According to the present invention, a conveyor pulley for use in a belt conveyor is provided, comprising: a roller tube (1); wherein the roller tube (1) is formed by plastically deforming a central portion of a substantially cylindrical metal tube (2) radially outwardly so as to form a crowned portion (4) having an enlarged outer diameter (OD.sub.ENL) with respect to remaining portions (6) of the metal tube (2).

A universal radius metal forming system wherein a bottom die elastomer is used on a sheet metal bending machine or press brake. The bottom die includes a forming pad used in combination with a wear pad to form virtually any radius in any type of metal. The forming pad includes a bottom cavity that is sized according to the volumetric relationship with the press punch. The wear pad is designed and coupled to the forming pad according to the gauge and shape of the metal being bent.

A process and a system for forming of a workpiece using a press including a pressure generator, a forming tool, and an at least in part elastically deformable element, are disclosed. At least one of the workpiece or the forming tool is heated, and the workpiece is formed using the press so as to obtain a formed workpiece. The heating of at least one of the workpiece or the forming tool is such that the temperature of the at least one of the workpiece or the forming tool during the forming of the workpiece by way of forming pressure generated by the pressure generator is higher than the ambient temperature.

A process and a system for forming of a workpiece using a press including a pressure generator, a forming tool, and an at least in part elastically deformable element, are disclosed. At least one of the workpiece or the forming tool is heated, and the workpiece is formed using the press so as to obtain a formed workpiece. The heating of at least one of the workpiece or the forming tool is such that the temperature of the at least one of the workpiece or the forming tool during the forming of the workpiece by way of forming pressure generated by the pressure generator is higher than the ambient temperature.

The invention relates to a pressing system, including a press having a first pressing tool and a second pressing tool. The first pressing tool and the second pressing tool being movable relative to one another to form a working space. A workpiece, a pressure generating device for generating a pressure curve acting on the workpiece in the working space, a temperature generating device for generating a temperature curve acting on the workpiece in the working space the workpiece running through an elongation curve (DVW) depending on the pressure curve acting in the working space and on the temperature curve acting in the working space. The first pressing tool and the second pressing tool running through a respective elongation curve (DVP1, DVP2) depending on the pressure curve acting in the working space and on the temperature curve acting in the working space, wherein the first pressing tool and/or the second pressing tool are designed such that their elongation curve (DVP1, DVP2) deviates by no more than 3.5% from the elongation curve (DVW) of the workpiece during at least 97.5% of the elongation curve. The invention further relates to a pressing tool and to a method for producing a workpiece.

The invention relates to a pressing system, including a press having a first pressing tool and a second pressing tool. The first pressing tool and the second pressing tool being movable relative to one another to form a working space. A workpiece, a pressure generating device for generating a pressure curve acting on the workpiece in the working space, a temperature generating device for generating a temperature curve acting on the workpiece in the working space the workpiece running through an elongation curve (DVW) depending on the pressure curve acting in the working space and on the temperature curve acting in the working space. The first pressing tool and the second pressing tool running through a respective elongation curve (DVP1, DVP2) depending on the pressure curve acting in the working space and on the temperature curve acting in the working space, wherein the first pressing tool and/or the second pressing tool are designed such that their elongation curve (DVP1, DVP2) deviates by no more than 3.5% from the elongation curve (DVW) of the workpiece during at least 97.5% of the elongation curve. The invention further relates to a pressing tool and to a method for producing a workpiece.

A guided keeper assembly for metal forming dies includes a base having a mounting face and a fastener aperture to mount the base to an associated die shoe, as well as a central guide aperture. A guide pin having a central portion is closely received in the central guide aperture for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the die pad and the die shoe. The guide pin has an enlarged head at one end which abuts the base to positively limit travel between the die shoe and the die pad, and a shoulder at an opposite end with an alignment mechanism that precisely locates the guide pin on the die pad. A fastener extends through the fastener aperture in the base to securely connect the same with the die shoe. Another fastener securely connects the second end of the guide pin with the die pad.

A guided keeper assembly for metal forming dies includes a base having a mounting face and a fastener aperture to mount the base to an associated die shoe, as well as a central guide aperture. A guide pin having a central portion is closely received in the central guide aperture for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the die pad and the die shoe. The guide pin has an enlarged head at one end which abuts the base to positively limit travel between the die shoe and the die pad, and a shoulder at an opposite end with an alignment mechanism that precisely locates the guide pin on the die pad. A fastener extends through the fastener aperture in the base to securely connect the same with the die shoe. Another fastener securely connects the second end of the guide pin with the die pad.

A flexible-die forming apparatus includes a piston, a coil, an upper die, a magnetorheological elastomer, and a lower die having a cavity formed thereon. The upper die is arranged to be overlappedly rested on top of the lower die. The piston is movably received in the receiving cavity of the upper die. The magnetorheological elastomer is mounted at a lower portion of the piston, and is received in the receiving cavity of the upper die. The coil is provided and wounded on an exterior surface of the upper die and the lower die.

A method of press forming includes: forming a trench-shaped portion into a product shape with a die and a punch until reaching a first bottom dead center, and forms at least one of: a flange portion subject to shrink flange deformation such that a linear length of the flange portion subject to the shrink flange deformation in a longitudinal direction is shorter than a linear length of a flange portion in the product shape; and a flange portion subject to stretch flange deformation such that a linear length of the flange portion subject to the stretch flange deformation in the longitudinal direction is longer than the linear length of the flange portion in the product shape; and forming the formed flange portion into the product shape with the die and a flange forming die until reaching a second bottom dead center.