Work following apparatus and method for press working

摘要

A work following device for controlling the movement of the free portion of a work during a press working process such as a bending press working process to prevent the free portion of the work from warping due to the inertia thereof in the final stage of the press working process and for restoring the work to its initial position after the same has been pressed. The work following device having a base plate mounted with the components, a drum case fixedly disposed on the base plate and rotatably housing a drum, an electromagnet which holds to the free portion of a work during the press working process, an electromagnet holding member, a positioning block which positions the electromagnet holding member at a predetermined seating position at the start of the work following operation, an elongate spring plate having one end fixed to the drum and the other end fixed to the electromagnet holding member, and wound on the drum, a clutch connecting the drum to and disconnecting the drum from a reduction gear which is driven by a motor, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the components in accordance with a control program.