EP3606688B1 - Exchangeable tool for a machine tool - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an exchangeable tool for a machine tool, in particular for a press, which has an upper frame part and a lower frame part, which can be arranged in the machine tool so that they are movable relative to one another, an upper module part being attached to the upper frame part and a lower module part of the tool being releasably attached to the lower frame part. The invention also relates to a tool module for the aforementioned tool, the tool module having an upper module part which is releasably fastened to the upper frame part, and a lower module part which can be fastened to the lower frame part of the known machine tool, as well as a machine tool particularly suitable for the aforementioned tool, which has an upper receiving plate and a lower receiving plate which are movable relative to one another, the tool being interchangeably arranged between the upper receiving plate and the lower receiving plate. The invention also relates to a centering device for centering a lower tool part relative to an upper tool part of the replaceable tool, the lower tool part having the lower frame part and the lower module part detachably arranged thereon and the upper tool part having the lower frame part and the upper module part releasably attached to it.

Such a tool and a machine tool using this tool, namely a punch press, are from the DE 20 2014 004 375 U1 known to the applicant. The tool for a punch press described in this publication is designed in two parts and has a lower tool part and an upper tool part. The lower tool part comprises a lower frame part to which a lower module part is attached. The upper tool part has an upper frame part to which an upper module part is attached. The upper frame part and thus the upper module part of the upper tool part attached to it and the lower frame part together with the lower module part attached to it of the lower tool part of the tool are brought into relative movement to one another by a drive device of the machine tool. For this purpose, the upper frame part is arranged on an upper receiving plate of the machine tool and the lower frame part is arranged on a lower receiving plate.

The aforementioned drive mechanism of the machine tool causes one or both mounting plates to perform a lifting movement, whereby the relative movement between the lower tool part and the upper tool part and thus between the upper module part and the lower module part is achieved. As a rule, when the lower mounting plate is stationary, the upper Mounting plate and thus the upper tool part connected to it, i.e. the upper frame part including the upper module part, moves up and down.

The releasable connection of the lower tool part with the lower mounting plate carrying it and / or the releasable connection of the upper tool part with the upper mounting plate of the machine tool allows the machine tool to be easily adapted to different machining tasks or the corresponding module parts, in particular by exchanging the lower tool part and / or the upper tool part at the end of their service life.

In order to meet the high demands on the dimensional accuracy of workpieces to be produced with such a machine tool, particularly in punching processes, cutting processes or similar machining processes such as shearing, bending or stamping, the lower tool part and the upper tool part must be aligned within narrow tolerances.

In the configuration of the lower tool part and the upper tool part described here, it was necessary in the machine known from the aforementioned publication to first position the upper frame part and the lower frame part in a defined position to one another in the machine tool and then subsequently the lower module part attached to the lower frame part and the lower part of the frame to align the attached upper module part.

In the aforementioned DE 20 2014 004 375 U1 For aligning the upper frame part and the lower frame part, the plate-shaped upper frame part has centering elements formed as centering bores on its underside. In a corresponding manner, the lower frame part has, on its side facing the upper frame part, designed as further centering bores Centering elements on. Such centering elements can be produced during the manufacture of the upper frame part and the lower frame part with a high degree of precision with regard to their position and arrangement within the corresponding frame part, so that they can be used to position the upper frame part relative to the lower frame part. For this purpose, a centering adapter is inserted between the upper frame part and the lower frame part, which on its first upper side has a number of complementary centering elements matched to the number of centering elements of the upper frame part and on its second top side, which faces the lower frame part in the inserted state, a number of centering elements matched to the number of centering elements of the lower frame part Has number of other complementary centering elements. In order to now arrange the tool in the machine tool in a defined position, the centering adapter is placed on the lower frame part so that its lower centering elements dip into the corresponding centering elements of the lower frame part. Then the upper frame part is placed on the centering adapter, so that its centering elements dip into the centering elements of the centering adapter that are correlated therewith. The frame upper part and the frame lower part are thus in a defined positional relationship. Then the resulting unit of frame base, centering adapter and frame top part is placed between the upper mounting plate and the lower mounting plate of the machine tool and the frame top part is attached to the upper mounting plate and the frame bottom part is attached to the lower mounting plate. The upper mounting plate and the upper frame part connected to it and the lower mounting plate together with the lower frame part connected to it are then moved away from one another, so that the centering adapter can be removed.

From the DE 10 2014 007 732 B4 It is known to align the upper module part and / or the lower module part of such a tool precisely with the upper frame part or lower frame part assigned to it: The column-guided tool has at least one centering device through which the upper module part on the upper frame part and / or the lower module part can be attached to the lower frame part in a position-oriented manner, the centering device having a first centering unit and a second centering unit. The first centering unit is provided on the upper part of the frame or on the lower part of the frame and the second centering unit is provided on the upper part of the module or the lower part of the module, so that the upper part of the module can be fixed to the upper part of the frame that was previously aligned and / or the lower part of the module to the lower part of the frame that was also previously aligned.

The use of a centering adapter has turned out to be advantageous and allows precise alignment of the upper frame part to the lower frame part. The disadvantage, however, is that the lifting movement between the lower frame part and the upper frame part has to be so great that by moving apart the lower receiving plate carrying the lower frame part and the upper receiving plate carrying the upper frame part, there is a sufficiently large free space between the two aforementioned frame parts so that the centering adapter as above described can be taken from the machine tool. However, it is advantageous, for reasons of precision and cycle times, to require the smallest possible stroke movement in such a machine tool.

From the DE 19 45 799 A a punching or cutting press with guides for tool plates is known which has an upper frame part and a lower frame part as well as an upper module part and a lower module part. The tool has a centering device which has a centering unit by means of which the upper module part can be positionally positioned relative to the lower module part.

The DE 10 2004 019 772 A1 describes a tool, wherein at least one centering element is arranged in a lower receiving plate and in an upper receiving plate, into which a centering element of a frame lower part and / or a frame upper part of the tool can be introduced.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to develop a tool for a machine tool in such a way that, in particular, the centering of the lower module part and the upper module part is achieved in a simple manner. Likewise, a tool module, a machine tool and a centering device are to be created which are particularly suitable for the tool according to the invention. A method for centering the lower module part relative to the upper module part should also be proposed.

To solve this problem, the tool according to the invention proposes that the tool has at least one centering device, wherein the centering device has a first centering unit, a second centering unit and a third centering unit, that the module lower part relative to the frame lower part through the first centering unit, the second centering unit the The lower module part relative to the upper module part and the upper module part can be positioned relative to the upper frame part through the third centering unit, and that the first centering unit has a first centering element, which is provided in the lower frame part, and a second centering element, which is arranged in the lower module part, that the second centering unit has a first centering element , which is arranged in the lower module part, has a second centering element which is arranged in the upper module part and a third centering element that can be introduced between these two centering elements, and that the third centering element unit has a first centering element, which is provided in the upper frame part, and a second centering element, which is arranged in the upper module part.

The tool module according to the invention for the tool according to the invention is characterized in that the work module has at least one centering device, wherein the centering device has a first centering unit, a second centering unit and a third centering unit, that through the first centering unit the lower module part relative to the frame lower part, through the second Centering unit the lower module part relative to the upper module part and the upper module part can be positionally positioned relative to the upper frame part through the third centering unit, and that the second centering unit has a first centering element which is arranged in the lower module part, a second centering element which is arranged in the upper module part, and a third centering element which can be introduced between these two centering elements.

The machine tool according to the invention is distinguished by the use of the tool according to the invention.

The centering device according to the invention provides that the centering device has a first centering unit, a second centering unit and a third centering unit, that through the first centering unit the lower module part relative to the lower frame part, the lower module part relative to the upper module part through the second centering unit and the upper module part relative through the third centering unit can be positioned in relation to the upper frame part.

The measures according to the invention advantageously create a tool for a machine tool which is characterized in that the lower module part can be centered relative to the upper module part and the upper frame part in a simple manner. The centering of the lower module part is advantageously possible without a guide column. The tool according to the invention is compact and simple in an advantageous manner.

The tool according to the invention and a machine tool using this tool can be used not only for the production of workpieces cut from a base material. Rather, a tool constructed according to the invention and a machine tool using it can not only be used for material-separating production of workpieces, but also for material-forming manufacturing methods such. B. injection molding, in which z. B. an upper part of an injection mold must be aligned relative to the lower part of this injection mold and to the corresponding frame parts of the machine tool, so in this case an injection molding machine.

A further advantageous development of the invention provides that the lower frame part and / or the upper frame part has at least one centering element which interacts with a centering element of the associated receiving plate, that the at least one centering element of the lower frame part and / or the upper frame part by a relative movement of this frame part relative to associated receiving plate can be brought into alignment with the complementary centering element of the receiving plate. By means of these inventive measures, an exchangeable tool for a machine tool is created in an advantageous manner, which is characterized in that the upper frame part can be aligned in the machine tool in a simple manner and without using a centering adapter. The tool according to the invention therefore allows a tool to be changed quickly, since the alignment of the frame upper part carrying the module upper part and / or the frame lower part carrying the module lower part can be carried out with simple means and uncomplicated and therefore in a relatively short time.

A further advantageous development of the machine tool according to the invention provides that at least one centering element is arranged in a lower receiving plate and / or in an upper receiving plate of the machine tool, into which a centering element of the frame lower part and / or the frame upper part of the tool can be introduced, wherein according to an advantageous Further development of the invention, this or one of the centering elements is provided in a bar which is arranged in the associated receiving plate of the machine tool. Such a measure has the advantage that the machine tool can be adapted to differently configured centering elements of the tool according to the invention by simply exchanging the bar.

Another advantageous development of the invention provides that at least one pair of interacting centering elements of the machine tool and the corresponding upper frame part or lower frame part are designed to be self-centering. Such a measure has the advantage that it simplifies the centering process of the upper frame part and / or the lower frame part on the corresponding receiving plate of the machine tool.

Further advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Werkzeugs zusammen mit einer Ausführungsform einer Werkzeugmaschine,

Figur 2

eine Draufsicht auf das Ausführungsbeispiel der Figur 1,

Figur 3

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie A-A der Figur 2,

Figur 4

eine Draufsicht auf ein Gestellunterteil des Werkzeugs,

Figur 5

ein Schnitt entlang der Linie C-C der Figur 4 für eine erste Ausführungsform von Zentrierelementen,

Figur 6

ein Schnitt entlang der Linie D-D der Figur 4 für die erste Ausführungsform von Zentrierelementen,

Figur 7

ein Schnitt entlang der Linie C-C der Figur 4 für eine zweite Ausführungsform von Zentrierelementen,

Figur 8

ein Schnitt entlang der Linie D-D der Figur 4 für die zweite Ausführungsform von Zentrierelementen,

Figur 9

ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Zentriereinrichtung,

Figur 10

eine Draufsicht auf das Ausführungsbeispiel der Vorrichtung,

Figur 11a

ein Schnitt entlang der Linie A-A der Figur 10 im oberen Totpunkt der Werkzeugmaschine,

Figur 11b

ein Schnitt entlang der Linie B-B der Figur 10 im oberen Totpunkt der Werkzeugmaschine,

Figur 12a

ein Schnitt entlang der Linie A-A der Figur 10 im oberen Totpunkt mit eingelegten Zentrierelementen der Werkzeugmaschine,

Figur 12b

ein Schnitt entlang der Linie B-B der Figur 10 im oberen Totpunkt mit eingelegten Zentrierelementen der Werkzeugmaschine,

Figur 13a

ein Schnitt entlang der Linie A-A der Figur 10 im unteren Totpunkt der Werkzeugmaschine, und

Figur 13b

ein Schnitt entlang der Linie B-B der Figur 10 im unteren Totpunkt der Werkzeugmaschine.

Further details and advantages of the invention can be found in the exemplary embodiment which is described below with reference to the figures. Show it:

Figure 1

a schematic representation of an embodiment of a tool together with an embodiment of a machine tool,

Figure 2

a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1 ,

Figure 3

a section along the line AA of Figure 2 ,

Figure 4

a top view of a frame lower part of the tool,

Figure 5

a section along the line CC of the Figure 4 for a first embodiment of centering elements,

Figure 6

a section along the line DD of Figure 4 for the first embodiment of centering elements,

Figure 7

a section along the line CC of the Figure 4 for a second embodiment of centering elements,

Figure 8

a section along the line DD of Figure 4 for the second embodiment of centering elements,

Figure 9

an embodiment of a centering device,

Figure 10

a plan view of the embodiment of the device,

Figure 11a

a section along the line AA of Figure 10 in the top dead center of the machine tool,

Figure 11b

a section along the line BB of Figure 10 in the top dead center of the machine tool,

Figure 12a

a section along the line AA of Figure 10 in top dead center with inserted centering elements of the machine tool,

Figure 12b

a section along the line BB of Figure 10 in top dead center with inserted centering elements of the machine tool,

Figure 13a

a section along the line AA of Figure 10 at the bottom dead center of the machine tool, and

Figure 13b

a section along the line BB of Figure 10 at the bottom dead center of the machine tool.

The basic structure of a tool 1 described below for a machine tool 100, in particular for a press, is known, so that a detailed description is not required. For ease of explanation, the Figures 1 to 3 schematically shows the basic structure of such a machine tool 100 and a tool 1 accommodated in it, elements of the machine tool 100 arranged on a machine bed B and the tool 1 which are not required for understanding the following description have been omitted for the sake of clarity. The tool 1 is designed in two parts and has a lower tool part 1a and a Upper tool part 1b, the lower tool part 1a being arranged on a lower receiving plate A of the machine tool 100 and the upper tool part 1b being arranged on an upper receiving plate A 'thereof. The two receiving plates A, A 'are movable relative to one another and perform a lifting movement, as a result of which the lower tool part 1a and the upper tool part 1b also carry out a corresponding lifting movement. The lower tool part 1a has a lower frame part 10, on which a lower module part 30 is detachably and thus exchangeably fastened. The upper tool part 1b has an upper frame part 20, to which an upper module part 40 is detachably and thus exchangeably attached. The lower frame part 10 and upper frame part 20 together form the frame of the tool 1 and the lower module part 30 and the upper module part 40 together form the tool module of this tool 1. In the exemplary embodiment described here, the upper frame part 20 has an upper frame plate 21 and an upper frame pressure plate 22 and the lower frame part 10 has a lower frame plate 11 and a lower frame pressure plate 12. The detailed structure of such an upper frame part 20 and a lower frame part 10 of a frame are known and this is also not necessary for understanding the further description of the tool 1, so that a detailed explanation of the structure and mode of operation of the upper frame part 20 and the lower frame part 10 of the Tool 1 can be dispensed with.

The upper module part 40 has, in a likewise known manner, an upper pressure plate 41 which is fastened to the upper frame part 20, preferably replaceable. An upper module plate 42 is arranged below the pressure plate 41. The lower module part 30 has a lower module plate 31 which is arranged on a lower pressure plate 32. The lower module part 30 is fastened to the lower frame part 10 via a holding unit 35 and the upper module part 40 is fastened to the upper frame part 20 by means of a further holding unit 45.

In the exemplary embodiment described here, it is assumed that the machine tool is a punch press and the tool is a punching tool.

However, this is not mandatory, rather it is possible to design the tool as a cutting tool, a shearing tool, an embossing tool or a bending tool, to name just a few examples. It is therefore also not necessary for the machine tool to be a punch press. The modifications to be made in each case are apparent to the person skilled in the art from the following description, so that further explanations are not required.

As described above, an exchange of the tool 1 requires a repositioning of the same in the machine tool 100 in order to achieve perfect operation of the machine tool 100 and high precision of the workpieces to be produced therewith, in particular of stamped parts. The tool 1 must therefore be arranged in a defined position between the lower receiving plate A and the upper receiving plate A 'of the machine tool 100, which requires that the frame lower part 10 and the frame upper part 20 in a defined position on the respectively assigned receiving plate A, A' are arranged, and that the lower module part 30 and the upper module part 40 are aligned in an exact positional relationship to the lower frame part 10 and the upper frame part 20 and thus to one another.

The Figure 4 now shows a plan view of the frame lower part 10. Also shown are the machine bed B and the lower clamping plate A on which the frame lower part 10 is arranged. The Figures 5 and 6th show a section along the lines CC and DD of FIG Figure 4 .

To now set the frame base 10 in a defined position on the lower mounting plate A, is now - as in Figures 4 to 6 for a first embodiment of centering elements - provided that the lower receiving plate A has two centering elements 15a and 15b, which are arranged in a defined orientation and position in the lower receiving plate A, and that the frame base 10 is complementary centering elements 15a ', 15b', which interact with the centering elements 15a, 15b of the receiving plate A, respectively. In the case described here, the centering elements 15a, 15b of the lower receiving plate A are designed as centering openings, while the complementary centering elements 15a ', 15b' of the frame lower part 10 are designed as centering projections.

For the positional alignment of the frame base 10 relative to the lower mounting plate A, the frame base 10 is placed on the lower mounting plate A and moved until the first centering element 15a 'of the frame base 10 is positioned precisely in relation to the first centering element 15a of the mounting plate A and the second centering element 15b' of the frame base 10 is precisely aligned with the second centering element 15b of the lower receiving plate A. The centering elements 15a ', 15b' of the frame lower part 10, which are designed as centering projections, dip into the centering elements 15a, 15b, which are designed as centering openings, of the lower mounting plate A, so that a defined positional relationship exists between the frame lower part 10 of the tool 1 and the lower mounting plate A of the machine tool 100 is. In this, the frame base 10 is then connected by appropriate connecting means, for. B. screws, set on the lower mounting plate A.

It is preferred here that, as shown in these figures, the centering elements 15a, 15b of the lower receiving plate A have the shape of a half-shell and the centering elements 15a ', 15b' of the frame lower part 10 that interact with them have the shape of protruding over the lower surface of the frame lower part 10 Own half waves. Such a measure has the advantage that it simplifies the positional alignment of the lower frame part 10 with respect to the lower receiving plate A, since the centering elements 15a ', 15b' of the lower frame part 10 are mutually aligned due to the coordinated shape of cooperating centering elements 15a, 15a 'or 15b, 15b' Can automatically align in the centering elements 15a, 15b of the lower mounting plate A. Each pair of cooperating centering elements 15a, 15a 'and 15b, 15b' thus act in a self-centering manner, since the Half-wave-like projections of the centering elements 15a ', 15b' slide along in the half-shell-shaped centering openings of the centering elements 15a, 15b of the lower receiving plate A until a corresponding centering position is reached. The centering elements 15a, 15a 'and 15b, 15b' are therefore preferably self-centering centering elements.

In the embodiment described, it is provided that further centering elements 15c, 15c 'and 15d, 15d' are provided, wherein - as shown in FIGS Figures 5 and 6th can be seen - the further centering elements 15c, 15c 'or 15d, 15d' relative to the centering elements 15a, 15a 'or 15b, 15b' are arranged offset by a defined angle, preferably 90 °. Such a measure has the advantage that it enables two-dimensional alignment of the frame lower part 10 on the lower mounting plate A in an advantageous manner.

The Figures 7 and 8th show a second embodiment of the frame base 10, which differs from that in FIGS Figures 4 to 6 shown first embodiment differs by the design of the centering elements. While, as described above, it is provided for the centering elements 15a-15d 'that the centering elements 15a'-15d' of the upper frame part 10 are designed as half-waves, the centering elements 16a 'and 16b' of the second embodiment provide that their projections are hemispherical are designed. In a corresponding manner, the centering elements 16a and 16b of the lower receiving plate A, which are designed as centering openings, are designed as hemispherical recesses. Such a hemispherical shape has the advantage that a two-dimensional alignment of the frame lower part 10 on the lower receiving plate A can be achieved in a simple manner.

The person skilled in the art can see from the above description that the configurations of the centering elements 15a, 15b, 15c, 15a ', 15b', 15c ', 15d, 15d' and 16a to 16b 'is not mandatory. Rather, any shape is possible which leads to a self-centering functionality of the centering elements 15a-15c ', 15d, 15d' and 16a-16b '. It is of course also possible to combine half-wave-shaped and hemispherical centering elements within one embodiment.

Of course, it is also possible to dispense with this self-centering function of the centering elements in which, for. B. the centering elements 15a'-15d 'or 16a', 16b 'are designed as circular rods. It is also possible to reduce or increase the number of interacting centering elements. The arrangement of the centering elements can also be reversed; H. that the centering elements of the frame lower part 10 are designed as depressions and the centering elements of the receiving plate A are designed as corresponding projections.

It is preferred that the lower receiving plate A-like from the Figures 4 to 8 can be seen - has a receiving groove 110 in which a bar 111 having the centering elements 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d or 16a, 16b of the receiving plate A is introduced. Such a measure has the advantage that, on the one hand, such a strip 111 can be introduced into the receiving plate A simply and with great precision. On the other hand, the strip 111 accommodating the centering elements 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d or 16a, 16b can easily be exchanged, so that the design and arrangement of the centering elements 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d or 16a, 16b of the receiving plate A can easily be changed can.

After the frame base 10 has been set in a defined position on the lower mounting plate A of the machine tool 100 as described above, the module base 30 of the tool base 1a is placed on the frame base 10 aligned in this way and in a known manner or preferably as described below relative to Frame lower part 10 aligned. The upper module part 40 is then placed on the lower module part 30 aligned in this way and also relative to the lower module part 30 and thus aligned to the frame base 10. The upper frame part 20 is then placed on the upper module part 40 and aligned with the upper module part 40. After the aforementioned adjustment steps have been carried out, the upper frame part 20 is fixed in a defined position on the upper receiving plate A ′ of the machine tool 100 assigned to it; the tool 1 is thus aligned in the machine tool 100.

In the above description it is assumed that the frame lower part 10 and the lower receiving plate A have the centering elements 15a-15d, 16a, 16b and 15a'-15d ', 16a', 16b 'described above. It is of course also possible to provide such centering elements 15a-15d, 16a, 16b or 15a'-15d ', 16a', 16b 'in the upper frame part 20 and the upper receiving plate A'. Also a combination of the above measures, namely to provide centering elements 15a-15d, 16a, 16b or 15a'-15d ', 16a', 16b 'both in the frame lower part 10 and the lower receiving plate A and in the frame upper part 20 and the upper receiving plate A' , is basically possible. However, it is sufficient that such cooperating centering elements 15a-15d, 16a, 16b or 15a'-15d ', 16a on a frame part, preferably on the frame lower part 10, and on a receiving plate A or A', preferably on the lower receiving plate A ', 16b' are provided.

As can be seen from the procedure described above, with the tool 1 described and the machine tool 100 using it, the use of a centering adapter, as was required in the prior art, is no longer necessary.

In the Figures 9 to 13b a preferred centering technique for the modules 20 and 30 of the tool 1 is described, which is of independent patent-establishing importance. The Figure 9 shows an embodiment of a centering device 50 as used by the described embodiment for centering the lower module part 30, the upper module part 40 and the upper frame part 20 becomes. The Figure 10 shows a top view of the tool 1, that is to say of the upper receiving plate A ', under which the upper frame part 20 and the upper module part 40 and under these two units the lower module part 30 and the lower frame part 10 are arranged. The Figures 11a , 12a and 13a each show a section along the line AA of Figure 10 . The show in a corresponding manner Figures 11d , 12b and 13b each a section along the line BB of Figure 10 .

In the Figure 9 The centering device 50 shown is divided into three centering units 51a, 51b and 51c, the first centering unit 51a for centering the lower module part 20 relative to the lower frame part 10, the second centering unit 51b for positional alignment between the lower module part 30 and the upper module part 40 and the third centering unit 51c for alignment of the module upper part 40 to the frame upper part 20 is used. The centering unit 51a has a first centering element 51a 'and a complementary centering element 51a "cooperating with it. It is preferred that the centering element 51a' is configured as a half-shell and the complementary centering element 51a" cooperating with this is configured as a half-shaft. As from the Figures 11a-13b As can be seen, the first centering element 51a ′ of the first centering unit 51a is arranged in the frame lower part 10 so that its centering openings lie on the surface of the frame lower part 10 facing the module lower part 30. The centering element 51a ″ of the centering unit 51a is arranged in the lower module part 30 so that its centering projection cooperating with the centering opening of the first centering element 51a ′ protrudes from the underside of the lower module part 30. The centering element 51a ″ is rod-shaped and extends through the lower module part 30 The upper end forms a first centering element 51b 'of the second centering unit 51b of the centering device 50 and is designed here as a half-shell-shaped centering opening.

Before the mode of operation of the second centering unit 51b is described in detail, the structure of the third centering unit 51c of the centering device 50 should first be described for the sake of simpler explanation: the third Centering unit 51c of centering device 50 is designed in accordance with the first centering unit 51a and is used for positional alignment between the upper module part 40 and upper frame part 20 of tool 1. A centering element 51c 'corresponding to the centering element 51a' in terms of its structure and function is arranged in the upper frame part 20 and has a the centering opening pointing towards the top of the upper module part 40. The centering element 51c "corresponding to the centering element 51a" of the third centering unit 51c has a centering projection which protrudes from the top of the lower module part 40. The centering element 51c ″ extends through the upper module part 40 and its lower, second end forms a centering element 51b ″ of the second centering unit 51b of the centering device 50.

The second centering unit 51b of the centering device 50, which is used for positional alignment between the lower module part 30 and the upper module part 40, is thus through the centering element 51b ', i.e. in the described case through the centering opening provided at the second end of the centering element 51a ", and through the centering element at the second end of the centering element 51c "provided further centering opening as well as a further centering element 51b '", which is designed as a shaft and can be introduced between the centering elements 51b', 51b "as described below.

How out Figure 9 As can be seen, it is provided that each centering element 51a'-51c ″ has a compensation opening 53, which serves to absorb an excessively high pressure load which may occur during the centering process.

As seen from the top view of the Figure 10 As can be seen, six centering devices 50a-50f are provided in the tool 1, which are designed like the centering device 50 described above. One recognizes from the Figure 10 that the centering devices 50a to 50f are aligned alternately, so that again a two-dimensional centering is enabled: the centering devices 50b and 50c are preferably aligned orthogonally to the centering devices 50a, 50c or 50e and 50f.

The centering process is carried out in the Figures 11a-13b described. The Figures 11a and 11b show the tool 1 at the beginning of the adjustment process. The frame lower part 10 was, as described above, aligned relative to the receiving plate A of the machine tool 100 and fixed thereon. The lower module part 30 is then inserted into the holding unit 35, which is connected to the lower frame part 10. The holding unit 35 is designed in such a way that the lower module part 30 is received in it with sufficient play so that the lower module part 30 can be moved in the holding unit 35. The holding unit 35 brings about a rough pre-centering of the lower module part 30. Then the holding unit 35 is closed, the application of pressure to the lower module part 30, in conjunction with the self-centering configuration of cooperating centering elements 51a ', 51a ", causes the lower module part 30 to be placed on the lower frame part 10 by the centering elements 51a', 51a" of the first centering unit 51a "interacting in pairs Centering devices 50a-50f and the action by the holding unit 35 aligns precisely on the frame lower part 10. In this centered position, the lower module part 30 is then attached to the lower frame part 10.

The frame upper part 20 was arranged on the upper receiving plate A 'of the machine tool - as described below. As stated above, at this point in time the frame lower part 10 is aligned relative to the receiving plate A of the machine tool 100 and the module lower part 30 is aligned relative to the already centered frame lower part 10, the lower tool part 1a is thus centered. However, the upper frame part 20 and thus the upper module part 40 of the upper tool part 1b received in the holding unit 45 - still movable at this point in time - is not centered in relation to the lower tool part 1a.

In order to achieve this, - as from the Figures 12a and 12b can be seen - the further centering elements 51b '″ are inserted into the centering elements 51b' of the second centering units 51b of the centering device 50a to 50f Figures 13a and 13b can be seen - the upper receiving plate A 'and thus the upper frame part 20, which is arranged displaceably on it, and thus the upper module part 40 centered thereon, advanced in the direction of the lower tool part 1a. The centering elements 51b ″ of the second centering units 51b of the centering device 50a to 50f come into operative engagement with the further centering elements 51b ″ of the second centering units 51b of the centering devices 50a to 50f received in the first centering elements 51b '. Since the upper frame part 20 - as described above - is arranged on the upper receiving plate A ', but is not fixed to this, a further feed movement of the upper receiving plate A' and thus the upper tool part 1b attached to it causes the upper frame part 20 to move relatively to the upper mounting plate A 'move and can be centered in this way. With a further feed movement of the upper receiving plate A ', the upper frame part 20 is deflected as a result of the action of the second centering element 51b "of the centering devices 50a to 50e by the third centering element 51b'" until the upper frame part 20 is in position. The holding unit 45 is then closed and the upper frame part 20 is fixed in the upper receiving plate A ', the centering process is thus completed.

In the procedure described above, an alignment of the upper module part 40 relative to the lower module part 30 and of the upper frame part 20 relative to the receiving plate A 'is achieved through the above-described feed movement between the upper receiving plate A' and the lower receiving plate A. It is also possible, however, to first align the upper module part 40 with the upper frame part 20, specifically, preferably, as was described above for the alignment of the lower module part 30 with the lower frame part 10. After the module top 40 and the lower module part 30 have been aligned with one another and with the respective frame parts 10 and 20, the two module parts 30, 40 are fixed in position by closing the holding unit 35 and / or the holding unit 45.

After a corresponding lifting movement of the upper receiving plate A ', the third centering element or elements 51b' "can be removed again from the tool 1. The tool 1 and thus the machine tool 100 using it are thus ready for use.

In the above description, it was assumed that the frame lower part 10 is arranged in a defined position on the lower receiving plate A assigned to it and that the module lower part 30, the module upper part 40 and the frame upper part 20 are then aligned as described above. Of course, it is also possible to first align the upper frame part 20 relative to the upper receiving plate A 'and then align the upper module part 40, the lower module part 30 and the lower frame part 10 in a corresponding manner. Based on this, in the following claims, the term "frame lower part" used there is to be understood as that frame part 10 or 20 of the tool 1 which was first aligned on the associated receiving plate A or A ', and the term "module lower part" Module part 30 or 40, which is first aligned relative to the frame part 10 or 20 fixed in position on the corresponding receiving plate A or A 'as described above.

In the above description, it was therefore also assumed that the positional alignment of the frame lower part 10 relative to the lower receiving plate A takes place as described above. Such a measure is advantageous, but not mandatory. Rather, any procedure in which the lower frame part 10 is aligned in position on the lower receiving plate A (or the upper frame part 20 on the upper receiving plate A ') can be used. In the above description, it was further assumed that the first centering element 51a 'of the first centering unit 51a, which is arranged in the frame lower part 10, and the first centering element 51c' of the third centering unit 51c, which is arranged in the frame upper part 20, than in the frame lower part 10 and the frame upper part 20 components used, so as inserts are formed. Such an embodiment of the two centering elements 51a ', 51c' has the advantage that such an insert, which is inserted into a corresponding recess in the relevant frame part, can be manufactured easily and with a high degree of precision. However, such a procedure is not mandatory. For example, it is also possible to design the first centering element 51a 'of the first centering unit 51a and / or the centering element 51c' of the third centering unit 51c as an integral part of the frame lower part 10 and / or the frame upper part 20, with a combination of the two aforementioned measures within a centering device 50, 50a-50f is possible. It is also conceivable that some of the centering units 50, 50a-50f, which are provided in a tool 1, are configured differently in this regard.

In summary, it should be stated that the described measures advantageously enable quick and simple centering of an exchangeable tool 1 in a machine tool 100.

Claims (13)

1. Tool for a machine tool (100), in particular for a press, which has an upper frame part (20) and a lower frame part (10), which can be arranged in the machine tool (100) relatively movable to each other, wherein on the upper frame part (20) a upper module part (40) and on the lower frame part (10) a lower module part (30) of the tool (1) is attached releasably, wherein the tool (1) has at least one centering device (50; 50a-50f), wherein the centering device (50; 50a-50f) comprises a first centering unit (51a) and a third centering unit (51c), so that by means of the first centering unit (51a) the lower module part (30) can be positioned relative to the lower frame part (10) and by means of the third centering unit (51c) the module upper part (40) can be positioned relative to the upper frame part (20), and wherein the first centering unit (51a) comprises a first centering element (51a'), which is provided in the lower frame part (10), and a second centering element (51a"), which is provided in the lower module part (30), and wherein the third centering unit (51c) comprises a first centering element (51c'), which is provided in the upper frame part (20), and a second centering element (51c"), which is provided in the upper module part (40), characterized in that the centering device (50) comprises a second centering unit (51b), that by means of the second centering unit (51b) the lower module part (30) can be positioned relative to the upper module part (40) and that said second centering unit (51b) comprises a first centering element (51b'), which can be arranged in the lower module part (30), and a second centering element (51 b"), which can be arranged in the upper module part (40), and a third centering element (51b"'), which can be arranged between the two aforesaid centering elements (51b', 51b").
2. Tool according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a pair of cooperating centering elements (51a', 51a", 51b', 51b", 51b'"; 51c', 51c") of at least one centering device (50; 50a-50f) is designed to be self-centering.
3. Tool according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the tool (1) comprises at least two centering devices (50a-50f), and that one of the two centering devices (50a) is aligned alternately with respect to the other centering device (50b).
4. Tool according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the upper frame part (20) is or can be attached exchangeably to an upper receiving plate (A') and/or the lower frame part (10) is or can be attached exchangeably to a lower receiving plate (A) of the machine tool (100), and that the lower frame part (10) and/or the upper frame part (20) comprises at least one centering element (15a'. 15b', 15c', 15d'; 16a', 16b'), which cooperates with a centering element (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d; 16a, 16b) of the associated receiving plate (A; A'), and that at least one centering element (15a', 15b', 15c', 15d'; 16a', 16b') of the lower frame part (10) and/or of the upper frame part (20) can be brought in alignment with the complementary centering element (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d; 16a, 16b) of the receiving plate (A; A') by a relative movement of said frame part (10; 20).
5. Tool according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that at least one centering element (15a', 15b', 15c', 15d'; 16a, 16b; 51a', 51a", 51b', 51b", 51c', 51c") is formed as a centering projection or a centering recess.
6. Tool according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the or at least one of the centering elements (15a', 15b', 15c', 15d'; 16a, 16b; 51a', 51a", 51b', 51b", 51c', 51c") is formed as a centering projection and preferably as a half-shaft or a hemisphere.
7. Tool module for a tool (1) for a machine tool (100), wherein the tool module comprises an upper module part (40), which can be attached releasably to an upper frame part (20), and a lower module part (30), which can be attached releasably to a lower frame part (10), wherein the tool module comprises at least one centering device (50, 50a-50f), wherein the centering device (50, 50a-50f) comprises a first centering unit (51a) and a third centering unit (51c), so that by means of the first centering unit (51a) the lower module part (30) can be positioned relative to the lower frame part (10) and by means of the third centering unit (51c) the upper module part (40) can be positioned relative to the upper frame part (20), characterized in that the centering device (50, 50a-50f) comprises a second centering unit (51b), so that by means of the second centering unit (51b) the lower module part (30) can be positioned relative to the upper module part (40), and that said second centering unit (51b) comprises a first centering element (51b'), which is provided in the lower module part (30), and the second centering element (51b"), which is provided in the upper module part (40), and a third centering element (51b'''), which can be arranged between said two centering elements (51b', 51b").
8. Tool module according to claim 7, characterized in that the first centering unit (51a) comprises a second centering element (51a"), which is provided in the lower module part (30) and which co-acts with a first centering element (51a') being provided in the lower frame part (10).
9. Tool module according to one of the claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the third centering unit (51c) comprises a second centering element (51c"), which is provided in the upper module part (40) and which co-acts with a first centering element (51c) provided in the upper frame part (20).
10. Machine tool, which comprises an upper receiving plate (A') and a lower receiving plate (A), which are relatively movable to each other, wherein between the upper receiving plate (A') and the lower receiving plate (A) a tool is exchangeably provided, characterized In that the tool (1) is designed according to one of the claims 1 to 6.
11. Machine tool according to claim 10, characterized in that in the lower receiving plate (A) and/or in the upper receiving plate (A') at least one centering element (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d; 16a, 16b) is provided, in which a centering element (15a', 15b', 15c', 15d'; 16a', 16b') of the lower frame part (10) and/or of the upper frame part (20) of the tool (1) can be placed.
12. Machine tool according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that at least one centering element (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d; 16a, 16b) is provided in a bar (111), and that said bar (111) is provided in the associated receiving plate (A; A') of the machine tool (100).
13. Centering device (50) for the centering of a lower tool part (1 a) relatively to an upper tool part (1b) of a tool (1), wherein the lower tool part (1a) comprises a lower frame part (10) and a lower module part (30) releasably attached to it and the upper tool part (1b) comprises an upper frame part (20) and an upper module part (40) being releasably attached to it, wherein the centering device (50) comprises a first centering unit (51a) and a third centering unit (51c), so that by means of the first centering unit (51a) the lower module part (30) can be positioned relative to the lower frame part (10) and by means of the third centering unit (51c) the upper module part (40) can be positioned relative to the upper frame part (20), and that the first centering unit (51a) comprises a first centering element (51a'), which can be provided in the lower frame part (10), and a second centering element (51a"), which can be provided in the lower module part (30), and that the third centering unit (51c) comprises a first centering element (51c'), which can be provided in the upper frame part (20), and a second centering element (51c"), which can be provided in the upper module part (40), characterized in that the centering device (50) comprises a second centering unit (51b), and that by means of the second centering unit (51b) the lower module part (30) can be positioned relative to the upper module part (40), and that that second centering unit (51b) comprises a first centering element (51b'), which can be provided in the lower module part (30), and a second centering element (51b"), which can be provided in the upper module part (40), and a third centering element (51 b"'), which can be placed between said two centering elements (51b', 51 b").

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