A hot-forming press (100) comprises a lower press assembly (102) and an upper press assembly (108). The lower press assembly (102) is movable along a vertical axis and comprises a lower die (106), and a lower hot-box portion (104), configured to receive the lower die (106). The upper press assembly (108) is movable along the vertical axis above the lower press assembly (102) and comprises an upper die (112), and an upper hot-box portion (110). The upper hot-box portion (110) is configured to receive the upper die (112) so that the upper die (112) is positioned opposite the lower die (106). The lower die (106) and the upper die (112) are configured to apply a forming pressure to a workpiece (114) that is received between the lower die (106) and the upper die (112). The lower hot-box portion (104) and the upper hot-box portion (110) are configured to heat the workpiece (114).

An apparatus meant to contain a die portion of a punch and die set whether in a loading cartridge or in machine operating position, wherein a key is used with a die shoe to prevent lateral movement of the die regardless of extent by which the die is sharpened and continued to be used with the die shoe, and wherein a die is used with the die shoe to minimize jagged or sharp edges being created from sharpening processes thereof.

An apparatus meant to contain a die portion of a punch and die set whether in a loading cartridge or in machine operating position, wherein a key is used with a die shoe to prevent lateral movement of the die regardless of extent by which the die is sharpened and continued to be used with the die shoe, and wherein a die is used with the die shoe to minimize jagged or sharp edges being created from sharpening processes thereof.

The press device includes a press device body and moving bolsters. The press device body has a slide and a slide servomotor. The slide has upper dies attached thereto. The slide servomotor moves the slide up and down. The moving bolsters are able to move between a pressing position, which is a position on the inside of the press device body, and a die replacement position, which is a position on the outside of the press device body, and have lower dies disposed thereon. The moving bolsters have an electrical storage component, a travel motor, and wheels. The electrical storage component stores regenerative electrical power generated by the slide servomotor in the pressing position. Electrical power is supplied from the electrical storage component to the travel motor. The wheels are driven by the travel motor.

The press device includes a press device body and moving bolsters. The press device body has a slide and a slide servomotor. The slide has upper dies attached thereto. The slide servomotor moves the slide up and down. The moving bolsters are able to move between a pressing position, which is a position on the inside of the press device body, and a die replacement position, which is a position on the outside of the press device body, and have lower dies disposed thereon. The moving bolsters have an electrical storage component, a travel motor, and wheels. The electrical storage component stores regenerative electrical power generated by the slide servomotor in the pressing position. Electrical power is supplied from the electrical storage component to the travel motor. The wheels are driven by the travel motor.

A punch tip design configured to be universal in its application with wide varieties of punch assemblies, and various punch body designs from which universal application of the punch tip is exemplified. In some cases, ancillary components used with the various punch body designs enhance ease by which the operator can selectively manipulate the same for alternately securing or releasing the punch tip.

A punch tip design configured to be universal in its application with wide varieties of punch assemblies, and various punch body designs from which universal application of the punch tip is exemplified. In some cases, ancillary components used with the various punch body designs enhance ease by which the operator can selectively manipulate the same for alternately securing or releasing the punch tip.

Various designs of die shoe assemblies are provided, each assembly configured to adjust vertical positioning of a die platform within the assembly, in order to correspondingly adjust vertical positioning of a die used with the assembly. The assemblies address limitations often associated with conventional die shoes designed to be used with shims. The assemblies use various methods and corresponding mechanisms to make the adjustment a time efficient process, while in so doing also enabling the desired extent of adjustment to be effectively and accurately provided.

A rotatable buffer turret apparatus on which plural pairs of punches and dies to be set on a turret of a turret punch press are set, includes an upper buffer turret on which punch attachment holes in which the punches can be set are arranged circularly, and a lower buffer turret on which die attachment holes that is associated with the punch attachment holes and in which the dies can be set are arranged circularly. The upper and lower buffer turrets are rotatably attached to a single rotary shaft. A diameter of the lower buffer turret is made larger than a diameter of the upper buffer turret. The die attachment holes are formed in a circular die attachment area having a diameter larger than the diameter of the upper buffer turret. According to the apparatus, a tool exchange manually operated by an operator can be done easily and efficiently.

A rotatable buffer turret apparatus on which plural pairs of punches and dies to be set on a turret of a turret punch press are set, includes an upper buffer turret on which punch attachment holes in which the punches can be set are arranged circularly, and a lower buffer turret on which die attachment holes that is associated with the punch attachment holes and in which the dies can be set are arranged circularly. The upper and lower buffer turrets are rotatably attached to a single rotary shaft. A diameter of the lower buffer turret is made larger than a diameter of the upper buffer turret. The die attachment holes are formed in a circular die attachment area having a diameter larger than the diameter of the upper buffer turret. According to the apparatus, a tool exchange manually operated by an operator can be done easily and efficiently.