generator has an input receiving the variable frequency signal and an output providing the periodic signal. The periodic signal has a frequency approximately the same as the variable frequency selection. The periodic signal generator stores a table of values associated with a reference periodic signal, each stored value corresponding to a discrete time in the reference periodic signal. The periodic signal generator is configured to interpolate between the discrete points in the table of derivative values.

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.

Abstract: A press monitoring system includes an electronic processor for accessing a communication network connected to the processor. A sensor is used for measuring a desired quality of the press connected to the electronic processor. The processor sends the communication network corresponding to the measured quality. A remote unit connected to the communication network is adapted to accept the signal from the electronic processor, and to display the measured quality of the press, whereby the press may be monitored remotely during a production run.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically monitoring in real-time the operation of a press machine and tooling during actual production operations, in order to evaluate the true interaction between actual vibration activity occurring at multiple locations within the press machine geometry. A configuration of accelerometers is used to acquire measurement data indicating the acceleration of the press machine and for tooling at a plurality of press machine locations. An integrator converts the acceleration data into displacement data representing the displacement activity of the press machine at the indicated machine locations. Filtering the displacement data provides deflection measurements representing the vibrational activity occurring at the relevant machine and tooling location. Measurements of the relative press motion activity between selected machine locations provide an indication of the influence that deflection activity occurring at respective press machine locations has on one another.

Abstract: The invention includes a mounting system for a press having an elastomeric isolator operatively associated with the press bed along with an air mount isolator operatively associated with the press bed for support of the press bed relative to a floor. A monitoring mechanism is provided for activating the air mount isolator based on a predetermined condition of the press so that the press bed is supported by the elastomeric isolator before air mount isolator activation and the press bed is supported solely by the air mount isolator after activation.

Abstract: A method of generating a press load/speed vibration severity capacity zone chart, for the purpose of determining the effects of any press/die application on the long-term operating reliability of a press during its production operation, wherein sensors are placed on the press structure to monitor and record RMS vibration velocity levels over a plurality of load/speed test condition combinations, in order to generate the reliability chart. Further apparatus is used to monitor the actual reliability level of the press during any production application, by comparison of the actual production operation data to the data generated by the method to establish the press vibration severity/reliability chart.

Abstract: A load control system and tool arrangements are disclosed for controlling the shutheight and back-up load on a mechanical press tool in response to a monitored or measured parameter indicative of press tool force or part quality, which monitored parameter is communicated to a controller for determination of a control signal to control a means for regulating the press tool back-up load and shutheight without interrupting press operations. The control system is operable to control a single station or multi station press and can be installed on either an individual press tool or the bolster or slide.

Abstract: A load control system and tool arrangements are disclosed for controlling the shutheight and back-up load on a mechanical press tool in response to a monitored or measured parameter indicative of press tool force or part quality, which monitored parameter is communicated to a controller for determination of a control signal to control a means for regulating the press tool back-up load and shutheight without interrupting press operations. The control system is operable to control a single station or multi station press and can be installed on either an individual press tool or the bolster or slide.

Abstract: A load control system and tool arrangements are disclosed for controlling the shutheight and back-up load on a mechanical press tool in response to a monitored or measured parameter indicative of press tool force or part quality, which monitored parameter is communicated to a controller for determination of a control signal to control a means for regulating the press tool back-up load and shutheight without interrupting press operations. The control system is operable to control a single station or multi station press and can be installed on either an individual press tool or the bolster or slide. The back-up load is controlled by a non-fluid, moveable mechanical tool back-up mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanical press, and in particular to such a press having a crown portion with an open top thereby permitting the crankshaft and connection arm assembly to be lowered therein in a preassembled state. Next, a cover plate is connected to the crown and the press motor assembly is mounted thereon. Belt connections to the drive assembly can be made through openings in the cover plate and access to the drive assembly can be had through removable doors on the ends of the crown. Preferably, the press frame comprising the bed, uprights and crown are formed as a single casting thereby avoiding the necessity for tie rods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a speed control and indication system for a mechanical press. In order to enable the press to operate at its full running speed on the first cycle thereof after actuation of the clutch, the flywheel is driven at a speed higher than the set running speed so that as the mechanical inertia of the drive mechanism will cause the press to slow down to its set running speed. The control circuit modifies the speed control voltage after actuation of the clutch so that the press continues to run at the set speed even after the mechanical inertia is overcome. The signal from the tachometer to the speed meter is modified before actuation of the clutch so that it provides a reading at the set running speed of the press even though the flywheel is running at a higher speed. After the clutch is actuated, the true tachometer voltage is fed to the speed meter so that it continues to indicate the true running speed of the press.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanical press, and in particular to such a press having a crown portion with an open top thereby permitting the crankshaft and connection arm assembly to be lowered therein in a preassembled state. Next, a cover plate is connected to the crown and the press motor assembly is mounted thereon. Belt connections to the drive assembly can be made through openings in the cover plate and access to the drive assembly can be had through removable doors on the ends of the crown. Preferably, the press frame comprising the bed, uprights and crown are formed as a single casting thereby avoiding the necessity for tie rods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanical press, and in particular to a guiding arrangement for the reciprocating slide of such a press. The press comprises a crown and bed and a plurality of vertical uprights connecting the crown and bed. A plurality of guideposts are rigidly connected to the crown and depend downwardly therefrom, the guideposts being parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the plane of the bed. The guideposts each have free ends which are unsupported and terminate short of the bed of the press so that the parallelism of the guidepins is determined solely by their connection to the crown. In order to counteract the non-vertical forces exerted on the slide by the connection arms, which tend to cause the slide to tilt about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the axis of the crankshaft, bearings are mounted between the connection assembly and the crown.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical press and in particular to a means for achieving thermal stability, particularly shutheight stability, by utilizing the waste heat from lubricant circulated through the drive assembly to heat the uprights. The oil is circulated through the crankshaft and connection arm assembly in the crown and then caused to flow through a thermal transfer device mounted to each of the uprights wherein the heated oil transfers a portion of its heat to the uprights so that they elongate due to thermal expansion at the same rate as the connection arms. The thermal transfer devices comprise a plurality of baffles over and through which the oil flows under gravity or pressure, wherein the baffles cause the oil to form a plurality of vertically spaced pools in good thermal contact with the uprights.