Methods and apparatus for changing dies in a press and stocking them

摘要

This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for changing dies in a press and for storing dies not in use in a storage rack associated with the press. The press includes a work table disposed beneath the ram of the press and having means for moving dies from a "waiting position" at the left of the ram to a "working position" beneath the ram and then to a "retiring position" to the right of the ram. A die returning conveyor returns dies from the "retiring position" to a die transferring carriage disposed behind the ram from where they are automatically transferred to an adjacent storage rack. When a particular die is desired, it is automatically removed from the storage rack by the die transferring carriage, and then conveyed to the "waiting position" by means of a die advancing conveyor.