Importance

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Abstract

A press assembly is operable between open and closed conditions to deform a workpiece. During operation of the press assembly, the workpiece is held by upper and lower draw rings which apply pressure to opposite sides of the workpiece. A cushion assembly is operable to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of the draw rings. An auxiliary apparatus is operable to perform an operation on the workpiece while the workpiece is in the press assembly. A control valve is operable to a closed condition to block fluid flow from the cushion assembly to maintain the cushion assembly in a retracted condition during at least an initial portion of the operation of the press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition. During operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, the piston in a control cylinder is movable under the influence of force transmitted from the upper draw ring to pump fluid to both the cushion assembly and the auxiliary apparatus.

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First Claim