Abstract: This device is especially suited for gripping heavy and cumbersome pieces of sheet metal without human force and transporting them from a stacking device to a bending press for further processing. By means of rotatable clamping of gripping jaws mounted on a vertically movable jaw carriage, a laterally movable first horizontal carriage, a longitudinally movable second horizontal carriage and a swivel or turning device, any piece of sheet metal can be directly rotated or turned about a horizontal gripping jaw axis or can be rotated in the plane of the sheet and then regripped, or can be subjected to both actions. The piece of sheet metal normally held by two pairs of jaws is further supported below the jaw axis by multi-component sheet metal support devices carried on two independently movable sheet metal support carriages.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending a plate utilizing a bending punch and a die into which the bending punch penetrates to a greater or lesser extent depending on the bending angle .alpha.. The magnitude and variation of the bending force required during deformation of the plate unit are determined and utilized to determine the depth h of punch penetration.

Abstract: Sheet metal plates are automatically fed for processing to a computerized numerically controlled sheet shear arrangement by means of the feeding apparatus. This feeding apparatus comprises a feeding bar arranged parallel to the cutting blades of the sheet shear arrangement and movable perpendicular thereto. Elevationally displaceable or movable holding elements are arranged on opposite sides of the feeding bar. On the side of the cutting blades the holding elements retain a first sheet metal plate intended to be cut and on the opposite side grip a second sheet metal plate which has been elevated by suction elements. During the cutting operation performed upon the first sheet metal plate the second sheet metal plate is drawn to a working table within an overlapping time interval and placed upon the working table.