A method of forming a component includes providing a work-piece blank from a formable material. The method also includes engaging the work-piece blank with a transfer device. The method additionally includes austenitizing the work-piece blank in the transfer device via heating the blank to achieve austenite microstructure therein. The method also includes transferring the austenitized blank to a forming press using the transfer device. The method additionally includes forming the component via the forming press from the austenitized blank and quenching the formed component. A work-piece blank transfer system includes a transfer device having clamping arm(s) for engaging, holding, transferring, and releasing the work-piece blank. The transfer device also includes a heating element configured to austenitize the work-piece blank via heating the blank to achieve austenite microstructure therein. The transfer system additionally includes an electronic controller programmed to regulate the heating element and the clamping arm(s).

A trim press receiver for receiving an array of products from a trim press comprises support elements, a strip away mechanism, and a pusher rake. The support elements are configured to receive arrays of products and support the arrays of products in rows of stacks. The strip away mechanism is configured to form gaps in the stacks of products. The pusher rake is configured to extend into the gaps and press portions of the stacks off the support elements.

A method of manufacturing a press-formed product includes: a heating step; a transportation step; and a pressing step. The transportation step includes: using claws of a pair of first arms to support the lower surface, at both ends, of a first heated workpiece and lift the workpiece; using claws of a pair of second arms to support the lower surface, at both ends, of a second heated workpiece and lift the workpiece; transporting the first heated workpiece with the lower surface supported, at both ends, by the claws of the pair of first arms and the second heated workpiece with the lower surface supported, at both ends, by the claws of the pair of second arms, where the first and second heated workpieces overlap each other in the direction normal to the sheet surfaces; driving the pair of first arms to lower the first heated workpiece to a pressing location on a press machine; and driving the pair of second arms to lower the second heated workpiece to a pressing location on the press machine.

A transfer device transfers a workpiece by a transfer motion which is based on a transfer individual phase signal synchronized with a master phase signal, and includes: a setting unit that sets a point on a trajectory of a transfer bar as a switching point of a timing switch, the point on the trajectory being separated from a reference point on the trajectory by a designated distance designated by a user, and the trajectory being based on the transfer motion; and a signal output unit that outputs a timing signal to an external device at a timing when the transfer bar reaches the switching point.

A transfer device transfers a workpiece by a transfer motion which is based on a transfer individual phase signal synchronized with a master phase signal, and includes: a setting unit that sets a point on a trajectory of a transfer bar as a switching point of a timing switch, the point on the trajectory being separated from a reference point on the trajectory by a designated distance designated by a user, and the trajectory being based on the transfer motion; and a signal output unit that outputs a timing signal to an external device at a timing when the transfer bar reaches the switching point.

Systems, devices, and methods for fabricating finished parts include a system that includes a plurality of die assemblies located at a plurality of respective locations, each die assembly being configured to fabricate a respective finished part. The system further includes a movable gantry press and a robot, each configured to move between the plurality of respective locations. The system further includes a controller configured to receive a input to fabricate a finished part and identify a die assembly of the plurality of die assemblies. The controller is further configured to instruct the movable gantry press and the robot to move to the location of the die assembly. The controller is further configured to instruct the robot to load a blank into the die assembly, and instruct the movable gantry press to operate the die assembly to fabricate the finished part.

Provided is an epoch-making original sheet dividing method in which an original sheet is cut while being conveyed and which enables a continuous operation to be performed for a long period of time without occurrence of burrs at cut end faces, without scattering cutting dust, and without time and effort for component replacement.

The original sheet dividing method is an original sheet dividing method for cutting an original sheet 1 having an active material layer applied to at least one surface of a long metal foil 4, with a laser beam L in a longitudinal direction. The original sheet 1 is continuously moved. While the original sheet 1 is moved, the laser beam L is applied to the original sheet 1 to melt the original sheet 1 at an irradiation point P. At a downstream side of the irradiation point P of the laser beam L, one divided original sheet 1s is pulled upward relative to a feed surface of the original sheet 1, and adjacent another original sheet 1t is pulled downward relative to the feed surface of the original sheet 1, thereby separating the slit original sheets 1s and 1t adjacent to each other at the irradiation point P.

Provided is an epoch-making original sheet dividing method in which an original sheet is cut while being conveyed and which enables a continuous operation to be performed for a long period of time without occurrence of burrs at cut end faces, without scattering cutting dust, and without time and effort for component replacement.

The original sheet dividing method is an original sheet dividing method for cutting an original sheet 1 having an active material layer applied to at least one surface of a long metal foil 4, with a laser beam L in a longitudinal direction. The original sheet 1 is continuously moved. While the original sheet 1 is moved, the laser beam L is applied to the original sheet 1 to melt the original sheet 1 at an irradiation point P. At a downstream side of the irradiation point P of the laser beam L, one divided original sheet 1s is pulled upward relative to a feed surface of the original sheet 1, and adjacent another original sheet 1t is pulled downward relative to the feed surface of the original sheet 1, thereby separating the slit original sheets 1s and 1t adjacent to each other at the irradiation point P.

A system for flattening steel plates includes crane, a first conveyor, a second conveyor, a first shape detector, a second shape detector, a first rangefinder, a second rangefinder, a first detection device, a second detection device, a first idler roller, a second idler roller, a flattening machine, a first robot, a second robot, a third robot, and a fourth robot. The flattening machine is connected to one end of the first conveyor and one end of the second conveyor. The first shape detector is disposed above a middle part of the first conveyor. The second shape detector is disposed above a middle part of the second conveyor. The first rangefinder is disposed at one end of the first conveyor. The first detection device is disposed between the first rangefinder and the flattening machine. The second rangefinder is disposed on one end of the flattening machine.

Systems, devices, and methods for fabricating finished parts include a system that includes a plurality of die assemblies located at a plurality of respective locations, each die assembly being configured to fabricate a respective finished part. The system further includes a movable gantry press and a robot, each configured to move between the plurality of respective locations. The system further includes a controller configured to receive a input to fabricate a finished part and identify a die assembly of the plurality of die assemblies. The controller is further configured to instruct the movable gantry press and the robot to move to the location of the die assembly. The controller is further configured to instruct the robot to load a blank into the die assembly, and instruct the movable gantry press to operate the die assembly to fabricate the finished part.