Abstract: The drive cylinder component of a hydraulic press is reciprocable relative to a fixed ram to drive the press slide toward the press bed for the performance of work on a workpiece between the slide and bed. The cylinder component is provided with an integral radially outwardly extending flange about the periphery thereof at the open end of the cylinder, and the press frame is provided with a stop plate surrounding the cylinder and disposed in the path of the flange so as to be engaged thereby as the cylinder approaches its lowermost position with respect to the press bed. The stop plate and flange are adapted to take a full press tonnage load. The flange also supports guide components engaging gibbing on the press frame for guidance and support of the cylinder and thus the slide during reciprocation thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for shuttling a workpiece to a work station in a forging press and rotating the workpiece about a vertical axis to orient different portions thereof relative to the work station. The apparatus includes a workpiece support mounted on a horizontally reciprocable shuttle plate for displacement therewith toward and away from the press and for displacement relative thereto about and along a vertical axis. A workpiece to be forged is positioned on the workpiece support while the shuttle plate is displaced from the press, and displacement of the shuttle plate toward the press positions a portion of the workpiece at the press work station. A pair of leveling units are mounted on the shuttle plate adjacent the workpiece support and are operable to support portions of the workpiece outside the work station during a forging operation.

Abstract: A double acting press is disclosed having upper and lower vertically reciprocable slides and a bolster assembly therebetween, which bolster and slides support tooling for cutting and drawing a cup-shaped article from a flat blank of sheet metal in response to a cycle of reciprocation of the upper and lower slides. The bolster assembly is releaseably clamped in place with respect to the press frame during press operation and is adapted to be released from the frame and supported for rolling movement laterally outwardly of the frame to facilitate tool inspection, maintenance and replacement operations. Tooling associated with the upper and lower slides is adapted to be supported by the bolster assembly so that the entire tool package is movable into and out of the press confines with the bolster assembly.

Abstract: A press drive mechanism is disclosed having primary brake and clutch disc assemblies concentric with respect to the output shaft of the mechanism, and a concentric fluid operated piston-cylinder assembly for alternately actuating the brake and clutch mechanisms. A pre-assembled auxiliary clutch unit is adapted to be removably mounted on one end of the output shaft in order to increase the torque capability of the drive mechanism, and the auxiliary clutch unit includes a fluid operated member cooperable with the primary actuating mechanism to achieve simultaneous operation of the primary and auxiliary clutch units.

Abstract: The reciprocating slide of a mechanically driven press has a ball and socket type interconnection with the connecting rod of the press drive mechanism. The socket component of the interconnection provides a rotatable adjusting screw threadedly interengaged with an annular piston received in a cylinder component on the slide. A locking nut threadedly engages the adjusting screw and is rotatable relative thereto and to the piston to lock the adjusting screw against displacement relative to the piston. During normal press operation the locking nut is biased against a shoulder on the cylinder by hydraulic fluid under pressure in a variable volume chamber between the piston and cylinder components. In response to an overload on the slide, a pressure responsive relief valve releases hydraulic fluid from the chamber and enables relative movement between the piston and cylinder components and thus between the slide and connecting rod.

Abstract: The reciprocating slide of a mechanically driven press has a ball and socket type interconnection with the connecting rod of the press drive mechanism. The socket component of the interconnection provides a rotatable adjusting screw by which the shut height of the slide is adjustable, and a locking nut threadedly engages the adjusting screw and is rotatable relative thereto and to the slide to lock the adjusting screw against displacement relative to the slide during operation of the press.

Abstract: A press drive mechanism is disclosed having relatively rotatable output shaft and flywheel components which are independently rotatably supported at their opposite ends by fixed support members. The flywheel is mounted on a sleeve which is concentric with the output shaft and located between the opposite ends of the shaft. Clutch discs are cooperatively supported by the sleeve and output shaft, and brake discs are cooperatively supported by the output shaft and one of the fixed support members. The brake and clutch are alternately engaged and disengaged by means of a pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly concentric with the output shaft inwardly adjacent the other of the fixed support members.

Abstract: A press drive mechanism is disclosed having brake and clutch units including corresponding disc assemblies concentric with respect to the output shaft of the mechanism. A fluid operated piston-cylinder assembly concentric with the output shaft is operable to alternately actuate the brake and clutch units, and an auxiliary fluid operated piston-cylinder assembly is selectively operable to effect simultaneous actuation of the brake and clutch units.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for transferring a metal billet to and from a metalworking press. The mechanism includes an upright support member and a transfer arm having one end slidably and pivotally associated therewith. The other end of the arm carries a workpiece holder which is adapted to selectively grip and release a workpiece to be transferred. A link member has opposite ends pivotally connected one with the arm and the other with the support member and is actuable to pivotally and slidably displace the arm from one side of the support member to the other. The support member is located between the press and a billet conveyor mechanism, whereby displacement of the arm serves to transfer a billet between the conveyor and press locations. The workpiece holder has an axis of orientation which is rotated 90.degree. in response to movement of the arm between the conveyor and press locations, thus to rotate the billet axis 90.degree. during a transfer operation.