Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A press has a flywheel and a spindle both rotatable about an axis, an axially displaceable ram and nut threadedly engaging the spindle so that rotation of the spindle axially displaces the ram, and a clutch between the flywheel and the spindle. The clutch has a housing formed with a radially open service port, a clutch plate rotationally fixed to the flywheel, and another clutch plate rotationally fixed to the spindle. One of the plates is formed with axially open cavities and one of the plates is axially movable through a relatively long stroke between an outer position with the plates spaced apart and an inner position with the plates close together. High-friction coupling elements of a predetermined axial height shorter by a working distance than the long plate stroke are seated in the cavities. The movable clutch plate can be displaced through the long axial stroke so that the clutch plates engage axially and rotationally link the spindle and flywheel. A stop operatively engageable with the clutch can limit displacement of the movable plate to the working distance. The service port is oriented such that in the outer position of the movable plate the coupling elements can be displaced axially out of their cavities and removed radially from the clutch housing through the service port.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim