US3807215A

US3807215A - Modular press and forming machine

Info

Publication number: US3807215A
Application number: US00222545A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Allweier; F Olsen; D Knight
Original assignee: Baird Corp
Current assignee: Baird Corp
Priority date: 1972-02-01
Filing date: 1972-02-01
Publication date: 1974-04-30
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-30
Also published as: JPS5914320B2; JPS4884368A; GB1379001A

Abstract

A highly adaptable machine for performing a plurality of selectively set up metal working operations on either wire or strip metal stock, providing maximum versatility as to the number, nature, or sequence of such operations. A symmetrical mounting bed of variable length is constructed from modules and has standardized mounting provisions by which all tooling and machine attachments are mounted at any selected location on the mounting surface. Adjustable length forming slides are disposed to act in a direction parallel to the process line and are effective at any distance therealong. Peripheral shafting to drive all attachments is supported around the mounting bed by detachable bracket attachments containing precision bearings. Stock is fed along the process line by a feed attachment having a relatively small mass to decrease the load thereby presented to the process cycle. A transfer attachment is incorporated to convey the workpiece through a sequence of press and forming operations that is independent of the stock.

Description

United States Patent Olsen et al.

MODULAR PRESS AND FORMING MACHINE Inventors: Frederick C. Olsen, Huntington Beach, Calif.; David W. Knight, Stratford; Werner Allweier, Huntington, both of Conn.

The US. Baird Corporation, Bridgeport, Conn.

Filed: Feb. 1, 1972 Appl. No.: 222,545

Assignee:

US. Cl. 72/405, 72/455 Int. Cl B2lj 9/02 Field of Search 72/405, 421, 306, 318, 72/455, 338, 456; 113/1 F, 7 R; 29/52, 57,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,276,557 10/1966 Brown 192/134 Primary ExominerCharles W. Lanham Assistant ExaminerM. J. Keenan Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wooster, Davis & Cifelli [57] ABSTRACT A highly adaptable machine for performing a plurality of selectively set up metal working operations on either wire or strip metal stock, providing maximum versatility as to the number, nature, or sequence of such operations. A symmetrical mounting bed of variable length is constructed from modules and has standardized mounting provisions by which all tooling and machine attachments are mounted at any selected location on the mounting surface, Adjustable length forming slides are disposed to act in a direction parallel to the process line and are effective at any distance therealong. Peripheral shafting to, drive all attachments is supported around the mounting bed by detachable bracket attachments containing precision bearings. Stock is fed along the process line by a feed attachment having a relatively small mass to decrease the load thereby presented to the process cycle. A transfer attachment is incorporated to convey the workpiece through a'sequence of press and forming operations that is independent of the stock.

17 Claims,'26 Drawing Figures Q A 4 R w 4 Q i v s PATENTEBAPR 30 1914 saw 01 or 12 PATENTED m! 30 m4 SHEET UB-BF 12 mtmsmrn mw 3307215 sum 4 on or 12 PATENImAPnsown I 3'807 215 sum 1150? 12 v mmmmsomu $807215 sum '05 UF12 PATENTEBAPR 30 mm sum 07 0F 12 .E P W PATENTEWaao m4 sum '10 HF 12 MODULAR PRESS AND FORMING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a multiple press and forming machine for processing either wire or strip stock, and more particularly to such a machine which has been improved to versatilely perform the sequential operations specified by a multitude of process plans.

A multiple press and forming machine is anassemblage of several machine and tool attachments which are organized to accomplish the fabrication of a metal part from a sequence of metal working operations in accordance with a particular process plan. The operations utilized by any process plan may vary in complexity and can include such processes as piercing, blanking, swaging, drawing, bending, riveting, and assembling. Versatility of any multiple press and forming machine is, therefore, dependent on the number, the sequence and the nature of press operations which can be performed thereby.

Hitherto, machines have been used to sequentially perform a plurality of metal working operations. Limitations to all of these machines, however, are encountered either as to the nature, or the number, or the sequence of the operations which can be performed. Most machines of this type utilize a cast mounting bed of fixed length and particular mounting configuration which limits the number of operations performed and restricts the performance of particular operations to precise locations along the bed. Many machines distribute power to the operations from peripheral shafting supported at fixed locations on the sides of the cast bed which confines the performance of press and forming operations to particular segments of the bed and necessitates the use of split bearings having low precision and high cost. Some machines limit the power available for press and forming operations by utilizing a stock feed attachment which usurps a high percentage of the total power available over the process cycle.

In many known machines, the nature of the operations performed is limited because the workpiece must be conveyed between operations as an integral piece of the stock. These machines also limit the number of operations performed, in that the stock feed increment must be compatible to the centerline spacing existing between operations. Most of these machines can be arranged to process separate workpieces from opposite ends of the mounting bed but none 'can interassemble the separate workpieces-at a common operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a multiple press and forming machine which minimizes and obviates the disadvantages of the prior art.

It is a specific object of the present invention to provide a multiple press and forming machine which per forms sequential press and forming operations in accordance with a multitude of process plans regardless of the number, or the nature, or the sequence of the operations involved.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide a multiple press and forming machine having a mounting bed of modular construction which can be varied in both length and mounting surface.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multiple press and forming machine which has asymmetrical bed with standardized mounting provisions for all attachments at any selected location along the top and side surfaces thereof.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a multiple press and forming machine which has fonning slides disposed parallel to the process line and effective at any selected location.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a multiple press and forming machine which has peripheral shafting supported in precision one piece bearings by detachable bracket attachments.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a multiple press and forming machine having a stock feed attachment which has a relatively small mass and can be driven with relatively less power.

It is still another specific object of the present invention to provide a multiple press forming machine having a blank transfer attachment which increases the potential density of press operations, permits press operations not otherwise performable on the stock to be included in a process plan, provides a load phase shift means between two sequences of operations, and permits separate workpieces to be processed from opposing ends of the machine and joined at a single assembly operation.

These objects are accomplised in one form according to the present invention by fabricating modules from which a machine bed is constructed to have a length I and mounting surface compatible with the process plan. The modular bed has standardized mounting provisions for all attachments at any location along the top and sides thereof. Complimentary mounting provisions are provided on all tooling and machine attachments which can be positioned at any desirable location along the sides or top of the bed. An intermediate link is incorporated into forming slides disposed parallel to the process line by which the effective length is adjusted in accordance with the process plan. All tooling attachments are driven from peripheral shafting which is supported by detachable bracket attachments .containing one piece precision bearings. A stock feed attachment utilizing a reciprocating carriage is actuated from a non-reciprocating spline to reduce the mass reciprocated. A blank transfer attachment is.incorporated to establish a mode for conveying the workpiece to press and forming operations after it has been severed from the stock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFTI-IE DRAWINGS The manner in which these and other objects of the invention are achieved will be best understood by reference to the following description, the appended claims, and the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an assembled multiple press and forming machine into which the invention has been incorporated;

FIG. 2 is a side elevated view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a partial side elevated view thereof illustrating the motor and variable speed drive;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a basic module to serve as a mounting bed and having standardized mounting provisions for all attachments on the top and all four side surfaces thereof;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of both a basic and supplemental modules assembled to serve as a mounting bed and having standardized mounting provisions for all at- FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a partially assembled machine showing the frame of an attachment utilizing both the top and side mounting provisions and the bearing support brackets utilizing only the side mounting provisions;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the machine taken substantially along line 7-7 of FIG. 1 illustrating the stock check and the stock feed attachments;

FIG. 8 is a partial section thereof taken substantially along line 8-8 of FIG. 7 to illustrate the mounting of the detachable support brackets to the standardized mounting provisions of the mounting bed;

FIG. 9 is a foreshortened and simplified section thereof taken substantially along 99 of FIG. 1 to illustrate the adjustable length formingslides operating parallel to the process line;

FIG. 10 is a partial section thereof taken substantially along line l010 of FIG. 7 to illustrate the general construction of the stock feed attachment;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary plan view thereof illustrating the reciprocating stock feed carriage having portions thereof cut away to reveal the grippingmechanism;

FIG. 12 is a partial section thereof taken substantially along line 12l2 of FIG. 11 to illustrate the spline actuated gripping mechanism within the reciprocating stock feed carriage; 1

FIG. 13 is a section thereof taken substantially along line l3-l3 of FIG. 12 to illustrate the disposition of the reciprocating stock feed carriage on the spline and guide rods;

FIG. 14 is a section thereof taken substantially along line I414 of FIG. 1 illustrating the synchronized action between the stock check attachment and spline rotation;

' FIG. 15 is a partial section thereof taken substantially along line 15-15 of FIG. 1 to illustrate the structure supporting the blank transfer attachment and the relative mounting position it occupies across the mountin bed;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged partial section thereof taken substantially along line l6--16 of FIG. 15 to illustrate a pair of cooperating finger assemblies holding a blank;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged partial section thereof taken substantially along line 17 17 of FIG. 16 to illustrate the detailed construction of a single finger assembly;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged partial section thereof taken substantially along line 18-18 of FIG. 1 to illustrate the blanktransfer attachment operating between the progressive die operation of the first transfer press operation;

FIG. 19 is a simplified fragmentary plan view thereof FIG. 24 is an enlargedv fragmentary view thereof illustrating the tool holder arrangement at the progressive die operation;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view thereof taken substantially along line 2525 of FIG. 1 to illustrate the relative positioning of the blank transfer assembly at. the slide forming operation; and

FIG. 26 is a partial section thereof taken substantially along line 2626 of FIG. 25 to illustrate the reciprocal drive for the blank transfer attachment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 are a plan view and a side elevated view respectively, of a multiple press and forming machine 10 into which the improvements of the present invention have been incorporated. Essentially the machine 10 is an organized assemblage of individual attachments to a mounting bed 12, which performs a sequence of metal working operations along a'process line in accordance with a process plan. 'A stock feed attachment 14 is mounted at one end of the bed 12 and feeds stock 16 along the process line at the top of the bed. Operating in conjunction with the stock feed attachment 14 is a stock check attachment 18 which locks'the stock 16 in a position of progression along the process line while operations are performed on the stock 16. Typical attachments for performing metal working are mounted at the top of the bed 12 and include a progressive die operation 20, a pluralityof transfer die operations 22, and a slide forming operation 24. For the sake of clarity, only tool holders 25 are shown at each operation to which conventional metal working tooling can be secured. A blank transfer attachment 26 is mounted on the top of the bed 12, parallel to the process line, to convey the workpiece from the progressive die operation 20 to all succeeding operations. All attachments are driven from shafts 28 peripheral to the bed 12 as typically illustrated in FIG. 22 and all sequential timing between the attachments is accomplished through these shafts 28. Bevelgears interconnect the peripheral shafts 28 at each corner of the machine and the shafts 28 are supported around the machine 10 by detachable support brackets 38 as illustrated in FIG. 8..v The peripheral shafts 28 are rotated by any suitable means such as through a flywheel pulley 39 from a variable speed drive 40 and a motor 42, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The mounting bed 12 provides standardized mounting for all attachments and is of modular construction, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 a 6, so that its mounting surface can be varied to accommodate a multitude of process plans. In its simplest form the mounting bed 12 consists of a basic module 44 with a fixed length and mounting surface as illustrated in FIG. 4. As illustrated in FIG. 5,

supplemental modules 46 are connected to the basic.

module 44 to increase the length and area of the mounting surface in predetermined increments. The .top surface and all exposed side surfaces of the basic

supplemental modules

44 and 46 are adapted with standardized mounting provisions such as T slots 48 and these provisions are continuous along the full length of the major axis. Where desirable these provisions may be continuous along the full length of a plurality of axes. Supplemental modules 46 and all attachments have complimentary mountings provisions to those of the mounting bed 12 and mount thereto on the top, or

on the sides, or on both the top and the sides. This is illustrated in FIG. 6 where the detachable support brackets 38 are shown to mount on the sides of the bed and a frame 50 of a typical progressive die operation 20 is shown to mount on the top and side of the bed. Whether an attachment mounts on the side, or top, or side and top of the bed 12, it can be freely positioned at any location along the mounting provisions. Therefore, the metal working operations maybe freely arranged to comply with the order dictated by the process plan. An open trough 51 exists between cross ribs 52 in both the basic and

supplemental modules

44 and 46 which makes it possible to finish a workpiece at any location along the mounting bed 12.

The general use of the standardized mounting provisions on the mounting bed 12 to mount any attachment or to interconnect the basic and

supplemental modules

44 and 46 is illustrated in FIG. 8 where the mounting of the detachable support brackets 38 is specifically shown. Bolts 53 are disposed through the detachable support brackets 38 and are secured to captive nuts 54 disposed in'the T slots 48 on the mounting bed 12. A cylindrical spacer 56 is shown between a gear box 58 and the brackets 38, however, the captive nuts 54 are free to slide within the "T slots 48 so that the brackets 38 can be mounted at any location along any side of the mounting bed 12; Therefore the brackets 38 can be separated from the gear box 58 by the width of one or more metal working operations if necessary to accomplish a given process plan. Each bracket 38 is of one piece construction and is adapted to contain a single piece precision bearing 60 by suitable means such as an interference fit. When the mounting bed 12 is constructed with a plurality of modules to accommodate a particular process plan the brackets 38 are disposed as required along the mounting bed 12 to support the peripheral shafts 28. Thereafter the brackets 38 with the bearings 60 can be relocated to comply with the changing requirements of another process plan, by merely sliding them along the standardized mounting provisions 'of the bed 12.

As is conventional, a combination of both horizontal slides 61 and vertical slides 62 are arranged to converge upon the workpiece'at the slide forming operation 24. However, in this multiple press and forming machine 10, forming can be performed at any selected location along the mounting bed 12. To accomplish this the vertical slides 62 and horizontal slides 61 acting across the trough 51 are adapted to mount to the T slots 48 at any selected location along the mounting bed 12 as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 25. The horizontal slides 61 acting along the length of the mounting bed 12 are disposed in the trough 51 as illustrated in FIG. 9, and are adapted to be continuously adjustable-in length for operation at any selected position along the mounting bed 12. Any suitable means may be utilized to provide this adjustable length, such as an intermediate link 63 disposed between the ends of the horizontal slide 61*. Reaction forces are propagated through the stock when operations are performed thereon and these forces cause the stock 16 to move relative to the process line. To preclude this motion it is conventional to incorporate the stock check attachment 18 across the process line as illustrated in FIG. 14. The stock check attachment 18 utilized in this invention differs from conventional stock check attachments in that it provides for rotation of a spline 64 in timed sequence with the checking action on the stock 16. As discussed in detail later in this specification, this spline rotation is utilized to actuate the gripping action of the stock feed attachment 14. i

In its general construction, the stock check attachment 18 grips the stock between a fixed shoe 65 and a movable shoe 66 as illustrated in FIG. 14 where the movable shoe 66 is in contact with the left side of the stock 16. The movable shoe 66 is attached to a follower link 68 which is disposed in a check housing 70 and is biased to follow the rise of a rocker arm 72 by a spring 74. The rocker arm 72 is pivotally attached to the .check housing 70 at one end by suitable means such as a pin 75 and has a roller 76 affixed to its other end. This roller 76 follows the rise of a cam 78 which is driven from the peripheral shafts 28. The fixed shoe 65 is in contact with the right side of the stock 16 and is affixed to'a link 80 which is disposed in the check housing 70 to have an adjustable length for positioning the fixed shoe 65 relative to various stock 16 thicknesses.

A rocker arm 82 is also pivotally attached to the housing 70 on the right side of the bed 12 by suitable means such as a pin 83. One end of this rocker arm 82 is pivotally attached to the first end of an adjustable length link 84 by suitable means such as a pin 85. The second end of the adjustable length link 84 is pivotally attached to the first end of a translating link 86 by suitable means such as a pin 87. At its second end the translating link 86 is rigidly affixed to the spline 64 which is rotatably disposed through the check housing 70 by suitable means and extends therefrom in the direction of the stock feed attachment 14. A roller 88 is rotatably affixed to the other end of the rocker arm 82 by suitable means. A cam 90 is affixed to one of the peripheral shafts 28 and the roller 88 is disposed to follow the rise thereof. The check housing 70 is also adapted to provide a structural support for the ends of two guide rods 92 which extend therefrom in the direction of the stock feed attachment l4 and will be further discussed later in this specification.

When the machine 10 is in operation, the stock 16 moves along the process line which passes between the fixed and

movable shoes

65 and 66 of the stock check attachment 18. As the cam 78 rotates it causes the rocker arm 72 to pivot about pin 75 and when this pivotal motion is in a clockwise direction, the'follower link 68 is caused to drive the movable shoe 66 toward the fixed shoe 65 to grip the stock 16 therebetween. Simul-- taneous to this, the cam 90 rotates to a position which causes the rocker arm 82 to pivot about pin 83 in a counterclockwise direction and this causes the adjustable length link 84 to drive the translating link 86 in a counterclockwise direction. The spline 64 follows the motion of the translating link 86 directly and therefore turns in a counterclockwise direction which, as explained later in this specification, causes the stock feed attachment 14 to release its grip on the stock 16. When the pivotal motion of rocker arm 72 is counterclockwise, the stock 16 is released by the stock check attachment 18 and simultaneous thereto, rocker arm 82 pivots in a clockwise direction which causes the stock feed attachment 14 to grip the stock 16 on clockwise rotation of the spline 64.

The stock feed attachment l4 utilizes a stock feed carriage 94 moving with reciprocal motion to feed the stock 16 along the process line as illustrated in FIGS. 7, 10 13. The stock feed carriage 94 is contained in ceive a gripping mechanism 100 with which a positive gripping action on the stock 16 is attained as illustrated in FIGS. 11 13. A slotted groove 102 traverses one side of the carriage housing 96 with its slotted portion in communication with the cavity 98. At three locations, cylindrical channels 104 are disposed through the carriage housing 96 with'their axes parallel to the axis of the slotted groove 102. Bushings 106 are inserted in both ends of each channel 104 and the guide rods 92, referenced above in the discussion of the stock check attachment 18, are disposed through two of the channels 104 and slide freely therein. The spline 64 which was discussed above as part of the stock check attachment 18 is disposed through the third channel 104 and lubrication ducts 108-are disposedin the carriage housing 96 in communication with all three channels 104. The gripping mechanism 100 is assembled into the cavity 98 of the carriage housing 96 before either the guide rods 92 or the spline 64 are disposed through the carriage housing 96.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, a roller link 110 in the gripping mechanism 100 is-adapted to have a splined aperture by suitable means such as with a splined bushing 112. Radially from this splined aperture, the roller link able means such as a pin 120. At its second'end, the

push link 116 is pivotally attached by suitable means such'as a pin 122, to a gripping shoe 124 which is disposedin the slides freely through the slotted groove 102 of the carriage housing 96.- At its second end, thepull link 118 is pivotally attached by suitable means such as a pin 126, to the first end of'an adjustable pivot block 128 which extends from the cavity 98 of the carriage housing 96 and is disposed to freely slide therethrough. The second end of the pivot block 128 is disposed exteriorly to the cavity 98 and is configured to have a'wedge head- 130 with an inclined surface. A wedge block 132, having a complimentary inclined surface to that of the wedge head 130 is inserted thereunder and is adjustably' secured to the carriage housing 96 by suitable means such as a captive bolt 134. A bearing plate 136 is mounted to the carriage housing 96 over the slotted groove 102 by suitable means such as bolts 137.

As discussed previously the guide rods 92 and spline 64 extend from the stock check attachment 18 and are disposed to pass through the carriage housing 96, it must be aligned to pass through the splined bushing 112 in the roller link 110 of the toggle mechanism 100. After the guide rods 92 and spline 64 have been disposed through the carriage housing 96, they are aligned parallel to the process line and are supported in a support extension 138 of the mounting bed 12 as illustrated in FIG. 10. 1

Reciprocal motion at a variable stroke is applied to the stock feed carriage 94 from an eccentric having any suitable construction. One such construction is illustrated in FIG. where a geared driver 140 is rotatably driven from the peripheral shafts 28 through a gear 142. A follower link 144 is pivotally affixed at any selected location along a radial T slot 146 in the geared driver 140 by suitable means. The follower link 144 actuates a lever 148 hinged at its first end to the support g extension 138 by suitable means such as abearing 149. At its second end, the lever 148 is pivotally attached to the first end of an adjustable length link 150 by suitable means such as a pin 151. The second end of the adjustable length link 150 is attached to a clevis 152 by suitable means such as mating threads. This clevis 152 is pivotally affixed to a tongue 153 on the cariage housing 96 by suitable means such as a pin. i

In operation the stock feed attachment 14 feeds stock 16 incrementally from storage reels through the stock check attachment l8 and thereafter along the process line as required by the process plan. The stock feed carriage 94 is reciprocated along the guide rods 92 and spline 64 with a stroke equal to a predetermined feed increment and gripping action of the stock fe'ed carriage 94 is synchronized with the stroke to carry stock 16 in the direction of the stock check attachment 18. At the beginning of its stroke, the stock feed carriage 94 is located at its greatestdistance from the stock check attachment l8 and is actuated by the spline 64 to grip the stock 16. The stock feed carriage 94 then advances toward the stock check attachment 18 to the end of its stroke at which time it is actuated by the spline 64 to release the stock 16. Then without influencing the position of the stock 16 the stock feed carriage 94 returns to its initial position at the beginning of its stroke to complete one process cycle. The

- feed increment is determined from and is equal to the incremental spacing existing between the operations performed on the stock 16 along the process line.

The gripping mechanism within the stock feed 1 carriage 94, operates to grip stock 16 disposed in the slotted groove 102 of the carriage housing 96 between the bearing plate 136 and the gripping shoe 124, as can best be understood by reference to FIG. 12. The stock feed carriage 94 grips the stock 16 when the spline 64 is rotated clockwise. Upon such rotation, the roller link also turns clockwise to cause the translating link 114 to dislocate the pin and the first ends of both the push link 116 and the .pull link 118, in a downward direction away from spline 64. This'causes the distance between

pins

122 and 126 to be increased alongan axis through

pins

122 and 126. The location'of pin 126 is fixed along this axis bythe relative insertion of the wedge block 132 under the wedge head and therefore the gripping shoe 124 is forced towards the bearing plate 136 to grip the stock 16 therebetween. When the stock feed cariage 94 is actuated to grip the stock 16, negligible torsional deflection occurs along the length of the spline 64 due to its rigidity. Therefore the gripping force applied to the stock 16 remains the same over the stroke of the stock feed carriage 94. The grip on the stock 16 is released by the stock feed carriage when the spline 64 is rotated counterclockwise. This causes the roller link 110 to dislocate the pin' 120 and the first ends of both the push link 116 and the pull link 118, in an upward direction toward the spline 64. The distance between

pins

122 and 126 is thereby decreased which necessitates that the gripping shoe 124 move away from the stock 16 and bearing plate 136.

v Gripping pressure for various stock 16 thicknesses is adjusted prior to operation of the machine 10 by changing the spacing between the gripping shoe 124 and the. bearing plate 136. This is accomplished by varying the location of the fixed pivot point of pin 126 through an adjustment of the captive bolt 134 to change the orientation of the wedge block 132 relative to the wedge head 130 of the pivot block 128.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the reciprocal motion of the stock feed carriage 94 is generated from the geared driver 140 by the follower link 144 which causes the lever 148 to sweep an are periodically about the bearing 149. The are motion of the lever 148 is imposed on the first end of the adjustable length link 150 which translates the arc motion to linear motion at the clevis 152 due to the constraining action exerted by the guide rods 92 on the carriage housing 96. Because the arc motion is periodic the linear motion is periodic and the stock feed carriage 94 reciprocates along the guide rods 92 at a predetermined stroke equal to the feed increment. Magnitude of the stroke is adjustable by varying the location of the pivotal connection between the gear driver 140 and the follower link 144 along the radial T slot 146. v

Incorporation of the blank transfer attachment 26 into the machine is illustrated in FIGS. l8 and 26. In its general construction the blank transfer attachment 26 is made up of rails 154 disposed along the process line to which finger assemblies 156 are secured across the process line in a plurality of pairs. The finger assemblies 156 in each pair cooperate to hold a blank 158 therebetween as illustrated in FIG. 18 where the pairs of cooperating finger assemblies 156 are shown to be spaced along the process line at an incremental distance X. All operations along the process line to which blanks 158 are transferred are also spaced at the incremental distance X and each pair of cooperating finger assemblies reciprocate to move the blanks 158 between two operations. The rails 154 are rigidly connected at oneend of the machine by a drive bridge 160 which is driven reciprocally at a stroke equal to the incremental distance X, from the peripheral shafts 28 as illustrated in FIG. 26.

As shown in FIGS.- 15' 18 the rails 154 are sup-, ported along the top of the mounting bed 12 in channel blocks 162 which are mounted to bracket supports 164 by suitable means such as bolts 165. Clearance exists in the channel blocks 162 for the rails 154 to slide therein. A shouldered groove 166 runs the full length of each rail 154 in which captive nuts 167 are disposed for mounting the finger assemblies 156. i

In each finger assembly 156, a finger 168 is slidably retained in a finger block 170 as. illustrated in FIG. 17 n by suitable means such as retaining pin and 'slot not shown. A spring 172 is disposed in the finger block 170 to bias the finger 168 in the direction of the blank 158. Each finger block 170 has a'pair of slots 173 through which it is adjustably mounted to a key block 174 by suitable means such as bolts 175. As illustrated in FIG. 16 this adjustment permits the distance separating the finger assemblies 156 across the process line to be varied to accommodate blanks 158 having different widths. The finger block 170 has a flat stepped portion 176 into which a complimentary portion of the key block 174 fits to prevent relative rotation therebetween. A tongue portion 177 across the surface of the key block 174 has a complimentary width to the shouldered groove 166 in the rail 154 and is affixed therein with bolts 178 into the captive nuts 167. The tip of each finger 168 is contoured and has a contoured notch 180 to facilitate insertionand withdrawal of ,the blank 158 from the cooperating finger assemblies 156.

Reciprocal motion is applied to the drive bridge interconnecting the rails 154 of the blank transfer attachment 26 from an eccentric having any suitable construction. One such construction is illustrated in FIG. 26 where the first end of a drive link 182 is pivotally secured to the drive bridge 160 at a point between the rails 154 by suitable means such as a pin 183. At its second end the drive link 182 is pivotally attached to the first end of a drive lever 184 by suitable means such as a pin 185. At its second end the drive lever 184 is pivotally secured to a fulcrum bracket 186 by suitable means such as a bearing 187. The fulcrum bracket 186 is rigidly secured to the mounting bed 12 by the standardi'zed mounting provisions thereof in the same manner as discussed previously. A roller 188 is pivotally mounted along the length of the drive lever 184 with its surface in contact with cam 190 which is driven from the peripheral shafts 28.

Each operation involving a blank 158 is adapted with provisions for manipulating the blank 158 between its location within the cooperating finger assemblies 156 and its metal working location in the operation. These manipulative provisions can vary depending on the nature of the operation performed but generally are achieved by disposing conventional stripper pins across the operation to move in opposition to one another along common axes and thereby grip the blank 158 therebetween. After the blank 158 is gripped between opposing stripper pins, it can be manipulated either into or out of the finger assemblies 156. The stripper pins are driven from the peripheral shafts 28 through cams and suitable linkage and therefore the manipulative action of the stripper pins canbe sequenced to occur at precise times during the process cycle.

In operation the blank transfer attachment 26 functions to convey blanks 158 cut from the stock 16 to a sequence'of operations to which stock 16 is not fed by the stock feed attachment 14. This is accomplished by depositing blanks 158 into a pair of finger assemblies 156 at the completion of the progressive die operation 20 and conveying the blanks .158 through other pairs of finger assemblies 156 from operation to operation throughout the remainder of the process plan. Each pair of finger assemblies 156 moves reciprocally between two press and/or forming operations and therefore each blank 158 is conveyed in a series of incremental steps through every pair of finger assemblies 156 along the process line.

Reciprocal motion for the blank transfer attachment 26 is generated from the cam 190 through the roller 188 which causes the drive lever 184 to sweep an are periodically about the bearing 187. The arc motion of the drive lever 184 is imposed on one end of the drive link 182 which translates the arc motion to linear motion at the pivot pin 183 on the drive bridge 160 due to the constraining action exerted on the rails 154 by the channel blocks 162. Because the arc motion is periodic, the linear motion is periodic and the rails 154 reciprocate in the channel blocks 162 at a predetermined stroke. This reciprocal motion is transferred directly to each pair of finger assemblies 156 rigidly affixed to the rails 154. Variations in the stroke are generally accomplished by changing the cam 190, however, other suitable means could be used such as slots to vary the location of either or both the pivot pin and the roller 188 along the length of the drive lever 184.

At each operation the stripper pins converge across the process line to. rigidly grasp the blank 158 and manipulate it either into orout of the cooperating finger assemblies 156. This grasping action by the stripper pins is sequentially timed to compliment the reciprocal motion applied to the cooperating finger assemblies 156 sothat at each operation, the blanks 158 are deposited by one pair of cooperating finger assemblies 156 before the operation is performed and picked up by another pair of cooperating finger assemblies 156 after the operation is performed. Therefore, at the beginning of each process cycle, each pair of cooperating finger assemblies 156 with a blank 158 disposed therebetween is advanced to arrive at its pre-performance operation. Then at each pre-performance operation, the stripper pins converge upon the blank 158 to remove it from between the cooperating finger assemblies 156 and orient it within the tooling at that operation. All pairs of finger assemblies 156 then move away from their pre-performance operations in the direction of their post-performance operations and all operations are performed on the blanks 158. After completion of all operations, each pair of cooperating finger assemblies 156 then arrive at its post-performance operation. Then at each post-performance operation, the stripper pins converge upon the blank 158 to remove it from within the tooling at that operation and position it within the cooperating finger assemblies 156. Each pair of finger assemblies 156 with a blank 158 disposed therebe tween is then advanced toward its preperformance operation where another process cycle is" begun.-

In transfer, the blanks 158 are maintained between each pair of cooperating finger assemblies 156 in the notches 180 of the fingers 168 and retained therein by the opposing forces exerted from the springs 172. When the blank 158 is manipulated either into-or out of the cooperating finger assemblies 156, a lateral force is applied to the blank 158 by the stripper pins which causes-the blank 158 to pressagainst the contoured surface of the fingers 168. Then each finger 168 is caused to retract into its finger block 170 against the bias of the springs 172 until the space between the cooperating finger assemblies 156 is sufficient to permit the blank 158 to pass laterally between the finger assemblies 156. a I

As is a conventional technique, a stock feed attachment 14 can be attached to each end of the machine to process two separate workpieces is converging directions along the process line. This technique can be supplemented with a blank transfer attachment 26 operating in each direction along the process line to convey the blank 158 of each workpiece to a common operation where the two separate workpieces are joined in assembly. 4

Those skilled in the art should readily appreciate that the multiple press and forming machine embodied by this invention may be utilized to fabricate metal parts in accordance with a multitude of process plans regardless of the number, the nature, or the sequence of the operations involved. Furthermore, this machine is constructed on a symmetrical mounting bed having a variable length and mounting surface. Standardized mounting provisions are maintained over the entire mounting surface and are supplemented with forming slides having an adjustable effective length parallel to the process line, to permit the performance of any operation at any selected location on the machine. Versatility is also derived by supporting the peripheral shafts in detachable support brackets having one-piece bearings and by actuating the stock feed carriage through a nonreciprocating spline to thereby reduce its reciprocating I mass. Dependency on the stock to convey the workpiece between operations is avoided by the incorporation of the blank transfer attachment which also makes it possible to assemble two different workpieces at a single operation after processing the workpieces separately from opposite ends of the machine.

It should be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerouschanges in details of the construction and combination or arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the true spirit or scope of the invention and should be construed'as illustrative rather than limiting.

What is claimed is: v

1. A multiple press and forming machine of the type wherein machine attachments. are organized on a mounting bed anclv actuated from shafts peripheral thereto in performing a sequence of metal working operations according to a process plan on,either wire or strip stock fed along a process line extending through all the operations, the improvement comprising: I

said mounting bed being constructed'from a basic module with supplemental modules being connected thereon to increase both the length of the process line and the mounting surface available for the machine attachments, said basic module being of fixed length along the process line and having a fixed mounting surface for the machine attachments, each said supplementalmodules being configured to increase the fixed length and fixed mounting surface of said basic module by predetermined increments.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein continuous mounting provisions are disposed on saidbasic module and said supplemental modules to extend across the mounting surface of said mounting bed, said continuous mounting provisions allowing for affixment of the machine attachments on said mounting bed at any selected'location therealong.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein T slots are utilized to provide said continuous mounting provisions.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein continuous mounting provisions are disposed on said basic module and said supplemental modules to extend horizontally across all four vertical sides of said mounting bed, said continuous mounting provisions allowing for affixment of detachable brackets to support the peripheral shafts at any selected location therealong.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein T slots are utilized to provide said continuous mounting provi sions.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein continuous mounting provisions are disposed on said basic module and said supplemental modules to extend across the top surface andhorizontally across all four vertical sides of said mounting bed, said continuous mounting provisions allowing for affixment of the machine attachments on said mounting bed at any selected location therealong.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein T slots are utilized to provide said continuous mounting provisions.

8. A multiple press and forming machine of the type wherein machine attachments are organized on a mounting bed and actuated from shafts peripheral thereto in performing a sequence of metal working operations according to a process plan on either wire or strip stock fed along a process line extending through all the operations, the improvement comprismg: I detachable brackets for supporting the peripheral shafts on the mounting bed, said detachable brackets including mounting provisions for affixment to the mounting bed, said mounting provisions being complementary with continuous mounting provisions on the mounting bed, each said detachable bracket being locatable on the mounting bed at any selected position along the continuous mounting provisions thereof.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said detachable brackets are of one piece construction and are adapted to receive one piece bearings.

10. In a multiple press and forming machine of the type wherein machining attachments are organized on a mounting bed and actuated from shafts peripheral thereto in performing a sequence of metal working operations according to a process plan on either wire or strip stock fed along a process line extending through all said operations, the improvement comprisa stock feed carriage disposed with a reciprocal motion along a spline parallel to said process line and gripping said stock in synchronized sequence with said reciprocal motion to carry said stock along said process line, said stock gripping action being actuated by rotation of said spline to reduce the reciprocated mass of said stock feed carriage.

11. In the combination of claim 10 wherein said stock feed carriage is reciprocally disposed on guide rails parallel to said spline, having a housing adapted to receive a gripping mechanism;

said gripping mechanism having a roller link disposed to slide along said spline and to rotate in response to the rotation .of said spline, said roller link being pivotally connected radially from the axis of said rotation to the first end of a translating link, the second end of said translating link being pivotally connected to the first ends of a push link and a pull link, the second end of said push link being pivotally connected to a gripping shoe and the second end of said pull link being pivotally connected to a pivot block, said gripping shoe being slidably disposed in said housing to extend through a first side thereof and said pivot block is slidably disposed in said housing to extend through a second side thereof opposite said first side, said pivot block being adapted with a wedge head on the end ex tending from said housing, said wedge head being adapted with an inclined surfacein engagement with a complimentary inclined surface on a wedge block, said housing being adapted with a captive screw and said wedge block being adapted to slide in response to rotation of said captive screw to change the disposition of said pivot block in said housing;

a bearing plate being secured to said housing over the path of extension of said gripping shoe from said housing;

said stock being disposed between said gripping shoe and said bearing plate and said captive screw being operable to vary the distance between said gripping shoe and said bearing plate to grip said stock there between on rotation of said spline in one direction.

12. A multiple press and forming machine of the type wherein machine attachments are organized on a mounting bed and actuated from shafts peripheral thereto in performing a sequence of metal working operations according to a process plan on either wire or strip stock fed along a process line extending through all the operations, the improvement comprising:

a blank transfer attachment for conveying blanks through a sequence of metal working operations with the blanks being cut from the stock at the first operation in said sequence and all subsequent operations in said sequence being performed on the blanks independently of the stock, said blank transfer attachment being disposed to have reciprocal motion along the process line with cooperating finger assemblies oppositely located vin pairs across the process line, said cooperating finger assemblies being equally spaced at an incremental distance along the process line, said incremental distance being equal to both the stroke of said reciprocal motion and the centerline spacing between all operations in said sequence, each said pair of finger assemblies reciprocating between two operations in said sequence to receive the blanks at one operation after the performance thereof and to deposit the blanks at the other operation before the performance thereof, each operation in said sequence being adapted with stripper pins acting in opposite directions across the process line to grip the blanks in timed sequence with the process performed at the operation and manipulate the blanks between the operation and said cooperating finger assemblies.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein each said cooperating finger assembly includes a finger adapted to slidein a finger block against a spring bias, each said finger block being secured to a rail supported parallel to said process line on bracket supports mounted to said mounting bed, each said rail being disposed freely to slide in channel blocks affixed to said bracket supports, said rails being rigidly interconnected by a drive bridge at one end of said mounting bed, and said drive bridge being driven reciprocally through a stroke equal to said incremental distance from said shafts.

14. The combination of claim 12 wherein said stock is fed from opposing ends of said machine and said blank transfer attachment is disposed in duplicate to convey blanks in converging directions along said process line, each said blank transfer attachment conveying a particular blank through a separate sequence of operations, said particular blanks converging at a common operation to each said sequence and being joined in assembly thereat.

15. A multiple press and forming machine of the type wherein machine attachments are organized on a mounting bed and actuated from shafts peripheral thereto in performing a sequence of metal working

Claims

1. A multiple press and forming machine of the type wherein machine attachments are organized on a mounting bed and actuated from shafts peripheral thereto in performing a sequence of metal working operations according to a process plan on either wire or strip stock fed along a process line extending through all the operations, the improvement comprising: said mounting bed being constructed from a basic module with supplemental modules being connected thereon to increase both the length of the process line and the mounting surface available for the machine attachments, said basic module being of fixed length along the process line and having a fixed mounting surface for the machine attachments, each said supplemental modules being configured to increase the fixed length and fixed mounting surface of said basic module by predetermined increments.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein continuous mounting provisions are disposed on said basic module and said supplemental modules to extend across the mounting surface of said mounting bed, said continuous mounting provisions allowing for affixment of the machine attachments on said mounting bed at any selected location therealong.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein ''''T'''' slots are utilized to provide said continuous mounting provisions.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein ''''T'''' slots are utilized to provide said continuous mounting provisions.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein continuous mounting provisions are disposed on said basic module and said supplemental modules to extend across the top surface and horizontally across all four vertical sides of said mounting bed, said continuous mounting provisions allowing for affixment of the machine attachments on said mounting bed at any selected location therealong.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein ''''T'''' slots are utilized to provide said continuous mounting provisions.

8. A multiple press and forming machine of the type wherein machine attachments are organized on a mounting bed and actuated from shafts peripheral thereto in performing a sequence of metal working operations according to a process plan on either wire or strip stock fed along a process line extending through all the operations, the improvement comprising: detachable brackets for supporting the peripheral shafts on the mounting bed, said detachable brackets including mounting provisions for affixment to the mounting bed, said mounting provisions being complementary with continuous mounting provisions on the mounting bed, each said detachable bracket being locatable on the mounting bed at any selected position along the continuous mounting provisions thereof.

10. In a multiple press and forming machine of the type wherein machining attachments are organized on a mounting bed and actuated from shafts peripheral thereto in performing a sequence of metal working operations according to a process plan on either wire or strip stock fed along a process line extending through all said operations, the improvement comprising: a stock feed carriage disposed with a reciprocal motion along a spline parallel to said process line and gripping said stock in synchronized sequence with said reciprocal motion to carry said stock along said process line, said stock gripping action being actuated by rotation of said spline to reduce the reciprocated mass of said stock feed carriage.

11. In the combination of claim 10 wherein said stock feed carriage is reciprocally disposed on guide rails parallel to said spline, having a housing adapted to receive a gripping mechanism; said gripping mechanism having a roller link disposed to slide along said spline and to rotate in response to the rotation of said spline, said roller link being pivotally connected radially from the axis of said rotation to the first end of a translating link, the second end of said translating link being pivotally connected to the first ends of a push link and a pull link, the second end of said push link being pivotally connected to a gripping shoe and the second end of said pull link being pivotally connected to a pivot block, said gripping shoe being slidably disposed in said housing to extend through a first side thereof and said pivot block is slidably disposed in said housing to extend through a second side thereof opposite said first side, said pivot block being adapted with a wedge head on the end extending from said housing, said wedge head being adapted with an inclined surface in engagement with a complimentary inclined surface on a wedge block, said housing being adapted with a captive screw and said wedge block being adapted to slide in response to rotation of said captive screw to change the disposition of said pivot block in said housing; a bearing plate being secured to said housing over the path of extension of said gripping shoe from said housing; said stock being disposed between said gripping shoe and said bearing plate and said captive screw being operable to vary the distance between said gripping shoe and said bearing plate to grip said stock therebetween on rotation of said spline in one direction.

12. A multiple press and forming machine of the type wherein machine attachments are organized on a mounting bed and actuated from shafts peripheral thereto in performing a sequence of metal working operations according to a process plan on either wire or strip stock fed along a process line extending through all the operations, the improvement comprising: a blank transfer attachment for conveying blanks through a sequence of metal working operations with the blanks being cut from the stock at the first operation in said sequence and all subsequent operations in said sequence being performed on the blanks independently of the stock, said blank transfer attachment being disposed to have reciprocal motion along the process line with cooperating finger assemblies oppositely located in pairs across the process line, said cooperating finger assemblies being equally spaced at an incremental distance along the process line, said incremental distance being equal to both the stroke of said reciprocal motion and the centerline spacing between all operations in said sequence, each said pair of finger assemblies reciprocating between two operations in said sequence to receive the blanks at one operation after the performance thereof and to deposit the blanks at the other operation before the performance thereof, each operation in said sequence being adapted with stripper pins acting in opposite directions across the process line to grip the blanks in timed sequence with the process performed at the operation and manipUlate the blanks between the operation and said cooperating finger assemblies.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein each said cooperating finger assembly includes a finger adapted to slide in a finger block against a spring bias, each said finger block being secured to a rail supported parallel to said process line on bracket supports mounted to said mounting bed, each said rail being disposed freely to slide in channel blocks affixed to said bracket supports, said rails being rigidly interconnected by a drive bridge at one end of said mounting bed, and said drive bridge being driven reciprocally through a stroke equal to said incremental distance from said shafts.

15. A multiple press and forming machine of the type wherein machine attachments are organized on a mounting bed and actuated from shafts peripheral thereto in performing a sequence of metal working operations according to a process plan on either wire or strip stock fed along a process line extending through all of the operations, the improvement comprising: forming slides disposed along the process line and acting to perform an operation laterally thereacross, the location of said operation along the process line being determined by the effective length of said forming slides, each said forming slide including means for varying it effective length to perform said operation at any location along the process line.

16. The combination of claim 15 wherein said means for varying the effective length comprises an intermediate link.

17. In a multiple press machine of the type wherein machine attachments are organized on a mounting bed and actuated from shafts peripheral thereto in performing a sequence of metal forming operations according to a process plan on either wire or strip stock fed along a process line extending through all said operations, the improvement comprising: said mounting bed being constructed from one or more modules, each said module increasing the mounting surface of said mounting bed in both length and area by predetermined increments; said shafts being supported peripherally on said mounting bed in detachable support brackets; said mounting bed including a mounting surface on the top surface and all four side surfaces thereof, all said mounting surfaces being adapted to have standardized mounting provisions for all said machine attachments; forming slides disposed parallel to said process line, each said forming slide including means for varying the effective length along said process line, said forming slides being effective at any location along said process line; a stock feed carriage disposed to have a reciprocal motion along a spline parallel to said process line and gripping said stock in synchronized sequence with said reciprocal motion to carry said stock along said process line, said stock gripping action being actuated by rotation of said spline to reduce the reciprocated mass of said stock feed carriage; and a blank transfer means for conveying blanks through a sequence of said operations, said blanks being cut from said stock at the first operation in said sequence and all subsequent operations in said sequence being performed on said blanks independently of said stock.