EP1595614A1 - Punching machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine has two superposed turrets (1, 2) in eccentric position with respect to each other, and on which punch and die groups are placed. A rotary body (19) and a pinion (20) are incorporated in a holder (21) that tilts with respect to an axis (22) of a U-shaped unit (47). The pinion remains coupled or uncoupled with respect to its engagement with supports (13, 14) of the respective groups, according to gyroscopic arrangement.

Description

Field of the art

The present invention relates to punching used for punching sheet metal and, in particular, machines of this type which function under automatic control and which include various selectable tools to realize different types perforations in the application plates, thus bringing about, in relation to these particularities, improvements that simplify the realization of the machine and endow it with greater precision operation.

State of the art

As described in Spanish Utility Model ES 1021153U published in 1992, the punching machines automatic machines used for perforating sheet metal generally consist of two turrets facing each other, one of them, the punch holder, being located in the superior and the other, the die holder, being located in the lower part, said turrets being animated synchronous rotation movements and endowed a plurality of punch-die positions likely to be selectively placed in a working position thanks to the rotation of the turrets, compared to a striker punches in order to carry out the punching. Each post consists of one punch holder group arranged in the turret superior and a matrix group located in the lower turret so that the pair of two groups constitutes a punching station. Each punch holder group consists of a set of punches and each matrix group is, likewise, formed of a set of dies, so that each punch and its corresponding matrix form a set of punching tools.

In a traditional solution, punching allow sets of punch-matrix tools to occupy different radial orientations fixed, defined by keying. This positioning by keying restricts the number of positions and requires Frequent shutdown of the machine to change positions and / or tools and thus offer other possibilities working.

This disadvantage has been remedied by punching stations with autonomous rotation on the carrier turrets, according to the solution so-called automatic indexing several sets of punch-matrix tools in each post. In this case, and in the margin of the provision of the various items in relation to the working position of their corresponding turret he is possible, thanks to the rotary control of the posts same, to successively select the different sets of tools from each station by rotation of this one, which makes it possible to increase the number of possibilities and therefore reduce the necessary stops of the machine.

There is an automatic indexing solution that relative to each punch group and each matrix group of a post, presents control devices, one for each group. This solution is the result of a complex realization and very expensive, because of the large number of devices rotation control required, since each punch holder group and each die holder group has its own control device.

German Utility Model G 87 17 398.0 released in 1987 presents a solution that provides for a single rotation control device for all punch holder groups and another device for single command for rotation of all groups matrix holders of the corresponding matrices, each said rotation control devices comprising a coupling and decoupling actuator that meshes the transmission of the rotation with respect to the groups punch holders and die holders selected.

In the Italian patent BO 2002 A 000272, it is presented a solution similar to that of the Model referred to above, in which the coupling and decoupling of the actuator by meshing the transmission between the control devices of rotation and the punch and die holders are carried out by means of a cardan which provides a pendulum movement. Due to the presence of gimbal, this solution requires a complex assembly to allow the necessary adjustments, and does not not a rigidity to guarantee the accuracy of the coupling between the control device and the group punch holder or die holder which receives the order.

In this Italian patent, there is also described a firing pin rotation solution to place this one in correspondence with the work hallmark selected through a combination with the movement of the rotary control of punch selection by relation to the working position, providing for this make a relationship of coupling and mobile decoupling between the two rooms, which is complex.

The concept of an eccentric striker is rotating, in a radial position to to hit the selected work punch is also known by other previous proposals, particularly those described, for example, in the European patents EP 0396817, EP 0560333 and EP 0818253.

On the other hand, punching machines mentioned have claws to maintain and to drive the punching plates, which claws are likely to change their position for adapt to the different dimensions of punching, a locking device being provided for this effect to release said claws so as to move to the corresponding positions and to secure in place, said locking device being traditionally a device with manual actuation or requiring, at most, an automatism of reduced precision direct rotary control.

Object of the invention

The present invention proposes improvements that provide constructive features and functional advantages to punching machines the aforementioned automatic devices, thus giving rise to an improved realization compared to the machines already known of this type.

In this sense, according to the present invention, the machine has punch turrets and respective die holders located in relative position eccentric to each other, the position opposite corresponding to the work area, while, in the opposite zone, the lower turret die holder is exposed in relation to the turret superior punch holder, which facilitates the exchange matrices.

Turrets can incorporate fixed groups punches and dies, or susceptible groups rotary selection (automatic indexing), for define the punching stations, respective orders being provided in relation to the rotary selection groups of the punches and matrices, each of which includes an actuator incorporated on a support arranged in tilting assembly articulated on a "U" -shaped piece, a linear pusher being also provided with respect to said medium tilting to push it by doing so switch to ensure the coupling and decoupling of the corresponding transmission meshing of the motor actuator relative to the group to be actuated.

We thus obtain a machine in which the eccentric position of the turrets carrying the punches and dies facilitates the charging and the discharge of the punching plates, insofar as the means for controlling the rotation of the groups of punches and dies (automatic indexing) define a gyroscopic layout, with a completely rigid assembly, which ensures settings and to guarantee operation of a absolute precision.

Groups bearing punches and dies multiple incorporate further a blocking device rotary position occupying a zero position, thanks to a device formed of a ball pushed by a spring, this one allows to fix exactly a angular position of reference of said groups, for ensure automatic control of sets of punch-matrix to use.

The striker destined to strike the punches to perform punching is of the rotary type and orientable radially, an actuator of the rotation being linked to it by means of a simple transmission by belt or the like, thus determining a very simple mounting arrangement, which can be ordered automatically alone or in association with the rotation of the groups carrying punches-matrices multiple, thus allowing to establish a rotation combined for the selection of work punches to use.

The claws of maintenance and training of punching plates incorporate a locking system formed of an axis and a rotary actuator to move axially to couple with said axis and decoupled from it, the axis being linked to the means a transmission by meshing with an element threaded that can make a small displacement for block or release the corresponding claw.

This is achieved by the blocking device claws for maintaining and training sheet metal punching, a simple and highly accurate mechanism allowing to also establish an automatic order of the establishment of the claws.

Thanks to the recommended improvements, we obtain therefore a machine with particular characteristics advantageous, whose realization acquires a life clean and preferable character vis-à-vis known machines performing the same function.

Description of figures

Figure 1 shows a diagram of the layout of turrets of a machine according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a detail of a substation punching with selection of punches and dies, in the decoupled position of the control mechanisms of selection.

Figure 3 is a detail similar to that of the previous figure, with the control mechanisms of coupled with the punch holder and the corresponding die holders.

Figures 4 and 5 are plan views respective details of Figures 2 and 3, a sectional view of having been practiced in Figure 4 to put in evidence the temporary locking device of the punch holder.

Figure 6 is an enlarged representation of the section of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the layout relative turrets of the machine.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of firing machine punches.

Figure 9 is a sectional side view corresponding to the striker of the machine, in the actuating arrangement on a punch.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D show in detail a sequence of positions of the striker of punches relative to a fixed punch holder, the striker being rotated.

Figures 11A, 11B and 11C show in detail a sequence of punch puncher positions in relation to a multiple punch station, the firing pin being rotated and the post being kept fixed.

Figures 12A, 12B and 12C show in detail a sequence of punch puncher positions in relation to a multiple punch station, the post being rotated and the striker being kept fixed.

Figures 13A, 13B and 13C show in detail a sequence of punch puncher positions in relation to a multiple punch station, the striker and the station being rotated according to a combined movement.

Figure 14 is a detail in plan of a claw of maintaining the application plates in the machine, said claw being in the free position to move on the corresponding support carriage.

Figure 15 is a detail similar to that of the previous figure, the claw being locked on the trolley support in the chosen position.

Figures 16 and 17 are each more views detailed, in side elevation and in plan, of the arrangement of the claw according to Figure 14.

Figures 18 and 19 are each more views detailed, in side elevation and in plan, of the arrangement of the claw according to FIG.

Figures 20 and 21 are each views in detail of the rotation control of the actuator of the locking and unblocking claws.

Detailed description of the invention

The object of the invention relates to a machine for punch the type of those used to punch sheet metal in a machining process, by means of punches presenting the desired shapes and corresponding matrices arranged in opposition, comprising respective turrets (1 and 2), in which are respectively incorporated punches and matrices in reciprocal sets forming selective punching stations, said turrets (1 and 2) being provided with motor actuators synchronized (3 and 4), to ensure rotary control for the purpose of placing the punching to use in each case in a determined working position.

According to the invention, the turrets (1 and 2) are superimposed in an eccentric position one by compared to the other, as shown in FIGS. 7, so that in the corresponding zone (5) at the working position of the two turrets (1 and 2), these are opposite, but that in the area opposite (6), the lower turret (2) is exposed compared to the upper turret (1).

Said relative provision of turrets (1 and 2) facilitates the exchange of matrices, insofar as punching plates are arranged between the two turrets (1 and 2), which allows the introduction and to easily extract the sheets by the opposite zone (6) to the punching zone (5).

On the upper turret (1) are the punches in groups (7) corresponding to groups (8) matrices on the lower turret (2), said groups comprising various punches and dies, of way to allow the selection of the set of punch-matrix required to perform punching desired in each case, thus performing the punching by means of a firing pin (9) which comes hit the corresponding punch (10), as is shown in Figure 9.

Groups (7 and 8) of punches and dies may be fixed, the selection of punches to be used by rotating turrets (1 and 2) until groups (7 and 8) in which are the punch and the matrix to to use in the work zone (5), the striker (9) being then rotated up to the corresponding angular position on the punch (10) called upon to punch, in accordance with selection mode represented by the sequence of Figures 10A to 10D.

For rotation to the angular positions of selection in relation to the punches (10) of the punching, the striker (9) is associated, by means of of a belt transmission or the like (11), to a rotary actuator (12), as illustrated in the figures 8 and 9.

The rotary actuator (12) is a motor whose axis incorporates a pulley (42) in which engages the belt (11) for transmitting the rotary motion to a toothed belt (43) secured to the body of the striker (9) so as to transform the rotation of the motor (12) in a rotation of the striker (9).

Punch and die groups can also be incorporated into rotating supports (13 and 14) respectively, so that the selection punches (10) to be used and their matrices can be done in the same way by rotation of the firing pin (9) to the angular position corresponding, maintaining the supports (13 and 14) punches and fixed dies, in accordance with selection mode represented by the sequence of Figures 11A to 11C; however, it is also possible to make the selection by rotating the holders (13 and 14) punches and dies up to the position corresponding to the striker (9), the now fixed, according to the mode of selection represented by the sequence of FIGS. 12A to 12C; he It is also possible to make the selection at by means of a combined movement of the firing pin (9) and supports (13 and 14) of the punches and matrices, in accordance with the selection method shown by the sequence of FIGS. 13A to 13C.

In the case of selection rotations of work punches (10) and their dies respective ones, called automatic indexing, it is two control devices (15 and 16), such as those illustrated in Figures 2 to 4. Each of said devices (15 and 16) consists of a motor (17) which, thanks to a pulley (44) and a belt transmission (18) actuates the pulley (45) of a rotating body (19) which, through a pinion (46), meshes with a pinion (20), through which it is possible to establish a meshing coupling with the punch holder (13) or the corresponding die holder (14).

The rotating body (19), with its pulley (45) and its pinion (46) and the pinion (20) are incorporated in a support (21) arranged in tilting arrangement by relative to an axis (22) mounted in a "U" shaped part (47), so that, according to the provision of the said tilting support (21), the pinion (20) remains coupled or decoupled from its meshing with the punch holder (13) or the die holder (14) corresponding.

In connection with the tilting support (21), a linear pusher device (23) provides thrust necessary to tilt said support (21) by relative to the U-shaped piece (47) to the position meshing pinion (20) with the punch holder (13) or the corresponding die holder (14), as illustrates it in FIG. 3, whereas, when said push-button (23) is withdrawn, the support (21) switches a position in which the pinion (20) remains decoupled from meshing with the punch holder (13) or the respective die carrier (14), as illustrated Figure 2, according to a gyroscopic type mounting.

It should be noted that the tipping of the support (21) between the coupling and decoupling positions is made possible by the game offered by the belt (18), so that when the support (21) occupies the decoupling position shown in Figure 2, the straps (18) are slightly relaxed, whereas, in the coupling position of FIG. straps (18) are stretched just enough to ensure a perfect transmission.

In this way, thanks to the rotary control transmitted to the pinion (20) via the body (19) and the tilting of the support (21) by actuation of the pusher (23), one obtains a gyroscopic movement to couple the pinion (20) meshing with the punch holder (13) or the corresponding die carrier (14), to select so the corresponding punch-matrix set in each case punching to achieve.

This gyroscopic realization of the device of automatic indexing command has a consequence important because the U-shaped piece (47) and the spindle (22) mark a fixed point of reference in relation to which the tilting support (21) does not move but only tilts, so that, by regulating the angle of rotation of the tilting support (21), it is possible to adjust with total precision the coupling or decoupling the pinion (20). The setting of the angle of rotation of the tilting support (21) is very simple since it is a function of the linear displacement pusher (23).

It should be noted that the pusher (23) can be a pneumatic cylinder with linear actuation or any other cam mechanism or the like. Who more is, the tilting of the support (21) with respect to the axis (22) makes it possible to ensure that the position of decoupling a position that the support (21) will reach by mere gravity, so that it is possible to use a linear pusher (23) to simple effect that once its thrust action ceases, gets up in its non-operative position by gravitational tilting of the support (21), facilitated in all cases by a resilient means of recovery whatever, so as to guarantee in this way and in all decoupling the pinion (20).

For the selection of punches and dies, punch holders (13) and die holders (14) must be ordered from a reference position or "zero" position, said punch holders (13) and matrix holders (14) having a locking device for fixing the position reference or "zero" position.

According to a non-limiting embodiment, the locking device is defined by a ball (24) pushed by a spring (25) to define a kind of relaxation likely to come embedded in a notch (26) to fix in a concrete position the moving part (27) of the punch holder (13) or the die carrier (14), as shown in Figure 6.

For the maintenance and training of sheets (28) on which punching takes place, the machine has claws (29) the number of which vary according to the dimensions of the sheets (28) for which application is provided, said claws (29) being provided with a gripper (30) for gripping the sheets (28).

The claws (29) are mounted on a carriage (31) likely to move according to "X" (movements horizontally) to drive the plates (28) and the place at the punching positions to be performed. The claws (29) are slidably mounted on the carriage (31) with respect to a guide (32), as shown by FIGS. 16 and 18, so as to be able to move said claws (29) and place them in the proper position on said carriage (31), as shown in the figures 14 and 15.

This carriage (31) moving according to "X" is mounted on a cart, not illustrated, likely to move according to "Y" (movement in the direction vertically) so that the combination of movements of the two trolleys allows to position the punching sheet as appropriate for each job.

For attachment to the desired locations, claws (29) have a locking mechanism on the mounting guide (32), said mechanism comprising, as shown in Figures 16 to 19, an element of pressure (33) resting on the guide (32), on which acts a push element (34) arranged in assembly threaded so that when it rotates, moves axially a small distance, said element (34) being secured to a toothed sector (35) which meshes with a pinion (36) incorporated on an axis (37) provided with a grooved head (38) with respect to which it can couple and decouple an actuator element rotary (39).

Actuator element (39) can move axially through a cylinder (not shown) and is linked, via a radial rod (40), to a cylinder (41) with perpendicular action the actuation causes said element (39) to rotate.

Thus, to unlock the claw (29) of its fastening on the mounting guide (32), the cylinder corresponding causes the axial displacement of the element (39) for coupling said element (39) to the head (38) of the shaft (37) and, once the element (39) in this position, the transverse cylinder (41) corresponding causes this element (39) in rotation, which, in turn, causes the axis (37) to rotate, for thus turn the pusher (34) through the pinion (36) and the toothed sector (35).

In these conditions, depending on the direction of rotation transmitted to the pusher element (34), the latter moves forward, pushing the element (33) against the guide (32), or moves backwards releasing the pressure of the element (33) against the guide (32), to fix, in the first case, the position of the corresponding claw (29) on the carriage (31), while that in the second case, the fixation of the claw (29) is unblocked, allowing it to be moved put it in the desired position on the cart (31).

Claims (6)

Improvements made to a punching machine of the type of those comprising respective superposed rotary turrets (1 and 2), on which are incorporated punch-holder groups (13) and die-holder groups (14), which comprise multiple punches and matrices which can be selected by rotation of the groups (13 and 14) with respect to the position of an actuating striker (9), characterized in that respective control devices (15 and 16) are provided, relatively to the work area and relative to the position of the punch holder groups (13) and the die carrier groups (14), each of these control devices comprising a motor member (17) which rotates a body (19) disposed on a support (21) capable of tilting with respect to an axis (22) mounted in a "U" -shaped piece (47), said body (19) being capable of coupling and decoupling by meshing, by means of a pinion (20) relative to the respective punch holder group (13) or die holder (14) by tilting the support (21), in a gyroscopic arrangement of the body assembly (19), the tilting support (21) and pinion (20) relative to the axis (22) of the "U" piece. Improvements in a punching machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the motor element (17) transmits the rotation to the body (19) by a belt transmission (18) which remains relaxed in the decoupling position but which, during the tilting of the support (21) in the coupling position, is stretched thereby effecting said transmission. Improvements in a punching machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotary striker (9) is rotatably connected to a ring gear (43) which, by means of a belt transmission (11), remains coupled to a pulley (42) of a motor (12) whose rotation is transformed into a rotation of the firing pin (9). Improvements in a punching machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the punch-holder (13) and die-holder (14) groups incorporate a temporary locking device formed of a ball (24) urged by a spring ( 25) to fit into a notch (26), thus allowing to fix said groups (13 and 14) in a reference position or "zero" position for the selection of punches and work matrices. Improvements in a punching machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the claws (29) for gripping the application plates (28) are incorporated on a movable carriage (31) with respect to which the claws (29) are slidably incorporated on a guide (32), which claws comprise a locking mechanism comprising a pressure element (33) on the guide (32) on which an axially movable thrust element (34) acts, which is connected, via a toothed sector (35) and a pinion (36), to an axis (37) capable of being set in motion by a rotary actuator (39) axially movable for coupling and decoupling with respect to said axis (37). Improvements in a punching machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the turrets (1 and 2) are superimposed in an eccentric position relative to each other, so that in the working zone (5) in which are punched, they are opposite, but in the opposite zone (6), the lower turret (2) is exposed relative to the upper turret (1), thereby facilitating the exchange of matrices.

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