Abstract: A pneumatic cylinder having internal hydraulic dampening device for cushioning the motion of a pneumatic piston (44) at its end of stroke. The hydraulic device includes a pair of hydraulic pistons (50, 52) cooperating with a pair of hydraulic cylinders to form a pair of hydraulic chambers (58, 64), which communicate with each other by a restricted flow passage (74). When the pneumatic piston nears its end of stroke, one of the hydraulic pistons is moved to compress the corresponding hydraulic chamber, forcing hydraulic fluid through the restricted flow passage, to the other hydraulic chamber. The flow of hydraulic fluid through the restricted flow passage slows the pneumatic piston, thereby cushioning the end of stroke motion. The restricted flow passage can include a plurality of flow passages which are sequentially closed by pins (136, 138, 140, 142) connected to one of the hydraulic pistons, as the hydraulic piston moves, to vary the restriction in the flow passage.

Abstract: A die cart adapted to be used for the removal and installation of a cut-off die set from the carriage of a cut-off press. Whereby a slide member operating on a set of guide rails mounted to an independent frame and driven by a drive screw assembly is coupled to the die set. The drive screw assembly is then rotated to pull the die set off the carriage of the cut-off press onto the die cart and the die cart is then removed. Further, the guide rails are pivotal about a point on the frame to enable the die cart to install and remove cut-off die sets secured from the inclined carriage of a cut-off press.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting a notching blade assembly specifically for use in a double-cut die set of the type used to cut tubing continuously emanating from the tube mill. The present invention is directed toward the notching blade assembly used in conjunction with the vertical guillotine blade of the cut-off die set to notch the upper surface of the tubing prior to the shearing cut. The subject device includes a clamp plate secured to the carriage of the double-cut die set, a key-shaped transverse bore extending through the clamp plate and carriage body so that the notching blade having a corresponding key-shaped bore can be placed betwen the clamp plate and carriage, a locking stud having a locking pin on one end thereof is inserted through the key-shaped transverse bore and rotated away from the channel groove portion of the keyhole-shaped bore to clamp the notching blade between the clamp plate and carriage assembly.