The invention concerns a bending tool (6) with an actuating element (19) accessible outside the tool receptacle, with coupled to it a locking element (20) with a locking catch (21) for securing the bending tool (6) in the tool receptacle. The first end portion (32) of the actuating element (19) has an actuating face (33) arranged on the end side and the second end portion (34) of the actuating element (19) has an actuating recess (35). The invention further concerns a gripping device (14) for manipulating a bending tool (6), comprising a first gripping arm (59) and a second gripping arm (60) displaceable relative to the first gripping arm (59) in the clamping direction (64), said gripping arms (59) being formed to engage in a gripping groove (23, 24) of the bending tool (6) and to clamp the bending tool (6). Also formed is an unlocking member (65) for actuating an actuating element (19) of the bending tool (6), said unlocking member (65) being longitudinally displaceable normally to the clamping direction (64) relative to the gripping arms (59, 60).

A curvature retaining device (1) includes two support points (25a) that can abut against one surface of a plate-shaped workpiece W, one or more pressing points (40a) that can abut against a position of the other surface of the plate-shaped workpiece (W) between the support points (25a), and forward/backward drive means (support unit (23) and pressing unit (33)) for moving at least either the support points (25a) or the pressing points (40a) forward to and backward from the other. Preferably, the two support points (25a) abut against the one surface of the plate-shaped workpiece (W) at a first distance (Ls), the two pressing points (40a) abut against the other surface of the plate-shaped workpiece (W) at second distance (Lp) shorter than the first distance (Ls), and a middle point of the first distance (Ls) and a middle point of the second distance (Lp) match with each other.

Provided are a highly-versatile plate-like-workpiece twisting and retaining apparatus, plate-like-workpiece twisting and retaining method, and plate-like-workpiece twisting and shaping method that can give a freely-chosen twisted shape or curved shape to a plate-like workpiece with a simple, highly-versatile configuration without having to prepare a die member and that can also be applied to an integral skin. A twisting and retaining apparatus includes at least two support points that are contactable with a first surface in a twisting range of a plate-like workpiece; a plurality of pressing points that are similarly contactable with a second surface in the twisting range and that flank a line connecting the at least two support points in plan view of the plate-like workpiece; and an advance-retract driving apparatus (support unit, pressing unit) that causes at least the support points or the pressing points to advance and retract in a thickness direction of the plate-like workpiece.

A pneumatic plug gauge has been developed in the context of the invention. This plug gauge comprises a first measuring channel which can be connected to a pressure medium source and opens into a first outlet for the pressure medium, which outlet can be directed to a surface of the workpiece to be tested. According to the invention, this plug gauge is designed to determine the tilt angle between a section on the surface thereof and a region opposite this section on the surface of the workpiece by virtue of the first outlet being arranged at one end of the section and at least one second outlet being provided, which second outlet is arranged at the other end of the section. It has been recognized that the admittedly high precision of pneumatic length measurements can be converted in a particularly advantageous manner to high precision of the angle measurement in this manner. The tilt angle can be measured at least with an accuracy of less than one tenth of a degree. At the same time, the measurement is fast enough for 100% control in mass production. The plug gauge is the central element in the measuring system and in the method, to which the invention likewise relates.

The invention concerns a bending tool (6) with an actuating element (19) accessible outside the tool receptacle, with coupled to it a locking element (20) with a locking catch (21) for securing the bending tool (6) in the tool receptacle. The first end portion (32) of the actuating element (19) has an actuating face (33) arranged on the end side and the second end portion (34) of the actuating element (19) has an actuating recess (35).

The invention further concerns a gripping device (14) for manipulating a bending tool (6), comprising a first gripping arm (59) and a second gripping arm (60) displaceable relative to the first gripping arm (59) in the clamping direction (64), said gripping arms (59) being formed to engage in a gripping groove (23, 24) of the bending tool (6) and to clamp the bending tool (6). Also formed is an unlocking member (65) for actuating an actuating element (19) of the bending tool (6), said unlocking member (65) being longitudinally displaceable normally to the clamping direction (64) relative to the gripping arms (59, 60).

A press brake system that utilizes a punch holder adapted to be used with punch chips of various radii to achieve the desired bend on a part. The system maintains a common shut height enabling the press brake operator to be able to put different radius tip punches next to each other in a single press brake tooling setup.

A locking device for locking tools in a press brake includes a first jaw (2) and a second jaw (3), movable towards and away from each other, and at least one safety hook (4) interposed there between provided with a retaining tooth (41) adapted to be inserted into a groove (52) defined in the shank (51) of a tool (5), wherein on an inner side (35) of the second jaw (3) facing the first jaw (2) there is provided at least one thrust surface (36) adapted to cooperate with, while resting slidingly against, at least one corresponding rest surface (43) on an outer side (42) of the safety hook, the thrust surface (36) and the rest surface (43) lying substantially parallel along a thrust plane (P) sloping in the opposite direction to the first jaw (2) by an angle (α) of between 30° and 60° with respect to a vertical plane.

A method of bending a sheet of metal using a press brake includes pivoting die holders during the bending operation so bends can be made in opposite directions without having to turn over or flip over the sheet of metal. In the method a first die holder is driven downward toward a second die to thereby create a bend in the metal sheet when the first and second dies come together. The first die holder and the first die are then retracted away from a second die holder and the second die. The die holders are moved, preferably rotated, to a second position in which the first die holder is located over the second die holder. Then the second die holder is driven downward toward the first die to thereby create a second bend in the metal sheet when the first and second dies come together.

A system for forming a metal strip into a die having a predetermined shape through a series of forming operations is described herein. The system includes a base configured to support the metal strip as the metal strip undergoes the series of forming operations; a feeding device configured to advance the metal strip between each forming operation of the series of forming operations and grip the metal strip during each forming operation; a bending device configured to bend a portion of the metal strip extending from the feeding device as one of the series of forming operations; a forming head configured to house a pair of forming tools and provide features to the portion of the metal strip extending from the feeding device as one of the series of forming operations using the one or more forming tools; a robotic arm configured to selectively provide the one or more forming tools to the forming head; and a computing unit in communication with the robotic arm and configured to transmit a control signal to cause the robotic arm to retrieve the pair of forming tools and provide the pair of forming tools to the forming head.

A die or punch is provided for a press tool. The die or punch includes a body and a roller assembly having a holder and a roller. The holder is shaped to slidably engage with a complementary cavity in the body to facilitate secure installation of the holder in the body. The holder is able to be removably inserted into the body to present the roller as a forming edge to shape a work piece in a press tool. The roller is able to turn with respect to the holder when shaping a work piece to protect the roller against wear.