Patent ID: 6247578
Filing Date: 2001-06-19
Classification: B21K

Abstract:
An apparatus for automatically transporting workpieces from station to station in a multi-stage forming machine having a plurality of forming stations, comprising:a transporting tube mounted above the forming stations for reciprocating movement therealong;a control shaft rotatably mounted inside said transporting tube;a tong casing attached to said transporting tube, said tong casing including a body and at least one exchangeable tong module positioned on said body, each tong module having an associated set of tongs moveable between a closed position for gripping a workpiece laterally and from above and an open position for releasing a workpiece laterally and from above; andat least one transmission means for transmitting motion from said control shaft to said tongs, each transmission means being connected via a coupling location, to a corresponding set of said tongs and including a tong cam for controlling the movement of said corresponding set of said tongs between its said open and closed positions, the stroke of said tongs being adapted to the workpieces.