It is known to cut a wire particularly of steel into wire pieces and to deform the wire pieces in one or more mould press stations into-usually axis- symmetrical-products such as threaded bolts, nuts or other products to be used in the automobile industry or building industry. After being cut off the wire pieces are engaged by radially operating clamping jaws and transported-in orientation parallel to the supply direction of the wire-to a moulding press station where the wire pieces are pressed axially into shape. After pressing the deformed wire piece can be engaged again by clamping jaws for transport to a next moulding press station and so on.

During mould pressing the wire pieces are engaged by a punch at the one axial end and by a die at the other axial end, after which an upsetting treatment may follow. The wire pieces are retained by clamping jaws during the mould pressing.

It is an object of the invention to provide a transfer device of the type mentioned in the preamble, with which wire pieces can be transferred in an alternative, reliable manner.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a transport means for wire pieces in a shape treatment device, with which the wire pieces can be

moved in an axial direction.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a transport means for wire pieces for use in a shape treatment device, as a result of which radial deformation can take place consecutively and in a simple manner.

For achieving at least one of those objects the invention from aspect provides a device for transferring a wire piece cut from a wire of starting material, such as steel, from a station where the wire piece has been separated from the wire or is being treated, to one or more consecutive treatment stations, wherein the device comprises gripping means for engaging the wire piece at its longitudinal ends and means for moving the gripping means.

By axially engaging the wire piece its casing surface can remain free, at least to a large extent, and the possibility is created for discharge to mould presses which radially engage the wire piece. Room is then provided for engagement by the mould punch, during its movement to the moulding die, in a direction perpendicular to the main axis of the wire piece.

In an embodiment according to a first further development the gripping means comprise two clamping jaws, which have been provided with gripping members having clamping surfaces for the longitudinal end surfaces of the wire piece.

Preferably the gripping members are substantially L-shaped, wherein the clamping surfaces are situated at the end of its horizontal leg.

Advantageously the clamping jaws can be rotatable about hinges that are moveable according to a certain path. In this way the deflection of the gripping members in a chosen direction can be kept limited, as a result of which the machine space can be smaller or several gripping members can

be placed closer together. Preferably the path has been defined by one or more guide slots, such as slotted holes, for exact control of the movement of the gripping members. When the path is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal orientation of the wire piece at the start of the engagement, the space for movement of the gripping members, considered in a direction parallel to said orientation, can be kept limited.

Alternatively and preferably the gripping members can be movable by means of a parallel connection from a free position to a position in which the wire piece is engaged.

In an embodiment according to a second further development the gripping means comprise two pairs of gripping members having clamping surfaces, which clamp the longitudinal ends between them at locations situated at the circumference and opposite each other. The wire piece is thus radially clamped at both ends, leaving the portion of the wire piece or form piece situated in between free.

Preferably the gripping members are detachably attached to the clamping jaws, so that they can be replaced by gripping members of a different size or another shape of clamping surface, for adjustment to the shape, diameter and length of the wire pieces, so that the longitudinal ends are always engaged as reliably as possible.

The transfer device may extend along several treatment stations, wherein means are present at each station for operating the gripping means to release and/or grip the wire piece.

The transfer device can also be included in a plurality in a multiple shape treatment device, wherein a number of transfer devices according to the invention have been placed one after the other in direction of travel.

The transfer devices can then be placed on a common holder or frame, which is reciprocally moveable in direction of travel.

In an advantageous embodiment thereof, moulding dies possibly with different mould cavities, have been placed next to each other, wherein the mould cavities are accessible in a direction transverse to the direction of travel. The plane in which the movement takes place may here be perpen- dicular to the closing direction of the moulds. In this arrangement the moulding dies and accompanying mould presses may be situated at either side of the said plane.

Preferably the holder or the frame forms an opening, in which the mould cavities extend.

In an advantageous embodiment of shape treatment device according to the invention, the holder or the frame has been positioned at a separation station or supply or cutting device of a wire, a transfer device which clamps onto the longitudinal end surfaces of a cut-off wire piece has been arranged as first transfer device in the holder, and transfer devices that clamp the wire or form pieces radially at the longitudinal ends have been arranged near the consecutive, stationary positioned treatment moulding dies.

Preferably the moulding punches are provided with moulding means projecting from the moulding punch for during closing the mould engaging the wire or form piece under spring force when it is in front of the die.

In a further development of the transfer device according to the invention, the separation station has been provided with a support for a separated wire piece and with movement means for the wire piece support for making and keeping the trailing longitudinal end of the wire piece free from the trailing portion of the supplied wire. Because of the support the

separated wire piece is held in a reliable manner, as a result of which the engagement by the gripping means is controllable and definable, at least in a direction transverse to the wire piece.

Preferably the movement means are adapted for moving the wire piece support with respect to the supply direction of the wire, so that the supported wire piece can be more easily brought into the path of the gripping members of the transfer device.

Preferably the movement means are adapted for rotating the wire piece support with respect to the supply direction of the wire. The transfer device can for instance be active in transverse direction, wherein one or more treatment stations have been positioned adjacent to the separation station.

It is preferred here that the transfer device has furthermore been provided with means for moving up a recently separated wire piece on the wire piece support to a known position, so that the exact position of the wire piece is known and the gripping members are able to accurately-and simultaneously-engage in axial direction as well.

In order to prevent unwanted displacement of the wire piece on the wire piece support during moving/rotation of the wire piece support it is preferred that the wire piece support is provided with means for axially holding the wire piece.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a mould press device with which wire pieces can be shaped in a positive, exact and reliable manner.

From a further aspect the invention to that end provides a device for pres- sing elongated wire pieces of starting material in the wanted shape, comprising a die and an accompanying punch, wherein the die and the

punch form a press cavity for accommodation of the wire piece, and wherein the punch has been arranged for movement between a first position, in which the portion of the press cavity in the die is accessible to the wire piece, and a second position, in which the punch and the die close off the press cavity, which movement is oriented transverse to the wire piece.

In this way a large freedom is achieved in the design of the wire pieces.

For instance flat pieces can be pressed-in a radial manner-from the wire piece, the thickness over the surface of which flat pieces may vary (which in case of a plate-shaped starting material is a lot more difficult), and which may even be bent or provided with holes. The separated wire material can be used in the most efficient manner.

Preferably the punch and/or die have been provided with ejection means for urging the wire piece, that has been shaped by pressing, out of the press cavity, which ejection means preferably comprise a number of ejectors for even force transfer on the deformed wire piece.

From a further aspect the invention provides an assembly of a transfer device according to the invention and a press device according to the invention, wherein the transfer device has been positioned downstream of the press device in process direction, furthermore provided with means for retaining a deformed wire piece, at movement of the punch to the first position until the gripping means are able to engage the longitudinal ends of the wire piece.

The retaining means preferably are adapted for spring-biassing the deformed wire piece towards the ejection means, so that they do not hinder the further transport by the gripping members.

Preferably the retaining means are moveable between a first position, in

which they are situated outside of the press cavity, and a second position in which they bias the deformed wire piece.

A same transfer device can also be positioned upstream of the press device in process direction.

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which: Figures 1 A, 1 B and 1 C show a schematic side view, front view and detail of a part of the wire cutting and transfer station according to the invention; Figures 2A and 2B show a schematic view of a transport clamp in a transfer device according to the invention, in the transporting situation and in the non-transporting situation, respectively ; Figures 3A and 3B show a schematic cross-section of an example of a mould press according to the invention and a view of a punch for said mould press, respectively ; Figure 4 shows a front view of a multiple mould press device for wire pieces, in a front view, with a second embodiment of a transport clamp according to the invention; Figure 5A and 5B show a view in perspective of the mould press device of figure 4 and a cross-section of an assembly of a moulding die and moul- ding punch with transport clamp, respectively ; Figure 6 shows a view in perspective of an elaborate embodiment of the device according to figure 4, with a number of transport clamps in the said second embodiment and a transport clamp in a third embodiment; and

Figures 7A and 7B show the transport clamp in the third embodiment of figure 6 in two situations comparable to the figures 2A and 2B.

The wire cutting and transfer station 1 shown in figures 1 A and 1 B comprises a supply 2 for a wire 100, for instance made of metal. The wire 100 is guided in a manner known per se which is not shown through cutting sleeve 2a, until in the blade 3. The blade 3 can be moved up and down in the direction B and to that end has been arranged at the upper end of a rod 3a, which with its lower end is fork-shaped at the location of 30, in which fork 30 a cam roller 28 has been bearing mounted. The cam roller 28 runs over a cam disk 20, which is rotatable with the shaft 27 in the direction G.

The upward and downward motion of the rod 3a is guided by the connec- tion with the further rod 31 which is bearing mounted at the location of 32 and at that location can reciprocally swing in the direction 1.

Immediately downstream of the blade 3 there is a holder 7 provided with a receiving slot 7a, which holder (see detail figure 1 C) in a wall of the slot 7a has been provided with an adjustable brake 8. The slot 7a serves for receiving a wire piece 6 that has been but off with the blade 3.

The holder 7 has been attached to the upper end of a vertical rod 17, which is guided in guide 18a, and at the lower end has been provided with circumferential teeth 26. Said circumferential teeth are in engagement with a toothed wheel 25, which is rotated in the direction H, with means that are not further shown. At the location of 24 the lower end of the rod 17 (see figure 1 B) has been rotatably bearing mounted on the upper end of an L-shaped rod 23, which is also movable up and down and is guided in guide 18b. The lower end of the rod 23 has a fork 29, in which a cam roller 22 is freely rotatable. The cam roller 22 runs over cam disk 21, which rotates along with the shaft 27, also in the direction G.

Figure 1A furthermore shows a ejector/positioning pin 5, for pushing a cut off wire piece 6 out of the blade 3 and into the holder 7. At the location of 16 the ejector pin 5 is attached to rod 10 via hinge connection 11, in a manner so as to be adjustable in length. At the upper end the rod 10 is rigidly connected to arm 12, at the lower end of which a fork has been arranged with a freely rotating cam roller 13 in it. Arm 12 and rod 10 form one unity, which is rotatable about centre line 10a. The cam roller 13 runs over the surface of cam disk 15, which is attached to shaft 14, which is rotated in the direction C.

The wire 100 is supplied in the direction A, in a discontinuous manner, each time in steps in the order of magnitude of L of the length of a wire piece 6 to be cut off. After the leading end of the wire 100 has been moved over a distance L past the blade 3, the cam roller 28 is lifted by the cam disk 20, and the blade 3 will move upwards (direction B) and cut off the leading end of the wire 100. The cut off wire piece 6 thus comes to lie higher, in the path of the ejector pin 5. The holder 7 is moved along upwards in the direction E, by engagement of the cam roller 22 onto the cam disk 21. Subsequently cooperation of the cam disk 14 and the cam roller 13, via arm 12 and rod 10, causes the ejector pin 5 to move to the left, to push the cut off wire piece 6 out of the blade 3, into the slit 7a of the holder 7. The movement of the ejector pin 5 has been adjusted to the length L of the wire piece, the length of the holder 7, and the mutual position of the holder 7 and the blade 3, so that the wire piece 6 in length comes to lie symmetrically in the slot 7a.

Figure 1A schematically shows the wire piece transport means 40 which is further shown in figures 2A and 2B, and which is moved in the direction J.

For orienting the wire piece 6 for the transport means 40, use is made of the toothed wheel 25, which rotates in the direction H and due to toothed engagement on teeth 26 rotates the rod 17 in the direction F, as a result of which the holder 7 also rotates, in this case over 90°. Wire piece 6 is

rotated until its length is in an orientation perpendicular to the plane of drawings, parallel to direction J. The brake 8 ensures that the wire piece is retained on friction during rotation.

In the figures 2A and 2B transport clamps 40 are shown, which have been arranged on a slide 70, which is reciprocally movable in the directions J.

The slide 70 is supported in frame 43.

The transport clamps 40 comprise two jaws 41,42 which at their upper ends have been provided with pins 44,45, which can be rotated in the direction L with means in the frame 43 that are not further shown, to the position shown in figure 2B. Halfway, the jaws 41,42 have been provided with guide and hinge pins 50,51, which have been received in vertical slotted holes 52,53 in slide 70.

In the frame 43 a cam track that is not further shown is present, with which rollers 48,49 are in engagement, the pins 50,51 being situated in the centre lines of said rollers 48,49.

Gripping members 54,55 have been detachably attached at the lower end of the clamping jaws 41,42 by means of bolts 56, which gripping mem- bers at the lower end 57, 58 are L-shaped and have gripping surfaces 59, 60. The ends of the wire piece 6 are engaged in a clamping manner with the clamping or gripping surfaces 59,60. The gripping members 54,55 can be replaced, for instance by gripping members having L-shaped lower ends of which the horizontal leg is longer or shorter, or of which the gripping surfaces 59,60 are shaped differently.

In order to release the wire piece 6 the rollers 48,49 are moved upwards, so that the pins 50,51 move in the slotted holes 52,53, in the direction K. Due to the simultaneous movement in the direction L of the rollers 54, 55 the clamping jaws 41,42 will rotate to the situation shown in figure

2B, in which the gripping surfaces 59,60 separate in horizontal sense as well as have been placed at a distance from wire piece 6 in vertical sense.

When picking up a wire piece from the holder 7 this movement is made in reverse order, so as to achieve the situation shown in figure 2A.

The same arrangement of the transport clamp can also be used for picking up a wire piece 6 from a mould press. The slide 70 is then reciprocally moved, in the forward stroke of which a wire piece is clamped and taken along, then discharged and subsequently the transport clamp is moved back in the opened position, for a new cycle.

In figures 2A, 2B a die 80 has been schematically shown which is further discussed in figures 3A and 3B.

In figures 3A and 3B a mould press is shown having stationary die 80 and moulding die 82, which can be replaced depending on the wanted shape into which the wire piece 6 has to be brought. In figure 3A, a ejector pin 86, having operating head 87, extends through the moulding die 82. Alter- natively, as suggested in figure 3B, several ejector pins 86a-c can be provided. The ejector pin 86 ends in mould cavity 85 of moulding die 82.

At the opposite side there is a moulding punch 81, having punch member 83. The punch 83 is reciprocally movable in the direction N. The punch 83 is provided with a mould cavity 84.

The moulding die 82 and the punch 83 can be given many shapes, depen- ding on the product that has to be pressed from the wire piece 6. The product can for instance be plate-shaped, bent or for instance have the shape of product 6'shown in figure 3B. In the products the thickness may vary: there is a three-dimensional freedom of design.

When the punch 83 is retracted after pressing the shaped product 6'will remain in the mould cavity 85, which will be remedied by operation of the ejector pin 86. In order to prevent that the product 6'falls down from the mould cavity 85, before the clamping jaws 41,42 of the transport mem- bers shown in the figures 2A and 2B can become active, an interception system 90 has been provided, having fingers 91, which at the lower end are hingingly connected to rod 93 that is movable up and down, which rod 93 at its lower end has been provided with a cam roller 95, which is moved up and down by cam disk 96, which rotates in the direction 0. The fingers 91 are pre-biassed, as seen in the figure to the right, towards the mould cavity 85 by means of spring 94.

The operation of the cam disk 96 now is such that the fingers 91 are moved upwards in the direction P immediately after the punch 83 starts opening the mould/press cavity. The upper ends of the fingers 91 come into engagement with the, as seen in drawing, left side of the form piece 6', and press the form piece 6'into the mould cavity 85 of the die. As soon as the ejector pin 86 starts its ejecting motion, the fingers 91 will move along in a resilient way, and the form piece 6'will be kept clamped between push out pin 86 and fingers 91, in order to offer the clamping jaws 41,42 the opportunity to engage the longitudinal ends of the form piece 6'.

It is noted that the transfer device with transport clamps having clamping jaws that engage the ends of wire pieces can also be deployed for transport between consecutive mould press stations (wherein the slide 70 moves the products step-wise), but that it is also possible to use the transfer mechanism according to the invention consecutive to a transfer mechanism, in which in the usual manner recently cut off wire pieces are radially transferred to a first mould press. In a mould press station an arrangement comparable to the holder 7 can be arranged, to change the orientation of the wire piece 90°, and to align it with transport clamps

according to the invention.

The mould press device 100 shown in the figures 4 and further schematically shown as regards the most important parts. The mould press device in this example comprises four stationary moulding dies 180a, 180b, 180c and 180d, which are supported by means that are not further shown in a larger permanently arranged frame. With their mould end the moulding dies 180a-d extend in opening 180 in frame 102, which has been built up from girders 102a, 102b and uprights 102c, 102d.

The upper girder 102a and the lower girder 102b have been provided with slots 106a, 106b, in which way they are slidable along longitudinal mem- bers that are not further shown which members form a unity with mould presses 180a-d. In figure 5A the girder 1050can be seen which has been attached to the moulding dies of 180a-d, and in a fitting way and in a manner so as to allow sliding, engages into groove 106a. On top of girder 105 a guide and retaining strip 107 (figure 5A) has been attached, which with pendent strip 107a engages into profile 104 at the upper side of upper girder 102a.

A transport clamp 200 in the second embodiment is fixed on frame 102.

As can be seen in figure 6, in this example, three of such transport clamps 200 can be arranged adjacent to each other, at a mutual distance that equals the mutual distance between the moulding dies 180a-d.

At the side facing away from the moulding dies 180a-d a number of moulding punches 181 have been shown, only one of which being shown in this example. It will be understood that a moulding punch 181 has been placed near/in front of each moulding die 180a-d. The dies 180 and the punches 181 are situated on either side of the vertical plane of transport of the wire pieces.

The transport clamps 200 with the framework 102 form a unity that is reciprocally movable in direction J. A transport clamp 200 is shown more clearly in figure 4 in view, and comprises an upper clamp 201 and a lower clamp 202. The upper clamp 201 comprises two guide sleeves 204a, 204b in which rods 206a, 206b are movable up and down in the directions Q.

Between the sleeves 204a, 204b a support block 214 has been arranged against which the upper end of a spring 212 supports. The lower end of the draw spring 212 has been attached against the upper surface of a yoke 208, that has been attached on the lower ends of the rods 206a, 206b.

The yoke 208 is U-shaped having legs 208a, 208b. In the legs 208a, 208b, clamping pieces 210a, 210b have been attached in an interchan- geable manner by means of bolts.

The rods 206a, 206b at the upper side project from the sleeves 204a ; 204b, and at their upper ends are attached to yoke 216. On inverted T- shaped yoke 216 a cam 224 has been attached. Said cam 224 is engaged by operation arm 222, or roller thereon, which in lever structure 220 forms one rotatable unity with operation arm 221 for rotation in the directions R, imposed by means that are usual per se but not further shown (on the arm 221 a cam may have been provided). The sleeves 204a, 204b are fixed to upper girder 102a, via attachment plate 230 (figure 5B). The lever struc- ture 220 with arms 221,222 has been attached on plate 203, which may find support in groove 104b.

The lower clamp 202 has been built up in a similar manner. The structure with plate 203 and lever structure 220 has been left out of the figures.

However it will be present there too, or a similar structure.

The lowermost clamp 202 thus has guide sleeves 205a, 205b which are fixed to lower girder 102b. Between the sleeves 205a, 205b there is a support block 215, for the lower side of the draw spring 213, which with

its upper end has been attached to yoke 209, which has been provided with legs 209a, 209, in which clamping pieces 211 a, 211 b can be secured in a detachable manner by means of bolts. The yoke 209 has been at- tached at the upper end of rods 207a, 207b that are guided in sleeves 206a, 206b. The lower end of the rods 207a, 207b has been attached to a T-shaped yoke 217.

By operation of the lever structure 220 a downward force is exerted on yoke 216 by means of arm 222. The same happens, in reversed direction, on yoke 217, so an upward force. As a result the rods 206a, 206b and 207a, 207b are moved downwards and upwards, respectively, in direction Q. This takes place countering a recoil strength of the springs 212, 213. In this way the clamping fingers 21 Oa, 21 Ob and 211a, 211b are urged towards each other, in order to clamp a wire piece, form piece, or the like 206 between them.

It is noted that an alternative structure is possible in which use is made of compression springs, which bias the clamps 201,202 towards each other.

In said clamped position, due to moving the framework 102, the wire piece 206 with clamp 200 can be moved in the direction J, from the one mould to the adjacent mould.

The framework 102 can be moved in the direction J because the front ends of the moulding dies 180a-d extend through in the open space 108 formed by the framework 102, which space 108 in the direction J is larger (see figure 4) than the common width of the dies 180a-d. Thus, as can be seen in figure 4, an open space 103 has been left over.

In figure 5B the moulding die 180b has been shown having an inner piece 188b and replaceable moulding die 182b, which defines a mould cavity 185. As is the case with the arrangement of figure 3A a ejector pin 186 (or

several ejector pins) extend through it, which pin may be biassed slightly to the left with means that are not further shown.

The punch 181 is movable in the direction N (also see figure 3A), wherein in the punch part 183 a slit-shaped passage has been arranged (largest width perpendicular to plane of drawing), in which a pressing plate 189 is slidable, which plate at the rear end supports against a spring 189'. The plate 189 thus is spring-movable in the direction R.

In figure 5B the moment is shown that the shaping is started. The transport clamp 200 has brought the plate piece 106 in front of the mould cavity 105, in a manner described above. Then the punch 181 is moved towards it in the direction N, the end of the pressing plate being 189 spring-biassed against the wire piece 106.

The wire piece 106 is now as it were also held in horizontal direction between the pressing plates 189, possibly the pin 186, and the boundary of the mould cavity. Now the lever structure 220 can be operated to cause the yokes 208,209 to move upwards and downwards again, respectively, aided by the spring force of the springs 212,213. The wire piece 106 is now retained by the pressing plate 189, the pin 186 and/or the boundary of the mould cavity. In case of on-going movement in the direction N towards the die 180 the pressing plate 189 forcefully presses the wire piece against and in the mould cavity 185. By closing the mould press 181 the wire piece can now be provided with the shape of the mould cavity 185. The end piece of the pressing plate 189 here is a part of the mould boundaries during pressing.

After the moulding has been completed the punch 181 is moved back a little, wherein the sliding plate 189 remains in contact with the form piece.

The push out pin 186 is also operated, and presses the form/wire piece 106 out of the mould cavity 185, in the vertical path of the clamps 210,

211. They are moved towards each other by again operating the lever structure 220, in order to clamp the now shaped wire piece 106 firmly in between them. For transfer to a next die for further deformation the framework 102 is moved in the direction J, over the wanted distance.

There the process just described can be carried out again, with a mould cavity 105b, of another mould.

It is noted that an interception system such as system 90 of figures 3A, B can also be used.

In the figures 5A, B the wire piece 106 is shown having a square cross- section. Said square cross-section has been provided to the earlier wire piece 106 having a round cross-section, by deformation in the die 180a with mould cavity 105a.

At the location of the left over space 103 the transport clamp 40 shown in the figures 2A, B can be placed, for moving along with the framework 102.

Framework 102 thus forms a kind of carriage or slide.

In figure 6 the wire in endless shape will be supplied in the direction A, transverse to the framework 102. By means of the mechanism shown in figures 1A, B the wire may be cut and rotated until in orientation in the plane of the framework 102. Then the transport clamp there can be operated in order to engage the ends of the (round) wire piece.

In figure 6 a preferred embodiment of the transport clamp 300 is shown, which works in a manner comparable to transport clamp 40. Only the longitudinal end planes of the wire piece 106 are engaged with this as well.

In the figures 7A, B the transport clamp 300 of figure 6 is further shown.

The transport clamp comprises a plate 371 which extends into a recess in

the upper girder 102a, and has been attached to it.

On the plate 371 two schematically shown toothed wheels 380,381, have been attached which can be operated for rotation in the directions V at the wanted moment by means that are not further shown.

On the plate 371 rotation rods 372,373, have been hinged, which at the one end have been provided with teeth 374,375 that inter-engage with the teeth on the toothed wheels 380,381.

At the other end the rotation rods 372,373 have been hinged to holders 354,355, on which clamping fingers 357,358 have been replaceably attached, by means of bolts (not shown).

The holders 354,355 have furthermore been attached to the plate 371 by means of swing rods 376,377 which form a parallelogram structure with the swing rods 372,373.

In the situation shown in figure 7A the transport clamp 300 is open, such as the transport clamp 40 of figure 2B.

Due to rotation of the toothed wheels 380,381, the swing rods 372,373 are turned from the horizontal position shown in figure 7A to the vertical position (arrows U) shown in figure 7B. In said position the wire piece 106 is clamped between clamping surfaces 359 and 360, for transport thereof.

Note that the clamping fingers 357,358 keep their orientation here.

In case wire pieces of another length have to be treated, other clamps can be attached on the holders 354,355.

In figure 6 it is also shown that the consecutive transport clamps 200 may be provided with clamps suitable for engagement of the shaped wire piece,

consecutively 210a, b and 211a, b, subsequently 210c, d and 211c, d and subsequently 210e, f and 211e, f. In all cases the formed wire or form pieces are only clamped at the ends.

When the end product has been obtained, in the last mould 180d (in figure 5A this space is left empty, but a suitable die could be placed in there), the product can be picked up with the shown usual clamp from the last die and discharged to an interception tray or the like.

In an arrangement as shown in figure 6, wherein several transport clamps have been placed adjacent to each other, and can be moved along in front of the moulding dies, along the plane between die and punch, the transfer of the wire pieces can take place during shaping for consecutive stages (for consecutive wire pieces) simultaneously, whereas purely radially deformation of the wire pieces is possible.