A quick-change die assembly for a necker machine includes an outer die mounting, an outer die, an outer die quick-release coupling, an inner die mounting, an inner die assembly, and an inner die quick-release coupling. The outer die is coupled to the outer die mounting by the outer die quick-release coupling. The inner die assembly is coupled to the inner die mounting by the inner die quick-release coupling.

A quick-change die assembly for a necker machine includes an outer die mounting, an outer die, an outer die quick-release coupling, an inner die mounting, an inner die assembly, and an inner die quick-release coupling. The outer die is coupled to the outer die mounting by the outer die quick-release coupling. The inner die assembly is coupled to the inner die mounting by the inner die quick-release coupling.

A steel stamping tool includes a base and a cover removably mounted to the top of the base. Multiple stamps are accommodated in an accommodating space form between the base and the cover. The cover includes an extension extending from one of two ends of the cover, and at least one passage is defined vertically through the extension. The cover is removed from the base and the one stamp is picked from the accommodation space and inserted through the at least one passage. The stamp in the passage is not radially rotatable. A work end of the stamp is located in the concaved space and contacts an object. By striking a striking end of the stamp that is exposed on the top face of the extension, the work end of the stamp embosses the object.

A steel stamping tool includes a base and a cover removably mounted to the top of the base. Multiple stamps are accommodated in an accommodating space form between the base and the cover. The cover includes an extension extending from one of two ends of the cover, and at least one passage is defined vertically through the extension. The cover is removed from the base and the one stamp is picked from the accommodation space and inserted through the at least one passage. The stamp in the passage is not radially rotatable. A work end of the stamp is located in the concaved space and contacts an object. By striking a striking end of the stamp that is exposed on the top face of the extension, the work end of the stamp embosses the object.

An elongated securement member for enabling the accurate alignment and securement of a first plate and a second plate together through a configured bore arranged therebetween, the elongated securement member having a first for securement member upper end and a second or securement member lower end. The first or securement member having a longitudinal axis, the upper end of which also having a tapered or wedge inducing non-cylindrical portion, the second or securement member lower end having a threaded portion of a diameter D1 and a middle cylindrical portion of a diameter D2, and an annularly arranged channel formed at a juncture of the tapered or wedge inducing non-cylindrical portion of the securement member upper end and the middle cylindrical portion of diameter D1 of the securement member.

An elongated securement member for enabling the accurate alignment and securement of a first plate and a second plate together through a configured bore arranged therebetween, the elongated securement member having a first for securement member upper end and a second or securement member lower end. The first or securement member having a longitudinal axis, the upper end of which also having a tapered or wedge inducing non-cylindrical portion, the second or securement member lower end having a threaded portion of a diameter D1 and a middle cylindrical portion of a diameter D2, and an annularly arranged channel formed at a juncture of the tapered or wedge inducing non-cylindrical portion of the securement member upper end and the middle cylindrical portion of diameter D1 of the securement member.

A tool unit 20 and a press 21, particularly an embossing press. The tool unit 20 is simply and quickly arranged in or removed from a holder 23 of the press 21 in order to carry out a quick tool change with short downtime of press 21. For this purpose the tool unit 20 comprises a first tool 45 and a second tool 46 that are arranged along a tool axis A on a tool carrier 31. By means of a tool guide device 47, the second tool 46 is movably supported in a guided manner relative to the tool carrier 31 and the first tool 45, independent from guide devices of press 21. Therefore, the tool unit 20 can be prepared and set up during the ongoing operation of press 21. If desired or necessary, the prepared tool unit 20 is exchanged against the presently used tool unit 20.

A metal fastening or joining apparatus is provided. In another aspect, a single piece die guard includes an integral die shield section and an integral retainer section, wherein a die anvil can be removed, and the die shield section has a low height and a small lateral square width. A further aspect employs a generally square peripheral shape for a die shield within which is an anvil and movable die blades, which are operable to fasten or join sheet metal workpieces together in an interlocking manner. In still another aspect, a projecting and/or peripheral orientation structure is on a backside of a workpiece fastening die assembly which allows for anvil reorientation without the need to also reorient a laterally surrounding die shield and retainer.

A ball-lock tool retainer insert includes a retainer insert body having a generally flat top and bottom face and a generally elongated non-circular cross-section. A lower portion and an upper portion of the retainer insert body each have a constant cross-section with the upper portion cross-section being larger than the lower portion cross-section thereby forming an enlarged shoulder. The retainer insert body has a tool aperture with a constant cross-section extending from the top face to the bottom face for receiving a tool and an angle hole adjacent the tool aperture extending from the top face and partially extending into the tool aperture for holding a ball lock. The retainer insert body is adapted to be received by a retainer block having a generally elongated non-circular hole with a counterbore such that the enlarged shoulder of the retainer insert body fits into the counterbore.

A ball-lock tool retainer insert includes a retainer insert body having a generally flat top and bottom face and a generally elongated non-circular cross-section. A lower portion and an upper portion of the retainer insert body each have a constant cross-section with the upper portion cross-section being larger than the lower portion cross-section thereby forming an enlarged shoulder. The retainer insert body has a tool aperture with a constant cross-section extending from the top face to the bottom face for receiving a tool and an angle hole adjacent the tool aperture extending from the top face and partially extending into the tool aperture for holding a ball lock. The retainer insert body is adapted to be received by a retainer block having a generally elongated non-circular hole with a counterbore such that the enlarged shoulder of the retainer insert body fits into the counterbore.