Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting a die from damage due to material jams in material stamping equipment wherein feed material is stamped in a die and then advanced through the die by action of press feed rolls powered by a press feed roll drive motor. The position error of the press feed rolls or the torque of the press feed roll drive motor is monitored during the advance of the feed material through the die. The monitored position error of the press feed rolls or the monitored torque of the press feed roll drive motor is then compared to the expected position error of the press feed rolls or the expected torque of the press feed roll motor, respectively.

Abstract: A stop mechanism operative to stop a sprial lacing wire if the lacing wire encounters an obstacle as it is being wound in lacing fashion about juxtaposed end loops of coil springs in two adjacent coil spring rows, and after the lacing wire has completely laced together those two spring rows. A sensor functions to sense when the spiral lacing wire encounters an obstacle in its lacing path, the sensor incorporating a proximity switch that cooperates with a bowed guide element. The bowed guide element induces the lacing wire to pop out or bow away from the switch when the obstacle is encountered, activation of the switch causing the lacing wire to stop at once in its lacing path. A clamp device cooperates with a feeder switch to clamp the unlaced spiral lacing wire between its jaws when the feeder switch is activated by the lacing wire's lead end after the lacing wire has traversed the entire length of the adjacent rows.

Abstract: A controller for stopping a punch press when a stock material becomes jammed, includes: translating means for converting the motion of the stock material exiting from the punch press to rotational motion of rotating means which is operatively associated with said translating means, and a movable element, operatively associated with said rotating means. The rotational motion of rotating means produces centrifugal force which keeps the movable element in an operating position. As the stock material buckles or becomes jammed in the press, the motion of the exiting stock material ceases, causing a decrease in and/or subsequently elimination of the angular velocity of the rotating means and therefore a decrease in the magnitude of the centrifugal force. When the centrifugal force diminishes by a predetermined amount or is entirely eliminated, the movable element moves from the operating position to stopping position.