Lifter cups are provided for engaging and lifting objects and include a mounting portion and a flexible engaging portion. The flexible engaging portion is configured to form a sealing disk for engaging the object. The sealing disk has channels diffusing fluid from the contact surface with the object. The channel walls have raised portions separated by concentric slits. For handling objects of magnetic material, a permanent magnet may be recessed into the flexible engaging portion. When the sealing disk engages with the surface of the object, the magnet exerts a magnetic force on the object sufficient to support holding the object for additional lateral support when lifting away from the center of gravity of the object. A transfer assembly and a method of configuring a lifter device for use in a stamping process for manufacturing a vehicle are also provided.

A workpiece conveying apparatus includes: a conveying table including a workpiece supporting mechanism; a first arm and a second arm each having one end pivotally coupled to the conveying table; a first moving unit coupled to another end of the first arm; a second moving unit coupled to another end of the second arm; and a posture control unit configured to control a posture of the conveying table through control of an angle between the conveying table and one of the first arm and the second arm, in which the first and second moving units are movable by a moving mechanism in a workpiece conveying direction, in which the conveying table is lifted up and down through a change of an interval between the first and second moving units, and in which these moving units are moved in the same direction to convey the workpiece.

A workpiece conveying apparatus includes: a conveying table including a workpiece supporting mechanism; a first arm and a second arm each having one end pivotally coupled to the conveying table; a first moving unit coupled to another end of the first arm; a second moving unit coupled to another end of the second arm; and a posture control unit configured to control a posture of the conveying table through control of an angle between the conveying table and one of the first arm and the second arm, in which the first and second moving units are movable by a moving mechanism in a workpiece conveying direction, in which the conveying table is lifted up and down through a change of an interval between the first and second moving units, and in which these moving units are moved in the same direction to convey the workpiece.

A vacuum port assembly is provided for a press system including a die assembly and a transfer assembly. The transfer assembly includes a conveyor belt, a vacuum manifold coupled to the die assembly, and an airflow generator. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of holes for receiving and moving shells in a plane with respect to the die assembly. The vacuum port assembly includes at least one port member including inlet and outlet ends. The inlet end has amounting portion for removably coupling the port member to the vacuum manifold. The outlet end is in fluid communication with the airflow generator, thereby establishing fluid communication between the airflow generator and the vacuum manifold. The inlet end extends outwardly from the vacuum manifold generally perpendicular with respect to the plane of the conveyor belt.

A vacuum port assembly is provided for a press system including a die assembly and a transfer assembly. The transfer assembly includes a conveyor belt, a vacuum manifold coupled to the die assembly, and an airflow generator. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of holes for receiving and moving shells in a plane with respect to the die assembly. The vacuum port assembly includes at least one port member including inlet and outlet ends. The inlet end has amounting portion for removably coupling the port member to the vacuum manifold. The outlet end is in fluid communication with the airflow generator, thereby establishing fluid communication between the airflow generator and the vacuum manifold. The inlet end extends outwardly from the vacuum manifold generally perpendicular with respect to the plane of the conveyor belt.

A vacuum port assembly is provided for a press system including a die assembly and a transfer assembly. The transfer assembly includes a conveyor belt, a vacuum manifold coupled to the die assembly, and an airflow generator. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of holes for receiving and moving shells in a plane with respect to the die assembly. The vacuum port assembly includes at least one port member including inlet and outlet ends. The inlet end has a mounting portion for removably coupling the port member to the vacuum manifold. The outlet end is in fluid communication with the airflow generator, thereby establishing fluid communication between the airflow generator and the vacuum manifold. The inlet end extends outwardly from the vacuum manifold generally perpendicular with respect to the plane of the conveyor belt.

A vacuum port assembly is provided for a press system including a die assembly and a transfer assembly. The transfer assembly includes a conveyor belt, a vacuum manifold coupled to the die assembly, and an airflow generator. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of holes for receiving and moving shells in a plane with respect to the die assembly. The vacuum port assembly includes at least one port member including inlet and outlet ends. The inlet end has a mounting portion for removably coupling the port member to the vacuum manifold. The outlet end is in fluid communication with the airflow generator, thereby establishing fluid communication between the airflow generator and the vacuum manifold. The inlet end extends outwardly from the vacuum manifold generally perpendicular with respect to the plane of the conveyor belt.

A magnetic chuck includes a first cylinder and a second cylinder that are arranged in series with each other. A first piston of the first cylinder includes a permanent magnet, and a piston rod connected to the first piston is inserted into a second piston of the second cylinder. A stopper that can abut against the second piston is fixed to the piston rod. The position of the stopper can be changed relative to the piston rod.