Cross bar transfer press

A module for use in a mechanical transfer press having a plurality of such modules in stamping piece parts into a desired shape and size by a series of stamping operations, said module comprising:

• a first stamping station including a lower fixed die and an upper moveable die adapted for engaging a piece part therebetween in a first stamping operation;
• a cross bar disposed adjacent to said first stamping station and including a longitudinal axis and piece part engaging means for coupling to one or more piece parts at said first stamping station after said first stamping operation, said cross bar fully extending across the width of said upper and lower die;
• and
• first and second transfer/feed means coupled to respective ends of said cross bar for displacing said cross bar with said engaging means coupled to said one or more piece parts from said first stamping station to a second, adjacent stamping station in transferring said one or more piece parts between stamping operations, wherein each of said transfer/feed means includes a drive arrangement independent in operation of any other module and wherein said cross bar is displaced in a direction generally transverse to its longitudinal axis.

A mechanical transfer press comprising:

• first and second stamping stations for stamping a piece part into a desired configuration, each of said stamping stations including a respective pair of a lower fixed die disposed on a bolster and an upper movable die;
• a cross bar disposed intermediate said fist and second stamping stations and including gripper means for securely engaging a piece part said cross bar fully extending across the width of said upper and lower die;
• first and second transfer/feed mechanisms disposed intermediate said stamping stations and pivotally coupled to respective ends of said cross bar for displacing said cross bar generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of said cross bar and between said first and second stamping stations and transferring a piece part from the pair of dies of said first stamping station to the pair of dies of said second stamping station;
• control means coupled to said first and second transfer/feed mechanisms for transferring a piece part between said first and second stamping stations in timed sequence with the operation of said transfer press;
• automatic clamp means coupling each of said first and second transfer/feed mechanisms to a respective end of said cross bar in a releasable manner to facilitate replacement of said dies;
• and
• support means disposed on said bolster intermediate said first and second stamping stations for receiving said cross bar when released from said transfer/feed mechanisms.

A transfer mechanism for use in a mechanical press in transferring piece parts from a first die stamping station to a second die stamping station, said transfer mechanism comprising:

• vacuum means for securely engaging a piece part;
• a cross bar coupled to said vacuum means and aligned generally transverse to the direction of travel of the piece parts and disposed between the first and second stamping stations, said cross bar fully extending across the width of upper and lower dies in said first and second stations;
• first and second pivoting arm means coupled to respective ends of said cross bar and displaced laterally from and outside of the path of travel of the piece parts between the first and second stamping stations;
• first and second drive means respectively coupled to said first and second pivoting arm means for pivotally displacing said arm means in a reciprocating manner in moving said cross bar between said first and second stamping stations;
• and
• third and fourth drive means respectively coupled to said first and second pivoting arm means for sequentially raising and lowering said cross bar in lifting a piece part from the first stamping station and depositing it on the second stamping station, said first, second, third and fourth drive means being independently controlled.