A forging method for a shaft member includes preforming at least one of a plurality of enlarged diameter portions to obtain a semi-finished member, and forming a remainder of the enlarged diameter portions in the semi-finished member using a mold. The mold includes a punch, split dies, and a workpiece receiving member. The forming of the remainder of the enlarged diameter portions includes allowing the semi-finished member having the at least one of the enlarged diameter portions to be placed on the workpiece receiving member, cramping the semi-finished member in its radial direction by closing the split dies, and filling the semi-finished member into forming surfaces of the split dies by the pressure applied by the punch under the state in which the semi-finished member is cramped.

A die holder mounts a die to form heads on nails or screws. A top surface of the die includes a groove for longitudinally receiving and holding an elongate body. The die has a recess merging into the groove at one end of the groove to form a nail or screw head. The die is conical for press fit by contact with an inner surface of a bore or hole in the die holder. A top surface of the die is planar to a top surface of the die holder with a bottom surface engaging bottom part of the die holder. The bottom portion of the die has a recess or engaging with a corresponding protrusion die holder fixing an angular orientation of the groove relative to the die holder. Two opposite dies are brought together by two opposite die holders forming the head.

A machine tool apparatus for a press brake, folding press or punch press system includes a tool holder body having a receiving portion configured for selective engagement with a coupling end of a machine tool. The apparatus also includes a magnetic coupling assembly comprising one or more magnetic elements configured to generate a magnetic coupling adapted for the selective engagement of the tool holder body with the coupling end of the machine tool. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include an actuator configured to manipulate at least one of the magnetic elements to modulate the strength of the magnetic coupling for selective engagement and disengagement of the tool holder body with the coupling end of the machine tool.

A machine tool apparatus for a press brake, folding press or punch press system includes a tool holder body having a receiving portion configured for selective engagement with a coupling end of a machine tool. The apparatus also includes a magnetic coupling assembly comprising one or more magnetic elements configured to generate a magnetic coupling adapted for the selective engagement of the tool holder body with the coupling end of the machine tool. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include an actuator configured to manipulate at least one of the magnetic elements to modulate the strength of the magnetic coupling for selective engagement and disengagement of the tool holder body with the coupling end of the machine tool.

A hydraulic forging press machine and a control method, whereby surging of the forging load or dead zones where the forging speed goes to zero is suppressed, and forging is performed with high precision throughout a wider range than the prior art, from low to high load. Pressure cylinders have a main pressure cylinder configured so working fluid is supplied during forging, and secondary pressure cylinders are configured so supplying and stopping of the supply of working fluid thereto are switched in response to the forging load, head-side hydraulic chambers of the secondary pressure cylinders being connected to a head-side hydraulic chamber of the main pressure cylinder via electromagnetic switching valves. Only the main pressure cylinder is used until the forging load exceeds a set load, and the number of secondary pressure cylinders used is sequentially increased as the forging load increases after the forging load exceeds the set load.

A press die includes: a die base; a plurality of die members arranged on the die base so as to produce a forming surface; a plurality of shims each of which is interposed between the die base and each of the plurality of die members; and a frame that surrounds the die base, the plurality of die members, and the plurality of shims. Each of the plurality of shims has a hardness higher than the plurality of die members. A regulating means that carries out a regulation so that an amount of displacement of each of the plurality of die members caused by pressure applied during press forming becomes smaller in proportion to proximity of the die member to the frame is provided between the die base and the plurality of die members or provided on the die base.

A press die includes: a die base; a plurality of die members arranged on the die base so as to produce a forming surface; a plurality of shims each of which is interposed between the die base and each of the plurality of die members; and a frame that surrounds the die base, the plurality of die members, and the plurality of shims. Each of the plurality of shims has a hardness higher than the plurality of die members. A regulating means that carries out a regulation so that an amount of displacement of each of the plurality of die members caused by pressure applied during press forming becomes smaller in proportion to proximity of the die member to the frame is provided between the die base and the plurality of die members or provided on the die base.

A hydraulic forging machine and a method for replacing an upper anvil block thereof are disclosed. The hydraulic forging machine includes locking hydraulic cylinder that is fixed to a movable beam of the hydraulic forging machine when the hydraulic forging machine is in operation. The locking hydraulic cylinder is configured to provide a locking-unlocking function between an upper anvil block of the hydraulic forging machine and the movable beam. The locking hydraulic cylinder has its hydraulic power source supplied from a main hydraulic cylinder or a return hydraulic cylinder, which is also fixed to the movable beam. The present disclosure not only enables an oil supply circuit for the locking hydraulic cylinder to move together with the movable beam, but also simplifies the oil supply circuit for the locking hydraulic cylinder, resulting in an improved reliability of the hydraulic forging machine.

A hydraulic forging machine and a method for replacing an upper anvil block thereof are disclosed. The hydraulic forging machine includes locking hydraulic cylinder that is fixed to a movable beam of the hydraulic forging machine when the hydraulic forging machine is in operation. The locking hydraulic cylinder is configured to provide a locking-unlocking function between an upper anvil block of the hydraulic forging machine and the movable beam. The locking hydraulic cylinder has its hydraulic power source supplied from a main hydraulic cylinder or a return hydraulic cylinder, which is also fixed to the movable beam. The present disclosure not only enables an oil supply circuit for the locking hydraulic cylinder to move together with the movable beam, but also simplifies the oil supply circuit for the locking hydraulic cylinder, resulting in an improved reliability of the hydraulic forging machine.

A fastening apparatus for setting a fastener penetrating into a workpiece having a first and a second sheet of material to be joined is provided. The fastening apparatus includes a frame supporting a punch and an upsetting die assembly. The upsetting die assembly includes a housing defining an axial bore, and a die member and a rod located in the bore. The die member and rod are axially displaceable within the bore. A stop member is pivotally connected to the frame and is in engagement with the rod. A fastener insertion force generated by the punch displaces the die member and rod within the bore, and the stop member is configured to dampen the axial displacement and reduce the fastener insertion force over a predetermined fastener insertion distance of the fastener into the workpiece.