Rotary transfer press apparatus

Rotary transfer press apparatus wherein each of a plurality of workpieces is sequentially transferred to a plurality of successive working stations so that the workpiece is successively formed to obtain a finished product, comprising:

• a fixed die block having a plurality of successive working stations arranged along a substantially circular path, which working stations are adapted to perform corresponding successive working operations on a workpiece which is transferred along said circular path through said working stations to obtain a finished product subsequent to the last of the forming operations, each of said working stations including a die member into which each of a plurality of workpieces is brought into operative relation for performance of one of the successive forming operations;
• a vertically reciprocatable upper press platen located over said die block having a plurality of punches, each of which extends coaxially with respect to the die member associated with a corresponding working station in said fixed die block, said punches having lower working end regions adapted to enter into and withdraw from said die members in corresponding working stations at substantially the same time during each reciprocating cycle of said upper press platen;
• said upper press platen being adapted for vertical reciprocation so that said punches continuously cycle at a certain rate, each punch cycle including a downward stroke portion wherein said upper press platen travels from top dead center to bottom dead center and an upward stroke portion wherein said press platen travels from bottom dead center to top dead center;
• and
• means for sequentially transferring the plurality of workpieces simultaneously along said substantially circular path in a manner such that each workpiece is sequentially carried to each of the successive working stations where corresponding successive forming operations are performed thereon, said transfer means advancing each workpiece from one working station where a forming operation has been performed thereon during a press cycle to the next successive working station in preparation for the next successive forming operation to be performed during the immediately subsequent press cycle.