Adapted To Grasp Work Laterally (e.g., By Gripper Rail Or Transfer Fingers) Patents (Class 72/405.13)
  • Patent number: 11833569
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for the clocked longitudinal transport of workpieces (11) between processing stations in a transfer press. The apparatus has, at least on one side, a first (2) and a second (3) longitudinally movable control element as a control group (2, 3), wherein two control elements (2, 3) are mounted to be movable relative to each other solely in the longitudinal direction, and the control elements (2, 3) are driven via a common shaft (58). The first control element is a gripper rod (2) for the longitudinal transport of workpieces (11) between the processing stations, and gripper elements (4), offset in the longitudinal direction by the distance between the processing stations, are mounted in the gripper rod (2) and can be moved solely in the transversal direction. The second control element is a thrust rod (3) which forcibly controls the transversal movement of the at least two gripper elements (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: ADVAL TECH HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Matthias Common, Urs Graf
  • Patent number: 11712734
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transfer press for successive forming and demoulding of work pieces by means of upper and lower tools in dies, wherein the upper tools are attached to a ram head, while the lower tools are installed on a ram foot. The ram head and the ram base are rigidly connected to each other and form a ram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: FRITZ WERNER INDUSTRIE-AUSRÜSTUNGEN GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Steiner
  • Patent number: 11261502
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for cooling an automobile component (20) by means of a gas, the apparatus comprising a cooling box (11) with a re-closeable opening (12) for receiving an automobile component (20) to be cooled, wherein at least one heat sink (13) is provided inside the cooling box (11) for cooling of the gas, and wherein the apparatus (10) includes at least one infra sound pulsator (2, 3) arranged to provide an infra sound into said cooling box (11) to improve heat exchange of the gas both with a cooling surface of the at least one heat sink (13), and with the automobile component (20). The invention also relates to a process for cooling an automobile component in such an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Gestamp Hardtech AB
    Inventor: Mats Olsson
  • Patent number: 10932868
    Abstract: A surgical system (200) includes a surgical instrument (260) that is sensitive to backlash that would adversely affect the transmission of controlled torque and position to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument (260) is coupled to motors in a surgical instrument manipulator assembly (240) via a mechanical interface. The combination of the mechanical interface and surgical instrument manipulator assembly (240) have low backlash, e.g., less than 0.7 degrees. The backlash is controlled in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly (240). From the drive output disk (545) in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly to the driven disk (964) of the surgical instrument, the mechanical interface has zero backlash for torque levels used in surgical procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Solomon, Anthony K. McGrogan, Thomas G. Cooper
  • Patent number: 10010988
    Abstract: A workpiece conveying apparatus capable of simultaneously conveying two workpieces includes a body section, a right arm and a left arm, the right arm and the left arm being attached to the body section, the right arm and the left arm being horizontally rotatable, a crossbar connected to the right arm, a first suction device attached to the crossbar, a shifter including an attaching section attached to the crossbar and a driving section configured to move with respect to the attaching section, and a second suction device attached to the driving section. The driving section is pivotally attached to a connector bar attached to the left arm, and the driving section is configured to move with respect to the crossbar on the basis of rotation of the right arm and the left arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI ZOSEN FUKUI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takaaki Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 9339861
    Abstract: A breakage prevention mechanism is configured to prevent deformation or breakage of a crossbar and transfer the work even in the condition where a pair of left and right arm supporting the both end of the cross bar is displaced beyond assumption. The breakage prevention mechanism is equipped with a pair of arms which is synchronized and moves approximately parallel, and a crossbar bridged between the top end of the arms. Both end of the crossbar and the arm are connected pivotably around two axis. Both end of the crossbar are configured to be slidable against the arm in X axis direction. The plunger is placed between both end of the crossbar and arm, in which protects the crossbar by restraining the pivoting and the sliding of both in the normal condition and releasing the restraint when the unintended force is given.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: AIDA ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke Takeda, Seiji Nakoshi, Takashi Koshimizu
  • Patent number: 9221095
    Abstract: Provided are a manufacturing method for a blade material and a manufacturing device for a blade material, by which a long blade material can be manufactured without using a large-sized press forging machine. A manufacturing method for a blade material, in which hot forging is sequentially performed by molds from the root side to a blade (vane) tip, wherein when a root-side portion is grasped and a material to be forged is restrained by a mold, twisting is performed on a region between the grasped portion and the restrained portion. A manufacturing method for a blade material, in which hot forging and twisting are repeated, is preferable, and a manufacturing method for a blade material, in which hot forging is performed while molds are sequentially changed, is more preferable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI METALS, LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Sato, Takashi Toga, Yoshihiro Wakazono, Hideki Matsumoto, Yusuke Shigihara
  • Patent number: 8925363
    Abstract: A split idle station assembly for a transfer press assembly includes a track assembly, a first base assembly slidably connected to the track assembly and a second base assembly slidably connected to the track assembly. The first and second base assemblies have a support configuration with the first base assembly adjacent the second base assembly forming a work piece support assembly for supporting a work piece thereon between work stations of the transfer press assembly. The first and second base assemblies have a split configuration where the first base assembly is moved apart from the second base assembly along the track assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Thoney R. Charles
  • Patent number: 8887544
    Abstract: A conveyor apparatus conveys work that was conduction heated at an energizing position to a processing position that is separated from the energizing position in the horizontal direction in order to perform hot press-forming, and comprises: a holding member that freely clamps both end sections in the lengthwise direction of the work that has been conduction heated; a drive mechanism that moves the holding member from at least the energizing position to the processing position; and a guide member that extends between the energizing position and the processing position and guides and supports the middle section in the lengthwise direction of the work that has been conduction heated and is being conveyed toward the processing position. A hot press-forming apparatus comprises the conveyor apparatus when conveying conduction heated work to a downstream process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Takaoka Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Ishiguro, Masaki Furuhashi
  • Patent number: 8337137
    Abstract: A transfer apparatus has a vertical guide rod, on which a vertical carriage slides, which is integrated with a horizontal carriage, both of which support a transfer bar and gripping members that are responsible for the automatic handling of stamped parts in process. The transfer apparatus has a shaft limiter, below which there is a right angle lever with a stop, and a horizontal guide rod where the horizontal carriage slides. The transfer apparatus has a drive lever to drive a connecting rod which is connected to the right angle lever and has an adjustable stop toward a fixed stop, which limits the travel of the horizontal carriage in the Y-axis direction. The transfer apparatus in question has a continuous operating cycle and is controlled by a central processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: Luciano Trindade de Sousa Monteiro
  • Patent number: 8127586
    Abstract: Mechanical converter in a movement device generally for transferring parts with respect to a die converts slave motion in a first direction into basic motions of a drive motion in a second direction different from the first direction, and a pitch motion in a third direction different from the first and second directions, which may be such that it is not converted through a plate or rotating cam. Additional motion(s) of an elevation motion in a fourth direction different from the second and third directions but including a vector component along or opposite to the first direction and/or further motion(s) radial to one or more of the first, second, third or fourth directions may be provided from the mechanical converter, another mechanical converter and/or from another source. Also, assisting motion(s), which can assist the die in performing an operation on a work piece, i.e., part, can be provided, for example, by drawing a motion from the pitch, drive and/or elevation motion(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Robert J. Gunst
  • Patent number: 8113029
    Abstract: The invention relates a drop forging method by means of a forging device provided with a hammer and a forging die, wherein a part placed in the forging die is shaped with a hammer blow, several engravings are formed in the die, a blank is initially inserted into the first engraving and said blank is moved along the other engravings to the last engraving, and then said blank picked up during shaping by a forging gripper. In order to obtain an optimum operating mode, the invention is characterized in that the part is received in a plurality of engravings with each hammer blow. In order to obtain a symmetrical distribution of the hammer load between occupied and non-occupied engravings, the parts are gripped respectively during shaping by the forging grippers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: KNIPEX-Werk C. Gustav Putsch KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Lorbach
  • Patent number: 7784324
    Abstract: A workpiece gripper arrangement for the automatization of presses, including a transfer arrangement for transferring components between workstations, the transfer arrangement includes a girder or carrier with gripper means for holding the components and the gripper means is supported via coupling parts of which one is connected to the girder and the other to the gripper means and a mechanical locking structure is provided which is operable by relative movement of the coupling arrangement with respect to a support frame on which the gripper means can be deposited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH Co. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Dangelmayr
  • Patent number: 7748249
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Shiroza
  • Patent number: 7726166
    Abstract: A multi-step press system includes a press that consists of a press frame, a table provided on the press frame and a ram provided above the table for making movement in a Z-axis direction. The table has a standby station into which workpieces are loaded one by one and a plurality of press-forming stations in which the workpieces are sequentially press-formed. The system further includes a press die set consisting of a lower die attached to the table and an upper die attached to the ram. The lower die and the upper die are adapted to simultaneously press-form the workpieces placed in the press-forming stations. On one side of the press, there is provided a destacker for periodically loading the workpieces into the standby station. A transfer feeder is provided between the table and the ram for simultaneously picking up and transferring the workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: GNS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Moon-Gyu Kong
  • Patent number: 7721584
    Abstract: A plurality of workpiece holders 52 are attached on a slide plate 71 on a bar 14 and connected to a movable plate 72 by a plate connecting portion 73. The plate connecting portion 73 includes an engaging portion 731 that is provided on the movable plate 72 and an engaged portion 732 that is provided on the slide plate 71 and engaged with the engaging portion 731. By moving a fixed bar 141 downward relative to a movable bar 142, the movable bar 142 is detached and the engagement of the engaging portion 731 with the engaged portion 732 is released. Since both of the movable bar 142 and the slide plate 71 can be detached by a single downward movement of the fixed bar 141, no actuator is required, thereby simplifying the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Komatsu Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Tokunaga, Masaaki Kashiwa
  • Patent number: 7624614
    Abstract: A conveyor for transporting work pieces in a press, in particular a press line or multiple-die press, from a first station to a second station adjacent to the first station, comprises at least one lateral beam (300, 400) arranged on a side of the press, essentially extending parallel to a transport direction of the conveyor (52), at least one bar (500) having grippers (502) for gripping the work piece to be transported, whereby the bar (500) is attached to the lateral beam (300, 400) in such a way that it is movable along a longitudinal extension of the beam (300, 400); and for each lateral beam (300, 400) an assembly (100, 200) for supporting the lateral beam (300, 400).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Gudel Group AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Heid, Hans-Ulrich Kurt, Ulrich Lehmann
  • Patent number: 7562551
    Abstract: A press die set for a multi-step press system includes a lower die attached to a table and an upper die attached to a ram, the lower die and the upper die being adapted to simultaneously press-form workpieces placed in press-forming stations. The lower die includes a base attached to the table, plural pairs of guide rails fixedly secured to a top surface of the base, each pair of guide rails having mutually opposing grooves, a plurality of first die segments for press-forming the workpieces into desired shapes, each of the die segments having a slider plate removably inserted into the grooves of each pair of guide rails, and a plurality of clamping units provided on opposite lateral sides of each pair of guide rails for clamping the slider plate against removal. The upper die has substantially the same structure as that of the lower die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: GNS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Moon-Gyu Kong
  • Patent number: 7558693
    Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic test method and an apparatus using the same for testing functions of a product by automatically pressing keys of the product. The automatic test method includes the steps of: inputting motion parameters of at least two driven mechanisms into a microcomputer; producing pulse waves by a motion control card disposed in the microcomputer after the microcomputer handling the motion parameters of the driven mechanisms; leading at least one touch head to move along a first direction and a second direction perpendicular with the first direction until the touch head being above the key of the product by the driven mechanisms after receiving the pulse waves; and pressing the key to test the function of the product through depressing the touch head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Teng-Hsien Huang
  • Publication number: 20080295564
    Abstract: A transfer press machine which can accurately and promptly check interference and can be easily handled is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Aida Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sotoyuki Kaneko, Hiroshi Hosoya, Kazuhiro Kuboe
  • Patent number: 7448489
    Abstract: A transporting apparatus, in particular a 3-way transfer means, for transfer presses, in the case of which, for horizontal movement, linear drives are attached and actuated such that, along with a compact construction, the linear drives allow the gripper rails to be changed straightforwardly during tool-changing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Müller Weingarten AG
    Inventor: Rainer Reichenbach
  • Publication number: 20080216547
    Abstract: A multi-step press system includes a press that consists of a press frame, a table provided on the press frame and a ram provided above the table for making movement in a Z-axis direction. The table has a standby station into which workpieces are loaded one by one and a plurality of press-forming stations in which the workpieces are sequentially press-formed. The system further includes a press die set consisting of a lower die attached to the table and an upper die attached to the ram. The lower die and the upper die are adapted to simultaneously press-form the workpieces placed in the press-forming stations. On one side of the press, there is provided a destacker for periodically loading the workpieces into the standby station. A transfer feeder is provided between the table and the ram for simultaneously picking up and transferring the workpieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Moon-Gyu Kong
  • Patent number: 7370507
    Abstract: Transfer apparatus and method are provided from first (15A, 16A) to second (15B, 16B) stations of tooling in a cap (11) making press. This cap is biased against the first upper tools by a first airstream (50) introduced under the cap and moves upward with the first station punch (45). As the punch approaches its top location, a transfer airstream (52) begins while the first airstream is still on, and moves the cap out through a transfer chute (18) to the second station. The cap departs the chute and passes detents (67) on a pair of closed retention fingers (60) which define an extension of the transfer path from the chute into the open second station tools. A vacuum (85) applied to a port in the second station punch then holds the cup against the rising upper tools. When the punch clears the closing fingers and approaches its top location, an ejection airstream (87) commences to propel the finished cup via a discharge chute (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Dayton Systems Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen T. Cook, Mark F. Broerman
  • Patent number: 7128195
    Abstract: A transfer system for transferring workpieces between successive die stations in a stamping press employing elongate bars with workpiece grippers mounted thereon. Two elongate support beams are mounted on vertical primary supports on opposite sides of the press. Two mounting heads are mounted on each beam and are horizontally movable thereon. Each head is independently movable and is connectible by one elongate bar to either the mounting head on the same beam or to an opposing mounting head mounted on the other beam, the choice dependent on the workpiece flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Linear Transfer Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Montgomery W. Childs
  • Patent number: 7007538
    Abstract: A mounting plate (16) pivotally supports a finger (14) for pivotal movement about a pivot axis A as a shear pin (34) breaks between a post (30) and the finger (14) in response to a predetermined force urging the finger (14) to pivot about the pivot axis A. A first fastener (24) is disposed under an opening (46) in the finger (14) for removing the mounting plate (16) and the finger (14) together as a unit from the transfer bar (12) while remaining connected by a bolt (36) at the pivot axis A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: HMS Products Co.
    Inventor: David A. Sofy
  • Patent number: 6931905
    Abstract: A pressure sleeve for holding a container body blank in a die cavity at a redraw station in a press has a pair of notches formed in opposed side walls thereof. The notches provide clearance for a pair of opposed grippers of a transfer mechanism which moves container body blanks and formed container bodies between work stations of the press. The notches provide reduced travel distance of the transfer grippers thereby increasing press output speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Manuel P. Rubalcava, James A. McClung
  • Patent number: 6910362
    Abstract: A tilt mechanism for a transfer rail that is used to support a plurality of grippers for engaging and moving workpieces between a series of spaced apart work stations in a linear transfer press. The transfer rail forms part of a press transfer system of the type having a drive mechanism to impart three dimensional movement to the transfer rail. The tilt mechanism comprises at least one connector and at least one actuator. The connector secures the transfer rail to the drive mechanism and permits three dimensional movement of the transfer rail. The connector also permits the transfer rail to be rotated, relative to the drive mechanism, about its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Linear Transfer Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Montgomery W. Childs, Ronald A. Laing
  • Publication number: 20040182128
    Abstract: A tilt mechanism for a transfer rail that is used to support a plurality of grippers for engaging and moving workpieces between a series of spaced apart work stations in a linear transfer press. The transfer rail forms part of a press transfer system of the type having a drive mechanism to impart three dimensional movement to the transfer rail. The tilt mechanism comprises at least one connector and at least one actuator. The connector secures the transfer rail to the drive mechanism and permits three dimensional movement of the transfer rail. The connector also permits the transfer rail to be rotated, relative to the drive mechanism, about its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Montgomery W. Childs, Ronald A. Laing
  • Patent number: 6672448
    Abstract: A transfer device having high productivity and is compact. The present invention uses cross bars that have a blank attachment member that are suitable for transferring large blank materials that, prior to processing, do not have rigidity. These large blank materials have a tendency to sag in the center and are difficult to transport. The present invention also jointly uses fingers that are suitable for rapid transport of blank materials that, after processing, are molded and have rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Aida Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Arai, Nobuyoshi Maeda
  • Patent number: 6604402
    Abstract: A transfer device combines an advance-return drive mechanism and a clamp-unclamp drive mechanism. The transfer device operates from only one side of a press to position both drive mechanisms above a pair of feed bars thereby greatly reducing spatial constraints and costs and enabling an increase in speed. The feed bars operate to process a work piece along a process direction. The feed bars are cantilevered from the transfer device for easy use with a press, raw materials feeder, and product gatherer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Aida Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Arai, Nobuyoshi Maeda, Toshihiko Nobuoka
  • Publication number: 20030066331
    Abstract: A system for the transport of workpieces in a forming press, particularly a multistation press, has at least one cross traverse for holding the workpieces, which on at least one of its ends is connected with a lifting and lowering device and can be oriented in a space by the lifting and lowering device. At least one overload protection device is arranged between the cross traverse and the at least one lifting and lowering device for cutting the connection between the cross traverse and the at least one lifting and lowering device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Karl Thudium, Andreas Dangelmayr
  • Publication number: 20030051980
    Abstract: A work piece transfer assembly (10) for moving a work piece (12) through and between presses comprises a transfer mechanism (14) moveable in a longitudinal (60), a lateral (62), and a vertical direction (64) and having a first end (16) and a second end (18) for supporting at least one main transfer bar (20). The main transfer bar (20) has a predetermined length (22) with a support mechanism (24) attached thereto for supporting a sub-transfer bar (26). The sub-transfer bar (26) includes a plurality of fingers (28) extending from the sub-transfer bar (26) for engaging and moving the work piece (12) between the presses. The support mechanism (24) includes a cradle (30) fixedly attached to the transfer bars (20). The cradle (30) also includes an alignment sub-assembly (38) for securing the sub-transfer bar (26) into the cradle (30) and precisely aligns said sub-transfer bar upon each re-attachment of the sub-transfer bar (26) to the cradle (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Hugh Sofy
  • Patent number: 6481261
    Abstract: There is described a feed mechanism for a feed table for translating sheet metal blanks from as automatic notching curling and beading machine to a bodymaker in the process of tin box manufacture. The mechanism comprises a pair of reciprocally drives longitudinal feed bars provided with spring loaded pawls in their upper surfaces which engage behind the edges of the blanks during a forward motion and slide beneath the blanks during a reverse motion. The difficulty of altering the lateral displacement of the respective feed bars to allow the table to transfer blanks of different sizes is overcome by using a telescopic fixing member which can be extended to an infinitesimal degree and then secured. In practice, both the longitudinal feed bars are secured to a reciprocally driven transfer table within the stationary feed table, and it is the connection of the feed bars to this table that is achieved with telescopic fixing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Meltog Limited
    Inventor: Darren James Ellis
  • Patent number: 6463781
    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
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Watanabe, Osamu Nakai
  • Patent number: 6347540
    Abstract: An apparatus for transferring workpieces between successive die stations in a stamping press, including an elongated bar having a plurality of spaced workpiece engaging means for engaging workpieces at successive die stations. The apparatus comprises motive means, a drive frame member coupled to the motive means and laterally and longitudinally propelled by the motive means, cam follower means propelled by the drive frame member. Cam plate means is coupled to the bar, having a first cam slot means and a second cam slot means, wherein the first cam slot means receive the cam follower means. The cam plate means is propelled both horizontally and vertically by the cam follower means. Cam stop means is disposed in the second cam slot means to prevent the cam plate means from motion in the horizontal direction during motion in the vertical direction and to prevent the cam plate means from motion in the vertical direction during motion in the horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: DeBiasi International Limited
    Inventor: Attilio De Biasi
  • Patent number: 6338264
    Abstract: A transfer drive is proposed for a press and in particular for a forging machine, in which the intention is to dispense with guides which are sensitive to dirt. For this purpose, the gripper rails are suspended on a hinged-rod arrangement with a three-axis guide system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Mueller Weingarten AG
    Inventors: Erich Harsch, Rainer Reichenbach
  • Patent number: 6322314
    Abstract: A mounting plate (16) for attaching a finger (14) to extend in a cantilevered fashion from a transfer bar (12) in a work piece transfer assembly for a press including a reciprocating member and a series of longitudinally spaced in-line stations wherein each station is a further progression of a work piece forming process. The finger (14) includes a shank (18) and a pair of shank fasteners (16) extend downwardly through the transfer bar (12) to threadedly engage the shank (18) and force the shank (18) against the bottom (28) of the transfer bar (12). A pair of columns (22) extend upwardly above the transfer bar (12) to engage the heads (20) of the shank fasteners (16). Each of the columns (22) include a relief portion (32) defining a shoulder engaging the bottom (28) of the transfer bar (12) as the relief portion (32) extends into the bottom (28) of the transfer bar (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: HMS Products, Co.
    Inventor: Hugh Sofy
  • Patent number: 6234302
    Abstract: A transfer system has at least one transfer device which is driven by several mutually independent drives in the direction of at least a closing/opening axis. In the event of a failure of a drive, an immediate stoppage of parts of the transfer device is prevented by coupling the drives with one another by a coupling device. This coupling device has an operating range of a low torque transmission which is normally taken up and is left only if one of the drives no longer supplies a sufficient driving power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Greiner, Walter Rieger, Karl Thudium
  • Patent number: 6196044
    Abstract: A mounting plate (16) for attaching a finger (14) to extend in a cantilevered fashion from a transfer bar (12) in a work piece transfer assembly for a press including a reciprocating member and a series of longitudinally spaced in-line stations wherein each station is a further progression of a work piece forming process. The finger (14) includes a shank (18) and the mounting plate (16) includes a groove (22) for engaging the sides of the shank (18) to prevent the shank (18) from rotating relative to the mounting plate (16). A shank fastener (24) extends downwardly through the transfer bar (12) and the mounting plate (16) to threadedly engage the shank (18) and sandwich the mounting plate (16) between the shank (18) and the transfer bar (12).The mounting plate (16) is L-shaped with a first leg (32) for being sandwiched between the bottom of the transfer bar (12) and the shank (18) and with a second leg (34) for engaging the side of the transfer bar (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: HMS Products Co.
    Inventor: Hugh Sofy
  • Patent number: 6192285
    Abstract: A controller for a work transfer system, capable of performing precise positioning of feed bars during sole driving of the transfer system and simplified in structure to contribute to savings in installation space and cost. The controller has a cam angle detector mounted on a cam shaft for feed cams and controls servo motors for respective lift bars according to information which is related to cam angle of the feed cams detected by the cam angle detector and looked up in a motion table set by a transfer controlling PLC serving as a motion table setting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukiyoshi Takayama
  • Patent number: 6185979
    Abstract: A transfer system is provided for press facilities with several successive press stations. The transfer system has divided cross traverses which, with respect to the transport direction, can be moved from the front and the rear into the tool. Each tool includes two respectively transversely divided traverses. For receiving and depositing the workpieces, the cross traverses are adjusted toward and away from one another. In addition, when the tool is closed, the cross traverse are laterally moved past the tool. As required, they may be changed for this purpose into an overtaking position, which can be carried out, for example, by a swivel drive. The transfer system permits a shortening of the minimum time for which the tools must be open with respect to the transfer system and thus allows an increase of the stroke number of the press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dietmar Schöllhammer