CA1156548A

CA1156548A - Adjustable power press

Info

Publication number: CA1156548A
Application number: CA000384713A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Gerard G. F. Smeets
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-08-27
Filing date: 1981-08-27
Publication date: 1983-11-08

Abstract

ABSTRACT:

The invention relates to a punch press or like machine provided with an enlarged ram surface for operating simultaneously several cutting tools and also provided with means for adjustably mounting one or more hydraulically powered cylinders for applying force to the ram at desired locations.

Description

`` l 1565~8 This invention relates to a hydraulically powered press machine adapted to operate one or more tool units (punch and die) simultaneously wherein the power applied and used in the operation can be related closely to the work load with consequen¢e that minimum energy is used in each case and wherein the power applied can be readily adjusted to different work loads.
It is general practice in the machine tool trade to provide hydraulic press machines with a fixed maximum I0 possible load capability wherein the hydraulic powe~avail-able is directly related to the maximum load capability and is substantially not adjustable.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a metal working machine such as a punch press I5 which allows for the power, supplied hydraulically, to be matched to the actual work to be performed.
In accordance with the present invention a punch press machine is provided with a main support frameand one or more operating hydraulic power ~ylinders are adjustably mountable on the support frame td apply power to desired locations on an operable ram member, the number of hydraulic cylinders, their power capabilities alnd their locations on the frame being determined by the size, number and locations of the tool units to be simultaneously operated by the ram member.
In a preferred form of the invention the punch press machine comprises a main frame member incoporating a work table, a ram member resiliently supported with respect to the work table with ram guiding means confining the movement of the ram in a direction substantially perpendicular to the 1 1 ~B548 work table, parallel mounting rail means being provided to support one or more hydraulically powered work cylinders:~
by means of mounting plates which are adjustable longitud-inally and transversely to the rails.
The invention will now be described more fully with reference to the drawings in which;
Figure I shows a verti~al view of the adjustably powered press machine, and Figure 2 shows a plan view thereof.
I0 Referring now to the drawings the main frame of the punch press machine comprises two end members I,2 of, for instance, steel, which extend substantially the full height of the machine. End members I,2 are joined at their lower ends by heavy side members 4,4 to form a rectangular box-like I5 structure base upon which a horizontal work table 3 is secured.
For economy reasons the joining of members is preferrably by welding.
Similarily at the top end the end members I,2 are joined by side members 9,I0 to form a closed rectangle. Cross members 25 and 8 arewelded across the upper and lower ends, respectively, of side members 9, I0. Below members 9, I0 two side rail members 23, 23, extend between the ends I, 2.
These side rail members are provided with a number of clamp-ing screws I8 the purpose of which will become clear in the following description.
In the embodiment shown three air-hydraulic pressure intensifier power cylinders I2, I3, I4, preferrably of the type shown in United States patent 4~27I~67l - Smeets - June 9, I98I, are secured in mounting plates I5, I6, I7 respectively either by bolting or being threaded thereinto. The mounting plates I5, I6, I7 extend crosswise of the main fr~me between side members 9, I0 and rails 23, 23. Their position therebetween i8 secured by means of clamping screws I8 shown in Figure I. Clamping screws may be provided to accommodate the positioning of the power cylinders at any desired locat-ion between the side members 5, I0. It wil be obvious that longitudinal or transverse adjustment of the power cylinders is available, limited of course, by the bulk of the power cylinders employed and the spacing between the side rails 9, I0. It will be noted that power cylinder I3 is shown centred I0 transversely between side members 9, I0 while power cylinders I2 and I4 are displaced wit~ respect to the centre-line of the main frame.
An elongated rectangular plate-like ram member II
is resiliently suspended over the work table 3 by means of I5 four ram-return bolt-spring units 7, 6. The springs are compressed between cross members 8 and adjusting nuts 5 to hold ram member II in the position shown in Figure I at its unactuated position over the work table. Additional nuts 5 at the top ends of bolts 7 limit the downward travel of ram member II.
Four punch and die units I9, 20, 2I and 22 are shown secured to the work table 3 in position to be actuated by ram member II when the power cylinders I2, I3 and I4 are operated simultaneously through a work cycle.
It will be obvious with the floating ram system shown power may be applied thereto at the locations and values required for the work cycle, the size of the power~cyiinder being selected for the force required at a particular location on the ram. ~8 a consequence if little total power is required it can be readily provided by the selection of power capacity and number of power cylinders employed. Thus when the total power required is small low power capacity or fewer power cylinders are employed with the conse~uent minimum expenditure of power.
It will now be obvious that the invention provides a power press machine of great versatility adaptable to a wide range of power requirements and obviating the necessity of having available a number of machines of different powers.
Furthermore, with the construction of the type shown great economy in manufacture is obtained and the machines can be supplied to the market place at lower cost to the consumer.
In addition, by using a pressure intensifier system type power cylinder only air pressure, for instance at 100 psi, need be supplied to the machine. Because of the relatively light construction the machine also becomes readily movable.
Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodimen~ thereof it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that further modificat-ions may be made which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

I. A punch press or like machine comprising a main frame provided with a work table for supporting one or more operative metal working tool units, a ram member resiliently supported above the worktable and having an enlarged operative ram surface capable of actuating two or more tool units simultaneously, and supporting means for adjustable positioning and securing one or more operable hydraulic power cylinder units above the ram member to supply, when operated, hydraulically produced force to selected areas of the ram member to actuate simultaneously tool members mounted on the work table.
2. A punch press or like machine as claimed in claim I wherein the support for the ram and hydraulic cylinders is comprised by parallel rails forming part of the main frame above the work table, the ram being support-ed at two opposite points by spring members, in compress-ion, which spring members act to return the ram to an initial position after actuation.