The application relates generally to press brakes and, in particular, a press brake that includes a structure and mechanism for adjusting the width of a die.
A press brake machine or device is used as a tool to make precise bends in metal parts. Generally, a sheet of metal is placed within the machine and positioned precisely using a gauge. A punch, which often has the shape of a “V”, is placed against the metal sheet at the point where a bend is required. A punch is pressed into the metal sheet, which in turn is pressed into the die causing the sheet to bend. Frequently, the press brake machine is configured so that die and the punch are long enough to contact the entire length or width of the sheet.
A press brake machine may be configured so that a forming die mounted on a bed may be “U” or “V” shaped. The die may include a pair of dies or half dies, for example. The distance between the dies may be adjusted so that the bearing areas for the metal part or work piece being formed can be adjusted according to the forming requirements for the work piece.
Features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, appended claims, and the accompanying exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, which are briefly described below.
Various features of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Like numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts and in each of the embodiments of the invention hereafter described.
The press brakes disclosed herein are used to bend or otherwise deform sheet-like work pieces, such as sheet metal work pieces. As shown in
The punch has a downwardly-oriented, work piece-deforming surface (or “tip”) 113. The configuration of this surface is dictated by the shape into which it is desired to deform a work piece 300. The die has a recess, bounded by one or more work piece-deforming surfaces, that is aligned with the tip of the punch. The configuration of this recess corresponds to the configuration of the punch's tip. Thus, when the beams are brought together, a work piece between them is pressed by the punch into the die to give the work piece a desired deformation (e.g., a desired bend).
The lower beam or bed 120 may include a base plate 121 that supports a movable upright or riser 122. The upright 122 may carry an insert 123 positioned to contact the work piece during the bending operation. The upright 122 and insert 123 together form a die member 126 that may be adjustable to meet the requirements of the bending operation. As shown in
The locking mechanism for the uprights is accomplished through engaged or mating rows of projecting members (e.g., teeth shaped projections) located on facing parts. As shown in
Alternatively, as shown in
As shown in
The press brake machine includes a locking and unlocking mechanism for locking and unlocking the die and the base plate. The locking mechanism includes a plurality of locking members (e.g., t-nut member) 130 that engage both the base plate and the dies. See, for example,
As shown in
Movement of the actuator 140 causes a corresponding longitudinal movement (i.e., parallel to the length of the die members 126) of the movable uprights 122 and the locking members 130, which are connected to the uprights 122. As shown in
While unlocked, the lateral position of the die members 126 may be adjusted using a suitable actuator (e.g., a hydraulic actuator, a motor driving a rotating shaft connected to a lead screw, or a rack and pinion and/or including an optional gear box and/or a linkage) or other appropriate mechanism. As a result, the size of the recess 132 formed between the die members 126 may be increased or decreased while the uprights 122 are unlocked.
Although not shown in
For example, as shown in
The inserts 123 may be formed from strength hardened material in order to provide extra heavy load capacities and longer tool life. The inserts 123 can be replaced when needed, preserving the entire tool unit from tool wear. The press brake described herein eliminates the time, energy and storage space required in using and changing large bottom tools. The dies 126 can be adjusted eliminating the need to undertake a complete tool change out. The press brake provides all required sizes of “V” openings (i.e., Vee target, or die V opening) needed in one tool unit. The size of the recess can be as small as 0.5 inches, for example making it a suitable die holder for all standard bottom tools. In addition, the dies may be separated to provide adequate clearance to produce 90 degree bends. For example, larger profiles may be provided allowing for openings beyond 14 in.
The base can either be non crowning (a solid piece of steel) or crowning which is built into the middle cavity of the base. The above described inventive concept may include such an integrated crowning in the base.
The disclosed locking mechanism for the variable die is an improvement over other locking mechanisms. As shown in
The protective cover material (e.g., urethane) needs to be thin and flexible so it can conform to the small space between the two risers when they are closed into their smallest setting. For example,
The concept described above eliminates the need for the mating teeth on the top face of the base and the bottom face of the risers (see,
According to one embodiment disclosed herein a press brake is provided. The press brake includes a movable ram and a support beam, wherein the ram and the support beam are connected to a supporting frame. The support beam includes a base plate for supporting a die. The die includes a pair of movable upright members separated to form a punch receiving recess therebetween. The size of the recess may be adjusted by moving the upright members. The upright members are connected to the base plate by a locking member positioned in a cutout portion of the base plate. The locking member is configured to have horizontally projecting tooth shaped members running vertically that engage corresponding horizontally projecting tooth shaped members running vertically located on the base plate. The locking member moves horizontally to lock and unlock the upright members. When unlocked, the upright members may move to change the width of the punch receiving recess.
As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to any precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described are considered to be within the scope of the invention.
It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).
The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like as used herein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another.
References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” “fore,” “aft,” “inboard,” “outboard,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the figures. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the press brake shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/581,553 filed on Nov. 3, 2017. The foregoing provisional application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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4367644 | Kramer et al. | Jan 1983 | A |
4653307 | Zbornik | Mar 1987 | A |
20180009020 | Grewe | Jan 2018 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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104874682 | Sep 2015 | CN |
106807838 | Jun 2017 | CN |
2674231 | Dec 2013 | EP |
2674231 | Sep 2014 | EP |
2674231 | Sep 2014 | EP |
H0716654 | Jan 1995 | JP |
20100065750 | Jun 2010 | KR |
10-1036007 | May 2011 | KR |
Entry |
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English translate (EP2674231B1), retrieved date Jul. 7, 2020. |
English translate (CN106807838A), retrieved date Aug. 11, 2021. |
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Feb. 14, 2019 issued in related International Application No. PCT/US2018/059257 filed Nov. 5, 2018. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20190134688 A1 | May 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62581553 | Nov 2017 | US |