A formed sheet metal material (100) and methods, tools (1, 2, 8) and apparatus for forming the sheet metal material (100) in which a pattern of projections and depressions are cold worked in a first portion (101) and, simultaneously, indicia (103) is embossed in a second portion (102) of the sheet material (100). The cold worked portion (101) is formed with the projections and depression configured and distributed such that lines drawn on a surface of the formed sheet material (100) between adjacent rows of projections and depressions are not rectilinear. The indicia (103) is indicative of the alignment between the tools (1, 2, 8).

A machine for bending an elongated workpiece without wrinkling has a roller-like bending die (2) with a vice (3) adapted to retain one end of the elongated workpiece (P) to be bent. The roller-like bending die (2), being provided with a central hole (5) and a groove profile (6) and rotatable about a rotation axis (y), bears, centrally and coaxially in its groove profile (6), a plate element (18) oscillating with respect to the bending die (2) around a rotation axis (y) thereof. The plate element (18) having a peripheral edge (19) which continues the groove profile (6) of the bending die (2) consists of at least two pieces (20, 21) which are adapted to be connected to one another to surround the bending die (2).

A machine for bending an elongated workpiece without wrinkling has a roller-like bending die (2) with a vice (3) adapted to retain one end of the elongated workpiece (P) to be bent. The roller-like bending die (2), being provided with a central hole (5) and a groove profile (6) and rotatable about a rotation axis (y), bears, centrally and coaxially in its groove profile (6), a plate element (18) oscillating with respect to the bending die (2) around a rotation axis (y) thereof. The plate element (18) having a peripheral edge (19) which continues the groove profile (6) of the bending die (2) consists of at least two pieces (20, 21) which are adapted to be connected to one another to surround the bending die (2).

Disclosed is a die for a press brake including a base, a first half portion and a second half portion of a mold, each including a plurality of plates parallel to one another and alternated in a longitudinal direction of the die, the die including a translation device to move the half portions away from and toward each other, the device including a plurality of guides obtained on the plates, a shaft slidingly engaged with the guides, a first pinion and a second pinion mounted on the shaft and at least a first rack and at least a second rack respectively on a first plate of the first half portion and on a second plate of the second half portion and meshed respectively with the first and second pinion.

A punch assembly with interchangeable tips includes a punch body and a punch tip releasably coupled to the punch body. The punch body includes a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a cross-sectional shape defined between the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end includes a flange configured to engage a punch holder. The distal end includes a distal surface include a front side and a rear side. At least one first magnet faces a same direction as the front side and at least one second magnet faces a same direction as the rear side. The punch tip is coupled to the distal end of the punch body via a magnetic coupling provided by the at least one first magnet and the at least one second magnet.

A punch assembly with interchangeable tips includes a punch body and a punch tip releasably coupled to the punch body. The punch body includes a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a cross-sectional shape defined between the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end includes a flange configured to engage a punch holder. The distal end includes a distal surface include a front side and a rear side. At least one first magnet faces a same direction as the front side and at least one second magnet faces a same direction as the rear side. The punch tip is coupled to the distal end of the punch body via a magnetic coupling provided by the at least one first magnet and the at least one second magnet.

A method and apparatus for passive pin positioning of a reconfigurable forming die is disclosed. The apparatus may include a plurality of pins disposed within a frame, and a bolt that when tightened can secure or lock the pins into position. When the bolt is loosened, the position of the pins can be adjusted. A preliminary model of a contoured surface that is to be imparted to an article by the reconfigurable forming die can be used to help define a forming surface of the reconfigurable die.

A method and apparatus for passive pin positioning of a reconfigurable forming die is disclosed. The apparatus may include a plurality of pins disposed within a frame, and a bolt that when tightened can secure or lock the pins into position. When the bolt is loosened, the position of the pins can be adjusted. A preliminary model of a contoured surface that is to be imparted to an article by the reconfigurable forming die can be used to help define a forming surface of the reconfigurable die.

A modular guided keeper base, guided keeper assembly, and related method includes a modular guided keeper base that mounts to a die member. The guided keeper base has an integrated stop for guide pin retention. The guided keeper base can also accommodate a variety of bushings within the base. The guided keeper base is attached to a die member using a mounting flange(s). Mounting fasteners pass through the fastener holes in the mounting flanges and are anchored in the die member to securely retain the guided keeper assembly in place. A retainer ring is mounted in an associated groove in the base over the heads of the mounting fasteners to prevent unintentional unfastening of the fasteners from the die member.

A modular guided keeper base, guided keeper assembly, and related method includes a modular guided keeper base that mounts to a die member. The guided keeper base has an integrated stop for guide pin retention. The guided keeper base can also accommodate a variety of bushings within the base. The guided keeper base is attached to a die member using a mounting flange(s). Mounting fasteners pass through the fastener holes in the mounting flanges and are anchored in the die member to securely retain the guided keeper assembly in place. A retainer ring is mounted in an associated groove in the base over the heads of the mounting fasteners to prevent unintentional unfastening of the fasteners from the die member.