Abstract: A surface grinding machine has a motor-driven grinding disc supported in a carrier movably supported above the base and a tool holding fixture on the base which is rotatable about a laterally offset axis. A control assembly includes a contact arm which is movable into an operative position to guide the tool into the initial grinding position, and includes means for moving the grinding disc downwardly against the tool surface in a controlled fashion upon movement of the contact arm into an inoperative position. The tool holding fixture is rotatable about its axis as the grinding disc rotates to eliminate substantially circular grooves and scratches in the tool being ground.

Abstract: A die or like tooling is precisely oriented in a horizontal attitude for lowering into a tool-receiving recess in a machine frame by moving it against a guide member projecting above the tool holder and then moving both tool and guide member downwardly to seat the tool. To ensure proper alignment and attitude, the guide member and tool have a cooperating recess and projection. The machine tool desirably includes a locking member to retain the members in the depressed position.

Abstract: A punch press uses a punch tool assembly which contains at least two punch pins of different diameters or cross-sections which are readily interchangeable in the working position by a control element which is slidable about the pin support member, and actuating means. When the punch tool assembly is rotatable about the ram to effect the movement of the punch pins from operative to inoperative positions, then a cooperating movable die is provided in order to ensure that the aligned die bores are cooperatively dimensioned and configured with respect to the punch pins.

Abstract: A punch press has a punching tool assembly removably coupled to the ram, and it carries a plurality of punching pins which are individually selectable for a punching operation. A rotatable cam moves the selected punch pin from a retracted position in the tool assembly to an operative punching position, and the cam is driven by a retractable drive mechanism which is movable into engagement with the rotatable cam to effect such rotation and retracted to an inoperative position, by a moving means. Control means is provided to effect operation of the moving means and of the drive mechanism, and is operable to effect precise rotation of the cam member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a manipulation system for workpieces, in which the individual workpieces are gripped by manipulator gripping arms and transported to predetermined locations in processing and/or magazine stations. For permitting a technically simple manipulation and transport of workpieces of different shapes by the use of tongs as gripping tools provided at the gripping arms, the invention provides that to an easily accessible wall of the respective workpiece a handling member is secured which is so designed and arranged as to permit the tongs to engage this handling member for transporting the workpiece e.g. from a magazine to the machine tool. Suitably, this handling member is in the form of a hollow pin which with an enlarged base is bonded to the workpiece and, after processing, may be knocked off or separated from the workpiece in some other manner.

Abstract: A device for cutting workpieces, for example at a work station or place over which the workpiece is movable comprises a laser beam device for directing a laser beam at the workpiece at the workpiece station and means for directing a fluid coolant against the workpiece in the vicinity of the laser beam. The fluid coolant advantageously comprises a liquid such as water which is directed to the workpiece, preferably to intersect the laser beam at the intersection of the axis of the laser beam and the workpiece. In accordance with the inventive method, a quantity of coolant is applied to the workpiece and in accordance with the type of cutting that is taking place, this quantity changes for example if a sharp curvature or a discontinually continuity of cutting takes place in order to maintain the heat zone at a satisfactory temperature. The intensity of cooling may be made a function of the shape of the track followed by the workpiece and may be varied by a control device as to amount of coolant.

Abstract: In plasma/water cutting, in order to reduce the space required, it is suggested to construct the thermal cutting jet device so that water, required particularly to constrict the plasma jet, is removed by means of an annular suction nozzle or a ring of annular suction bores arranged around the thermal cutting jet device. In order to reduce the resulting noise, a spraying device can be arranged around the annular suction nozzle whose water is fed back to a tank either by a suction device for the cutting jet device, or by an additional suction device.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for working or machining flat workpieces which comprises, a frame, a flame cutter connected to the frame for directing a cutting flame or jet to one side of a workpiece which penetrates the workpiece, a mechanism for moving the workpiece past the jet and a cooling unit for receiving the flame after it has penetrated the workpiece. The cooling equipment includes an opening space for receiving the flame and a device for circulating coolant into the opening space so that the coolant can cool the flame and absorb particles, vapors and gases generated by the cutting operation.

Abstract: An extruded, hollow profile of light-transmissive thermoplastic material, especially polyvinylchloride or a polyacrylate, is coated on at least one major side with a film of compatible, cold-hardening, light-stabilized transparent liquid resin, such as a polyester or an acrylic, whose surface is being deformed by contact with an embossed pattern carrier. The film may be stained and/or reinforced by an embedded glass-fiber insert.

Abstract: A machine, particularly for stamping or nibbling, comprises a reciprocating tool drive having a plurality of tools connected to the drive for selective reciprocation thereof. The drive includes means for stopping at least one of the tools for exchange purposes and a tool-change member is mounted for movement alongside the tool drive and includes a member movable transversely to the reciprocation direction for engaging and removing a tool which is stopped or disconnected from the drive in order to effect an exchange with another tool without stopping the drives of these other tools. The machine also includes means for engaging and moving a workpiece transverse to the reciprocating direction.

Abstract: A copying tracer for tracing templates which have hollows or recesses or bores, particularly for stamping or nibbling machines, comprises a housing with a bore therein with a copying tracer plunger portion slidable in the bore which has a lower end which engages the template. The tracer plunger is biased by biasing means which act to provide a uniform downward biasing pressure on the plunger to engage the lower template engaging end portion of the tracer with the template and which is increased when the template begins to move downwardly, such as when it enters a recess or a groove, so that the movement becomes very rapid. The biasing may be accomplished by a spring system which includes one coil spring acting axially along the axis of the plunger tracer and an additional spring which is locked when the tracer engages the surface of the template but which moves transversely and acts against the plunger in a downward component of force after the tracer is initially moved downwardly.