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.

A method of operating a linear-actuated press machine comprising a press ram with a tool, a first linear actuator having a first actuator rod that is coupled to the press ram, a second line actuator having a second linear actuator rod that is coupled to the press ram, a high-speed motor coupled to the first linear actuator for providing a high-speed condition on the press ram, a first high-torque motor coupled to the first linear actuator, and a second high-torque motor coupled to 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;

• advancing the tool toward the part by operation of the high-speed motor associated with the first linear actuator;
• forming the part with the tool by simultaneous operation of the first high-torque motor associated with the first linear actuator and the second high-torque motor associated with the second linear actuator;
• and
• after the part has been formed by the tool, retracting the tool from the part by operation of the high-speed motor associated with the first linear actuator.