Abstract: In a stamping press, a support assembly for a die set including a cylindrical roller mounted on spring means of sufficient strength so that the cylindrical roller normally supports a die set slightly above a press's bolster surface for easy movement thereover but yieldable in response to strong mounting forces generated between the die and the press to permit engagement of the die against the bolster surface.

Abstract: In an apparatus and a method for replacing a working-object of a processing machine, there are provided a working-object replacing support (6), a working-object moving passage (12) and a push/pull drive means (18) for the working-objects (5a)(5b).The push/pull drive means (18) is provided with a push/pull drive device (19), a push/pull engaging member pedestal (20), a push/pull transmission member (21), a guide rail (22) and a push/pull engaging member (23).An engaging portion (59) of the engaging member (23) is adapted to be shifted to a position lower than height positions of lower surfaces of engaged portions (25)(26) of the working-objects (5a)(5b) under the changed over condition to the disengagement position (Y) and at least to face upward so as to be engaged with the engaged portions (25)(26) from below under the changed over condition to the engagement position (X).

Abstract: Apparatus and a system for changing die sets in stamping presses including movable die set support carts which are positioned in a remote pre-staging or loading (and unloading) area when the presses are being used for stamping and which are positioned adjacent the presses to load a new die set into the press from one cart and to simultaneously unload an old die set from the press to another cart during a die set changing procedure.

Abstract: A mold handling aid is provided to assist in moving of a heavy mold on a platen of a mold press. Rollers are placed on the mold itself and engage the platen until the mold reaches its final mounting position on the platen. At this time an air bearing is used to precisely position the mold. In this manner the rollers do not bear any load once a mold is in its final position on the platen.

Abstract: A device for separating and closing a split mold that comprises a base, a stationary platen, and a movable platen extending upward from the base and oriented to oppose each other, electromagnets, a hydraulic cylinder, and a control panel. The movable platen is capable of movement toward and away from the stationary platen by the hydraulic cylinder. The stationary platen has the electromagnets mounted thereon and the movable platen has the electromagnets mounted thereon. In the use of the device, the mold is positioned upon the base such that the first half is positioned against the stationary platen. The movable platen is moved against the second half and the electromagnets are activated. The movable platen is then moved away from the stationary platen, and the mold halves are held against their respective platens by the attractive forces of the electromagnets. Mold halves are thus separated by the movement of the platen away from the stationary platen in activation of the electromagnets.

Abstract: An instant-release type concrete molding machine manufactures a concrete product by interposing unitable attachment devices between a press die and a press, placing an attachment unit of a pattern frame within a molding region, introducing the pattern frame and the press die into the molding region in alignment with the press, moving the press and the press die toward each other and uniting them by the aforementioned attachment devices, and fixing the pattern frame by the attachment unit within the molding region.

Abstract: A method of changing dies for a press machine of the type including two or more slides (3a, 4a) arranged in a side-by-side relationship of which lower dead point in terms of a crank angle is different from one another, wherein a resilient member (10) is interposed between upper die halves (7a, 8a) and lower die halves (7b, 8b) for the respective slides (3a, 4a) and movement of the respective slides (3a, 4a) is simultaneously interrupted at a crank angle in the proximity of an intermediate angle between the plural lower dead points so that clamping of upper die halves (7a, 8a) to and unclamping of the upper die halves (7a, 8a) from the respective slides are achieved during the interruption of movement of the respective slides, whereby mounting of dies on or dismounting of the same from presses is simultaneously achieved for the respective slides (3a, 4a).

Abstract: The molding installation includes a molding area where a molding apparatus for effecting the molding with a die is disposed; a maintenance area adapted to subject the die to maintenance work and disposed adjacent to the molding area; a die position shifting apparatus adapted to shift a position of the die and disposed between the molding area and the maintenance area; and a carriage adapted to exchange the die for another in the molding apparatus and disposed on a passage connecting between the molding apparatus and the die position shifting apparatus.The die position shifting apparatus is designed capable of shifting a die position of the die to the die position required in the molding area or in the maintenance area without any labor of workers.This arrangement in the molding installation permits a full automation of a series of operations including the die exchanging operation, the die conveyance operation for conveying the die into or from the molding apparatus and the die position shifting operation.

Abstract: A die exchanger of a molding apparatus includes a die plate, a die carrying-in apparatus and a die carrying-out apparatus. The die carrying-in apparatus has at least one guide groove engaging a pin of the die and guiding a plurality of corresponding dies and has a first support plate movable forward and backward to the die plate so that the guide groove is connectable to a groove in clamp means provided on the die plate. The die carrying-out apparatus has a second support plate movable forward and backward to the die plate so that the second support plate can receive the die engaging the clamp, the second support plate movably supporting the die. The die carrying-in apparatus has a one-way feed mechanism feeding each of the corresponding dies which is supported by means of the guide groove of the first support plate to the die plate. The die carrying-out apparatus is tiltable for discharging the die.

Abstract: Underdrive power presses are provided with arrangements where the slide mechanism is removable transversely through spaced apart hollow side uprights of the press frame. Pull rods extending from the press drive mechanism are located within the hollow uprights. Movable crossheads are slidably mounted with respect to the uprights above the slide and provide means in a dual action press for independently coupling an inner slide and outer slide within the opening between uprights. Since the slide connections are disposed beneath the movable crossheads and dimensioned narrower than the upright opening, the slide mechanism can be uncoupled and transversely moved outside of the press frame through an upright opening.

Abstract: A mold guidance system for preventing horizontal movement of the mold of a concrete block making machine including, on each side of the machine, a mold support arm extending laterally outwardly from the inside corner of the mold and including a bushing in the outer end thereof, a first clamp secured to the side of the machine frame above the mold arm bushing, a second clamp element secured to the side of the machine frame below the mold arm bushing, and an elongate pin slidably movable within the mold arm bushing and fixedly engaged at the upper end by the first clamp and at the lower end by the second clamp. The mold guidance system prevents horizontal movement of the mold so as to reduce mold wear and increase mold life.

Abstract: A quick change apparatus for a trim die assembly is provided to reduce die set-up and change-over time. The trim die assembly is provided with lift hooks for the forks of a forklift truck to carry it between storage and the press and to eliminate potentially damaging contact between the keyways in the bottom of the die and the forks. Locating pins and stops are provided between the press and die assembly to permit quick and positive positioning of the die assembly above the press bed. The connecting post between the part locator member of the trim die and the press has been modified to eliminate its projection beneath the die assembly and therefore eliminate damage to the post during set-up, movement and/or storage. The modified post is also adapted to assist in the positioning of the die assembly on the press bed.

Abstract: A composite caul plate includes a replaceable insert plate bearing a wood-grain pattern. The insert plate is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to mount to the caul plate. The insert plate is secured in position by means of rib elements having formations for retaining the insert plate against a base plate.

Abstract: A device for pressing cylindrical containers holding nuclear facility waste materials into disk pellets includes an initial press and a main press. In the initial press, the container is deformed by an arrangement of movable dies and tension-relieving rams into a shape suitable to fit into a compaction chamber in the main press. After the container is collapsed by the dies and rams of the initial press, the initial press is opened and the collapsed container is deposited into the compaction chamber of the main press where it is compacted into a disk-like pellets and discharged from the compaction chamber.

Abstract: Segmented cosmetic articles are made by positioning an empty pan at the bottom of a sleeve having interior partitions forming separate compartments or chambers extending longitudinally the full extent of the sleeve, with each compartment being adapted to receive a corresponding charge of loose powder (each preferably of different color) through the end of the sleeve distal with respect to the pan. A ram or piston assembly havin solid segments conforming in shape to each separate chamber then is slidably received within the sleeve through the opening through which loose powder is admitted, and telescopically advanced relative to the sleeve toward the pan at other end thereof sufficient to pre-press or partially compress the powder charge into the pan. By this action, all segments of powder corresponding to the charge in each chamber of each sleeve, respectively, are partially compressed simultaneously.

Abstract: A mold which comprises a pair of mating, openable and closeable mold halves and a lock to hold the mold halves together. The lock is defined by a recess in the outer surface of one of the mold halves. A lifting bridge crosses the recess, being proportioned to permit a lifting hook in the recess to pass underneath to engage the bridge. An elongated member is secured to the other of the mold halves, being slidably extendable into the recess when the mold halves are substantially closed. The elongated member defines a longitudinal slot facing outwardly of the recess in closed position to receive at least a portion of the lifting hook as the hook engages the bridge. The slot defines an end opposed to the other mold half which is closed, to prevent a hook portion in the slot from sliding past the opposed end. Thus, the mold in closed position cannot be opened while the lifting hook is present in the slot.

Abstract: The molding installation includes a molding apparatus adapted to effect the molding with a die; a stocker adapted to store the die; a carriage having a table with the die loaded thereon, the stocker being adapted to exchange the die for another in the molding apparatus and disposed on a passage connecting between the molding apparatus and the stocker; a die transferring mechanism mounted on the molding apparatus and adapted to transfer the die between the molding apparatus and the carriage; and another die transferring mechanism mounted on the carriage and adapted to transfer the die between the carriage and the stocker.The arrangement for the die transferring mechanism on the carriage avoids a provision of a die transferring mechanism on each stocker, thus making the die transferring mechanism on the carriage a smaller size, reducing an inertia thereof, leading to a speed-up of operation thereby, enabling a rapid suspension thereof and rendering a molding cycle more efficient.

Abstract: Spring-loaded rollers for a mold have an axle mount which passes through the roller into a supporting portion of the seats in the platen to prevent the roller from rotating, twisting or otherwise moving in the set, thereby reducing wear in the roller assemby and in the mold. The roller assembly is easily removed from its seat through the use of a removal device cooperating with screw threads in the roller. A plurality of rollers are used to permit a mold to be easily moved into and out of position in a press. The mold is thus mounted in position since the rollers limit the ability of the mold to move laterally.

Abstract: An adjusting device for fastening a die to the clamping face of a press ram having a T-groove communicating with the clamping face, comprises a flexible but longitudinally non-stretchable traction member which is either movably mounted or fixed to the press ram and which extends in the T-groove. A tenon block is operatively connected to the traction member and carries an insert tightener. A drive motor drives the traction member so as to move the tenon block and its insert tightener in the T-groove so that the insert tightener can engage a clamping edge of a die or upper tool for holding the die or upper tool against the clamping face of the press ram.

Abstract: Spring-loaded rollers for a mold have a sealed axle mount which passes through the roller into a supporting portion of the seats in the platen to prevent the roller from rotating, twisting or otherwise moving in the seat in the roller assembly and in the mold. The roller assembly is easily removed from its seat through the use of a removal device cooperating with a threaded aperture extending through the roller to the axle. This also permits lubrication to be placed between the roller and the axle. A plurality of rollers are used to permit a mold to be easily moved into and out of position in a press. The mold is thus mounted in position since the rollers limit the ability of the mold to move laterally. The seals are dished TEFLON disks which overfit the axle and interfit either against the sides of the roller or within slots cut circumferentially on either side of the roller. The walls of the slot may be undercut and/or otherwise shaped.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which facilitates rapid insertion, removal and exchange of a fixture in situations where it must be securely attached to a support surface before or after removal from such surface. The fixture has a plurality of studs extending outwardly therefrom which guide the fixture tool through channels in a support surface and into placement in respective slots of T-slot clamps which are moved by fluid pressure to the open position, the fixture transferred, and the fluid pressure released to effect clamping. The present invention can be used in a high production manufacturing system such as a press or molding operation and is particularly useful in thermoforming operations.

Abstract: An automatic die exchanger for an injection molding machine is provided, having a rotational table and a travel member capable of approaching and separating from a die mounting section of the injection molding machine. A convey means provided on the travel member is engaged with and disengaged from one of the dies on a plurality of die placing sections of the rotational table. When the travel member is moved, the convey means feeds the die engaged therewith to the die mounting section or removes a die therefrom.

Abstract: An improved control system for selectively clamping a die to a power press or similar machine by means of a plurality of hydraulically actuated clamps. Such hydraulically actuated clamps are provided for securing the opposed halves of the die to the bolster and ram of the press. The clamps are connected in alternating fashion to first and second fluid conduits for both the bolster and the ram. Each of the conduits is connected to a source of pressurized fluid. The first and second conduits on the bolster and the ram provide a safety redundancy feature in case one of the conduits on the bolster or the ram fails. Each of the conduits is provided with first and second pressure sensors. The first pressure sensors are each adapted to generate an electrical output signal when the pressure in the associated conduit falls below a first predetermined level.

Abstract: Spring-loaded rollers for a mold have a sealed axle mount which passes through the roller into a supporting portion of the seats in the platen to prevent the roller from rotating, twisting or otherwise moving in the seat in the roller assembly and in the mold. The roller assembly is easily removed from its seat through the use of a removal device cooperating with screw threads in the roller. A plurality of rollers are used to permit a mold to be easily moved into and out of position in a press. The mold is thus mounted in position since the rollers limit the ability of the mold to move laterally. The seals are dished TEFLON disks which overfit the axle and interfit either against the sides of the roller or within slots cut circumferentially on either side of the roller. The walls of the slot may be undercut and/or otherwise shaped. The invention makes it very easy to move the heavy molds into and out of the press thereby reducing operator fatigue.

Abstract: A sliding table, used for the exchange of tool or die sets of a press is moved into and out of the press on rails. The driving motion is caused by an adjusting mechanism in the sliding table. An underfloor power containing channel extends parallel to the moving direction of the sliding table and is used for containing at least one power supply line taken along by the sliding table. The underfloor power containing channel is closed in an upward direction by a covering, consisting of individual cover members, flexibly connected with one another and with its own drive which causes pre-stressing of the cover members prior to movement of the sliding table.

Abstract: A table shift apparatus for large hydraulic presses employs two sets of cylinders for moving the working table of the press back and forth along a given path. To prevent ram buckling as would occur if rams or pistons were operated in compression, a first group of cylinders operated in tension only is provided for pulling the table in one direction while a second group of cylinders disposed at the other end of the path and also operated in tension is used for pulling the table back. While one group of cylinders is pulling the table the other group may assist the pulling operation by pushing the table as long as the applied hydraulic pressure is controlled to prevent buckling of its rams under all circumstances.

Abstract: Two locking clamp-bars are slidingly accommodated in two parallel T-slots of an upper plate and in T-slots of upper grippers of a press. Each locking clamp-bar has two T-pieces. Upon rising of a lower plate, acting as the press ram, together with the set of tools, the T-pieces of locking clamp-bars are in a first position, in which they can enter recesses in further T-slots in an upper part of the set of tools or in an upper auxiliary plate. By means of a drive device, the T-pieces are pushed into a second position, in which they snap into the further T-slots. In this press, a non-destructive removal of tools is ensured in the event of a defective chucking mechanism.

Abstract: A quick-switch mold set is depicted wherein the interchangeable mold plate is carried by a T-plate slideable in grooves provided by a top clamping plate which is secured to the upper platen of the molding machine. A lower interchangeable mold plate is carried by an intermediate T-plate slideable in grooves provided in a bottom clamp housing. Removable and rotatable clamps are secured to the top clamping plate and other clamps to the bottom clamp housing. The clamps are disc-like, having two flats providing reduced portions that are positioned in way of a T-plate and mold plate during removal and interchange. The clamps are repositioned and tightened to provide the desired securement and retention of the mold plate and T-plate.

Abstract: The cutting apparatus with rules comprises a cutting form placed in an upper panel support (5) and a lower panel. The panel support (5) is constructed in a fashion enabling it to be withdrawn from the apparatus for purposes of replacing it. The replacement cutting form, supported in another panel support (5) previously prepared, is placed on the lower guides (19) of an adjustment table (14). The adjustment table (14) is brought up against the guides (4) which support the panel support (5) to be replaced in the machine. The latter is withdrawn from the machine so as to come to rest on the upper guides (19) of the adjustment table (14). This pivots by 180.degree. and the replacement cutting form is pushed onto the guides 4 situated in the cutting station.

Abstract: A mold comprises at least two separable parts defining at least one parting line. In this invention, a passageway is defined in one of the separable parts, while a pin, positioned in the passageway, is secured to another of the separable parts. The passageway and pin extend essentially in the direction that the separable parts move to open and close their parting line. A slot is defined in the separable part that defines the passageway, the slot communicating between the passageway and the exterior of the mold. When the mold is closed, a portion of the pin occupies the slot. Accordingly, lifting means can enter the slot to engage the pin when the mold is closed, for lifting thereof, and longitudinal movement of the pin in the slot can be prevented, to lock the mold, while the pin is so engaged.

Abstract: A die transfer system comprises a pair of elongated, horizontally extending vertically movable rails having a plurality of rollers thereon. A pair of elastomeric elements have a vertical dimension and elastic coefficient such that the rolls on said rails are elevated above an upper surface of said bolster to a die transfer condition. Biasing of said die toward said bolster effects deflection of said elastomeric elements. Release of said biasing means permits elevation of said rails, rollers and die to said die transfer condition due to elastic memory of said elements.

Abstract: This disclosure depicts a novel method and apparatus for aligning and locating a die set in a press used in the manufacture of materials. In particular, this method and apparatus is intended for locating a die set with respect to a bolster plate or bed and with respect to a ram of a punch press for securely clamping the die set on the bolster and ram. The method comprises mating a keyway cut in a lower die plate with a corresponding key fixed on the bolster plate and hydraulically clamping the die set to the bolster plate and ram once mated. The hydraulic clamping is accomplished by moving a hydraulic clamp in a T-slot on the bolster plate until the clamp contacts a receiving area on the die set, and then activating the hydraulic clamp. The apparatus is disclosed for implementing the described method.

Abstract: A horizontal mold closing unit for an injection molding machine includes a mold exchanging device, and injection mold assembly having a mold body and back plates attached face-to-face to the mold body at each clamping side thereof. The back plates have an extended portion projecting beyond a frontal side of the mold body. There is further provided a mold exchanging table forming part of the mold exchanging device and being arranged for displacement adjacent the mold closing unit in a direction parallel to a mold closing direction, and an endless conveyor chain arranged to convey the injection mold assembly, by cooperating with coupling elements in the back plates, from the mold exchanging table to the clamping space of the mold closing unit and conversely. The endless conveyor chain has a chain driving end sprocket and an idling end sprocket mounted on the mold exchanging table and supporting the conveyor chain thereon.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an improved die transfer system for a press having bolster with conventional inverted T-slots therein. The system comprises a pair of elongated, parallel vertically movable rails. A plurality of rollers are supported by each rail so as to be movable vertically therewith. An air bag extends longitudinally of each of said T-slots under said rails and is engageable with the bottom thereof. Inflation of the air bags effects elevation of the rails and rollers into engagement with the bottom of the die and elevation of the die relative to the press bolster. The rails have laterally extending flanges that are engageable with complementary shoulders of the T-slots to limit upward movement of the rails and preclude bowing of the rails.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for replacing upper and lower dies in a bending processing machine, such as, for example a press brake. According to the invention, long upper and lower dies used in a bending processing machine are comprised of freely dividable sections that can be taken apart and recombined for convenient storage in an adjacent die exchange device. In the die exchange device, die holders are formed on the insides of a number of link members which are pivotably linked in a loop.

Abstract: The displaceable clamping element for top tools on presses has a housing member with a T-shaped profiled head (6) which is held suspended in a T-slot (7) arranged horizontally on the underside of the press ram (2) and is displaceable in it, as well as clamping means (21, 22) for the top tool (1) and a fixed stop (20) for the top tool (1) for determining the position of clamping; the housing member is divided into a clamping-member base (4) having the T-shaped profiled head and a clamping-member head (5) having the clamping means (21, 22) and the fixed stop (20), the two of which engage in one another with a T-slot development (13) which is arranged inclined to the top tool (1) opposite the T-slot guide (7) in the ram (2), being movable with respect to each other, limited by stops (15, 16). The clamping-member head (5) in the clamping position engages against the underside of the press ram (2).

Abstract: A die lifter rail adapted to be inserted into the open end of a conventional inverted T-slot in the bolster plate of a press has a narrow support bar dimensioned to extend lengthwise within the narrower stem portion of the T-slot and a plurality of sets of vertically stacked Belleville springs spaced lengthwise of the support bar and resiliently supporting it for vertical movement. The Belleville springs have a diameter substantially greater than the width of the support bar and corresponding generally to the width of the wider base portion of the t-slot. Studs extending vertically upwardly through the Belleville springs have a sliding fit with bores in the support bar to guide its vertical movement. A plurality of longitudinally spaced rollers are journalled in the support bar and project above the upper face thereof to support a die for sliding movement on the press bolster plate.

Abstract: A press apparatus for magnetic injection molding machines in which only the portion of a movable table in close contact with a lower metal mold is made ferromagnetic material and the other portion of the movable table is made of non-magnetic material, thereby fully utilizing the magnetic flux generated by magnetic coils with high efficiency and reducing the magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating the upper and lower dies of a die set comprising a gantry having a fixture mounted on a main frame for up and down movement, and a sub-frame mounted on the fixture for 180.degree. of rotation. Clamping units are mounted on the sub-frame for clamping the upper die to the sub-frame when the fixture is in a lower position at a work-transfer station. The die set is transported on a cart to the work-transfer station where the upper die is clamped to the sub-frame. The fixture is raised to elevate the upper die to an upper position. The cart is moved away from the work-transfer station carrying only the lower die with it. The upper die is inverted, lowered onto a second cart and it, too, is then moved away from the work-transfer station. Both dies now face upwardly for convenient inspection, cleaning and/or repair. The transporter cart table on which the die set is supported can be rotated to any desired angle such as 90.degree.

Abstract: A tool to be mounted on a machine with receiving plates has tool halves which are movable relative to one another, and each mountable on the respective one of the receiving plates of the machine, by fast clamping plates mountable on the receiving plates of the machine, and by fast coupling formations which are rigid, and releasably connect the two halves with the fast clamping plates. The fast coupling formations include a plurality of receiving openings provided in the fast clamping plates, and a plurality of clamping pins which extend laterally beyond the tool halves, and are received in the receiving openings.

Abstract: Plastic molding apparatus including a horizontal molding press with two platens and a mold having an ejector mold half and a cover mold half that form a mold cavity, each mold half being secured to a platen with at least one platen movable horizontally relative to the other platen to and closed positions. The molding press has longitudinal rails along the top thereof parallel to the direction of relative movement of the platens. There is an elongated horizontal gantry structure supported solely by the press and movably secured to the rails with the longitudinal axis of the gantry structure being oriented normal to the rails and the gantry is movable along the rails. There are two arms, one of which depends from one end of the gantry and the other depends from the opposite end of the gantry, and these arms are movably secured to the gantry for back and forth movement along the longitudinal axis of the gantry.

Abstract: A molding machine for making bricks, etc. having a mold open on both ends and opposed plungers for cooperation with the mold, the mold and plungers being removable and replaceable as a set.

Abstract: A hydraulically driven die carrier for a power press, the carrier comprising a bolster for carrying a die; a set of wheels supporting the bolster for horizontal rolling movement to position the die horizontally; a separate hydraulic drive motor for each of the wheels; a plurality of hydraulic lift cylinders for moving the bolster vertically relative to the wheels; and a hydraulic control system for operating the hydraulic drive motors and lift cylinders for horizontal rolling and vertical movement of the die carrier, the control system including a supply pump having two separate outputs for providing separate sources of pressurized hydraulic fluid for the hydraulic drive motors and for the lift cylinders; a reservoir of hydraulic fluid connected to the pump; valve means for connecting and disconnecting the separate sources of hydraulic fluid and the respective drive motors and lift cylinders; and means for locking the lift cylinders in their raised positions while the cylinders are disconnected from the suppl

Abstract: A press table including a plurality of formed wells and canals. A plurality of cylinders received in said well supporting a frame structure comprised of a plurality of channel member positions to be received in said canals. A plurality of rollers are fixably and independently mounted in each of said channel members.

Abstract: A hot press capable of minimizing a displacement of one substrate from another in multilayer printed circuit boards each constituted by a plurality of substrates having wiring pattern groups printed thereon which are pressed together by applying pressure into a multilayer printed circuit board. The end is attained by minimizing a variation in thickness from a central portion of the board to a peripheral portion thereof. The hot press includes plate thickness adjusting devices each interposed between each bolster and each heat insulating member to compress and deform the heat insulating members beforehand.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for setting metal molds on a press bolster are disclosed. A plurality of spaced bearing units are arranged in a press bolster wherein freely rotatable main large balls of the bearing units protrude at their tops slightly above a level of an upper surface of the bolster so as to cooperate to freely slidably support a combined set of an upper and a lower molds placed thereon, for positional adjustment of the molds to a desired exact position on the bolster.

Abstract: A set of platens locatable as for instance on a die shoe and a slide die each contain a recess sized and shaped so as to partially receive one die of a set of dies. The platens further contain a wall which extends between the outer periphery of the platen and the recess with a hole extending through the wall and opening into the recess. The dies have a corresponding hole positioned in the dies so as to align with the holes in the walls when the dies are appropriately located in the recesses in the respective platens. A fastener has a shank with a handle having cam surfaces thereon located on one end of the shank and a flared head on the other end of the shank. A sleeve having a tapered tip fits on the shank between the cam and the tapered head with an expandable bushing then positioned between the sleeve and the head. Movement of the sleeve toward the head expands the bushing so as to lock the fastener in the aligned holes between the walls and the dies.

Abstract: A mold changer for an injection molding machine has a carriage with two mold stations mounted next to the molding machine. The carriage is movable parallel to the tie rods (or platen movement) of the molding machine to position a selected work station in register for mold changing. There are rollers on the machine platens and at each carriage work station to support the mold weight while permitting lateral movement of the mold into or out of the machine or carriage as part of mold changing. Separate drive means to power such lateral mold movement are on each of the machine and carriage. Each of the drive means selectively moves a mold the first part of the way from the device in which it is mounted (i.e. machine or carriage) into the other device (carriage or machine) and at some point the drive means in the receiving device assumes driving and completion of the mold change. The mold is constructed and arranged to engage and disengage the drive means.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for movable bolster assemblies adapted to ride on bolster track includes a piston housing vertically oriented above the track. A cylinder piston including a wheel clevis is received within the piston housing. A wheel is rotatably mounted to the clevis and powered by hydraulic pressure to raise or lower the bolster assembly. The cylinder piston is rotatable within the piston housing to allow the axial alignment of the wheel to be changed for orthogonal travel.

Abstract: For the exchange of tools in a press, the tools, including their associated gripper rail sections, are moved out of the press on a sliding table having a gripper rail support. To ensure that the gripper rails do not block access to the tool, the gripper rail support is adjustable in height. This permits lowering of the gripper rails sections to the extent that access to the tool is unimpeded.