PRESS UNIT FOR PLASTIC METAL WORKING

The transfer device makes possible different motional sequences of the holding means (40) for the sheet-metal parts to be moved through the metal-forming machine tool. The holding means are secured on travelling carriages (24, 25). The travelling carriages (24, 25) are cam-guided, travelling carriage (25) performing a transfer motion (82) out of a processing stage (86) into an idle stage (88), taking a sheet-metal part along with it. The return motion (84) is interrupted in an intermediate position (89) during the forming process performed on the sheet-metal parts. Travelling carriage (24) executes a transfer motion (83) out of the idle stage (88) into a processing stage (87) and a return motion (85) interrupted temporarily in an intermediate stage (89). The perpendicularly guided motion components of the cams (82, 83, 84, 85) serve for the take-up and deposition of sheet-metal parts in processing stages, the extended lowering motion (94) serving for the deposition of the holding means onto sliding tables which can be moved into the press. The low-mass construction using travelling carriages (24, 25) makes possible high accelerations in the motions. The use of intermediate deposition points (17) in the idle stages (88) considerably shortens the transfer motions.