Abstract: A pneumatic die transfer system for a press machine comprises at least two primary roller rails and at least two secondary roller rails set in respective T-slots in a bolster. The primary roller rails are perpendicular to the secondary roller rails. Airbags below each roller rail are selectively inflated to elevate either the primary or the secondary roller rails above the bolster face. The secondary roller rails each have a plurality of discontinuities configured to receive the primary roller rails and their associated airbags in an intersecting fashion. As a result, the bolster can be easily fabricated with intersecting T-slots and relatively few roller rails are needed to achieve fully orthogonal conveyance of a heavy die over the face of a bolster.

Abstract: A pneumatic die transfer system for a press machine comprises at least two primary roller rails and at least two secondary roller rails set in respective T-slots in a bolster. The primary roller rails are perpendicular to the secondary roller rails. Airbags below each roller rail are selectively inflated to elevate either the primary or the secondary roller rails above the bolster face. The secondary roller rails each have a plurality of discontinuities configured to receive the primary roller rails and their associated airbags in an intersecting fashion. As a result, the bolster can be easily fabricated with intersecting T-slots and relatively few roller rails are needed to achieve fully orthogonal conveyance of a heavy die over the face of a bolster.