An information providing device provides information to a formed product formed by a forming device including a die for forming a metal material, in which the information is provided to the formed product after being formed by the forming device, and the information is information from which at least forming conditions of the formed product are acquirable. The information providing device includes an information acquisition unit that acquires the forming conditions.

An information providing device provides information to a formed product formed by a forming device including a die for forming a metal material, in which the information is provided to the formed product after being formed by the forming device, and the information is information from which at least forming conditions of the formed product are acquirable. The information providing device includes an information acquisition unit that acquires the forming conditions.

A press and a process for operating it, has an upper tool and a lower tool for shaping a workpiece and a work unit including a press drive and/or a drawing device, is controllable by a controller, to perform the shaping process. The controller outputs, to the work unit, press process values, which define the sequence of events of the shaping process. Workpiece parameters characterize, for example, the material and/or the shape and/or at least one dimension and/or quality of the workpiece, which still has to be shaped or has already been shaped. The controller is assigned a composition matrix which contains, for each defined workpiece parameter and for each defined press process value, an individually changeable function, to describe the relationship between every one of the defined workpiece parameters and the defined press process values. This composition matrix allows a quick and rapid adjustment and adaptation of the press.

A press and a process for operating it, has an upper tool and a lower tool for shaping a workpiece and a work unit including a press drive and/or a drawing device, is controllable by a controller, to perform the shaping process. The controller outputs, to the work unit, press process values, which define the sequence of events of the shaping process. Workpiece parameters characterize, for example, the material and/or the shape and/or at least one dimension and/or quality of the workpiece, which still has to be shaped or has already been shaped. The controller is assigned a composition matrix which contains, for each defined workpiece parameter and for each defined press process value, an individually changeable function, to describe the relationship between every one of the defined workpiece parameters and the defined press process values. This composition matrix allows a quick and rapid adjustment and adaptation of the press.

A method for manufacturing a press-molded article includes: preparing a patchwork blank in which a thickened portion is formed by welding patchwork to basework; bending only the thickened portion of the patchwork blank; and bending a portion other than the thickened portion in a step different from bending of the thickened portion.

A method for manufacturing a press-molded article includes: preparing a patchwork blank in which a thickened portion is formed by welding patchwork to basework; bending only the thickened portion of the patchwork blank; and bending a portion other than the thickened portion in a step different from bending of the thickened portion.

A system and apparatus is disclosed for controlling a restraining force applied to a panel. The apparatus includes a die, a binder supporting the panel against the die, and a punch used to draw the panel into the die. A restraining element is disposed on one of the die and the binder that engages a surface of the panel and applies a restraining force onto the panel. A strain gauge is disposed inside at least one of the die and the binder that engages a surface of the panel to measure the restraining force applied to the panel. The level of restraining force applied by the restraining element onto the panel is controlled based upon the restraining force measured by the strain gauge.

A system and apparatus is disclosed for controlling a restraining force applied to a panel. The apparatus includes a die, a binder supporting the panel against the die, and a punch used to draw the panel into the die. A restraining element is disposed on one of the die and the binder that engages a surface of the panel and applies a restraining force onto the panel. A strain gauge is disposed inside at least one of the die and the binder that engages a surface of the panel to measure the restraining force applied to the panel. The level of restraining force applied by the restraining element onto the panel is controlled based upon the restraining force measured by the strain gauge.

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.

A control apparatus of a machine tool includes: a slide position control unit configured to control a slide according to operation patterns; a pressure command generation unit configured to generate a pressure command for a die cushion according to the operation patterns; a pressure detection unit configured to detect an actual pressure of the die cushion; a die cushion speed control unit configured to control the die cushion, based on an error between the pressure command and the actual pressure; and a command reach determination unit configured to determine whether or not the error is greater than a pressure threshold, wherein the slide position control unit sets, based on a result of the determination by the command reach determination unit, a waiting period between the operation pattern at the time of the determination and the next operation pattern, wherein the slide is kept at its position during the waiting period.