Abstract: A stock feed and cutter system for forging machines and the like in which stationary grippers and linearly movable grippers alternately grip rod or wire stock. The movable grippers reciprocate toward and away from the stationary grippers and operate to feed the stock without slippage a precise distance into a cutter. A stock gage is therefore not required and an optimum cutter structure can be provided even for very short workpieces. After each feed operation, the cutter shears a workpiece from the end of the stock, which is subsequently formed to a desired shape. A running adjustment is provided for the reciprocating grippers so that the machine operator can adjust the length of the workpiece produced while the machine is running. A short blank detector independently measures the length of stock being fed and is connected to cause rejection of such short blank. The grippers operate without slippage and, in cooperation with the cutter, produce very uniform workpieces.

Abstract: A tool changer for forging machines or the like is disclosed. The tool changer includes a carriage which is manually movable along a track between positions over a forging machine and a position over a tool storage area. Detents are provided to give an indication when the carriage is properly positioned at each station where a tool changing operation is required. A power lift supported by the carriage is turn supports a tool head for vertical movement. Mounted on the lift is a tiller which extends laterally from the tool changer. Controls for the lift are mounted on the tiller. The tiller and the controls mounted thereon are conveniently located to permit the operator to move the tool changer from an operator's position intermediate the machine and tool storage area and to control the operation of the tool changer from such position. A camming system operates to accurately position the tool changing head as it is lowered into an operative position at each work station.

Abstract: A fully automated tool changer system for multi-station forging machines is disclosed. This system provides a tool and die supporting head providing spaced support rails on which the tools or dies are supported during the transfer between the machine and the tooling rack. Such head is operable to properly position tools and dies which have different diameters for insertion into the cylindrical cavities in which they are mounted within the machine. A second tooling head is rotated to an operative position when the elements of the shear are to be changed. The tool heads are directly supported on the machine frame or the tool rack so that the loads of installing and removing the tooling are directly transmitted to stationery supports and need not be absorbed by the power transfer system. Further, the supports are arranged so that a high degree of positional accuracy is provided during the tool changing operations.