GB2146569A - Press or punching machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A sheet material working press or punching machine has a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 5 for powering the tools 3, 4 which is mounted on a carriage 9, 10, 11 movable on the frame 2 of the machine, as shown along a slot 12, so that the cylinder 5 can be readily moved between a working position and a position clear of the working position whereat working tools 3, 4 can be readily removed and replaced. The invention provides for short down-time in tool replacement as compared to known press machines. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Press or punching machine This invention relates to a sheet material working press or punching machine or similar apparatus, for example, a punching machine which is provided with a main frame on which is mounted a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder aligned with a working tool to power same.

Press or punching machines using hydraulic cylinders to activate the working tools are well known.

However, the prior machines suffer from the disadvantage that the replacement of working tools requires removal ofthe hydraulic cylinder, for instance, by unscrewing the cylinder from the frame after removal of rather heavy and cumbersome hydraulic fluid lines, which is a time consuming and soiling task. When the tools are replaced the cylinder then has to be replaced in its operational position.

According to the present invention there is provided a sheet material working press or punching machine comprising a support frame, removable cooperating working tools mounted on said frame, a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder device for applying a working force to one of the tools, carriage means mounted on the frame for linear movement with respect to the frame, and means mounting the cylinder on the carriage to provide for movement of the cylinder between a working position in which it is in alignment with the tools and a non-working position in which it is clear of the working position whereat the tools may readily be removed from the frame.

Preferably the cylinder is mounted on a carrier which is slidable along the main frame of the press machine on guides or other means provided therefor. The sliding action takes place preferably in a horizontal direction although vertical sliding could also be used. However, with horizontal sliding the vertical position of the carrier can be rather precise and thus not require any final adjustment.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of an example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a typical press machine which is provided with a slidable cylinder carrier in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a front elevation of the machine; Figure 3 shows the press machine with the hydraulic cylinder moved from its working position; and Figure 4 shows the machine with the working tools removed.

Referring now to the drawings, the press machine comprises a base plate 1 on which is mounted a C-shaped main frame 2 in which are mounted cooperating tools 3 and 4, for instance a punch and die unit. The punch 4 being provided with a return spring 7. A hydraulic cylinder unit 5 is shown mounted with its working ram 8 aligned with the punch 4 (Figures 1 and 2). Cylinder 5 is mounted in a plate 10, for instance having a screw-thread in engagement with a screw-threaded aperture provided in the plate 10. The plate 10 is secured by bolts or studs 11 to vertical side plates 9. The plates 9 are provided with horizontal grooves on the inwardly directed sides thereof which cooperate with guide rails 12 provided on each side of the frame 2 so that the assembly 9, 10, 11 is horizontally slidable thereon.The main frame 2 is cut away at 14to allow the hydraulic cylinder 5 to be moved horizontally between the position shown in Figure 1 and the position shown in Figure 3. The retracted position shown in Figure 3 allows for the ready removal of the working tools 3, 4 shown removed in Figure 4.

In order to render the carriage 9, 10, 11 readily movable and of less weight, a hydraulic cylinder according to my United States Patent number 4,271,671 may be employed. Such a cylinder requires only a primary fluid source (air-pressure) and is consequently free of awkward and heavy high pressure tubing.

A handle 6 may be provided for ease of moving the carriage unit 9, 10, 11. Set screws may also be provided for fixing the carriage at any desired position.

It will be obvious that modifications of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art departing from the scope of the appended claims.

1. A sheet material working press or punching machine comprising a support frame, removable cooperating working tools mounted on said frame, a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder device for applying a working force to one of the tools, carriage means mounted on the frame for linear movement with respect to the frame, and means mounting the cylinder on the carriage to provide for movement of the cylinder between a working position in which it is in alignment with the tools and a non-working position in which it is clear of the working position whereat the tools may readily be removed from the frame.

2. A sheet material working press or punching machine as claimed in claim 1, in which the carriage means is mounted for movement in a horizontal direction on guide rails provided on the main frame.

3. A sheet material working press or punching machine as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the working cylinder is in integrated air-hydraulic oil cylinder.

4. A sheet material working press or punching machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Press or punching machine This invention relates to a sheet material working press or punching machine or similar apparatus, for example, a punching machine which is provided with a main frame on which is mounted a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder aligned with a working tool to power same. Press or punching machines using hydraulic cylinders to activate the working tools are well known. However, the prior machines suffer from the disadvantage that the replacement of working tools requires removal ofthe hydraulic cylinder, for instance, by unscrewing the cylinder from the frame after removal of rather heavy and cumbersome hydraulic fluid lines, which is a time consuming and soiling task. When the tools are replaced the cylinder then has to be replaced in its operational position. According to the present invention there is provided a sheet material working press or punching machine comprising a support frame, removable cooperating working tools mounted on said frame, a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder device for applying a working force to one of the tools, carriage means mounted on the frame for linear movement with respect to the frame, and means mounting the cylinder on the carriage to provide for movement of the cylinder between a working position in which it is in alignment with the tools and a non-working position in which it is clear of the working position whereat the tools may readily be removed from the frame. Preferably the cylinder is mounted on a carrier which is slidable along the main frame of the press machine on guides or other means provided therefor. The sliding action takes place preferably in a horizontal direction although vertical sliding could also be used. However, with horizontal sliding the vertical position of the carrier can be rather precise and thus not require any final adjustment. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of an example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a typical press machine which is provided with a slidable cylinder carrier in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a front elevation of the machine; Figure 3 shows the press machine with the hydraulic cylinder moved from its working position; and Figure 4 shows the machine with the working tools removed. Referring now to the drawings, the press machine comprises a base plate 1 on which is mounted a C-shaped main frame 2 in which are mounted cooperating tools 3 and 4, for instance a punch and die unit. The punch 4 being provided with a return spring 7. A hydraulic cylinder unit 5 is shown mounted with its working ram 8 aligned with the punch 4 (Figures 1 and 2). Cylinder 5 is mounted in a plate 10, for instance having a screw-thread in engagement with a screw-threaded aperture provided in the plate 10. The plate 10 is secured by bolts or studs 11 to vertical side plates 9. The plates 9 are provided with horizontal grooves on the inwardly directed sides thereof which cooperate with guide rails 12 provided on each side of the frame 2 so that the assembly 9, 10, 11 is horizontally slidable thereon.The main frame 2 is cut away at 14to allow the hydraulic cylinder 5 to be moved horizontally between the position shown in Figure 1 and the position shown in Figure 3. The retracted position shown in Figure 3 allows for the ready removal of the working tools 3, 4 shown removed in Figure 4. In order to render the carriage 9, 10, 11 readily movable and of less weight, a hydraulic cylinder according to my United States Patent number 4,271,671 may be employed. Such a cylinder requires only a primary fluid source (air-pressure) and is consequently free of awkward and heavy high pressure tubing. A handle 6 may be provided for ease of moving the carriage unit 9, 10, 11. Set screws may also be provided for fixing the carriage at any desired position. It will be obvious that modifications of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art departing from the scope of the appended claims. CLAIMS

1. A sheet material working press or punching machine comprising a support frame, removable cooperating working tools mounted on said frame, a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder device for applying a working force to one of the tools, carriage means mounted on the frame for linear movement with respect to the frame, and means mounting the cylinder on the carriage to provide for movement of the cylinder between a working position in which it is in alignment with the tools and a non-working position in which it is clear of the working position whereat the tools may readily be removed from the frame.

2. A sheet material working press or punching machine as claimed in claim 1, in which the carriage means is mounted for movement in a horizontal direction on guide rails provided on the main frame.

3. A sheet material working press or punching machine as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the working cylinder is in integrated air-hydraulic oil cylinder.

4. A sheet material working press or punching machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.