Abstract: Shaped metal parts are produced on a continuous basis from a semisolid metal preform. A plurality of freestanding metal preforms are sequentially heated in an induction heating zone to the semisolid level and transferred without substantial deformation or heat loss to a press where they are shaped in a semisolid state into a shaped metal part.

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 improved apparatus for on-line inspection of an intermediate-stage, headed, non-threaded blank for a threaded fastener is disclosed. If the blank fails to meet specifications, the production of blanks is terminated. Improvement features include a roll-sorter for testing all blanks to see if certain dimensional parameters of the blank's head are satisfied. Then, random chosen acceptable blanks are fed to a rotatable table which is constructed to receive a sample blank for movement of the blank to a test station where the blank is tested for other failures to meet dimensional specifications. The rotatable table is constructed to provide interchangeable elements thereof that will accept blanks of different head and stem sizes. Multiple adjustability is provided in the means for transferring blanks, that are first acceptable to the roll-sorter test, on to the rotatable table for further testing.

Abstract: An apparatus for working both ends of a workpiece at a time. The workpiece, typically in the form of a bar or a tube, is successively shaped by pre-shaping die means, shaping die means and finish-shaping die means, each of which comprises a pair of dies for simultaneously working both ends of the workpiece to a predetermined configuration. The dies in each pair are movable toward and away from the both ends of the workpiece, respectively, in accordance with the operation of a pair of hydraulic devices. A pair of knockout rods respectively slidably received in cylinders of the hydraulic devices cooperate to support the workpiece while the latter is progressively shaped. One of the knockout rods is fixed to one of the dies while the other knockout rod is held afloat relative to the other die by a hydraulic device, so that the workpiece is allowed to stretch to a full available length only at one end thereof on the afloat knockout rod side.

Abstract: In a railroad spike forging machine of the type comprising a steel stock pointing roller assembly which longitudinally feeds pointed spike blanks along a centerline to a head forming station, a main die of hardened tool steel having a die zone defined between its leading edge and an intermediate point of said first longitudinal dimension, and a wipe zone defined between said intermediate point and the trailing edge of the die by a transversely extending entrance wall surface to the die zone, whereby a transverse wiping of the channel is enabled in said wipe zone. Further, a sensing means generates position signals from the rotation of a pointer roller, and a spike positioning mechanism comprises a first hydraulic cylinder operable transversely to extend a stop mechanism in response to a first position signal, thereby to stop forward motion of a spike blank at an appropriate distance downstream of the die leading edge.

Abstract: The article handling assembly includes a lifting beam having a support with a plurality of workpiece grasping members. The support is moved inwardly and outwardly with respect to the work stations of the forging press. A spraying mechanism is also provided to move inwardly and outwardly with respect to the work stations of the forging press. A control mechanism operates the movement of the lifting beam having the workpiece grasping members effecting movement from one work station to the next. The movement is effected along the length of the forging press work stations outside of the area of the work stations. The movement of the spraying mechanism into and out of the work stations is synchronized with the movement of the workpiece grasping members moving into and out of the work stations to initially grasp workpieces and then to release the workpieces in the next work station. These operations are effectuated while the forging press is in an open position.

Abstract: An integrated system and apparatus for completely forming the body of a two-piece can in one press, including performing the operations of cupping, drawing, redrawing, bottom profiling, and trimming. The system includes the concept of performing all of the operations required to form the body of a two-piece can in one press and includes feeding the precoated stock material, either in the form of sheet or coil, through a lubricator and into a feeding apparatus which, in turn, selectively feeds sufficient quantities of the stock material into a press. The press carries the double die necessary to perform the typical blanking and cupping operation and passes the cups out of the press in two lanes onto cup conveyors which feed them back into the press whereupon the draw-redraw dies on both sides of the cup die perform the additional steps of first redraw, second redraw, bottom profile, and trimming. The formed containers are then conveyed to secondary processing stations such as beaders, testers, or palletizers.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing, by extrusion, a piece having a recessed portion in its lateral surface, and, on one side, a head and, on the opposite side, a tail, which device comprises a fixed die holder containing a die, a punch borne by a mobile support and structure for axially displacing the punch to engage it in the die and to disengage it therefrom together with means for ejecting the extruded piece. The device further comprises, in front of the fixed die holder, a coaxial mobile die holder composed of two parts, forming clamp. A spring and cooperating cams are provided for opening and closing the mobile die holder-forming clamp and an actuator is provided for displacing the mobile die holder in translation parallel to the axis of the punch and of the die.

Abstract: A method of making a domed end for a container wherein a cup-shaped blank is initially formed and the blank has a skirt which terminates in a radially outwardly directed flange. This flange is utilized to support the blank and the resultant domed end throughout plural forming steps, and as a final forming operation, the flange is wiped down to form an extension of the skirt of the domed end with the skirt extension terminating in a narrow peripheral portion of the flange which now defines an out-turned lead-in portion for facilitating the telescoping of an open end of a can body within the skirt.

Abstract: A die for forging a part with internal, tapered grooves, for instance, such as a socket with a plurality of inner races used for a joint. The blank is formed into a given shape by a cylindrical projection provided in the upper die so as to compress the outer peripheral surface thereof, in cooperation with the liner-grooving dies, when the upper die is lowered. After the forging step, the locking pin inserted in the lower die is lowered so as to move the liner-grooving die toward the stamping axis so that the forged workpiece can be removed from the lower die easily and next ejected by the ejector pin.

Abstract: A press for producing workpieces from wire segments. The press includes a stationary matrix, a press carriage drivable back and forth, a crankshaft drive for the press carriage, a stamp leading the press carriage and drivably connected therewith, a spring effecting the leading of the stamp relative to the press carriage, and a feed or supply device for wire segments. A buffer resiliently yieldable in the pressing direction is associated with the stamp and is supported by a buffer spring on the machine frame.

Abstract: An improved method of forming a fastener having a head and a shank includes the step of heating one end of a piece of barstock. A ring is then telescopically slid onto the cold end and moved toward the hot end of the barstock. Due to thermal expansion of the hot end of the barstock, the ring interferes with the hot end of the barstock. The ring is then engaged by a pair of dies and the barstock is forced further through the ring to accurately position it relative to the ring. The dies are then pressed against the barstock and the ring to grip the barstock and hold it against axial movement relative to the ring. The dies cooperate with the ring to form a die cavity. The hot end of the barstock extends into the die cavity. A header hot works the metal of the barstock to press it against an end surface of the ring and against side surfaces of the dies to shape the head end of the fastener. The header is then withdrawn, the dies are separated and the ring is removed from the shank of the fastener.

Abstract: A forging machine is disclosed which is provided with means to determine when an undersized or short blank is produced by the shear and to provide for the automatic rejection of such blank. Such short blanks can occur if the stock feed into the shear is insufficient. The illustrated embodiment includes a shear for progressively cutting blanks from the forward end of a piece of stock in which the shear is provided with a load cell in the stock gauge to determine when improper feeding has occurred. Such load cell includes a strain gauge and the signal produced by the strain gauge actuates an overstroke ejection which pushes the blank from the first working station through the transfer fingers so that it does not transfer to a subsequent work station. The overstroke is provided by a piston and cylinder actuator mounted on the ejector lever which operates in response to a signal that the blank in the work station is of improper size.

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.

Abstract: Apparatus for the automatic manufacture of drop forgings, particularly wrhes, from split-off and stamped workpieces comprises prebending means having a stationary bending jaw and a bending jaw which is movable in a horizontal plane, transfer means, and a power hammer which is disposed below the prebending means and has forging dies which are oppositely movable in a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A cyclically operable machine having a work station where a blank is deformed into a work product and in which the work product is ejected on to a conveyor oscillated between that station and another conveyor to which the work product is delivered synchronously.

Abstract: Apparatus for drawing, or blanking and drawing, a flat metallic piece into a cup shape. A blanking punch, blanking die, draw die, movable stripper and a spacer are mounted on the stationary bed of a press. A pressure pad and draw punch are carried by the ram of a press. The pressure pad is positioned to contact first the blanking punch, then to contact the movable stripper and push it solidly against the spacer. As the ram continues its downward movement, the pressure pad collapses with respect to the ram by virtue of its connection to a piston operating in a cylinder in the ram containing controllable air pressure. The maintenance of a predetermined pressure pad-draw die gap during the draw prevents wrinkling, and the maintenance of the controlled pressure on the pressure pad prevents thinning and subsequent clipping of ears.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holding-down apparatus for a deep-drawing press. It is known for the deep-drawing of particularly heavy platines that the holding-down of the platine by the holding plate is of very great significance for the quality of the workpiece. The setting of the respective correct holding-down forces is decisive for whether the workpiece is flat and without folds or tears at the drawing flange and at the deformation zone when it comes out of the deep-drawing press. A too high holding force hinders the reduction of the workpiece diameter which is derived from the stroke of the deep-drawing and overloads therefore the vicinity of the border of the deformation zone. A too low holding-down force leads to the formation of folds.

Abstract: An improved press cushion includes a piston which is disposed within a cylinder chamber. The head end of the cylinder chamber is arranged for communication with a compressed fluid, such as nitrogen gas. The rod end of the cylinder chamber is arranged for communication with a source of air which is free of contaminants found in the immediate environment of the cylinder assembly. Although clean air could be obtained from the atmosphere at a location spaced from the press, the rod end of the cylinder is advantageously connected to a low pressure supply of clean air.

Abstract: A machine for processing large workpieces, particularly a hydraulic press for working on large metal sheets, comprises external equipment for rigidly supporting and guiding the workpiece. The handling equipment is provided with means which permit the workpiece, together with part of the handling equipment, to carry out movements induced by the reactional forces generated in the workpiece by the tools of the machine. Those forces are held within predetermined limits, whereby the handling equipment is protected against damage but still capable accurately to position the workpiece relative to the tools before each processing step carried out by the tools.

Abstract: Cup feeding means for feeding cups to a drawing and ironing machine having a generally elongated horizontal opening defined by ironing rings and a ram axially aligned with said opening is disclosed herein. The cup feeding mechanism consists of guide means for continuously supplying cups to a station adjacent the opening and an arm pivoted below the guide means and the opening. The arm has an arcuate surface for receiving cups from the guide means and is driven between first and second positions for moving the cups from the guide means into alignment with the opening of the drawing and ironing machine. The cup feeding means also includes stop means located adjacent the opening with the stop means also having an arcuate surface that generally defines an extension of the arcuate surface on the arm so that the cups are positively gripped between the arcuate surfaces when the arm is moved to the second position.

Abstract: A reciprocating press for shaping or forming a workpiece such as a sphere or the like includes two oppositely reciprocally movable dies mating with two fixed dies. A feed mechanism reciprocal in a lateral direction is operable to shear off workpieces from an elongated rod and to feed the sheared off workpieces to the fixed dies as the movable dies move in opposite directions.

Abstract: A mechanism for centering metal hollow bodies during a drawing operation is disposed in front of a die of an ironing tool. The metal hollow bodies each have a flared section along the edge zone of its open face. The mechanism comprises at least two centering-cheeks adapted to the circumference of the metal hollow body. The centering-cheeks are movably supported for sliding movement within a plane extending transversely to the tool axis and in any direction towards or away from the tool axis. Mechanical control means effect periodic opening motion of the centering-cheeks in any direction away from the tool axis in dependence upon the motion of a draw punch. The control means are effective to cause the two centering-cheeks to embrace the hollow body centeringly after it has been thrust into the die by the draw punch and at at least a fraction of its overall height.