EP0929370B1 - Device for the automatic conveyance of workpieces on a multistage metal-forming machine tool - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for the automatic transport of workpieces on a multi-stage, for non-cutting forming of metal parts Forming machine, as in the preamble of the independent Claim 1 is defined (see e.g. DE-A-29 29 800).

Such a device known from EP-B-0 206 186 has an upper and a lower, in the work cycle of the forming machine driven and in their forming area in fixed Bear reciprocating cross transport pipe on which an upper or lower pliers box is attached is. The two cross transport tubes are to form one sliding unit connected by a yoke. The Workpieces are captured by means of pairs interacting Plier gripper, one in the upper one Pliers box and the other arranged in the lower pliers box and the opening and closing movement of the through the each interacting pliers grippers formed pliers through control shafts rotatably arranged in the cross transport tubes controlled in the form of camshafts via transmission levers becomes. Such pliers enable in a simple manner the detection of very different in hot forming machines large workpieces.

A disadvantage of this device is that for detecting a Workpiece a pliers gripper from below to this becomes a great danger for the gripper there is a collision with falling parts. The pliers grippers are also especially in hot forming machines heavy pollution, for example from lubricants and / or exposed to scale and / or water. In addition are used to control the opening and closing movements of the pliers two camshafts and for the reciprocation of the pliers two cross transport tubes necessary, whereby the movements of the two camshafts and the two transverse transport tubes must be coordinated in each case.

Given the disadvantages of the previously known, described above The invention has the following object underlying. To create a device of the aforementioned Type for the automatic transport of workpieces a multi-stage forming machine without one from below pliers gripper to be brought up to a workpiece to be gripped gets along, being simple and inexpensive it should be ensured that workpieces are very different Diameter or stepped workpieces, such as flange shafts or similar parts with different diameters freely selectable positions can be recorded. In addition, the Device should be constructed as simply as possible.

This object is achieved by the device according to the invention solved as defined in independent claim 1 is. Preferred design variants result from the dependent claims.

The essence of the invention is that in one device for the automatic transport of workpieces a multi-stage, for chipless forming of metal parts serving forming machine attached to a cross transport tube Tong box comprises a tong box base body, on the one or more interchangeable pliers cassettes with pliers, with which a workpiece from above is laterally detectable, are arranged. Every pair of pliers is over a coupling point with it, in the pliers box body arranged, a pliers curve to control the Opening and closing movement of the transfer means having pliers connected, which in turn with one in the cross transport tube rotatably mounted control shaft in operative connection stand. Transporting one with a pair of pliers workpiece gripper interacting in pairs from a forming station to the neighboring forming station and the tongs are moved back by and moving the cross transport tube, which is in the work cycle the forming machine driven and in their forming area in fixed camps is performed. Through the use of pliers cartridges with pliers with suitable leverage ratios and / or setting or exchanging the pliers curves are the Plier strokes and / or the temporal behavior of the pliers movements adaptable to the workpieces.

By using pliers that lift the workpieces from above from the side, excessive contamination can occur both interacting pliers grippers largely be prevented. It is also guaranteed that, for example larger due to wear of the forming tools workpieces are always centered in the respective interacting pliers grippers are detected. The The device according to the invention is also of simple construction, because the pliers on a single, on a cross transport tube attached pliers box are arranged and the opening and closing movement of the pliers from a single control shaft is controlled.

Workpieces are gripped laterally from above has been used in cold forming machines for some time, but allow the known devices and pliers it is not, workpieces very different and proportionate large diameter. Such pliers are generally only for small tong stroke differences and thus only for workpieces within a limited diameter range designed.

In the device according to the invention, the tong stroke through the use of pliers cassettes with pliers with suitable Leverage ratios and / or adjustment or replacement of the pliers curves for the control of the pliers optimally adaptable to different workpieces, so that under other no unnecessarily large pliers movements Need to become. By choosing pliers with suitable leverage ratios it is possible to have relatively large workpieces to grasp without the pliers moving away from neighboring ones Forceps cartridges get in the way. On the other hand, too Workpieces with large flanges in places with small ones Diameters are recorded, the pliers then due make a large stroke of the space required for the flange.

The replacement of pliers cassettes is the one according to the invention Device simply by moving each pliers over only one coupling point with the associated one, in the pliers box body arranged transmission means connected which is the connection to the control shaft for control the opening and closing movement.

Since the transmission means assigned to a pair of pliers each have a pliers curve, the opening and closing movement sequence each pliers individually adjustable. The setting is also user-friendly, since this is not how in the previously known devices, the control shaft the cross transport tube must be removed.

In a preferred embodiment variant, the include one Forceps associated with a transfer device perpendicular to the Control shaft arranged with this via a bevel gear operatively connected pliers drive shaft on which the Plier curve is arranged with which at least one another lever, one end of which has the coupling point the forceps or a forceps arm is operatively connected to the Opening and closing movement of the pliers is controlled.

This variant has the advantage that the Opening and closing movement of pliers using a Pliers drive shaft controlling pliers curve towards the opening and closing movement rotates, i.e. that no Redirection of movement is necessary. This allows the crowd after the plier curve are kept lower than with the previously known devices, what a faster and allows more precise movement. In addition, the vibration behavior improved. The one between the control shaft and the pliers drive shaft has a motion deflection via a bevel gear no negative influence on the vibration behavior if the speed of rotation of the control shaft in normal operation is constant.

In order to release the workpieces in the respective target forming stations an immediate backward movement of the empty one To enable pliers is the cross transport tube on which the pliers box is attached, rotatably arranged, so that by turning the cross transport tube by means of an outside of the forming area arranged transverse transport tube rotating device the pliers box can be raised or lowered is.

For a striking of the pliers on the stamps or the stamp holder the forming machine when lifting the pliers box prevent and enable short stamping tools, the pliers cartridges are preferably in a cartridge carrier arranged with the pliers box body over a cassette carrier pivot axis so connected and when lifting the pliers box is controlled so that it is together with the pliers cartridges pivoted in the opposite direction becomes.

To control the pivoting of the cassette holder to Pliers box base is already on the advantage existing control shaft at least one pivot curve provided, being between pivoting curve and cassette carrier a plunger or lever is arranged. This is the pivoting of the cassette holder in a simple manner coordinated with the pliers movement.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention the coupling points of the pliers with the respectively assigned transmission means arranged in the pliers box body arranged in the region of the cassette carrier pivot axis. This causes the cassette holder to pivot not automatically a pincer opening or - closing movement.

In a preferred embodiment variant of an inventive one Device on an anvil in the tool room forming machine is the pliers box in its lowered position supported on the anvil, being the support is provided by a roller or sliding guide, which ensures that the tongs in the forming stations are positioned exactly vertically. That way it is vertical positioning accuracy of the pliers from the movement mechanism decoupled.

Fig. 1 -

eine schematische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemässen Transportvorrichtung an einer vierstufigen Umformmaschine;

Fig. 2 -

einen Teil der Vorrichtung von Fig. 1 im Umformbereich der Umformmaschine, wobei drei Zangen mit unterschiedlichen Hüben dargestellt sind;

Fig. 3, 4 -

Querschnitte durch einen Teil der Vorrichtung von Fig. 1 im Umformbereich der Umformmaschine zur Illustration der Öffnungs- und Schliessbewegung der Zangen;

Fig. 5 -

eine Draufsicht auf einen Teil der Vorrichtung von Fig. 1 im Umformbereich der Umformmaschine zur Illustration der Öffnungs- und Schliessbewegung der Zangen;

Fig. 6 -

einen Teil der Vorrichtung von Fig. 1 im Umformbereich der Umformmaschine, wobei zur Illustration der Öffnungs- und Schliessbewegung sowie der genauen Positionierung der Zangen im Unterschied zu Fig. 1 vier Zangenantriebe dargestellt sind;

Fig. 7 -

eine Perspektivansicht einer Kopplung von Zangenarm und Zangenantriebshebel;

Fig. 8, 9 -

Querschnitte durch einen Teil der Vorrichtung von Fig. 1 im Umformbereich der Umformmaschine zur Illustration der Kassettenträgerverschwenkung;

Fig. 10, 11 -

zwei Varianten von Wälzführungen zur genauen Positionierung der Zangen;

Fig. 12 -

eine Draufsicht auf eine Quertransportantriebseinrichtung;

Fig. 13 -

einen Querschnitt durch die Quertransportantriebseinrichtung gemäss Linie A-A in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 -

eine Frontansicht der Quertransportantriebseinrichtung von Fig. 12;

Fig. 15, 17, 18 -

Frontansichten einer Quertransportrohrdreheinrichtung, einer Steuerwellenantriebseinrichtung und eines Teils der Quertransportantriebseinrichtung von Fig. 12 und

Fig. 16 -

eine Seitenansicht der Quertransportrohrdreheinrichtung von Fig. 15.

The device according to the invention for the automatic transport of workpieces on a multi-stage forming machine is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and using an exemplary embodiment. Taking into account that different parts have been omitted from the drawings for better illustration of the different design features, the following shows in a partially sectioned illustration:

Fig. 1 -

a schematic view of a transport device according to the invention on a four-stage forming machine;

Fig. 2 -

part of the device of Figure 1 in the forming area of the forming machine, three pliers with different strokes are shown.

3, 4 -

Cross sections through part of the device of Figure 1 in the forming area of the forming machine to illustrate the opening and closing movement of the pliers.

Fig. 5 -

a plan view of part of the device of Figure 1 in the forming area of the forming machine to illustrate the opening and closing movement of the pliers.

Fig. 6 -

part of the device of Figure 1 in the forming area of the forming machine, four tong drives are shown to illustrate the opening and closing movement and the exact positioning of the pliers in contrast to Figure 1.

Fig. 7 -

a perspective view of a coupling of the gun arm and gun drive lever;

8, 9 -

Cross sections through part of the device of Figure 1 in the forming area of the forming machine to illustrate the pivoting of the cassette carrier.

10, 11 -

two variants of roller guides for precise positioning of the pliers;

Fig. 12 -

a plan view of a transverse transport drive device;

Fig. 13 -

a cross section through the transverse transport drive device according to line AA in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 -

a front view of the cross transport drive device of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15, 17, 18 -

Front views of a cross transport tube rotating device, a control shaft drive device and a part of the cross transport drive device of FIGS. 12 and

Fig. 16 -

15 shows a side view of the transverse transport tube rotating device from FIG. 15.

Figure 1

A device according to the invention for automatic transport of workpieces is on a four-stage, for non-cutting Forming of metal-forming machine arranged, the machine body 6, a shear station S and an anvil 8 with four forming stations U1, U2, U3, U4 has.

The transport device is with an in in the machine body 6 attached cross transport tube bearings 20, 21 rotatable and mounted to move back and forth in the direction of transport Transverse tube 2 provided in the coaxial control shaft 3 is arranged.

In the forming area of the forming machine is on the cross transport tube 2 a pliers box 1 with a pliers box body 10, a cassette holder 11 and three pliers cassettes 12a, 12b, 12c attached, the pliers cassette 12a here is not drawn, so that the part of the Cassette holder 11 with fastening thread 125 visible is. The pliers cartridges 12a, 12b, 12c each have pliers with pliers arms 13, 14 and are by means of central cassette fastening screws 121 attached to the cassette holder 11. In the square opening 119 in the cassette holder 11 one can see one end of a tong drive lever 18 in the left and right end positions. Support bolts 152 on the pliers cartridges, e.g. Screws, one end face of each rests on a support element 123 of the cassette carrier 11, serve to stabilize the pliers cassettes 12a, 12b, 12c on the cassette holder 11. On support elements 122 on the cassette support 11 are pivot joints 132, 142 of the Pliers arranged according to the desired pliers stroke. The cassette carrier side Ends of the pivot joints 132, 142 and the Support bolts 152 lie on the support elements 122 or 123 and thus form a centering 3-point support for every pliers cassette. The pliers of the pliers cassette 12c are located itself in its closed position and engages Work piece W3 while the pliers of the pliers cassette 12b is in its open position and a workpiece W2 has not yet captured.

The opening and closing movement of the pliers is like described in detail below, from the control shaft 3 controlled by an outside the forming area of the Forming machine arranged control shaft drive device 30 is driven. The back and forth movement of the cross transport tube 2 is carried out by means of a transverse transport drive device 4, and by means of a cross transport tube rotating device 5 is the cross transport tube 2 for lifting and lowering the pliers box 1 rotated. The cross transport drive device 4 and the cross transport tube turning device 5 are also outside the forming area the forming machine and more precisely below described.

The workflow is generally as follows: The pliers capture their respectively assigned workpieces, are by Transverse displacement of the cross transport tube 2 from a forming station U1, U2, U3 to the adjacent forming station U2, U3, U4 transported and give the workpieces there the forming process freely. The pliers box 1 with the pliers is then raised by turning the cross transport tube 2, the cross transport tube 2 with the pliers box 1 moved back and the pliers box 1 back to the starting position lowered.

The following definition applies to the entire further description. Are in a figure for the sake of graphic clarity Reference numbers included, but in the immediately associated Descriptive text not explained, or vice versa, so will be mentioned on their mention in previous figure descriptions Referred.

Figure 2

The three pliers of the pliers cassettes 12a, 12b, 12c are each in their closed position, in which they have three workpieces Detect W1, W2, W3, and shown their open position. Each pair of pliers includes two double-armed levers trained, rotatably suspended on pivot joints 132, 142 Plier arms 13, 14, one end of which is through with pliers shoes 131, 141 provided pliers grippers 130, 140 is formed. The Pliers grippers 130, 140 are over predetermined breaking points 133, 143 connected to the rest of the gun arm 13, 14, so that at a malfunction in the forming process generally only the Forceps grippers 130, 140 cancel and the rest of the device remains intact. The predetermined breaking points 133, 143 are preferably monitored with sensors 134, 144.

The swivel joints 132, 142 of each pliers are arranged or the lengths of the two levers of each gun arm 13, 14 are chosen so that the pliers one for the workpiece to be gripped W1, W2, W3 has a suitable pliers stroke. The pliers cartridges 12a, 12b, 12c are shown here with pliers for Workpieces of small, medium or large diameters are suitable are. By changing pliers cartridges, the Transport device of the forming machine during a production changeover easily converted to new workpieces become.

The pliers are opened and closed by turning them the tong arms 13, 14 around the rotary joints 132, 142. For this purpose is the one end of the gun arm 14 at a coupling point 19 to transmission means arranged in the pliers box base body 10 coupled, the rotation of the control shaft 3 convert into a suitable back and forth motion. about arranged on the two tong arms 13, 14, in operative connection standing guide surfaces 135, 145 become the gun arm 13 rotated by the pliers arm 14. A spring 136 provides making sure that the guide surface 135 is in constant contact with the guide surface 145 is pressed and the pliers are pretensioned that it has a tendency to close.

In Fig. 2 it can also be seen that the cassette carrier 11 pivotable about preferably preloaded roller bearings 110 is attached to the pliers box body 10. The purpose this arrangement is in connection with the below 8 and 9 explained.

Figures 3 to 6

In the forming area of the forming machine is opposite the anvil 8 a stamp holder 7 for receiving forming stamps arranged, the pliers for the workpiece transport in reach into the space between punch holder 7 and anvil 8.

To open and close the pliers are between the control shaft 3 and the pliers arm 14 are provided with transmission means, the one pliers drive shaft 15 with a plier curve 16, a roller lever 17 and a tong drive lever 18 include. The generally even rotation of the Control shaft 3 is on the bevel drive shaft via a bevel gear 150 15 transferred on which the pliers curve 16 is appropriate. One lies on the pliers curve 16 first end of a roller lever 17 rotatably arranged roller 170 at (see Fig. 3 and 6), while the second end of the roller lever 17 fixed with a first end of the tong drive lever 18 is connected (see FIGS. 4 to 6). The second end of the tong drive lever 18 is via a coupling device 180 rotatably connected to the pliers arm 14 (see. Fig. 4 and 6).

6, the first tong drive lever 18 is from the left in shown in a position in which the associated pliers is closed while the second tong drive lever 18 is shown from the left in a position in which the associated Pliers is open. The due to the rotation of the Pliers drive shaft 15 presses rotating pliers curve 16 the first end carrying the roller 170 at the opening of the pliers the roller lever 17 down, causing the tong drive lever 18 is turned to the left. When closing the pliers presses a spring 171 attached to the body of the pliers box the tong drive lever 18 to the right, causing the first End of the roller lever 17 is moved upward, so that the Roller 170 is always against the pliers curve 16.

The pliers curve 16 is through a body in the pliers box existing adjustment opening that can be closed with a cover 162 161 (see Fig. 3) adjustable so that various opening and closing movements and Plier strokes are easily adjustable.

In Fig. 5 two plungers 112 can be seen, the between the control shaft 3 attached pivoting curves 111 and Cassette holder 11 are arranged and the pivoting of the Cassette carrier 11 relative to pliers box base body 10 serve that described in connection with FIGS. 8 and 9 is.

6 is a ruler arranged on the anvil 8 80 shown for precise vertical positioning the pliers in the forming stations U1, U2, U3, U4. For this purpose, the pliers box 1 is provided with a roller 101, with which he is supported on the ruler 80. The vertical Positioning accuracy of the tongs in the forming stations In this way U1, U2, U3, U4 is independent of the accuracy when lowering and moving the pliers box 1 in the direction of transport. Two types of attachment the roller 101 on the pliers box 1 are in connection with 10 and 11 explained.

Figure 7

The forceps arm 14 has the coupling device 180 on it facing end a coupling bolt 146 on which a first cubic part 182 is rotatably supported. The coupling device 180 further includes a second cubic part 181, that on a second, approximately perpendicular to the first standing coupling bolt 185, the on the tong drive lever 18 is attached, is rotatably mounted. The two cubic Parts are against one another via sliding surfaces 183, 183 ' rotatable and movable. In this way a transfer is made the movement of the tong drive lever 18 on the Forceps arm 14 even when the cassette holder 11 is pivoted - With the gun arm 14 - relative to the body of the gun box 10- with the pliers drive lever 18 - enables.

Changing the pliers cassette can make them different Lever lengths of the gun arm 14 result (shown in dashed lines), and the cubic parts 181, 182 can be twisted and possibly again over two other sliding surfaces be coupled.

At its end opposite the coupling device 180 is the tong drive lever 18 with one of the lever base body extending right angle approach 184 for the Roller lever 17 provided.

Figures 8 and 9

To prevent that when lifting the pliers box 1 Pliers on the stamp holder 7 or on one attached to it When the tool is struck, the lower one, facing the anvil 8 Part of the cassette holder 11 carrying the pliers at the same time about a cassette carrier pivot axis 113 for Anvil 8 pivoted. The pivoting is done by the controlled pivot curve 111 attached to the control shaft 3, a pivoting spring 114 exerts a force, which the lower part of the cassette carrier against one end of the Tappet 112 presses, the other end of the pivot curve 111 is present. To avoid unbalanced loads are advantageously two pivot springs 114, two Ram 112 and two pivoting curves 111 are available (see Fig. 5).

In Fig. 8 the pliers box 1 is also in one shown from the anvil 8 completely in the position he, for tool change or maintenance work in the tool room, brought.

Figures 10 and 11

For precise vertical positioning of the tongs in the forming stations The pliers box 1 is supported by U1, U2, U3, U4 in the embodiment variant shown in FIG a roller rotatably attached to the pliers box base body 10 101 on the ruler 80 attached to the anvil 8, while in the embodiment shown in Fig. 11 the role 101 on a pivotable to the pliers box body 10 Positioning part 103 is attached, which even when raised Forceps box 1 the contact of the roller 101 with the ruler 80 guaranteed.

Figures 12 to 14

The cross transport drive device 4 for the back and forth movement of the cross transport tube 2 in the direction of arrows X comprises a perpendicular to the transverse transport tube 2 Drive shaft 41, which has two cranks 42, 43 and two Connecting rods 44, 45 one of two to the transverse transport pipe 2 parallel guide rods 46, 47 cross head 40 moved back and forth. The guide rods 46, 47 are by means of Fastening elements 461, 462, 471, 472 on the machine body 6 attached.

One end of the cross transport tube 2 is in the crosshead 40 stored so that it can be rotated and axially preloaded connected is. In this way, on the one hand, the Raising and lowering and on the other hand moving back and forth of the pliers box 1 by turning or moving it sideways of the cross transport tube 2 allows.

Figures 15 to 18

The control shaft 3 is driven here with a control shaft drive device 30, one parallel to the control shaft 3 arranged drive shaft 31. The rotation the drive shaft 31 is via a gear transmission 32 on the Transfer control shaft 3.

The cross transport tube rotating device 5 for the rotation of the Cross transport tube 2 comprises two control curves 51, 52 which each have a roller 531, 532 rotatable about an axis 54 Drive lever 53 abuts. Via a pivot pin 55 is a compensating lever 56 hinged to the drive lever 53. The compensating lever 56 has a contact surface 561 in the starting position shown in FIG. 15 by a compensating spring 50 to one on the drive lever 53 existing contact surface 533 is pressed. About one another pivot pin 57 is the compensating lever 56 to the lower end of a coupling rod 58 articulated. The top end the coupling rod 58 is connected to the cross transport tube 2 cuff-type transmission lever 59 arranged around connected, the coupling rod movements on the cross transport tube 2 transmits. This can be done, for example, using a with fluid cylinder controllable press connection between Cross transport tube 2 and transmission lever 59 can be reached, to release the pliers box 1 by loosening the press connection in the completely raised position shown in Fig. 8 to bring.

In the starting position shown in Fig. 15 the pliers box 1 in the lowered position and the tongs are the first three forming stations U1, U2, U3 assigned. When the pliers move to the neighboring ones Forming stations U2, U3, U4, i.e. a lateral shift of the cross transport tube 2 to the right, how 17 shows the upper end of the coupling rod 58 shifted to the right and in a first phase of movement, until the coupling rod 58 reaches the vertical position has, the pivot pin 57 with the associated end of the Compensation lever 56 down and the contact surface 561 pushed up. Since the drive lever 53 at the same time Turn the control curves 51, 52 in the direction of the arrow Y does not change its position for the time being, opens between a gap 500 between the two contact surfaces 533 and 561. In a second phase of moving the cross transport tube to the right 2, the gap 500 is closed again because the Hinge pin 57 with the end of the compensating lever assigned to it 56 pulled up again and thus the Contact surface 561 is pressed down.

This can be done by moving the cross transport tube 2 and thus the upper end of the coupling rod 58 erecting the coupling rod 58 caught become, so that an unwanted turning of the cross transport tube 2 is prevented.

In the position shown in Fig. 18 is the Pliers box 1 at the end of the rightward cross-shift, in which the workpieces W1, W2, W3 already from the forming stations U2, U3, U4 taken over and by the pliers grippers have been released. By turning the control cams further 51, 52, the drive lever 53 became counterclockwise rotated and had the contact surface 561 of the compensating lever 56 up and thus the pivot pin 57 down pressed. This pulled the coupling rod 58 down, what a turning of the transmission lever 59 Transverse pipe 2 and a lifting of the pliers box 1 caused. The pliers box is in the position shown 1 ready to move back.

When moving the pliers box back and lowering it 1 the sequence of movements is reversed, but there is no gap arises.

In addition to the transport device described above constructive variations possible. Here expressly it should also be mentioned that it is an alternative to that in FIG. 10 and 11 variants shown for precise vertical positioning the pliers are of course also possible the roller 101 on the anvil 8 and accordingly the ruler 80 on Pliers box base body 10 or to be attached to the positioning part 103 or a sliding guide instead of a roller guide to use.

Instead of the speed of rotation of the control shaft 3 constant to hold, this can also compensate for the Lifting or lowering the pliers box 1 by rolling the gear cone arranged on the tong drive shafts 15 of the bevel gear 150 on the on the control shaft 3 arranged gear cones modified pliers opening or pincer closing speed during lifting and lowering the pliers box 1 accordingly can be varied.

Claims (13)

1. Apparatus for automatically transporting workpieces in a multi-stage forming machine which serves for the non-cutting forming of metal parts, in each case one workpiece (W1, W2, W3) being seized at a forming station (U1, U2, U3) by tongs with pairs of interacting tong grippers (130, 140), being transported to the adjacent forming station (U2, U3, U4) and released there, having a transverse transporting tube (2) which is driven in time with the forming machine, is guided, in the forming region of the machine, in stationary bearings so as to be able to move back and forth, and on which there is fitted a tong casing (1) which serves for transporting the tongs and in which there are arranged transmission means which are in operative connection, on the one hand, with the tongs and, on the other hand, with a control shaft (3) which is mounted rotatably in the transverse transporting tube (2), characterized in that the tong casing (1) comprises a tong-casing basic body (10) on which there are arranged one or more exchangeable tong modules (12a, 12b, 12c) each with one set of tongs by means of which a workpiece (W1, W2, W3) can be seized laterally from above, each set of tongs being connected, via a coupling location (19), to its associated transmission means, which are arranged in the tong-casing basic body (10) and have a tong cam (16) for controlling the opening and closing movements of the tongs, and it being possible for the tong displacement to be adapted to the workpieces (W1, W2, W3) by using tong modules (12a, 12b, 12c) with tongs with suitable leverages and/or by adjusting or exchanging the tong cams (16).
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that each set of tongs comprises two rotatably fitted tong arms (13, 14) which are designed as double-armed levers and have the said tong grippers (130, 140), in which case one of the tong arms (14) can be rotated, via the associated coupling location (19), by the associated transmission means and, during a rotation, simultaneously rotates the other tong arm (13) via operatively connected guide surfaces (135, 145) which are arranged on the two tong arms (13, 14), it being possible, by virtue of different designs of the lever arms and different arrangements of the pivot articulations (132, 142) of the tong arms (13, 14), for exchangeable tong modules (12a, 12b, 12c) to have tongs with different leverages, but the same coupling locations (19).
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transmission means assigned to one set of tongs comprise a tong drive shaft (15) which is arranged at right angles to the control shaft (3), is in operative connection with the latter via a bevel gear mechanism (150) and on which there is arranged the tong cam (16) by means of which, via at least one further lever, of which one end is in operative connection with the tongs or one tong arm (14) via the coupling location (19), the opening and closing movements of the tongs are controlled.
4. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the transverse transporting tube (2) is arranged rotatably and, by virtue of rotating the transverse transporting tube (2) by means of a transversetransporting-tube-rotating device (5) arranged outside the forming region, the tong casing (1) can be raised and lowered.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the tong modules (12a, 12b, 12c) are arranged in a module carrier (11) which is connected to the tong-casing basic body (10) via a module-carrier pivot spindle (113) such that, when the tong casing (1) is being raised, the module carrier (11) with the tong modules (12a, 12b, 12c) can be pivoted in the opposite direction.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that in order to control the pivoting of the module carrier (11) with respect to the tong-casing basic body (10), at least one pivoting cam (111) is provided on the control shaft (3), a push rod (112) or lever being arranged between the pivoting cam (111) and module carrier (11).
7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the coupling locations (19) are arranged in the region of the module-carrier pivot spindle (113).
8. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the coupling locations comprise coupling devices (180) which each comprise two cubic parts (181, 182) which are arranged rotatably on crossing coupling pins (146, 185) and bring about coupling via sliding surfaces (183, 183') located one upon the other.
9. Apparatus according to one of claims 4 to 8 in a forming machine which has an anvil (8) in the die space, characterized in that, in its lowered position, the tong casing (1) is supported on the anvil (8), and the support takes place via a rolling-action or sliding-action guide means, which ensures precise positioning in the vertical direction of the tongs in the forming stations (U1, U2, U3, U4).
10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the rolling-action guide means comprises a rule (80) and at least one roller (101), the rule (80) being arranged on the anvil (8) and the roller (101) or rollers being arranged on the tong casing (1), or vice versa, the roller (101) or rollers or the rule (80) being fitted on the tong-casing basic body (10) or on a positioning part (103) which can be pivoted with respect to said basic body and, even when the tong casing (1) is in the raised state, ensures contact of the roller (101) or rollers with the rule (80).
11. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that one end of the transverse transporting tube (2) is mounted in a crosshead (40), which is arranged outside the forming region and is borne by two guide rods (46, 47), parallel to the transverse transporting tube (2), so as to be able to move back and forth, such that said one end is connected to this crosshead in a rotatable and axially prestressed manner.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that a transverse-transportation-drive device (4) for moving the transverse transporting tube (2) back and forth has a drive shaft (41) by means of which, via one or two cranks (42, 43) and, accordingly, one or two connecting rods (44, 45), the crosshead (40) can be moved back and forth.
13. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the forming machine is a hot-forming machine.

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