Livernois Die and Automation

Forward Industries, Inc.

Livernois Research & Development Co.

Boice F Horde

Bernard J Wallis

Sabatino A Bianchi

Lyle T Giles

Jeffrey R Geske

Denver Akers

Robert L Decheim

A plurality of die cylinders adapted to contain gas under pressure are mounted on a manifold. Each cylinder comprising a cylinder body having an axially inner cylinder portion and an axially outer cylinder portion. A piston has an axially inner end portion extending into the inner cylinder portion and an axially outer end portion surrounded by the outer cylinder portion. A seal is provided between the inner end portion of the piston and the inner cylinder portion. There is a removable sealing cartridge between the outer end portion of the piston and the outer cylinder portion. A snap ring removably retains the cartridge on a shoulder between the inner and outer cylinder portions. The piston is capable of full axially outward retraction and separation from the cylinder when the cartridge is removed. The cylinder is free of any obstruction which would interfere with the axially outward retraction and separation of the piston when the cartridge is removed. The cylinder body has a pilot portion engaging a complimentary cylindrical opening in the manifold so that the inner end of the cylinder body communicates with high pressure gas within the manifold.

Die cylinder and manifold and system

A die stamping system in which an upper die moves downwardly toward and upward away from a lower die to stamp a workpiece, and in which a portion of the lower die is supported by at least one gas cylinder coupled to gas under pressure to cushion downward movement of the lower die portion and delay upward movement of the lower die portion. Each gas cylinder has a piston reciprocable within a vertical cylinder body. The piston has an upwardly extending piston rod for engaging the lower die portion. The cylinder body has a lower portion beneath the piston connected to the gas under pressure. A first passage connects an upper portion of the cylinder body above the piston to the lower portion of the cylinder body beneath the piston. A second passage connects the lower portion of the cylinder body to a tank. A third passage connects the upper portion of the cylinder body to the tank. First, second and third valves in the respective first, second and third passages control gas flow. When the piston descends, the gas pressure in the lower portion of the cylinder body increases, and by opening the second valve this pressure is transmitted to the tank. By closing the second valve and opening the third valve, the increased gas pressure in the tank is transmitted to the upper portion of the cylinder body to hold the piston down.

Gas cylinder with time delay

A gas cylinder with internal time delay which is entirely self contained within the cylinder. A valve pin that controls communication between the two sides of the piston through one or more a one-way valves in the piston. As each piston is moved by a die into the cylinder body, it exposes a portion of reduced cross section on a valve pin and gas flows through a one way valve such that the effective area of the piston is reduced. When the die moves away from the workpiece, a time delay occurs and the piston is delayed until the piston moves upwardly and closes communication between the sides of the piston.

Gas cylinder with internal time delay

A die transfer system for transferring workpieces between successive die stations in a stamping press includes elongated finger bars having spaced fingers for engaging workpieces at successive die stations, a first drive module for reciprocating the finger bar laterally into and out of engagement with the workpieces at the die stations, and a second or transfer drive module for reciprocating the finger bar longitudinally for transferring workpieces between the successive die stations. The transfer drive module includes a pair of laterally spaced transfer drive mechanisms respectively positioned adjacent to the ends of the finger bars, and a bridge that extends between the transfer drive mechanisms. A pair of carriages are mounted on the bridge and coupled by lead screws to respective stepper motors for adjusting position of each carriage laterally of the bridge independently of each other. Each carriage is coupled to an associated finger bar by a quick-disconnect coupling arrangement. In this way, the transfer drive mechanism may be readily disconnected from the lateral drive mechanisms for replacement of the latter, and may be readily readjusted for and connected to new lateral drive mechanisms of differing configuration.

Die transfer system with modular transfer drive

A die transfer system for transferring workpieces through successive dies stations in a stamping press includes an elongated finger bar having spaced fingers for engaging workpieces at successive die stations. A drive module for reciprocating the finger bar laterally into and out of engagement with the workpieces at the die stations, and for lifting the workpieces above the level of the die stations for longitudinal transfer between die stations. The drive module has a crank arm coupled to the drive shaft for rotating the crank arm about an axis parallel to the finger bar. A cam plate is coupled to the finger bar and mounted for movement lateral to the crank arm axis and the finger bar. The cam plate has a cam slot with first and second orthogonal portions lateral to the crank arm axis, and a third arcuate portion interconnecting the first and second portions at the radius of the crank arm. A cam follower is mounted on the crank arm and disposed in the slot, such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the crank arm and propels the cam follower along the first, third and second portions of the slot and sequence, with the third slot portion providing a dwell at the cam plate and finger bar during motion of the cam follower therethrough.

Modular die transfer system

A die transfer system for transferring workpieces through successive dies stations in a stamping press includes an elongated finger bar having spaced fingers for engaging workpieces at successive die stations. A drive module for reciprocating the finger bar laterally into and out of engagement with the workpieces at the die stations, and for lifting the workpieces above the level of the die stations for longitudinal transfer between die stations. The drive module has a crank arm coupled to the drive shaft for rotating the crank arm about an axis parallel to the finger bar. A cam plate is coupled to the finger bar and mounted for movement lateral to the crank arm axis and the finger bar. A cam follower is mounted on the crank arm and disposed in a slot on the cam plate, such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the crank arm and propels the cam follower along the slot to move the cam plate and finger bar horizontally and vertically in sequence. A bearing element on the shaft is captured by structure on the cam plate to prevent horizontal movement of the cam plate and finger bar during motion in the vertical direction, and to prevent vertical movement during motion in the horizontal direction.

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Westland, MI, United States of America

Boice F Horde