Press assembly and method of operation

• US 5,003,807 A
• Filed: 10/30/1989
• Issued: 04/02/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Barnes Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Teledyne Industries Incorporated (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kadis, Paul M., Hiney, Leonard L., Terrell, John, Pfaff, Susan E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Larson, Lowell A.
• Application Number:
  US07/429,200
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• Field of Search: 72/351, 72/453.13, 267/119
• US Class Current: 72/351
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 22/22 with devices for holding the edge of the blanks B21D22/24 - B21D22/30 take precedence; shaping over a die without external former B21D11/02
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 24/02 Die-cushions
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 24/08 Pneumatically or hydraulically loaded blank holders
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/0209 Telescopic F16F9/04 takes precedence

Abstract

A press assembly is operable from the open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece. The press assembly is the operable from the closed condition to an open condition to facilitate removal of the deformed workpiece from the press assembly. During operation of the press assembly, the workpiece is held by upper and lower draw rings or members 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. As the press is operated from the open condition to the closed condition, the lower draw ring is accelerated while the upper draw ring is spaced from the lower draw ring. This reduces shock loading on the press when the upper draw ring and workpiece subsequently impact against the lower draw ring to grip the workpiece. To effect acceleration of the lower draw ring, force is transmitted from the upper draw ring to the cushion assembly to retract the cushion assembly prior to impacting of the upper draw ring and workpiece against the lower draw ring. During operation of the press assembly to the open condition, the lower draw ring is decelerated relative to the upper draw ring before the lower draw ring reaches its initial or open press condition.

Claims

1. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition being operable to transmit force from said cushion assembly to said first member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition toward the open condition.

2. A press assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition includes means for conducting fluid pressure from said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition and means for converting the fluid pressure to force and transmitting the force to said first member.

3. A press assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second member includes surface means for defining an opening extending through said second member, said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly extending through the opening in said second member.

4. A press assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first movable member is an upper draw ring and said second movable member is a lower draw ring, said upper and lower draw rings being disposed in abutting engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece to grip the workpiece during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and deformation of the workpiece.

5. A press assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly extends through said lower draw ring.

6. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition includes means for effecting movement of said second member in the first direction at a first speed during a first portion of the movement of said second member prior to movement of said first and second members together and means for effecting movement of said second member in the first direction at a second speed which is greater than said first speed during a second portion of the movement of said second member prior to movement of said first and second members together.

7. A press assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first and second members are movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, said control means including means for effecting movement of said second member in the second direction at a third speed during a first portion of the movement of said second member in the second direction and means for effecting movement of said second member in the second direction at a fourth speed which is less than the third speed during a second portion of the movement of said second member in the second direction.

8. A press assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said second member includes surface means for defining an opening extending through said second member, said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly extending through the opening in said second member.

9. A press assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first movable member is an upper draw ring and said second movable member is a lower draw ring, said upper and lower draw rings being disposed in abutting engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece to grip the workpiece during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and deformation of the workpiece.

10. A press assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly extends through said lower draw ring.

11. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said first and second members being movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, said control means including means for effecting movement of said second member in the second direction at a first speed during a first portion of the movement of said second member in the second direction and while said first member is moving in the second direction at a speed which is greater than the first speed and means for effecting movement of said second member in the second direction at a second speed which is less than the first speed during a second portion of the movement of said second member in the second direction and while said first member is moving in the second direction at a speed which is greater than the second speed.

12. A press assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said second member includes surface means for defining an opening extending through said second member, said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly extending through the opening in said second member.

13. A press assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said first movable member is an upper draw ring and said second movable member is a lower draw ring, said upper and lower draw rings being disposed in abutting engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece to grip the workpiece during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and deformation of the workpiece.

14. A press assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly extends through said lower draw ring.

15. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including wall means for defining a cylinder chamber, a piston disposed in said cylinder chamber and dividing said cylinder chamber into first and second variable volume chambers, said first variable volume chamber containing a gas, said second variable volume chamber containing hydraulic fluid, said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly including means for increasing the hydraulic fluid pressure in said second variable volume chamber to move said piston to increase the volume of said second variable volume chamber and decrease the volume of said first variable volume chamber.

16. A press assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition is operable to transmit force from said cushion assembly to said first member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition toward the open condition.

17. A press assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said first and second members are movable together in a second direction opposite to the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, said control means including means for opposing operation of said cushion assembly during movement of said first and second members together in the second direction to decrease the speed of movement of said second member in the second direction to a speed which is less than the speed of movement of said first member in the second direction during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition.

18. A press assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said second member includes surface means for defining an opening extending through said second member, said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly extending through the opening in said second member.

19. A press assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said first movable member is an upper draw ring and said second movable member is a lower draw ring, said upper and lower draw rings being disposed in abutting engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece to grip the workpiece during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and deformation of the workpiece.

20. A press assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly extends through said lower draw ring.

21. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition includes wall means for defining a cylinder chamber, a piston disposed in said cylinder chamber, means for transmitting force from said first member to said piston to pressurized fluid in said cylinder chamber, and means for conducting fluid pressure from said cylinder chamber to said cushion assembly, said cushion assembly including means for effecting operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition under the influence of fluid pressure conducted from said cylinder chamber.

22. A press assembly as set forth in claim 21 wherein said second member includes surface means for defining an opening extending through said second member, said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly extending through the opening in said second member.

23. A press assembly as set forth in claim 21 wherein said first movable member is an upper draw ring and said second movable member is a lower draw ring, said upper and lower draw rings being disposed in abutting engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece to grip the workpiece during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and deformation of the workpiece.

24. A press assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly extends through said lower draw ring.

25. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member of engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second member being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a first piston and cylinder assembly and means for transmitting force from said second member to said first piston and cylinder assembly to effect operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition including a second piston and cylinder assembly, means for transmitting force from said first member to said second piston and cylinder assembly, and means for transmitting fluid pressure from said second piston and cylinder assembly to said first piston and cylinder assembly to effect operation of said first piston and cylinder assembly under the influence of fluid pressure transmitted from said second piston and cylinder assembly.

26. A press assembly as set forth in claim 25 wherein said second piston and cylinder assembly includes a cylinder, a first piston element disposed in said cylinder and, a second piston elememt disposed in said cylinder, said first piston element being movable relative to said second piston element and said cylinder to effect operation of said first piston and cylinder assembly at a first rate, said first and second piston elememts being movable together relative to said cylinder to effect operation of said first piston and cylinder assembly at a second rate which is greater than said first rate.

27. A press assembly as set forth in claim 25 wherein said second member includes surface means for defining an opening extending through said second member, said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly extending through the opening in said second member.

28. A press assembly as set forth in claim 25 wherein said first movable member is an upper draw ring and said second movable member is a lower draw ring, said upper and lower draw rings being disposed in abutting engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece to grip the workpiece during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and deformation of the workpiece.

29. A press assembly as set forth in claim 28 wherein said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly extends through said lower draw ring.

30. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first and second members being movable in a first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of the press assembly toward the closed condition, said first and second members being movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition, said cushion assembly being operable from the retracted condition toward an extended condition during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition, and control means for retarding operation of said cushion assembly to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a speed which is less than the speed of movement of said first member in the second direction during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition and operation of said cushion assembly toward the extended condition, said control means being ineffective to retard operation of said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward the extended condition to enable said first and second members to move at the same speed in the second direction, said control means being effective to retard operation of said cushion assembly during a second portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward the extended condition to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a second speed which is less than the first speed and which is less than the speed of movement of said first member in the second direction during the second portion of the operation of said cushion assembly, said control means being effective to further retard operation of said cushion assembly during a third portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward the extended condition to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a third speed which is less than the second speed during the third portion of the operation of said cushion assembly.

31. A press assembly as set forth in claim 30 wherein said control means includes a cylinder, a first piston element disposed in said cylinder and a second piston element disposed in said cylinder, said first and second piston elements being movable together relative to said clyinder during the second portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward the extended condition, said first piston element being movable relative to said second piston element and said cylinder during the third portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward the extended condition.

32. A press assembly as set forth in claim 30 wherein said second member includes surface means for defining an opening extending through said second member, said control means extending through the opening in said second member.

33. A press assembly as set forth in claim 30 wherein said first movable member is an upper draw ring, and said second movable member is a lower draw ring, said upper and lower draw rings being disposed in abutting engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece to grip the workpiece during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and deformation of the workpiece.

34. A press assembly as set forth in claim 33 wherein said control means extends through said lower draw ring.

35. A press assembly operable form an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first and second members being movable in a first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of the press assembly toward the closed condition, said first and second members being movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition, said cushion assembly being operable from the retracted condition toward an extended condition during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition, and control means for retarding operation of said cushion assembly to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a speed which is less than the speed of movement of said first member in the second direction during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition and operation of said cushion assembly toward the extended condition, said cushion assembly including means for transmitting force to said second member during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition to the extended condition to move said second member in the second direction, said control means including means for transmitting force to said first member to urge said first member in the second direction during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition to the extended condition.

36. A press assembly as set forth in claim 35 wherein said second member includes surface means for defining an opening extending through said second member, said control means extending through the opening in said second member.

37. A press assembly as set forth in claim 35 wherein said first movable member is an upper draw ring and said second movable member is a lower draw ring, said upper and lower draw rings being disposed in abutting engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece to grip the workpiece during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition ans deformation of the workpiece.

38. A press assembly as set forth in claim 37 wherein said control means extends through said lower draw ring.

39. A press assembly opeable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first and second members being movable in a first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of the press assembly toward the closed condition, said first and second members being movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition, said cushion assembly being operable from the retracted condition toward an extended condition during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition, and control means for retarding operation of said cushion assembly to effect movement of said member in the second direction at a speed which is less than the speed of movement of said first member in the second direction during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition and operation of said cushion assembly toward the extended condition, said control means including a variable volume chamber, means for conducting fluid from said cushion assembly to said variable volume chamber during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward the extended condition to effect expansion of said variable volume chamber, and means for retarding expansion of said variable volume chamber against the influence of fluid conducted from said cushion assembly to thereby retard operation of said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward the extended condition.

40. A press assembly as set forth in claim 39 wherein said second member includes surface means for defining an opening extending through said second member, said control means extending through the opening in said second member.

41. A press assembly as set forth in claim 39 wherein said first movable member is an upper draw ring and said second movable member is a lower draw ring, said upper and lower draw rings being disposed in abutting engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece to grip the workpiece during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and deformation of the workpiece.

42. A press assembly as set forth in claim 41 wherein said control means extends through said lower draw ring.

43. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first and second members being movable in a first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of the press assembly toward the closed condition, said first and second members being movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition, said cushion assembly being operable from the retracted condition toward an extended condition during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition, and control means for retarding operation of said cushion assembly to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a speed which is less than the speed of movement of said first member in the second direction during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition and operation of said cushion assembly toward the extended condition, said control means being operable from an extended condition to a retracted condition during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and being operable from the retracted condition to the extended condition during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, said control means being operable at a rate which is greater than the rate of operation of said cushion assembly during at least a portion of operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition.

44. A press assembly as set forth in claim 43 wherein said second member includes surface means for defining an opening extending through said second member, said control means extending through the opening in said second member.

45. A press assembly as set forth in claim 43 wherein said first movable member is an upper draw ring and said second movable member is a lower draw ring, said upper and lower draw rings being disposed in abutting engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece to grip the workpiece during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and deformation of the workpiece.

46. A press assembly as set forth in claim 45 wherein said control means extends through said lower draw ring.

47. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly including a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece during operation of said press assembly, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece during operation of said press assembly, said first member being movable toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition, said first member being movable away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, a first cylinder, a first piston disposed in said first cylinder and dividing said first cylinder into first and second variable volume chambers, means for moving said first piston with said first member to increase the size of said first variable volume chamber and decrease the size of said second variable volume chamber during at least a portion of the movement of said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition said first piston being movable with said first member to decrease the size of said first variable volume chamber and increase the size of said second variable volume chamber during at least a portion of the movement of said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, a second cylinder, a second piston disposed in said second cylinder and dividing said second cylinder into third and fourth variable volume chambers, said fourth variable chamber holding a body of gas, said second piston being movable with said second member against the influence of the body of gas in said fourth variable volume chamber to increase the size of said third variable volume chamber and decrease the size of said fourth variable volume chamber during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition, said second piston being movable with said second member under the influence of the body of gas in said fourth variable volume chamber to decrease the size of said third variable volume chamber and increase the size of said fourth variable volume chamber during at least a portion of the movement of said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open conditon, conduit means for conducting fluid from said second variable volume chamber to said third variable volume chamber during the decrease in size of said second variable volume chamber to move said second piston to increase the size of said third variable volume chamber and decrease the size of said fourth variable volume chamber during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for conducting fluid from said third variable volume chamber to said second variable volume chamber during the decrease in size of said third variable volume chamber to move said first piston to increase the size of said second variable volume chamber and decrease the size of said first variable volume chamber during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition.

48. A press assembly as set forth in claim 47 wherein said means for moving said first piston with said first member includes means for transmitting force from said first member to said first piston, said second piston being movable with said second member by means for transmitting force between said second member and said second piston.

49. A press assembly as set forth in claim 48 wherein said means for transmitting force from said first member to said first piston extends through said second member.

50. A press assembly as set forth in claim 47 wherein said means for moving said first piston with said first member includes means for transmitting force from said first member to said first piston during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for transmitting force from said first piston to said first member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition.

51. A press assembly as set forth in claim 47 wherein said second member includes surface means for defining an opening extending through said second member, said means for moving said first piston with said first member extending through the opening in said second member.

52. A press assembly as set forth in claim 47 wherein said first movable member is an upper draw ring and said second movable member is a lower draw ring, said upper and lower draw rings being disposed in abutting engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece to grip the workpiece during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and deformation of the workpiece.

53. A press assembly as set forth in claim 52 wherein said means for moving said first piston with said first member extends through said lower draw ring.

54. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition to a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during continued operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition, and control means for effecting movement of said second member through a first predetermined distance at a speed which is a first function of the speed of movement of said first member prior to movement of said first and second members together and for effecting movement of said second member through a second predetermined distance at a speed which is greater then the speed of movement of said second member through the first predetermined distance and which is a second function of the speed of movement of said first member prior to movement of said first and second members together during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition.

55. A press assembly as set forth in claim 54 further including a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition, said control means including means for effecting operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition at a first rate during movement of said first member through the first distance and for effecting operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition at a second rate during movement of said first member through the second distance.

56. A press assembly as set forth in claim 55 wherein said control means includes means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly to effect operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition during movement of said first member through the first and second distances.

57. A press assembly as set forth in claim 54 wherein said control means includes force transmitting means for transmitting force from said first member to effect movement of said second member through the first distance at a speed which is a first function of the speed of movement of said first member and for transmitting force from said first member to effect movement of said second member through the second distance at a speed which is a second function of the speed of movement of said first member.

58. A press assembly as set forth in claim 54 wherein said control means is operable to transmit force to said first member urging said first member to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition toward the open condition.

59. A press assembly as set forth in claim 54 wherein said control means is operable to effect movement of said second member through the second predetermined distance at a speed which is the second function of the speed of movement of said first member during one portion of the operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition and to effect movement of said second member through the first predetermined distance at a speed which is the first function of the speed of movement of said first member during a portion of the operation of said press assembly which occurs after said one portion during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition.

60. A press assembly as set forth in claim 54 wherein said control means includes a cylinder, a first piston element disposed in said cylinder and movable relative to said cylinder to effect movement of said second member at the speed which is the first function of the speed of movement of said first member, a second piston element disposed in said cylinder and moveable relative to said cylinder to effect movement of said second member at the speed which is the second function of the speed of movement of said first member.

61. A press assembly as set forth in claim 54 wherein said second member includes surface means for defining an opening extending through said second member, said control means extending through the opening in said second member.

62. A press assembly as set forth in claim 54 wherein said first movable member is an upper draw ring and said second movable member is a lower draw ring, said upper and lower draw rings being disposed in abutting engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece to grip the workpiece during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and deformation of the workpiece.

63. A press assembly as set forth in claim 62 wherein said control means extends through said lower draw ring.

64. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece during operation of said press assembly, said first member being movable from a first position through a first distance in a first direction to a second position during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said second member being movable from a third position through a second distance in the first direction to a fourth position during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition, said first distance being greater than said second distance, said first and second members being movable at the same speed in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during a portion of the movement of said first and second members in the first direction, said first member being movable from the second position to the first position during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, said second member being movable from the fourth position to the third position during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and control means for accelerating said second member in the first direction from the third position prior to movement of said first and second members at the same speed during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means being operable to decelerate said second member before said second member reaches the third position during movement of said second member in the second direction and operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition to enable said second member to move to the third position at a speed which is less than the speed at which said first member is moving toward the first position, said control means including means for providing fluid pressure to effect acceleration of said second member in the first direction from the third position and for providing fluid pressure to effect deceleration of said second member before said second member reaches the third position.

65. A press assembly as set forth in claim 64 wherein said second member includes surface means for defining an opening extending through said second member, said control means extending through the opening in said second member.

66. A press assembly as set forth in claim 64 wherein said first movable member is an upper draw ring and said second movable member is a lower draw ring, said upper and lower draw rings being disposed in abutting engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece to grip the workpiece during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and deformation of the workpiece.

67. A press assembly as set forth in claim 66 wherein said control means extends through said lower draw ring.

68. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece during operation of said press assembly, said first member being movable from a first position through a first distance in a first direction to a second position during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said second member being movable from a third position through a second distance in the first direction to a fourth position during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition, said first distance being greater then said second distance, said first and second members being movable at the same speed in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during a portion of the movement of said first and second members in the first direction, said first member being movable from the second position to the first position during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, said second member being movable from the fourth position to the third position during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and control means for accelerating said second member in the first direction from the third position prior to movement of said first and second members at the same speed during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means being operable to decelerate said second member before said second member reaches the third position during movement of said second member in the second direction and operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition to enable said second member to move to the third position at a speed which is less than the speed at which said first member is moving toward the first position, said control means including means for providing fluid pressure to effect acceleration of said second member in the first direction from the third position and for providing fluid pressure to effect deceleration of said second member before said second member reaches the third position, said means for providing fluid pressure including a cylinder, a piston disposed in said cylinder to at least partially form a variable volume chamber containing fluid, means for transmitting force between said piston and said first member to provide a fluid pressure to effect acceleration of said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition and to provide a fluid pressure to effect deceleration of said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition towards the open condition.

69. A press assembly as set forth in claim 68 wherein said second member includes surface means for defining an opening extending through said second member, said control means extending through the opening in said second member.

70. A press assembly as set forth in claim 68 wherein said first movable member is an upper draw ring and said second movable member is a lower draw ring, said upper and lower draw rings being disposed in abutting engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece to grip the workpiece during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and deformation of the workpiece.

71. A press assembly as set forth in claim 70 wherein said control means extends through said lower draw ring.

72. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece during operation of said press assembly, said first member being movable from a first position through a first distance in a first direction to a second position during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said second member being movable from a third position through a second distance in the first direction to a fourth position during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition, said first distance being greater than said second distance, said first and second members being movable at the same speed in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during a portion of the movement of said first and second members in the first direction, said first member being movable from the second position to the first position during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, said second member being movable from the fourth position to the third position during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, control means for accelerating said second member in the first direction from the third position prior to movement of said first and second members at the same speed during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means being operable to decelerate said second member before said second member reaches the third position during movement of said second member in the second direction and operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition to enable said second member to move to the third position at a speed which is less than the speed at which said first member is moving toward the first position, and a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction toward the fourth position during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and operable from the retracted condition toward an extended condition to provide a yieldable force urging said second member in the second direction toward the third position during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition, said control means including means for transmitting force to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition and movement of said second member from the third position during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and for transmitting force to said cushion assembly to retard operation of said cushion assembly toward the extended condition and movement of said second member toward the third position during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition, said force transmitting means includes means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and for transmitting force from said cushion assembly to said first member during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition.

73. A press assembly as set forth in claim 72 wherein said second member includes surface means for defining an opening extending through said second member, said control means extending through the opening in said second member.

74. A press assembly as set forth in claim 72 wherein said first movable member is an upper draw ring and said second movable member is a lower draw ring, said upper and lower draw rings being disposed in abutting engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece to grip the workpiece during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and deformation of the workpiece.

75. A press assembly as set forth in claim 74 wherein said control means extends through said lower draw ring.

76. A method of operating a press assembly to deform a workpiece, said method comprising the steps of moving a first member in a first direction toward a second member with the workpiece disposed between the first and second members, transmitting force from the first member as it moves in the first direction, utilizing the force transmitted from the first member to effect acceleration of the second member in the first direction while the first member is spaced from the second member, operating a cushion assembly toward a retracted condition during movement of the second member in the first direction to apply a yieldable force to the second member opposing movement of the second member in the first direction, said step of utilizing force transmitted from the first member to effect acceleration of the second member in the first direction includes transmitting force from the first member to the cushion assembly to initiate operation of the cushion assembly toward the retracted condition, thereafter, gripping the workpiece between the first and second members while the first and second members are moving in the first direction, moving the first and second members in a second direction opposite to the first direction, operating the cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward an extended condition during movement of the first and second members in the second direction, and decelerating the second member relative to the first member during movement of the first and second members in the second direction, said step of decelerating the second member including transmitting force between the cushion assembly and first member to retard operation of the cushiom assembly toward the extended condition.

77. A method as set forth in claim 76 wherein said step of transmitting force from the first member includes transmitting force through an opening in the second member.

78. A method as set forth in claim 76 wherein the first and second members are upper and lower draw rings, said step of gripping the workpiece between the first and second members includes gripping edge portions of the workpiece between the upper and lower draw rings.

79. A method as set forth in claim 78 wherein said step of transmitting force from the first member includes transmitting force from the upper draw ring through an opening in the lower draw ring.

80. A method of operating a press assembly to deform a workpiece, said method comprising the steps of moving a first member in a first direction toward a second member with the workpiece disposed between the first and second members, transmitting force from the first member as it moves in the first direction, utilizing the force transmitted from the first member fo effect acceleration of the second member in the first direction while the first member is spaced from the second member, said step of utilizing the force transmitted from the first member to effect acceleration of the second member in the first direction includes accelerating the second member to a first speed, moving the second member at the first speed, thereafter, accelerating the second member to a second speed which is greater than the first speed, thereafter, gripping the workpiece between the first and second members while the first and second members are moving in the first direction, and moving the second member at the second speed prior to performing said step of gripping the workpiece between the first and second members.

81. A method as set forth in claim 80 wherein said step of gripping the workpiece includes the step of impacting the workpiece and the first member against the second member while the second member is moving at the second speed to accelerate the second member from the second speed to a third speed.

82. A method as set forth in claim 80 wherein said step of transmitting force from the first member includes transmitting force through an opening in the second member.

83. A method as set forth in claim 80 wherein the first and second members are upper and lower draw rings, said step of gripping the workpiece between the first and second members includes gripping edge portions of the workpiece between the upper and lower draw rings.

84. A method as set forth in claim 83 wherein said step of transmitting force from the first member includes transmitting force from the upper draw ring through an opening in the lower draw ring.

85. A method comprising the steps of operating a press assembly from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operating the press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the deformed workpiece from the press assembly, said step of operating the press assembly from an open condition to a closed condition including moving a first member from a first position toward a second member disposed in a second position with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between the first and second members and moving the first and second members together in a direction away from the second position with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between the first and second members, said step of operating the press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition including moving the first member toward the first position, moving the second member toward the second position, decelerating the second member, repeating said step of decelerating the second member before the second member reaches the second position, thereafter, moving the second member to the second position, and stopping the second member at the second position while the first member is moving toward the first position.

86. A method as set forth in claim 85 wherein said step of decelerating the second member includes transmitting force to the first member through an opening in the second member.

87. A method as set forth in claim 85 wherein the first and second members are upper and lower draw rings, said method further including the step of gripping the workpiece between the upper and lower draw rings during operation of the press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition.

88. A method as set forth in claim 87 wherein said step of decelerating the second member includes transmitting force to the upper draw ring through an opening in the lower draw ring.

89. A method comprising the steps of operating a press assembly from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operating the press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the deformed workpiece from the press assembly, said step of operating the press assembly from an open condition to a closed condition including moving a first member from a first position toward a second member disposed at a second position with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between the first and second members, transmitting force from the first member to a cushion assembly to operate the cushion assembly from an extended condition toward a retracted condition and move the second member away from the second position, and, thereafter, impacting the workpiece and the first member against the second member while the second member is moving away from the second position, said step of operating the press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition includes transmitting force from the cushion assembly to the first member.

90. A method as set forth in claim 89 further including the step of applying a yieldable force against the second member with the cushion assembly during movement of the first and second members together after performing said step of impacting the workpiece and first member against the second member.

91. A method as set forth in claim 89 wherein said step of operating the press assembly from the closed condition includes decreasing the speed of movement of the second member relative to the speed of movement of said first member by opposing operation of the cushion assembly toward the extended condition.

92. A method as set forth in claim 89 wherein said step of transmitting force from the first member to the cushion assembly includes transmitting force from the first member to the cushion assembly at a first rate to effect operation of the cushion assembly and movement of the second member away from the second position at a first speed, moving the second member through a predetermined distance at the first speed, thereafter, increasing the rate at which force is transmitted from the first member to the cushion assembly from the first rate to a second rate to effect operation of the cushion assembly and movement of the second member away from the second position at a second speed which is greater than the first speed.

93. A method as set forth in claim 89 further including the step of moving the first member toward the second member at a speed which is greater than said second speed while the second member is moving at the first and second speeds.

94. A method as set forth in claim 89 wherein said step of transmitting force from the first member to a cushion assembly to operate the cushion assembly includes generating a fluid pressure under the influence of force transmitted from the first member and transmitting the generated fluid pressure to the cushion assembly.

95. A method as set forth in claim 89 wherein said step of transmitting force from the first member to the cushion assembly to operate the cushion assembly includes operating the cushion assembly at a first rate, said step of operating the press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition includes the step of transmitting force from the second member to the cushion assembly to operate the cushion assembly at a second rate which is greater than the first rate after performing said step of impacting the workpiece and first member against the second member.

96. A method as set forth in claim 89 wherein said step of transmitting force from the first member includes transmitting force through an opening in the second member.

97. A method as set forth in claim 89 wherein the first and second members are upper and lower draw rings, said step of impacting the workpiece and the first member against the second member includes impacting the workpiece and upper draw ring against the lower draw ring.

98. A method as set forth in claim 97 wherein said step of transmitting force from the first member includes transmitting force from the upper draw ring through an opening in the lowr draw ring.

99. A method comprising the steps of operating a press assembly from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operating the press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the deformed workpiece from the press assembly, said step of operating the press assembly from an open condition to a closed condition including moving a first member from a first position toward a second member disposed at a second position with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between the first and second members, transmitting force from the first member to a cushion assembly to operate the cushion assembly from an extended condition toward a retracted condition and move the second member away from the second position, said step of transmitting force from the first member to the cushion assembly including transmitting force from the first member to the cushion assembly at a first rate to effect operation of the cushion assembly and movement of the second member away from the second position at a first speed, moving the second member through a predetermined distance at the first speed, thereafter, increasing the rate at which force is transmitted from the first member to the cushion assembly from the first rate to a second rate to effect operation of the cushion assembly and movement of the second member away from the second position at a second speed which is greater than the first speed, and, thereafter, impacting the workpiece and the first member against the second member while the second member is moving away from the second position.

100. A method as set forth in claim 99 further including the step of moving the first member toward the second member at a speed which is greater than said second speed while the second member is moving at the first and second speeds.

101. A method as set forth in claim 99 wherein said step of transmitting force from the first member includes transmitting force through an opening in the second member.

102. A method as set forth in claim 99 wherein the first and second members are upper and lower draw rings, said step of impacting the workpiece and the first member against the second member includes impacting the workpiece and upper draw ring against the lower draw rings.

103. A method as set forth in claim 102 wherein said step of transmitting force from the first member includes transmitting force from the upper draw ring through an opening in the lower draw ring.

104. A method comprising the steps of operating a press assembly from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operating the press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the deformed workpiece from the press assembly, said step of operating the press assembly from an open condition to a closed condition including moving a first member from a first position toward a second member disposed at a second position with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between the first and second members, moving the second member away from the second position, said step of moving the second member away from the second position including pumping fluid from a control cylinder assembly to a cushion cylinder to assembly to retract the cushion cylinder assembly under the influence of the pumped fluid, and, thereafter, impacting the workpiece and the first member against the second member while the second member is moving away from the second position.

105. A method as set forth in claim 104 further including the step of applying a yieldable force against the second member with the cushion assembly during movement of the first and second members together after performing said step of impacting the workpiece and first member against the second member.

106. A method as set forth in claim 104 wherein said step of pumping fluid from a control cylinder assembly to a cushion cylinder assembly to retract the cushion cylinder assembly includes retracting the control cylinder assembly at a first rate to pump fluid from the control cylinder assembly to the cushion cylinder assembly and retracting the cushion cylinder assembly at a second rate which is less than the first rate under the influence of the fluid pumped from the control cylinder assembly.

107. A method as set forth in claim 104 wherein said step of operating the press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition includes moving the first member toward the first position and moving the second member toward the second position after performance of said step of impacting the workpiece and first member against the second member, said step of moving the second member toward the second position including pumping fluid from the cushion cylinder assembly to the control cylinder assembly to expand the control cylinder assembly under the influence of the pumped fluid.

108. A method as set forth in claim 104 wherein said step of pumping fluid from the control cylinder assembly to the cushion cylinder assembly includes retracting the control cylinder assembly to decrease the size of a chamber in the control cylinder assembly and retracting the cushion cylinder assembly by increasing the size of a chamber in the cushion cylinder assembly under the influence of fluid pumped from the control cylinder assembly.

109. A method as set forth in claim 104 wherein said step of operating the press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition includes moving the first member toward the first position and extending the control cylinder assembly at a first rate and moving the second member toward the second position and extending the cushion cylinder assembly at a second rate which is less than the first rate.

110. A method as set forth in claim 104 wherein said step of pumping fluid from the control cylinder assembly includes transmitting force from the first member to the control cylinder assembly and moving a piston in the control cylinder assembly under the influence of the force transmitted from the first member to force fluid to flow from the control cylinder assembly to the cushion cylinder assembly.

111. A method as set forth in claim 104 wherein said step of pumping fluid from the control cylinder assembly to the cushion cylinder assembly includes moving a piston in the control cylinder assembly at a first speed to contract a cylinder chamber and force fluid from the cylinder chamber to the cushion cylinder assembly to apply fluid pressure force against a piston in the cushion cylinder assembly to move the piston in the cushion cylinder assembly at a second speed which is less than the first speed to expand a cylinder chamber in the cushion cylinder assembly.

112. A method as set forth in claim 104 wherein said step of pumping fluid includes transmitting force through an opening in the second member.

113. A method as set forth in claim 104 wherein the first and second members are upper and lower draw rings, said step of impacting the workpiece and first member against the second member includes gripping edge portions of the workpiece between the upper and lower draw rings.

114. A method as set forth in claim 113 wherein said step of pumping fluid includes transmitting force from the upper draw ring through an opening in the lower draw ring.

115. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly including a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece during operation of said press assembly, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece during operation of said press assembly, said first member being movable toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition, said first member being movable away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, a first cylinder, a first piston disposed in said first cylinder, means for moving said first piston to force fluid from said first cylinder during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition, said first piston being movable to enable fluid to flow into said first cylinder during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, a second cylinder, a second piston disposed in said second cylinder, means for moving said second piston to force fluid from said second cylinder during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, said second piston being movable to enable fluid to flow into said second cylinder during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition, conduit means for conducting fluid from said first cylinder to said second cylinder during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for conducting fluid from said second cylinder to said first cylinder during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition.

116. A press assembly as set forth in claim 115 wherein said means for moving said first piston includes means for transmitting force from said first member to said first piston during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition, said second member being movable with said second piston during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition.

117. A press assembly as set forth in claim 116 wherein said means for transmitting force from said first member to said first piston extends through said second member.

118. A press assembly as set forth in claim 115 wherein said means for moving said first piston includes means for transmitting force from said first member to said first piston during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for transmitting force from said first piston to said first member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition.

119. A press assembly as set forth in claim 115 wherein said means for moving said second piston during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition includes means for applying fluid pressure against said second piston.

120. A press assembly as set forth in claim 115 wherein said second member includes surface means for defining an opening extending through said second member, said means for moving said first piston extending through the opening in said second member.

121. A press assembly as set forth in claim 115 wherein said first movable member is an upper draw ring and said second movable member is a lower draw ring, said upper and lower draw rings being disposed in abutting engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece to grip the workpiece during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and deformation of the workpiece.

122. A press assembly as set forth in claim 121 wherein said means for moving said first piston extends through said lower draw ring.

123. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition being operable to transmit force from said cushion assembly to said first member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition toward the open condition.

124. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in a second direction opposite to the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, said cushion assembly including means for pumping fluid from said cushion assembly to said control means during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, said control means including means for retarding fluid flow from said cushion assembly during movement of said first and second members together in the second direction to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a speed which is less than the speed of movement of said first member in the second direction during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition.

125. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition includes means for pumping fluid at a first rate to effect movement of said second member in the first direction at a first speed during a first portion of the movement of said second member prior to movement of said first and second members together and means for pumping fluid at a second rate which is greater than the first rate to effect movement of said second member in the first direction at a second speed which is greater than said first speed during a second portion of the movement of said second member prior to movement of said first and second members together.

126. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said first and second members being movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, said cushion assembly including means for pumping fluid to said control means at a first rate to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a first speed during a first portion of the movement of said second member in the second direction and while said first member is moving in the second direction at a speed which is greater than the first speed and for pumping fluid to said control means at a second rate which is less than the first rate to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a second speed which is less than the first speed during a second portion of the movement of said second member in the second direction and while said first member is moving in the second direction at a speed which is greater than the second speed.

127. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition includes means for generating fluid pressure under the influence of force transmitted from said first member and conduit means for conducting fluid flow induced by the generated fluid pressure to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition.

128. A press assembly as set forth in claim 127 wherein said means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition includes means for retarding operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition by retarding fluid flow from said cushion assembly.

129. A press assembly as set forth in claim 127 wherein said cushion assembly includes wall means for defining a cylinder chamber, a piston disposed in said cylinder chamber and dividing said cylinder chamber into first and second variable volume chambers, said first variable volume chamber containing a gas, said second variable volume chamber containing hydraulic fluid, said means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly including means for increasing the hydraulic fluid pressure in said second variable volume chamber to move said piston to increase the volume of said second variable volume chamber and decrease the volume of said first variable volume chamber.

130. A press assembly as set forth in claim 127 wherein said second member includes surface means for defining an opening extending through said second member, said means for pumping fluid extending through the opening in said second member to transmit force from said first member through said second member to said means for generating fluid pressure.

131. A press assembly as set forth in claim 127 wherein said first movable member is an upper draw ring and said second movable member is a lower draw ring, said upper and lower draw rings being disposed in abutting engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece to grip the workpiece during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and deformation of the workpiece.

132. A press assembly as set forth in claim 131 wherein said means for pumping fluid extends through said lower draw ring.

133. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition includes means for retarding operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition by retarding fluid flow from said cushion assembly.

134. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including wall means for defining a cylinder chamber, a piston disposed in said cylinder chamber and dividing said cylinder chamber into first and second variable volume chambers, said first variable volume chamber containing a gas, said second variable volume chamber containing hydraulic fluid, said means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly including means for increasing the hydraulic fluid pressure in said second variable volume chamber to move said piston to increase the volume of said second variable volume chamber and decrease the volume of said first variable volume chamber.

135. A press assembly as set forth in claim 134 wherein said means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition is operable to transmit force from said cushion assembly to said first member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition toward the open condition.

136. A press assembly as set forth in claim 134 wherein said first and second members are movable together in a second direction opposite to the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, said piston in said cushion assembly being movable under the influence of the fluid pressure first variable volume chamber to pump hydraulic fluid from said second variable volume chamber to said control means during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, said control means including means for retarding fluid flow from said cushion assembly during movement of said first and second members together in the second direction to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a speed which is less than the speed of movement of said first member in the second direction during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition.

137. A press assembly as set forth in claim 134 wherein said means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition includes means for generating fluid pressure under the influence of force transmitted from said first member and conduit means for conducting fluid flow induced by the generated fluid pressure to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition.

138. A press assembly as set forth in claim 134 wherein said means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition includes means for retarding operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition by retarding fluid flow from said cushion assembly.

139. A press assembly as set forth in claim 134 wherein said second member includes surface means for defining an opening extending through said second member, said means for pumping fluid extending through the opening in said second member to transmit force from said first member through said second member.

140. A press assembly as set forth in claim 134 wherein said first movable member is an upper draw ring and said second movable member is a lower draw ring, said upper and lower draw rings being disposed in abutting engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece to grip the workpiece during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and deformation of the workpiece.

141. A press assembly as set forth in claim 140 wherein said means for pumping fluid extends through said lower draw ring.

142. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition includes wall means for defining a cylinder chamber, a piston disposed in said cylinder chamber, means for transmitting force from said first member to said piston to pressurize fluid in said cylinder chamber, and means for conducting fluid pressure from said cylinder chamber to said cushion assembly, said cushion assembly including means for effecting operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition under the influence of fluid pressure conducted from said cylinder chamber.

143. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly includes a first piston and cylinder assembly and means for transmitting force from said second member to said first piston and cylinder assembly to effect operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition including a second piston and cylinder assembly, means for transmitting force from said first member to said second piston and cylinder assembly, and means for transmitting fluid pressure from said second piston and cylinder assembly to said first piston and cylinder assembly to effect operation of said first piston and cylinder assembly under the influence of fluid pressure transmitted from said second piston and cylinder assembly.

144. A press assembly as set forth in claim 143 wherein said second piston and cylinder assembly includes a cylinder, a first piston element disposed in said cylinder, and a second piston element disposed in said cylinder, said first piston element being movable relative to said second piston element and said cylinder to effect operation of said first piston and cylinder assembly at a first rate, said first and second piston elements being movable together relative to said cylinder to effect operation of said first piston and cylinder assembly at a second rate which is greater than said first rate.

145. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first and second members being movable in a first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of the press assembly toward the closed condition, said first and second members being movable in a second directon opposite to the first direction during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition, said cushion assembly being operable from the retracted condition toward an extended condition during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition to pump fluid from said cushion assembly, and control means for retarding fluid flow from said cushion assembly to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a speed which is less than the speed of movement of said first member in the second direction during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition and operation of said cushion assembly toward the extended condition, said cushion assembly being operable toward the extended condition at a first speed to pump fluid from said cushion assembly at a first rate during a first portion of the movement of said first and second members in the second direction, said control means including means for reducing the speed of operation of said cushion assembly from the first speed to a second speed which is less than the first speed during a second portion of the movement of said first and second members in the second direction by reducing the rate at which fluid is pumped from said cushion assembly from the first rate to a second rate which is less than the first rate.

146. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first and second members being movable in a first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of the press assembly toward the closed condition, said first and second members being movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition, said cushion assembly being operable from the retracted condition toward an extended condition during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition to pump fluid from said cushion assembly, and control means for retarding fluid flow from said cushion assembly to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a speed which is less than the speed of movement of said first member in the second directon during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition and operation of said cushion assembly toward the extended condition, said control means being ineffective to retard operation of said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward the extended condition to enable said first and second members to move at the same speed in the same direction, said control means being effective to retard operation of said cushion assembly during a second portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward the extended condition to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a second speed which is less than the first speed and which is less than the speed of movement of said first member in the second direction during the second portion of the operation of said cushion assembly, said control means being effective to further retard operation of said cushion assembly during a third portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward the extended condition to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a third speed which is less than the speed during the third portion of the operation of said cushion assembly.

147. A press assembly as set forth in claim 146 wherein said control means includes a cylinder, a first piston element disposed in said cylinder and a second piston element disposed in said cylinder, said first and second piston elements being movable together relative to said cylinder during the second portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward the extended condition, said first piston element being movable relative to said second piston element and said cylinder during the third portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward the extended condition.

148. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first and second members being movable in a first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of the press assembly toward the closed condition, said first and second members being movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition, said cushion assembly being operable from the retracted condition toward an extended condition during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition to pump fluid from said cushion assembly, and control means for retarding fluid flow from said cushion assembly to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a speed which is less than the speed of movement of said first member in the second direction during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition and operation of said cushion assembly toward the extended condition, said cushion assembly including means for transmitting force to said second member during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition to the extended condition to move said second member in the second direction, said control means including means for transmitting force to said first member to urge said first member in the second direction during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition to the extended condition.

149. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first and second members being movable in a first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of the press assembly toward the closed condition, said first and second members being movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition, said cushion assembly being operable from the retracted condition toward an extended condition during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition to pump fluid from said cushion assembly, and control means for retarding fluid flow from said cushion assembly to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a speed which is less than the speed of movement of said first member in the second direction during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition and operation of said cushion assembly toward the extended condition, said control means includes a variable volume chamber, means for conducting fluid flow pumped from said cushion assembly to said variable volume chamber during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward the extended condition to effect expansion of said variable volume of chamber, and means for retarding expansion of said variable volume chamber against the influence of the fluid conducted from said cushion assembly to thereby retard operation of said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward the extended condition.

150. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first and second members being movable in a first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of the press assembly torward the closed condition, said first and second members being movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition, said cushion assembly being operable from the retracted condition toward an extended condition during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition to pump fluid from said cushion assembly, and control means for retarding fluid flow from said cushion assembly to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a speed which is less than the speed of movement of said first member in the second direction during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition and operation of said cushion assembly toward the extended condition, said control means being operable from an extended condition to a retracted condition to pump fluid to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and is operable from the retracted condition to the extended condition during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition to receive fluid flow pumped from said cushion assembly.

151. A method comprising the steps of operating a press assembly from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operating the press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the deformed workpiece from the press assembly, said step of operating the press assembly from an open condition to a closed condition including moving a first member from a first position toward a second member disposed in a second position with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between the first and second members and moving the first and second mambers together in a direction away from the second position with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between the first and second members, said step of operating the press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition including moving the first member toward the first position, moving the second member toward the second position, said step of moving the second member toward the second position including pumping fluid from a cushion assembly to a control assembly, decelerating the second member, said step of decelerating the second member including limiting the rate at which fluid is pumped from the cushion assembly to the control assembly, thereafter, moving the second member to the second position, and stopping the second member at the second position while the first member is moving toward the first position.

152. A method as set forth in claim 151 wherein said step of operating the press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition includes transmitting force from the first member to the control assembly to pump fluid from the control assembly to the cushion assembly as the first member moves in the first direction and utilizing the fluid pumped from the control assembly to effect acceleration of the second member from the second position while the first member is spaced from the second member, said step of moving the first and second members together in a direction away from the second position being performed after accelerating the second member from the second position.

153. A method as set forth in claim 151 wherein said step of decelerating the second member includes the step of transmitting force from the control assembly to the first member to urge the first member toward the first position and to reduce the rate at which fluid can be pumped from said cushion assembly to said control assembly.

154. A method as set forth in claim 151 wherein said step of limiting the rate at which fluid is pumped from the cushion assembly includes transmitting force through an opening in the second member.

155. A method as set forth in claim 151 wherein the first and second members are upper and lower draw rings, said step of moving said first and second members together away from the second position includes gripping edge portions of the workpiece between the upper and lower draw rings.

156. A method as set forth in claim 155 wherein said step of limiting the rate at which fluid is pumped from the cushion assembly includes transmitting force from the upper draw ring through an opening in the lower draw ring.

157. A method of operating a press assembly to deform a workpiece, said method comprising the steps of moving a first member in a first direction toward a second member with the workpiece disposed between the first and second members, transmitting force from the first member as it moves in the first direction, utiliting the force transmitted from the first member to effect acceleration of the second member in the first direction while the first member is spaced from the second member, thereafter, gripping the workpiece between the first and second members while the first and second members are moving in the first direction, thereafter, moving the first and second members in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and reducing the speed of the second member relative to the speed of the first member during movement of the first and second members in the second direction, said step of reducing the speed of the second member including transmitting force to the first member urging the first member in the second direction.

158. A method as set forth in claim 157 wherein said step of gripping the workpiece between the first and second members includes the step of impacting the workpiece and first member against the second member to effect further acceleration of the second member in the first direction after performing said step of utilizing the force transmitted from the fist member to effect acceleration of the second member.

159. A method as set forth in claim 157 further including the step of operating a cushion assembly toward a retracted condition during movement of the second member in the first direction to apply a yieldable force to the second member opposing movement of the second member in the first direction, said step of utilizing force transmitted from the first member to effect acceleration of the second member in the first direction includes transmitting force from the first member to the cushion assembly to initiate operation of the cushion assembly toward the retracted condition.

160. A method as set forth in claim 157 wherein said step of utilizing the force transmitted from the first member to effect acceleration of the second member in the first direction includes accelerating the second member to a first speed and moving the second member at the first speed, said step of gripping the workpiece including the step of impacting the workpiece and the first member against the second member while the second member is moving at the first speed to accelerate the second member from the first speed to a second speed.

161. A method as set forth in claim 157 wherein said steps of transmitting force from the first member and utilizing the force to effect acceleration of the second member includes generating fluid pressure under the influence of force transmitted from the first member and utilizing the generated fluid pressure to effect movement of the second member in the first direction.

162. A method as set forth in claim 157 wherein said step of transmitting force from the first member includes transmitting force through an opening in the second member.

163. A method as set forth in claim 157 wherein the first and second members are upper and lower draw rings, said step of gripping the workpiece between the first and second members includes gripping edge portions of the workpiece between the upper and lower draw rings.

164. A method as set forth in claim 163 wherein said step of transmitting force from the first member includes transmitting force from the upper draw ring through an opening in the lower draw ring.

165. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said second member includes surface means for defining an opening extending through said second member, said means for pumping fluid extending through the opening in said second member to transmit force from said first member through said second member.

166. A press assembly as set forth in claim 165 wherein said means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition is operable to transmit force from said cushion assembly through the opening in said second member to said first member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition toward the open condition.

167. A press assembly as set forth in claim 165 wherein said first and second members are movable together in a second direction opposite to the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, said cushion assembly including means for pumping fluid from said cushion assembly to said control means during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, said control means including means for retarding fluid flow from said cushion assembly during movement of said first and second members together in the second direction to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a speed which is less than the speed of movement of said first member in the second direction during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, said means for retarding fluid flow from said cushion assembly being operable to transmit force through the opening in said second member to said first member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition.

168. A press assembly as set forth in claim 165 wherein said means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition includes means for pumping fluid at a first rate to effect movement of said second member in the first direction at a first speed during a first portion of the movement of said second member prior to movement of said first and second members together and under the influence of force transmitted from said first member through the opening in said second member and means for pumping fluid at a second rate which is greater than the first rate to effect movement of said second member in the first direction at a second speed which is greater than said first speed during a second portion of the movement of said second member prior to movement of said first and second members together and under the influence of force transmitted from said first member through the opening in said second member.

169. A press assembly as set forth in claim 165 wherein said first and second members are movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, said cushion assembly including means for pumping fluid to said control means at a first rate to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a first speed during a first portion of the movement of said second member in the second direction and for pumping fluid to said control means at a second rate which is less than the first rate to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a second speed which is less than the first speed during a second portion of the movement of said second member in the second direction.

170. A press assembly as set forth in claim 165 wherein said means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition includes means for generating fluid pressure under the influence of force transmitted from said first member through the opening in said second member and conduit means for conducting fluid flow induced by the generated fluid pressure to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition.

171. A press assembly as set forth in claim 165 wherein said means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition includes means for transmitting force through the opening in said second member to said first member to retard operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition by retarding fluid flow from said cushion assembly.

172. A press assembly as set forth in claim 165 wherein said means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition includes wall means for defining a cylinder chamber, a piston disposed in said cylinder chamber, means for transmitting force from said first member through the opening in said second member to said piston to pressurize fluid in said cylinder chamber, and means for conducting fluid pressure from said cylinder chamber to said cushion assembly, said cushion assembly including means for effecting operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition under the influence of fluid pressure conducted from said cylinder chamber.

173. A press assembly as set forth in claim 165 wherein said cushion assembly includes a first piston and cylinder assembly and means for transmitting force from said second member to said first piston and cylinder assembly to effect operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition including a second piston and cylinder assembly, means for transmitting force from said first member through the opening in said second member to said second piston and cylinder assembly, and means for transmitting fluid pressure from said second piston and cylinder assembly to said first piston and cylinder assembly to effect operation of said first piston and cylinder assembly under the influence of fluid pressure transmitted from said second piston and cylinder assembly.

174. A press assembly as set forth in claim 173 wherein said second piston and cylinder assembly includes a cylinder, a first piston element disposed in said cylinder, and a second piston element disposed in said cylinder, said first piston element being movable relative to said second piston element and said cylinder to effect operation of said first piston and cylinder assembly at a first rate, said first and second piston elements being movable together relative to said cylinder to effect operation of said first piston and cylinder assembly at a second rate which is greater than said first rate.

175. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means for pumping fluid from said control means to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said first movable member is an upper draw ring and said second movable member is a lower draw ring, said upper and lower draw rings being disposed in abutting engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece to grip the workpiece during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and deformation of the workpiece, said means for pumping fluid extending through said lower draw ring.

176. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first and second members being movable in a first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of the press assembly toward the closed condition, said first and second members being movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition, said cushion assembly being operable from the retracted condition toward an extended condition during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition to pump fluid from said cushion assembly, and control means for retarding fluid flow from said cushion assembly to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a speed which is less than the speed of movement of said first member in the second direction during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition and operation of said cushion assembly toward the extended condition, said second member includes surface means for defining an opening extending through said second member, said control means extending through the opening in said second member to transmit force to said first member.

177. A press assembly as set forth in claim 176 wherein said cushion assembly is operable toward the extended condition at a first speed to pump fluid from said cushion assembly at a first rate during a first portion of the movement of said first and second members in the second direction, said control means including means for reducing the speed of operation of said cushion assembly from the first speed to a second speed which is less than the first speed during a second portion of the movement of said first and second members in the second direction by reducing the rate at which fluid is pumped from said cushion assembly from the first rate to a second rate which is less than the first rate.

178. A press assembly as set forth in claim 176 wherein said control means is ineffective to retard operation of said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward the extended condition to enable said first and second members to move at the same speed in the second direction, said control means being effective to retard operation of said cushion assembly during a second portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward the extended condition to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a second speed which is less than the first speed and which is less than the speed of movement of said first member in the second direction during the second portion of the operation of said cushion assembly.

179. A press assembly as set forth in claim 178 wherein said control means is effective to further retard operation of said cushion assembly during a third portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward the extended condition to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a third speed which is less than the second speed during the third portion of the operation of said cushion assembly.

180. A press assembly as set forth in claim 179 wherein said control means includes a cylinder, a first piston element disposed in said cylinder and a second piston element disposed in said cylinder, said first and second piston elements being movable together relative to said cylinder during the second portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward the extended condition, said first piston element being movable relative to said second piston element and said cylinder during the third portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward the extended condition.

181. A press assembly as set forth in claim 176 wherein said cushion assembly includes means for transmitting force to said second member during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition to the extended condition to move said second member in the second direction, said control means including means for transmitting force through the opening in said second member to said first member to urge said first member in the second direction during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition to the extended condition.

182. A press assembly as set forth in claim 176 wherein said control means includes a variable volume chamber, means for conducting fluid flow pumped from said cushion assembly to said variable volume chamber during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward the extended condition to effect expansion of said variable volume of chamber, and means for retarding expansion of said variable volume chamber against the influence of the fluid conducted from said cushion assembly to thereby retard operation of said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition toward the extended condition.

183. A press assembly as set forth in claim 176 wherein said control means is operable from an extended condition to a retracted condition to pump fluid to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and is operable from the retracted condition to the extended condition during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition to receive fluid flow pumped from said cushion assembly.

184. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said first and second members being movable in a first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of the press assembly toward the closed condition, said first and second members being movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition, said cushion assembly being operable from the retracted condition toward an extended condition during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition to pump fluid from said cushion assembly, and control means for retarding fluid flow from said cushion assembly to effect movement of said second member in the second direction at a speed which is less than the speed of movement of said first member in the second direction during operation of said press assembly toward the open condition and operation of said cushion assembly toward the extended condition, said first movable member is an upper draw ring and said second movable member is a lower draw ring, said upper and lower draw rings being disposed in abutting engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece to grip the workpiece during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and deformation of the workpiece, said control means extends through said lower draw ring.

185. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said second movable member including surface means for defining an opening extending through said second movable member, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means extending through the opening in said second member for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition is operable to transmit force from said cushion assembly through the opening in said second member to said first member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition toward the open condition.

186. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said second movable member including surface means for defining an opening extending through said second movable member, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means extending through the opening in said second member for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in a second direction opposite to the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, said means for transmitting force being operable to transmit force through the opening in said second member to said first member to oppose operation of said cushion assembly during movement of said first and second members together in the second direction to decrease the speed of movement of said second member in the second direction to a speed which is less than the speed of movement of said first member in the second direction during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition.

187. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said second movable member including surface means for defining an opening extending through said second movable member, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means extending through the opening in said second member for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition includes means for generating a fluid pressure under the influence of force transmitted from said first member through the opening in said second member and conduit means for conducting the generated fluid pressure from said means for generating fluid pressure to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition.

188. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said second movable member including surface means for defining an opening extending through said second movable member, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means extending through the opening in said second member for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition includes means for retarding operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition under the influence of force transmitted through the opening in said second member.

189. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said second movable member including surface means for defining an opening extending through said second movable member, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means extending through the opening in said second member for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly includes wall means for defining a cylinder chamber, a piston disposed in said cylinder chamber and dividing said cylinder chamber into first and second variable volume chambers, said first variable volume chamber containing a gas, said second variable volume chamber containing hydraulic fluid, said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly including means for increasing the hydraulic fluid pressure in said second variable volume chamber under the influence of force transmitted through the opening in said second member to move said piston to increase the volume of said second variable volume chamber and decrease the volume of said first variable volume chamber.

190. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said second movable member including surface means for defining an opening extending through said second movable member, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means extending through the opening in said second member for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition includes wall means for defining a cylinder chamber, a piston disposed in said cylinder chamber, means for transmitting force from said first member through the opening in said second member to said piston to pressurize fluid in said cylinder chamber, and means for conducting fluid pressure from said cylinder chamber to said cushion assembly, said cushion assembly including means for effecting operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition under the influence of fluid pressure conducted from said cylinder chamber.

191. A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece, said press assembly comprising a first movable member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second movable member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, said second movable member including surface means for defining an opening extending through said second movable member, said first member being movable in a first direction toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said first and second members being movable together in the first direction with at least a portion of the workpiece disposed between said first and second members during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, a cushion assembly operable toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force opposing movement of said second member in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, and control means for initiating movement of said second member in the first direction prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said control means including means extending through the opening in said second member for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly to initiate operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition prior to movement of said first and second members together in the first direction during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly includes a first piston and cylinder assembly and means for transmitting force from said second member to said first piston and cylinder assembly to effect operation of said cushion assembly toward the retracted condition during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said means for transmitting force from said first member to said cushion assembly during operation of said press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition including a second piston and cylinder assembly, means for transmitting force from said first member through the opening in said second member to said second piston and cylinder assembly, and means for transmitting fluid pressure from said second piston and cylinder assembly to said first piston and cylinder assembly to effect operation of said first piston and cylinder assembly under the influence of fluid pressure transmitted from said second piston and cylinder assembly.

192. A press assembly as set forth in claim 191 wherein said second piston and cylinder assembly includes a cylinder, a first piston element disposed in said cylinder, a second piston element disposed in said cylinder, said first piston element being movable relative to said second piston element and said cylinder to effect operation of said first piston and cylinder assembly at a first rate, said first and second piston elements being movable together relative to said cylinder to effect operation of said first piston and cylinder assembly at a second rate which is greater than said first rate.

193. A press assembly as set forth in claim 191 wherein said first movable member is an upper draw ring and said second movable member is a lower draw ring, said upper and lower draw rings being disposed in abutting engagement with opposite sides of the workpiece to grip the workpiece during operation of said press assembly toward the closed condition and deformation of the workpiece.