Abstract: A mechanical press drive that uses a ballscrew apparatus to move the upper platen of a press upward and downward. A first coupling is connected to a screw of the ballscrew apparatus and connects the screw to one of a movable platen of a press or a stationary member of the press. A second coupling is connected to and couples a nut of the ballscrew apparatus to the other of the platen and the stationary member of the press. A drive motor is operably connected to one of the nut and screw and relatively rotates them to impart reciprocal motion to a movable press platen coupled to the other of the nut and screw. The two couplings cooperatively isolate the ballscrew apparatus from offset and moment loading that may occur during press operation.

Abstract: A bending and hemming apparatus configured to both bend and hem a sheet metal panel to form a body closure member at a single station. The apparatus includes a hemming machine movable between a retracted position spaced from a bending machine and advanced positions adjacent the bending machine to assist in the bending operation and to hem the body panel into a finished product. The apparatus also includes an anvil assembly pivotably supported on the hemming machine. The anvil assembly is movable between a lowered position where it engages the workpiece when the hemming machine is advanced to a bending position adjacent the bending machine. In the lowered position, the anvil assembly provides a fulcrum around which the workpiece is bent. The anvil assembly is pivotable to a raised position to allow the hemming machine to be advanced to a hemming position adjacent the bending machine from which the hemming machine can engage the bent workpiece to hem the workpiece.

Abstract: A mechanical press drive that uses a ballscrew apparatus to move the upper platen of a press upward and downward. A first coupling is connected to a screw of the ballscrew apparatus and connects the screw to one of a movable platen of a press or a stationary member of the press. A second coupling is connected to and couples a nut of the ballscrew apparatus to the other of the platen and the stationary member of the press. A drive motor is operably connected to one of the nut and screw and relatively rotates them to impart reciprocal motion to a movable press platen coupled to the other of the nut and screw. The two couplings cooperatively isolate the ballscrew apparatus from offset and moment loading that may occur during press operation.

Abstract: A bending and hemming apparatus configured to both bend and hem a sheet metal panel to form a body closure member at a single station. The apparatus includes a hemming machine movable between a retracted position spaced from a bending machine and advanced positions adjacent the bending machine to assist in the bending operation and to hem the body panel into a finished product. The apparatus also includes an anvil assembly pivotably supported on the hemming machine. The anvil assembly is movable between a lowered position where it engages the workpiece when the hemming machine is advanced to a bending position adjacent the bending machine. In the lowered position, the anvil assembly provides a fulcrum around which the workpiece is bent. The anvil assembly is pivotable to a raised position to allow the hemming machine to be advanced to a hemming position adjacent the bending machine from which the hemming machine can engage the bent workpiece to hem the workpiece.