Die manipulator

摘要

Apparatus for manipulating the upper and lower dies of a die set comprising first and second fixtures mounted in laterally spaced relation for movement toward and away from each other. The first fixture has a mechanism providing a die-supporting surface and is in the form of a cradle rockable between a loading position in which its die-supporting surface is generally horizontal and a transfer position in which its die-supporting surface is generally upright and faces the second fixture. The second fixture has a die-supporting surface and also is in the form of a cradle rockable between a transfer position in which its die-supporting surface is generally upright and faces the first fixture and a position in which its die-supporting surface is generally horizontal. Clamps are provided to clamp the lower die of a die set to the die-supporting surface of the first fixture and for clamping the upper die to the die-supporting surface of the second fixture. With the two dies releasably secured together, the lower die is clamped to the die-supporting surface of the first fixture when the first fixture is in its loading position. The fixtures are moved relatively toward one other to transfer and clamp the upper die to the die-supporting surface of the second fixture, after which the two dies are released from one another so that they may be separated by movement of the fixtures away from one another to positions such that the dies may be inspected or cleaned. To repair the dies, the fixtures are rotated to positions in which the die-supporting surfaces are generally horizontal.