Abstract: A hydraulic tool includes a tool head and a moveable piston coupled to the tool head. The hydraulic tool head includes a plurality of jaws, which are operable to open and close for performing work on a workpiece. The hydraulic tool also includes a motor operable to drive the moveable piston to close the plurality of jaws to a closed position at which the work on the workpiece is completed. The hydraulic tool further includes a position sensor configured to detect when the plurality of jaws are at the closed position and responsively generate a sensor signal indicating that the plurality of jaws are at the closed position. Additionally, the hydraulic tool includes a controller configured to receive the sensor signal from the position sensor. The controller is configured to operate the motor based on the sensor signal that the controller receives from the position sensor.

Abstract: A data collection and viewing application associated with a batch process control system used within a process plant provides a user interface that allows a user to quickly and easily examine a particular batch process or a batch run, to compare separate batch runs and/or to determine whether the particular batch run deviates from a norm, without having to perform a lot of manual data manipulation. To this end, the user interface provides or creates a compact graphical representation of a batch, illustrating a number of different types of batch-related data in relation to one another in a manner that enables a user to easily view or understand the operation of the batch run, either alone or as compared with one or more other batch runs. Generally speaking, the compact batch view includes a number of graphical layers which are juxtaposed or interleaved on a display, with each of the layers providing different types of information about the operation of the batch, time synchronized with one another.

Abstract: A die (13, 213, 313) is supported in a die holder (381) such as a frame or an adapter (18, 518) supported in a frame such that it is operational use in a material deforming operation. One or both of the die and the die holder have at least one gas passage which is substantially closed by at least part of the die. Gas such as pressurized air is directed into an end of the gas passage opposite the die via a hose (42, 542) connected to a gas source. If the die is broken or loose leak paths are available for the escape of gas past the die to or from atmosphere. A pressure sensor (41) connected to the hose detects the change in pressure of the gas and the magnitude of that pressure is used to determine the die condition. Alternatively a flow rate sensor is used to detect a change in the flow rate of the gas in order to determine the condition of the die.

Abstract: A method for vibration damping and shape control of a suspended metal strip is provided. The method includes the steps of: measuring distance to the metal strip by a plurality of non-contact sensors, providing distance measurements; generating a deflection profile based on the distance measurements; decomposing the deflection profile to a number of base shapes; and controlling the deflection profile by a plurality of non-contact actuators. The step of controlling includes providing for each of the base shapes a corresponding combination of force profiles.

Abstract: A device can be made operable to distinguish between materials impinging on a predefined area based at least in part on differentials within sets of data indicative of measurable characteristics of the materials impinging on the defined area. Such a device can trigger a protection mechanism based at least in part on identification of such differentials.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying labels to products includes a label application station at which the labels are applied to a product and an application head movably mounted relative to a base for movement between a first operative loading position spaced from the label application station and a second operative application position at which the application head applies at least one label to a product positioned at the label application station. An electrically actuated solenoid is operatively connected to the application head to move the application head between the first and second operative positions.

Abstract: A device can be made operable to distinguish between materials impinging on a predefined area based at least in part on differentials within sets of data indicative of measurable characteristics of the materials impinging on the defined area. Such a device can trigger a protection mechanism based at least in part on identification of such differentials.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring clinched joints senses lateral displacement of die segments during formation of a joint, which depends on joint button diameter. The system determines whether a joint is acceptable by correlating acceptable button diameter with acceptable amount of punch advancement. A predetermined number of unacceptable joints indicates excessive punch and/or die wear.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring clinched joints senses lateral displacement of die segments during formation of a joint, which depends on joint button diameter. The system determines whether a joint is acceptable by correlating acceptable button diameter with acceptable amount of punch advancement. A predetermined number of unacceptable joints indicates excessive punch and/or die wear.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring clinched joints senses lateral displacement of die segments during formation of a joint, which depends on joint button diameter. The system determines whether a joint is acceptable by correlating acceptable button diameter with acceptable amount of punch advancement. A predetermined number of unacceptable joints indicates excessive punch and/or die wear.

Abstract: A device can be made operable to distinguish between materials impinging on a predefined area based at least in part on differentials within sets of data indicative of measurable characteristics of the materials impinging on the defined area. Such a device can trigger a protection mechanism based at least in part on identification of such differentials.

Abstract: A safety interlock and retraction mechanism for all types of presses comprising a sensing or activating valve which does not apply full force to a press ram until the ram displaces to the expected work material thickness and a pneumatically operated retraction mechanism which eliminates the need for a return spring. The art differentiates between the thickness of an operator's finger relative to a work material thickness in order to promote safety. The art further provides an increased press ram force by eliminating the return spring force subtracting from the ram force.

Abstract: A method for providing improved thickness control of a workpiece formed by impact forming. An impact forming device includes an upper die and a lower die that is configured and disposed for receiving the heated workpiece. The upper die is operatively connected to a ram for directing the upper die into a controlled impact with the lower die while the workpiece is positioned between the upper die and the lower die. This controlled impact forms the workpiece. A precise relationship is determined between a finished thickness of the workpiece and a time duration that the workpiece is in contact with the lower die prior to impact with the upper die to achieve the particular workpiece thickness. Once the workpiece is placed on the lower die, the ram is actuated to effect the controlled impact of the upper and the lower die in response to the precise relationship.

Abstract: A pressing tool (13) includes a fluid pump (4), a cylinder element (5) arranged connecting with this and a piston which can be slid forward in the cylinder element (5) by pressure fluid of the fluid pump (4) and reset by a return spring (20a). A. piston rod (6) is passed out to the cylinder element (5) as an activation part. The pressing tool (13) is moreover outfitted with a position measuring device (12, 12a; 112, 212, 212a) which measures without contact which makes the piston position continuously detectable over a positioning range free of disturbance and with a presence sensor (52). The presence sensor (52) verifies the presence of a jointing clamp (51) and issues an indicator signal in the event that a jointing clamp (51) is missing or improperly fastened and shuts the pressing tool (13) off following a delay period to the extent that no orderly inserted jointing clamp (51) is yet available.

Abstract: A pressing tool (13) includes a fluid pump (4), a cylinder element (5) arranged connecting with this and a piston which can be slid forward in the cylinder element (5) by pressure fluid of the fluid pump (4) and reset by a return spring (20a). A piston rod (6) is passed out to the cylinder element (5) as an activation part. The pressing tool (13) is moreover outfitted with a position measuring device (12, 12a; 112, 212, 212a) which measures without contact which makes the piston position continuously detectable over a positioning range free of disturbance and with a presence sensor (52). The presence sensor (52) verifies the presence of a jointing clamp (51) and issues an indicator signal in the event that a jointing clamp (51) is missing or improperly fastened and shuts the pressing tool (13) off following a delay period to the extent that no orderly inserted jointing clamp (51) is yet available.

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: An auxiliary control system is operatively associated with a press machine controller including a programmable logic controller having a main processor. The auxiliary control system includes a sensor assembly arranged to provide sensor information which is representative of the condition of the press machine. An auxiliary processor is arranged to monitor for the occurrence of press operating events as signified by the sensor information. The auxiliary processor provides a state signal to the press controller which is representative of the results of the monitoring activity to enable the PLC to control the press machine. Additionally, an improved press machine PLC includes an auxiliary sensor assembly for providing sensor information which is representative of the condition of the press machine.

Abstract: A wire-crimping device detects if an electrical terminal is stuck to a crimper after crimping, thereby effectively eliminating deformed terminals. Electrical wire-crimping device (1) has a ram (42) slidably mounted to a housing (4). A reflection light sensor (60) is mounted to the housing (4), and a pathway (80) that communicates with a wire-crimping member (40) is located in the ram (42). If an electrical terminal (30) should stick to crimpers (50, 52) after crimping, and if the wire-crimping member (40) mounted to the ram (42) rises, a wire depressor (54) will also rise, and an upper end of the wire depressor (54) will block the pathway (80). As a result, the light emitted from the reflection light sensor (60) will be reflected and detected by a light sensor, and it will be electrically detected that a defective part has been produced.

Abstract: A pressing device 1 for joining workpieces 44, 45 has a pressing tool 3 and a motorized drive 5 for actuation of the pressing tool 3 over a pressing distance, as well as a control device 26 which has a drive control device 62 with an output control device 67 as actuator for influencing the drive 5, such that at least one setpoint profile is retained as a command variable according to which a manipulated variable, corresponding to the setpoint profile, is generated for influencing the output control device 67. The output control device 67 and the setpoint profile 79 or profiles are part of a servocontrol system.

Abstract: Method and system for monitoring the operation of a machine having a traversing tool or die member, based on a plurality of features extracted from a process signature. The method includes defining the plurality of features, each feature representing a parameter associated with the process of forming the parts, and operating the machine so as to produce a predetermined number of production parts while collecting a production operating signature. The method also includes extracting the feature values from the production operating signature to obtain production feature values, and comparing the production feature values to predetermined operating limits which represent limits within which acceptable parts are formed.

Abstract: This flaw-removal device prevents overlooking of flaws in the automatic flaw-cutting process by rectifying the twist of a wire-shaped metal drawn from a cannon-shaped wire supply stand, further promoting efficiency in removing remaining flaws by applying the automatic flaw-cutting process and removing the uncut flaws by hand. In this invention, a twist-rectifying drum 3 is installed in front of a flaw-detecting device 4. It then becomes possible to rectify the twisting of the wire-shaped metal by winding the wire-shaped metal installed on a cannon-shaped wire supply stand around the twist-rectifying drum in a length longer than one turn of the coiled wire-shaped metal so that the wire-shaped metal is freely mounted on the drum. It also becomes possible to remove an uncut flaw by hand by installing a flaw-check and removal site 10 having a specified span between drawing dies 8 and a wire-drawing drum 9, and by stopping the portion of the wire-shaped metal having uncut flaws at the site 10.

Abstract: Method of and system for monitoring the operation of a stamping press including a punch and a die for forming parts from a blank based on processed punch tonnages measurements at predetermined locations in the working stroke. The method includes selecting at least two punch locations at which a press variable measurement will be made and operating the stamping press so as to produce production parts to measure a production press operating variable at the locations for each production part produced. The method also includes processing the production press operating variables to obtain production operating parameters and comparing the production operating parameters to predetermined operating limits representing limits within which the variation in blank thickness and work hardening coefficient of the sheet metal are in control and acceptable stampings are being produced.

Abstract: Method and system for monitoring the operation of a stamping press preferably for forming automobile parts, such as fenders and quarter panels, based on a plurality of features extracted from a press signature. The method includes defining the plurality of features, each feature representing a parameter associated with the process of forming the parts, and operating the stamping press so as to produce a predetermined number of production parts while collecting a production operating signature. The method also includes extracting the feature values from the production operating signature to obtain production feature values, and comparing the production feature values to predetermined operating limits which represent limits within which acceptable parts are formed.

Abstract: A detector on a wire lead machine includes a pair of contacts biased into a normally closed position. The wire is fed between the contacts, keeping the contacts open, and the insulation on the wire prevents electrical conductivity between the contacts. If the wire runs out, the contacts close to shut off the machine. Additionally, a splice on the wire establishes an electrical path between the contacts and, again, the machine is shut off. The detector includes a detection circuit which generates a control signal. In the event a splice is passing through the contacts, the detection circuit generates a control signal having a relatively short time duration (as for example, 100 microseconds) and holds the signal for a sufficient time period (as for example, 500 milliseconds). This allows a suitable control means (which may include a microprocessor) to shut off the machine because of either wire runout or a splice on the wire, thereby preventing serious damage to the machine and maintaining productivity.

Abstract: Apparatus for bending rod-shaped material to form concrete-reinforcement elements, having a frame (3) for supporting a material feed device (4) and having a bearer for bending members, which bearer is mounted on the frame so as to be rotatable about the axis of feed, is adjustable relative to the frame and is constructed as a material supporting table (10) which is adjustable in a predetermined angular position relative to the frame, on which material supporting table a cutting device (8) is provided upstream of the bending members (15,16) in the material feed direction for cutting off the rod-shaped material from the line of material after the bending operation.

Abstract: A method of press-molding defectiveness detection adapted for the detection of the press-bonding defectiveness of a terminal which is attached to the end of a covered wire so that a wire barrel and an insulation barrel of the terminal are press-bonded to a conductor portion at the end of the covered wire and a covered portion of the wire, respectively, by press-molding. A profile of a press-bonding load acting on the terminal during terminal press-bonding operation is detected, and the press-bonding defectiveness of the terminal is determined by comparing the detected press-bonding load profile with a reference press-bonding load profile. The press-bonding defectiveness of the terminal may be determined, as required, by comparing the integral value of the press-bonding load, calculated on the basis of the detected press-bonding load profile, with a predetermined reference value.

Abstract: A die assembly (12) has a die (14) with a nose (16) positioned to project into the hollow end (106) of an insert (102) being installed in a panel workpiece (100). A pilot pin (32) projects outwardly form the center of the nose (16) and into the insert (102) when the workpiece (100) is properly aligned. The pin (32) is mounted to slide axially relative to the die (14). The pin (32) is biased outwardly but yields under forces exceeding a predetermined magnitude. When the panel (100) is misaligned and a ram (8) urges the panel (100) against the pin (32), the pin (32) retracts to prevent damage to the panel (100). Thrust plates (64) support the die (14) and move radially inwardly when the pin (32) retracts. Feet (22) on the die (14) are received into grooves (70) on the thrust plates (64) to allow the die (14) to retract and thereby prevent the nose (16) from damaging the workpiece (100).

Abstract: Apparatus for periodically sensing and cooling the end face of one or more rams of an automatic cross transport press. In a cross transport press, on the press frame (1) there is mounted a sensing rocker (9) which executes a periodical rocking movement about a horizontal axis (A) in the work rhythm of a carriage (2) provided with rams (5). The movement of the sensing rocker (9) is transmitted from the carriage (2) through a connecting rod (20), a transmission lever (17) and the two rocker arms (8) to sensing elements (27) equipped with cooling sprinklers. The slightly angled transmission lever (17) rests upon a stop (15) and is retained upon the stop (15) by a spring (25). If a sensing element (27) encounters an obstacle, then the press is stopped; simultaneously the transmission lever (17) lifts from the stop counter to the return force of the spring (25), whereby any damage is prevented.

Abstract: A detection device for positively sensing the ejection of a workpiece from a cyclically operating machine after each operating cycle assuring that no malfunction has occurred, enabling initiation of the next cycle. The device includes a chute having a pivotally mounted section in the floor of the chute which is moveable between a normally raised position and an actuated or lowered position responsive to the weight of an ejected workpiece thereon. Means are provided for sensing the actuated position of the moveable section and conveying a signal to the central control circuit of the machine. The central control circuit of the machine is programmed to prevent further operation if a signal is not received.

Abstract: A cold forging machine comprises a fixed die 11 and a movable punch tool 13 reciprocable towards and away from the fixed die to act on a workpiece therein. The tool comprises a tubular punch 34 and extrusion pin 33 movable through the punch to form a bore in the workpiece. The die is provided with a tubular ejector 15 in which slides a carrier pin 16 to enter the bore of the formed workpiece to guide it during ejection. A fault detection system includes a switch 25,61 for detecting non-completion of the normal movement of the carrier pin 16 with respect to the ejector 15, and a further switch for detecting non-completion of normal movement of the extrusion pin 33 with respect to the punch 34.