Apparatus for processing a sheet-metal workpiece includes a press tool including a bottom die and top die. A press includes a platen which receives the bottom die, and a ram which receives the top die. The press tool is protected by a protective system which detects an idle stroke and includes an adjustable spacer assembly to prevent collision between the top and bottom dies.

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 double-blank detecting apparatus for a press machine that is provided with a die cushion apparatus and is configured to form blanks one by one automatically and repeatedly. The double-blank detecting apparatus includes: a position signal acquiring unit configured to acquire a slide position signal indicating a position of a slide of the press machine; a load signal acquiring unit configured to acquire a die cushion load signal indicating a die cushion load generated on a cushion pad of the die cushion apparatus; and a double-blank detector configured to detect a state in which a plurality of blanks are stacked as a double blank based on the slide position signal acquired by the position signal acquiring unit and the die cushion load signal acquired by the load signal acquiring unit.

A die assembly for use with a stamping die. The die assembly having a system for monitoring a gas pressure in the stamping die. The system including first and second piston-cylinder assemblies acting on a flag block wherein movement of the flag block corresponds to a pressure change. A sensor detects a movement of the flag block.

The double blank detecting device for a press machine uses a press machine with a die cushion device attached thereto, and automatically and repeatedly forms blank materials one by one. The double blank detecting device includes: a position signal acquiring unit that acquires a die cushion position signal indicating a position of a cushion pad of the die cushion device; a load signal acquiring unit that acquires a die cushion load signal indicating a die cushion load generated in the cushion pad of the die cushion device; and a double blank detecting unit that detects, as a double blank, a state where a plurality of the blank materials are overlapped, based on the die cushion position signal and the die cushion load signal that are acquired.

A die assembly for use with a stamping die. The die assembly having a system for monitoring a gas pressure in the stamping die. The system including first and second piston-cylinder assemblies acting on a flag block wherein movement of the flag block corresponds to a pressure change. A sensor detects a movement of the flag block.

Apparatus for processing a sheet-metal workpiece includes a press tool including a bottom die and top die. A press includes a platen which receives the bottom die, and a ram which receives the top die. The press tool is protected by a protective system which detects an idle stroke and includes an adjustable spacer assembly to prevent collision between the top and bottom dies.

A live pilot sensing apparatus is presented herein. The apparatus includes a pneumatic cylinder, sensing plate, and at least one stabilizing plate. The cylinder includes a piston and is configured to connect to the die of a stamping system. The sensing plate is configured to connect with the distal end of the piston. The stabilizing plate is configured to connect with an exposed segment along the cylinder piston, between the sensing plate and cylinder. Moreover, the piston is configured to react upon substantial contact between the sensing plate and a portion of a foreign object within the stamping system.

In a transport method for transferring workpieces between a plurality of successive stations of a processing device, especially a forming device, workpieces are in each case transported from one station to the respective next station of the processing device simultaneously by means of a plurality of gripping tools which are movable jointly in a transport cycle. In the event of a process disturbance, the transport cycle is suspended and the gripping tools with the workpieces are moved into a waiting position in which the workpieces are outside the operating range of processing tools of the stations of the processing device. Once the process disturbance has been eliminated, the transport cycle of the workpieces is resumed. By virtue of the movement of the gripping tools into a safe waiting position outside the operating range of the processing tools of the stations, consequent damage resulting from the process disturbance can be prevented.

A double-blank detecting apparatus for a press machine that is provided with a die cushion apparatus and is configured to form blanks one by one automatically and repeatedly. The double-blank detecting apparatus includes: a position signal acquiring unit configured to acquire a slide position signal indicating a position of a slide of the press machine; a load signal acquiring unit configured to acquire a die cushion load signal indicating a die cushion load generated on a cushion pad of the die cushion apparatus; and a double-blank detector configured to detect a state in which a plurality of blanks are stacked as a double blank based on the slide position signal acquired by the position signal acquiring unit and the die cushion load signal acquired by the load signal acquiring unit.