Abstract: A forming die set has one or more independently operated hydraulic actuator assemblies mounted directly in one of the die shoes to enable a programmed piercing pattern to be carried out at the time the workpiece is formed. Each actuator assembly includes a compact self contained actuator, in which both a piston and piston rod and a punch retainer are slidable in different sections of a housing bore with supply and return connections both through an end cap of the cylinder housing with a return flow path through a tube extending through the piston. The piston rod extends through an annular rod gland member positioned in the cylinder housing bore, and has an end protruding through to a punch retainer to which it is coupled. The punch retainer is slidable in a section of the cylinder housing bore. A purging system using a check valve in the supply line establishes an incremental flow back to the reservoir eliminate air bubbles.

Abstract: A test fixture and method involves the use of a rotary element mounted within a fixture, the element having an internally threaded bore engaging a threaded body portion of the valve assembly and adapted to be selectively rotated by a drive motor to be drawn into a bore in the fixture accepting a stem portion of the valve assembly. A wrenching hexagonal contour on the housing receives a hex contour on a body portion of the valve assembly to hold the valve assembly against rotation upon insertion into the fixture bore. A sealing ring is compressed as the valve stem is fully drawn into the fixture bore, damage to the seal being avoided by not rotating the valve assembly during installation or removal.

Abstract: A forming die set has one or more independently operated hydraulic punch assemblies mounted directly in one of the die shoes to enable a programmed piercing pattern to be carried out at the time the workpiece is formed. Each punch assembly includes a compact self contained actuator, punch holder, stripper plate and punch retainer, with supply and return connections both made at one end of a cylinder housing with a return flow path through a tube extending through the piston. A purging system using a check valve in the supply line establishes an incremental flow back to the reservoir eliminate air bubbles. An accumulator having a charge volume detector is used to operate the punch assembly actuator.

Abstract: A press assembly is operable between open and closed conditions to deform a workpiece. During operation of the press assembly, the workpiece is held by upper and lower draw rings which apply pressure to opposite sides of the workpiece. A cushion assembly is operable to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of the draw rings. An auxiliary apparatus is operable to perform an operation on the workpiece while the workpiece is in the press assembly. A control valve is operable to a closed condition to block fluid flow from the cushion assembly to maintain the cushion assembly in a retracted condition during at least an initial portion of the operation of the press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition. During operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, the piston in a control cylinder is movable under the influence of force transmitted from the upper draw ring to pump fluid to both the cushion assembly and the auxiliary apparatus.

Abstract: An improved press assembly has upper and lower draw rings which grip a workpiece. During closing of the press assembly, an improved control assembly accelerates the lower draw ring to a first speed and then to a second speed before the upper and lower draw rings move together. Similarly, during opening of the press assembly, the control assembly decelerates the lower draw ring to a first speed and then decelerates the lower draw ring to a second speed prior to stopping of the lower draw ring. The control assembly includes a two stage piston and cylinder assembly. The piston and cylinder assembly includes an inner piston and a hollow outer piston which encloses the inner piston. The inner piston is engagable with a flange on the outer piston to move the outer piston with the inner piston.

Abstract: An improved seal arrangement is used in a cushion assembly of a press. The seal arrangement includes a high pressure piston seal assembly which is connected with a piston and is disposed in sealing engagement with a cylinder of the cushion assembly. The high pressure piston seal assembly blocks fluid flow between upper and lower variable volume chambers of the cushion assembly. A high pressure cylinder seal assembly is disposed in sealing engagement with a piston rod and the cylinder to block fluid flow from the upper variable volume chamber along the piston rod. An outer low pressure seal assembly is also provided between the piston rod and cylinder to block contaminants from entering the cylinder from the surrounding environment. A low pressure leak down chamber is provided between the high pressure cylinder seal assembly and the low pressure seal assembly.

Abstract: A press assembly is operable from the open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece. The press assembly is the operable from the closed condition to an open condition to facilitate removal of the deformed workpiece from the press assembly. During operation of the press assembly, the workpiece is held by upper and lower draw rings or members which apply pressure to opposite sides of the workpiece. A cushion assembly is operable to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of the draw rings. As the press is operated from the open condition to the closed condition, the lower draw ring is accelerated while the upper draw ring is spaced from the lower draw ring. This reduces shock loading on the press when the upper draw ring and workpiece subsequently impact against the lower draw ring to grip the workpiece.

Abstract: A self-lubricating die cylinder assembly is provided containing a cylinder, piston, expansion reservoir and working chamber. A lubricating oil recirculation means is provided to transport oil between the working chamber and the expansion reservoir during each of the piston strokes. A flow restrictor is provided to create a pressure differential between the two chambers during movement of the piston thus creating a jet mixture of compressible working fluid and lubricating oil spraying onto the walls of the cylinder.

Abstract: A self-lubricating die cylinder assembly is provided containing a cylinder, piston, expansion reservoir and working chamber. A lubricating oil recirculation means is provided to transport oil between the working chamber and the expansion reservoir during each of the piston strokes. A flow restrictor is provided to create a pressure differential between the two chambers during movement of the piston thus creating a jet mixture of compressible working fluid and lubricating oil spraying onto the walls of the cylinder.

Abstract: A press cushion assembly includes a variable volume chamber which is expanded during operation of the press to an open condition and is contracted during operation of the press to a closed condition. During expansion of the variable volume chamber, a flow of lubricating liquid is conducted to the variable volume chamber from a reservoir. At the same time, a flow of gas is also conducted from the reservoir to the variable volume chamber. Upon closing of the press and contraction of the variable volume chamber, a flow of lubricating fluid and gas is conducted from the variable volume chamber back to the reservoir. The cushion assembly may include a manifold plate in which a plurality of piston and cylinder assemblies are mounted. A reservoir disposed in the manifold plate is connected in fluid communication with the piston and cylinder assemblies by a plurality of passages. Check valves may be provided in the passages so that the lubricating fluid can flow in only one direction.