A live pilot sensing apparatus is presented herein. The apparatus includes a pneumatic cylinder, sensing plate, and at least one stabilizing plate. The cylinder includes a piston and is configured to connect to the die of a stamping system. The sensing plate is configured to connect with the distal end of the piston. The stabilizing plate is configured to connect with an exposed segment along the cylinder piston, between the sensing plate and cylinder. Moreover, the piston is configured to react upon substantial contact between the sensing plate and a portion of a foreign object within the stamping system.

To provide an electric precipitator for a press mold, which can collect more reliably dusty foreign matter emitted during stamping process utilizing an electrostatic force, has excellent installability, and can be used safely. Provided is an electric precipitator for a press mold, the electric precipitator being used together with the press mold to collect dusty foreign matter emitted during stamping process by an electrostatic force and including: a laminated sheet in which a dust collection layer that holds the dusty foreign matter in contact, a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, an insulation layer, and a close-contact fixation layer for installation on and fixation to a mold to be used are laminated; and a power supply device that applies voltages across the first and second electrode layers. The insulation layer at least has a first insulation layer that insulates the dust collection layer and the first electrode layer, a second insulation layer that insulates the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, and a third insulation layer that insulates the second electrode layer and the close-contact fixation layer. The first and second electrode layers are films obtained by coating a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) base material with a conductive polymer and having a surface resistivity of 10.sup.4 to 10.sup.5 . A polyimide film having a base material thickness of 75 m is used for the second insulation layer. A press mold including the same is also provided.

To provide an electric precipitator for a press mold, which can collect more reliably dusty foreign matter emitted during stamping process utilizing an electrostatic force, has excellent installability, and can be used safely. Provided is an electric precipitator for a press mold, the electric precipitator being used together with the press mold to collect dusty foreign matter emitted during stamping process by an electrostatic force and including: a laminated sheet in which a dust collection layer that holds the dusty foreign matter in contact, a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, an insulation layer, and a close-contact fixation layer for installation on and fixation to a mold to be used are laminated; and a power supply device that applies voltages across the first and second electrode layers. The insulation layer at least has a first insulation layer that insulates the dust collection layer and the first electrode layer, a second insulation layer that insulates the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, and a third insulation layer that insulates the second electrode layer and the close-contact fixation layer. The first and second electrode layers are films obtained by coating a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) base material with a conductive polymer and having a surface resistivity of 10.sup.4 to 10.sup.5 . A polyimide film having a base material thickness of 75 m is used for the second insulation layer. A press mold including the same is also provided.

A press brake tool or similar machine component includes a tool body with a first end configured for operation on a workpiece and a second end configured for coupling the tool with a tool holder in a press brake or related machine tool apparatus. A latch mechanism is provided in the second end, with an actuator configured to rotate the latch mechanism into first and second positions, respectively, for selective engagement and disengagement of the tool with the tool holder.

A press brake tool comprises a tool body having a working end configured for operation on a workpiece and a coupling end configured for engagement with a tool holder. The working end is disposed along the tool body, generally opposite the coupling end. One or more magnetic elements can be configured to induce a magnetic coupling for selective engagement and disengagement of the coupling end of the tool body with the tool holder.

A press brake tool comprises a tool body having a working end configured for operation on a workpiece and a coupling end configured for engagement with a tool holder. The working end is disposed along the tool body, generally opposite the coupling end. One or more magnetic elements can be configured to induce a magnetic coupling for selective engagement and disengagement of the coupling end of the tool body with the tool holder.

A forming apparatus comprises: a machine bed; a tool holder mounted movably relative to the machine bed; a drive unit connected to the tool holder; a disconnector unit; a machine control for operating the drive unit; and a monitoring device to monitor movements of the tool holder and to activate the disconnector unit. The monitoring unit includes two distance measuring systems that respectively generate first and second position signals at different rates for determining a position of the tool holder relative to the machine bed. At least one radiation beam detector is deactivated in response to a different between the first and second position signals undershooting a predetermined value.

A forming apparatus comprises: a machine bed; a tool holder mounted movably relative to the machine bed; a drive unit connected to the tool holder; a disconnector unit; a machine control for operating the drive unit; and a monitoring device to monitor movements of the tool holder and to activate the disconnector unit. The monitoring unit includes two distance measuring systems that respectively generate first and second position signals at different rates for determining a position of the tool holder relative to the machine bed. At least one radiation beam detector is deactivated in response to a different between the first and second position signals undershooting a predetermined value.

Straightening device for long or rod-shaped metal products, comprising an upper roll unit and a lower roll unit, wherein the upper roll unit is mobile and can be positioned vertically at least in the step where a passage gap of said products is set to a desired value, wherein a hydraulic safety/control device is associated with the lower roll unit and comprises a single-effect hydraulic actuator of the selectively yielding type when an overload condition higher than a predetermined value is detected on said lower roll unit.

Straightening device for long or rod-shaped metal products, comprising an upper roll unit and a lower roll unit, wherein the upper roll unit is mobile and can be positioned vertically at least in the step where a passage gap of said products is set to a desired value, wherein a hydraulic safety/control device is associated with the lower roll unit and comprises a single-effect hydraulic actuator of the selectively yielding type when an overload condition higher than a predetermined value is detected on said lower roll unit.