Feed device for forming apparatus

摘要

A feeding device for moving a sheet of material through a progressive die apparatus which forms holes into the sheet. In one embodiment of the feed device, a feed bar is slidably mounted in the direction of feed and has a plurality of upwardly biased feed fingers which project through the formed holes in the sheet. The bar is pivotally connected to a link which in turn is connected to means for converting the vertical motion of the forming apparatus press into reciprocating horizontal motion of the feed bar. One embodiment of the means includes a rack connected to the press which is engaged with a pinion mounted on a rotatable shaft. A crank is connected to an end of the shaft and is pivotally connected to the link. Another embodiment of the means includes a member projecting downwardly from the press being pivotally connected to an end of the link. A second guide link is connected to the base of the feeding device and is also connected to the downwardly extending member. The feeding device has either a single feed bar for moving the sheet of material during the downward or upward stroke of the press or a pair of feed bars are provided which reciprocate in opposite directions so as to move the sheet during both the downward and upward stroke of the press. A power cylinder is provided in one embodiment to control the stroke of one of the feed bars.