Abstract: A machine (144) for crimping terminals onto conductors, is disclosed which automatically compensate for different conductor density and terminal sizes for maintaining a desired crimp height for each different combination of sizes. The machine (144) includes a compensating unit (146) that is interposed within the drive mechanism to automatically alter an otherwise fixed distance (162) in the drive mechanism. The compensating unit (146), when combined with the ram, includes a pair of opposed resilient beams (158, 160) that deflect when sufficient axial loading is applied to the ram during the crimping operation. This deflection results in the altering of the fixed distance (162) and, therefore, the altering of the shut height (164) of the machine (144).

Abstract: In forging hammers, according to the present invention, more than one inlet valve is employed and more than one exhaust may be employed. The force of impact for a particular blow is controlled by the number of valves employed and the timing of the opening and closing of those valves relative to one another. By making successive adjustments with different combination of valves, the controls may be calibrated so that the same ram force may be repeated. Knowing the valve settings required to produce differing amounts of force, it is possible to program the settings into the memory of a computer, so that when a particular impact force is selected the appropriate valve timing will be reproduced and the desired force obtained. It is also possible to set up a sequence of blows of differing selected force, setting each blow using the computer memory.

Abstract: A control system for automatically counterbalancing the ram and tooling of a mechanical press by the measurement of strain in a press component or components subject to stress during operation of the press. The air pressure in one or more counterbalancing cylinders is varied to maintain balanced conditions in response to the strain measured at the top of the press cycle.

Abstract: A control system for automatic counterbalancing the ram of a mechanical press by measuring energy level of the press flywheel and varying air pressure in a counterbalancing cylinder. Energy level is derived from a measurement of the linear speed of a moving press component at a fixed point in the ram reciprocation cycle.

Abstract: A forging hammer employs compressible fluid to drive the ram into impact and a trapped volume of compressible fluid to cause the ram to be retracted from impact position when fluid driving the ram into impact is released. The velocity of impact is adjusted by the timing of the opening of a valve allowing variable amounts of compressed fluid into a cylinder from a compressible fluid supply. Various means are provided to sense one or more of following: pressure of the compressible inlet fluid, residual velocity of the ram at the position at which the at least one inlet port is uncovered by the piston, position of the piston at the time of fluid admission and pressure of the lifting fluid. The sensed parameters are correlated in connection with predetermined criteria. This correlation is used to determine a range of possible kinetic energy at impact and that range is compared with a preselected kinetic input demand.

Abstract: A forging hammer employs compressible fluid to drive the ram into impact and a trapped volume of compressible fluid to cause the ram to be retracted from impact position when fluid driving the ram into impact is released. The velocity of impact is adjusted by the timing of the opening of a valve allowing variable amounts of compressed fluid into a cylinder from a compressible fluid supply. As the ram is driven into impact, the compressible fluid which causes the ram to be retracted is compressed and increases in pressure. The peak of pressure in this trapped volume of compressible fluid is sensed and compared with a peak value of reference pressure which represents a desired impact energy. If there is an error between the measured peak and the desired peak effect, an incrementing or decrementing signal is provided to correct the valve to adjust the effect of the next blow.

Abstract: A forging hammer employs compressible fluid to drive the ram into impact and a trapped volume of compressible fluid to cause the ram to be retracted from impact position when fluid driving the ram into impact is released. The velocity of impact is adjusted by the timing of the opening of a valve allowing variable amounts of compressible fluid into a cylinder from a compressible fluid supply. Pressure sensing means is provided to sense the pressure of the lifting fluid, calculating means for calculating kinetic energy from the rate of change of lifting air pressure, comparator means for comparing kinetic energy with a standard and a counter for accumulating error. Sensing the rate of change of pressure of the lifting fluid permits calculation of the velocity of the hammer. Kinetic energy at the time of impact is calculated from the velocity and the mass of the ram assembly.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling forming press conditions aids in maintaining stability in a mechanical double action press forming provided with an upper die (inner) and an outer ram (outer). These dies are driven independently wherein press conditions related to the forming process, such as a hydraulic pressure and pneumatic pressure, are automatically corrected by feedback so as to be maintained to preset values corresponding to the change of the inner stroke during the forming process. Abnormal operation can also be detected and corrected immediately by detecting the change of the press conditions during the forming process continuously or intermittently.

Abstract: A die forging hammer senses the pressure of striking air and the pressure of lifting air from within the cylinder as well as ram start position. Various empirical information is stored and available to a computer which uses the inputs to compute velocity ram position, rebound velocity and other pieces of information. In order to use the lifting air data, sequential pressure measurements are made by a microprocessor and stored for analysis and for use in deriving from stored empirical information about machine characteristics ram velocity and related information. Three types of systems are interwoven and may be used separately or simultaneously to control the blow control system. Different programs are employed, preferably using algorithms applicable to the equipment in processes to derive desired output or intermediate information.

Abstract: A die forging hammer senses the pressure of striking air and the pressure of lifting air from within the cylinder as well as ram start position. Various empirical information is stored and available to a computer which uses the inputs to compute velocity, ram position, rebound velocity and other pieces of information. In order to use the lifting air data, sequential pressure measurements are made by a microprocessor and stored for analysis and for use in deriving from stored empirical information about machine characteristics ram velocity and related information. Three types of systems are interwoven and may be used separately or simultaneously to control the blow control system. The blow control system itself compares input desired results with computed actual results and enables changes to valve timing to bring the actual into conformity with the desired.

Abstract: A method for increasing strength and/or hardness of a preshaped metal specimen by cold working is disclosed. Compressive force is applied to the specimen slowly so that the yield strength of the specimen progressively increases and the specimen exhibits squirming instability as its diameter increases.

Abstract: A tool for modifying openings in carburetor jets includes a base, upwardly extending guide rods, a relatively heavy tool-carrying block slidable on the rods, and a plate for holding the jet or jets to be modified. The plate has locating openings and the base has a locating pin, the locating openings being spaced so that when the proper one is placed on the pin the selected jet is accurately located beneath a tool carried by the block. The block, with the proper tool installed therein, is then lifted and allowed to drop so that the tool reduces the jet orifice size. The tools have rounded ends and diameters to properly modify various jets.