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Title: Apparatus for restraining and transporting dies

Patent ·
OSTI ID:869539

Apparatus for restraining and transporting dies in punch press operations is provided. A floatation platen for supporting a die on the platen's upper surface has a plurality of recessed gas exhaust ports on the platen's lower surface. A source of pressurized gas delivers gas to a platen manifold, for delivery to orifices located in the gas exhaust ports. The flow of gas is controlled by a first valve adjacent the gas source and a second valve adjacent the manifold, with the second valve being used to control the gas flow during movement of the die. In this fashion, a die may be moved on a cushion of air from one workstation to a selected second workstation. A moveable hydraulically operated restraining fixture is also provided, for clamping the die in position during the compacting phase, and for releasing the die after completion of the compacting phase by releasing the hydraulic pressure on the restraining fixture. When pressure in the hydraulic cylinders on the restraining fixture is reversed, the restraining fixture will retract so that there is no contact between the die and the restraining fixture, thereby allowing the die to be removed from a first workstation and moved to a second selected workstation.

Research Organization:
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC11-76PN00014
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
Patent Number(s):
US 5354168
OSTI ID:
869539
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English