EP1657008B1 - Device for feeding strip material to a press und method for setting the strip thickness of a feeding device. - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus has a control unit for performing a band thickness adjustment by bringing a feed component that is coupled with a high-lifting unit (7) by resetting forces from a high-lifted position into a band thickness position. A positioning component (9) takes a position that corresponds to the band thickness position. The positioning component is locked with a locking unit in the band thickness position. An independent claim is also included for a method for adjusting band thickness of a feed apparatus for advancing a band-type material.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for preferably intermittently feeding a ribbon-like semi-finished material to a press and a method for adjusting the strip thickness of a feed device for advancing a strip-like material according to the preambles of the independent claims.

In the industrial production of small pressed and stamped parts, today high-speed presses are used, to which a band-like semifinished material is fed intermittently by means of a synchronized feeding device. In this case, the material band is clamped in the feeder between two superimposed feed rollers and advanced by intermittent rotational movement thereof. Depending on the application, in each case between two feed intervals, the clamping of the material strip in a certain time window canceled (intermediate ventilation) to allow accurate positioning of the tape in the press, for example by means of a catch pin, previously for pressing or punching. This is accomplished by the fact that the upper feed roller is briefly lifted from the strip material. It is essential that the feeder is always set exactly to the thickness of the strip material to ensure that the feed operation, the required clamping force between the feed rollers is achieved and at the same time correspond to the beginning and the duration of the intermediate ventilation process requirements. For this purpose, the feeding device is newly adjusted to the thickness when introducing a new material strip by the upper feed roller is lifted with a spindle drive or a hydraulic cylinder from the strip material (high ventilation), the new strip material is placed between the feed rollers and then the upper feed roller is placed back on the strip material by means of actuation of the spindle drive or the hydraulic cylinder. In this case, the return movement must be adjusted by an experienced operator, so that the upper feed roller assumes a certain position with respect to the strip-shaped material. Only in this way can it be ensured that the remaining settings relating to the clamping force and the time window for the intermediate ventilation remain unchanged during the processing of material strips of different thicknesses.

EP 1 304 181 A1 discloses, as the closest prior art, an apparatus for incrementally advancing a band-shaped workpiece in which the upper feed roller is raised by a compression spring for insertion of a new material band after depressurizing a pneumatic counter-holding cylinder. In the pressurized state, the counter-holding cylinder is movement-limited by an adjustable-Ansehlagmutter. After inserting the new material band, the band thickness adjustment must be made by means of this stop nut.

In all these feed devices there is the disadvantage that a complete automation of the production with today's known feeding devices is not possible and that the regularly required band thickness adjustment is time consuming and also can only be performed by experienced operators.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device for feeding a strip-like material to a press and a method for adjusting the strip thickness of a feed device for advancing a strip-like material, which do not have the disadvantages of the prior art or at least partially avoided.

This object is achieved by the device and by the method according to the independent patent claims.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a device for preferably intermittently advancing a ribbon-like semi-finished material to an intermittently operating press. The device comprises two oppositely arranged feed members, between which a belt-like material to be advanced can be clamped in the feed mode and then pushed forcibly with it. As feed members, for example, feed rollers, roller segments or pliers-like structures can be used. Also, the feed device comprises high-lift means associated with these claims according to the first drive means, which may be formed for example by a hand crank, an electric motor or a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder. The high-lift means are operatively connected to the two feed members, that for high ventilation in non-feed operation of the two feed members from a position closer to the other feed member, which may correspond, for example, the position in which in a previously performed feed operation, a band-like material between the feed members was clamped, in a position remote from this (high-lift position) is movable, in which the distance between the two feed members is large enough to easily position a new ribbon-like material between the feed members. Furthermore, the device comprises Banddickeneinstellmittel with a positioning member. The positioning is with the feed member which is movable with the high-lift means, operatively connected such that it makes a reciprocating motion between a first and a second position when reciprocating this feed member between the high-lift position and the other feed member closer position , which is preferable is achieved in that the positioning member and the feed member are positively coupled with each other in both directions of movement. In addition, the Banddickeneinstellmittel comprise non-positive and / or positive locking means with which the positioning can be locked in a desired position between the first and the second position, for fixing the operatively connected thereto feed member in a desired band thickness position. In this case, the high-lift means are configured or coupled to the movable with this feed member that with the first drive means only in the direction of movement to the high-lift position a force can be exerted on this feed member, but not in the opposite direction. The high-lift means are therefore only suitable for effecting the movement of the feed member movable with them from the position closer to the other feed member to the high-lift position by means of their first drive means and then optionally holding the feed member operatively connected thereto in the high-lift position. However, it is not possible to transmit a driving force generated by the first drive means in the opposite direction to the movable with this feed member, ie in the direction away from the high-lift position and the other feed member to. This can be achieved, for example, by using as the first drive means a one-sided hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder which can be driven only in the direction of the high-lift position, or by, for example, driving a spindle driven by an electric motor as the first drive means, which actuates a spindle nut only in the direction of movement toward the high-lift position positively coupled with the feed member and runs in the other direction of movement into the void. Corresponding to a return movement of the actively connected to the high-lift means feed member and the coupled thereto positioning for the purpose of adjusting the feed device on the thickness of a strip-like material to be processed, including this feed member from the high-venting position in a band thickness position in which the advancing member rests on the vorzuschiebenden and arranged between the two feed members strip-like material, after neutralization of the breather, for example in the aforementioned examples by a Depressurization of the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or by a return movement of the spindle nut in the void, exclusively by independent of the driving forces of the first drive means restoring forces effected. Furthermore, the positioning of the device is guided along a guide and locked within this guide by frictional connection with clamping surfaces.

This results in the advantage that the return movement and the placement of the coupled to the high-lift means feed member on the belt-like material is independent of the driving force of the first drive means controllable, so that in a simple manner, e.g. via springs and / or weights, can ensure a substantially always the same contact force when positioning the feed member in the tape position. If the positioning member is locked in this way on the belt-like material aufgesetzem feed member, regardless of the strip thickness automatically always results in the same contact pressure. The feed device according to the invention is thus able to adjust itself without any control measurements on the thickness of the respective strip material, which is conducive to the realization of automatic production equipment. Also, there is the advantage that the positioning can be securely and steplessly locked in this case and a particularly precise band thickness adjustment is possible.

In a preferred embodiment of the feed device, the restoring forces are generated exclusively by weight and / or spring forces, whereby can be provided in a cost effective and precise way restoring and pressing forces of substantially constant size.

In a further preferred embodiment of the device, the positioning member simultaneously forms a part of the high-lift means, whereby there is the advantage that the device can be formed from relatively few individual parts.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the device performs the positioning during its movement between the position in which the motion associated with this feed member clamps the belt-like material together with the other feed member, and the high-lift position a translational movement or movement along a curved path, which Providing suitable locking means simplified.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the apparatus is configured for intermittently feeding a band-shaped semi-finished material to a press. In this case, the device has intermediate ventilation means, which are driven by claim according to the second drive means and coupled to one of the two feed members, such that this feed member each between two successive feed intervals from the other feed member closer clamping position in a the other feed member remotely located intermediate release position is raised so that the clamping of the belt-like material is temporarily canceled. Such a device allows fine positioning of the belt-like material by the press before each working cycle, e.g. by arranged on the tool of the press catching pins which engage in positioning holes on the belt-like material, since this is temporarily released by the feed device.

It is preferred if the locking of the positioning can be done at a time, in which the intermediate ventilation means are arranged in an operating position which corresponds to the beginning of the intermediate ventilation during the feed operation. This makes it possible to automatically set the beginning of the intermediate ventilation when setting the strip thickness and to ensure that this is always the same regardless of the strip thickness.

In a preferred embodiment of the feed device equipped with means for the intermediate ventilation that feed member, which is coupled to the high-lift means, at the same time also the feed member, which is coupled to the intermediate air means. The breather and the intermediate air thus act on a common feed member, so that there is the advantage that the other feed member can be performed immovable at least in the clamping force direction.

Preferably, the feed members of the feed device according to the invention are designed as feed rollers or as feed roller segments, so that the feed movement can be effected by a rotation thereof. But it is also conceivable to form these pliers and to effect the advancing movement by a parallel translational movement of the same.

In the case of feed devices with intermediate air means, it is preferred if the drive roller or the drive roller segment which is coupled to the intermediate air means is mounted in a rocker which is pivotally mounted in a pivot bearing in the region of one of its two ends and in the region of its other end is coupled to the drive means of the intermediate air means (according to the claim the second drive means), so that it is pivotable with these drive means around the pivot bearing around between a clamping position and a Zwischenlüftposition back and forth. In this way, a stable and precise storage of the feed roller or the feed roller segment can be realized and it is also It is possible to override or undercut movement forces and movement paths in a simple way.

In a preferred embodiment of the device with rocker described above, the pivot bearing of the rocker is coupled to the high-lift means, in such a way that the position of the pivot bearing is variable within the device by means of the first drive means, namely towards a position corresponding to the high-lift position.

It is advantageous if the pivot bearing is formed by the positioning of the feed device, with which the position of the feed member is fixed in a band thickness position, because a robust locking as close as possible to the affected feed member without concatenation of additional games is possible.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the feed device with rocker, the intermediate air means and the high-lift means share at least one component, preferably a bearing of a lever mechanism whose position within the device by means of the first drive means is changeable. It is preferred if the common component is formed simultaneously by the positioning of the device. It is also preferred if in such devices, the pivot bearing of the rocker has a fixed position within the device. This makes it possible to realize particularly compact devices with little moving parts, which can also increase the precision and reduce manufacturing costs.

In a further preferred embodiment of the feed device according to the invention, the first drive means consist of a preferably unilaterally acting hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, whereby a drive for the high-lift means can be provided in a very simple manner, which despite positive locking Coupling can only generate driving forces in one direction and can be neutralized by depressurization in a simple manner.

If an extension of the piston rod of the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder is selected as the positioning member, then the number of moving components of the apparatus can be further reduced, with the result that no unnecessary game chaining occurs.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the device, the locking means on a preferably one-sided acting hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder for actuating the lock, wherein it is preferred if the locking is effected by clamping under a pressure force generated by this cylinder. This makes it possible to realize a reliable and infinitely acting locking of the positioning in a simple manner.

If the first drive means, the positioning member and the locking means are formed as a coherent unit, this results in a compact and robust functional unit, which can be used modularly for different feed devices.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention has control means with which an automatic belt thickness adjustment can be carried out by automatically bringing the feed element coupled to the high-lift means into a belt thickness position by means of the return forces from the high-lift position, in which it is between the two Arranged advancing members and adjacent to the other feed member and / or a guide table belt-like material rests. In this band thickness position, the positioning member is then automatically locked with the locking means. This makes it possible to perform the belt thickness adjustment fully automatically and so save time and money.

If the device described above has means for intermediate ventilation, it is advantageous if, before the positioning device is locked, the intermediate air means are automatically brought into a specific state, preferably in a state which corresponds to the desired start of the intermediate ventilation during the subsequent feed operation. This automatically ensures that the same interleaving time window always exists in feed mode, even if the strip thickness varies from strip to strip.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for adjusting the strip thickness of a feed device for preferably intermittently feeding a strip-like material, which is preferably formed according to the first aspect of the invention. In any case, the device to be adjusted by the method according to the invention has two opposite feed members, by means of which the strip-like material to be advanced is advanced under clamping in the feed operation. In addition, in the non-feed operation to allow introduction of the strip-like material into the area between the two feed members, one of the feed members can be moved with high-lift means with first drive means in the direction away from the other feed member to a high-lift position. In this case, in a first method step, the one feed member, which is movable with the high-lift means, brought under activation of the first drive means in a high-lift position. In a second method step, a band-like material is then introduced into the area between the two feed members. In a third step, the effect of the lifting means is then lifted, with simultaneous exclusion of transmission of driving forces from the first drive means to the feed member in a movement direction opposite to the high-lift movement, which for example, as described in the first aspect of the invention can be accomplished. In a fourth method step, the advancing member, which is movable with the lifting means, is moved from the high-lift position in a direction opposite the high-lift direction to a strip thickness position by restoring forces independent of the drive forces of the first drive means, in which it is arranged on the other feed member or on the other feed member ., rests on a feed table resting band-like material, whereby a motion associated with this feed member positioning member is positioned in a certain position; in a fifth method step, the feed member is then detected in this band thickness position by the movement associated with him positioning member is locked in this particular position with locking means. The positioning is guided translationally or in the arc along a guide and locked within this guide by clamping.

This results, as in the device according to the first aspect of the invention, the advantage that the return movement and the placement of the coupled with the high-lift means feed member on the belt-like material is independent of the driving force of the drive means used for the high-lift controllable. It is thus possible, for the high-lift movement, which requires relatively large forces with low precision, and for the return or Aufsetzbewegung, for which low but constant forces are required to use different drive means. This results in the advantage that the drive means can be optimally designed for their respective function, so that self-adjusting feed devices can be realized with simple, robust means and without elaborate control technology. moreover is a particularly stable and also stepless lock possible.

In this case, springs and / or weights are preferably used as drive means for the return or placement movement, since these require no additional control and can reliably provide essentially constant forces of the required order of magnitude.

In a preferred embodiment of the method in which the device used is designed for the intermittent advancement of a strip-like material and intermediate ventilation means as under the first Having described aspect for temporarily releasing the band-like material, the intermediate ventilation means are brought before the locking of the positioning in a certain state, which preferably corresponds to the state which they have in the feed operation at the beginning of the intermediate ventilation. This ensures that the time window for the intermediate ventilation is always the same regardless of the strip thickness.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, at least the third, the fourth and the fifth method step are carried out with the aid of preferably electronic control, whereby the integration of the apparatus in an automated production line becomes possible.

• Fig. 1a einen Vertikalschnitt durch eine erste erfindungsgemässe Vorschubvorrichtung;
• Fig. 1b einen Horizontalschnitt entlang der Linie I-I durch die Vorschubvorrichtung aus Fig. 1a;
• die Figuren 1c bis 1g die Vorschubvorrichtung aus Fig. 1a in verschiedenen Betriebszuständen im Vertikalschnitt;
• Fig. 2a einen Vertikalschnitt durch eine zweite erfindungsgemässe Vorschubvorrichtung;
• Fig. 2b die Vorschubvorrichtung aus Fig. 2a in einem hochgelüfteten Betriebszustand im Vertikalschnitt;
• Fig. 3a einen Vertikalschnitt durch eine dritte erfindungsgemässe Vorschubvorrichtung; und
• Fig. 3b die Vorschubvorrichtung aus Fig. 3a in einem hochgelüfteten Betriebszustand im Vertikalschnitt;

Further preferred embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and from the following description with reference to FIGS. Showing:

• Fig. 1a a vertical section through a first inventive feed device;
• Fig. 1b a horizontal section along the line II through the feed device Fig. 1a ;
• the Figures 1c to 1g the feed device Fig. 1a in different operating states in vertical section;
• Fig. 2a a vertical section through a second inventive feed device;
• Fig. 2b the feed device Fig. 2a in a highly ventilated operating condition in vertical section;
• Fig. 3a a vertical section through a third inventive feed device; and
• Fig. 3b the feed device Fig. 3a in a highly ventilated operating condition in vertical section;

The basic structure of a feed device 1 according to the invention for intermittently feeding a strip-like material 2 to a stamping press (not shown) is known from FIGS FIGS. 1a and 1b seen. As can be seen, the device 1 comprises two parallel feed rollers 3, 4 arranged one above the other, which can be intermittently rotated by an electric motor (not shown) for intermittently advancing a strip-like material 2 clamped between them.

The lower roller 4 is mounted in a stationary feed table 16, while the upper roller 3 is mounted in a rocker 12 which is pivotally mounted in the region of its left end in a rotary bearing 13.

In the region of its other end, the rocker 12 is acted upon by a coil spring 17 with a downwardly acting spring force and a bolt 18 in the slot 14 of a connecting rod 19, which connecting rod 19 by means of an eccentric shaft 20 by a servo motor (not shown) angular synchronous can be driven to the main shaft of the punch press, can be moved up and down. This makes it possible to lift the upper roller 3 angular synchronous to the power stroke of the punch press by raising the right end of the rocker 12 with the connecting rod 19 against the force of the spring 17 in a Zwischenlüftposition, in which the clamping of the belt-like material 2 between the feed rollers 3, 4 is temporarily suspended and a correction of the tape position, eg by means of positioning tool attached to the punch, is possible. Servomotor, eccentric shaft 20, connecting rod 19, pin 18 and rocker 12 form in the present case, the claimed intermediate ventilation means. 5

The pivot bearing 13, in which the left end of the rocker 12 is mounted, is formed by the lower end of a vertically movable carriage 9, which in Machine housing is guided along vertical guides 11 and there by means of a terminal block 6, which is acted upon by the piston 15 of a hydraulic cylinder 28 with a compressive force, can be clamped in a desired position in the guide 11. The hydraulic cylinder 28 with piston 15, the terminal block 6 and the guide 11 in the present case form the required locking means 10.

The movable carriage 9, which represents the claims according to the positioning 9, is designed as an extension of the piston rod of another, one-sided hydraulic cylinder 29 with a piston 8, which can only produce a vertically upward force, but not a vertically directed downward. Accordingly, it is possible with deactivated locking means 10, the carriage 9 and with this the pivot bearing 13 by means of Nachobenverfahren of the piston 8 in the hydraulic cylinder 29 to lift until it abuts the cylinder cover and a maximum stroke position is reached. At the same time, the left end of the rocker 12 is raised and raised the upper feed roller 3 of the belt-like material 2 in a high-lift position, in which the gap between the feed rollers 3, 4 is maximum. This lifting is referred to as "lifting" and is usually performed when a new belt-like material is to be introduced into the area between the two feed rollers 3,4. The hydraulic cylinder 29 with the piston 8, the carriage 9 and the rocker 12 form in the present case the claim according to the high-lift 7th

A method according to the invention for adjusting the strip thickness will now be described with reference to FIG Figures 1c to 1g explains which the feed device according to Fig. 1a in different operating states in vertical section shows.

In the in Fig. 1c As shown, there is no band-like material 2 between the two Feed rollers 3, 4 and the upper roller 3 is under the action of the spring force of the coil spring 17 on the lower roller 4 by the bolt 18 at the lower end of the slot 14 of the connecting rod 19 rests and the hydraulic cylinder 29 with the piston 8 of the lifting means. 7 is depressurized. In this case, the eccentric shaft 20 and the connecting rod 19 are each arranged in a position which corresponds to their position at the beginning of the intermediate ventilation in the feed operation.

If now a band-like material 2 between the two feed rollers 3, 4 arranged and clamped for the purpose of feed with these, the unilaterally acting hydraulic cylinder 29 of the high-lift means 7 is activated by its piston 8 is acted upon on the bottom with pressure oil, whereupon this upward until it moves against the cylinder cover and lifts the upper feed roller 3 via the carriage 9 and the rocker 12 in the high-lift position, in which the strip-like material 2 between the two feed rollers 3, 4 can be introduced. This situation is in Fig. 1d shown.

To adjust the feed device 1 to the thickness of the belt-like material 2 and for clamping the same between the feed rollers 3, 4, the hydraulic cylinder 29 is then connected to the piston 8 again druckloss, whereby its effect is canceled or neutralized. Consequently, the piston 8 of the hydraulic cylinder 29 lowers together with the carriage 9 and the rocker 12 around the arranged at its right end bolt 18 around until the upper feed roller 3 rests on the belt-like material 2 and this under pressure force applied through the Spring 17 presses against the lower feed roller 4, so that the belt-like material 2 is clamped between the two feed rollers 3, 4. The return movement from the high-lift position in this clamping position exclusively by the weight forces of the moving parts 8, 9, 12, 3 and by the spring force of the spring 17th causes. Subsequently, the locking means 10 are activated by the piston 15 of the hydraulic cylinder 28 is acted upon on its left side with pressure oil, causing it exerts a compressive force on the terminal block 6 and the carriage 9 clamped in the guide 11.

The device is now set to the thickness of the strip-like material 2 and can receive their feed operation, which in the Figures 1f and 1g is shown. As in Fig. 1f can be seen, carried out after a start of the servomotor of the intermediate air means 5 an intermediate ventilation of the rollers 3, 4 by the upper roller 3 is lifted by lifting the rocker 12 at its right end by means of the connecting rod 19 temporarily from the belt-like material 2, so that the clamping of the same is temporarily canceled

After the upper feed roller 3 is again deposited on the belt-like material 2, the connecting rod 19 lowers a bit until the pin 18 is positioned between the two ends of the slot 14 of the connecting rod 19. In this operating position defined conditions prevail regarding the clamping force of the rollers 3, 4, since the pivotal movement of the rocker 12 about the pivot 13 around exclusively by the resting of the upper feed roller 3 on the belt-like material 2 is limited. Now, the feed rollers 3, 4 are temporarily set in opposite directions in rotation, whereby the tape-like material 2 is advanced by a certain amount. This situation is in Fig. 1g shown.

If the feed operation continues, the repeat in the Figures 1f to 1g shown operating situations until the strip of material 2 is consumed and a new must be provided. If in this case the feed device 1 can be set to the thickness of the new strip-like material 2, before the re-recording of the feed operation on the occasion of FIGS. 1c to carry out the steps described above.

As can be seen, are in the advancing device 1 according to the FIGS. 1a to 1g the hydraulic drive 29 for the high-lift means 7, the carriage 9 and the locking means 10 formed as a coherent unit. This unit also comes with the feed device 1 according to the FIGS. 2a and 2b used, together with the arrangement used in the previous embodiment of stationary feed table 16 with lower feed roller 4 and the end mounted in a hinge 13 rocker 12 with the upper feed roller 3 and with the arrangement of eccentric shaft 20, connecting rod 19 with slot 14 and bolt 18th The essential difference from the first embodiment, however, is that the hinge 13, in which the left end of the rocker 12 is mounted, fixedly disposed in the machine housing and that both the high-lift means 7 and the intermediate air means 5 via a common lever mechanism, which consists of a double-sided lever 21 and a pull tab 22, at the right end of the rocker 12 are effective. In this case, the connecting rod 19 of the intermediate ventilation means 5 engages the left end of the double-sided lever 21 and the carriage 9 of the high-lift means 7 at the pivot point of the lever 21 by providing its pivot 23 vertically displaceable. The hinge 23 of the lever 21, on the underside of which acts on the rocker 12 coil spring 17 is supported, in this way forms a common hinge for both the high-lift means 7 and for the intermediate air means 5, the position of which in the machine housing with the piston 8 of Change hydraulic cylinder 29 of the high-lift means 7 and lock with the locking means 10.

The procedure for setting this feed device is substantially identical to that described in the first embodiment. If a band-like material 2 is arranged and clamped between the two feed rollers 3, 4 for the purpose of processing, Thus, the unilaterally acting hydraulic cylinder 29 of the high-lift means 7 is activated by its piston 8 is acted upon on the bottom with pressure oil, whereupon this moves against the cylinder cover. He raises the hinge 23, so that the double-sided lever 21 is pivoted about the bolt located at its left end 18 and lifts the pull tab 22, the right end of the rocker 12 and thus lifts the upper feed roller 3 in the high-lift position, in which the band-like material 2 between the two feed rollers 3, 4 can be introduced. This situation is in Fig. 2b shown. Subsequently, the hydraulic cylinder 29 is switched to the piston 8 again drucklos, whereby its effect is canceled and pivot 23, lever 21, pull tab 22 and rocker 12 lower until the upper feed roller 3 rests on the belt-like material 2 and this under Druckkraftbeaufschlagung by the Spring 17 presses against the lower feed roller 4, so that the belt-like material 2 is clamped between the two feed rollers 3, 4. The return movement from the high-lift position in this clamping position is effected exclusively by the weight forces of the moving parts 8, 9, 12, 3, 23, 22, 21 and by the spring force of the spring 17. Subsequently, the locking means 10 are activated by the piston 15 of the hydraulic cylinder 28 is acted upon on its left side with pressure oil, causing it exerts a compressive force on the terminal block 6 and the carriage 9 clamped in the guide 11. Of course, the band thickness adjustment described above is preferably carried out in an operating state in which the eccentric shaft 20 and the connecting rod 19 occupy a specific position, for example, that they should take in the feed operation at the beginning of the intermediate ventilation.

The in the FIGS. 3a and 3b shown feed device according to the invention has a similar structure as that in the FIGS. 2a and 2b shown on. Here, however, the pull tab 22 is replaced by a combination of another double-sided lever 24 and two tabs 25 and 26 and the carriage 9 hinged at the right end of the cooperating with the connecting rod 19 double-sided lever 21. In contrast to the preceding embodiments, in the present example, the piston 8 of the hydraulic cylinder 29 for the purpose of raising the upper feed roller 3 in the high-lift position on its upper side to be acted upon with pressure oil, on which it also has an auxiliary spring 27.

The procedure for adjusting this feed device is apart from the mentioned difference of the loading direction of the hydraulic cylinder substantially identical to the previously described and will therefore not be explained again here.

Even if in all embodiments shown here the claimed positioning device 9 designed as a slide 9 is designed as part of the high-lift means 7, it is still conceivable to design it as a separately engaging component, e.g. as a separate, lockable slide. In addition, it is also intended to use other than the described drive means 29 for the high-lift means 7, in particular also pneumatic cylinders, electric motors with spindle drives or linear motors.

Claims (26)

1. A device (1) for the, in particular intermittent, supply of a strip-shaped semi-finished material (2) to a press, comprising
   two mutually opposite feed elements (3, 4) for feeding the strip-like material (2) in the feeding operation with clamping of the said material between the feed elements (3, 4),
   high-lifting means (7) with first drive means (29) which are coupled with one of the two feed elements (3, 4) in such a way that with these high-lifting means (7) this feed element (3) in non-feeding operation is movable out of a position located closer to the other feed element (4) into a high-lift position located further away therefrom, to enable the strip-like material (2) to be introduced into the region between the two feed elements (3, 4),
   and strip thickness adjusting means with a positioning element (9) which is coupled with the feed element (3) coupled with the high-lifting means (7) in such a way that, by means of a movement to and fro of this feed element (3) between the high-lift position and a position located closer to the other feed element (4), the said positioning element is movable to and fro between a first and a second position, and with locking means (10) with which the positioning element (9) is lockable in a desired position between the first and the second position,
   wherein the device (1) is designed in such a way that a force which may be produced by activation of the first drive means (29) may be transmitted exclusively as a force directed in the direction towards the high-lift position to the feed element (3) coupled with the high-lifting means (7), characterised in that a restoring movement of the feed element (3), for the purpose of adjusting the device (1) to the thickness of a strip-like material (2) to be processed, from the high-lift position into a strip thickness position in which the feed element (3) lies on the strip-like material (2) arranged between the feed elements (3, 4), and hence a positioning of the positioning element (9) in a position corresponding to this strip thickness position of the feed element (3), may be brought about exclusively by restoring forces which are independent of the drive forces of the first drive means (29), and the positioning element (9) is guided along a guide (11) and may be locked within this guide (11) by means of a frictional connection with clamping surfaces.
2. A device (1) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the device is designed in such a way that the restoring forces are exclusively weight- and/or spring forces.
3. A device (1) according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the positioning element (9) is part of the high-lifting means (7).
4. A device (1) according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the positioning element (9), as it moves between the first and the second position, performs a translatory movement or a movement along a curved track.
5. A device (1) according to one of the preceding Claims for the intermittent supply of a strip-shaped semi-finished material to a press, characterised in that the device (1) has intermediate lifting means (5) with second drive means which are coupled with a first one of the two feed elements (3, 4) in such a way that with these intermediate lifting means (5) the clamping of the strip-like material (2) in each case between two successive feeding intervals, may be suspended by moving this first feed element (3) out of a clamping position, located closer to the second feed element (4), into an intermediate-lift position, located further away from the second feed element (4), for the temporary release of the strip-like material (2).
6. A device (1) according to Claim 5, characterised in that the device (1) is designed in such a way that the locking of the positioning element (9) may take place when the intermediate lifting means (5) are in a state which during the feeding operation corresponds to the beginning of the intermediate lifting.
7. A device (1) according to one of Claims 5 to 6, characterised in that the feed element (3) which is coupled with the high-lifting means (7) is the feed element (3) that is coupled with the intermediate lifting means (5).
8. A device (1) according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the feed elements (3, 4) are feed rollers (3, 4) or feed roller segments.
9. A device (1) according to Claim 5 and according to Claim 8, characterised in that the drive roller (3) or the drive roller segment that is coupled with the intermediate lifting means (5) is mounted in a rocker (12) which is pivotally mounted in a pivot bearing (13) in the region of one of its two ends and in the region of its other end is coupled with the second drive means of the intermediate lifting means (5), in such a way that with these drive means it may be pivoted to and fro around the pivot bearing (13).
10. A device (1) according to Claim 9, characterised in that the pivot bearing (13) is coupled with the high-lifting means (7) in such a way that the position of the pivot bearing (13) is variable relative to a system fixed to the device by means of the first drive means (29).
11. A device (1) according to Claim 10, characterised in that the pivot bearing (13) is formed by the positioning element (9).
12. A device (1) according to Claim 9, characterised in that the intermediate lifting means (5) act on the same end of the rocker (12) as the high-lifting means (7) and have in common with the said high-lifting means at least one component, the position of which is variable relative to a system fixed to the device by means of the first drive means (29).
13. A device (1) according to Claim 12, characterised in that the common component (9) is formed by the positioning element (9).
14. A device (1) according to one of Claims 12 to 13, characterised in that the pivot bearing (13) of the rocker (12) has a fixed position relative to a system fixed to the device.
15. A device (1) according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the first drive means (29) are formed by an, in particular unilaterally acting, hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder (29).
16. A device (1) according to Claim 15, characterised in that the positioning element (9) is an extension of the piston rod of the cylinder (29).
17. A device (1) according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the locking means (10) have an, in particular unilaterally acting, hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder (28) to actuate the locking, and in particular in that the locking may be effected by clamping with a compressive force produced by the cylinder (28).
18. A device (1) according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the first drive means (29), the positioning element (9) and the locking means (10) are a coherent unit.
19. A device (1) according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the device (1) has control means, with which an automatic strip thickness adjustment may be implemented by bringing the feed element (3), coupled with the high-lifting means (7), automatically under the effect of the restoring forces out of the high-lift position into a strip thickness position in which it lies on a strip-like material (2) arranged between the two feed elements (3, 4) and adjoining the other feed element (4), the positioning element (9) adopting a position corresponding to the strip thickness, and by then locking the positioning element (9) in this position automatically with the locking means (10).
20. A device according to Claim 5 and according to Claim 19, characterised in that, prior to the locking of the positioning element (9), the intermediate lifting means (5) are automatically brought into a certain state.
21. A device (1) according to Claim 20, characterised in that the intermediate lifting means (5) are brought by the control means for the strip thickness adjustment automatically into a state which corresponds to the beginning of the intermediate lifting during the feeding operation.
22. A method for adjusting the strip thickness of a feed device (1) for feeding a strip-like material (2), in particular according to one of the preceding Claims, in which in the feed operation the strip-like material (2) may be fed in the feed device (1) by means of two mutually opposite feed elements (3, 4) with clamping between the said feed elements, and, in the non-feeding operation, to enable the strip-like material to be introduced into the region between the two feed elements (3, 4), one of the feed elements (3) is movable with the high-lifting means (7) with first drive means (29) in a direction away from the other feed element (4) into a high-lift position, characterised by the steps:

    a) moving one feed element (3) with the high-lifting means (7) with activation of the first drive means (29) into a high-lift position;

    b) introducing a strip-like material (2) into the region between the two feed elements (3, 4);

    c) suspending the effect of the high-lifting means (7) while simultaneously ruling out the transmission of drive forces from the first drive means (29) to the feed element (3) in a direction of movement counter to the high-lifting movement;

    d) moving one feed element (3) by means of restoring forces independent of the drive forces of the first drive means (29) from the high-lift position in a direction counter to the high-lifting movement into a strip thickness position in which the feed element (3) lies on the strip-like material (2) arranged between the two feed elements (3, 4) and lying on the other feed element (4), wherein a positioning element (9) connected in movement with one feed element (3) is positioned in a position corresponding to the strip thickness; and

    e) fixing one feed element (3) in the strip thickness position by locking the positioning element (9) connected in movement therewith in the corresponding position with locking means (10),

    wherein the positioning element (9) is guided in a translatory manner or in an arc along a guide (11) and is locked within this guide (11) by means of clamping.
23. A method according to Claim 22, characterised in that spring- and/or weight forces are used exclusively to move one feed element (3) from the high-lift position into the strip thickness position.
24. A method according to one of Claims 22 to 23, wherein the device (1) used is designed for the intermittent feeding of a strip-like material (2) in such a way that, in each case between the feeding intervals, the clamping of the strip-like material (2) may be suspended for the temporary release of the said material, by moving a first one of the two feed elements (3) with intermediate lifting means (5) out of a clamping position located closer to the second feed element (4) into an intermediate-lift position located further away from the second feed element (4), characterised in that, prior to the locking of the positioning element (9), the intermediate lifting means (5) are brought into a certain state.
25. A method according to Claim 24, characterised in that, prior to the locking of the positioning element (9), the intermediate lifting means (9) are brought into a state which corresponds in the feed operation to the beginning of the intermediate lifting.
26. A method according to one of Claims 22 to 25, characterised in that at least the method steps c) to e) are carried out in an automated manner with the aid of an, in particular electronic, control system.

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