Press line with workpiece feeding device

Claim 1

In combination with a press line having at least two presses, a transfer system transferring workpieces from a precessing station of one press to a processing station of a subsequent press, the transfer system comprising track means extending over the entire interspace between two successive presses, a single transfer slide means arranged for horizontal movement along said track means, at least one pair of gripper members pointing in opposite directions and mounted on said transfer slide means for at least lifting and lowering movements and operating movements to grip and release the workpieces, a single storage station for the workpieces being disposed between the two successive presses, transfer drive means for controlling the movement of said transfer slide means in accordance with the travel path of said transfer slide means, and a reciprocating drive means for lifting and lowering said gripper members along the travel path of said transfer slide means, said transfer drive means and said reciprocating drive means being separate and independent of one another and being independently controllable of one another, said transfer drive means for controlling the movement of said transfer slide means being independent of the drives of the presses, and further comprising program control means for providing a variable program for effecting coordinated control of said transfer drive means, said reciprocating drive means and the operating movements of said gripper members at each of the presses and during transfers therebetween.