A simulation device has a simulation unit and a coordinate acquisition unit. The simulation unit simulates the operations of press devices and the operations of feeder devices that transport a workpiece between the press devices. The coordinate acquisition unit acquires a locus of a plurality of predetermined positions in the width direction of the feeder devices from simulation.

A work-piece transfer apparatus, comprising at least one work-piece engagement structure; at least one first robot arm pivotally connected to the work-piece engagement structure; a first motor coupled to the first robot arm and being adapted for translating the first robot arm fore and aft in a generally horizontal direction; a second motor, at least one second robot arm being in operating driving relationship with the second motor and operatively coupled with the work-piece engagement structure for raising and lowering the work-piece engagement structure; and a support structure for supporting the apparatus or portions thereof; wherein the first motor and second motor are operated synchronously to raise, lower, and/or translate the work-piece engagement structure in a fore and aft direction by way of one or both of the first robot arm and second robot arm.

A work reversing apparatus includes: a first conveyor that transports a work; a second conveyor that transports a work; and a rotary driving unit that integrally rotates the first conveyor and the second conveyor. The rotary driving unit rotates the first conveyor and the second conveyor around a rotation center axis that extends in a direction perpendicular to a transporting direction of a work on the first conveyor and the second conveyor. By driving the rotary driving unit, a work can be reversed around the rotation center axis that extends in a direction perpendicular to the transporting direction.

The invention concerns a sheet metal press system and a method used in connection therewith. The sheet metal press system comprises at least one sheet metal press having an opening through which a tool, which comprises an upper die, a lower die and a tool changer interface, can pass during a tool change performed by means of a tool changer device. The tool changer device comprises at least one automated guided vehicle, running on a shop floor and capable of lifting and lowering a tool by interaction with the tool changer interface of said tool, wherein a guide path for said at least one automated guided vehicle runs from outside and into said at least one sheet metal press through said opening. The method comprises alternating use of a first and a second automated guided vehicle during a tool changing operation.

The invention concerns a sheet metal press system and a method used in connection therewith. The sheet metal press system comprises at least one sheet metal press having an opening through which a tool, which comprises an upper die, a lower die and a tool changer interface, can pass during a tool change performed by means of a tool changer device. The tool changer device comprises at least one automated guided vehicle, running on a shop floor and capable of lifting and lowering a tool by interaction with the tool changer interface of said tool, wherein a guide path for said at least one automated guided vehicle runs from outside and into said at least one sheet metal press through said opening. The method comprises alternating use of a first and a second automated guided vehicle during a tool changing operation.

A processing apparatus includes a holding section that holds a processing target, an imaging section that is positionally fixed with respect to the holding section, and images a surface of the processing target, and a control section that controls the imaging section to image the surface of the processing target in a state in which the holding section holds the processing target.

A transport apparatus for transferring workpieces in a processing device includes at least two stations having at least two gripping tool units arranged on a gripping tool support which is movable back and forth between the stations of the processing device. The gripping tool support is movably mounted so as to be linearly guided and mounted by a parallelogram guide arrangement so as to be displaceable transversely with respect to its linearly guided movability. The gripping tool support is movable by a gripping tool support drive with two crank gear arrangements each having a gripping tool support drive motor.

A transport apparatus for transferring workpieces in a processing device includes at least two stations having at least two gripping tool units arranged on a gripping tool support which is movable back and forth between the stations of the processing device. The gripping tool support is movably mounted so as to be linearly guided and mounted by a parallelogram guide arrangement so as to be displaceable transversely with respect to its linearly guided movability. The gripping tool support is movable by a gripping tool support drive with two crank gear arrangements each having a gripping tool support drive motor.

A pilot assembly and method has a cylindrical pilot body with a tapered outer end, a grooved inner end, and a central portion with at least one inwardly curved side wall relief, as well as internally mounted reciprocating ejector pins with outer ends that protrude through holes in the outer body end to strip stock from the pilot. A spring has its outer end mounted in the groove in the outer body end, and an inner end attached to the inner body end in a pre-tensed condition. A cap screw has an enlarged head that has at least a portion thereof fit into the pilot sidewall relief, and a threaded shank that anchors the pilot in an associated die member.

A workpiece conveyance device includes a base body disposed adjacent to a press machine, a pair of first arms, a pair of second arms, and a first holding portion and a second holding portion independent of each other. Each of the first holding portion and the second holding portion includes a plurality of holding members configured to hold a workpiece W. The first holding portion includes a first support member, a second support member, and an absorption member. The second support member movably supports the first support member along an intersection direction. The absorption member allows movement of the second support member caused in the intersection direction relative to the first support member, and makes it possible for the second support member to return to an initial position in the intersection direction relative to the first support member.