The drawing press according to the invention includes a support structure for supporting a metal sheet holder which is part of a tool and supported on the press frame via the support structure. The metal sheet holder is assigned a plunger with a die tool, whereas the plunger is moved by means of a plunger drive which includes a blocking position. The blocking position is obtained, for example, by a drive which, in the blocking position does not transmit any movement of the drive output to the driving servomotor. This can be achieved, for example, by an eccentric drive in the stretched position thereof. For performing the actual drawing stroke, the stamping tool is vertically movably supported. A carriage is raised or lowered by the press table by means of a table drive. As table drive, preferably a servomotor with a non-linear drive, such as an eccentric drive is used.

The drawing press according to the invention includes a support structure for supporting a metal sheet holder which is part of a tool and supported on the press frame via the support structure. The metal sheet holder is assigned a plunger with a die tool, whereas the plunger is moved by means of a plunger drive which includes a blocking position. The blocking position is obtained, for example, by a drive which, in the blocking position does not transmit any movement of the drive output to the driving servomotor. This can be achieved, for example, by an eccentric drive in the stretched position thereof. For performing the actual drawing stroke, the stamping tool is vertically movably supported. A carriage is raised or lowered by the press table by means of a table drive. As table drive, preferably a servomotor with a non-linear drive, such as an eccentric drive is used.

A hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly for a can bodymaker is provided. The hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly is separate from the ram body. The outboard guide bearing assembly includes a carriage assembly and a number of elongated journals. The carriage assembly includes a ram coupling, a crank coupling, and body defining a number of journal passages. The ram body is coupled to a ram coupling. The crank coupling is structured to be coupled to a crank arm. Each journal extends through a carriage assembly body journal passage. In this configuration, the ram body may form a can body in a traditional manner, but fluid bearing assembly fluid is not applied to the ram body. Instead, the fluid bearing assembly fluid is applied to the journals.

The drawing press according to the invention includes a support structure for supporting a metal sheet holder which is part of a tool and supported on the press frame via the support structure. The metal sheet holder is assigned a plunger with a die tool, whereas the plunger is moved by means of a plunger drive which includes a blocking position. The blocking position is obtained, for example, by a drive which, in the locking position does not transmit any movement of the drive output to the driving servomotor. This can be achieved, for example, by an eccentric drive in the stretched position thereof. For performing the actual drawing stroke, the stamping tool is vertically movably supported. A carriage is raised or lowered by the press table by means of a table drive. As table drive, preferably a servomotor with a non-linear drive, such as an eccentric drive is used.

A method for an adjustment of a phase shift of the movement of at least one internal ram, which is pivotally mounted by means of a drive shaft, in relation to the movement of at least one external ram, which is pivotally mounted by means of a drive shaft, of a multiple-action mechanical transverse shaft press. According to the invention, the method steps effected are a) stopping, delaying or accelerating at least one drive shaft and b) adjusting a phase angle of the at least one internal ram in relation to a phase angle of the at least one external ram by means of at least one electronically controlled rotational movement of at least one drive shaft.

A press with a press drive for moving a plunger in stroke direction (H). The press drive comprises two electric drive motors which are controllable independently of each other. The two drive motors are connected to the plunger via a drive unit. A control arrangement is provided for controlling the two drive motors. The control arrangement includes a characteristic plunger curve (K) which determines the plunger positions and/or the plunger movement and/or the plunger force dependent on time or dependent on a so-called virtual press angle. In addition, the control arrangement includes an additional condition which is independent of the characteristic plunger curve (K). Via the additional condition the operation of the press drive, for example, in an optimum operating range and/or a low-wear lubrication state of the support bearings of the drive unit can be ensured.

A press with a press drive for moving a plunger in stroke direction (H). The press drive comprises two electric drive motors which are controllable independently of each other. The two drive motors are connected to the plunger via a drive unit. A control arrangement is provided for controlling the two drive motors. The control arrangement includes a characteristic plunger curve (K) which determines the plunger positions and/or the plunger movement and/or the plunger force dependent on time or dependent on a so-called virtual press angle. In addition, the control arrangement includes an additional condition which is independent of the characteristic plunger curve (K). Via the additional condition the operation of the press drive, for example, in an optimum operating range and/or a low-wear lubrication state of the support bearings of the drive unit can be ensured.

The drawing press (10) according to the invention has for driving its ram (15) a directionally reversing gear mechanism (22, 54), for example a coupling gear mechanism, and at least one servomotor (23). The servomotor (23) passes through the reversal point (Ut) of the ram movement, which is predetermined by the kinematics of the coupling gear mechanism, for example the extended position of an eccentric drive. During the closing of the die (18), that is to say during a press stroke, the servomotor (23) is activated in such a way that it first passes through this reversal point (Ut), then stops, reverses and then passes through it once again, in order to open the die (18) again. Consequently, the braking to a standstill and re-acceleration of the servomotor for the upper ram (15) takes place while the actual drawing operation is still or already being performed, i.e. during the forming of the metal blank, which significantly reduces the cycle time.

The drawing press (10) according to the invention has for driving its ram (15) a directionally reversing gear mechanism (22, 54), for example a coupling gear mechanism, and at least one servomotor (23). The servomotor (23) passes through the reversal point (Ut) of the ram movement, which is predetermined by the kinematics of the coupling gear mechanism, for example the extended position of an eccentric drive. During the closing of the die (18), that is to say during a press stroke, the servomotor (23) is activated in such a way that it first passes through this reversal point (Ut), then stops, reverses and then passes through it once again, in order to open the die (18) again. Consequently, the braking to a standstill and re-acceleration of the servomotor for the upper ram (15) takes place while the actual drawing operation is still or already being performed, i.e. during the forming of the metal blank, which significantly reduces the cycle time.

A hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly for a can bodymaker is provided. The hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly is separate from the ram body. The outboard bearing assembly includes a carriage assembly and a number of elongated journals. The carriage assembly includes a ram coupling, a crank coupling, and body defining a number of journal passages. The ram body is coupled to a ram coupling. The crank coupling is structured to be coupled to a crank arm. Each journal extends through a carriage assembly body journal passage. In this configuration, the ram body may form a can body in a traditional manner, but fluid bearing assembly fluid is not applied to the ram body. Instead the fluid bearing assembly fluid is applied to the journals.