A method configures a workpiece-related workpiece holding device for press automation. At least one workpiece-specific holding element of the workpiece holding device is configurably secured to a support of the workpiece holding device in at least one degree of configuration freedom. The method has the steps of (a) imaging a real image of the at least one workpiece-specific holding element on a display device and (b) outputting configuration information relating to the at least one workpiece-specific holding element on the display device, the configuration information including at least one piece of reference information relating to a relative reference orientation and/or a relative reference position of at least one region of a workpiece-specific holding element relative to the support.

A press forming system includes a press working unit, a material supply device, a detection device, and a control device. The press working unit includes a slide that moves in accordance with an operation pattern in which the slide passes through an advance position where press forming is formed from a withdrawal position, and returns to the withdrawal position. The material supply device starts a supply operation at a synchronous timing before the slide returns from the advance position to the withdrawal position. The control device performs a control for stopping the slide before the slide reaches the withdrawal position from the advance position in a case where the suppliable state of the forming material is not detected within a predetermined determination period by the detection device.

A workpiece transport unit including a pair of arms, an opening/closing mechanism configured to open and close the pair of arms in a horizontal direction, a pair of first placement surfaces provided at the pair of arms and configured for a first workpiece to be placed thereon, and a pair of second placement surfaces provided at the pair of arms and configured for a second workpiece to be placed thereon.

A transfer mechanism includes a rail, first and second tables on the rail, first and second arms each having a base pivotably supported by the first and second tables, respectively, and first and second drive mechanisms that move the first and second tables along the rail, respectively. The first and second arms are pivotaly connected to each other at a position between a tip side and a base side. Tip side portions of the first and second arms than a connected portion of the first and second arms serve as fingers for holding a workpiece. The first and second drive mechanisms independently move the first and second tables, respectively. A relative movement of the first and second tables causes the first and second arms to operate a clamp/unclamp operation. A coordinated movement of the first and second tables causes the first and second arms to perform an advance/return operation.

An apparatus (1) for the clocked longitudinal transport of workpieces (11) between processing stations in a transfer press. The apparatus has, at least on one side, a first (2) and a second (3) longitudinally movable control element as a control group (2, 3), wherein two control elements (2, 3) are mounted to be movable relative to each other solely in the longitudinal direction, and the control elements (2, 3) are driven via a common shaft (58). The first control element is a gripper rod (2) for the longitudinal transport of workpieces (11) between the processing stations, and gripper elements (4), offset in the longitudinal direction by the distance between the processing stations, are mounted in the gripper rod (2) and can be moved solely in the transversal direction. The second control element is a thrust rod (3) which forcibly controls the transversal movement of the at least two gripper elements (4).

Provided are a method and apparatus for manufacturing hot press formed parts for a multi-step process, the method comprising: a heating step for heating a strip material; a transferring step for transferring the heated strip material to a processing apparatus having mounted on a press a plurality of molds comprising a notching mold and/or a blanking mold, a forming mold, and a trimming mold; a notching step, for obtaining a notched material connected to the strip by means of a web portion by cutting a part of the material by means of the notching mold, and/or a blanking step for obtaining a blanked material separated from the strip by cutting a part of the material by means of the blanking mold; a forming step of transferring and positioning the material which has gone through the notching step and/or the blanking step near the forming mold, and then forming the material by means of the forming mold; and a trimming step for removing, by means of the trimming mold, an outer edge portion of the material which is unnecessary for a final product shape.

Provided are a method and apparatus for manufacturing hot press formed parts for a multi-step process, the method comprising: a heating step for heating a strip material; a transferring step for transferring the heated strip material to a processing apparatus having mounted on a press a plurality of molds comprising a notching mold and/or a blanking mold, a forming mold, and a trimming mold; a notching step, for obtaining a notched material connected to the strip by means of a web portion by cutting a part of the material by means of the notching mold, and/or a blanking step for obtaining a blanked material separated from the strip by cutting a part of the material by means of the blanking mold; a forming step of transferring and positioning the material which has gone through the notching step and/or the blanking step near the forming mold, and then forming the material by means of the forming mold; and a trimming step for removing, by means of the trimming mold, an outer edge portion of the material which is unnecessary for a final product shape.

The invention relates to a transfer press for successive forming and demoulding of work pieces by means of upper and lower tools in dies, wherein the upper tools are attached to a ram head, while the lower tools are installed on a ram foot. The ram head and the ram base are rigidly connected to each other and form a ram.

A control device, a system and methods for optimizing and providing movement profiles, wherein the movement profiles serve for determining the movement of tools of a press and the movement of a receiving element for a workpiece of a transfer system, where transfer movement profiles are synchronized with one another via press movement profiles, the synchronization of the transfer movement profiles particularly occurs by chronologically shifting synchronization points via boundary conditions such that an offset of the press movement profiles can be determined via the synchronization, so that the workpiece can be processed as quickly as possible through the system.

A control device, a system and methods for optimizing and providing movement profiles, wherein the movement profiles serve for determining the movement of tools of a press and the movement of a receiving element for a workpiece of a transfer system, where transfer movement profiles are synchronized with one another via press movement profiles, the synchronization of the transfer movement profiles particularly occurs by chronologically shifting synchronization points via boundary conditions such that an offset of the press movement profiles can be determined via the synchronization, so that the workpiece can be processed as quickly as possible through the system.