Abstract: This invention relates to a hydraulic force modulator used in a power press to provide a predetermined force with a defined force applied by a ram of the press at defined incremental positions of the ram relative to a stationary part of the press. A moveable plate moves relative to a base plate. A resilient pneumatic bellows has one end sealingly mounted on the moveable plate. The resilient pneumatic bellows has an opposite end sealingly mounted on the base plate. A vessel is connected on one of the plates. A metering cylinder is mounted on the same plate as the vessel and is positioned within the vessel. A piston assembly is mounted in the metering cylinder. A piston rod has one end connected to the piston assembly and the opposite end connected to the other of the plates.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hydraulic force modulator used in a power press to provide a predetermined force with a defined force applied by a ram of the press at defined incremental positions of the ram relative to a stationary part of the press. A moveable plate moves relative to a base plate. A resilient pneumatic bellows has one end sealingly mounted on the moveable plate. The resilient pneumatic bellows has an opposite end sealingly mounted on the base plate. A vessel is connected on one of the plates. A metering cylinder is mounted on the same plate as the vessel and is positioned within the vessel. A piston assembly is mounted in the metering cylinder. A piston rod has one end connected to the piston assembly and the opposite end connected to the other of the plates.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hydraulic force modulator used in a power press to provide a predetermined force with a defined force applied by a ram of the press at defined incremental positions of the ram relative to a stationary part of the press. A moveable plate moves relative to a base plate. A resilient pneumatic bellows has one end sealingly mounted on the moveable plate. The resilient pneumatic bellows has an opposite end sealingly mounted on the base plate. A vessel is connected on one of the plates. A metering cylinder is mounted on the same plate as the vessel and is positioned within the vessel. A piston assembly is mounted in the metering cylinder. A piston rod has one end connected to the piston assembly and the opposite end connected to the other of the plates.

Abstract: A single action cylinder is used with a machine. The machine has a first part and a second part having reciprocating motion relative to each other. The single action cylinder affects the reciprocation between the first and second parts. The cylinder includes a base adapted for attachment to one of said parts. The cylinder includes a plurality of open ended longitudinally extendable resilient actuators stacked one above the other. A first actuator of said actuators has one end connected to the base. Each of the actuators is interconnected to an adjacent actuator to allow a fluid to flow between the actuators. A second actuator of the actuators has one end connected to an apparatus for attaching the second actuator to the other of the parts. An elongated guide is connected to one of the actuators to limit movement of that actuator in a direction transverse to the length of the guide.

Abstract: A power press used for metal working is provided with a cushioning system. During the operation of a press, abrupt changes in the velocity of certain moving parts of the press may damage or cause rapid wear to parts. The present invention utilizes pneumatic bellows actuators. A hydraulic snubber and snubber-intensifier having closed systems are in combination with a pneumatic bellows actuated die cushion. The snubber has a piston within a cylinder assembly. During the upward stroke of the ram of the press, the movable plate of the die cushion is held back by the piston so as to prevent a damaging impact on the movable die parts and workpiece supported by an air cushion. Fluid is allowed to flow from the top of the piston through a flow valve to return to a reservoir within the die cushion or to the bottom of the cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pneumatic press counterbalance and cushion construction. The press counterbalance holds certain parts of a press in the same relative engagement during the return stroke of a ram of the press as during the power stroke of that ram. The counterbalance includes a fixed plate adapted for connection to a part of the press. A pneumatic bellows has one end connected to the fixed plate. A movable plate is connected to the opposite end of the pneumatic bellows. A connector rod is connected to the movable plate and to another part of the press which part is movable relative to the part to which the fixed plate is connected. The pneumatic cushion includes a resilient bellows having one end connected to the fixed plate. A bellows connector is connected to the other end of the bellows. A second bellows has one end connected to the bellows and the other end connected to the movable plate.

Abstract: A die cushion construction for use in a press is the subject matter of the present invention. The instant die cushion construction includes a fixed plate connected to the press. A resilient cushion actuator has one end sealingly connected to the fixed plate. The resilient cushion actuator has an opposite end sealingly connected to a movable plate. The movable plate is adapted for connection to a portion of a die mounted in the press. A resilient snubber actuator has one end fixed relative to the fixed plate. The snubber actuator has an opposite movable end connected to the movable plate for affecting the rate of movement of the movable plate and a portion of the die. The snubber actuator is connected to means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator when the movable plate moves toward the snubber actuator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pneumatic press counterbalance which holds selected parts of a press in the same relative engagement during the return stroke of a ram as during the power stroke of that ram. The counterbalance includes a base plate adapted for connection to a first part of a press. An elongated cylindrical base tube having an open end is mounted on the base plate and has a center axis substantially perpendicular to the base plate. A resilient unconfined tubular bellows for holding air has a pair of opposed ends. The bellows has an elongated tubular resilient sleeve connecting the open ends and formed integral therewith. One of the open ends of the bellows is sealingly connected to the base tube. A first portion of the tubular sleeve surrounds a portion of the base tube. A second portion of the tubular sleeve is connected to the first portion by a fold in the sleeve and has a part surrounding the first portion. A movable plate is connected to the other end of the bellows.

Abstract: A pneumatic die cushion for use in a power press is the subject matter of this invention. The die cushion includes a pair of spaced substantially parallel plates with resilient bellows for resiliently spacing apart the plates. A plurality of limiter pins are releasably secured to one of said spaced plates. Each of said limiter pins has an end threadedly mounted in one of said plates. Each of said limiter pins is movable relative to the other of said plates. A stop mechanism is mounted on the other end of each limiter pin for limiting movement of the first mentioned plate away from the other plate. A limit sleeve is mounted on each of the limiter pins to control the minimum spacing between the plates. A quick change adaptor plate is fixed to one end of the bellows. The quick change adaptor plate has a pair of opposed ears. A mechanism is provided to releasably secure the ears of the quick change adaptor plate to said one of said plates to secure said one end of the bellows to said one of said plates.

Abstract: The specification discloses a transmission system for a press. A rotatable shaft is mounted within an oil lubrication housing and a flywheel is rotatably mounted in the housing about the shaft. A shaft extends through the oil housing for transmitting rotation to the flywheel within the oil housing. Low and high speed clutch assemblies are spaced apart along the shaft and include pistons selectively movable to engage the clutch assemblies. Gears are provided to transmit rotation from the flywheel to the clutch assemblies. A brake assembly is mounted between the clutch assemblies and includes friction surfaces carried about the shaft. The brake assembly also includes a stationary housing mounted about the friction surfaces and engaging the friction surfaces to brake the shaft when the friction surfaces are engaged. Brake plates are mounted on opposite sides of the brake assembly for causing engagement of the friction surfaces.