Press machine with modular linear actuator system

A press system for forming a part, comprising:

• a press ram for receiving a tool forming the part;
• a first linear actuator arrangement having a first male-female screw arrangement and a first actuator rod that is coupled to the first male-female screw arrangement, the first actuator rod undergoing linear movement in response to rotational movement of the first male-female screw arrangement, the first actuator rod being coupled to the press ram, the first linear actuator arrangement includes a first motor coupled to the first male-female screw arrangement for producing a high-speed and low-force condition on the press ram to advance or retract the press ram from the part, the first linear actuator arrangement includes a second motor coupled to the first male-female screw arrangement for producing a high-force and low-speed condition on the press ram for forming the part;
• a plurality of second linear actuator arrangements, each of the plurality of second linear actuator arrangements having a second male-female screw arrangement and a second actuator rod that is coupled to the second male-female screw arrangement, each of the second actuator rods being coupled to the press ram, each of the plurality of second linear actuator arrangements including a high-force motor for producing a high-force condition on the press ram, the high-force motors operating simultaneously with the second motor of the first linear actuator arrangement for forming the part,
• wherein each of the plurality of second linear actuator arrangements includes a clutch that limits the rotational speed of the high-force motors when the first motor of the first linear actuator arrangement is operating in the high-speed and low-force condition.

A press system for forming a part, comprising:

• a first linear actuator having a first male-female screw arrangement and a first actuator rod that is coupled to the first male-female screw arrangement, the first actuator rod undergoing linear movement in response to rotational movement of the first male-female screw arrangement;
• a second linear actuator having a second male-female screw arrangement and a second actuator rod that is coupled to the second male-female screw arrangement, the second actuator rod undergoing linear movement in response to rotational movement of the second male-female screw arrangement;
• a press ram that is coupled to the first actuator rod and the second actuator rod, the press ram for receiving a tool for engaging and forming the part, the press ram undergoing movement toward or away from the part in response to the corresponding linear movement of the first and second actuator rods;
• a first high-speed motor coupled to the first male-female screw arrangement of the first linear actuator for providing a high-speed and low-force condition on the press ram, the first high-speed motor for advancing the press ram toward the part and retracting the press ram from the part;
• a second high-speed motor coupled to the second male-female screw arrangement of the second linear actuator, the second high-speed motor working in conjunction with the first high-speed motor for advancing the press ram toward the part and retracting the press ram from the part;
• a first high-torque motor coupled to the first male-female screw arrangement of the first linear actuator;
• and
• a second high-torque motor coupled to the second male-female screw arrangement of the second linear actuator, the first and second high-torque motors for providing a low-speed and high-force condition on the press ram for forming the part,
• wherein the first high-speed motor is operational while the part is being formed and provides additional force to the press ram,
• wherein the second linear actuator includes a clutch that limits the rotational speed of the second high-torque motor when the first and second high-speed motors are operating in the high-speed and low-force condition.