Patent ID: 6565349
Filing Date: 2003-05-20
Classification: B21D,B29C,Y10T

Abstract:
A part production apparatus for producing molded parts, the production apparatus including a plurality of machines arranged in series wherein each machine performs a different operation on a continuous strand of material to produce the molded parts, the production apparatus comprising:a frame including a base; a molding press for molding resin material to sections of the strand in a molding operation cycle, the molding press being mounted on the base; a cutting press for separating portions of the strand, which include the resin material, from the strand in a cutting operation cycle that is different from the molding operation cycle, wherein the cutting press is immediately downstream from the molding press and is mounted on the base, the cutting press including a pair of opposed tools that cooperate to clamp the strand from opposite sides of the strand, the tools being separated from the strand when unclamped, wherein the pair of tools includes a first tool and a second tool, the second tool including a cam, the first tool including a die and a follower, the die cooperating with the strand, the follower cooperating with the cam and moves into a position between the die and a support plate when the pair of tools are clamped together for transmitting force from the die to the support plate; and a conveyor for intermittently transferring the strand along the production apparatus and for feeding new sections of the strand into the cutting press and the molding press at the same speed and with the same timing; wherein the strand is held at a first level in the cutting press prior to separation of the portions, and the portions are moved to a second level within the cutting press after being separated from the strand that is remaining so as to allow the strand to continue transferring along the production apparatus without being obstructed by the separated portions.