GB2474880A

GB2474880A - Press Line operating method,press forming device and adaptor for press forming device

Info

Publication number: GB2474880A
Application number: GB0919008A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ben Lamin; Mike Kenny; Graeme Simpson; Nick Grace; Hiroki Shiratori
Original assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2009-10-30
Filing date: 2009-10-30
Publication date: 2011-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 2029-10-30
Also published as: GB2474880B; GB0919008D0

Abstract

The present invention provides a press line operating method, a press-forming device and an adaptor for a press-forming device that can provide a variety of types of pressing and increased versatility. Pressing is performed in steps of: press-forming a first work by means of a first stationary die 13 and a first movable die 15, by vertically moving a slider 14 in a state in which the first stationary die 13 is mounted on a cushion pin 12 that is made to project from a bolster 11; and press-forming a second work and a third work using a second stationary die 19 and a second movable die 21, and a third stationary die 20 and the third movable die 22, by vertically moving the slider 14 in a state in which the cushion pin 12 is lowered to a position not projecting from the bolster 11, a detachable cushioning mechanism (the adaptor 18 for press-forming device) is mounted on a portion of the bolster 11, and a second stationary die 19 is mounted on the cushioning mechanism, and a third stationary die 20 is mounted on a portion of the bolster 11 in which the cushioning mechanism (namely the adaptor 18) is not mounted.

Description

PRESS LINE OPERATING METHOD, PRESS-FORMING DEVICE, AND ADAPTOR

FOR PRESS-FORMING DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a press line operating method, a press-forming device and an adaptor for a press-forming device, and particularly relates to a press line operating method, a press-forming device and an adaptor for a press-forming device for simultaneously performing a plurality of processes with a single press-forming device.

Related Art Conventionally, in a press-forming device for obtaining a product by press-forming a steel sheet into a desired shape and the like, the product may be formed through a plurality of processes according to size, function, and design thereof.

Here, it is assumed that two different products are to be pressed by a press line in a factory and that the products require a different number of processes, for example, a first product requires four processes and a second product requires two processes.

In such a case, the first product is manufactured through four processes (using four press-forming devices llOa, 11Db, llOc, and hOd) as shown in FIG. 5A, and the second product is manufactured through two processes (using two press-forming devices hOe and liOf) as shown in FIG. SB.

Accordingly, in such processing, a 4-process manufacturing line and a 2-process manufacturing line must be provided corresponding to the respective expected output. This requires not only massive plant investment such as securing of work area, press-forming devices and the like, but also securing of a workforce, and results in a decrease in working efficiency.

Given this, in order to reduce the plant investment and the workforce, and to increase the working efficiency, a technique has been known in which two processes are performed simultaneously by allowing a single press-forming device to perform draw pressing, trim pressing and curl pressing successively by, for example, mounting stationary dies of a plurality of press-forming dies on a bolster of the press-forming device; attaching movable dies of the plurality of press-forming dies to slides of the press-forming device; and simultaneously moving the movable dies vertically (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. HlO-ll3798)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, although two processes (for example, trim pressing and curl pressing) can be performed in the abovementioned technique using a single press-forming device, since the stationary dies of the plurality of press-forming dies are mounted on the bolster in order to perform pressing, the type of pressing is somewhat limited and the press-forming device lacks versatility.

The present invention aims at providing a press line operating method, a press-forming device and an adaptor for a press-forming device that can provide a variety of types of pressing and increased versatility.

In a first aspect of the present invention, a press line operating method includes: a step of press-forming a first work using a first stationary die and a first movable die by vertically moving a slider in a state in which the first stationary die is mounted on a cushion pin by projecting the cushion pin from a bolster and the first movable die facing the first stationary die is mounted on the slider; and a step of press-forming a second work and a third work using a second stationary die and a second movable die and a third stationary die and a third movable die by vertically moving the slider in a state in which the cushion pin is lowered to a position not projecting from the bolster, a detachable cushioning mechanism is mounted on a portion of the bolster while the second stationary die is mounted on the detachable cushioning mechanism, and in a state in which the third stationary die is mounted on a portion of the bolster in which the detachable cushioning mechanism is not mounted and the second movable die and the third movable die facing the second stationary die and the third stationary die are mounted on the slider.

In a second aspect of the present invention, a press-forming device includes: a cushioning device that is detachably mounted on a portion of a bolster; a first stationary die that is mounted on the cushioning device; a first movable die that is mounted on a slider so as to face the first stationary die; a second stationary die that is mounted on a portion of the bolster in which the cushioning device is not mounted; and a second movable die that is mounted on the slider so as to face the second stationary die.

In a third aspect of the present invention, an adaptor for a press-forming device includes a base that is detachably fixed on a bolster; and an elastic member that is mounted on the base and supports a bottom face of a stationary die.

According to the invention described in the first aspect, in accordance with a required number of processes and conditions of a line, a user can choose between: a step of using the first stationary die and the first movable die by means of the cushion pin; and a step of using the second and the third stationary dies and the second and the third movable dies without the cushion pin, by mounting the cushioning mechanism on the bolster, mounting the second stationary die on the cushioning mechanism, mounting the third stationary die on a portion of the bolster in which the cushioning mechanism is not mounted, mounting the second and the third movable dies facing the second and the third stationary dies on a slider, thereby providing a variety of types of pressing and increased versatility.

According to the invention described in the second aspect, by using: the cushioning device detachably mounted on

S

a portion of the bolster; the first stationary die mounted on the cushioning device; the first movable die mounted on a slider so as to face the first stationary die; the second stationary die mounted on a portion of the bolster in which the cushioning device is not mounted; and the second movable die mounted on the slider so as to face the second stationary die, two dies of different characteristics can be easily mounted in a single press-forming device, thereby providing a variety of types of pressing and increased versatility.

According to the invention described in the third aspect, cushioning characteristics with respect to the stationary dies can be independently set, and options including whether or not to use an adaptor for the press-forming device can be selected, thereby providing a variety of types of pressing and increased versatility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a press-forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which state-A is a schematic view illustrating a case of manufacturing a work using a single press-forming device and state-B is a schematic view illustrating a case of manufacturing two works using a single press-forming device; FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a 4-process press line according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of a press-forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an adaptor for a press-forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 5 is a schematic view of conventional 4-process and 2-process press lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Next, a press line operating method, a press-forming device, and an adaptor for a press-forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention are described hereinafter with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiment is a preferred specific example of a press line operating method, a press-forming device, and an adaptor for a press-forming device according to the present invention, and thus, although various technically-preferable limitations may be made, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited thereto unless otherwise stated.

FIG. 1 illustrates an outline of a press-forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which state-A illustrates a case of manufacturing a work using a single press-forming device and state-B illustrates a case of manufacturing two works using the single press-forming device.

In FIG. 1, a press-forming device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be used in two modes: a mode in which a work is manufactured by mounting a pair of a stationary die and a movable die in a single press-forming device 10 (see state-A); and a made in which two works requiring different processes are simultaneously manufactured by mounting two pairs of a stationary die and a movable die in a single press-forming device 10 (see state-B) As shown in state-A of FIG. 1, in a case of manufacturing a work by mounting the pair of a stationary die and a movable die in the single press-forming device 10, a first stationary die 13 is mounted on a cushion pin 12 in a state in which the cushion pin 12 projects from a bolster 11 and a first movable die 15 facing the first stationary die 13 is mounted on a slider 14. In addition, a lower end of the cushion pin 12 is supported by a cushion pad 16 that is disposed below the bolster 11 along a substantially horizontal direction. The cushion pin 12 is moved vertically along with the cushion pad 16, by extension and contraction of a die cushion 17 that supports the cushion pad 16. On opposing faces of the first stationary die and the first movable die, a machined surface and the like for press-forming are formed.

Here, the first stationary die 13 and the first movable die 15 are preferably mounted to the press-forming device 10 so that a rotational axis thereof (not shown) is the same as a rotational axis (not shown) of the press-forming device 10.

On the other hand, as shown in state-B of FIG. I, in a case of simultaneously manufacturing two works requiring different processes by mounting two pairs of a stationary die and a movable die in the single press-forming device 10, in a state in which the cushion pin 12 is lowered to a position not projecting from the bolster 11, a detachable adaptor 18 is mounted on a portion of the bolster 11, and a second stationary die 19 is mounted on the adaptor 18, a third stationary die 20 is mounted on a portion of the bolster 11 in which the adaptor 18 is not mounted, and a second movable die 21 and a third movable die 22 facing the second stationary die 19 and the third stationary die 20 are mounted on the slider 14. On opposing faces of the second stationary die 19 and the second movable die 21, and of the third stationary die 20 and the third movable die 22, a machined surface and the like for press-forming are formed.

Here, the adaptor 18 is provided with a base 24 and a cylinder 25 that is stretchable and acts as an elastic body, and operates as a cushioning device (cushioning mechanism) with respect to the second stationary die 19.

Alternatively, the third stationary die 20 can be mounted on the bolster 11 via a fixing plate 23.

Here, the first stationary die 13 and the first movable die 15 are preferably mounted in the press-forming device 10 so that a rotational axis thereof (not shown) is the same as a rotational axis (not shown) of the press-forming device 10.

As a result, it is possible for the single press-forming device 10 to perform a step of press-forming a first work (not shown) using a first stationary die 13 and a first movable die 15, by vertically moving a slider 14 in a state in which the first stationary die 13 is mounted on a cushion pin 12 by projecting the cushion pin from a bolster 11, and the first movable die 15 facing the first stationary die 13 is mounted on the slider 14.

In addition, it is possible for the same single press-forming device 10 to perform a step of press-forming a second work and a third work using a second stationary die 19 and a second movable die 21, and a third stationary die 20 and the third movable die 22 by vertically moving the slider 14 in a state in which the cushion pin 12 is lowered to a position not projecting from the bolster 11, a detachable cushioning mechanism (namely the adaptor 18) is mounted on a portion of the bolster 11, while the second stationary die 19 is mounted on the detachable cushioning mechanism, and in a state in which a third stationary die 20 is mounted on a portion of the bolster 11 in which the detachable cushioning mechanism (namely the adaptor 18) is not mounted and the second movable die 21 and the third movable die 22 facing the second stationary die 19 and the third stationary die 20 are mounted on the slider 14.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a 4-process press line according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, the single press-forming device 10 can be used in a mode of manufacturing a work requiring a single process and a mode of simultaneously manufacturing two works requiring different processes, thereby providing a variety of types of pressing and increased versatility. FIG. 2 illustrates a 4-process press line using two press-forming devices 10, in which configurations of 2-process, 3-process, and 4-process manufacturing can be selectively realized by using two press-forming devices 10. In a press line using a plurality of press-forming devices, a greater variety of types of pressing and further increased versatility can thus be provided.

In addition, as the bolster 11, the cushion pin 12, the cushion pad 16, and the die cushion 17, those applied to a well-known press-forming device can be used.

Furthermore, since whether or not to use the adaptor 18 and the fixing plate 23 can be selected according to a process required for a product to be manufactured, a degree of freedom can be increased.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of the press-forming device 10. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the adaptor lB for a press-forming device.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the adaptor 18 is provided with the base 24 and a plurality of telescopic cylinders 25 (for example, hydraulic cylinders) of which a lower end is supported by the base 24 and an upper end supports the second stationary die 19.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a configuration can be made in which: a portion having a machined surface M2 for press-forming of the second stationary die 19 is directly mounted on the base 24; and the plurality of cylinder 25 is disposed in a periphery of the portion having the machined surface £42 for press-forming so as to support only a portion greatly requiring a cushioning function, such as a blank holder part (not shown) . In addition, although not shown, a configuration can be made in which the plurality of cylinders 25 is disposed all over the base 24 50 as to support the entire second stationary die 19.

Furthermore, the base 24 and the fixing plate 23 can be rigid or have cushioning characteristics by disposing an elastic body thereinside and the like. By adjusting the cushioning characteristics of the base 24 and the fixing plate 23, a processing pressure of the machined surface M2 for press-forming and a machined surface Ml for press-forming in a predetermined press-forming device 10 can be adjusted.

Examples

In recent years, press-forming of vehicle bodies has been performed in a 3-process press line: drawing; peripheral trimming; and drawback bending, in response to a demand for improvement in working efficiency and reduction in cost.

However, depending on a type of body and the like, a 4-process press line may be needed, for example, in a case in which a part of a work is to be processed by drawback bending into a bag shape. Using the 3-process press line for such a product may impair the design thereof.

On the other hand, in the press-forming device 10 according to the present invention, the single (single-stage) press-forming device 10 can perform two pressing processes simultaneously, while presenting little restriction on types of pressing, and therefore can easily be adjusted to 2-stage, 4-process press line.

More specifically, for example, four processes for manufacturing a vehicle hood shown in FIG. 2 as a work includes: a drawing process; a trimming process; a restriking process; and a piercing process.

In a first process with the die Dl, the drawing process is performed on a blank material (a work Wi) while making large openings thereon.

An intermediate product thus obtained, in a case of being processed to project to a surface side, has a periphery close to a center. Therefore, in a second process with the die D2, the trimming process is performed on the intermediate product (a work W2) while making small openings therein.

An intermediate product thus obtained has a nearly-completed shape. Therefore, in a third process with the die D3, a restriking process is performed on the intermediate product (W3) As the restriking process, additional pressing such as a hemming process and a deep drawing process can be performed.

Thereafter, in a fourth process with the die D4, the piercing process is performed on an intermediate product (a work W4) thus obtained for final hole punching thereof, thereby obtaining a finished product.

It should be noted that, in the abovementioned processes, for example, in a case in which the intermediate product (the work W2) is an inner frame of a vehicle hood and a substantially channel-shaped slit is made in a rear-body side edge portion, the slit is made in the trimming process, which is the second process.

In addition, in a process of finishing the intermediate product into an inner frame of a vehicle hood, a front-body side edge portion may be required to have a complex shape according to a design of a vehicle body.

In such a case, in the restriking process, which is the third process, the front-body side edge portion of the intermediate product (the work W3) is made into a stepped shape by the hemming process, by means of the second stationary die 19 (or the third stationary die 20) and the second movable die 21 (or the third movable die 22), while bending a slit portion in the rear-body side edge portion into a stepped shape, thereby forming an insulator hook, which is a tongue-shaped hook for fixing a heat insulation material.

As described above, in the restriking process, a fine hemming process and a partial bending process can be performed.

In performing such types of pressing, for example, the drawing process requires a pressing force of 400 tons, while the trimming process does not require a pressing force if 400 tons.

In such a case, in the press-forming device 10, since the adaptor 18 can be detachably mounted on the bolster 11, the second stationary die 19, on which the adaptor 18 is mounted for cushioning properties and the third stationary die 20 supported by the bolster 11 directly or via the fixing plate 23, on which the adaptor 18 is not mounted, can adjust a difference in a required pressure. This allows the single press-forming device 10 to be easily adapted to different types of pressing, thereby making it possible to increase the versatility of pressing.

In addition, a stroke of the second movable die 21 can be changed by mounting or not mounting the adaptor 18 or changing a height thereof. For example, in a case in which the stroke is small, the second movable die 21 can be used for pressing of a small trimming height or a small bending height, and in a case in which the stroke is large, the second movable die 21 can be used for deep drawing and pressing of a large bending height.

As a result, various patterns such as: mounting the fixing plate 23 and the adaptor 18; removing the fixing plate 23 and mounting the adaptor 18 on one side; removing the fixing plate 23 and the adaptor 18; and mounting the adaptor 18 on both sides can be selectively employed, and thus two types from a variety of types of pressing, including shearing, cutting, notching, piercing, lancing, slitting, bending, drawing, restriking, forming, calking, beading, embossing, trimming, blanking, burring, step forming, progression pressing, hemming, curling, marking, and forming a reinforcing rib, can be simultaneously performed.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and variations, modifications and the like made within a scope of the objective of the present invention are to be included in the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. A press line operating method, comprising: a step of press-forming a first work using a first stationary die and a first movable die by vertically moving a slider in a state in which the first stationary die is mounted on a cushion pin by projecting the cushion pin from a bolster and the first movable die facing the first stationary die is mounted on the slider; and a step of press-forming a second work and a third work using a second stationary die and a second movable die and a third stationary die and a third movable die by vertically moving the slider in a state in which the cushion pin is lowered to a position not projecting from the bolster, a detachable cushioning mechanism is mounted on a portion of the bolster while the second stationary die is mounted on the detachable cushioning mechanism, and in a state in which the third stationary die is mounted on a portion of the bolster in which the detachable cushioning mechanism is not mounted and the second movable die and the third movable die facing the second stationary die and the third stationary die are mounted on the slider.
2. A press-forming device comprising: a cushioning device that is detachably mounted on a portion of a bolster; a first stationary die that is mounted on the cushioning device; a first movable die that is mounted on a slider so as to face the first stationary die; a second stationary die that is mounted on a portion of the bolster in which the cushioning device is not mounted; and a second movable die that is mounted on the slider so as to face the second stationary die.
3. An adaptor for a press-forming device, comprising: a base that is detachably fixed on a bolster; and an elastic member that is mounted on the base and supports a bottom face of a stationary die.