Abstract: A magnetic press (10) for performing a manufacturing operation includes tooling (60) operatively connected to reciprocating parts comprising rods (22), and a magnet (41) connected to the rods (22) through a stationary plate (31). A control circuit (200) electrically operates a reciprocating magnet (41) and a stationary magnet (51) for inducing flux fields of attraction in the magnets (41,51), and for reversing the polarity of the flux fields to eliminate residual magnetism and for cushioning the landing of magnet (41) on a return stroke. FIGS. 2 and 4.

Abstract: An expandable, segmented coil is disclosed for use in electromagnetic can forming. The segmented coil comprises a central camshaft and a plurality of coil segments equally spaced about the central camshaft. Each of the plurality of coil segments comprises a coil core and a conductive tubing. The coil core including a central longitudinal bore and a profiled plate cooperating with the camshaft and movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position upon rotation of the camshaft. The tubing being routed through the central bore, wrapped around the coil core to form coil windings, and terminating in a conductor terminal for connection to a power supply for energization of the coil. The central camshaft includes an elongated shaft with a profiled cam plate on one end thereof. Each profiled plate of the coil core includes a cam follower cooperating with the profiled cam plate to cause movement of the coil segments between the collapsed position and the expanded position.

Abstract: A magnet actuator assembly for reciprocating a ram shaft in a crimping press. The actuator assembly comprises stationary upper and lower electromagnet members and a movable central electromagnet member coupled to the ram shaft. The mating surfaces of the electromagnet members are formed of combinations of frusto-conical and planar regions so that an adequate force at a large separation between the upper and central electromagnet members is generated to raise the central electromagnet member and a relatively large force at a small separation between the central and lower electromagnet members is generated to effect the crimping function.

Abstract: A power supply for use with an electromagnetic force system used for dent removal or proof load testing, wherein the power supply includes slow and fast current pulse systems. The slow current pulse system includes a capacitor bank which is charged up to 1000 volts, while the fast current pulse system includes a capacitor bank which is charged up to 10k volts. Control switches are provided for each system which result in discharge of the respective capacitor banks into a work coil adjacent the workpiece at selected times. A crowbar circuit is provided across the coil, and is triggered following discharge of the fast current pulse system. The crowbar circuit includes a series connection of several diodes to block the high negative reverse voltage and an SCR to block the low forward voltge, the SCR being triggered at the selected time to initiate conduction of the crowbar.

Abstract: A process, system, and improvement for a process for electromagnetic forming of a workpiece in which characteristics of the workpiece such as its geometry, electrical conductivity, quality, and magnetic permeability can be determined by monitoring the current and voltage in the workcoil. In an electromagnet forming process in which a power supply provides current to a workcoil and the electromagnetic field produced by the workcoil acts to form the workpiece, the dynamic interaction of the electromagnetic fields produced by the workcoil with the geometry, electrical conductivity, and magnetic permeability of the workpiece, provides information pertinent to the physical condition of the workpiece that is available for determination of quality and process control. This information can be obtained by deriving in real time the first several time derivatives of the current and voltage in the workcoil.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for expanding at least a portion of a cylindrical sidewall of a generally cylindrically shaped, electrically responsive, metallic body. This method comprises the steps of retaining at least a first portion of the metallic body, disposing a coil of electrically conductive material inside the metallic body, and energizing the coil to create an electromagnetic force sufficient to expand at least a portion of the generally cylindrical sidewalls of the metallic body outwardly of the original generally cylindrical shape. During such expansion, a fluid is introduced between the coil and the inside surfaces of the container to maintain positive gauge pressure as the sidewalls expand. This invention also provides an apparatus for expanding at least a portion of a cylindrical sidewall of a generally cylindrically shaped, electrically responsive, metallic body.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for processing work pieces, such as semiconductor lead frames, wherein the apparatus includes a power device such as a solenoid assembly, for driving an upper die into processing relationship to a work piece on a lower die with the stroke of the power device being relatively short, such as in the range of 0 to 0.375 inch. This is achieved by providing a second power device, such as a piston and cylinder assembly, in which the piston rod of the assembly raises the upper die high enough to allow clearance between the dies for the passage of the work piece between the dies, then the second power device is allowed to lower relatively slowly until the upper die is substantially in proximity to the work piece.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting a pair of die members so that one die member can move toward and away from the other die member. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced die shoes for mounting respective die members and an electromagnetic unit for moving one of the die shoes toward the other die shoe. The electromagnetic unit includes a coil mounted on one of the die shoes and an armature mounted on the other die shoe, the electromagnet and the armature being between the die shoes. The armature is aligned with and partially extends into a recess in the central portion of the coil so that, when current flows through the coil, the armature is attracted to the coil and moves the other die shoe toward the one die shoe. A bias structure biases the other die shoe away from the one die shoe. Such bias structure can take the form of an air cylinder or a spring.

Abstract: An electromagnetic forming apparatus having an expandable electromagnetic forming coil supported within an associated clamping press and having a pulse power system continuously operatively associated therewith to facilitate magnetic forming or swaging of conductive work pieces together. The forming coil employs a pair of conductive shaper halves conductively connected together in a single turn coil, the shaper halves being supported for relative movement therebetween while maintained in substantially parallel relation. The shaper halves have mutually cooperating forming recesses which receive the work pieces when the shaper halves are in open position and which define electromagnetic forming areas to swage the work pieces together when the shaper halves are closed and subjected to one or more power pulses.

Abstract: An arrangement for measuring the thickness of a strip emerging from a rolling mill is provided with a thickness measuring device and at least one linear inductor. The linear inductor exerts a pulling force on the strip which flatens the strip in the vicinity of the measuring device. This permits a measuring beam from the measuring device to pass through the strip in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the strip. In some embodiments, a plurality of linear inductors may be provided on either side of the strip, and on either side of the measuring device. The frequency of operation of the linear inductors may be controlled by a converter, in response to the speed of the emerging strip.