At least one mobile part included in a plate separator is configured movable between a first position and a second position, which is different from the first position. At least one biasing portion biases the at least one mobile part toward the first position. The at least one mobile part includes a contact portion that comes into contact with the top plate when a plate holder lifts the top plate upward. The at least one mobile part is configured to be moved toward the second position as being pushed by the top plate when the top plate in contact with the at least one contact portion is moved further upward, thereby allowing an upward movement of the top plate.

At least one mobile part included in a plate separator is configured movable between a first position and a second position, which is different from the first position. At least one biasing portion biases the at least one mobile part toward the first position. The at least one mobile part includes a contact portion that comes into contact with the top plate when a plate holder lifts the top plate upward. The at least one mobile part is configured to be moved toward the second position as being pushed by the top plate when the top plate in contact with the at least one contact portion is moved further upward, thereby allowing an upward movement of the top plate.

A magnetic device for magnetically coupling to a ferromagnetic body, comprises a housing having a central bore. A plurality of pole sectors arranged within an envelope of the central bore and forming a workpiece contact interface of the magnetic device, each of the plurality of pole sectors comprising a plurality of spaced-apart pole portions arranged at respective distances, wherein a recess of a plurality of recesses separates each pole portion of the plurality of pole portions, wherein a first sector forms a first pole of the magnetic device and a second sector forms a second pole of the magnetic device. A first permanent magnet. A second permanent being moveable relative to the first permanent magnet. And, an actuator operatively coupled to the at least one second permanent magnet to move the at least one second permanent magnet relative to the at least one first permanent magnet.

Magnetic coupling devices are disclosed which may be configured in at least three states. The various states may be provided through one or more of altering a position of a permanent magnet relative to another permanent magnet and altering a current level in a coil surrounding a permanent magnet.

Magnetic coupling devices are disclosed which may be configured in at least three states. The various states may be provided through one or more of altering a position of a permanent magnet relative to another permanent magnet and altering a current level in a coil surrounding a permanent magnet.

A method for loading blanks from a stack of blanks to a head press of a stamping press line is provided. The method may include: providing a loading robot; providing one or more separating robots configured to separate one blank at the top of a stack of blanks from the underlying blanks; providing a stack of blanks and applying separating robots to at least one side of the stack; recognizing the position of the stack of blanks using the position of the separating robots; picking up the blank located at the top of the stack of blanks with the loading robot, using the recognized position of the stack; loading the blank to the head press of the stamping press line using the loading robot. Furthermore disclosed is a system for loading blanks to a head press of a stamping press line.

A method for loading blanks from a stack of blanks to a head press of a stamping press line is provided. The method may include: providing a loading robot; providing one or more separating robots configured to separate one blank at the top of a stack of blanks from the underlying blanks; providing a stack of blanks and applying separating robots to at least one side of the stack; recognizing the position of the stack of blanks using the position of the separating robots; picking up the blank located at the top of the stack of blanks with the loading robot, using the recognized position of the stack; loading the blank to the head press of the stamping press line using the loading robot. Furthermore disclosed is a system for loading blanks to a head press of a stamping press line.

A magnetic device for magnetically coupling to a ferromagnetic body, comprises a housing having a central bore. A plurality of pole sectors arranged within an envelope of the central bore and forming a workpiece contact interface of the magnetic device, each of the plurality of pole sectors comprising a plurality of spaced-apart pole portions arranged at respective distances, wherein a recess of a plurality of recesses separates each pole portion of the plurality of pole portions, wherein a first sector forms a first pole of the magnetic device and a second sector forms a second pole of the magnetic device. A first permanent magnet. A second permanent being moveable relative to the first permanent magnet. And, an actuator operatively coupled to the at least one second permanent magnet to move the at least one second permanent magnet relative to the at least one first permanent magnet.

A magnetic device for magnetically coupling to a ferromagnetic body, comprises a housing having a central bore. A plurality of pole sectors arranged within an envelope of the central bore and forming a workpiece contact interface of the magnetic device, each of the plurality of pole sectors comprising a plurality of spaced-apart pole portions arranged at respective distances, wherein a recess of a plurality of recesses separates each pole portion of the plurality of pole portions, wherein a first sector forms a first pole of the magnetic device and a second sector forms a second pole of the magnetic device. A first permanent magnet. A second permanent being moveable relative to the first permanent magnet. And, an actuator operatively coupled to the at least one second permanent magnet to move the at least one second permanent magnet relative to the at least one first permanent magnet.

Magnetic coupling devices are disclosed which may be configured in at least three states. The various states may be provided through one or more of altering a position of a permanent magnet relative to another permanent magnet and altering a current level in a coil surrounding a permanent magnet.