Abstract: In a can body maker apparatus including ram means for the forming of a can body mounted for reciprocal motion within a can body maker frame, an improved pressurized air delivery system is incorporated into the ram system to accomplish the air strip of the formed can body.

Abstract: In a slide fastener coupling element forming apparatus, a blank wire of a generally Y-shape cross section intermittently supplied at a predetermined pitch is cut off into pieces of a predetermined thickness by a fixed cutting punch and a reciprocating cutting die, and then a bulge for the head portion of a coupling element is formed by a forming die and a forming punch movable upwardly and downwardly to coact with the forming die. The forming die is located to be connected with the forward end in the stroke direction of the cutting die, and the forming punch is located upwardly of the bulge forming station. Then the opposite leg portions of a coupling element are pushed out of the mold of the forming die by a vertically movable ejector pin located under the leg portions on the forming die to discharge the formed coupling element from the forming die.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal crimping machine which assures that undesirable bending of a cable caused due to the fact that a terminal firmly fitted into a crimper is raised up together with the crimper after the time of terminal crimping is reduced as far as possible. A terminal crimping machine includes a crimper 3, an anvil 4 located opposite to the crimper 1, and a stopper 13 composed of a terminal disconnecting piece 14 and an arm piece 15, and the arm piece 15 is turnably disposed on a guide frame 11 of the ram 2 to turn about a pin 12. A tension spring 20 is bridged between the arm piece 15 and a spring fixing piece 19. As the ram 2 is lowered, it comes in slidable contact with the arm piece 15 so as to allow the arm piece 15 assume an upright attitude. At this time, the terminal disconnecting piece 14 is located at the terminal disconnecting position higher than the anvil 4 by a predetermined distance.

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: The excise and lead form of TAB leads bonded to an integrated circuit chip. Leads extending beyond a sidewall are clamped between a first clamp and a form anvil at a first portion spaced from the chip. The leads are also clamped between an excise/form tool and a second clamp at a second portion spaced further from the chip than the first portion. An excise blade cuts the leads outside the second portion. Then the excise/form tool, second clamp and excise blade move downwards in a curved path toward the chip to form a first lead corner against the form anvil and a second lead corner against the excise/form tool without splaying or galling the leads.

Abstract: A progressive bead forming metal die for forming beads in a metal gasket is constituted by a bead-forming die disposed between a hole punch die and an outer profile punch die. The bead-forming die comprises a pair of upper and lower inner bead boundary base blocks supported by upper and lower holders for pressing a desired bead shape and inner-bead flat sections, a stripper disposed so as to slide along the outer surface of the upper inner bead boundary base block, a die secured in contact with the other surface of the inner bead boundary base block and disposed facing the stripper, a stopper disposed between the stripper and the upper holder to press-form an out-bead flat section between and by the stripper and the die when the upper and lower inner bead boundary base blocks are brought into press contact with each other, and an elastic member for urging the stripper toward the die.

Abstract: The excise and lead form of TAB leads bonded to an integrated circuit chip. Leads extending beyond a sidewall are clamped between a first clamp and a form anvil at a first portion spaced from the chip. The leads are also clamped between an excise/form tool and a second clamp at a second portion spaced further from the chip than the first portion. An excise blade cuts the leads outside the second portion. Then the excise/form tool, second clamp and excise blade move downwards in a curved path toward the chip to form a first lead corner against the form anvil and a second lead corner against the excise/form tool without splaying or galling the leads.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for precisely positioning an integrated circuit lead frame is disclosed. This apparatus includes a positioning post that cooperates with an index hole in the lead frame, and a lower spring finger. The index hole of the lead frame is placed over the positioning post, and the opposite or bottom side of the lead frame rests on the lower spring finger. An upper spring finger is then brought down on top of the lead frame, aligning with the lower spring finger. As the two spring fingers press against the lead frame, the deflection of the two spring fingers cause the lead frame to move slightly and causes the positioning post located in the index hole to function as a mechanical stop of the deflection movement of the lead frame thereby achieving a very accurate positioning of the lead frame.

Abstract: In the proposed forming press, a reversal device (17 to 20) is provided on a retention pin (1) inside the male die part (4) of the press, which reversal device retains the retention pin in its two end positions (X.sub.1, X.sub.2) until said retention pin is moved by a transmission member (10) on the male die part side or by the pressed article (2) inserted in the die (3).

Abstract: In the case of a drive for a male-die-side ejector slidably disposed in a slide of a mechanical metal-forming press having an angle lever which is pivotably disposed at the slide, one leg of the lever acting upon the end of the ejector facing way from the male die and the other leg thereof being acted upon by a control cam which is driven in a timed manner and being held in contact with this control cam, a free adjustability of the moving characteristics of the ejector is achieved in that the control cam is provided at a control carriage which is slidable in a guide fixed at the frame in parallel to the moving direction of the slide, and at which a control connecting rod is applied in a bearing, this control connecting rod, at one end, being disposed eccentrically on a shaft serving also as the drive of the slide.

Abstract: A driving apparatus includes a driving shaft journalled in a nut former, a hollow cylinder having an axially extending bore formed eccentrically therethrough and sleeved rigidly on the driving shaft in such a manner that the driving shaft extends through the bore of the cylinder, a link sleeved removably and rotatably on the cylinder at an end thereof, and a crank having a first crank arm connected pivotally to the other end of the link and a second crank arm connected to a workpiece impelling mechanism. When the driving shaft rotates, the driving apparatus activates the workpiece impelling mechanism.

Abstract: A drive for a male-mold-site ejector slidably disposed in a slide of a mechanical metal-forming press has an angle lever pivoted in the slide. One leg of the angle lever act upon the end of the ejector facing away from the male mold and the other leg of the angle lever is in driving connection with a guide rod which is linked to a driving connecting rod for the slide. In a timed manner, the guide rod transmits driving movements to the angle lever. The driving connection is constructed as a link chain, in which the guide rod linked to the driving connecting rod is disposed approximately at a right angle to the moving direction of the slide and the arm of a two-armed lever linked to it extends approximately in parallel to the moving direction of the slide.

Abstract: An apparatus for superplastric forming of metallic workpieces and, more particularly, aluminum workpieces is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mechanism for ejecting the workpiece from the die upon completion of the superplastic forming process. A steel liner covers the surface of the die cavity, and the workpiece is formed against the liner (which acts as a die surface). The steel liner has high temperature resistance at superplastic forming temperatures providing it with sufficient rigidity to enable it to be removed from the cavity at or near superplastic forming temperatures while still retaining its shape and that of the formed worpiece which it supports. In one embodiment, a cam operated ejection mechanism pushes the liner from the die cavity surface as desired at the end of the superplastic forming process. In another embodiment, the die is provided with apertures through which pressurized gas is directed toward the liner pushing the liner away from the die cavity surface.

Abstract: An improvement to a stamping press having a blanking punch and die combination comprising a blanking die defining an opening, a cooperating blanking punch dimensioned closely to mate with the opening wherein the die edge defining the opening is radiused to cause metal flow, a stock engaging shedder displaceable within the die opening to engage and clamp stock, and a stripper encircling the blanking punch and displaceable therealong to remove surplus stock after a blanking operation. The improvement comprises the stripper being disposed to engage and clamp stock being punched by the blanking punch and die.

Abstract: A die stamping system includes opposed die members which clamp a metal workpiece to be shaped, cut or pierced after which the die members are moved away from one another and a part is subsequently ejected wherein the ejector is controlled for a selected delay time by a plurality of cylinder assemblies mounted in a manifold so that they are connected to a source of inert gas such as nitrogen under high pressure and to a source of hydraulic pressure. Each cylinder assembly includes a piston associated with and exposed to the nitrogen in the manifold. The cylinder assemblies are connected to a single hydraulic valve which has associated therewith an accumulator and which is operated simultaneously to actuate the cylinders. The hydraulic lines to the cylinders are provided in the manifold.

Abstract: A pneumatic-hydraulic booster type driving device for the cushion-knockout mechanism associated with the slide of a press-machine serves to stably hold down a work plate such as a printed board and the like while performing a cushion operation at the time of a pressing stroke and serves to knock out the work plate after the pressing stroke in the press-machine. In the driving device, a pneumatic-hydraulic booster is connected through a pressure oil supply and discharge means to a hydraulic actuation chamber of a cushion cylinder provided in the slide of the press-machine, and the pressure oil supply and discharge means comprises a valve chamber within a valve casing and a knockout actuator which is fixedly secured to the valve casing so as to perform the valve opening operation of the valve unit.

Abstract: Arrangement for the ejection of a pressed component from a press tool. The arrangement consists of a number of ejection pins distributed over the press surface tool. Each of the ejection pins is so arranged as to lie during the pressing operation with its tip no higher than on a level with the aforementioned press surface, and, in conjunction with the opening of the tool after a pressing operation has been completed, as to eject the component from the tool with its tip. A characteristic feature of the invention is that each ejection pin is operatively connected via a pistion rod to a hydraulic piston. The piston is capable of axial displacement in a hydraulic cylinder, which is filled with an incompressible fluid in space between the piston and an end wall of the cylinder. The space communicates via a duct with a drive unit for the ejection pin.

Abstract: An improved spring-biased knockout pin apparatus for use in an impact extrusion press provides for initial pin position adjustment and subsequent spring preload adjustment without affecting the preset pin position. Methods are included.

Abstract: A press having a work positioning carriage for moving a workpiece horizontally along relatively transverse X and Y axes to position different areas of a workpiece at a work station. Lower forming tools are fixed at the work station and a lower stripper is mounted for vertical movement relative to the lower forming tools. Upper press tools are mounted on the press ram and operative when the ram is moved downwardly to force the workpiece downwardly over the lower forming tools and depress the lower stripper. The lower stripper is yieldably biased upwardly to raise the workpiece off the lower press tools when the upper press tools are raised. A work carrier is mounted for horizontal movement by the work positioning carriage and the work carrier has a workpiece support that is vertically movable relative to the work carrier.

Abstract: Tooling system for a forming machine has a continuous guide passageway in which first and second tooling assemblies are contained for movement towards and away from each other. The passageway has passageway surfaces which serve as bearing and guiding surfaces for the tooling assemblies. Each of the tooling assemblies has a ram member and a tool holder mounted on the ram member. Additionally, a face plate is provided on one of the tooling assemblies at the leading end thereof and is movable relative to the leading end between a retracted position and an extended position. When in its extended position, it is spaced from the ram so that tools, such as punches have their ends in openings in the face plate. When the tooling assemblies move against strip material positioned therebetween, the punches or similar tools move from the face plate and perform operations on the strip. The face plate then serves as a stripper plate during reverse movement of the ram.

Abstract: An upstacker reject device includes a reciprocating plunger connected to a selectively oscillating shaft. A bellcrank is adjustably connected to a press ram and a rotatably mounted cylinder. A clutch is engaged to transfer rotary motion from the cylinder to the shaft. As the press ram travels downwardly, the cylinder and shaft are rotated, thereby causing the plunger to travel upwardly and engage an article carried by a transfer belt. A cylinder assembly and motion restriction cooperate with the clutch to insure that the plunger is retracted before the belt is advanced.

Abstract: A die stamping system for use in a fine blanking apparatus that includes opposed die members which clamp a metal workpiece to be cut and pierced after which the die members are moved away from one another and the slugs pierced from the blank and the cut blanks are subsequently ejected wherein the ejector is controlled for a selected delay time by a plurality of cylinder assemblies mounted in a manifold so that they are connected to a source of inert gas such as nitrogen under high pressure. Each cylinder assembly includes a first piston associated with and exposed to the nitrogen in the manifold and a second piston engaged by the first piston and urged outwardly into engagement with a punch base.

Abstract: A continuous processing machine for bending long metal rods includes a rod bundle handling machine for separating a bundle of rods and advancing the rods one after the other, a rod cutting station and a rod bending station provided downstream of the handling machine for cutting and subsequently bending the rods. Transfer means are provided for transferring the rods from station to station.

Abstract: A continuous process for bending long metal rods comprises separating and feeding a bundle of rods and advancing the rods one by one to a rod cutting station downstream, cutting the rods and feeding them to a rod bending station downstream of the cutting station, and subsequently bending the rods and removing them from the machine.

Abstract: Successively formed cans or cups are quickly and smoothly removed from beneath the lower die shoe of a high speed forming press by an elongated dual lane stainless steel air conveyor having closely spaced upper and lower parallel walls defining an air chamber therebetween. A blower supplies air to the discharge end portion of the conveyor, and the inner end portion of the conveyor top wall defines two cup receiving zones adjacent corresponding outlets formed by upwardly projecting air deflecting hoods. Each hood directs a high flow of air horizontally across the adjacent receiving zone and longitudinally along the top conveyor wall to move each cup quickly from the receiving zone. Longitudinal extending parallel ribs project upwardly from the top wall for each lane, and a set of louvered slots are formed within the top wall between the ribs to maintain the linear and uniform flow of the cups to the discharge end of the conveyor.

Abstract: A method of removing or ejecting a part from a first die after the part has been superplastically formed in a cavity of the die at an elevated temperature such that the part sticks to the surfaces of the die. The method includes the steps of forming a flange of the part between opposed die surfaces and providing movable plate within the die cavity and a ring on the opposed surface of the first die that engages the flange and the part in the cavity in a uniform manner. The movable plate and ring are then translated away from the die surfaces to uniformly move the part from the first die after the dies are separated.

Abstract: Tube forming apparatus for forming a tubular part having an enlarged diameter end section at one end with an adjacent short radius bend is disclosed. A straight length of tubing is magnetically positioned between die members and fixedly clamped with opposite ends of the tube projecting from opposite ends of the die. One end of the clamped tube is then enlarged to form the enlarged end section. A magnetic transfer device is engage with the other end of the clamped tubing and, with the die opened, the tube is transferred to a second position between the die members which are closed to clamp the enlarged end section only with the remainder of the tubing projecting from the die. A tightly fitting plug member is seated in the interior of the clamped end section and a bending member the bends the projecting end of the tubing against an anvil formed on one of the die members.

Abstract: A forming machine comprises an eccentric drive mechanism for executing a stroke movement of a displaceable ram mounted for movement on a machine frame. A ram-side ejector mechanism is fixed on the ram for expelling workpieces from a tool secured to the ram. The ram-side ejector mechanism includes a longitudinally displaceable ejector pin, a two-armed lever member pivotally supported by the ram and cam disks mounted on a rotatable cam shaft. The cam disks are effective to pivotally displace the lever member for causing the longitudinal displacement of the ejector pin member. The rotatable shaft carries the cam disk mounted on the displaceable ram with the lever member. A gear linkage mechanism includes a rotational transfer shaft mounted to the machine frame for driving the cam shaft in response to operation of the eccentric drive assembly.

Abstract: An ejector mechanism for multi-stage presses is disclosed. The pusher pin (3) runs inside of a slide (2). The pusher pin is supporter by a lever (6) on a cam curve (7) at the machine frame (1). The cam curve (7) is constructed such that it effects a resting of the pusher pin relative to the machine frame during the period of ejection. The work piece (4) is thereby maintained in an unchanged position between the matrix (34) and the pusher pin (3). The ejection process is interrupted by a lowering of the cam curve (7) by the control means (8). The pusher pin (3) returns to its withdrawn position relative to the slide (2). The pusher pin remains in the withdrawn position for the balance of the backward stroke. An adjustment of the stroke length is performed within the control means (8). A control cam curve (10) is provided, which is composed of several parts (11,12), which can be tilted against each other and which can be slid past each other.

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 arrangement for ejecting formed parts out of the matrix of a deformation press, in which for avoiding jamming of the segment of an ejection arrangement, which is displaceably and fixedly supported at the guidance in the shape of a circular arc of the driving lever, the mutually contacting surfaces are made according to different radial dimensions whereby the radial dimension of the counterabutment surface of the segment is slightly smaller than the radial dimension of the abutment surface of the driving lever. Clamping elements constructed as pressure cylinders serve for fixing the segment at the driving lever in a position adjustable by an adjusting mechanism; the clamping elements are installed in the segment spaced from one another in the direction of the longitudinal dimension of the circular arcuate guidance.

Abstract: A progressive forging machine is disclosed in which a tool pack is removably mounted on the machine to facilitate tool changeovers and the like. The tool pack includes tool carriers guided in bearings on the tool pack for reciprocating movement by a bolster mounted on the machine frame. Because the tools are guided by the tool pack itself, inaccuracy of bolster alignment does not adversely affect the position of the tooling. The tool pack also provides a shear, a transfer, strippers, and kickouts for both the dies and the tools. The drives for the various components on the tool pack are provided on the main machine frame and are either automatically connected during installation of the tool pack or are easily connected at the time of such installation. Because the tooling is guided by the tool pack itself, deflections within the main machine frame created by forming loads do not adversely affect tooling alignment.

Abstract: A tool for crimping cable shoe terminals having an affixing part and a contact part onto the ends of electrical conductors has a pair of jaws provided with at least one pair of co-operating crimping dies and hinged together by a pivot pin. On the same pivot pin is mounted a rocker arm carrying for each pair of crimping dies a chamber accommodating the contact part of a terminal to be crimped. The rocker arm is affected by a position-controlling force such as friction at the location of mounting, and by suitably located dog means so that it makes a move, after the crimping operation has been terminated, by which the terminal, now crimped on a conductor, is lifted from the crimping die so that it readily can be removed from the tool.

Abstract: A cam actuated ejector is provided with a shell press having a crankshaft for reciprocating a slide to which die tooling is mounted and having a forming station in which the die tooling forms a part to be ejected. The ejector includes a kicker bar slidably received within a recess in the press and which is in close proximity to and substantially coplanar with a part to be ejected. The kicker bar is positively reciprocated by a cam assembly that is synchronously engaged with the crankshaft, which operates the press slide, such that an end of the kicker bar cyclically moves at a first rate of movement from a first position outside the forming station to an intermediate position wherein the end contacts a part to be ejected.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for processing a semiconductor lead frame, such as deflashing a plurality of molded chip housings on the lead frame as they move along a predetermined path. A support has a pair of sides, and a track on each side respectively, one track guides lead frames upwardly in a first stack to a position laterally aligned with a die on a vertically movable die plate. The other track receives processed lead frames and allows the processed lead frames to be lowered in a second stack. A reciprocal shuttle member extending between said tracks strips off the uppermost lead frame from the first stack and moves it into a position beneath the die which is then lowered by a power device sequentially to process, i.e., deflash, the lead frame. Then, the die elevates, allowing the shuttle member to reverse so that it can pick up the top lead frame from the first stack to advance it along with the processed lead frame laterally, the processed lead frame being movable onto the second stack.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the spacing between a metal forming punch and a die pad in which the method includes supporting the work-piece on a fluid supported pad and the periphery of the work-piece on a fluid supported sleeve, engaging the workpiece with a forming punch and, during a portion of the travel of the forming punch, moving the pressure sleeve and the support pad for the central portion of the workpiece simultaneously while maintaining the spacing between the top of the pad and the bottom of the punch. The apparatus includes a die pad riser attached to the pad and to a pressure sleeve, both of which are movable in response to movement of the punch during a portion of the travel of the punch. The pressure sleeve is secured to the die pad riser so that the spacing between the punch and the die pad is maintained during such movement.

Abstract: A one-armed ejection lever of a coining press is adapted to be controlled in one end section directly by the coining ram by way of a connecting rod and in the other end section by an operating piston-cylinder unit. The center portion of the ejection lever is placed by way of a pressure bolt against the projecting end of an ejection rod. The abutment pressure is produced by the operating piston-cylinder unit whereby the ejection coining die is able to yield by way of the ejection rod, for example, in case two pieces to be coined are in the coining tool in order to avoid damages. For multiple coining, it is additionally possible to act upon the operating piston cylinder unit in the opposite direction and to effect therewith an intentional lifting-off of the pressure bolt from the ejection rod.

Abstract: A metal working press having a base, a die set located over the base, and coaxial primary and secondary rams movable towards and away from the base to drive the die set through a working stroke and return it to an open condition. The die set includes upper and lower die assemblies and the upper die assembly is connected to the primary ram in such a manner as to prevent axial separation but permit lateral movement of the die set relative to the ram whereby the die set can be moved into and out of the press. The upper die assembly includes two die members which are relatively movable in the axial direction of the ram and the extent of that relative movement is preset by a lost motion mechanism existing in the connection between the primary ram and the upper die assembly and also by engagement between opposed surfaces of the two rams.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a shaped part from a work includes two members spaced away from one another which define a pressure zone. First and second dies clamp the work therebetween, and a first roller conveyor transports at least one of the dies along a transport direction. A holder restrains the members from yielding along a direction transverse to the transport direction. At least one of the members defines an inclination with the transport direction, so as to cause the pressure zone to converge along the transport direction. A drive mechanism drives the dies to the pressure zone, and away therefrom; one of the dies includes a plurality of adjoining pressure-transferring elements. Each pressure-transferring element has a pressure-transfer surface on one end thereof facing the one of the members, and a molding surface on the other end thereof.

Abstract: A spacer frame for insulating glass has corners in which the radii of curvature of the inner wall and the outer wall each are of a larger radius than the side portions of the hollow shaped bar portion. The spacer frame may be manufactured in an apparatus provided for that purpose, having two displaceable bending heads, by first simultaneously bending a hollow shaped bar portion twice through 90.degree., and then further bending it twice through 90.degree. between the corners, wherein, before the operation of bending the corners, the inner wall of the hollow shaped bar portion is curved inwardly and two notches are produced in the outer wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for straightening a rail spike or the like includes a pair of said facing support arms mounted for pivotal movement about spaced axes on a frame, male die blocks mounted on the arms for movement therewith toward confronting angularly related surfaces of a female die member. A plurality of such female die members may be mounted on a rotatable support table such that the support surfaces of the female dies define radially extending angular grooves. The support table may be incrementally rotated for sequentially effecting a spike straightening operation, the table being locked at the spike straightening station and thereafter automatically ejected.

Abstract: An air transfer system for a shell press is provided which air conveys a blanked and formed shell from a blanking and forming die station in the shell press to a curling die station in the same shell press. The air transfer system further provides for the blanked and formed part to be air conveyed within the curling die, and after the shell is curled within the die, provides for the curled shell to be air ejected from the curling die for subsequent fluid conveyance therefrom. A guide track extending between the die stations is just slightly wider than the diameter of the shell being conveyed and the fluid conveyance is provided by a hollow tube disposed in the upwardly facing surface of the guide track. A shell is air conveyed within the curling die station when an opening in a sleeve member, which is disposed about the curling die station and connected to a reciprocating blanking slide, becomes aligned with the guide track upon downward motion of the blanking slide.

Abstract: The die ejector assembly is for multi-stage forming machines having each forming station provided with a die ejector that is separately adjustable as to its extent of lift. The ejector assembly comprises an ejector pin, an ejector lever member and a drive means for the ejector lever member. An intermediate lever member is disposed between the ejector lever member and the drive means therefor. The intermediate lever member is common to several ejector lever members and has adjustable French curves associated with each forming stage. French curves have circular/tangential cam sections. The intermediate lever member includes means for adjusting the position of the cam sections.

Abstract: An adjustable kickout drive for forming machines is disclosed which can be adjusted while the machine is running. The drive includes a drive cam and a kickout lever, both of which oscillate about pivots. The drive cam is driven through a predetermined angle of oscillation from the main machine drive. The kickout lever is provided with a cam surface adjacent to the drive cam and a roller system is positioned between the cams so that the kickout lever oscillates through an angle in response to the oscillating rotation of the drive cam. The rollers are mounted on a lever, which is in turn pivoted on an adjusting screw which threads through a nut journaled on the machine frame. Rotation of the nut moves the screw, and in turn changes the position of the rollers with respect to the cam surfaces.

Abstract: A cam actuated ejector is provided with a shell press having a crankshaft for reciprocating a slide to which die tooling is mounted and having a forming station in which the die tooling forms a part to be ejected. The ejector includes a kicker bar slidably received within a recess in the press and which is in close proximity to and substantially coplanar with a part to be ejected. The kicker bar is positively reciprocated by a cam assembly that is synchronously engaged with the crankshaft, which operates the press slide, such that an end of the kicker bar cyclically moves at a first rate of movement from a first position outside the forming station to an intermediate position wherein the end contacts a part to be ejected.

Abstract: A method of removing a formed part from a die, said part produced by clamping a preform between first and second dies, bringing said preform to within an elevated temperature range suitable for superplastic forming of said preform, and applying pressure to said preform to superplastically form at least a portion of said preform into a cavity of said first die, comprising the steps of:drawing a vacuum between at least a portion of said part and said second die such that said part is secured to said second die; andseparating said second die from said first die while said part is within said temperature range and secured to said second die, such that said part is withdrawn from said cavity of said first die.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming, from a generally conical billet, a hollow forging of desired wall thickness having a generally conical portion tapering to a smaller cylindrical extension, the inner and outer surfaces of the conical portion having minor predetermined and spatially related devisions from purely conical configurations, said apparatus comprising, in combination, a die having a concave conical configuration, with a cylindrical extension at the smaller end, to conform to the desired external configuration of said forging; a punch having a convex conical configuration to conform to the desired configuration of the inner surface of the conical portion of the forging; and means mounting the punch for movement coaxially into the die from the larger end thereof, to an extent which determines the wall thickness of the forging.

Abstract: A drawing arrangement for producing drawn formations in sheet-shaped workpieces includes a lower tool having a supporting surface for the workpieces and a recess which opens onto the supporting surface, and an upper tool having a female die and movable toward and away from the lower tool for confining a region of the workpiece between itself and the supporting surface. A mandrel is mounted in the recess of the lower tool for movement between a retracted position in which it is fully accommodated in the recess and thus does not project beyond the supporting surface and form an obstruction to the movement of the workpiece, and an extended position in which it penetrates into the female die and forms the drawn formation in the workpiece.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for making a transition plate for a mine roof truss from a strip of metal includes a die set having a first and second station. In the first station the strip of metal is bent downwardly at its sides, a notch is sheared in both sides of the strip and two holes are pierced through the strip. In the second station the transition plate is completed by bending the leading portion of the strip into an "M" shaped saddle portion, the strip is sheared transversely and bent downwardly at its trailing end.