Abstract: A high speed pneumatic press is provided with an arrangement which reduces moving mass thereby reducing the tendency of the press to vibrate and "walk" during operation and also minimizing wear on the press. The press includes a fluid actuated ram having a ram cylinder and ram piston, the ram cylinder being lower in mass than the ram piston and connected to a reciprocating platen thereby reducing the moving mass associated with the reciprocating platen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for making three-dimensional metal parts with complex shapes such as skis, automotive trim, and other like elongated parts. The method includes uncoiling an cutting off segments of coiled stock to form a part blank, and mounting the part blank on an elongated jig with opposite sides of the part blank extending outwardly from the jig. The method further includes the steps of slitting the part blank to a predetermined symmetrical but non-uniform width by passing the jig past slitting heads, and roll-forming the slit blank in a similar manner. In the preferred embodiment, the method also includes controlling the vertical rotation of the slitting heads and the roll-forming heads. The apparatus includes a machine for making three-dimensional articles having complex non-uniform lateral cross-sectional shapes along the length thereof. The machine includes slitting heads and/or roll-forming heads adapted to laterally converge and diverge and also rotate about vertical axes.

Abstract: A controller and method are provided for controlling pneumatic presses, and similar machines. The controller comprises a gauge to measure increments of stock length passing through the press, a length recorder to set the desired piece length, and a length comparator which compares the readout of the gauge with the preset recorder piece length, and when equal, generates a stroke initiate signal. The stroke initiate signal opens an air valve portion of the pneumatic press to communicate pressurized air with the power side of an air actuated ram, which in turn converges the press platens to perform the desired press function, such as punching holes, notching, cutoff, or the like. The controller also includes a timer to measure time beginning from the stroke initiate signal, a time recorder to set the time the air valve is to remain open, and a time comparator which compares the readout of the timer with the preset valve open time, and when equal, generates a stroke halt signal.