An apparatus (40) for forming a profiled article (46) comprises: a forming path (41) through which a blank of deformable material to be formed into the profiled article passes; a pair of complementary and opposing body forming die members (45, 45) adapted to travel along the forming path (41); and a drive (44, 44) that facilitates travel of the body forming die members (45, 45) along the forming path (41), wherein the pair of body forming die members (45, 45) is adapted to act on the blank of deformable material independently to form a desired profile on the blank. Locating elements (75) that locate the blanks may be provided. A method of forming material is also provided. Further, there is provided a length of deformable material for use with the apparatus.

An apparatus (40) for forming a profiled article (46) comprises: a forming path (41) through which a blank of deformable material to be formed into the profiled article passes; a pair of complementary and opposing body forming die members (45, 45) adapted to travel along the forming path (41); and a drive (44, 44) that facilitates travel of the body forming die members (45, 45) along the forming path (41), wherein the pair of body forming die members (45, 45) is adapted to act on the blank of deformable material independently to form a desired profile on the blank. Locating elements (75) that locate the blanks may be provided. A method of forming material is also provided. Further, there is provided a length of deformable material for use with the apparatus.

Devices and methods for handling workpieces, in particular workpieces in the form of processing products of a metal sheet processing operation, are described. The devices include one or more retention members that are movably supported by a retention member bearing and a transverse guide device. If the transverse guide device is moved relative to the retention member along a lifting axis out of a non-operative lifting position into an operative lifting position or out of an operative lifting position into a non-operative lifting position on a fixed retention member bearing, the retention member is thereby moved from a non-operative position into an operative position or out of an operative position into a non-operative position. In the operative position, the retention member can engage behind an edge of a workpiece, but cannot do so in the non-operative position. By means of a drive motor, the retention member moved into the operative position can be moved with a lifting movement along the lifting axis together with the retention member bearing and the transverse guide device which is moved into the operative lifting position.

Devices and methods for handling workpieces, in particular workpieces in the form of processing products of a metal sheet processing operation, are described. The devices include one or more retention members that are movably supported by a retention member bearing and a transverse guide device. If the transverse guide device is moved relative to the retention member along a lifting axis out of a non-operative lifting position into an operative lifting position or out of an operative lifting position into a non-operative lifting position on a fixed retention member bearing, the retention member is thereby moved from a non-operative position into an operative position or out of an operative position into a non-operative position. In the operative position, the retention member can engage behind an edge of a workpiece, but cannot do so in the non-operative position. By means of a drive motor, the retention member moved into the operative position can be moved with a lifting movement along the lifting axis together with the retention member bearing and the transverse guide device which is moved into the operative lifting position.

Disclosed is a press forming apparatus including a lower die assembly having a lower die, an upper die assembly having an upper die configured to be movable in a first direction relative to the lower die, a cam slider configured to be movable in a second direction relative to the lower die, and a conversion mechanism configured to convert a movement of the upper die assembly in the first direction into a movement of the cam slider in the second direction.