Abstract: A punch press having a high-energy, thermal melting device and an improved slag recovery system. The punch press is a bridge-type machine in which the workhead which carries the ram of the punch press and the melting tool moves along a first axis, and the workpiece is moved along a second orthogonal axis. The slag collection system is static for simplistically, economically, and reliably collecting the slag created by the melting tool, and includes a long, slot-like opening congruent with the path of the melting tool. The slot-like opening is in the top of a stationary plenum provided below the workpiece and extends down to an open bottom where a slag tray is provided to collect the slag. A vacuum source is connected to the plenum to draw gases through the slot-like opening and into the plenum for removal. A spark trap is interposed between the vacuum source and the plenum to prevent sparks from entering the vacuum source and causing a fire or explosion.

Abstract: The stand-off height of a plasma arc torch relative to an underlying workpiece is adjusted by rotating a collar on an adaptor to which the torch is affixed. When the collar is rotated, a camming action occurs to effect upward or downward movement of the torch within a vertically fixed housing and thereby adjust the vertical distance between the torch and the workpiece.

Abstract: A marking tool assembly includes a plurality of marking punches for stamping alpha/numeric indicia into a workpiece. The punches are adapted to be indexed selectively to an active punching position beneath a striker which causes one of the punches to stamp the workpiece during the downstroke of the tool, the remaining punches resting idly on the workpiece. A stripper ring holds the striker rotationally stationary and also prevents rotation of a retaining ring for permitting up and down sliding of the punches in a holder and for guiding the punches to the active punching position.

Abstract: Molten metal created during cutting of a workpiece by a plasma-arc torch is discharged downwardly into a tubular collector duct. A power-rotated cutter is located adjacent the upper end of the duct and shaves dross from the underside of the workpiece as the latter is moved beneath the torch, the dross also being discharged downwardly into the duct. Water is sprayed into the duct to cool the duct and is also sprayed against the rotary cutter to cool the cutter as the dross is shaved from the workpiece.

Abstract: Cartridges each containing a different punch, stripper and die are moved automatically by a robot-like transfer mechanism between a punch press and a tool rack for storing several of the cartridges. The transfer mechamism is characterized by a hook-like hand having laterally spaced and laterally stationary hooks formed with notches which coact with pins on each cartridge to enable the hand to lift and carry the cartridge. Cam plates with cam surfaces are located adjacent the notches and cam against the pins to automatically shift the cartridge to a laterally centered position in the hand when the hand first lifts the cartridge.

Abstract: The punch, stripper and die of a punch press are formed with laterally projecting tongues adapted to telescope releasably into three vertically spaced sockets formed in a hand-held cartridge for supporting the tools and for facilitating insertion of the tools into and removal of the tools from the punch press.

Abstract: A workpiece is shifted forwardly and rearwardly beneath a punch and a transversely spaced cutting torch by a work table formed with a comparatively wide fore-and-aft extending throat for accommodating a die and a duct which underlie the punch and the torch, respectively. The throat is partially filled by platforms which normally support the overlying portions of the workpiece to reduce deflection thereof but which are adapted to be automatically moved out of the way of the rear of the table when the table is shifted forwardly.

Abstract: Part of the upper flange at the end portion of an I-beam is removed therefrom by cutting through the flange with a plasma-arc torch, the torch also forming a vertical cut through the lower flange of the beam. Thereafter, a shearing punch shears through the web of the beam to remove the lower flange from the end portion of the beam. Because a portion of the upper flange is removed from the beam prior to the shearing operation, the punch does not engage any substantial part of the upper flange and thus the punch may effect shearing of the web along a line located in close proximity to the junction of the web and the flanges.

Abstract: A workpiece is shifted forwardly and rearwardly beneath a punch and a transversely spaced cutting torch by a work table formed with a comparatively wide fore-and-aft extending throat for accommodating a die and a duct which underlie the punch and the torch, respectively. The throat is partially filled by platforms which normally support the overlying portions of the workpiece to reduce deflection thereof but which are adapted to be automatically moved out of the way of the rear of the table when the table is shifted forwardly.

Abstract: Small and regularly shaped holes are formed in a workpiece by the punch of a punch press while large and irregularly shaped holes are formed by a plasma-arc torch attached to the punch press. Fumes and molten metal resulting from operation of the torch are directed into an upright duct which underlies the workpiece, the upper end of the duct engaging the workpiece to prevent deformation thereof. When the punch is operating, the upper end of the duct is retracted downwardly to provide clearance for movable clamps which grip and position the workpiece.Additional fumes are collected in and sucked from a shroud which encloses the tip of the torch and which carries a collar for establishing the stand-off height of the torch.

Abstract: A stylus is mounted on a carriage which also supports a work plate adapted to be positioned beneath a punch. When the punch first strikes the work plate, the stylus is automatically retracted out of a hole in a template so as to free the carriage to shift forwardly in unison with the work plate as the punch continues through the plate.

Abstract: A punch press for producing duplicate piece parts from workpiece blanks includes a C-shaped frame supporting an actuator operable to reciprocate a movable tool element toward and away from a fixed tool element to punch holes in an intervening workpiece blank. The latter is clamped to a carriage for movement between the tool elements within a punching area and the carriage is supported on a movable bed which, in turn, is supported on a worktable mounted separately of the press frame. The bed is slidably mounted for movement in an x direction while the carriage is slidably mounted on the bed for movement in a y direction thereby enabling x, y movement of the blank to position it in the punching area. Located on the table adjacent the punching area is a duplicating area within which a first piece part is clamped to the table in a predetermined position with respect to the fixed tool element.