US2394636A - Progressive drawing press - Google Patents

Description

Feb, 12, 1946 F. J.- RODE 2,394,636

PROGRESSIVE DRAWING PRESS Filed Aug. 3, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. F mzomcn J. RODE M [MW/M.

Feb. 12, F RODE PROGRESSIVE DRAWING PRESS Filed Aug. 3, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 H3 14 if 2 P O H 0 l EP- 8 TM D T I F W nnul M 3 4 9 Q5 7 4 5 5 l 7 r-I 4 2 I 7 9 2 I 6 ATTORNEYS Feb. 12, 1946. F. J. RODE 2,394,636

PROGRESS IVE DRAWING PRESS Filed Aug. 3, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 7 5 14. /'Z52 B 3 t |36 r r 25, EEDREPEAT 42 FIGS.

72 I BY 4 JIM.

ATTORNEYS drawings.) In the accompanying j H8. 1 is-a'frontvi T' pipesystemremoved I I Y .m. 2 as side viewof the machine; Pia-31s a flonion of- Raj-on" j an enlarged scale with somepartsbeing broken aw y; I

Pate'ntedfeb. 1 2,

, raodanssrvs nnswmarnnss meme 1. Rode, Toledo, ohimassig'nor to n. w.

. "Bliss Company, Brooklyn,

ofDelaware N. 1., a corporation Application sum 3, 1042, Serial No. secs 1 200mmlulu-45) This invention relates to improvements, in I metal working machines, more particularly to machines of the type in which a ram carrying the .upper die is mounted for reciprocating movement in the upper part of a press. while thelower die is located on a bed in the lowerp'art of said press, and in which the cooperating dies for the working of the metal are moved to'progressively,

"closer relative positions as the work proceeds.

More particularly, the invention relates to mechanism for raising the'die carrying bolster intermittently by predetermined whereby stage forming, shaping, forging or drawing operations can be effected upon a workpiece. One of the main objects of the invention is to provide means for-controlling the movement of said bolster in a reliable and'accurate manner when the machine is being utilized for step by step working of the metal. These means comprise a combined hydraulic and pneumaticsystem operated by electric controls.

Another object of the invention is build the 1 machine in a way that allthe equipment, includ-.

ing an electricmotor, a pump driven by the same and oil reservoirs for the liquid. which is recycled .through the system of the pump, will be confined withinsthe machine frame andthe pit in which the base of the machine is embedded/- This construction not only adds to the streamlined appearance of the machine, but results in the saving of space and prevents the parts from 1 exposure to dust. atmosphere and other damaging influences, thereby decreasing the ,wear and adding to the life of the machine. I

' Another "object of the machine-15 to Provide I knockout means in a machine ofthe type dis-r closed for expelling a workpiece whenit-has gone through the final operating step. Yet another object'of'the invention is"the provision1-.of means j for building ups high pressure for the finish-- ing step of the metalworkingprocess. Q

" j; ,Otherimprovements will be apparent'from the following detailedgciescription;and the ml is a nlargemen s un s'"'4-4,or

increments meme; with the H 7 g cylinders 48 and I3, comprlsins pfi of the -bolster operating mechanism..are dispose so as to be protected in the-way'above described. 1 ,v 'Iierods ll extend through the entire height of theuprights up to the crown and secure the parts together to form the'complete frame. A ram 2| carryin's anupper dieais mountedfor'reciprofeed is. mamas m gums: sees a;

control mechanism of the machine .in' section alonglinesHoil'ig.3; and 1,. f Fig. 8 is a wiringqliagram showing the electrical connections for controlling the valves of the hydraulic and pneumatic system. 3 I

- Frequently it is desired to form, draw. forge or shape apiece of work in stages or steps whereby a dwell or time period is afforded for the-crystalline structure of the metal to become adjusted to a preceding metal stressing before a succeeding forceapplication to the metal. beingworked 4 takes place. This is true, for, example, in the forming, shaping or drawing of work pieces which are made out-of the lighter alloy metals and; ll which, if completely formed. drawnfor in one stroke, would develop flssues'or other defects. The present inventionis directed to,

presses adaptable to such metal working and emdie mechanism thereon, the cooperatin die ram of the press.

.25 Referring more particularly-to, Figs. l 2 of the drawings, Ill isa frame of the press supporting acrown il in whichthe'mechanism for reciprocating the ram is mounted. This may preferably be a crank driven press mechanismof I known construction. which does not form a part of 'theinvention and has, therefore, not been Y I shown in the drawings.

Atop portion l2 covers. the crown and forms a casing for such parts of thedrive mechanism as extend beyond'the crown. A front plate It; and'a rear plate 14 serve forcovering the maxchinery gbe'tween the uprights of vthe frame, to'

which access is provided by doors ll.

Y The frame is supportedby'a hollowbed orbase v ".which is shaped with outwardly flaring .that provide a support for thepr'esragainst the. walls of a concrete pit 11. The me we at the some time provides space for-the accommodation of, two oil tanksfl and a. W of which is more fullystated hereafter.

Within the pit a motor-1L0. pump "and two bodies, as one of the salientfoperating .features, 20a bolster actuating 'mech'anism which eifects a] step by step or stage. feedingjof; thej'bolsten with the" i raised and lowered as desired and also is auto matically operable to raise the bolsters. predetermined amount during each cycle of operation of the press until the work is completely formed.

At the last step or stage of work formation, the bolster becomes set or conditioned for the exertion of a considerably increased pressure upon the work piece in opposition to the ram action of the press. v

Referring more particularly to Fig. 3,'the mov able bolster 22 consists of a casting having shoulder portions 23 with shims 24 stacked thereon.

for adjustment or final determination of the upper limit of movement of the bolsterwith respect to the press bed and thus indirectly with respect to the ram 20 and any die mechanism carried thereby. 'As shown in this figure, the bolster is in the uppermost position with the shims ing as a stop for the bolster.

The two tanks" 32 and are accommodated between the inner wall 30 and the outer wall 3| of base 16. Tank 32 is an accumulator con- 24 actnected to an air pressure line (not 'shown) by which the tank is held under a constant pressure of about 50 pounds per square inch. ,Tank 33 contains oil under atmospheric pressure and is a storage Both tanks are fitted with openings for purposes of filling, cleaning and the like; the openings are ordinarily closed by lids 36'.

A float switch is provided in tank 132 in order to return oil from this tank to storage tank 33.

The bolster 22. is operated by a hydraulically operated piston 33 slidingly mounted in a cylinder'30, hereinafter called the main cylinder and whichcan comprise part of the bed formation of the press. A packing 40 is interposed between piston and cylinder and held in place by a retainer 34.

The piston rod of piston 38 is designated by 43 A pipeline I03 connectsthese cylindersthrough valves I02 and IM to a pipe I00 leading into the it is a hollow rod which is mounted for sliding for'sealing the parts. The top'of rod. 43 issecured to a central boss 45 of piston 38 between hereinafter called'the bolster looking or arresting piston and cylinder. Betweenthe cylinder wall movement in the bottom wall of cylinder 39, with a packing 5.! held by a packing nut 52 interposed and piston 41 a packing 49 is held by a retainer 00 and another packing 53 is held by packing mi 04 between member '41 and rod 43.

The space between the top of the arrestin cylinder 40 and piston member 41 is filled with oil, which prevents the piston 30 and thereby the bolster 22 from being raised except in a predeterminedmanner as hereafter provided. This cylinder and piston, therefore, function after the manner of a locking cylinder. As shown, piston 33 may comprise a head 4! which'is partly hollow and accommodates another cylinder 42 within its confines, which is called the knockout cylinder, since it serves for'removing a finished work piece from the dies carried .on the bolster 22. The knockout cylinder has wide laterally extending flanges 31. supported byfshoulders 29. on the piston head 4|. Within cylinder 42 a piston 00 is slidingly received, which carries the knockout rod leads up to knockout cylinder '42, serving as an air conduit for that cylinder. As shown in Fig. 4, a hand operated valve 53 is arranged in line 50. This valve has an exhaust port (not shown). Piston 56 and its rod 01 are thus operated pneumatically whenever finished articles are tobe removed from the dies. 7

As already mentioned, the lifting mechanism, which eilects the raising 'of the bolster, is operated hydraulically and the system of pipes and valves, for operation of the device will now be described. From tank 33 a pipe60 leads to a pump 62 "and from there pipe 63 connects to a pump relief valve 64'.- One line Eli branches oil from valve 04 and returns to the storage tank 33, while another line 68 leads on to a four-way valve 01 operated by two solenoids, N1 and N: (Fig. 6). From valve 01 a pipe 68 leads through operating valve; 09 over line 10 into the cylinder 39, whereas. another. branch, 12, leads to, a, booster cylinder 13, the purpose of which will be'described below. 1

1 is started. From ,pipe85 a pipe line 50 leads upj to another part of the system, containing the reed control proper; ,the cylinder 48 is connected to pipe line '08, during the operation of the machine.

For adjusting bolster 22 or determining its down position before the machine is started, a manually controlled mechanism is provided which comprises two cylinders I05 with pistons I06 slidable therein, capable of limiting the downward travel of bolster 22 and of raising'the' same against the shims when no work piece is in the dies.

pressure tank 32. In case valve I0! is open and bolster 22 is lowered while being supported by pistons I06, the oil in cylinders I05 will act as V a cushion to limit the down travel oi the bolster to the extent desired. A return pipe. I01 is arranged between valve I02, which is, an overload relief valve and line 100.

It will be seen that the bolster mechanism is subjected to and supported by hydraulic pressure during all of the time work is being done by the ram and the bolster is moved upwardly as desired by such hydraulic pressure- The bolster is lowered by gravity or can be forced down mechan icaliy by the ram as desired, all of which will hereafter appear. I

To an the main cylinder 39 with-ur the beginning of an operation, a valve mechanism is arranged ina pocket I08 formed in the bottom wall of the mairr'cylinder. functions by reason of a check valve 0 formed 7 on the end of a piston I00 valve 0 is normally maintained in open position by the back pressure on the oil in reservoir 32 which causes oil to flow, insofar as volume permits, into the cylinder 33.

Thus, in normal operation the pressure within the main cylinder 39wiil not fall below the pressure within the reesrvoir 32. The pressure in tank 32 tends to raise the bolster mechanismduring any period the valve I, l 0 is open, but the locking mechanism limits the time and amount of such raising.

This valve mechanism I assessor I On the other hand, by reason of the one-way'ac tlon of the valve II3,.the pressure can be built up in the cylinder "by thepump through line at the end of the bolster feed, still higher pressure may be exerted by booster piston 19; during that time the valve III will beclosed; w

As shown, the check valve 1 I9 is operatively disposed within a housing II! fitted within the said pocket Ill. The housing has a narrow pper portion, in which piston I99 is slidingly received, and a wider lower portion, the latter forming a valve chamber; an outwardly extending flange II I of the housing forms a bottom .atithe end of the pocket I09. Several radial openings in the-lower.

part of the housing III allow the freepassage of oil from thev tank 3!, through line I22, passageway III and between the cone-shaped valve III- and its seat I it into the interior of the main cyl- I inder 39.

I Secured to valve II9I In is a nouew piston rod II3 connected to a conduit d which extends through the valve. III and piston I99 and communicates with the top portion of cylinder I I2 where an air chamber is formed.

The bottom end of rod I I3 carries a disk-shaped piston head I II slidablyreceived in a cylinder I I9 open to the atmosphere through opening. I. A

' bore in the top wall of cylinder IIt permits rod I I3to pass freely for upand down movement, but is sealed by a packing against oil leakage. The central bore or passageway d through the rod I I3 serves to maintain the inner top portion of cylinder I I! under atmospheric pressure the communication with the atmosphere being made by means. ofaradialboreeinrodIIt" From the bottom of the cylinder a pipe I I1 leads to a valve I it having anair inlet connected to a pressure line and exhaust II 9 and I29 respectively. g Y

This mechanism serves for maintaining the valve Ill open against the pressure in the bolster cylinder 39, by admitting compressed air to cylin-. der H9 through pipes H1 and III, and it is only operated when it is desired to foroe oilout of the bolster cylinder, 1. e., when the locking piston is being forced down by pressure from oil pump 02. To permit closing of valve IIU, valve'l I9 is connected to the exhaust I20, whereupon pressure accumulated in the cylinderlii is released. The pressure in tank 32 will raise valve I In when there An adjustable valve mechanism 11 serves as relief valve for overload in main cylinder 39 and this mechanism, may be such that any desired maximum pressure may be predetermined at which oil will be released from bolster cylinder 38 while the bolsteris being subiected to pressure from the ram of the press.

The feed mechanism proper upward movement, usually a fraction of one inch,

is determined by which the bolster is raised at each slideway 91. The slideway has a vertical slot 99, to both sides of which a scale is mounted and an indicating. member 99 riding in said slot shows the increment for which the feed is set. I

The top end .of slideway 91 is flanged as at 9| and on said flange an oil measuring feed cylinder I39 is mounted in verticalaligmnent to slideway 91. The adjusted or predetermined amount of oil tot he received by this cylinder determines the amount ofthe upward feed of the bolster. A bottom plate I3I in said cylinder has a central bore I32 which slidingly receives arod I33 having an air-tight seal at I34. Rod I93 is part of head 99 and acts as a stop for a piston I39 that is forced downwardly by oil escaping under pressure from the locking cylinder 49 into the top of an oilme'as urlng cylinder I30. The piston I36 is provided "with double packing I31-I 39 held respectively by plates I99 and Ill respectively. Nuts I lI-Ifl on is occasion for oil to flow intothebolster cylinder 39. .As already mentioned valve I It serves for admission of oil to main cylinder 39 from tank 32 owing to the air pressure in tank 32 when the raising' of piston 38 is performed, as will be'described under Operation! The booster mechanism mentioned above as forming part of the hydraulic system, is more fully shown in Fig. 4. .The mechanism comprises a duplex piston and cylinder arrangement having two diameters. A unitary cylinder structure; in the form of cylinder 13v and a smaller cylinder 14, is attached to the bottom of main cylinder 39. A piston 15 is formed with two different diameters to fit the dual cylinder. Pressure exerted on the wide head 16 of the piston .wilibe transmitted by the smaller end and increased in amount corresponding to the difference in surface areas. The upper forming cycle at the time bolster is inthe up,

position. Cylinder 13 is, therefore. called an in-. tensifler" or booster. 1

of the machine frame It.

threaded formations on the top and bottom of 40 the piston lttjhold the plates and packing in place. Fitted by screw connection or in any other suitable way to nut Ill is a rod I43 slidingly mounted in a sleeve I in the-top plate lfl'cov-" ering cylinder I30.' Rod I43 connects with a switch B, the function of which will later be-de-- scribed. 1

Near the bottom or the oil measuring cylinder I30 is an air inlet I35 for the admission of compressed air to force piston I 36 up and force the measured oil out of the top of cylinder I3II. A bore I" in cover plate I provides an inlet for an oil line'll'l, connecting to a valve I48, controlled by a pressure switch A. Pipe I49 leads to valve 91 vwhich has a connection to line 86 on the one hand, and through a" pipe 89 to tank 33, on the other hand. A second valve 83, arranged'at the other side of line 96, is connected to'tank33 by a pipe I04.

As shown in Fig. control device is mounted on one of the uprights.

It is apparent that the air valve Ill should be operated to have the air pressure cut ofiof the valve H9 when the oil-measuring system associated with the locking mechanism is active, that is, when valve 81 opens to connect the lockins;v

cylinder to the measin'ing cylinder I3li. I wiflng dicgram "The wiring diagram howing the electric connections isillustrated in Fig. 6. L; and In are the 7 main lines carrying'current from a power station. Connected in the circuit are a number ofsoleacids which upon energization controlthe hydraulic valves described above. A number of push is best shown in the left-hand top portionof Fig. 3 and in Fig. 5. The mechanismcomprises a hand wheel 90 for adJust-j v ment of feed. 33? this adjustment the amount of supported by e clevis 1a.

l. the above described feed ate'd on in the same positiono! bolster 22. 1

' buttons arranged the machine frame for actuating. switches associated therewith make the i Win which is timed with the crankshaft dieton is designated by a 'namein Fig; 3 and, correthe parts actuated by said buttons;

Fromline' L1 lines299, 25I lead to a grammatically at C. For" each revolution of the crankshaft, switch D will be opened and closed once. From switch D a line .253 connects toa 3 pressure switch A, which i likewise timed with I thecrankshait C and operates valve 9'! to open it to storage tank 33 at a predetermined time.

From this switch, line 254 leads tosolenoid E: and

over lines 259 and 252 to mainline L's. With E:

in energized state, valve 81 is in a position to allow 1 the flow of oil from pipe 99 to pipe I49. The four-way valve 93, which controlsflow of oil to line 95 and locking cylinder 43, is operated by a two-way switch 298 actuated by button down. This switch also controls valve H9.

In the normal position, as shown in the drawings,

the switch is open; valve 93 is then connected to as a matter of fact, is ther. way topperatc Y the machine, which will be describedfunder ."o eraflon," p f A switch which is operated-toward the .endoi' the metal working process is switch 299 (preload) perform "the final step under a assure, such ,for example as 2509 tons, ch 269 is closed current wilfflow i'rom.

lo 'over-"line 259, through 269 to line 29L solenoid jNt, line 262 back to'InJ. Solenoid N1 operatesvalve 91, causing oil to; flow through pipe 49 to pipe I9 andto maincylinder .39, and at the same time to the intensifier 1 3; throughvalve 99 which acts as a check valve to'line I9 when the inten- 1 I sifler'builds up to the desired pressure. Thus. r

I p by pump action oil is forced into both these cyl- 1 inders in building up to a certain pressure and E thereafter'the booster effects the final high pres- "sure desired in cylinder 39.

tank-return pipe 84, valve II8 to exhaust pipe 5 I29 and valve N9 is closed. The circuit estab- "llshed witniswitonzsa open is. the following:

From line L1 over line 259, switch 269 inropen position, lines 269, 291, switch 269, line 215,

solenoid 02, line 214, back tomain line Lo.

When button down" is depressed and switch o 269 closed the following circuit will be established:

'FromLi over'25 9, switch 269 in openiposition,

The release of pressure isbrought about by closing switch 263 (release) Solenoid N: will be 1- energized thereby and current will then now fromv I Li, over line 259, switch 299, line' 296,-switch 293, N2, line 262, back to'La. This will cause valve 61 to open toward line89, allowing oil to flow back to tank 33. 4

Finally a switch 216 I (up) cooperates with switch 269, which is a'pressur'e switch, incloeing a circuit for the operation ofs'olenoid F that controls valve 89. This valveis-hand operated and ,when open to pipe I94-will return oil to tank 33 in caseot excess pressure in the system; in which case pressure switch 299 is pivoted to thepositlon to solenoid '1', lines zuand motor to In. Valve H9, will open air line 9 to cylinde H9 and valve 9 will be open'totanlr 32. Solenoid O1 operates valve 93 so as to open it toward line 99 and allow oil to flow into cylinder 49. Valve 91 shuts ofl. the oil .to the booster cylinder I3 and line 19 and by-passes the oil from the booster switch byfdepressing button feed and energization of solenoid E1 caused thereby, opens valve 91 permitting the passage of on from the locking cylinder 49 to line 89 Oil is thereby free to pass through said line and valve up toline I49 and from there into the feed controlor'meas- 'urin cylinder I39,

Two more switches, to-witjB and 251, are

valve") just described. Switch 3 is closed each time the rod I43 on its upward stroke knocks I against the spring on switch" 3- (see Fig. 5).'-' Switch29l isa switch which controls automatic feed when'in the-fon" position, as shown in the drawings. That istosay, piston I39 in feeder measuring cylinder I39 will reciprocate and thereshunted to the electric ci'rcuitiwhichcontrols by, at each cycle 01 operation, automatically set u the valves so that s measured amount'oioil is Ii, ior instance, each feed should amount to[%"* of an inch, the plunger head is set as shown in permitted to escape irom'cylinder' 48 whereby main piston 39, and simultaneously the bolster carrying the dies, ,i s raised' by' theldesired inc'remerit-g1! switch 291 is'in the "011? position this 1 automatic iced stops 'or does not function. :Any

xwhenthemachineistob'e tion the bolster 22 is first placed/mall down posig tion, the pistons I99 in cylinders I99 areiin abutment with the'botto'r'n' of the bolster. Valve I9l 'isopen.. I V a After the dies have been placed in the press. 1 the bolster is raised so as to give the correct closed 1 J position. For this purpose shims 24 are stackedon shoulders '23 until the maximum up position is determined. The operator then presses "down" a button and the bolster is lowered thereby to posishown in dotted lines'in the drawings I I Operation tion the dies where the metal working is to be started. Valve I9] is then closed, solthat the "It now depends on whether it is'intended to run thewholeseries of workpieces through, whilerthe b'olsteris at a'given level, -thenraise ior an" increment, pass the batch of workpieces through, raise again, and so on; ofraise, 'stepby step, for an the intended inerementswhile one work piece is in the presaremove the same,- lower the bolster to starting position, treat a second work from beginning to completion, and so forth;

" If process'number 1 is chosen, the button "fee repeat". should befln oi! position; inthe other :f case it should'ibe in' theon', position. -j As mentioned above, the increments are-deter mined by setting plunger head 99' by ineansot. hand wheel 99 so that the indicator 99 will-point to the desired'i'raction of an inch on the scale;

Rig. 5. The position of the head as determines that of stop piston I33 and, thereby, ,thelength oi the stroke-oipiston I39. If a larger fraction of an inch should be fed, the travel-of piston I33 should be longer, stop piston I33 has consequentlytobe adjusted or set at-ahwerposition m adjustedior opera I Before the operation starts and whilethe bolster and attached piston 41 are in downposition, oil from tank33is pumped by' pump 62 through valve 83 and'pipe 85 to locking cylinder 43. When in operation bolster 22 is to be raised, a

measured amount of oil is allowed to flow out of I the measuring cylinder I30, where it forces piston I33 down until this piston hits against stop I33.

By that time the oil pressure" in cylinder I and line I39 will be high enough to operate pressure switch A which reversesvalve 81 to a position open to line '33-leading totank 33 so as to permit the measuring cylindertto be emptied of oil. For this purpose air under pressure is admitted to the measuringcylinder I30 through pipe 3 I35 which pushes the piston I36 up; upward movement of the piston and of rod I43 closes switch B. This acts toreverse the position of valves and to restart the cycle; As mentioned before, switches A and B are timed also with the crankshaft controlling the reciprocation of the ram and are, therefore, adapted to operate the successive rise of the dies at the proper moment in re-. lationship with the movement of the ram.

After the workpiece has gone through the treatment in the die as the die is raised in incre-' work pieces can be produced without utilizing the intensifiermechanism. a

After this step the release button is pressed which releases the pressure on bolster 22 and the same is returned to the original starting position.

If, during any stage of the operation, an undesired overload occurs in the bolster mechanism, valve 11 will release oil from the main cylinder and return it to tank 32. Cylinders I05 are emptied by valve I32 to that tank.

' Various arrangements for maintaining the oil at or below a maximum level in tank 32 can be utilized. In Fig. 3 an ordinary float operated valve mechanism generally is indicated by dotted lines, together with a return line extending to storage tank 33. Such return is desirable since in the course of operation of the machine some oil is being moved from tank 33 to a cylinder 33 through line 10, which eventually is shifted to tank 32.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the oneexplained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention: 7

1. In a machine of the class described, a frame,

reciprocating said ram within said frame, a bolster to receive a die or cooperation with said die in said ram, meansadapted to move said ram and said bolster byincrements toprogressively closer relative positions-between the cooperating parts as the metal working; proceeds, said means including a feed controlmechanism' comprising an element for setting the feedincrement, a stop member rigidly connected to said setting element, a cylinder-piston means for eflecting the feed control in cooperation with said stop member, and

means for controlling the reciprocation of said piston in timed relationship with the reciprocation of said ram. 1 7 v 2. In a machine of the class ,described.-a'frame, a ram adapted to carry an upperedie, means for reciprocating said ram within said frame, a bol-I star to receive a die for cooperation with said die in said ram, means adapted to raise said bolster,

saidmeans including a feed controlf'mechanism;

comprising a hand controlled element for, setting the feed increment, a stop member rigidly.

connected to said setting element. apcylinderpiston means for effecting the feed control in cooperation with said stop member, saidpiston being fluid operated during its operative stroke and air, operated during its return stroke, and electrical means for controlling the reciprocation of said piston in timed relationship with reciprocating said ram within said frame, a bolster to receive a die for cooperation with said die'in said ram, means adapted to raise said bolster @by increments as, the metal working proceeds, said means including afeedcontrolmechanism comprising a hand-controlled element, including a cam and cam .follower for setting the feed increment, a stop member rigidly connected to said setting element, a cylinder-piston means for efiecting the feed control in'cooperation with said stop member, means for reciprocating said piston. in timed relationship with the recipro" cation ofsaid ram, said means including, valve mechanism controlling the delivery of oil into said cylinder to act on said piston during its operativestroke and theadmission of airat the opposite side of said piston for acting on the sam a ram adapted to carry an upper die, means for during the return stroke. 4 4. In a machine of the class described comprisin a reciprocating ram adapted to carry an upper die, a workpiece holder to receive a die for cooperation with said die in said ram, means to raise said workpiece holder by increments inv prising a reciprocating ram adapted to carryan upper die, a bolster to receive a di i'or coopera--. tion with said die in said ram, and hydraulic means to raise said bolster by incrementsin combination, cylinder and piston means for locking said bolster against being raised, control means comprising a cylinder and a double acting piston;

for intermittently relieving said locking means and a plurality of electrically operated valves; one x of said valves whenin one position'being adapted to open a pipe connection tor permittin -escape the reor oil from said locking cylinder to said control means, and when being in the other position adapted to shut oil said locking meansiand al valves to its first mentioned position after said bolster has been raised for an'increment.

operating step in combination, cylinder andpiston means for locking said bolsteragainst being raised, control means comprising a cylinder andv a double acting pistonior intermittently retrically operated valves, one of said valves when 6. In a machine of the "class described com- 7 prisinga reciprocating ram adapted to carry an upper die, a bolster to receive a die'for cooperation with said die in said ram, and hydraulic means to raise said bolsterby increments in combination, cylinder and piston means for locking said bolster againstbeing raised,"control means comprising a-cylinder andsa double acting piston for intermittently relieving said locking means and a plurality of electrically operated valves, one of said valves when in one position being adapted" to open a pipe connection for permitting escape of oil from said locking cylinderv tolsaid control means, and when being in then other position adapted to shut off said locking means and allowing oil toreturn from said control means to a-reservoir, and electric-means adapted -to be actuated by said double acting piston on the return stroke thereohthereby re-,

; after each reciprocation of-said ram, in 'casea setting said valve to its first mentioned position" after said bolster has been raised for an increj ment. a a a 1 7. In a machine of the classdescribed comprising a reciprocating ram adapted to carry an upper die, a workpiece holder to :receivea die for cooperation withsaid die in said ram, means to a raise said workpiece holder by. increments in combination, means including acylinder-and -a piston for lockingv said workpiece holder against being raised-, control means for intermittently relieving said locking-means, intensifying means for building up high pressure on said" workpiece holder for the finishing -step,-said control means comprising :a double acting piston adapted to advance underoil pressure and recede under pneumatic pressure, and a pluralityof electrition, and another valve for admitting oilto and I shutting it of! from said intensifyingv means respectively. I r

8. In'a machineoi the class described comprising a reciprocating ram adapted to carry an upper die, a workpiece holder to receive a die for in oneposition being adaptedto open a pipe connection for permitting escape of oil from said locking, cylinder to said control means, and when I being in the other positionadapted to shut off said locking means and allowing oil to return from said control means to a reservoir; and electric means for resetting said valves toits first mentioned positionafter said bolster-has been raised for an inerement'.-v

10. In a machine-of the. class described, a re I ciprocating ramadaptedjto a workpiece holder to receive a die for cooperation with, said die insaid ram, combinedhydraulic and pneumatic means to raise said. workpiece holder by increments,v I means ,for locking said workpiece holder against I being raised, control means for intermittently relievingjsaid locking means, and electric means having .two operating positions,-one of said posi-' I tions being adapted tooperate said control means single workpiece is to-be worked upon through all the increments successively, the other of said positions being adapted to-operatesaid controlmeans after a'pluralityof reciprocations, incase I atseries of workpieces is to be worked upon in J every step,

11. A progressive drawing 'press having a frame I with a die carrying ram and a shiftabledie holding element each supported in spaced relation .to I the other for movement in said frame, drawing press mechanism for reciprocating the ram through a range extending toward and away from the shiftable die holding element, intermittently operated means operative with a force to move said shiftable die holding" element toward one ex- I I treme reciprocated position or a diecarried by the-ram, a second intermittently operated means counteractiveto that of the first named means to hold the shiftable element in a predetermined position and thereafter to move the-die holdin element away from said extreme position of the die carried by the ram and automatically operated means for predetermining the'point of holding action of theintermittentl operated counteracting means upon the first named means durcooperation with said dierin said ram,-meansi adapted to move said ram and said I workpiece a holder byincrements to progressively .closer relative positions between the cooperating parts after a series of workpieces have passed each single working step, said means including a cylinder and a piston for locking said workpiece holder against being raised, control means for intermittently re- I lieving said locking means, said control means comprising a double'acting piston adapted to advance under oil pressure and recede under pneumatic pressure, and electricallyoperated valve. means permitting the admission of oil to said control means. v 9. In a machine of the class described comf prising a reciprocating rain adapted tocarryan upper die, a bolster to receivea die for cooperation with said die in said'ram', and hydraulic means; to raise said bolster by increments after aseries oi workpieces have been passed through 75 ing each cycle of operation of the ram,

l2. A progressive drawing press having a frame with a die carrying ram and a'shiftable' die holding element each supportedin'spaced relation to the other for'movement in said frame, drawing press mechanism for' reciprocating the ram through a rangeextending toward and away Irom the shiftable die holdingelement, hydraulic means operative with a force to move said shiftable die-holding element toward one extreme re-' ciprocated position of a die carried by the'ram, a

second hydraulic means counteractive to that on the first named hydraulic means to hold the shiftable element in a predetermined position and to move the die holding element away from said extreme position'of the die carried by the ram and automatic means for, predetermining the point pres! l mechanism for reciprocating the ram through a range extending toward and away from the shift-' able die holding element, hydraulic means operative with a force to move said shiftable die hold? ing element toward oneextreme reciprocated position of a die carried by the ram, a'second hydraulic means counteractive to that of the flrst namedhydraulic means to hold the. shiftable element in a, predetermined position and thereafter to ,move the die holding element away from said extreme position of the die carried by the ram and automaticall operated means for predetermining the point oi?v holding action of the second hydraulic means upon the first hydraulic means during each cycle of operation of the ram.

14. Aprogressive drawing press having a frame, die carrying ram and a shiftable die holding element each supported in spaced relation to the other for movement in said frame, drawing press mechanism for reciprocating the ram through a range extending toward and away from the shiftable die holding element, intermittently operated hydraulic means operative with a force to move cle of operation of the press for permitting the.

and unitarily supported by fluidin the cylinder during a workforming operation, controlled hye draulic meansfor raising the piston an increment of total upward movement during each cycle of operationof the press including an opposing hydraulic locking means acting on said bolstersupporting piston to opposei the upward movement thereof at predetermined points of upward movement of the bolster supporting piston andisettable controller means operated during each cy- 18. Ina-machine of the class described, a reciprocatlng ram adapted to carry an upper die,

said shiftable die holding element during each a hydraulic cylinder, a shiftable bolster adapted to support a lower die for cooperation with said upper die. said bolster having surfaces adapted to abut the frame of the machine when in an extreme upward position, spacer "elements disposed on the said bolster surfaces whereby the flnal up 15. A progressive drawing press having a frame;

a pair of die holder elements, each supported in spaced relation to the other for movement on said frame; means for reciprocating one of said elements through a range extending toward and away from the other element; means operative, with a force, to move said other element toward one extreme of said range of reciprocatory movement; other means operative to move said other means for predeterminately varying the force exerted by one of said moving means while the reciprocative element is moving intermediate said extreme and the other extreme of its reciprocat tory range, whereby said other element, responding .to the moving means, is moved a desired diselement away from said range extreme; and

tance relative to the reciprocatory range of the 0 reciprocative element.

16. A progressive drawing press having a frame;

a ram supported for a range or reciprocatory means associated with one of said fluid pressure responsive means for producing a balanced counteracting response between the two fluid pressure responsive means to retain the die holder against er away from said range extreme; fluid control movement, said fluid control means being operative for a predetermined time period to effect a fluid pressure differential between said fluifliressures whereby the die holder, responding to one responsive means, is moved a desired distance relative to said range extreme.

17. m a machine of the class described, a reciprocatingramadaptedtocarryanupperdie, e75 releasingthe fluid fromthe 4 ton in the cylinder for supporting the bolster and the lower die whereby the bolster and the lower die and the piston may behydraulically and 1mitarily supported by fluid in the cylinder during a work forming, operation, controlled hydraulic means for raising the piston an increment of total upward ,movement during each cycle of operation' of the press including an opposing hydraulic ton and during the flnal upward movement of the relation to bolster spacer elements into abuttin the machine frame.

19. In a machine of 'the'class described, a reciprocating ram adapted to carry an upper die,

a shiftable bolster adapted to supp rt a lower die for cooperation with 'saidupper die, a main cylinder, a hydraulically operated piston disposed in the cylinder'for supporting the bolsterand the lower die whereby the holster and the lower die and the'piston may be hydraulically and unitarily 1 s'upportedby fluid in the cylinder during a work forming operation, controlled hydraulic means for,

raising the piston an increment of total upward movement during each cycle of operation of" the press including an opposing hydraulic locking means acting on said bolster supporting piston to oppose the upward movement thereof at predetermined points of upward movement of the bolster support l piston, settable controller means operating during each cycle of operationof the press for permitting the escape of a predetermined amount of fluid from the hydraulic looking means'durlng each increment of upward movement and a dumping valv' mechanism-for cylinderupon the completion of th press performance upon the work. I

a 20. In a machine of the class described, a resupporting the bolsterand the lower die whereby the bolster and the lower die and the piston may be hydraulically and unitarily supported during a work forming operation; controlled hydraulic means for raising the piston an increment of total upward movement during each cycle of operation of the press including an opposing hydraulic locking means acting on said bolster supporting piston to oppose the upward movement thereof at predetermined points of upward movement of the V bolster supporting piston settable controller means operated during each cycle of operation of the press for permitting the escape of a predetermined amount of fluid from the hydraulic looking means" during each increment of upward movement of the bolster supporting piston and a third hydraulically operated means inthe form of hydraulically adjustabledown step pistons for limiting the downward movement of 'the bolster when the machine is being conditioned for the reception of a work piece blank.

FREDRICH J. ROBE.

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