IE60206B1 - "A method and apparatus for punching" - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for punching a cluster of holes or indentations well in from the end of a tubular member 2 comprises a die support member 20 mounted by blocks 21,22,27,28 on a base member 18 itself mounted in a punch and die mounting assembly 10. A cluster of die holes (26, Fig 2) corresponding to the holes etc. to be punched are provided in the die support member 20 and align with punches 16. The tubular member 2 is slid over the die support member 20 and located by abutting faces 30 and 31 of the mounting means 21 and 27. Holes (6, Fig 6) are then punched in the tubular member 2. For punching a second cluster of holes, the centre hole of the first cluster may be located by a pin passed through it from a hole 43 in a second locating means 38.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for punching an elongated tubular member intermediate its ends, and in particular though not limited to a method for punching a hole intermediate the ends of the elongated tubular member. The invention also relates to a tubular member formed according to the method of the invention and formed from the apparatus of the invention.

Where it is desired to form a hole or holes in a tubular member, such as, for example hollow box section or tubing of circular cross sectional area, it is normal to drill the holes in from the outer surface of the tubular member inwardly into the hollow section. However, the problem with drilling such holes is that firstly swarf from the drilling process is deposited in the hollow portion of the tubular member. Furthermore, it is virtually impossible to drill a hole without leaving burrs around the periphery of the hole on the side from which the drill exited, in other words, on the inside surface of the tubular member. This presents considerable ? difficulty, in that it is firstly difficult to remove the swarf from the hollow interior of the tubular member and furthermore. It Is particularly difficult to de-burr the inner peripheral portion of the hole.

On the other hand, it is veil known that punched holes do not require de-burring, and furthermore, when the tools are properly aligned, swarf is not formed in a punching operation. However, up to this, it has not been practically feasible to punch holes in from the end of a tubular member because of the fact that it has not been possible to locate the die means which cooperates with the hole punch within the tubular member.

There is therefore a need for a method and apparatus which enables a hole to be punched in a tubular member in from the end of the tubular member.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a method and apparatus.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for punching an elongated tubular member Intermediate its ends, the apparatus comprising an elongated base member for rigidly supporting a punch and di® mounting assembly, a punch means for mounting in the punch and die mounting assembly being provided, an elongated die support member for extending into the tubular member, mounting means for rigidly mounting the die support member on and spaced apart from the base member, and die means corresponding to the punch means being provided on the die support member, the die means being longitudinally spaced apart from the mounting means and aligned in use with the punch means, wherein the mounting means comprises a pair of mounting blocks mounted on the base member and longitudinally spaced apart along the die support member, the die support member extending from the mounting blocks for carrying the die means spaced apart from the mounting blocks.

Preferably, the die support member is substantially parallel to the base member.

In one embodiment of the invention, the die means is 10 spaced apart from the mounting means at least 150 ma.

Preferably, th® die means is spaced apart from the mounting means at least 300 mm. Advantageously, the die means is spaced apart from the mounting means at least SOO bsb.

In another embodiment of the invention, the di© support member is substantially parallel to the base member.

Preferably, the die means is provided by at least on© opening in the die support member. Advantageously, each opening is provided by a die hole extending through the di® support member.

In another embodiment of the invention, a first locating means is provided for longitudinally locating th® tubular member on the die support, member.

Advantageously, the die support member extends longitudinally beyond the die means to form an extending portion, and a second locating means for locating the tubular member longitudinally on the die support member is provided adjacent the extending portion of the die support member.

Additionally, the invention provides a method for punching an elongated tubular member having a first and second end Intermediate Its ends, th® method comprising the step of sliding the tubular member onto the die support member of the apparatus according to the Invention by engaging the first end of the tubular member with th© die support member, locating the tubular member on the die support member by means of the first or second locating means, punching the tubular member, and removing the tubular member from the die support member. In one embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step of locating the tubular member on the die support member by abutting th© first end of the tubular member against the abutting face of the first locating means. Preferably, the method includes the step of punching at least one hole In the tubular member. Advantageously, after removal from the die support member, th© tubular member is again entered on the die support member by entering the die support member through the second end of the tubular member, and the method further comprises th© steps of locating the tubular member on the die support member by engaging the locating pin through the locating hole of the second locating means with one of the holes previously punched in the tubular member, and punching the tubular member.

Further, the invention provides an elongated tubular member formed according to the method of the invention. Advantageously, at least one hole is punched in the tubular member. Preferably, the punched hole is at least 150 mm from the ends of the tubular member. in one case, it is at last 300 mm, and in another case it is at least 600 mm in from the end of the tubular member.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the 15 following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which? Fig. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the portion of the apparatus of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is an end view of the portion of the apparatus of Fig. 2, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a tubular member according to the invention formed according to the method of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the tubular member of Fig. 5, Fig. 8 is an underneath plan view of the tubular memb ©Γ9 ox Fig. 6, Fig. 9 is a perspective view of port ion of the apparatus of Fig. 1 in use, and Fig. 10 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 9 of 15 the apparatus in use carrying out another step of the method of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated apparatus according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for punching at least one hole in an elongated tubular member 2. The tubular member 2 is of box section steel having an outer cross sectional area of 73.5mm wide by 49 mm thick and an inner cross sectional area of 69.5 mm wide by 54 mm thick. In this case, the apparatus 1 is for punching two clusters 4 of five holes 6 in each cluster 4 on one side of the tubular member 2, and two holes 9 on the other side. As can be seen in Figs. 5 to 7. the centre lines AA and A'A* of the clusters 4 and 5 of hole 6 are well in from the first and second ends 7 and 8 respectively of the tubular member 2. In fact, the cluster 4 is 420 mm in from the end 7, while the cluster 5 is 200 mm from the end 8 and 230 mm from the cluster 4. The holes 9 also co-incide with the centre lines AA and A'A' .

Returning now to the apparatus 1 and referring to Figs. 1 to 4, the apparatus 1 is for punching the clusters of holes 4 and 5. The apparatus comprises a punch and die mounting assembly 10 comprising a top and bottom plate member 11 and 12 respectively joined by four guide posts 14. A punch carrier plate 15 slidable on the guide posts 14 supports five punches 13 for punching the holes S in each cluster 4 and 5.

A base member 18 of steel is in engagement with and secured to the bottom plate 12 of the punch and die mounting assembly 10. The base member 18 supports an elongated die support member 20 of solid rectangular section steel which in this case Is of cross sectional area substantially similar to but just less than the inner cross sectional area of the box section of the tubular member 2. In this case, the die support member 20 is of 67 mm wide by 52 mm thick.

Mounting means rigidly secure and mount the die support member 20 to the base member 18. In this case, the mounting means are provided by a pair of spaced apart mounting blocks 21 and 22 of steel secured to the base member 18 by screws 23. Screws 24 secure the die support member 20 to the mounting blocks 21 and 22, Side mounting blocks 27 and 28 secure the die support member 20 laterally on the mounting blocks 21 and 22 respectively and in turn on the b3.se member 18. The side mounting blocks 27 and 28 are secured to the mounting blocks 21 and 22 by screws 29. Die means, in this case a cluster of five die holes 26 corresponding to the punches 16 and aligned with the punches 16 are provided on the die support member 20. The lower portion 25 of the die holes 26 are of diameter greater than the diameter at 26 to allow material punched from the tubular member 2 to fall easily out of the die support member 20.

First locating means for locating the tubular member 2 longitudinally on the die support member 20 for punching the cluster 4 of holes 6 are provided by faces 30 and 31 on the mounting block 21 and side mounting blocks 27 respectively. Accordingly, the centre line BB of the die holes 26 is 420 mm from the faces 30 and 31.

A portion 33 of the die support member 20 extends beyond the die holes 26. A second locating means 34 for locating the tubular member during punching of the cluster 5, as will he described in detail below is provided at an end 36 of a portion 33 of the die support member 20. The second locating means 34 comprises a bridge member 38 of steel mounted to the base member 18 by mounting blocks 39 and 40 and guide rails 46 also of steel. Screws 41 secure the bridge member 38, mounting blocks 39 and 40 and guide rails 46 to the base member 18. A locating hole 43 is provided in the bridge member 38 and a corresponding locating hole 44 is provided ia the portion 33 of the die support member 20 to receive a locating pin 45, see Fig. 10. In use, the second locating means locates the tubular member 2 on the die support member 20 for punching the second cluster 5 of holes 6 after the first cluster 4 have been punched. The locatingpin 45 engages the centre hole 6a of the cluster 4, see Figs. 6 and 7, thereby longitudinally aligning the tubular member for the cluster 5 to be punched. The distance between the centre line BB of the cluster of holes 26 and the centre line of the locating holes 43 and 44 is 230 mm. Thus, the distance between the -11centre lines AA and A'A’ of the clusters 4 and 5 of hole 6 is accurately determined. The guide rails 46 extend to and are secured to the mounting blocks 21, and locate the tubular member 2 laterally on the die support member 20. The guide rails 46 are spaced apart from the die support member 20 to enable the tubular member 2 to be slid over the die support member 20.

Referring now to Fig. 5 there is illustrated another portion 50 of apparatus 1 for punching the holes 9 in the tubular member 2. The apparatus 50 is substantially similar to that described with reference to Figs, 1 to 4 and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. The main difference between this apparatus 50 and the apparatus 1 is that the die means is provided by a single die hole 51 for co-operating with a corresponding single punch (not shown) on a similar punch carrier plate 15 of the punch and die mounting assembly 10 for punching the hole 9. In this case, the punch and die mounting assembly 10 is not illustrated. The lower portion (not shown) of the die hole 51 is ox greater diameter than the portion for allowing punched material from the tubular member 2 to fall out of the die support member 20.

In use, the punch and die mounting assembly 10 is mounted in a hydraulic press or other suitable machine tool with the base member 18 secured to the bottom plate 12 of the assembly 10. The tubular member having been initially cut to length is entered onto the die support member 20 by its first end 7 being entered over the end 36 of the portion 33 of the die support member 20 and then being slid up over the die support member 20 so that the first end 7 abuts the abutting faces 30 and 31 of the first locating means, see Fig. 8. The tubular member 2 is longitudinally located by the faces 30 and 31 and is laterally located by the two guide rails 46. The hydraulic press is activated and the punches 16 punch the cluster 4 of holes 6 in the tubular member 2. The tubular member 2 is then removed from the die support member 20 and re-entered by entering the second face 8 of the tubular member 2 onto the die support member 20 over the end 36. The tubular member 2 is then slid along the die support member 20 until the centre hole Sa of the cluster 4 is aligned with the locating holes 43 and 44 in the bridge member 38 and portion 33 of the die support member 20, see Fig. 10. The pin 45 is engaged through the holes 43. Sa and 44 and accordingly, the tubular member 2 is longitudinally located. The guide rails 46 laterally locate the tubular member 2 The hydraulic press is then activated again and the second cluster 5 of holes 6 is punched. The tubular member 2 is then removed from the apparatus 1.

The holes 9 in the tubular member 2 are punched in similar fashion to the clusters 4 and 5 of holes 6 on the apparatus 50 whereby a single punch (not shown) punches th® holes S in the tubular member 2 when it is in the locating positions on the die support member 20 of the apparatus 50.

Mhile a particular construction of die support member has been described, any other suitable construction could be used without departing from the scope of the invention. For example. It will be appreciated that while It is preferable, nonetheless, it is not essential that the cross sectional area of the die support member 20 should be similar or substantially similar to the inner cross sectional area of the tubular member 2. Indeed, where the cross sectional area of the die support member 20 is similar or substantially similar to the inner cross sectional area of the tubular member 2, the guide rails <6 may In certain cases be dispensed with.

Further, it will be appreciated that mounting means for mounting th® di© support member rigidly relative to the punch other than the mounting means described may be used, however, it is important that the mounting means should comprise a pair of mounting blocks mounted on the base member and longitudinally spaced apart along the die support member. Indeed, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the die support member may be so shaped as to be suitable for mounting directly onto the base member or alternatively. the base member may be so shaped as to be suitable for receiving the die support member directly onto the base member.

Further, it will be appreciated that the second locating means could be dispensed with and in many cases it would bs dispensed with. In fact, it will foe appreciated that the second locating means is mainly required where either a second cluster of holes or a second hoi© spaced apart from the first hole or first cluster of holes is to be punched, and the dimensions between the holes is critical. Wier® th© dimensions between th® holes is not critical, the two opposite ends 7 and 8 of the tubular member could be used for locating the tubular member. Needless to say, it will be appreciated that the apparatus and method could be used for punching just a single hole or a single cluster of holes in from only one end of the tubular member. Further, it will foe appreciated that the apparatus could be used for punching a number of spaced apart holes and a number of spaced apart clusters of holes in the same tubular member, in which case different locating means would be used. Indeed, in certain cases, additional location means besides first and second location means would be provided.

It will be appreciated that die holes of other shape and construction to the die holes described could be provided, and needless to say, other shapes and sizes or arrangements of the die boles could similarly be provided.

It is also envisaged that while the apparatus has been described for use in punching holes in a tubular member, it could be used for other punching operations, for example, forming indents, bosses or the like. In which case, it will be appreciated that the die support member and the die means will be appropriately sized and shaped. If, for example, the apparatus is for use in punching an inwardly directed boss into the tubular member, then the thickness of the die support member 20 would be such as to permit removal of the tubular member 2 from the die support member 20 after the boss had been formed.

It will also of course be appreciated that any other suitable shapes and constructions of second locating means could be provided besides that described.

Indeed, it is envisaged in many cases that there would be no need for the second locating means to bridge the die support member 20.

While the die means has been described as being formed in tbe die support member 20, it will of course be appreciated that the die means could be separately formed from the die support member and in which case it would be secured thereto by suitable securing means, for example, by screws, welding or the like.

It will, of course, be appreciated that while a particular shape and construction of punch and die mounting assembly has been described, any other suitable arrangement could be used without departing from tbe scope of the invention.

Indeed, it will be appreciated that it Is not necessary for the die holes to be provided with a lower portion of greater diameter than the upper portion, the main advantage of this is that it prevents a build-up of material punched from the tubular member 2 which could if It did not fall out of the die support member 20 cause distortion of the tubular member 2 at the opposite side to the side in which holes are being punched, as the holes are being punched.

Further, it will be appreciated that while a tubular member 2 of box section has been described, the tubular member could be of any other section besides box section, for example, round section, triangular section, hexagonal section, oval section or indeed any other desix'ed section. It will also, of course, be appreciated that where other sections of tube are to be punched, die support members of suitable cross section will be provided, or indeed, in certain cases, as mentioned above, it will not be necessary for the die support member to be similarly shaped. It will also, of course, be appreciated that tubular members with holes in different positions or of different shape or clusters with more or less holes may he formed by suitably arranging the die holes and punches. Needless to say, if desired, a tubular member with a single hole may be formed according to the apparatus, in which case, the die support member would he provided with a single die hole and a single punch would he provided.

Claims (37)

CLAIMS:

1. Apparatus for punching an elongated tubular member Intermediate its ends, the apparatus comprising an elongated base member for rigidly supporting a punch and die mounting assembly, a punch means for mounting In the punch and die mounting assembly being provided, an elongated die support member for extending into the tubular member, mounting means for rigidly mounting the die support member on and spaced apart from the base member, and die means corresponding to the punch means being provided on th® die support member, the die means being longitudinally spaced apart from the mounting means and aligned in use with the punch means, wherein the mounting means comprises a pair of mounting blocks mounted on th® base member and longitudinally spaced apart along the die support member, the die support member extending from the mounting blocks for carrying the die means spaced apart from th© mounting blocks.

2. » Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 In which the die support member is substantially parallel to the base member.

3. Apparatus as claimed In Claims 1 or 2 in which the die means is spaced apart from the mounting means at least 150 mm.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 in which the die means is spaced apart from the mounting means at least 300 mi.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 in which the die means is spaced apart from the mounting means at least 600 mm.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which a pair of spaced apart elongated guide members are provided on each side of the die support member, the guide members extending from th® mounting means for guiding and laterally locating th© tubular member on the di® support member.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the cross sectional area of the die support member substantially defines the Inner hollow cross sectional area of the tubular member, and is dimensionally just less than the inner cross sectional area of the tubular member to facilitate sliding of the tubular member onto the die support member.

8. » Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the die means is provided by at least one opening in the die support member.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 in which each opening is provided by a die hole extending through the die support member.

10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 in which the diameter of each die hole through the die support member remote from the punch receiving end is of greater diameter than the portion of the die hold adjacent the punch receiving end to allow material punched from the tubular member to fall through the die hole.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the die means is for punching the hole in the tubular member.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which a first locating means Is provided for longitudinally locating the tubular member on the die support member.

13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 in which the first locating means is provided by an abutting face on the mounting means.

14. Apparatus as claimed In any preceding claim in which the die support member extends longitudinally I beyond the die means to form an extending portion, and a second locating means for locating the tubular member longitudinally on the die support member is provided adjacent the extending· portion of the die 5 support member.

15. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 15 in which the second locating means Is mounted on the base member,

16. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 15 or 16 in which the second locating means is provided by a locating 10 hole in a bridge member extending over the extending portion of the die support member, and a locating pin engagable with the locating hole is provided to engage a hole in the tubular member through the locating hole. 15

17. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 16 in which a second locating hole is provided in the extending portion of the die support member to engage th® locating pin.

18. Apparatus substantially as described herein with 20 reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

19. A method for punching an elongated tubular member having a first and second end intermediate its ends, the method comprising the step of sliding th® tubular member onto the die support member of the apparatus of 5 any of Claims 1 to 18 by engaging th® first end of the tubular member with the die support member, locating the tubular member on the die support member by means of the first or second locating means, punching the tubular member, and removing the tubular member from 10 the die support member.

20. A method as claimed in Claim 19 in which the method includes the step of locating the tubular member on the die support member by abutting the first end of the tubular member against the abutting face of 15 the first locating means.

21. A method as claimed in Claim 20 in which the method includes the step of punching at least one hole in the tubular member.

22. A method as claimed in Claim 21 in whieh after 20 removal from th© di© support member the tubular member is again entered on the die support member by entering the di© support member through the second end of the tubular member, and the method further comprises the steps of locating the tubular meraber on the di© support member by engaging the locating pin through the locating hole of the second locating means with one of the holes previously punched in the tubular member, and punching the tubular member. 5

23. A method as claimed in any of Claims 19 to 22 in which the method includes the step of punching a plurality of holes in the tubular member in one strike.

24. . A method as claimed in Claim 23 in which the 10 method includes the step of punching a second plurality of holes in one strike, the second plurality holes being spaced apart from the first holes.

25. A method as claimed in any of Claims 19 to 24 in which the method includes the step of punching the 15 tubular member at a position at least 150 mm in from an end of the tubular member.

26. A method as claimed in any of Claim 19 to 25 in which the method includes the step of punching the tubular member at a position at least 300 mm in from 20 an end of the tubular member.

27. A method as claimed in any of Claims 19 to 26 in which the method includes the step of punching the tubular member at a. position et least 600 mm in from an end of the tubular member,

28. A method substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying 5 drawings.

29. An elongated tubular member formed according to the method of any of Claims 19 to 28.

30. An elongated tubular member as claimed in Claim 29 in which at least one hole is punched in the 10 elongated tubular member.

31. An elongated tubular member as claimed in Claim 29 or 30 in which a plurality of holes are punched in the elongated tubular member.

32. An elongated tubular member as claimed in Claim 15 30 or 31 in which at least two longitudinally spaced apart holes are provided in the elongated tubular member.

33. An elongated tubular member as claimed in any of Claims 30 to 32 in which each hole is spaced apart at 20 least 150 mn from th® ends of the tubular member.

34. „ An elongated tubular member as claimed in any of Claims 30 to 33 in which each hole is spaced apart at least 300 mm from the ends of the tubular member. 35. An elongated tubular member as claimed in any of 5 Claims 30 to 34 in which each hole is spaced apart at least SOO mm from the ends of the tubular member.

35. An elongated tubular member formed on the apparatus of any of Claims 1 to 18.

36.

37. An elongated tubular member substantially as 10 described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.