A method and a device are provided for construction of a workpiece-related workpiece gripping device for press automation, the workpiece-related workpiece gripping device having workpiece-specific components fastened to a support. The respective precise positions and orientations of the workpiece-specific components to be fastened to the support are reproduced by a motion automaton, in particular a robot.

Provided is a workpiece holding tool changing system configured to change at least one of a relative position and a posture of a holding tool of a workpiece conveying apparatus with respect to a feed bar. The feed bar includes at least one set among: an X-axis direction linear mechanism with an X-axis linear brake; a Y-axis direction linear mechanism with a Y-axis linear brake; a Z-axis direction linear mechanism with a Z-axis linear brake; and a ball joint portion and a ball brake. Under a state in which inhibition of movement or change in posture by a corresponding brake is canceled, a robot changes the relative position or the posture of the holding tool to a desired relative position or a desired posture. After the change, the workpiece holding tool changing system is brought into a holding state in which the movement or the change in posture is inhibited.

A progressive cold forming machine and a robot for automatically changing a cutoff cassette, tooling cassettes, a transfer slide and transfer cam. A loading area adjacent the machine and robot has provisions for supporting a tooling cassette pallet and a transfer slide and camshaft pallet and a holding area for temporarily receiving some of the componentry being exchanged.

A split idle station assembly, a transfer press assembly including a split idle station assembly and a method of operating an idle station for a transfer press assembly. The split idle station includes numerous workpiece mounting brackets that are insertable into corresponding parts of a multi-component movable base assembly such that upon moving from a split configuration into a support configuration, a locking mechanism cooperates with base assembly parts and mounting brackets to form a locking interference fit or engagement for each mounting bracket in order to securely support a workpiece on the brackets. Likewise, the cooperative movement of the first and second base assembly sections away from one another causes a release the interference fit from the notch to effect disengagement of the locking mechanism. The construction of the locking mechanism is such that both the engagement and disengagement may be performed as part of a one-handed operation.

A split idle station assembly, a transfer press assembly including a split idle station assembly and a method of operating on a work piece in a transfer press assembly. The split idle station assembly is situated adjacent one or more work stations of the transfer press assembly such that an operator may manipulate a handle in order to adjust the split idle station assembly between a support configuration where a work piece is secured and a split configuration where the operator may perform one or more operations on the work piece consistent with known idle station functions. The handle has a retractable construction such the handle can be stowed regardless of whether the idle station is in a split or support configuration. As such, the handle need not extend into a work space adjacent the transfer press assembly during periods where it would otherwise be unattended, thereby avoiding becoming a tripping hazard in or around the work space. In addition, the construction of the handle is such that it remains in a generally similar vertical distance above the floor of the work space regardless of whether it is deployed or stowed, thereby reducing operator fatigue associated with lifting a handle off the floor once the operator's idle station activities are complete.

The underlying invention relates in particular to a production module for a production line which is modularly populatable with production modules. In embodiments, provision is made whereby the production module comprises at least one manipulator unit with which a workpiece or a workpiece component is, during the production process, transferable between a deposit position and a production position in the production space of a production module which, for the execution of a production step, is positioned directly downstream in a production direction (R) along the production line.

A progressive cold forming machine and a robot for automatically changing a cutoff cassette, tooling cassettes, a transfer slide and transfer cam. A loading area adjacent the machine and robot has provisions for supporting a tooling cassette pallet and a transfer slide and camshaft pallet and a holding area for temporarily receiving some of the componentry being exchanged.

The invention is a transfer arrangement for transporting and/or positioning and/or aligning a workpiece and is used in particular in presses or press lines. A cross member can be moved and/or pivoted in a plurality of directions in space. The movement of the cross member is controlled or regulated by means of a control unit and by means of a corresponding number of axial drives. A servomotor is located on the cross member. A base support can be coupled to the cross member and a drivable shaft is arranged on the base support. A coupling arrangement of the cross member interacts with a mating connecting means on the base support to establish the mechanical fastening. A coupling means interacts with a mating coupling means to establish a rotational connection between the servomotor and the drivable shaft. A workpiece gripping arrangement is present on the base support.

An apparatus is provided for molding a contact pad in place on an automation template. The apparatus includes an automation template having a contact pad retainer and a molding cap received over the contact pad retainer and retained using a self-locking fit. A mold cavity is formed between the automation template and the molding cap.

The invention relates to a coupling system, in particular for mechanically coupling a positioning mechanism to a gripper rail, comprising a coupling device (1), in particular on a positioning mechanism, a counter coupling device (2), in particular on a gripper rail, wherein the coupling device (1) and the counter coupling device (2) can be selectively coupled together or uncoupled, and a locking device (8-33), which locks the coupling device (1) to the counter coupling device (2) in a locking state and unlocks the coupling device (1) and the counter coupling device (2) in an unlocking state. According to the invention, the locking device (8-33) unlocks and locks solely on the basis of the motion of the coupling device (1) and of the counter coupling device (2) without an external drive.