A controllable force cushion device that can be programmed to provide a variable and/or pulsating force that can be used in any application where force control is desirable. The frequency of the pulsation can be adjusted to suit different applications and/or circumstances (e.g., forming of sheet metals in die applications, etc.). The cushion can comprise one or more manifolds containing hydraulic cylinders that can be compressed during operation pushing fluid through a proportional relief valve that can be controlled by a motion control device, thereby creating a desired force. Material (e.g., sheet metal, etc.) flow can be controlled by using a gap control method. In use, the variable pulsating, gap control, auto-learning press cushion device of the present invention can optionally be mounted to the underside of a press bolster and can be used in conjunction with a stamping press.

To reduce warping of vertical wall portions without causing buckling during pressing. Press-forming into a hat cross-sectional shape having one linear vertical wall portion and the other curved vertical wall portion and not having a flange portion is performed. A punch and a pad sandwiching a top sheet portion therebetween, bending blades, and stoppers are provided. The punch is supported by a first cushion component. The bending blades each have an upper die component and a lower die component disposed facing each other in the press direction with an interval (D) equal to a set compression amount in the range of 2% or more and 6% or less of the heights of the vertical wall portions and a second cushion component interposed between the upper die component and the lower die component, maintaining the interval (D), and contractible in the press direction. The cushion pressure of the second cushion component is lower than the cushion pressure of the first cushion component and has such cushion pressure that the second cushion component does not contract during the bend-forming of the vertical wall portions. The clearance between the side surface of the punch and the bending blades is 90% or more of the sheet thickness of a material to be processed and less than the sheet thickness.

To reduce warping of vertical wall portions without causing buckling during pressing. Press-forming into a hat cross-sectional shape having one linear vertical wall portion and the other curved vertical wall portion and not having a flange portion is performed. A punch and a pad sandwiching a top sheet portion therebetween, bending blades, and stoppers are provided. The punch is supported by a first cushion component. The bending blades each have an upper die component and a lower die component disposed facing each other in the press direction with an interval (D) equal to a set compression amount in the range of 2% or more and 6% or less of the heights of the vertical wall portions and a second cushion component interposed between the upper die component and the lower die component, maintaining the interval (D), and contractible in the press direction. The cushion pressure of the second cushion component is lower than the cushion pressure of the first cushion component and has such cushion pressure that the second cushion component does not contract during the bend-forming of the vertical wall portions. The clearance between the side surface of the punch and the bending blades is 90% or more of the sheet thickness of a material to be processed and less than the sheet thickness.

A cushion pin pressure equalizing device that can absorb a variation in height of a plurality of cushion pins and control a die cushion load highly accurately, a die cushion device, and a cushion pin pressure equalizing method are provided. An initial pressure in ascending-side pressurizing chambers of a pressure equalizing hydraulic cylinder group for absorbing a variation in height of cushion pins is controlled so as to be an appropriate pressure. The variation in height of the plurality of cushion pins can be absorbed within a shortest stroke of a slide after the slide comes into collision with a cushion pad so as to equalize die cushion loads that are applied individually to the cushion pins and a target die cushion load can be generated within the shortest stroke of the slide, whereby a response to application of the die cushion load can be stabilized without excessive delay.

A cushion pin pressure equalizing device that can absorb a variation in height of a plurality of cushion pins and control a die cushion load highly accurately, a die cushion device, and a cushion pin pressure equalizing method are provided. An initial pressure in ascending-side pressurizing chambers of a pressure equalizing hydraulic cylinder group for absorbing a variation in height of cushion pins is controlled so as to be an appropriate pressure. The variation in height of the plurality of cushion pins can be absorbed within a shortest stroke of a slide after the slide comes into collision with a cushion pad so as to equalize die cushion loads that are applied individually to the cushion pins and a target die cushion load can be generated within the shortest stroke of the slide, whereby a response to application of the die cushion load can be stabilized without excessive delay.

The double blank detecting device for a press machine uses a press machine with a die cushion device attached thereto, and automatically and repeatedly forms blank materials one by one. The double blank detecting device includes: a position signal acquiring unit that acquires a die cushion position signal indicating a position of a cushion pad of the die cushion device; a load signal acquiring unit that acquires a die cushion load signal indicating a die cushion load generated in the cushion pad of the die cushion device; and a double blank detecting unit that detects, as a double blank, a state where a plurality of the blank materials are overlapped, based on the die cushion position signal and the die cushion load signal that are acquired.

The double blank detecting device for a press machine uses a press machine with a die cushion device attached thereto, and automatically and repeatedly forms blank materials one by one. The double blank detecting device includes: a position signal acquiring unit that acquires a die cushion position signal indicating a position of a cushion pad of the die cushion device; a load signal acquiring unit that acquires a die cushion load signal indicating a die cushion load generated in the cushion pad of the die cushion device; and a double blank detecting unit that detects, as a double blank, a state where a plurality of the blank materials are overlapped, based on the die cushion position signal and the die cushion load signal that are acquired.

A cushion pin device for a press having a cushion pad in which a blank holder is seated on the top thereof outside a lower mold, and locks a blank holder to an upper mold while pressurizing an edge of a molded panel, includes: a cushion support disposed below the cushion pad, a cushion cylinder connected with a lower part of the cushion pad to move up or down the cushion pad from the cushion support, a linear scale mounted between the cushion pad and the cushion support to measure the position of the cushion pad, a main pressure control unit that keeps internal pressure of each cushion cylinder similarly, and a sub pressure control unit that is interconnected with the main pressure control unit so as to control the locking position of the cushion pad when each cushion cylinder operates.

A cushion pin device for a press having a cushion pad in which a blank holder is seated on the top thereof outside a lower mold, and locks a blank holder to an upper mold while pressurizing an edge of a molded panel, includes: a cushion support disposed below the cushion pad, a cushion cylinder connected with a lower part of the cushion pad to move up or down the cushion pad from the cushion support, a linear scale mounted between the cushion pad and the cushion support to measure the position of the cushion pad, a main pressure control unit that keeps internal pressure of each cushion cylinder similarly, and a sub pressure control unit that is interconnected with the main pressure control unit so as to control the locking position of the cushion pad when each cushion cylinder operates.

A die cushion device includes four hydraulic cylinders that support a cushion pad, a die cushion load controller that controls each of the hydraulic cylinders and generates a die cushion load on the cushion pad, and a die cushion position controller that controls each of the hydraulic cylinders to control a position of the cushion pad. In a case where only a left part is produced with a left die by a press machine, the die cushion load controller performs die cushion load control on two hydraulic cylinders on the left side, and the die cushion position controller performs die cushion position control on two hydraulic cylinders on the right side.