Abstract: Regarding predetermined positioning criteria (M1, M2), ((G1, G2), (N1, or N2), (K1, K2)), there is provided image processing means (40B) for obtaining by image processing, measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)), and for moving a work (W) in a manner that the measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and the reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)) coincide with each other, thereby positioning the work (W) at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A thin walled body is deformed in a process in which the body is gripped securely in a holding station and, whilst gripped in the holding station, tooling engages to deform the peripheral wall of the body at a predetermined wall zone. The tooling is provided at a tooling station which is adjacent the holding station during deformation. The predetermined wall zone is co-aligned with the tooling by rotation of the body about an axis prior to securing at the holding station.

Abstract: A sensing system for sensing the presence of a blank or part in the sheet metal forming tool. A blank holder assembly has a fixed bracket that is fixed to a lower die of the tool and a movable bracket that is moved with the upper die of the tool. A proximity sensor is attached to the movable bracket and senses the presence or absence of an edge of a blank or part during the course of a sheet metal forming operation.

Abstract: The compression spring former disclosed by the present invention contains an external diameter mechanism, spacing mechanism, wire-feeding mechanism, cutting mechanism, length-detecting mechanism, sorting mechanism, and microcomputer control mechanism. Within the working range, specific springs can be formed simply by inputting the parameters describing the external diameter, spacing, roll number, and other allowance requirements. The control mechanism has a built-in length detecting and automatic sorting mechanism, which can modify the spring spacing according to different free heights, ensuring the allowance of free height. The cutter has a working mode for repeated cutting. The lowest point of the cutter shaft is set to “0” degrees for cutting the springs. If the cutter swings from positive 20 degrees to negative 20 degrees, or from negative 20 degrees to positive 20 degrees, the spring will be cut. That is to say, a spring is produced in every rotation of 40 degrees.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing a stamping press die that has includes a plurality of mechanical devices. The apparatus includes a plurality of pneumatic connections for supplying pressurized air to each of the plurality of mechanical devices; a plurality of valves for regulating pressurized air to associated connections at a predetermined pressure and flow, so as to actuate the associated mechanical devices; and a control system for selectively controlling the plurality of valves, so as to implement a predetermined sequence of valve actuations. In this way, the control system simulates a predetermined sequence of mechanical device operation while the die is removed from the stamping press.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for improving the formability of an aluminum alloy sheet by locally modifying the surface of the aluminum alloy sheet. The method comprises: a sheet fixing step of fixing a sheet to be locally surface-modified; and a local surface modification step comprising adhering a probe closely to a region of the fixed sheet, which is in need of surface modification, by the application of pressure, and then rotationally moving the probe on the region at high speed. According to the method, the region of the sheet in which a fracture can occur due to the concentration of strains and stresses during the formation of the aluminum alloy sheet into a product is subjected to local surface modification so as to improve the formability of the aluminum alloy sheet compared to the parent metal, so that the aluminum alloy sheet can be easily formed into a product.

Abstract: A crack test for a tubular structure includes a sensor ring disposed radially outward from a flare pin in a flaring press. The sensor ring is responsive to physical contact from a cracked flared end of a tube processed in the press.

Abstract: A method for bending a tube in a pre-selected geometry includes deriving at least one processing parameter from the geometry, applying a thermal source circumferentially to the tube to heat the tube along at least one circumferentially directed path in accordance with the parameter and actively cooling the tube to a pre-selected temperature. The applying and active cooling steps are alternately performed a number of times. A system for bending the tube includes a thermal source for heating at least one region along the path on the tube, a tube advancing module for advancing the tube, an active cooling module for cooling the tube to a pre-selected temperature, a processing module to derive at least one processing parameter from the geometry and a control module configured to control the thermal source and active cooling module in accordance with the parameter. The alternate heating and cooling are performed a number of times.

Abstract: The method has a first material of lesser hardness acting as a rod-shaped carrier for a second material of greater hardness, each materials formed within a respective extrusion press tool and the plastic mass flow of the greater hardness material fed to the extrusion press tool for the lesser hardness material for providing a common plastic mass flow in the form of a rod-shaped body with a core and an outer region. An Independent claim for a device for manufacture of a hard metal workpiece is also included.

Abstract: A metal sheet-receiving system for receiving parts and feeding a metal sheet-folding machine, particularly a folding press comprising at least one manipulator for seizing and moving metal sheet parts with a gripper head fitted with gripping means; an electronic controlling device for controlling the movements of the manipulator; as well as a measuring system for determining the position of the metal sheet parts. The measuring system is formed by an optoelectronic measuring device, particularly an image acquisition means, and a transillumination platform.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device and method obtains desirable crimp connections between a crimp connector and a wire, or bundle of wires, by assessing the desirability of connections made in a wire-to-wire connection and in other situations where two materials with good acoustic propagation characteristics are joined together via deformation. An embodiment of the device as a crimping tool comprises a compressing means, pulse-generating circuitry, at least one ultrasonic transmitting transducer, at least one ultrasonic receiving transducer, receiving circuitry, and a display. The user may return to a previously crimped connection and assess the desirability of the connection by compressing the device about the connection, sending an acoustic signal through the crimp, and comparing the received signal to a signal obtained from known desirable connections.

Abstract: A crimp state estimation apparatus includes: an information input section for inputting information on an crimp contact terminal, an electric wire, an anvil, and the crimper and an input compression ratio of a core wire of the electric wire; and an estimation unit for calculating a total length of the bottom wall and the pair of crimp pieces after crimp in a cross section orthogonal to the core wire based on the information and the input compression ratio and estimating a cross-sectional shape of the bottom wall and the pair of crimp pieces after crimp based on the total length.

Abstract: A device for producing cut-out and/or shaped workpieces, especially for producing rotors and stators of a generator or electric motor, with at least one cutting device and/or at least one shaping device, at least one gripping device for picking up and setting down raw material and/or finished workpieces and at least one transfer device, at which at least one gripping device can travel and be driven.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the static attitude of a head suspension by scanning a region of the head suspension with a laser. A head suspension having a gimbal region is provided that permits a head slider attached thereto to gimbal about pitch and roll axes in response to fluctuations in an air bearing over which the head slider flies. One or more predetermined regions of the head suspension are irradiated by a laser beam by scanning the laser beam across the head suspension regions to affect the static attitude of the head suspension. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of parallel spaced apart lines are scanned on the leaf spring arms of a flexure with the laser to correct pitch errors in static attitude, and a plurality of parallel spaced apart lines are scanned with the laser in the cross section attached to the leaf spring arms to correct roll errors in static attitude. One or both sides of the head suspension can be scanned to create a desired pitch and/or roll correction.

Abstract: A thin walled body such as a container is gripped at a holding station and tooling is engaged to deform the wall of the body at a predetermined zone. The predetermined wall zone is co-aligned with the tooling by means of co-ordinated movement of the tooling (typically by means of rotation about a tooling axis) prior to engagement with the wall zone.

Abstract: A manufacturing system for folding sheet bars, particularly sheet metal bars, comprising a folding press with two press beams, which are adjustable in relation to each other and provided with folding dies, whereby the folding press is fed by means of an automated manipulating system. The manipulating system has three hinged arms connected via pivoting devices to form an arrangement of hinged arms. A first hinged arm is swivel-mounted on a swivel axle extending in a swivel device parallel to a guide track of a linearly displaceable chassis. A second and a third swivel axles supporting the hinged arms are arranged extending parallel to the swivel axle of the swivel device. A gripping system and a seizing device for picking up the sheet bars are arranged in another end area of the hinged-arm arrangement. A positioning device assures that the sheet bar is correctly positioned for the folding process.

Abstract: A worm is formed by rolling to reduce the number of processing steps while ensuring the worm accuracy satisfactorily. A work material is positioned between a first rolling die (100) and a second rolling die (101) by rotation of the rolling dies and a servomotor (76) for feeding the work material. When the lead angle of a worm is large and there is a large difference between the finished diameter and the blank diameter, the lead angle changes during the progress of rolling process, resulting in occurrence of through-feed. A slide plate (55) is freely slidable on a slide (53). Therefore, when through-feed occurs owing to the lead angles of the first and second rolling dies (100) and (101) and the workpiece, the slide plate (55) slides freely, and this is detected with a detecting sensor. The rotation of the first and second rolling dies (100) and (101) is stopped.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for metal extrusion applications and presses wherein high purity inert and/or partially inert gases are introduced at or near the die exit. The environment at or near the exit is also preferably analyzed and/or monitored on a continual or nearly continual basis. The environment is also preferably controlled to which minimize or eliminate oxidation of metals and other extruded materials. The apparatus and method allow faster extrusion rates, improved surface quality of the extruded materials, and increased die life. In an embodiment, bi-phasic inerting media may also be used.

Abstract: A method and system for providing real time measurements of draw-in for closed loop control of a metal forming process including an elongated sensor on one of the tools positioned in the proximity of the deformation zone and adjacent to an edge of a sheet metal blank being formed. The sensor includes coils disposed in a signal coupling relationship and during the forming process, a signal applied to one of the coils induces a signal in the coil, producing a response signal that varies linearly as a function of the amount of overlap between the sensor and the sheet metal blank as the sheet metal blank is drawn into the deformation zone. A feedback signal produced from the response signal is used to control a parameter of the forming process as a function of retreat of the edge of the sheet metal blank into the deformation zone.

Abstract: A method for the quality assurance of crimp joints on crimping devices, in which, based on a setpoint dimension of crimp force and/or crimp height, the actual value of crimp force and/or crimp height is measured continuously within defined upper and/or lower tolerance dimensions of crimp force and/or crimp height, and a corrected re-adjustment of crimp height is effected after the actual values have reach a correction value.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of correcting the shape of a spray-formed article which has a concave bowing relative to the working surface of the article. Specifically, deviations of such articles from a desired predetermined shape are corrected by applying sufficient heat to a non-working surface to permanently remove at least a partial amount of the concave bowing while leaving the working surface substantially unmarred. This process is repeated iteratively until the article achieves the predetermined shape.

Abstract: A numerical control device for a bending machine includes a keyboard, a memory and a processor. The memory stores one or more groups of data, each containing bending conditions, a bend angle and at least one penetration depth. The memory further stores program instructions for searching whether data input with the keyboard is stored in the memory, in a same group of data, and that sends a signal to the bending machine so that the bending machine peforms bending according to the penetration depth included in the group of data. The processor that executes said program instructions.

Abstract: A method of manufacture includes the steps of making perforations using a perforating tool in a flat product before it is bent; making bends using a bending tool in the perforated flat product; detecting the position of a perforation on the corrugation; and slaving the relative position of tools to the detected position.

Abstract: A system for drawing an outer cylinder of a rubber bush comprising an inner cylinder serving as a shaft member, the outer cylinder disposed around the inner cylinder and a rubber elastic body interposed between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, comprising first and second turning tables each having at least two piling portions on which the rubber bushes to be drawn are piled up in a vertical direction; first and driving apparatuses for bringing up the rubber bushes piled up on the piling portion of the first and second turning tables to a predetermined robot grasping position; a drawing apparatus having a die for drawing the outer cylinder of the rubber bush; a robot apparatus for grasping and transferring the rubber bush located at the robot grasping position to set the same to a predetermined position of the die; a control apparatus for controlling the robot apparatus such that the rubber bushes from the piling portion of one of the first and second turning tables are sequentially transferred to th

Abstract: A punch press includes: a press main body; an upper turret member having a workpiece detecting plate; a lower turret member; a striker; striker ascending/descending means; a carriage with a clamper for holding a workpiece in order to position the workpiece between the upper turret member and the lower turret member; and carriage moving means to move the carriage in the horizontal direction. In the above construction, one end of a first conductive wire is electrically connected to the workpiece detecting plate; and one end of a second conductive wire is electrically connected to the press main body. The other end of the first conductive wire and the other end of the second conductive wire are electrically connected to a touch detecting unit to detect a touch between the workpiece detecting plate of the upper turret member and a workpiece clamped by the clamper.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus (30) for a workpiece includes a base (310) with a shoulder (312), a positioning block (330) and a circuit. The positioning block includes an upper block (332) secured on the shoulder, and a lower block (334) having a front surface (336). A lay of insulator (320) is compressed between the base and the positioning block. The circuit includes a power source (50) and a relay (60). The power source provides direct current voltage. The relay comprises a coil (601) electrically connected between the power source and the positioning block, and a normal-open switch (603) electrically connected between the power source and a manipulator which acts on the workpiece. When the workpiece contacts the front surface of the positioning block, the coil is electrified and the normal-open switch closes. The interface of the manipulator turns to high level, and the manipulator starts its next programmed motion.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an embossed can body with a pattern printed on an outer surface of a cylindrical can barrel includes a plastic working step for forming a flange portion and a neck portion at an opening peripheral edge of the can barrel, and an embossing step for forming an embossed portion on at least a part of the pattern while aligning with the pattern. Thus, the pattern and the embossed portion can be aligned easily and accurately. Also, a stopping mark and a confirmation mark are formed on the can barrel, and a first sensor corresponding to the stopping mark and a second sensor corresponding to the confirmation mark are used. When the respective first and second sensors detect the stopping mark and the confirmation mark, it can be confirmed that the pattern on the can barrel is oriented in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic machine to form curved plates (100) of ship's hull-pieces in a shipbuilding process. This automatic machine has the following devices, ajig table (10) to support steel plates, a heating device (21) including a torch to heat one side of steel plates up to the required temperature (about 800 C.), a cooling device to cool down the heated plates by spraying out coolant from several nozzles (32), a measuring device (41) to measure the formed plates set up beside the cooling device. The measuring gauge (41) transmits data to the control system through A/D converter (42). A driving device includes a transverse guide rail (51), a longitudinal guide rail (52), motors, chains and belts, all of which enable the torch, cooler and measuring gauge to move in accordance with commands of the control system.

Abstract: Workpieces (W) made up of vehicular body sides are transported along a production line (25) in an upright attitude, with the roof rail upward and the side sill downward. A plurality of hemming dies (27) for hemming the wheel arch part of the body sides (workpieces (W)) are disposed to the side of the production line (25), a hemming die (27) being held and caused to approach the workpiece (W) by a die transporting robot (29) so as to hem the workpiece, the die transporting robot (29) selecting a hemming die (27) of the plurality of hemming dies (27) that is appropriate for hemming a workpiece that arrives by transporting on the production line (25).

Abstract: Determining of the starting and end positions of the machining programme of a gear making machine with respect to the axial position of the workpiece (11, 18) by means of a laser light line (14) projected at right angles to the workpiece axis, the position of which light line relative to the reference point of the tool (5, 17) is known. By mutual displacement parallel to the workpiece axis, the light line (14) and one or both of the workpiece end faces (16) are brought to coincide. The axial positions thus obtained are transmitted to the machine control system. The determining of the axial tool position takes place analogously by the projection of a laser light line onto the circumference surface of the tool (5, 17) at right angles to the tool axis.

Abstract: Several methods and subsystems are provided for aligning a workpiece as it is being loaded into a die space of a bending apparatus, and for performing sensor-based control of a robot as it moves a workpiece from one location to another within a bending apparatus environment. A backgaging mechanism is provided with finger gaging mechanisms having force sensors for sensing forces in directions perpendicular to and parallel to a die. In addition, a robot gripper sensor is provided for sensing either or both of shear forces and normal forces created by movement of a workpiece being held by the gripper.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to facilitate the insertion, alignment, and bending of metal sheets in a press brake machine is described herein. Automated insertion of properly aligned sheets into a bending machine can be accomplished using a press brake that includes at least two press brake fingers that act independently with respect to one another to determine whether the sheet has been received by the respective finger. The fingers are electrically coupled (via the sheet itself, for example) to a processor that communicates with. a robot. As the robot inserts the metal sheet into the press brake, it adjusts the alignment of the sheet until the sheet contacts the back planes of both press brake fingers. An electrical connection is formed when the metal sheet is received by the fingers (which are maintained at a nominal potential of 24V). When electrical connections are formed with both fingers, the processor tells the robot that the sheet is aligned and bending of the sheet can begin.