Abstract: An automatic die changing system for a power press having carriers for transporting dies to and from a work station in the press and having a plurality of air lines and electrical lines in the press for supplying compressed air and electrical power to the dies on the carriers. All of the air and electrical lines terminate at the surface of the press, with a normally closed valve at the end of each of the air lines and electrical contact means at the end of each of the electrical lines. A plurality of connectors are mounted on each of the carriers to register with the valves and electrical contacts when the carrier is positioned at the work station, and responsive to the lowering of the carrier onto the press bed to automatically connect the air and electrical lines at the surface of the bed with corresponding air and electrical lines for operating control devices associated with the dies on the carrier.

Abstract: A power metal-forming press of the underdrive type having a pair of laterally spaced rocker shafts journaled in the base. A set of vertical pull rods are connected to arms at the ends of the shafts for reciprocating the press slide. Driving subassemblies are provided at the near side and far side of the press each including a main drive gear carrying an eccentric. A pitman pivotally engaging the eccentric has a short arm which is coupled via a connecting link to a rocker arm on one of the shafts. The pitman also has a long arm extending generally in the opposite direction, the end of the long arm being guided with respect to the frame along a generally longitudinal path. The long arm is so angled with respect to the connecting link under conditions of bottoming of the slide that upon rotation of the main drive gear the short arm traces a generally elliptical path having a major axis which bears an acute angle to the bottoming orientation of the connecting link.