EP0119108B1 - Adapter device for mounting bending punches on a bending press - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to devices used for mounting folding punches on a press brake.

In general, these punches are fixed on the lower edge of the upper deck of such a press, and this opposite a v-shaped matrix, fixed on the upper edge of the lower deck. These punches and dies are removably fixed in place so that they can be replaced by other punches and dies of different profiles, depending on the thickness of the sheets, and the nature of the folds to be produced in a sheet.

With a view to their fixing, the punches comprise a heel intended to be engaged in a recess of the edge of the upper deck and to be fixed thereto by means of a number of clamps, distributed lengthwise.

However, the section of the fixing heel thus provided has different shapes depending on the manufacturers of press brakes. British patent GB-A-2 057 047, which describes a device for fixing a punch on the apron of a press, illustrates various variant embodiments where the heel of the punch has different sections. In Figure 6, the heel is offset on the side of the punch to release a support area located in the axis of the thrust of the deck. In Figure 2, the axis of the thrust is exerted on two lateral support zones formed on the heel of the punch while being symmetrical with respect to the axis of the thrust. Finally, in Figure 5, the heel of the punch has a support area located above it and in the axis of the thrust.

As the British patent above shows by way of example, it is appropriate, for each shape or section of the heel used, to adapt a different fixing system to ensure the immobilization of the punch on the apron. Conversely, the recess provided in the lower edge of the upper deck of a determined press has a section adapted only to a particular shape of the heel of the punch to be mounted in this recess. Consequently, on a press of a specific manufacturer, it is not possible to mount punches initially designed to be adapted on presses of other brands, having chosen a fixing heel of a different type. This is a drawback for users, since some of them can be equipped, or wish to be equipped, with presses of different brands. However, it is not possible for them to exchange the punches of these presses or to provide a single set of punches capable of being adapted indifferently on one or the other of the different presses of the same workshop.

To overcome this drawback, it has already been proposed adapter devices arranged to be mounted on a press of specific brand and to be able to receive punches whose fixing heel corresponds to a different type from that of the punches normally provided for this press. However, it is then necessary to produce such an adapter device for each of the types of fixing heels. Furthermore, when such an adapter is in place and it is desired to mount a punch having a different type of fixing heel, this adapter must be removed in order to install another adapter corresponding to this new type of fixing heel. . It is therefore not possible to switch from one type to another without a certain number of operations requiring significant time.

This is why the subject of the present invention is an adapter designed to remain permanently fixed to the apron of a press brake and to be able to receive punches comprising fixing heels of different types, including those of the type provided for the corresponding press. .

• d'un corps en forme de barreau, ou de tronçons de barreau, apte à être fixé sur le tablier de la presse correspondante, et dont la partie inférieure comporte, sur l'une de ses faces verticales, un embrèvement de plus grande profondeur que le talon de fixation d'un poinçon, quel que soit le type de ce talon ;
• d'une cale d'appui de même hauteur que celle de l'embrèvement du corps de l'adaptateur et qui est apte à être placée contre le talon du poinçon à fixer en place, soit dans le fond de l'embrèvement du corps de cet adaptateur, soit du côté externe ;
• la fixation en place de cette cale et du talon du poinçon correspondant étant assurée par des brides serrées par vissage sur le corps de ('adaptateur et disposées du côté vers lequel est ouvert l'embrèvement prévu dans ce corps.

To this end, this adapter is made up of the combination:

• of a body in the form of a bar, or of sections of bar, capable of being fixed on the apron of the corresponding press, and the lower part of which has, on one of its vertical faces, a recess of greater depth than the heel for fixing a punch, whatever the type of this heel;
• a support wedge of the same height as that of the abrading of the body of the adapter and which is capable of being placed against the heel of the punch to be fixed in place, ie in the bottom of the abrading of the body of this adapter, either on the external side;
• the fixing in place of this wedge and the heel of the corresponding punch being ensured by flanges tightened by screwing on the body of the adapter and arranged on the side towards which the recess provided in this body is open.

Thus the adapter according to the invention makes it possible to mount, on the deck of a press brake of a given brand, punches whose fixing heels may or may not correspond to the type provided for this press. It then suffices to change the position of the support wedge provided in the removal of the body of this adapter to transform, in an appropriate manner, the location of the housing provided for the heel for fixing the punch to be mounted in place.

• la figure 1 est une vue partielle en perspective d'un adaptateur, fixé sur le tablier supérieur d'une presse plieuse, et d'un poinçon monté en place grâce à cet adaptateur.

However, other features and advantages of the adapter according to the invention will appear during the following description of two different embodiments thereof. This description is given with reference to the attached drawing for information only and in which:

• Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of an adapter fixed on the upper deck of a press brake, and a punch mounted in place with this adapter.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are views in vertical section of this same adapter, these views showing the mounting modes of punches having fixing heels of different types.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are sectional views of another embodiment of the adapter. these views representing the mounting modes of punches comprising fixing heels of different types.

As already indicated, the body of the adapter takes the form of a bar 1 extending over the entire length of the lower edge of the upper deck 2 of a press brake. However, the body of this adapter could also consist of a series of bar sections, distributed one after the other, with a certain interval or not, along the length of the edge of the upper deck 2 of a press.

This bar, in one piece or formed from a series of successive sections, is intended to be fixed permanently to the edge of the upper deck 2 of a press of a given brand. Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 1, this bar is arranged to be mounted on a press designed to receive punches 3 comprising a fixing heel 4 of the offset type on the side with a support zone 5 located in the 'XY axis of the folding thrust. Consequently, the upper face of this bar itself carries a heel 6 offset to the side and which is able to be placed inside the lateral recess 7 formed in the lower edge of the upper deck 2 of the corresponding press. , in order to usually receive the heel 4 of the punches 3 provided for this press. The heel 6 of the bar 1 is then fixed in the usual manner inside this recess, that is to say by means of a series of clamps 8 distributed over the entire length and fixed on the edge of the apron 2 using screws 9.

• un poinçon 3a comportant un talon de fixation 4a disposé au centre et de part et d'autre duquel sont prévues deux zones latérales d'appui 5a symétriques par rapport à l'axe X-Y de la poussée de pliage (voir figure 3).
• ou un poinçon 3b comportant un talon de fixation 4b disposé au centre et présentant une zone d'appui 5b située au-dessus de ce talon et dans l'axe X-Y de pliage (voir figure 4).

However, the shape of the fixing heel 6, carried by the bar 1, is different if the present adapter is intended to be fixed on the apron of a press designed to receive punches having fixing heels of different types, for example:

• a punch 3a comprising a fixing heel 4a disposed in the center and on either side of which are provided two lateral support zones 5a symmetrical with respect to the axis XY of the folding thrust (see FIG. 3).
• or a punch 3b comprising a fixing heel 4b disposed in the center and having a support zone 5b located above this heel and in the XY axis of folding (see FIG. 4).

It is therefore simply by way of indicative example that FIG. 1 represents one of the three possible types of heels for fixing the bar 1 of this adapter. In fact, the shape and arrangement of this heel must vary depending on the type of press on which the present adapter is to be fixed.

Preferably a series of shims 10, of slightly trapezoidal section, are interposed between the upper face of the bar 1 of the lower face of the apron 2 of the press. These shims are held in place by screws 11. It is therefore sufficient to unscrew these to move these shims in order to very precisely adjust the position of the bearing faces 5. relative to the upper deck 2. However, the presence of these shims 10 is optional.

In accordance with one of the essential characteristics of this adapter. the bar 1. constituting the body thereof, has, at its lower part, a recess 12 open on one of the faces of this bar, usually the face of the latter intended to be placed on the front of the corresponding press. The depth E of this recess is significantly greater than the thickness of the fixing heel 4, 4a and 4b of the three types of punches intended to be mounted on the present adapter.

In combination with the body thereof, a support wedge 13 is provided, the height of which is equal to that of the recess 12 and the thickness of which corresponds substantially to the difference existing between the depth E of this recess and the thickness of the various types of heels 4, 4a and 4b of the various punches to be mounted on the present adapter.

Thus this support wedge 13 is able to be placed inside the recess 12 against the heel of the punch to be fixed in place, either at the bottom of this recess or on the external side. This wedge therefore makes it possible to transform, in an appropriate manner, the location of the housing provided for the heel for fixing the punch to be mounted in place.

This support member is retained in place by the screws 14 provided to ensure the tightening of a series of fixing flanges 15 distributed over the entire length of the present adapter. Indeed, before being screwed into the bar 1, the ends of these screws are engaged through bores 16 passing right through the support member 13. Thus the latter can be moved in the transverse direction by sliding on the clamping bolts 14.

FIG. 2 illustrates the case where the adapter is used to mount, on the deck 2 of the corresponding press, a punch 3 whose fixing heel 4 is of the offset type on one of the sides. In this case the support wedge 13 is placed in the bottom of the recess 12 so that the support zone 5 of the punch 3 comes to bear against the underside of this wedge. Under these conditions it serves as an intermediate element for the transmission of the pushing force between the punch 3 and the body 1 of the adapter.

However, in order to be able to fix a punch 3a comprising a fixing heel 4a situated in the center and having two support zones 5a arranged on either side, it suffices to move the support wedge 13 outwards so that it is now located in the position 13a shown in Figure 3. Indeed this allows to clear, between the bottom of the recess 12 and this support member. a free space inside which can be engaged the central heel 4a for fixing the punch 3a.

It should be noted that this operation is obviously carried out without any disassembly of the body 1 of this adapter. Moreover, the support member does not even have to be dismantled since it suffices to slide it in the transverse direction on

the clamping screws 14. To facilitate this maneuver, the lower part of the bar 1 may advantageously include a series of holes 17, distributed over its entire length, and making it possible to engage, inside the recess 12, a pushing tool according to arrow F in order to push the support wedge 13 outwards.

To replace a punch of the type of the punch 3 by a punch of the type 3a, it therefore suffices finally to move the support wedge 13 after having loosened the fixing flanges 15. Preferably the fixing heels 4, 4a and 4b of the different punches comprise a retaining spoiler 18 intended to prevent an accidental fall of these punches during the loosening of the fixing flanges 15. This spoiler 18 is stopped depending on the case either by the flange 15 or by the recesses 21 or 22.

FIG. 4 represents the mounting of a punch 3b comprising a central heel 4b with upper support 5b. In this case the body of the adapter obviously remains always fixed on the apron 2 of the press. But it is necessary to dismantle the support member 13 to replace it with another support member 13c having a thickness E1 corresponding to the depth of the recess 12 of the bar 1. However, this support member itself has , at its lower part, a recess 19 open on the side opposite to the front face and intended to receive the fixing heel 4b of the punch 3b. Thus the upper face of this recess 19 is placed against the support surface 5b of this heel so that the support wedge 13c serves, as before, as an intermediate element between the punch and the body 1 of the adapter for transmit the folding thrust.

Of course, it is necessary to replace the mobile support member 13 with another support member 13c in the case where it is desired to mount a punch of the type 3b. But this is obviously unnecessary for a user having only presses arranged to receive punches of types 3 and 3a.

However, FIGS. 5 to 7 show another embodiment of the adapter which is designed to allow the mounting of punches of the three types in question, without there being any need to change the support member placed at the inside of the body recess of this adapter.

In this case, the support member thus provided is of the type of member 13c already shown in FIG. 4. However, the recess 12c, provided in the body 1c of the corresponding adapter, then has a groove 20 ( Fig. 6 and 7) at the bottom. This is intended to possibly receive the projecting part of the support member 13c, which is located above its recess 19. Of course in this case the body 1c of the adapter, which can 'always be consisting of a single bar or a series of bar sections arranged one after the other. has a greater thickness than the body 1 of the adapter shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 5 illustrates the method of mounting a punch 3 comprising a fixing heel 4 of the offset type on the side. As in the case shown in Figure 2, the support member 13c is then placed in the bottom of the recess 12c of the bar 1c.

As for FIG. 6, it illustrates the mounting of a punch 3a comprising a fixing heel 4a situated in the center and on either side of which lateral support zones 5a are provided. As in the case illustrated in FIG. 3, the mobile support wedge 13c is then placed on the external side.

Finally, FIG. 7 illustrates the method of mounting a punch 3b whose fixing heel 4b is located in the center and has a bearing surface 5b on the top.

In the latter case the movable support wedge 13c remains placed outward. But the upper support surface 5b of the punch 3b is then in contact with the bottom of the recess 19 provided in this support wedge, and this in the same way as in the case illustrated in FIG. 4.

The adapter shown in Figures 5 to 7 therefore allows to mount in place either a punch of one of the three types considered 3, 3a and 3b. Of course, both in this embodiment and in that of Figures 1 to 4, the punches of one or the other of these types can have any desired section according to the desired folds.

Furthermore, it should be remembered that the body of the present adapter can be constituted by a bar made in one piece or by a series of bar sections, arranged one after the other with an interval or not. Moreover, the movable support wedges 13 or 13c may themselves be constituted by a continuous element or a series of fractional elements arranged one after the other. In the latter case each of these elements can be associated with a fixing flange 15 by being carried by the two clamping screws 14 of the considered flange.

As already indicated, the adapter according to the invention has the advantage of allowing the user of a press of a given brand to be able to adapt thereon, not only punches specially designed for this press. , but also punches intended for press brakes of different brands. without having to dismantle this adapter.

Claims (5)

1. Adapter for mounting on the top die-shoe (2) of a bending press punches (3, 3a, 3b) having attachment heels (4, 4a, 4b) of different types, characterized in that it is constituted by the combination :

of a body in the form of a bar (1) or segments of a bar which is capable of being fixed on the top die-shoe (2) of the corresponding press, the bottom portion of which is provided on one of its vertical faces with a recess (12) of greater depth than the attachment heel (4, 4a, 4b) of a punch (3, 3a. 3b) irrespective of the type of heel ;

of a bearing spacer (13 or 13c) having the same height as that of the recess (12) of the adapter body and capable of being placed against the heel of the punch to be fixed in position either within the bottom portion of the recess of the body of this adapter or on the outside ;

fixing in position of this spacer and of the heel of the corresponding punch being carried out by a cramp (15) applied against the adapter body by means of screws and located on the same side as the opening of the recess provided in this body.

2. Adapter in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of the displaceable bearing spacer (13) corresponds approximately to the difference between the depth of the recess (12) of the body (1) of this adapter and the thickness of the attachment heel (3, 3a) of the punches to be mounted in position.

3. Adapter in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of the displaceable bearing spacer (13c) corresponds approximately to the recess (12c) of the body (1 c) of this adapter but this bearing spacer is in turn provided with a recess (19) which opens in the opposite direction and the bottom of the recess (12c) of the adapter body is provided with a channel (20) which is capable of receiving if necessary the projecting portion of this bearing spacer.

4. Adapter in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the displaceable bearing spacer (13 or 13c) is slidably mounted on the screws (14) provided for securing the fixing cramps (15).

5. Adapter in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower portion of the body of this adapter is provided with a series of holes (17) for engaging a thrust- exerting tool within its recess (12 or 12c) in order to thrust the bearing spacer (13 or 13c) outwards.

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