Patent ID: 6634204
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: B21D

Abstract:
A sheet metal follower for a bending press presenting a fixed bottom table carrying a bending matrix on its top face and having a vertical front wall, said follower comprising:a horizontal pivot shaft; a follower table configured for pivoting at its front end about said horizontal pivot shaft and having a front end; lateral transfer means mounted on said vertical front wall of the bottom table so as to be moved horizontally along said front wall; vertical displacement means carried by said lateral transfer means, and vertically movable relative to said lateral transfer means; a support structure for said follower table, said vertical displacement means being secured to said support structure; pivot means for pivoting said follower table about said pivot shaft, said pivot means having a fixed hinge on said support structure, a moving hinge on said follower table, and an active length; horizontal displacement means for moving said follower table horizontally relative to said support structure and perpendicularly to said pivot shaft; wherein the active length of said pivot means between said fixed hinge on the support structure and said moving hinge on the follower table is variable; and wherein said moving hinge is configured for sliding along said table in a direction perpendicular to the pivot shaft of said table.