Abstract: A pilot assembly with a self-contained stripper and method for metal forming dies has a cylindrical pilot with internally mounted reciprocating ejector pins with outer ends that protrude through holes in the body of the pilot to strip stock from the pilot. The pilot assembly is secured to the die by a window mount such that one or more surfaces of the pilot abut surfaces on the window mount and die to secure the pilot to the die and window mount when the window mount is secured, via a fastener, to the die. A spring within the pilot assembly contacts an end of the ejector pins to force the pins to reciprocate when the dies are pulled apart. The assembly can be made without the locating pilot surface to provide a stripper assembly for stripping the stock from the associated die.

Abstract: A redraw press with an improved can blank transfer mechanism is provided which allows for a substantial increase in the operating speed of the press. Servomotors are used to accurately control positioning and rates of movement of the can blanks as they move downstream through the press.

Abstract: There is provided a piercing apparatus in which the occurrence of an inner surface flaw in a hollow shell is suppressed. A piercing apparatus (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention is the piercing apparatus (10) which pierces a billet (18). The piercing apparatus (10) has a plug (14). The plug (14) has a through hole (30). The through hole (30) extends along the central axis, and allows the central portion of the billet (18) being pierced to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A work conveyance device for a pressing machine, consuming less energy and enabling reduction in production costs. The workpiece conveyance device has a pair of transfer bars provided in parallel to a feed direction, support members for moving each of the transfer bars freely in the feed direction while restricting the transfer bars in a lift direction, linear motors interposed between the support members and the transfer bars for moving the transfer bars in the feed direction relative to the support members, lift devices for moving the support members in the lift direction, and workpiece holding jigs detachably mounted to the transfer bars for holding a workpiece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically separating blanks from a copper strip (200) and coining heat spreader lids (400) from the blanks. A high speed blanking structure (208) severs single rectangular or square blanks (212) from the copper strip. The blanks are loaded into a cartridge (214), and placed in a blanks hopper (213). The blanks are transferred from the hopper to a rotatable turret (217). The turret rotates to move a blank to a coining die cavity of a coining press (305). The blank is coined to form a lid and returned to the turret to be delivered to an unload station where the lid is dropped onto a conveyor (310). The conveyor transports the lid to a deburr and clean station (610).

Abstract: A cold forging apparatus for forming complex shapes at a single station includes a first multiple function punch assembly having an inner and outer punch. A third punch or a second multiple function punch assembly is provided in a confronting relationship with the first multiple function punch assembly. A conveyor conveys a metal work piece from a supply source to a loading/unloading area between the first multiple function punch assembly and the third punch or second multiple function punch assembly. The conveyor includes a pivot assembly, a moveable J-shaped robot arm having an end effector fixed to one end thereof to rotate about the pivot assembly. A servo actuator and crank arm connected to one end thereof rotate the robot arm and end effector to convey a metal work piece from a supply source to a loading/unloading position and for conveying a forged product from the loading/unloading position to a storage area.

Abstract: Draw processing flat-rolled sheet metal substrate preselectively precoated on each surface with organic coating and draw lubricant into one-piece can bodies ready for assembly into sanitary can packs free of any requirement for applying organic coating or adding organic coating for repair purposes after fabrication and before such direct usage. Cupping of precoated flat-rolled sheet metal can stock using preselected tooling configurations and clearance avoids any increase in side wall metal thickness gage. Tension elongation during redraw is controlled over side wall height by clamping solely between planar clamping surfaces, tooling configurations and preselected clearances to decrease thickness gage uniformly over side wall height between flange metal open end of can body and curved transition zone at closed end. Surface area of the cavity entrance zone for each die is fabricated about multiple radii forming sharp edge about which coated can stock is drawn into each die cavity.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming can ends is disclosed wherein ends are blank from sheet material and formed in a die in which the completed end is formed and removed from the die at a vertical position below the blanking position. Formation and removal of the end beneath the cut line enables better control of the ends after forming, Vacuum is applied to the end underside to positively seat the end against lower die forming elements as the lower elements raise the end to the level of an ejection slot where pressurized air blows the air from between the dies. An automatic lubrication circuit for properly lubricating seal members forming pneumatic cushions for resiliently biasing the various die members is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming can ends is disclosed wherein ends are blank from sheet material and formed in a die in which the completed end is formed and removed from the die at a vertical position below the blanking position. Formation and removal of the end beneath the cut line enables better control of the ends after forming. Vacuum is applied to the end underside to positively seat the end against lower die forming elements as the lower elements raise the end to the level of an ejection slot where pressurized air blows the air from between the dies. An automatic lubrication circuit for properly lubricating seal members forming pneumatic cushions for resiliently biasing the various die members is also disclosed.

Abstract: A punch press has first and second sets of tooling mounted longitudinally of a press conveyor belt. The second set of tooling is located externally of the usual press columns. A second ram slidably mounted on the outside of the columns is driven by a connecting arm eccentrically mounted on a crankshaft extension. The second ram drives the upper tooling of the second tooling set in a reciprocating manner. The second ram can be operated out of phase with the main ram to reduce the total tonnage required of the press.

Abstract: Apparatus which eliminates mechanically-moving parts for clasping or releasing a sheet metal can body for moving a can body from a forming station and, which reduces the number of moving parts as well as the type of movements required by such transfer apparatus to enable sheet metal can bodies to be transferred rapidly, in synchronism with movements of tooling in a forming press without damage to sheet metal or coating while controlling orientation and stability of the can body. A shuttle-arm oscillates in the longitudinal direction of the can line, into and out of the area of the press tooling to transfer a can body for continued movement in the line; such shuttle arm moves at a rate which does not obstruct any movement of the forming tooling or the operating rate of the press. A formed can body is attracted to and physically held at the leading end of the shuttle arm in desired orientation without mechanical movement clamping of any type by a stacked array of permanent magnets and flux path bars.

Abstract: A punch press has first and second sets of tooling mounted longitudinally of a press conveyor belt. The second set of tooling is located externally of the usual press columns. A second ram slidably mounted on the outside of the columns is driven by a connecting arm eccentrically mounted on a crankshaft extension. The second ram drives the upper tooling of the second tooling set in a reciprocating manner. The second ram can be operated out of phase with the main ram to reduce the total tonnage required of the press.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus, for removing a formed component (5) from a die (6) and reloading the die with a fresh billet (4) to form another component, wherein the fresh billet is forced into the die from below causing the die to be raised from a die block and engage a member (42) which separates the die into segments. When the die is thus separated, the component disengages from the segments permitting them to return to the die block with the fresh billet therein. The component is held on top of the die to be removed by a transfer mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding, locating and ejecting tubular workpieces to and from a horizontal recess in a vertical die face wherein the workpiece projects beyond the opposite sides of the die includes a horizontally reciprocable feed means mounted for reciprocatory movement between a forward and rearward movement relative to the fixed die. The feed means includes a horizontal pusher plate which upon movement from its rearward end to its forward end limit pushes a horizontally disposed workpiece forwardly across the top of the die and over the front edge of the die. Horizontal locator bars stop the falling workpiece in front of the recess and fingers carried on spaced side plates of the feed means guide the workpiece downwardly along the die face. Upon rearward movement of the feed means from its forward end limit, the fingers pivot against biassing means to ride upwardly over the workpiece which at this time is clamped in the recess by a movable die.

Abstract: In a ram press for manufacturing shells for can ends, a relatively flat shell is transferred from a tooling station to a destination. The shell is supported at the first station from the upper tooling work surface, from which it is propelled in edgewise fashion into a transfer path. The transfer path is at least partially enclosed and extends from an entrance adjacent the first station tooling toward the shell destination. An air assist mechanism is provided for acting upon the shell moving into and along the path, and includes an outlet conduit connected to a supply of air under pressure. The conduit includes an open outlet end. A valve is disposed the outlet conduit for controlling flow of air along said conduit. The outlet conduit is disposed with its outlet end at one side of the entrance to the transfer path, with the end positioned in a direction into the path, whereby air is directed along said path in the direction of movement of the object. The air facilitates movement of the shell along the path.

Abstract: A metal forming press having a reciprocating ram and a transfer mechanism for transferring workpieces sequentially between a multiplicity of work stations located on a multi-post die set has a quick change die set arrangement enabling the press to be utilized in a "just-in-time" manufacturing system. The knockout and stripper mechanism of the press are designed to eliminate the need for disassembly of the same during removal and replacement of die sets.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a relatively flat object from a first station to a second station includes a support for the object at the first station, a substantially closed housing, and a piston disposed therein for sliding movement from a normal position to an activated position. An actuator extends through the housing and is integrally formed with the piston for sliding movement thereby. Compressed air is selectively directed into the housing for movement of the piston to the activated position, whereby the actuator strikes a blow edgewise of the object for propelling it toward the second station along a predetermined path. A pair of fingers disposed at the second station define therebetween a portion of the path along which an incoming object enters the second station. Each finger includes a path wall having an end surface extending generally inwardly from the finger for blocking the object path for halting object movement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided wherein a pressed material is withdrawn from a lower metal mold in a press in accordance with a horizontal, pivotal movement and a vertical, linear movement of a carry-out arm, and a material to be pressed is fed from a preceding stage to the press in accordance with a horizontal, pivotal movement and a vertical, linear movement of a carry-in arm. In this method of feeding a material to be pressed, the height of a path along which the carry-out arm is turned is set greater than that of a path along which the carry-in arm is turned. The operations of the carry-in arm and carry-out arm are timed in such a manner that a material being newly fed and a pressed material being removed are overlapped as they are vertically spaced at a predetermined distance from each other, in a position above a lower metal mold in the press.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming shells for use as can ends is disclosed. A sheet of thin metal is supplied to a first station within a ram press, at which a generally circular blank is separated from the sheet and partially formed into the shell. The partially formed shell is transferred from the first station along a predetermined path to a second station within the same press by striking a blow edgewise of the shell and thereby directing it edgewise to the second station. The shell is captured and located at the second station, whereupon the shell is further formed to make the completed shell.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the high-speed production of seamless metal container bodies is disclosed utilizing a reciprocating ram which forces a relatively shallow metal cup through a die assembly to iron the sidewall of said cup to form an elongated ironed container body, the ram is supported and critically-aligned by at least two stationary guide means along its length and a slide blank means rigidly secured to its rearward end, the slide block means having opposed hydrostatic pressure pads to provide constant critical alignment of the rear end of the ram and prevent misalignment of the ram relative to the die assembly to avoid producing container bodies of overly-inconsistent length.

Abstract: An automatic apparatus for downsetting lead frame strips includes a die set mounted in a punch press, two parallel guide rails for guiding the lead frame strips into the die set, a placing mechanism for placing lead frame strips onto the guide rails one at a time, a slide mechanism for advancing a lead frame strip along the guide rails and into the die set and for unloading a downset lead frame strip from the die set, a retractable stop and a slot in the die set for positioning the lead frame strip within the die set, and a stacker mechanism for neatly stacking downset lead frame strips on an output stack as they are unloaded from the die set.

Abstract: An inverted press for producing multiple drawn metal containers combines in one press the functions of cupping and drawing presses. The press includes a blanking and cupping station and several drawing and redrawing stations, disposed one adjacent the other and rendered serially operative by a vertically reciprocable slide assembly. At each stage of operation the material, semifinished article or finished article is under complete control. A method for producing a drawn container by multiple forming and reforming of a drawn article, is also provided.