Lifter unit for transfer die

A transfer die for positioning and forming a stamping, the transfer die comprising:

• a lower die assembly;
• an upper die assembly;
• a preceding pin assembly having a first push pin and a second push pin, said first push pin being selectively movable in a vertical direction and operably supported from said lower die, said second push pin coupled to said first push pin for coordinated movement therewith, said preceding pin assembly further including a preceding pin having a first end engaging said first push pin and a second end operably coupled to said upper die assembly to effect vertical movement thereof in response to movement of said first push pin;
• a lifter unit for positioning a stamping between said upper and lower die assemblies, including:
• a tubular housing disposed in a throughbore formed in said lower die assembly, said tubular housing having a mounting flange formed on a first end thereof to engage said lower die assembly and a fastener plate for securing said lifter unit to said lower die assembly;
• a rod assembly extending through said tubular housing and supported for a range of longitudinal movement therein, said rod assembly having a first end operably coupled to said second push pin, a second end having a support plate extending therefrom for supporting said stamping;
• and
• a spring operative disposed in said tubular housing between a first spring seat formed on said fastener plate and a second spring seat formed on said rod assembly to bias said rod assembly.

A lifter unit for a transfer press which utilizes a preceding pin assembly to open and close the transfer press and which further employs an automation mechanism for transferring a stamping formed in the transfer press from a first location to a second location, said lifter unit comprising:

• a tubular housing having a first end and a second end;
• a mounting flange having a centrally located aperture formed therethrough for receiving said first end of said tubular housing;
• a fastener plate disposed on top of said mounting flange and having a centrally located aperture formed therethrough;
• an upper bushing disposed in said central aperture of said fastener plate;
• a lower bushing disposed within said tubular housing at said second end;
• a stop disposed within said tubular housing between said lower and upper bearings;
• a rod assembly supported for a range of longitudinal movement in said tubular housing, said rod assembly including an upper portion having a first end extending through said upper bearing to slidably support said rod assembly, a lower portion having a first end with a blind bore formed therein for receiving a second end of said upper portion, a shoulder portion engageable with said stop to limit said range of longitudinal movement of said rod assembly and a bearing surface engaging said bearing surface to slidably support said rod assembly, and an extension extending from said lower portion and terminating at a lower end which engages the preceding pin assembly of the transfer press;
• and
• a spring operatively disposed in said tubular housing between a first spring seat formed on fastener plate and a second spring seat formed on said lower portion of said rod assembly to bias said rod assembly.