A punch press quick tool change system comprising a reciprocally movable upper support member arranged on a punch press frame. The system also includes a lower support member arranged on the punch press frame. A pair of tool gripping members are arranged on the upper support member and also on the lower support member. The tool gripping members comprises a 1.sup.st pair of spaced-apart parallel keeper positioners secured to the upper support member for securing the tool gripping arrangement plate adjustably against the upper support member. A 2.sup.nd pair of parallel keeper positioners are secured to the lower support member for securing a 2.sup.nd tool gripping plate adjustably against the lower support member.

The present invention relates to a piercing apparatus and a piercing method which drive a punch. The piercing apparatus includes a local heating device for heating part of the workpiece in a temperature range less than a melting point of the workpiece and a punch driving device for driving the punch toward the part of the workpiece which was heated by the local heating device. The piercing method includes a local heating step for heating part of the workpiece in a temperature range less than a melting point of the workpiece and a stamping step for driving the punch toward the part of the workpiece which was heated in the local heating step.

A workpiece manufacturing apparatus includes a punch, which is provided in a lower die assembly and punches out a workpiece from an unprocessed material, and an ejector, which is provided in an upper die assembly so as to be capable of approaching and moving away from the lower die assembly. The manufacturing apparatus further includes a spring, which is provided in the upper die assembly and urges the ejector toward the lower die assembly, and a locking device, which locks the ejector with respect to the upper die assembly at a position at which the punch punches out the workpiece and releases the ejector when the die assemblies are opened. The locking device includes an actuator, which is provided in the upper die assembly and slides a slider between a locking position, at which the ejector is locked, and a releasing position, at which the ejector is released.

A workpiece manufacturing apparatus includes a lower die assembly, an upper die assembly, a workpiece extracting device, and a workpiece conveying device. The lower die assembly includes a punch configured to punch out a workpiece into the upper die assembly. The upper die assembly includes an ejector configured to eject the punched out workpiece. The extracting device includes a catch plate configured to receive the ejected workpiece and a moving mechanism, which moves the catch plate between positions below the upper die assembly and the conveying device. The moving mechanism is configured to move the catch plate from the conveying device to the positions below the upper die assembly as the upper die assembly moves upward and to move the catch plate from the positions below the upper die assembly to the conveying device as the upper die assembly moves downward.

A punch press quick tool change system comprising a reciprocally movable upper support member arranged on a punch press frame. The system also includes a lower support member arranged on the punch press frame. A pair of tool gripping members are arranged on the upper support member and also on the lower support member. The tool gripping members comprises a 1.sup.st pair of spaced-apart parallel keeper positioners secured to the upper support member for securing the tool gripping arrangement plate adjustably against the upper support member. A 2.sup.nd pair of parallel keeper positioners are secured to the lower support member for securing a 2.sup.nd tool gripping plate adjustably against the lower support member.

A punch assembly for a turret-type punch press includes an outer guide sleeve having an inner bore in which a punch shank fits for reciprocating but not rotating movement. The punch shank has a concentric, downward opening formed in a lower end in which is received a head portion of an insert that has a punch point formed on it. Built into the shank is a latching mechanism for releasably wedging and thereby securing the insert to the lower end of the shank.

A tool gripping and alignment plate arrangement, for accurately gripping and holding a tool in perfect alignment. The alignment plate arrangement comprises a flat unitary tool gripping plate. An irregular bore opening is formed in the tool gripping plate, for gripping a tool therein. The irregular bore wall opening is comprised of a first wall portion of 180 degrees in circumference, and a distortable second wall portion of less than 180 degrees in circumference. A bore-facing tool relief portion is arranged on a distal end of the distortable second wall portion.

A workpiece manufacturing apparatus includes a lower die assembly, an upper die assembly, a workpiece extracting device, and a workpiece conveying device. The lower die assembly includes a punch configured to punch out a workpiece into the upper die assembly. The upper die assembly includes an ejector configured to eject the punched out workpiece. The extracting device includes a catch plate configured to receive the ejected workpiece and a moving mechanism, which moves the catch plate between positions below the upper die assembly and the conveying device. The moving mechanism is configured to move the catch plate from the conveying device to the positions below the upper die assembly as the upper die assembly moves upward and to move the catch plate from the positions below the upper die assembly to the conveying device as the upper die assembly moves downward.

A workpiece manufacturing apparatus includes a punch, which is provided in a lower die assembly and punches out a workpiece from an unprocessed material, and an ejector, which is provided in an upper die assembly so as to be capable of approaching and moving away from the lower die assembly. The manufacturing apparatus further includes a spring, which is provided in the upper die assembly and urges the ejector toward the lower die assembly, and a locking device, which locks the ejector with respect to the upper die assembly at a position at which the punch punches out the workpiece and releases the ejector when the die assemblies are opened. The locking device includes an actuator, which is provided in the upper die assembly and slides a slider between a locking position, at which the ejector is locked, and a releasing position, at which the ejector is released.

A tool system is provided that has a stamp or punch adapter including eccentrically positioned stamp receptacles. This system permits a simple exchange of tool inserts in the stamp adapter. These tool inserts are also usable in another tool system. The system also permits combining the stamp adapter with a stamp shaft, which can also be used in another tool system. These features permit stamping (and punching) with minimal tooling and retooling efforts.