Patent ID: 6311826
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: B21C,B21D

Abstract:
An apparatus for handling sheet metal items, said apparatus comprising:a declustering station for receiving the items arriving in a stack;at least one further station for receiving each item from the stack in sequence;a plurality of individual members located at least one of the stations, each of said members being positionable to be adapted to the outline of each of the items;outline detecting means for producing outline data representing the outline of each of the sheet metal items with an associated data processing computer for processing the outline data to produce setting values;power operated setting means associated with each of said individual members for positioning each of said individual members; anda setting computer connected with said power operated setting means;wherein said setting computer is operative for converting the setting values into control signals for the setting means for causing said individual members to be positioned in accordance with the outline of each sheet metal item.