Abstract: A die separator cylinder for use in separating first and second portions of a metal forming die set comprises a housing including a bore. A piston is adapted to reciprocate in the bore between an extended position and a depressed position. The die separator cylinder further includes gas flow paths leading to and from the bore that define asymmetrical gas flow rates relative to each other so that said when the bore is charged with an inert gas, the inert gas biases the piston to the extended position with a force that varies depending upon a time interval elapsed since the piston moved from the depressed position to the extended position.

Abstract: A high-pressure, inert gas cushion assembly for the ram or bolster of a metal stamping press includes a manifold having fluid-flow passages defined therein, along with a plurality of cylinder mounting locations each in communication with at least one of the fluid-flow passages. A plurality of cushion cylinders are located respectively in the cylinder mounting locations. Each cylinder includes a body having an inner wall that defines a bore of diameter D. A piston is located in the bore and includes opposite inner and outer faces, wherein the outer face is oriented outwardly relative to the bore and manifold. A fluid seal is supported on the piston and is slidably engaged with the wall defining the bore. One or more bearings are supported on the piston and slidably engaged with the inner wall that defines the bore. The bearing(s) support the piston slidably in the bore for reciprocal sliding movement between extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A high-pressure, inert gas cushion assembly for the ram or bolster of a metal stamping press includes a manifold having fluid-flow passages defined therein, along with a plurality of cylinder mounting locations each in communication with at least one of the fluid-flow passages. A plurality of cushion cylinders are located respectively in the cylinder mounting locations. Each cylinder includes a body having an inner wall that defines a bore of diameter D. A piston is located in the bore and includes opposite inner and outer faces, wherein the outer face is oriented outwardly relative to the bore and manifold. A fluid seal is supported on the piston and is slidably engaged with the wall defining the bore. One or more bearings are supported on the piston and slidably engaged with the inner wall that defines the bore. The bearing(s) support the piston slidably in the bore for reciprocal sliding movement between extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a cup (10) having a profiled bottom generally includes a draw die (20) disposed at a first level of a double acting press. The draw die (20) cooperates with a draw pad (22) and a cut edge (24) to form and hold a blank (28) formed from a sheet of material (M). A punch assembly (30) is configured to travel through the draw die (20), thereby drawing the blank (28) over the draw die (20) into a cup (60). The punch assembly (30) transports the cup (60) to a second level of the press where it bottoms out on a die core (50) and a ring pad (51). One element of the punch assembly (30) continues to move beyond the second level of the press, thereby drawing a portion of the cup (60) over the die core (50) and profiling the bottom of the cup (60). The profiled cup (10) is then returned to the second level of the press where it is removed from the punch assembly (30) and transferred. The bottom profile insures that the cup will retain its shape during the transfer operation.