EP1595614B1 - 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 machines used for the perforation of sheets and, in particular, to machines of this type which operate under automatic control and which comprise various tools that can be selected to produce different types of perforations in the application plates, by providing thus, relative to these features, improvements that simplify the realization of the machine and endow it with greater accuracy of operation.

State of the art

As described in the Spanish Utility Model ES 1021153U published in 1992 automatic punching machines used for punching sheet metal generally consist of two facing turrets, one of which, the punch holder, being located in the upper part and the other, the die holder, being located in the lower part, said turrets being animated with synchronous rotational movements and provided with a plurality of punch-die stations that can selectively be placed in a working position by rotating the turrets relative to a firing pin punches for punching. Each station consists of a punch holder group disposed in the upper turret and a die holder 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 die-holder group is likewise formed of a set of dies, so that each punch and its corresponding die form a set of die tools. punching.

In a traditional solution, the punch stations allow the sets of punch-die tools to occupy different fixed radial orientations, defined by keying. This positioning by keying restricts the number of positions and requires the frequent stop of the machine to change the positions and / or the tools and thus offer other possibilities of work.

This disadvantage has been remedied by having punching stations with autonomous rotation on the supporting turrets, in accordance with the so-called automatic indexing solution making it possible to have several sets of punch-die tools in each station. In this case, and in addition to the arrangement of the various stations with respect to the working position of their corresponding turret, it is possible, thanks to the rotary control of the stations themselves, to successively select the different sets of tools of each station. by rotating the latter, which increases the number of possibilities and thus reduce the necessary stops of the machine.

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

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

In the patent Italian BO 2002 A 000272 a solution analogous to that of the above-mentioned German model is presented in which the coupling and the decoupling of the actuator by meshing of the transmission between the rotation control devices and the punch and die holder groups take place. by means of a gimbal which provides a pendulum movement. Due to the presence of the gimbal, this solution requires a complex assembly to allow the necessary adjustments, and does not establish a rigidity to ensure the accuracy of the coupling between the control device and the corresponding punch holder or die holder group who receives the order.

In this Italian patent, a solution for rotating the firing pin is also described, making it possible to place the firing pin in correspondence with the selected work punch by virtue of a combination with the movement of the rotary control for selecting the punches with respect to the working position. , providing for this a mobile coupling and decoupling relationship between the two parts, which proves to be complex.

The concept of an eccentric type striker rotating, in radial position, to strike the selected work punch is also known from other prior proposals, in particular those described, for example, in the US Pat. European EP 0396817 , EP 0560333 and EP 0818253 .

On the other hand, the punching machines mentioned have claws for holding and driving the punching plates, which claws are likely to change their position to adapt to the different dimensions of the punching sheets, a locking device being provided for this purpose. effect for releasing said claws so as to move them to the corresponding positions and to fix them in place, said locking device being traditionally a device with manual operation or requiring, at most, a direct rotary control automatism of reduced precision.

The document DE 8702211U discloses a punching machine having rotating turrets incorporating punch holders and die holders, and control devices for controlling the position of the punch and die holder groups. By the meshing of a pinion rotated by a motor, the pinion can be uncoupled by the rotation thereof around a remote axis.

Object of the invention

The present invention provides improvements that provide advantageous constructive and functional features to the above-mentioned automatic punching machines, thereby giving rise to an improved embodiment over prior art machines of this type.

For this purpose, according to the invention, a punching machine according to claim 1 is provided.

In this sense, according to the present invention, the machine has respective punch and die-holder turrets located in relative eccentric position with respect to each other, the facing position corresponding to the working area, whereas, in the opposite zone, the lower die-holder turret is exposed with respect to the upper turret punch holder, which facilitates the exchange of the dies.

The turrets may incorporate fixed groups of punches and dies, or rotatable selection groups (automatic indexing), to define the punching stations, respective control devices being provided relative to the rotary selection groups of the punches and dies. , each of which includes an actuator incorporated on a support arranged in pivoting assembly hinged to a U-shaped part, a linear pusher being also provided relative to said tilting support for pushing it by making it tilt to ensure the coupling and decoupling of the transmission meshing corresponding motor actuator relative to the group to be actuated.

A machine is thus obtained in which the eccentric position of the turrets carrying the punches and dies facilitates the loading and unloading of the punching plates, insofar as the means for controlling the rotation of the groups of punches and dies (automatic indexing). ) define a gyroscopic arrangement, with a completely rigid assembly, which makes it possible to ensure adjustments and guarantee operation with absolute precision.

The punch and multiple die-bearing groups further incorporate a rotational locking device occupying a zero position, by means of a spring-loaded ball-shaped device, which enables an angular reference position of said spring to be accurately set. groups, to ensure automatic control of punch-matrix sets to be used.

The striker intended to strike the punches for punching is of the rotary and radially orientable type, a rotation actuator being connected thereto by means of a simple belt transmission or the like, thus determining a mounting arrangement very simple, which can be controlled automatically alone or in combination with the rotation of multiple punch-matrix-bearing groups, thus allowing to establish a rotation combined for the selection of work punches to use.

The holding and driving claws of the plates to be perforated incorporate a blocking system formed of an axle and a rotary actuator able to move axially to couple with said axis and to decouple from it, the axis being linked by means of a transmission meshing with a threaded element that can make a small displacement to block or release the corresponding claw.

Thus, thanks to the locking device claws holding and driving the punching plates, a simple mechanism and high accuracy to also establish an automatic control of the establishment of claws.

Thanks to the improvements that are recommended, a machine with particularly advantageous characteristics is thus obtained, the production of which acquires a life of its own and a preferable character with respect to known machines performing the same function.

Description of figures

• Figure 1 shows a diagram of the arrangement of the turrets of a machine according to one embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 2 is a detail of a punching station with selection of punches and dies, in the decoupled position of the selection control mechanisms.
• Figure 3 is a detail similar to that of the previous figure, with the selection control mechanisms coupled relative to the punch holder and the corresponding die holder.
• Figures 4 and 5 are respective plan views of the details of Figures 2 and 3, a section having been made in Figure 4 to highlight the provisional 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 relative arrangement of turrets of the machine.
• Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of the firing pin punches of the machine.
• Figure 9 is a corresponding sectional side view of the firing pin of the machine, in the actuating arrangement on a punch.
• Figures 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D show in detail a sequence of punch striker positions relative to a fixed punch holder, the striker being rotated.
• FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C show in detail a sequence of punch striker positions relative to a multiple punch holder station, the striker being rotated and the station being held stationary.
• FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C show in detail a sequence of positions of the puncher of the punches relative to a multiple punch station, the station being rotated and the striker being held stationary.
• FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C show in detail a sequence of positions of the puncher of the punches relative to a multiple punch holder station, the striker and the station being rotated in a combined motion.
• Figure 14 is a plan detail of a claw holding 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 support carriage in the chosen position.
• Figures 16 and 17 are each more detailed views, in side elevation and in plan, of the arrangement of the claw according to Figure 14.
• Figures 18 and 19 are each more detailed views, in side elevation and in plan, of the arrangement of the claw according to Figure 15.
• Figures 20 and 21 are each detailed views of the rotation control of the actuator locking and unlocking claws.

Detailed description of the invention

The object of the invention relates to a punching machine of the type used to perforate sheets in a machining process, by means of punches having the desired shapes and corresponding dies arranged in opposition, comprising respective turrets (1 and 2), in which the punches and dies are respectively incorporated in reciprocal assemblies forming selective punching stations, said turrets (1 and 2) being provided with respective synchronized motor actuators (3 and 4), in order to ensure the rotary control for the purpose of placing the punching to be used in each case in a specific working position.

According to the invention, the turrets (1 and 2) are preferably superposed in an eccentric position with respect to each other, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, so that in the region (5) ) corresponding to the working position of the two turrets (1 and 2), these are opposite, but that in the opposite zone (6), the lower turret (2) is exposed relative to the upper turret (1) .

Said relative arrangement of the turrets (1 and 2) facilitates the exchange of the dies, insofar as the punching plates are arranged between the two turrets (1 and 2), which makes it possible to easily insert and extract the sheets. by the zone (6) opposite to the punching zone (5).

On the upper turret (1) are the punches in groups (7) corresponding to groups (8) of the matrices on the lower turret (2), said groups comprising various punches and dies, so as to allow the selection of all punch-matrix system required to effect the desired punching in each case, thereby punching by means of a striker (9) which strikes the corresponding punch (10), as shown in FIG. 9.

The groups (7 and 8) of punches and corresponding dies may be fixed, the selection of the punches to be used is effected by rotation of the turrets (1 and 2) until the groups (7 and 8) in which the punch and the die to be used reach the working zone (5), the striker (9) being then rotated to the corresponding angular position on the punch (10) which is to perform the punching, in accordance with the selection mode represented by the sequence of Figures 10A-10D.

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

The rotary actuator (12) is a motor whose axis incorporates a pulley (42) into which the belt (11) engages to transmit the rotational movement to a toothed belt (43) integral with the striker body (9). so as to transform the rotation of the motor (12) into a rotation of the striker (9).

The punch and die groups may also be incorporated into respective rotary supports (13 and 14) so that the selection of the punches (10) to be used and their corresponding dies can be done in the same manner by rotation. from the striker (9) to the corresponding angular position, holding the supports (13 and 14) punches and fixed dies according to the selection mode represented by the sequence of Figs. 11A to 11C; However, it is also possible to make the selection by rotating the supports (13 and 14) of the punches and dies to the position corresponding to the firing pin (9), keeping it fixed, in accordance with the selection mode represented by the sequence of Figures 12A-12C; it is also possible to make the selection by means of a combined movement of rotation of the firing pin (9) and the supports (13 and 14) of the punches and dies, according to the selection mode represented by the sequence of FIGS. 13A to 13C.

In the case of rotations for the selection of work punches (10) and their respective matrices, referred to as automatic indexing, two control devices (15 and 16) are provided, such as those illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4. Each of said devices (15 and 16) consists of a motor (17) which, by virtue of a pulley (44) and a belt transmission (18), actuates the pulley (45) of a rotary body (19) which , via 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 holder matrices (14) corresponding.

The rotating body (19), with its pulley (45) and its pinion (46), as well as the pinion (20), are incorporated in a support (21) arranged in a rocking arrangement with respect to an axis (22) mounted in a "U" -shaped piece (47), so that, depending on the arrangement of said tilting support (21), the pinion (20) remains coupled or uncoupled with respect to its engagement with the punch holder (13) or the corresponding die carrier (14).

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

It should be noted that the tilting of the support (21) between the coupling and decoupling positions is made possible by the clearance offered by the belt (18), so that when the support (21) occupies the decoupling position shown in Figure 2, the belts (18) are slightly relaxed, whereas, in the coupling position of Figure 3, the belts (18) are 18) are stretched just enough to ensure 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 the actuation of the pusher (23), a gyroscopic movement is obtained which makes it possible to couple the pinion (20) meshing with the punch holder (13) or the corresponding die holder (14), to thereby select the corresponding punch-die assembly in each case punching to achieve.

This gyroscopic realization of the automatic indexing control device has an important consequence of the fact that the "U" piece (47) and the axis (22) mark a fixed reference point with respect to which the tilting support (21) does not move but only tilts, so that, by adjusting the rotation angle of the tilting support (21), it is possible to adjust with total precision the coupling or decoupling of the pinion (20). Adjusting the angle of rotation of the tilting support (21) is very simple since it is a function of the linear displacement of the pusher (23).

It should be noted that the pusher (23) may be a linear actuated pneumatic cylinder or other cam type mechanism or the like. Moreover, the tilting of the support (21) with respect to the axis (22) makes it possible for the decoupling position to be a position that the support (21) will reach by simple gravity, so that it is possible to use a linear pusher (23) simple effect which, once its pushing action ceases, rises in its non-operative position by gravity tilting of the support (21), facilitated in all cases by any resilient means of recovery, so as to ensure and in any case the decoupling of the pinion (20).

For the selection of punches and dies, punch holders (13) and die holders (14) must be controlled from a reference position or "zero" position, said punch holders (13) and die holders ( 14) having a locking device for fixing the reference position 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 trigger that can fit into a notch (26) to fix in a concrete position the movable portion (27) of the punch holder (13) or the die carrier (14), as shown in FIG.

For holding and driving the sheets (28) on which punching is carried out, the machine has claws (29) whose number may vary according to the dimensions of the sheets (28) for which the application is intended, said claws (29) being provided with a clamp (30) for grasping the sheets (28).

The claws (29) are mounted on a carriage (31) capable of moving according to "X" (horizontal movements) to drive the plates (28) and place them in the punching positions to be performed. The claws (29) are slidably mounted on the carriage (31) relative to a guide (32), as shown in Figures 16 and 18, so as to move said claws (29) and place them in the proper position on said carriage (31), as shown in Figures 14 and 15.

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

For fixing at the desired locations, the claws (29) have a locking mechanism on the mounting guide (32), said mechanism comprising, as shown in Figures 16 to 19, a pressure element (33) coming from press on the guide (32), on which acts a push element (34) arranged in threaded mounting so that, during its rotation, it moves axially a small distance, said element (34) being secured a toothed sector (35) which meshes with a pinion (36) incorporated on a shaft (37) provided with a grooved head (38) with respect to which it can couple and decouple a rotary actuator element (39) .

The actuator element (39) can move axially through a cylinder (not shown) and is connected, via a radial rod (40), to a cylinder (41) perpendicular action whose actuation causes said element (39) in rotation.

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

Under these conditions, according to the direction of rotation transmitted to the pusher element (34), it moves forward, pushing the element (33) against the guide (32), or moves towards the rearward releasing the pressure of the element (33) against the guide (32), so as to fix, in the first case, the position of the corresponding claw (29) on the carriage (31), while in the second case, the attachment of the claw (29) is released, which allows to move it to the desired position on the carriage (31).

Claims (6)

1. Punching machine comprising:

   - superimposed rotary turrets (1 and 2) on which there are incorporated punch-carrying groups (13) and die-carrying groups (14) comprising a number of punches and dies which may be selected by rotating the groups (13 and 14) relative to the position of an activating striker (9),

   - respective control devices (15 and 16) controlling the position of the punch-carrying groups (13) and the die-carrying groups (14), each of these control devices comprising a motor element (17) driving the rotation of a body (19) which is rotationally mounted in a support (21), the support (21) being mounted so as to rotate about an axis (22) in a U-shaped part (47), said body (19) driving a pinion (20), said pinion (20) being able to couple and to uncouple by engagement, relative to the respective punch-carrying group (13) or die-carrying group (14), by activating a pusher (23),

   wherein said pusher causes tilting in the U-shaped part of an assembly formed by the body (19), the rotary support (21) and the pinion (20) about the axis (22) of the U-shaped part,
   wherein the axis (22) of the U-shaped part is coplanar with the axis of rotation of the body (19) and wherein the axis (22) of the U-shaped part passes through the rotary body (19).
2. Punching machine according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the motor element (17) transmits rotation to the body (19) via a belt transmission means (18) which remains slack in the uncoupling position but which tightens during tilting of the support (21) into the coupling position, thus bringing about said transmission.
3. Punching machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the activating striker (9) is rotationally engaged with a sprocket wheel (43) which, via a belt transmission means (11), remains coupled to a pulley (42) of a motor (12), the rotation of which is transformed into rotation of the striker (9).
4. Punching machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the punch-carrying groups (13) and die-carrying groups (14) incorporate a provisional locking device formed by a ball (24) pushed by a spring (25) in order to fit into a notch (26), thus allowing said groups (13 and 14) to be fixed in a reference position or "zero" position for selecting the working punches and dies.
5. Punching machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the clamps (29) for grasping the application sheets (28) are incorporated on a movable carrier carriage (31) relative to which the clamps (29) are incorporated by being mounted so as to slide on a guide (32), which clamps comprise a locking mechanism comprising an element (33) for exerting pressure onto the guide (32) on which there acts a threaded push element (34) which is able to move axially and is connected, via a notched portion (35) and a pinion (36), to a shaft (37) which can be moved by a rotary actuator (39) which is able to move axially in order to provide coupling and uncoupling relative to said shaft (37).
6. Punching machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the turrets (1 and 2) are superimposed in the position in which they are eccentric relative to each other so that, in the working zone (5) in which punching is carried out, said turrets face each other but in the opposing zone (6) the lower turret (2) is exposed relative to the upper turret (1) so as thus to facilitate exchange of the dies.

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