US3709082A

US3709082A - Simultaneous multiple side punching apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3709082A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Leska
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-08-06
Filing date: 1970-08-06
Publication date: 1973-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 1990-01-09

Abstract

In this apparatus a plurality of angularly spaced punch assemblies are disposed about a tubular blank-holding means, each punch assembly including: a ram, a ram guide and at least one punch means interconnected with the radially inner end of each ram. An annular member is disposed about all the assemblies and adapted to oscillate in a plane at right angles to the plane of motion of the rams and punch means. Individual cam means are connected to the annular member and each cam has a cam-face disposed angularly with respect to the plane of oscillation of the annular member. Each cam-face is in sliding, interlocked engagement with a ram-face which is disposed at an angle complementary to the angle of said cam-faces. By this arrangement, force from the plane of oscillation of the annular member is converted to force in the plane of movement of the rams and punch means.

Description

United States Patent 91 Leska [54] SIMULTANEOUS MULTIPLE SIDE PUNCHING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: Road, Sandgate, Vt. 05201 [22] Filed: Aug. 6, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 61,650

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1931 Booth ..83/6l8X 5/1967 Lambro ..83/627X Primary ExaminerAndrew R. Juhasz Assistant Exgrninerheon Gilden A tt0rney- David R. Thornton Joseph P. Leska, West Sandgate 51 Jan. 9, 1973 [57 ABSTRACT ln this apparatus a plurality of angularly. spaced punch assemblies are disposed about a tubular blank-holding means, each punch assembly including: a ram, a ram guide and at least one punch means interconnected with the radially inner end of each ram. An annular member is disposed about all the assemblies and adapted to oscillate in a plane at right angles to the plane'of inotion of the rams and punch means. Individual cam means are connected to the annular member and each cam has a cam-face disposed angularly with respect to the plane of oscillation of the annular member. Each cam-face is in sliding, interlocked engagement with a ram-face which is disposed at an angle complementary to the angle of said cam-faces. By this arrangement, force from the plane of oscillation of the annular member is converted to force in the plane of movement of the rams and punch means.

25 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAH 91m 3.709.082

INVENTQR ATTORNEYS SIMULTANEOUS MULTIPLE SIDE PUNCIIING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention is concerned with a side punching apparatus and more particularly with a simultaneous multiple side punching apparatus.

While there are many prior art side punching machines, each appear to have at least one serious drawback or disadvantage. In one, for instance, the punch actuating mechanism requires careful alignment and frequent maintenance of the bearing surfaces to assure proper functioning. In another, the use of a multiplicity of small comparatively fragile parts results in unreliable operation. In addition, many are actuated by an overhead power source which blocks access to the workpiece region of the apparatus. Thus, there is a great need for a side punching apparatus not having any of the foregoing disadvantages.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to present a side punching apparatus so constructed and designed to permit the operator to have unimpeded access to the workpiece region.

Another object is to present a side punching apparatus having a positive punch and positive punchreturn action.

Yet another object is to present a side punch apparatus having maximum versatility regarding set up, adjustment and operation.

These and other objects will become apparent upon consideration of the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the apparatus of the invention with part of the annular member broken away;

FIG. 2 is a side view in section taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an exploded view in perspective of a punch assembly and cam means employed in the apparatus of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a simultaneous multiple side punching apparatus which includes (a) a frame, (b) a tubular-blank supporting die set on said frame, (c) angularly spaced punch assemblies slideably disposed about said die set, (d) an annular member supported on said frame about said assemblies, (e) means for oscillating said annular member in a plane at least generally at right angles to the motion of said punch means and rams, and (f) cam means inter-connecting said annular member and the rams. Each cam means includes a cam-face disposed angularly with respect to the plane of oscillation of said annular member, and in sliding, keyed engagement with said ram at the ram-face end opposite to the punch means interconnection end such that on oscillation of the annular member, the rams are drivenly connected for movement inwardly and outwardly in a plane at least generally at right angles to the plane of oscillation of said annular member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, the'apparatus includes a frame having a plane surface plate 12 supported by a plurality of legs 14. Supported by said frame, in the center thereof, is a three piece die set 16 which includes a centrally located tubular blank supporting die post 17 for supporting a workpiece or blank (not shown) encompassed by a two piece outer die portion having a punch guide member or guide bushing retainer ring 19 removably affixed by any conventional means such as bolts (not shown) to a base portion 21. Member 19 guides the punches and can be removed from base 21 for punch servicing and interchangeability. It should be understood, however, that a conventional die set for tubular blanks will also be suitable for use herein. Surrounding die set 16 are a plurality of angularly spaced punch assemblies 18. Each punch assembly 18 comprises a punch 20 having a punch-head 22, a ram 26, adjustable punch-head retaining plates 24, and ram guide 28.

In FIG. 3, the punch assembly is illustrated in greater detail and exploded for clarity. Punch 20 is held in the front face 30 of ram 26 by its punch-head 22 which is positioned in slot 32 and secured by laterally adjustable plates 24 which include elliptical bolt holes permitting lateral adjustment to effect firm holding of punch 20 and also accomodation of different size punches. The slot 32 extends vertically along the full length of front face 30 and is several times longer than the punch diameter to permit various vertical locations of the punch and to simultaneously accomodate a plurality of punches in each ram. A slot 34 extends along each side of ram 26 paralled to its base 36, and is adapted to receive a guide-plate 38 of the U-shaped ram guide 28. The ram guide 28 includes a base 41 with upturned sides 40 which are closely fitted to ram 26 to align it within the upturned sides. Guide plates 38 are affixed to the upturned sides 40 and slideably retain the rams therein. Base 41 of guide 28 includes a depending member. or extention 42 on the bottom thereof, which is adapted to extend into annular T-slot 44 of ring plate 45 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and thereby radially align guides 28 and punch assemblies 18 on surface 12. Threaded lug members 46 are adapted to fit within T- slot 44 and extend into guide 28 to draw it against ring plate 45 and secure it thereto. T slot 44 is provided in a flat ring 45 which is secured to surface 12 by conventional means, e.g., bolts, (not shown). T-lugs 46 are placed in ring 45 through aligned openings in its lower surface and plate 12.

Ram 26 has a rear face 48, inclined to its base 36, which includes a T-slot 50 extended throughout its length. T-slot 50 is designed to receive an extended T- portion 52 of cam 54. The T-face of cam 54 is inclined to its rear face at an angle complementary'to the angle of inclination of cam face 48. Preferably rear face 48 is machined at an angle about 15 degrees from a line normal to its base 36. In any event, the angle chosen should be that which will efficiently convert force in a vertical direction to force in a horizontal direction, and it should be understood that although the terms vertical and horizontal are employed with respect to the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus could be employed at various angles; for example, with plate 12 vertically mounted. Hence, broadly the cam angle is chosen to provide an efficient conversion of force lateral or perpendicular to the direction of travel of cam 54.

Cams 54 have arcuate slots 56 and 58 on thetop and bottom thereof, which are adapted to receive

extensions

60 and 62 of annular member 64. Annular member 64 comprises a ring of two parts. One part 66, is J-shaped in cross section having a short upturned portion 62. The other part 68 is a cap plate including a short downturned extention 60, and is adapted to be affixed, e.g., by bolts, to part 66 so that in combination they are C-shaped in cross section. Extended

lips

60 and 62 are arcuately curved and closely fitted to cam slots 56 and 58. To provide a more positive interlocking of the cam and the annular member while permitting angular positioning of the cam, its back face 60 is closely fitted to and arcuately curved to conform to the inner curvature of annular member 64.

Annular member 64 is mounted over plate 12 on guide pins 72, which pass through plate 12 and are atfixed below it to drive member 74. Drive member 74 is connected via coupling member 76 to a power means not shown.

In setting up the apparatus, a suitable die set 16 is selected, e.g., one adapted to permit the piercing of three circular holes at three spaced points around a tubular blank. The die set 16 may comprise three essential parts, a central die post member 17 having three holes to receive the punches and the punched-out metal from the work piece, and a punch retainer-punch guide member 19 which is adapted to surround die post 17 in spaced relationship. Punchguide member 19 is designed to be secured to punch guide base 21, mounted in the center of surface 12. Adjustable plates 24 are affixed to the front faces of the rams 26, with such a spacing that the heads of the punches may be later slid into slots 32 of the rams such that during outward motion of the ram, the edges of plates 24 will act to withdraw the punches from die post 17 and the work piece. At this point in setting up, the rams are positioned radially opposite the holes of the die post in ram guides 28.

Part 66 of annular member 64 is then positioned around rams 26. The T 52 of cams 54 are inserted into T-slots 50 of the rear faces 48 of rams 26, and are slid downwardly so that their arcuate slots 58 receive extention 62 of part 66. Then cap plate 68 is inserted over cams 54 so that extention 60 is received by arcuate slots 56. The cap plate is then secured to part 66. At this time punch retainer-punch guide 19, containing the punches, is placed in position so that each punch head slides into slots 32 of the rams 26. The rams 26 and cams 54 are made of equal length, such that when punches of equal length are employed, they will penetrate equal distances into die set 16, which is centered within ring 64.

Annular member 64 is operated in an upward and downward motion by a conventional motor and flywheel combination (not shown). A dog of conventional design on the flywheel is adapted to engage a crank shaft, also not shown, which is attached to coupling 76 by an adjustable linkage; for example, a conventional Pitman linkage, which permits adjustment of the ram stroke with respect to the table surface.

The linkage is adjusted so that on the downstroke, cam 54 slides against ram 26 forcing it in a plane at right angles to the direction of motion of cam 54. The linkage adjustment is refined until the stroke will cause the punches to pierce through the work piece and Advantageously, cams 54, although aligned radially with respect to annular member 64, are adapted to be positioned at any point within its confines. Similarly, ram guides 28, which radially align the rams 26, can likewise be positioned at any selected degree within the confines of annular member 64. Consequently, punches 20 may be spaced at any location in the horizontal plane around die set 16.

The die set 16 is the master which guides punches 20. Hence, earns 54 and their coupled slide rams 26, may be quickly aligned to accomodate a wide variety of side piercing designs. In addition, the T-slot 32 in front face 30, permits the punches to be fixed in different horizontal planes. Moreover, a plurality of punches may be used by providing more than one punch in any particular slide ram. Furthermore, slot 32 not only permits quick punch replacement and vertical positioning, but also allows the use of irregularly shaped punch heads. That is, fornon-symmetrical or non-cylindrical punches, e.g. square, the punch heads may be machined to closely fit precision slot 32 so as to control rotation of the punch.

Preferably, slot 32 of rams 26 is machined to a precision width such that the punches may be designed to closely fit the slot. Flats may be ground on each side of the punch heads so as to control or limit punch rotation during operating; for example, rectangular piercings or the like can be made.

Advantageously, after punch wear, the punch guide retainer ring 19 can be removed from its base 21, with punches 20 as a unit. The punches are then machined to equal lengths and replaced by reversing the indicated removal steps. Then adjustment of coupling 76 is again made to draw ring 64 closer to table 10 thereby driving rams 26 a further distance towards die set 16 in accordance with the new shorter length of punches 20.

To accommodate a different workpiece, the punches are removed as indicated, and die post 17 and retainer 19, replaced with members designed for a different workpiece. In some cases, the die set base 21 is also removed. Ram guides 28 are then released and angularly moved to accomodate the new die set. The punches are then mounted, the ring reassembled, and the stroke adjusted in the manner described above.

Annular member 64, with its interlocked cams 54, provide a strong rugged assembly, providing a low silhouette unit having simple, rapid, angular adjustment. Although ring 64 and cams 54 could be made in a single unit, that is, the ring would include a single annular cam, along its inner diameter, the preferred cam following action of the cam T would be lost. Hence, some adjustable means for appropriately locking each ram to the annular cam would be required, or a less desirable spring return of the rams would be necessitated.

Consequently, rams 26 permit vertical adjustment of thepunches, ram guides 28 control angularposition of the rams 26, while cams 54 are intercoupled to rams 26 in an angularly slideable manner, but vertically secured in ring 64. This provides a simplified, extremely rugged, highly reliable punch apparatus, designed for minimum maintenance and adapted for quick change-over to accomodate a variety of punching operations. Moreover, the large masses of ring 64 and cam 54 provide an additional extremely large force during the punch stroke so as to provide a rapid high impact punch stroke with power sources of limited force or speed.

In operation of the apparatus of the invention, annular member 64 is vertically oscillated to drive cams 54 in the vertical plane. As annular member 64 is lowered, rams 26 are driven inward (by cams 54) to force punches 20 through the tubular workpiece (not shown) which is nested in die set 16. During the return stroke, as annular member 64 is raised, the rams, which are coupled to earns 54, are pulled back withdrawing punches 20 from the work.

While the overall excursion of annular member 64 is fixed by the crankshaft and drive, its center of oscillation (with respect to table plate 12) is easily controlled by the length of linkage between coupling 76 and the crankshaft. Since the limits of the vertical oscillation control the horizontal oscillation of punches 20, its extremes are set by this adjustment means. Consequently, after wear of the punches, they may be equally dressed, and the linkage adjusted, to lower ring 64 and drive all punches inwardly the proper distance.

The unit is adaptable to conventional automatic feeding and removal of the workpieces, for example, a knock-out solenoid (not shown) positioned beneath the table may be operated from a microswitch (not shown) which is triggered by the return (down) stroke of plate 74 or member 64 or the like.

Many variations are possible, of course. For example, ram guides 28 may be secured in its annular key slot 44 by a variety of conventional arrangements; for example, they may be bolted from their top surface or the like. It should also be understood that guide plates 38 which ride in channels 34 of the rams may be per manently affixed parts of guides 28, however, this could provide a more expensive construction of guides 28, and require that rams 26 be slid out of the guides for removal, etc.

The present invention has been described in connection with certain physical embodiments and certain examples; however, it is appreciated that various changes may be made in these embodiments and examples without departing from the intended spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Simultaneous multiple side punching apparatus for tubular blanks comprising:

a. a frame having an exterior surface,

b. a tubular blank supporting die set means on said surface for supporting said blank substantially perpendicular thereto,

c. angularly spaced punch assemblies disposed about said blank supporting means, each punch assembly comprising:

1. radially acting punch means adjacent said blank supporting means,

2. a ram disposed radially with respect to said blank supporting means and interconnected at one end with said punch means, and

3. a ram guide secured to said surface for supporting and guiding said ram for reciprocating movement in a radial direction and in a plane generally parallel to said surface,

. an annular member surrounding said assemblies in substantially concentric arrangement to said blank supporting and die set means,

. means for oscillating said annular member along an axis at least generally perpendicular to said surface, said oscillating means including means extending from beneath said surface into engagement with said annular member for oscillatably supporting it in a plane parallel to and just above said surface; and

f. individual cam means each interconnecting said annular member and said rams, said cam means each having a cam-face disposed angularly with respect to the plane of oscillation of said annular member,-said cam-face being in cam following engagement with the ram-face located opposite said one end and said ram-face being disposed at an angle complementary to the angle of said camface, said apparatus constructed and arranged so that on oscillation of said annular member, said rams are drivenly connected for movement inwardly and outwardly in a plane at least generally at right angles to the plane of oscillation of said annular member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said one end of said ram is elongated in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said blank supporting die set means and'includes a channel disposed in substantially parallel relation to said longitudinal axis and adapted to receive the head of said punch means, and said ram includes means for retaining said punch heads within said channel so as to withdraw said punch means upon raising of said annular member, said retaining means includes a pair of plates displaceably secured to said one end of said ram and configured for lateral displacement thereto, said plates partly overlying said channel of said one end so as to releasably retain said punch head in the T-slot formed thereby.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ram-guide is a substantially U-shaped member having a base and upturned sides providing an elongated channel which slidably engages said ram, and said ram-guide having a downwardly depending member for engaging said frame to radially align said elongated channel of said guide.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said depending member is an annular segment disposed transverse to said channel of said ram-guide, and said frame includes an annular slot in the upper surface thereof, said annular slot being closely fitted to said depending member so as to radially align said guide.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said die set means includes a die post having a guide bushing retainer ring and a retainer base disposed therearound, said die post and said retainer base affixed to said frame surface, and said guide bushing retainer ring located on said base and removably affixed thereto so as to facilitate removal of said retainer ring for dressing and replacement of said punches.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ram-guide is a substantially U-shaped member providing an elongated channel for guiding said ram.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said rams include side channels disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of said rams, and said ram guides include guide plates releasably affixed to the upturned sides of said U-shaped guide, said guide plates being extended within said r-am channels so as to releasably retain said ram within said guides.

8. A side punching apparatus for tubular blanks comprising:

a. a frame;

b. tubular blank supporting die set means on said frame c. at least one punch assembly disposed radially with respect to said blank supporting means, said punch assembly comprising:

1. radially acting punch means having an inner end configured for cooperative punching engagement with said blank supporting means;

. a radially acting ram disposed outwardly with respect to said punch means, said ram having an inner end in driving engagement with the outer end of said punch means, and

3. a ram guide having a guide channel configured for supporting and guiding said ram for reciprocating movement along the axis of said guide channel;

d. frame-guide coupling means for facilitating dis placement of said guide around at least a portion of the circumference of said blank supporting means, for maintaining said guide with its guide channel substantially radially aligned with said blank supporting means during said displacement and for releasably securing said guide to said frame so as to facilitate the angular positioning of said guide with respect to said blank supporting means;

. annular driving means disposed about said blank supporting means and said guides, said member configured for oscillatable movement in a direction generally parallel to the axis of said blank supporting die set means;

f. a cam member configured for engagement with the outer end of said ram for inward displacement thereof so as to drive said punch means into said punching engagement responsive to movement of said cam in a given direction generally parallel to the axis of said blank supporting means; and

. means for coupling said cam to said driving means so as to move said cam in said direction responsive to oscillation of said driving means.

9. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said frame-guide coupling means includes means for maintaining said guide substantially concentric with said blank supporting means during said slideable displacement thereof.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said frameguide coupling means includes an annular slot and key means configured for aligning said guide while permitting said displacement for said angular positioning.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said frame includes a substantially planar surface having said blank supporting means and said punch assembly mounted thereon, said frame-guide coupling means includes an annular slot disposed in said surface and extending circumferentially around said blank supporting means and an annular segment member depending from said guide member traversely of saidguide channel and closely fitted to said slot so as to radially align said guide channel while permitting slideable displacement of said guide to any angular position around said blank supporting means.

12. The apparatus of 9 wherein said annular member is curved about an axis generally concentric with the axis of said blank supporting means, said means for coupling said cam to said annular member includes means for substantially precluding movement of said cam transverse to the curved length of said annular member and for permitting slideable displacement of said cam along the curved length of said member while maintaining substantially radial alignment of said cam with respect to both said member and said blank supporting means such that said cam may be positioned angularly with respect to said blank supporting means in accordance with the angular position of said punch assembly.

13. Side punching apparatus for tubular blanks comprising:

a. a frame; g

b. tubular blank supporting die set means on said frame; at least one punch assembly disposed radially with respect to said die set means, said punch assembly comprising:

l. radially acting punch positioned having its inner end configured for cooperative engagement with said blank supporting means, I

2. a radially acting ram disposed outwardly with respect to said punch means, said ram having its inner end in driving engagement with the outer end of said punch means, and

.' means for securing said guide on said frame with its guide channel in substantially radial alignment with said blank supporting means so as to position said ram for movement in a radial direction.

. cam means including a cam member configured for engagement with said ram for at least inward displacement thereof so as to drive said punch means into said punching engagement responsive to movement of said cam means in a given direction generally parallel to the axis of said blank supporting means;

f. driving means configured for oscillatable movement in a direction generally parallel to the axis of said blank supporting means, said driving means including at least an annular segment member disposed outwardly of said ram, said member being curved about an axis generally concentric with the axis of said blank supporting means; and

. means for coupling said cam means to said annular member, said coupling means including means for substantially precluding movement of said cam means transverse to the curved length of said member while permitting slideable displacement of said cam means along the length thereof so as to provide oscillation of said cam means therewith and to facilitate positioning of said cam means around said blank supporting means for cooperation with said punch assembly.

14. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said means for coupling said cam means to said annular segment member additionally includes means for radially aligning said cam means while permitting said displacement along said annular member.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 additionally including means for coupling said cam means to said ram for permitting relative displacement of said cam means with respect to said ram in the said given direction of oscillation of said driving means while precluding substantial displacement of said cam means laterally with respect to the direction of displacement of said ram such that said ram tends to radially align said cam means therewith in accordance with radial alignment of said guide means.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said driving member is an annular ring disposed in the plane of said ram and concentric with said blank supporting means, said cam means extends radially inwardly from said ring into engagement with said ram, and said cam means are coupled to said ring by a slot and key arrangement for precluding movement transverse thereto and for maintaining said cam means radially with respect to said ring.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said frame includes a planar surface, said die set is centrally located on said surface and adapted to retain a tubular blank substantially perpendicular thereto, said punch assemblies are radially disposed around said die set with said rams adapted for slideable motion in a plane parallel to said surface, and said annular member is mounted over said surface and disposed in a second plane close to and substantially parallel to the plane of said rams, said cam means are secured to the inner diameter of said annular member, said cam means include a ram engaging surface inclined to the plane of said rams for driving said rams inwardly and sliding, interlocked, cam follower means for drawing said rams outwardly during oscillation of said annular member in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said rams.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said annular member includes a wall portion disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said rams and a top and bottom portion extending inwardly in planes parallel to the plane of said rams providing a U- shaped inner diameter of said annular member, and said cam means includes a cam member disposed within said U-shaped diameter and extending inwardly therefrom, and the innermost face of said cam member is inclined at an acute angle to the plane of said wall portion of said annular member.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said ram is an elongated member having said one end substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis'and its face opposite to said one end disposed at an angle complementary to said angle of said cam member, said opposite face includes a T-shaped slot, and said cam member includes a T-shaped portion fitted to said T-shaped slot of said ram andadapted to slide therein.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said annular member is affixed to a plurality of posts extending through said planar surface and said posts are adjustable connected to said oscillating means beneath said planar member.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said cam members include a channel disposed in the upper and lower surfaces parallel to said wall of said annular member, and said top and bottom portions of said annular members include depending members extended within said channels of said cams and closely fitted thereto so as to provide a C-shaped annular member which aligns said cam members radially with respect thereto. 7

22. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the rear face of said cam member opposite to its inclined face is arcuately curved to conform to the inner curvature of said annular member.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said upper portion of said annular member is releasably secured to said wall portion for permitting removal of said cam means.

24. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said ram guide is a substantially U-shaped member mounted upright on said surface, said rams include side channels disposedin a plane parallel to the plane displacement of said rams, and said ram guides include a guide plate releasably affixed to the upturned sides of said guide and extending with said ram channels so as to releasably retain said rams in said guide and to facilitate removal thereof for replacement of said punches.

25. The apparatus of claim 18 including a ring mounted on said planar surface, said ring having an annular T-shaped slot therein disposed around said die set, said guides include depending members extended within said T-shaped slot, and T-lugs extend from said

Claims

1. Simultaneous multiple side punching apparatus for tubular blanks comprising: a. a frame having an exterior surface, b. a tubular blank supporting die set means on said surface for supporting said blank substantially perpendicular thereto, c. angularly spaced punch assemblies disposed about said blank supporting means, each punch assembly comprising: 1. radially acting punch means adjacent said blank supporting means, 2. a ram disposed radially with respect to said blank supporting means and interconnected at one end with said punch means, and 3. a ram guide secured to said surface for supporting and guiding said ram for reciprocating movement in a radial direction and in a plane generally parallel to said surface, d. an annular member surrounding said assemblies in substantially concentric arrangement to said blank supporting and die set means, e. means for oscillating said annular member along an axis at least generally perpendicular to said surface, said oscillating means including means extending from beneath said surface into engagement with said annular member for oscillatably supporting it in a plane parallel to and just above said surface; and f. individual cam means each interconnecting said annular member and said rams, said cam means each having a cam-face disposed angularly with respect to the plane of oscillation of said annular member, said cam-face being in cam following engagement with the ram-face located opposite said one end and said ramface being disposed at an angle complementary to the angle of said cam-face, said apparatus constructed and arranged so that on oscillation of said annular member, said rams are drivenly connected for movement inwardly and outwardly in a plane at least generally at right angles to the plane of oscillation of said annular member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said one end of said ram is elongated in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said blank supporting die set means and includes a channel disposed in substantially parallel relation to said longitudinal axis and adapted to receive the head of said punch means, and said ram includes means for retaining said punch heads within said channel so as to withdraw said punch means upon raising of said annular member, said retaining means includes a pair of plates displaceably secured to said one end of said ram and configured for lateral displacement thereto, said plates partly overlying said channel of said one end so as to releasably retain said punch head in the T-slot formed thereby.

2. a radially acting ram disposed outwardly with respect to said punch means, said ram having an inner end in driving engagement with the outer end of said punch means, and

3. a ram guide having a guide channel configured for supporting and guiding said ram for reciprocating movement along the axis of said guide channel; d. frame-guide coupling means for facilitating displacement of said guide around at least a portion of the circumference of said blank supporting means, for maintaining said guide with its guide channel substantially radially aligned with said blank supporting means during said displacement and for releasably securing said guide to said frame so as to facilitate the angular positioning of said guide with respect to said blank supporting means; e. annular driving means disposed about said blank supporting means and said guides, said member configured for oscillatable movement in a direction generally parallel to the axis of said blank supporting die set means; f. a cam member configured for engagement with the outer end of said ram for inward displacement thereof so as to drive said punch means into said punching engagement responsive to movement of said cam in a given direction generally parallel to the axis of said blank supporting means; and g. means for coupling said cam to said driving means so as to move said cam in said direction responsive to oscillation of said driving means.

3. a ram guide having a guide channel configured for supporting and guiding said ram for reciprocating movement along the axis of said guide channel; d. means for securing said guide on said frame with its guide channel in substantially radial alignment with said blank supporting means so as to position said ram for movement in a radial direction. e. cam means including a cam member configured for engagement with said ram for at least inward displacement thereof so as to drive said punch means into said punching engagement responsive to movement of said cam means in a given direction generally parallel to the axis of said blank supporting means; f. driving means configured for oscillatable movement in a direction generally parallel to the axis of said blank supporting means, said driving means including at least an annular segment member disposed outwardly of said ram, said member being curved about an axis generally concentric with the axis of said blank supporting means; and g. means for coupling said cam means to said annular member, said coupling means including means for substantially precluding movement of said cam means transverse to the curved length of said member while permitting slideable displacement of said cam means along the length thereof so as to provide oscillation of said cam means therewith and to facilitate positioning of said cam means around said blank supporting means for cooperation with said punch assembly.

3. a ram guide secured to said surface for supporting and guiding said ram for reciprocating movement in a radial direction and in a plane generally parallel to said surface, d. an annular member surrounding said assemblies in substantially concentric arrangement to said blank supporting and die set means, e. means for oscillating said annular member along an axis at least generally perpendicular to said surface, said oscillating means including means extending from beneath said surface into engagement with said annular member for oscillatably supporting it in a plane parallel to and just above said surface; and f. individual cam means each interconnecting said annular member and said rams, said cam means each having a cam-face disposed angularly with respect to the plane of oscillation of said annular member, said cam-face being in cam following engagement with the ram-face located opposite said one end and said ram-face being disposed at an angle complementary to the angle of said cam-face, said apparatus constructed and arranged so that on oscillation of said annular member, said rams are drivenly connected for movement inwardly and outwardly in a plane at least generally at right angles to the plane of oscillation of said annular member.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said rams include side channels disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of said rams, and said ram guides include guide plates releasably affixed to the upturned sides of said U-shaped guide, said guide plates being extended within said ram channels so as to releasably retain said ram within said guides.

8. A side punching apparatus for tubular blanks comprising: a. a frame; b. tubular blank supporting die set means on said frame c. at least one punch assembly disposed radially with respect to said blank supporting means, said punch assembly comprising:

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said frame-guide coupling means includes an annular slot and key means configured for aligning said guide while permitting said displacement for said angular positioning.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said frame includes a substantially planar surface having said blank supporting means and said punch assembly mounted thereon, said frame-guide coupling means includes an annular slot disposed in said surface and extending circumferentially around said blank supporting means and an annular segment member depending from said guide member traversely of said guide channel and closely fitted to said slot so as to radially align said guide channel while permitting slideable displacement of said guide to any angular position around said blank supporting means.

13. Side punching apparatus for tubular blanks comprising: a. a frame; b. tubular blank supporting die set means on said frame; c. at least one punch assembly disposed radially with respect to said die set means, said punch assembly comprising:

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said frame includes a planar surface, said die set is centrally located on said surface and adapted to retain a tubular blank substantially perpendicular thereto, said punch assemblies are radially disposed around said die set with said rams adapted for slideable motion in a plane parallel to said surface, and said annular member is mounted over said surface and disposed in a second plane close to and substantially parallel to the plane of said rams, said cam means are secured to the inner diameter of said annular member, said cam means include a ram engaging surface inclined to the plane of said rams for driving said rams inwardly and sliding, interlocked cam follower means for drawing said rams outwardly during oscillation of said annular member in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said rams.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said annular member includes a wall portion disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said rams and a top and bottom portion extending inwardly in planes parallel to the plane of said rams providing a U-shaped inner diameter of said annular member, and said cam means includes a cam member disposed within said U-shaped diameter and extending inwardly therefrom, and the innermost face of said cam member is inclined at an acute angle to the plane of said wall portion of said annular member.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said ram is an elongated member having said one end substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis and its face opposite to said one end disposed at an angle complementary to said angle of said cam member, said opposite face includes a T-shaped slot, and said cam member includes a T-shaped portion fitted to said T-shaped slot of said ram and adapted to slide therein.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said cam members include a channel disposed in the upper and lower surfaces parallel to said wall of said annular member, and said top and bottom portions of said annular members include depending members extended within said channels of said cams and closely fitted thereto so as to provide a C-shaped annular member which aligns said cam members radially with respect thereto.

24. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said ram guide is a substantially U-shaped member mounted upright on said surface, said rams include side channels disposed in a plane parallel to the plane displacement of said rams, and said ram guides include a guide plate releasably affixed to the upturned sides of said guide and extending with said ram channels so as to releasably retain said rams in said guide and to facilitate removal thereof for replacement of said punches.

25. The apparatus of claim 18 including a ring mounted on said planar surface, said ring having an annular T-shaped slot therein disposed around said die set, said guides include depending members extended within said T-shaped slot, and T-lugs extend from said T-shaped slot and secure said guides to said planar surface.