Presses » Press Definitions


Adjustable barrier guard means a barrier requiring adjustment for each job or die setup.

Antirepeat means the part of the clutch/brake controls system designed to limit the press to a single stroke if the tripping means is held operated. Antirepeat requires release of all tripping mechanisms before another stroke can be initiated. Antirepeat is also called single stroke reset or reset circuit.

Automatic feeding means feeding wherein the material or part being processed is placed within or removed from the point of operation by a method or means not requiring action by an operator on each stroke of the press.

Bolster plate means the plate attached to the top of the bed of the press having drilled holes or T-slots for attaching the lower die or die shoe.

Brake means the mechanism used on a mechanical power press to stop and/or hold the crankshaft, either directly or through a gear train, when the clutch is disengaged.

Brake monitor means a sensor designed, constructed, and arranged to monitor the effectiveness of the press braking system.

Clutch means the coupling mechanism used on a mechanical power press to couple the flywheel to the crankshaft, either directly or through a gear train.

Concurrent means acting in conjunction, and is used to describe a situation wherein two or more controls exist in an operated condition at the same time.

Continuous means uninterrupted multiple strokes of the slide without intervening stops (or other clutch control action) at the end of individual strokes.

Control System means sensors, manual input and mode selection elements, interlocking and decision-making circuitry, and output elements to press operating mechanism.

Counterbalance means the mechanism that is used to balance or support the weight of the connecting rods, slide, and slide attachments.

Device means a press control or attachment that:
(i) Restrains the operator from inadvertently reaching into the point of operation; on
(ii) Prevents normal press operation if the operator's hands are inadvertently within the point of operation; or
(iii) Automatically withdraws the operator's hands, if the operator's hands are inadvertently within the point of operation as the dies close.

Die means the tooling used in a press for cutting or forming material. An upper and lower die make a complete set.

Die builder means any person who builds dies for power presses.

Die enclosure guard means an enclosure attached to the die shoe or stripper, or both, in a fixed position.

Die set means a tool holder held in alignment by guide posts and bushings and consisting of a lower shoe, an upper shoe or punch holder, and guide posts and bushings.

Die setter means an individual who places or removes dies in or from mechanical power presses, and who, as a part of his duties, makes the necessary adjustments to cause the tooling to function properly and safely.

Die setting means the process of placing or removing dies in or from a mechanical power press, and the process of adjusting the dies, other tooling and safeguarding means to cause them to function properly and safely.

Die shoe means a plate or block upon which a die holder is mounted. A die shoe functions primarily as a base for the complete die assembly, and, when used, is bolted or clamped to the bolster plate or the face of slide.

Direct drive means the type driving arrangement wherein no clutch is used; coupling and decoupling of the driving torque is accomplished by energizing and deenergization of a motor. Even though not employing a clutch, direct drives match the operational characteristics of "part revolution clutches" because the driving power may be disengaged during the stroke of the press.

Ejector means a mechanism for removing work or material from between the dies.

Face of slide means the bottom surface of the slide to which the punch or upper die is generally attached.

Feeding means the process of placing or removing material within or from the point of operation.

Fixed barrier guard means a die space barrier attached to the press frame.

Foot control means the foot operated control mechanism designed to be used with a clutch or clutch/brake control system.

Foot pedal means the foot operated lever designed to operate the mechanical linkage that trips a full revolution clutch.

Full revolution clutch means a type of clutch that, when tripped, can not be disengaged until the crankshaft has completed a full revolution and the press slide a full stroke.

Gate or movable barrier device means a movable barrier arranged to enclose the point of operation before the press stroke can be started.

Guard means a barrier that prevents entry of the operator's hands or fingers into the point of operation.

Guide post means the pin attached to the upper or lower die shoe, operating within the bushing on the opposing die shoe, to maintain the

Hand feeding tool means any hand-held tool designed for placing or removing material or parts to be processed within or from the point of operation.

Holdout or restraint device means a mechanism, including attachments for the operator's hands, that when anchored and adjusted prevent the operator's hands from entering the point of operation.

Inch means an intermittent motion imparted to the slide (on machined using part revolution clutches) by momentary operation of the "inch" operating means. Operation of the "inch" operating means engages the driving clutch so that a small portion of one stroke or indefinite stroking can occur, depending on the length of time the "inch" operating means is held operated. "Inch" is a function used by the die setter for setup of dies and tooling, but is not intended for use during production operations by the operator.

Interlocked press barrier guard means a barrier attached to the press frame and interlocked so that the press stroke can not be started normally unless the guard itself, or its hinged or movable section, enclose the point of operation.

Jog means an intermittent motion imparted to the slide by momentary operation of the drive motor, after the clutch is engaged with the flywheel at rest.

Knockout means a mechanism for releasing material from either die.

Liftout means the mechanism also known as knockout.

Manual feeding means feeding wherein the material or part being processed is handled by the operator on each stroke of the press.

Operator's station means the complete complement of controls used by or available to an operator on a given operation for stroking the press.

Part revolution clutch means a type of clutch that can be disengaged at any point before the crankshaft has completed a full revolution and the press slide a full stroke.

Pinch point means any point other than the point of operation at which it is possible for a part of the body to be caught between the moving parts of a press or auxiliary equipment, or between moving and stationary parts of a press or auxiliary equipment or between the material and moving part or parts of the press or auxiliary equipment.

Point of operation means the area of the press where material is actually positioned and work is being performed during any process such as shearing, punching, forming, or assembling.

Presence sensing device means a device designed, constructed and arranged to create a sensing field or area and to deactivate the clutch control of the press when an operator's hand or any other part of his body is within such field or area.

Press means a mechanically powered machine that shears, punches, forms or assembles metal or other material by means of cutting, shaping, or combination dies attached to slides. A press consists of a stationary bed or anvil, and a slide (or slides) having a controlled reciprocating motion toward and away from the bed surface, the slide being guided in a definite path by the frame of the press.

Pullout device means a mechanism attached to the operator's hands and connected to the upper die or slide of the press, that is designed, when properly adjusted, to withdraw the operator's hand as the dies close, if the operator's hands are inadvertently within the point of operation.

Repeat means an unintended or unexpected successive stroke of the press resulting from a malfunction.

Safety block means a prop that, when inserted between the upper and lower dies or between the bolster plate and the face of the slide, prevents the slide from falling of its own deadweight.

Semiautomatic feeding means feeding wherein the material or part being processed is placed within or removed from the point of operation by an auxiliary means controlled by the operator on each stroke of the press.

Single stroke means one complete stroke of the slide, usually initiated from a full open (or up) position, followed by closing (or down), and then a return to the full open position.

Single stroke mechanism means an arrangement used on a full revolution clutch to limit the travel of the slide to one complete stroke at each engagement of the clutch.

Slide means the main reciprocating press member. A slide is also called a ram, plunger, or platen.

Stop control means an operator control designed to immediately deactivate the clutch control and activate the brake to stop slide motion.

Stripper means a mechanism or die part for removing the parts or material from the punch.

Stroking selector means the part of the clutch/brake control that determines the type of stroking when the operating means is actuated. The stroking selector generally includes positions for "Off" (Clutch Control), "Inch," "Single Stroke," and "Continuous" (when Continuous is furnished).

Sweep device means a single or double arm (rod) attached to the upper die or slide of the press and designed to move the operator's hands to a safe position as the dies close, if the operator's hands are inadvertently within the point of operation.

Trip or (tripping) means activation of the clutch to "run" the press.

Turnover bar means a bar used in die setting to manually turn the crankshaft of the press.

Two-hand trip means a clutch actuating means requiring the concurrent use of both hands of the operator to trip the press.

Two-hand control device means a two-hand trip that further requires concurrent pressure from both hands of the operator during a substantial part of the die-closing portion of the stroke of the press.

Unitized tooling means a type of die in which the upper and lower members are incorporated into self-contained units arranged as to hold the die members in alignment.