PRESS APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a press apparatus, for example, to a press apparatus that punches an electromagnetic steel sheet from a workpiece by using a punch and a die of a mold.

BACKGROUND ART

A press apparatus is used to punch an electromagnetic steel sheet composing a motor core from a workpiece. For example, in the press apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1, a punch can be replaced for the upper mold and a die can be replaced for the lower mold. By this configuration, the press apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is adaptable to a change in the shape of an electromagnetic steel sheet by replacing a punch and a die.

CITATION LIST
Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 3188364

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem

The applicant has found the following problem. In the press apparatus disclosed Patent Literature 1, it is required to replace a punch and a die in order to adapt the press apparatus to a change in the shape of an electromagnetic steel sheet. Therefore, it is required to replace a punch and a die each time the shape of an electromagnetic steel sheet is changed, and thus there is a problem that the productivity of the electromagnetic steel sheet is reduced.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-described problem and provides a press apparatus capable of reducing a decrease in the productivity of an electromagnetic steel sheet due to a change in the shape of the electromagnetic steel sheet.

Solution to Problem

A press apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a press apparatus configured to punch an electromagnetic steel sheet from a workpiece by using a punch and a die of a mold, the press apparatus including:

- a first punch configured to punch an electromagnetic steel sheet having a first shape:
- a second punch configured to punch an electromagnetic steel sheet having a second shape; and
- a selection unit configured to integrally operate a first pushing part configured to push the first punch and a second pushing part configured to push the second punch, and select the first pushing part or the second pushing part in order to selectively push one of the first and the second punches.

In the press apparatus described above,

- the selection unit preferably includes a moving part configured to be movable in a first axial direction perpendicular to a direction in which the workpiece is fed and parallel to the workpiece, the first and the second pushing parts being provided in the moving part, and
- the first and the second pushing parts are preferably arranged in a staggered manner in the first axial direction.

In the press apparatus described above, the first and the second pushing parts are preferably projection parts that project from the moving part.

The press apparatus described above preferably includes a punch holder through which the first and the second punches pass, in which the selection unit preferably includes a housing part configured to house an end part of an other of the first and the second punches on a side thereof opposite to a pushing direction in which the selection unit pushes the other of the first and the second punches so that an end part of the other of the first and the second punches on a side thereof in the pushing direction is housed in the punch holder.

The press apparatus described above preferably includes:

- a drive unit configured to operate the selection unit; and
- a control unit configured to control the drive unit so that the first or the second pushing part is selected based on a material rod of the workpiece.

In the press apparatus described above,

- a shape of the first punch is preferably similar to a shape of the second punch, and
- a ratio between a size of the first punch and a size of the second punch is preferably 1 to 1.18.

The press apparatus described above preferably includes:

- a temperature detection unit configured to detect a temperature of the mold:
- a drive unit configured to operate the selection unit; and
- a control unit configured to control the drive unit so that the first or the second pushing part is selected based on a result of the detection by the temperature detection unit.

In the press apparatus described above, pushing sets each composed of the first punch, the second punch, and the selection unit are preferably arranged at intervals in the direction in which the workpiece is fed.

In the press apparatus described above, the die preferably includes a first insertion part into which the first punch is inserted and a second insertion part into which the second punch is inserted.

In the press apparatus described above, the workpiece is preferably an Fe—Co alloy.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a press apparatus capable of reducing a decrease in the productivity of an electromagnetic steel sheet due to a change in the shape of the electromagnetic steel sheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a first mold of a press apparatus according to a first embodiment in a first state as viewed from the Z-axis positive side;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the press apparatus according to the first embodiment taken along a line II-II shown in FIG. 1:

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first mold of the press apparatus according to the first embodiment taken along a line III-III shown in FIG. 1:

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the first mold of the press apparatus according to the first embodiment in a second state as viewed from the Z-axis positive side:

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the press apparatus according to the first embodiment taken along a line V-V shown in FIG. 4:

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first mold of the press apparatus according to the first embodiment taken along a line VI-VI shown in FIG. 4:

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the press apparatus according to the first embodiment:

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the position of a selection unit and the position of a punch when an electromagnetic steel sheet having a first shape is punched from a workpiece by using the press apparatus according to the first embodiment:

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the electromagnetic steel sheet having the first shape is punched from the workpiece by using the press apparatus according to the first embodiment:

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the position of the selection unit and the position of the punch when an electromagnetic steel sheet having a second shape is punched from a workpiece by using the press apparatus according to the first embodiment:

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the electromagnetic steel sheet having the second shape is punched from the workpiece by using the press apparatus according to the first embodiment:

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of a press apparatus according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of a press apparatus according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the shape of an electromagnetic steel sheet punched by a punch in each of a pressing stage, a heat treatment stage, and a completion stage, and the shape of a desired electromagnetic steel sheet in each of the pressing stage, the heat treatment stage, and the completion stage:

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of 10 a press apparatus according to a fourth embodiment; and

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a flow in which an electromagnetic steel sheet is punched from a workpiece by using the press apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Specific embodiments to which the present disclosure is applied will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Further, for the clarification of the description, the following descriptions and the drawings are simplified as appropriate.

First Embodiment

First, a configuration of a press apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. The press apparatus according to this embodiment is suitably used to punch an electromagnetic steel sheet composing a motor core from a sheet-like workpiece. The following description will be given using a three-dimensional (XYZ) coordinate system for the sake of clarity of the description. Note that the workpiece is fed to the Y-axis positive side. That is, a direction in which the workpiece is fed is the Y-axis positive side direction.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a first mold of the press apparatus according to this embodiment in a first state as viewed from the Z-axis positive side. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the press apparatus according to this embodiment taken along a line II-II shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first mold of the press apparatus according to this embodiment taken along a line III-III shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the first mold of the press apparatus according to this embodiment in a second state as viewed from the Z-axis positive side. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the press apparatus according to this embodiment taken along a line V-V shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first mold of the press apparatus according to this embodiment taken along a line VI-VI shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the press apparatus according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, a press apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a mold 2, a first drive unit 3, a second drive unit 4, and a control unit 5. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the mold 2 includes a first mold 6 and a second mold 7. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the first mold 6 includes a punch holder 61, a first punch 62, a second punch 63, and a selection unit 64.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the punch holder 61 includes a penetration part 61a, which penetrates in the Z-axis direction, at a predetermined position in the punch holder 61. For example, in this embodiment, as the penetration part 61a, a first penetration part 61b and a second penetration part 61c are provided as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, for example, a plurality (e.g., two) of the first penetration parts 61b are arranged at intervals in the X-axis direction. Incidentally, in FIGS. 1 and 4, the first penetration part 61b is shown in a simplified manner by a solid-line square.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the second penetration part 61c is disposed so as to be adjacent to the first penetration part 61b in the Y-axis direction. For example, a plurality (e.g., two) of the second penetration parts 61c are arranged at intervals in the X-axis direction.

Incidentally, in FIGS. 1 and 4, the second penetration part 61c is shown in a simplified manner by a solid-line triangle. The plurality of the first penetration parts 61b and the second penetration parts 61c described above form a penetration part group 61d.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a plurality (e.g., three groups) of the penetration part groups 61d are arranged spaced at intervals in the Y-axis direction. For example, in this embodiment, as the penetration part group 61d, a first penetration part group 61e disposed on the Y-axis positive side, a second penetration part group 61f disposed on the Y-axis negative side, and a third penetration part group 61g disposed between the first penetration part group 61e and the second penetration part group 61f in the Y-axis direction are provided. At this time, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the penetration part 61a of the first penetration part group 61e, the penetration part 61a of the second penetration part group 61f, and the penetration part 61a of the third penetration part group 61g may be arranged in a staggered manner in the X-axis direction as viewed from the Z-axis direction.

More specifically, the penetration part 61a of the third penetration part group 61g is disposed so as to be shifted to the X-axis negative side with respect to the penetration part 61a of the first penetration part group 61e. Further, the penetration part 61a of the second penetration part group 61f is disposed so as to be shifted to the X-axis negative side with respect to the penetration part 61a of the third penetration part group 61g.

The first punch 62 is a punch for punching an electromagnetic steel sheet having a first shape from a workpiece. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the first punch 62 is made to pass through the first penetration part 61b of the punch holder 61 and is movable in the Z-axis direction. Incidentally, in FIGS. 1 and 4, the first punch 62 is shown in a simplified manner by a solid-line square.

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the end part of the first punch 62 on the Z-axis negative side protrudes from the end part of the punch holder 61 on the Z-axis negative side in a state in which the end part of the first punch 62 on the Z-axis positive side and the end part of the punch holder 61 on the Z-axis positive side are disposed at substantially the same height.

Note that, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the first punch 62 may include a retaining part 62a in the end part thereof on the Z-axis positive side. The retaining part 62a constrains the movement of the first punch 62 toward the Z-axis negative side while being housed in a housing part 61h formed in the end part of the first penetration part 61b of the punch holder 61 on the Z-axis positive side.

The second punch 63 is a punch for punching an electromagnetic steel sheet having a second shape from a workpiece. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the second punch 63 is made to pass through the second penetration part 61c of the punch holder 61 and is movable in the Z-axis direction. Incidentally, in FIGS. 1 and 4, the second punch 63 is shown in a simplified manner by a solid-line triangle.

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the end part of the second punch 63 on the Z-axis negative side protrudes from the end part of the punch holder 61 on the Z-axis negative side in a state in which the end part of the second punch 63 on the Z-axis positive side and the end part of the punch holder 61 on the Z-axis positive side are disposed at substantially the same height.

Note that, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the second punch 63 may include a retaining part 63a in the end part thereof on the Z-axis positive side. The retaining part 63a constrains the movement of the second punch 63 toward the Z-axis negative side while being housed in a housing part 61i formed in the end part of the second penetration part 61c of the punch holder 61 on the Z-axis positive side.

The selection unit 64 integrally operates the first punch 62 and the second punch 63 adjacent to each other. Further, the selection unit 64 operates in order to bring the first punch and the second punch into a state in which either the first punch or the second punch can be selectively pushed. Note that a pushing direction in which the selection unit 64 pushes the first punch 62 or the second punch 63 is the Z-axis negative side direction.

For example, in this embodiment, as the selection unit 64, a first selection unit 64a disposed on the Y-axis positive side, a second selection unit 64b disposed on the Y-axis negative side, and a third selection unit 64c disposed between the first selection unit 64a and the second selection unit 64b in the Y-axis direction are provided as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

The first selection unit 64a brings the first punch 62 and the second punch 63 inserted into the penetration part 61a of the first penetration part group 61e into a state in which either the first punch 62 or the second punch 63 can be selectively pushed. The second selection unit 64b brings the first punch 62 and the second punch 63 inserted into the penetration part 61a of the second penetration part group 61f into a state in which either the first punch 62 or the second punch 63 can be selectively pushed. The third selection unit 64c brings the first punch 62 and the second punch 63 inserted into the penetration part 61a of the third penetration part group 61g into a state in which either the first punch 62 or the second punch 63 can be selectively pushed.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the first selection unit 64a is disposed on the Z-axis positive side with respect to the first penetration part group 61e of the punch holder 61 and is movable in the X-axis direction (a first axial direction). The first selection unit 64a includes a moving part 64d, a first pushing part 64e, a second pushing part 64f, a first housing part 64g, and a second housing part 64h.

Note that, in FIGS. 1 and 4, each of the first pushing part 64e and the second pushing part 64f is shown by an alternate-long-and-short-dashed-line rectangle, while each of the first housing part 64g and the second housing part 64h is shown by an alternate-long-and-two-short-dashes-line rectangle. Further, in FIGS. 1 and 4, the first pushing part 64e, the second pushing part 64f, the first housing part 64g, and the second housing part 64h are shown in a simplified manner.

The moving part 64d has, for example, a plate body substantially parallel to the XY plane. The first pushing part 64e is, for example, a projection part that projects from the moving part 64d toward the Z-axis negative side as shown in FIG. 2. The first pushing part 64e, for example, is disposed on the Z-axis positive side with respect to the first punch 62 in a first state in which the first selection unit 64a is disposed on the most X-axis positive side as shown in FIG. 1. At this time, in the first state, the end part of the first pushing part 64e on the Z-axis negative side substantially comes into contact with the end part of the first punch 62 on the Z-axis positive side.

The second pushing part 64f is, for example, a projection part that projects from the moving part 64d toward the Z-axis negative side as shown in FIG. 5. The second pushing part 64f is, for example, disposed on the Z-axis positive side with respect to the second punch 63 in a second state in which the first selection unit 64a is disposed on the most X-axis negative side as shown in FIG. 4. At this time, in the second state, the end part of the second pushing part 64f on the Z-axis negative side substantially comes into contact with the end part of the second punch 63 on the Z-axis positive side.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the first pushing part 64e and the second pushing part 64f described above are arranged in a staggered manner in the X-axis direction, and for example, the second pushing part 64f is disposed so as to be shifted to the X-axis positive side with respect to the first pushing part 64e.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the first housing part 64g, for example, is disposed on the X-axis positive side with respect to the first pushing part 64e, and is disposed on the Z-axis positive side with respect to the first punch 62 in the second state. As shown in FIG. 5, the first housing part 64g is recessed in the Z-axis positive side direction with respect to the end part of the first pushing part 64e on the Z-axis negative side.

The first housing part 64g has such a shape that it can house the end part of the first punch 62 on the Z-axis positive side when the first punch 62 is moved to a position on the Z-axis positive side where the end part of the first punch 62 on the Z-axis negative side does not project from the end part of the punch holder 61 on the Z-axis negative side.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the second housing part 64h, for example, is disposed on the X-axis negative side with respect to the second pushing part 64f, and is disposed on the Z-axis positive side with respect to the second punch 63 in the first state. As shown in FIG. 2, the second housing part 64h is recessed toward the Z-axis positive side with respect to the end part of the second pushing part 64f on the Z-axis negative side.

The second housing part 64h has such a shape that it can house the end part of the second punch 63 on the Z-axis positive side when the second punch 63 is moved to a position on the Z-axis positive side where the end part of the second punch 63 on the Z-axis negative side does not project from the end part of the punch holder 61 on the Z-axis negative side.

A structure of the second selection unit 64b is substantially the same as that of the first selection unit 64a. That is, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 6, the second selection unit 64b includes the moving part 64d, the first pushing part 64e, the second pushing part 64f, the first housing part 64g, and the second housing part 64h.

Therefore, redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. In the second selection unit 64b, the first pushing part 64e, the second pushing part 64f, the first housing part 64g, and the second housing part 64h are arranged so as to correspond to the position of each of the first punch 62 and the second punch 63 inserted into the penetration part 61a of the second penetration part group 61f. Note that, in FIG. 6, in order to clarify the shape of the first pushing part 64e and the shape of the first housing part 64g, they are partially transparent.

The third selection unit 64c is substantially the same as that of the first selection unit 64a. That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the third selection unit 64c includes the moving part 64d, the first pushing part 64e, the second pushing part 64f, the first housing part 64g, and the second housing part 64h.

Therefore, redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. In the third selection unit 64c, the first pushing part 64e, the second pushing part 64f, the first housing part 64g, and the second housing part 64h are arranged so as to correspond to the position of each of the first punch 62 and the second punch 63 inserted into the penetration part 61a of the third penetration part group 61g.

The above-described first selection unit 64a and the first and the second punches 62 and 63 inserted into the penetration part 61a of the penetration part group 61e covered by the first selection unit 64a compose a pushing set, the above-described second selection unit 64b and the first and the second punches 62 and 63 inserted into the penetration part 61a of the penetration part group 61f covered by the second selection unit 64b compose a pushing set, and the above-described third selection unit 64c and the first and the second punches 62 and 63 inserted into the penetration part 61a of the penetration part group 61g covered by the third selection unit 64c compose a pushing set. Therefore, in this embodiment, the pushing sets are arranged at intervals in the Y-axis direction.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the second mold 7 is disposed on the Z-axis negative side with respect to the first mold 6. The second mold 7 is a so-called die, and an insertion part 7a is formed at a position in the second mold 7 corresponding to the penetration part 61a of the first mold 6.

For example, in this embodiment, as the penetration part 61a, a first insertion part 7b into which the first punch 62 is inserted, and a second insertion part 7c into which the second punch 63 is inserted are provided as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.

At this time, the first insertion part 7b may correspond to the XY plane shape of the end part of the first punch 62 on the Z-axis negative side, while the second insertion part 7c may correspond to the XY plane shape of the end part of the second punch 63 on the Z-axis negative side.

The first drive unit 3 moves the first mold 6 and the second mold 7 relatively in the Z-axis direction. For example, the first drive unit 3 according to this embodiment moves the first mold 6 in the Z-axis direction. The second drive unit 4 moves the first selection unit 64a, the second selection unit 64b, and the third selection unit 64c in the X-axis direction. The control unit 5 controls the first drive unit 3 and the second drive unit 4.

Next, a flow in which an electromagnetic steel sheet is punched from a workpiece by using the press apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described. First, a flow in which an electromagnetic steel sheet having the first shape is punched from a workpiece will be described. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the position of the selection unit and the position of the punch when an electromagnetic steel sheet having the first shape is punched from a workpiece by using the press apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the electromagnetic steel sheet having the first shape is punched from the workpiece by using the press apparatus according to this embodiment.

The control unit 5 controls the second drive unit 4 so that the first selection unit 64a, the second selection unit 64b, and the third selection unit 64c are arranged at their respective positions in the first state as shown in FIG. 8. At this time, the first pushing part 64e of each of the first selection unit 64a, the second selection unit 64b, and the third selection unit 64c is arranged on the Z-axis positive side with respect to the first punch 62. Further, the second housing part 64h of each of the first selection unit 64a, the second selection unit 64b, and the third selection unit 64c is arranged on the Z-axis positive side with respect to the second punch 63.

Next, the control unit 5 controls the first drive unit 3 so as to move the first mold 6 to the Z-axis negative side. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the first pushing part 64e of each of the first selection unit 64a, the second selection unit 64b, and the third selection unit 64c is arranged on the Z-axis positive side with respect to the first punch 62.

Therefore, when the end part of the first punch 62 on the Z-axis negative side comes into contact with a workpiece 10 and is pushed toward the Z-axis positive side, the end part of the first punch 62 on the Z-axis positive side comes into contact with the first pushing part 64e of each of the selection units 64a, 64b, and 64c.

In this way, the movement of the first punch 62 on the Z-axis positive side is constrained, and the end part of the first punch 62 on the Z-axis negative side punches the workpiece 10. As a result, an electromagnetic steel sheet 11 having the first shape can be punched from the workpiece 10.

Meanwhile, the second housing part 64h of each of the first selection unit 64a, the second selection unit 64b, and the third selection unit 64c is arranged on the Z-axis positive side with respect to the second punch 63. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, when the end part of the second punch 63 on the Z-axis negative side comes into contact with the workpiece 10 and is pushed toward the Z-axis positive side, the end part of the second punch 63 on the Z-axis positive side is housed in the second housing part 64h and the second punch 63 is moved toward the Z-axis positive side, and hence the end part of the second punch 63 on the Z-axis negative side is substantially housed in the punch holder 61. Thus, in the first state, the second punch 63 does not punch the workpiece 10.

Next, a flow in which an electromagnetic steel sheet having the second shape is punched from a workpiece will be described. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the position of the selection unit and the position of the punch when an electromagnetic steel sheet having the second shape is punched from a workpiece by using the press apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the electromagnetic steel sheet having the second shape is punched from the workpiece by using the press apparatus according to this embodiment.

The control unit 5 controls the second drive unit 4 so that the first selection unit 64a, the second selection unit 64b, and the third selection unit 64c are arranged at their respective positions in the second state as shown in FIG. 10. At this time, the second pushing part 64f of each of the first selection unit 64a, the second selection unit 64b, and the third selection unit 64c is arranged on the Z-axis positive side with respect to the second punch 63. Further, the first housing part 64g of each of the first selection unit 64a, the second selection unit 64b, and the third selection unit 64c is arranged on the Z-axis positive side with respect to the first punch 62.

Next, the control unit 5 controls the first drive unit 3 so as to move the first mold 6 to the Z-axis negative side. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the second pushing part 64f of each of the first selection unit 64a, the second selection unit 64b, and the third selection unit 64c is arranged on the Z-axis positive side with respect to the second punch 63.

Therefore, when the end part of the second punch 63 on the Z-axis negative side comes into contact with the workpiece 10 and is pushed toward the Z-axis positive side, the end part of the second punch 63 on the Z-axis positive side comes into contact with the second pushing part 64f of each of the selection units 64a, 64b, and 64c.

In this way, the movement of the second punch 63 on the Z-axis positive side is constrained, and the end part of the second punch 63 on the Z-axis negative side punches the workpiece 10. As a result, an electromagnetic steel sheet 12 having the second shape can be punched from the workpiece 10.

Meanwhile, the first housing part 64g of each of the first selection unit 64a, the second selection unit 64b, and the third selection unit 64c is arranged on the Z-axis positive side with respect to the first punch 62. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, when the end part of the first punch 62 on the Z-axis negative side comes into contact with the workpiece 10 and is pushed toward the Z-axis positive side, the end part of the first punch 62 on the Z-axis positive side is housed in the first housing part 64g and the first punch 62 is moved toward the Z-axis positive side, and hence the end part of the first punch 62 on the Z-axis negative side is substantially housed in the punch holder 61. Thus, in the second state, the first punch 62 does not punch the workpiece 10.

As described above, the press apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is configured to integrally operate the first pushing part 64e that pushes the first punch 62 and the second pushing part 64f that pushes the second punch 63 and selectively push either the first punch 62 or the second punch 63, to thereby punch the electromagnetic steel sheet 11 having the first shape or the electromagnetic steel sheet 12 having the second shape from the workpiece 10.

Therefore, when the shape of the electromagnetic steel sheet is changed from the first shape to the second shape or from the second shape to the first shape, there is no need to replace the punch or the die and thus a decrease in the productivity of the electromagnetic steel sheet can be reduced as compared with a case in which the press apparatus according to Patent Literature 1 is used.

Moreover, in the press apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, the shape of the electromagnetic steel sheet can be changed from the first shape to the second shape or from the second shape to the first shape simply by moving the first selection unit 64a, the second selection unit 64b, and the third selection unit 64c in the X-axis direction and performing switching between the first state and the second state. Therefore, the configuration of the press apparatus 1 can be prevented from being complicated.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of a press apparatus according to this embodiment. The configuration of a press apparatus 101 according to this embodiment is substantially similar to that of the press apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, and thus descriptions of the former embodiment which are redundant in view of the descriptions of the latter one will be omitted and elements of the press apparatus 101 the same as those of the press apparatus 1 will be referred to by reference symbols the same as those by which such same elements of the press apparatus 1 are referred to.

As shown in FIG. 12, the press apparatus 101 according to this embodiment includes, instead of the second drive unit 4 according to the first embodiment, a third drive unit 102 that moves the first selection unit 64a, a fourth drive unit 103 that moves the second selection unit 64b, and a fifth drive unit 104 that moves the third selection unit 64c.

By the above configuration, for example, the first selection unit 64a, the second selection unit 64b, and the third selection unit 64c can be moved individually, and electromagnetic steel sheets having different shapes can be simultaneously punched via the respective selection units 64a, 64b, and 64c.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of a press apparatus according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the configuration of a press apparatus 201 according to this embodiment is substantially similar to that of the press apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, and thus descriptions of the former embodiment which are redundant in view of the descriptions of the latter one will be omitted and elements of the press apparatus 201 the same as those of the press apparatus 1 will be referred to by reference symbols the same as those by which such same elements of the press apparatus 1 are referred to.

When a workpiece is an Fe—Co alloy, heat treatment may be applied to an electromagnetic steel sheet that has been punched in order to develop magnetization. In this case, the shape of the electromagnetic steel sheet punched after the heat treatment is changed since the material structure is transformed.

At this time, the dimensional change rate varies for each material rod of the workpiece due to a plurality of factors, such as a component ratio of the material and variations in the particle sizes thereof. Therefore, for example, in the press apparatus 201 according to this embodiment, the first punch 62 is used to punch an electromagnetic steel sheet from a workpiece having a small dimensional change rate after heat treatment, which dimensional change rate is a material characteristic of a first material rod, while the second punch 63 is used to punch an electromagnetic steel sheet from a workpiece having a large dimensional change rate after heat treatment, which dimensional change rate is a material characteristic of a second material rod.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the shape of an electromagnetic steel sheet punched by a punch in each of a pressing (punching) stage, a heat treatment stage, and a completion stage and the shape of a desired electromagnetic steel sheet in each of the pressing stage, the heat treatment stage, and the completion stage, FIG. 14 showing a case of the first material rod in the upper row and a case of the second material rod in the lower row. Note that, in FIG. 14, the shape of the punched electromagnetic steel sheet is shown by a broken line, while the shape of the desired electromagnetic steel sheet is shown by a solid line.

As shown in FIG. 14, the first punch 62 has such a shape that it can punch an electromagnetic steel sheet from a workpiece of the first material rod so that the punched electromagnetic steel sheet has a desired shape after heat treatment.

As shown in FIG. 14, the second punch 63 has such a shape that it can punch an electromagnetic steel sheet from a workpiece of the second material rod so that the punched electromagnetic steel sheet has a desired shape after heat treatment.

At this time, the XY plane shape of the end part of the first punch 62 on the Z-axis negative side is similar to the XY plane shape of the end part of the second punch 63 on the Z-axis negative side. Further, the dimensional change rate of the material characteristic of the first material rod after heat treatment is smaller than that of the material characteristic of the second material rod after heat treatment. Thus, for example, the size of the XY plane shape of the end part of the first punch 62 on the Z-axis negative side is greater than that of the XY plane shape of the end part of the second punch 63 on the Z-axis negative side.

When a workpiece is an Fe—Co alloy, the dimensional change rate of the workpiece is 0.02% to 0.20%. Therefore, for example, a ratio between the size of the XY plane shape of the end part of the first punch 62 on the Z-axis negative side and the size of the XY plane shape of the end part of the second punch 63 on the Z-axis negative side may be 1 to 1.18.

In the press apparatus 201 including the first punch 62 and the second punch 63 described above, a control unit 202 acquires information indicating whether a workpiece that punches an electromagnetic steel sheet is a workpiece of the first material rod or a workpiece of the second material rod, and controls the second drive unit 4 based on the acquired information.

That is, when an electromagnetic steel sheet is punched from a workpiece of the first material rod, the control unit 202 controls the second drive unit 4 so as to cause the first punch 62 punch the electromagnetic steel sheet and operate the first selection unit 64a, the second selection unit 64b, and the third selection unit 64c. By doing so, as shown in the pressing stage->heat treatment stage->completion stage in the upper row of FIG. 14, the shape of the electromagnetic steel sheet punched by the first punch 62 can be formed into a desired shape after heat treatment.

Meanwhile, when an electromagnetic steel sheet is punched from a workpiece of the second material rod, the control unit 202 controls the second drive unit 4 so as to cause the second punch 63 punch the electromagnetic steel sheet and operate the first selection unit 64a, the second selection unit 64b, and the third selection unit 64c. By doing so, as shown in the pressing stage->heat treatment stage->completion stage in the lower row of FIG. 14, the shape of the electromagnetic steel sheet punched by the second punch 63 can be formed into a desired shape after heat treatment.

When an electromagnetic steel sheet is punched by selecting a punch to be used for each material rod in this way, the electromagnetic steel sheet that can be formed into a desired shape after heat treatment can be obtained. Therefore, the press apparatus 201 according to this embodiment has high productivity of an electromagnetic steel sheet, and can form an electromagnetic steel sheet into a desired shape with high accuracy.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of a press apparatus according to this embodiment. The configuration of a press apparatus 301 according to this embodiment is substantially similar to that of the press apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, and thus descriptions of the former embodiment which are redundant in view of the descriptions of the latter one will be omitted and elements of the press apparatus 301 the same as those of the press apparatus 1 will be referred to by reference symbols the same as those by which such same elements of the press apparatus 1 are referred to.

As shown in FIG. 15, the press apparatus 301 according to this embodiment differs from the press apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a temperature detection unit 302. For example, the temperature detection unit 302 is provided in the first mold 6 or the second mold 7 so that it can detect the temperature in the vicinity of a processing part where an electromagnetic steel sheet is punched from a workpiece in the mold 2.

At this time, for example, the XY plane shape of the end part of the first punch 62 on the Z-axis negative side is similar to the XY plane shape of the end part of the second punch 63 on the Z-axis negative side, and the size of the XY plane shape of the end part of the first punch 62 on the Z-axis negative side is greater than the size of the XY plane shape of the end part of the second punch 63 on the Z-axis negative side.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a flow in which an electromagnetic steel sheet is punched from a workpiece by using the press apparatus according to this embodiment. First, the temperature detection unit 302 detects the temperature of the mold 2 (S1). Then, the control unit 303 determines whether the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 302 is less than or equal to a preset threshold (S2).

When the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 302 is less than or equal to a preset threshold (YES in S2), the control unit 303 controls the second drive unit 4 so as to cause the first punch 62 punch the electromagnetic steel sheet and operate the first selection unit 64a, the second selection unit 64b, and the third selection unit 64c (S3).

When the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 302 is higher than a preset threshold (NO in S2), the control unit 303 controls the second drive unit 4 so as to cause the second punch 63 punch the electromagnetic steel sheet and operate the first selection unit 64a, the second selection unit 64b, and the third selection unit 64c (S4).

By selecting the first punch 62 or the second punch 63 based on the temperature of the mold 2 detected by the temperature detection unit 302 as described above, the shape error of the punched electrical steel sheet caused by a thermal deformation of the mold 2 can be easily prevented from occurring. Therefore, the press apparatus 301 according to this embodiment has high productivity of an electromagnetic steel sheet, and can form an electromagnetic steel sheet into a desired shape with high accuracy.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and may be changed as appropriate without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

For example, although the selection unit 64 according to the above embodiments includes the first pushing part 64e, the second pushing part 64f, the first housing part 64g, and the second housing part 64h, the components included in the selection unit 64 can be changed as appropriate in accordance with the number of punches. Further, the direction in which the selection unit 64 moves is one example, and the position of the pushing part and the position of the housing part can be changed as appropriate in accordance with the direction in which the selection unit 64 moves.

For example, the shape of the selection unit 64 according to the above embodiments is one example, and the structure of the selection unit 64 may be any structure in which at least the first pushing part that pushes the first punch and the second pushing part that pushes the second punch are integrally operated so that either the first punch or the second punch can be selectively pushed.

For example, the number of pushing sets according to the above embodiments is one example, and at least one pushing set may be provided.

For example, the position or the like of the punch according to the above embodiments is one example, and the punches of adjacent pushing sets do not necessarily have to be arranged in a staggered manner. Further, the first punch 62 and the second punch 63 of each pushing set may be arranged in a staggered manner. In short, the first mold 6 may include at least the first punch 62 for punching an electromagnetic steel sheet having the first shape and the second punch 63 for punching an electromagnetic steel sheet having the second shape.

For example, the press apparatus according to the above embodiments includes the second drive unit and the like. However, the press apparatus according to the above embodiments may be configured so that the selection unit 64 is moved manually.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese patent application No. 2021-213068, filed on Dec. 27, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

- 1 PRESS APPARATUS
- 2 MOLD
- 3 FIRST DRIVE UNIT
- 4 SECOND DRIVE UNIT
- 5 CONTROL UNIT
- 6 FIRST MOLD
- 61 PUNCH HOLDER
- 61
  a PENETRATION PART, 61b FIRST PENETRATION PART, 61c
- SECOND PENETRATION PART
- 61
  d PENETRATION PART GROUP, 61e FIRST PENETRATION PART
- GROUP, 61f SECOND PENETRATION PART GROUP, 61g THIRD
- PENETRATION PART GROUP
- 61
  h FIRST HOUSING PART
- 61
  i SECOND HOUSING PART
- 62 FIRST PUNCH, 62a RETAINING PART
- 63 SECOND PUNCH, 63a RETAINING PART
- 64 SELECTION UNIT, 64a FIRST SELECTION UNIT, 64b
- SECOND SELECTION UNIT, 64c THIRD SELECTION UNIT
- 64
  d MOVING PART
- 64
  e FIRST PUSHING PART
- 64
  f SECOND PUSHING PART
- 64
  g FIRST HOUSING PART
- 64
  h SECOND HOUSING PART
- 7 SECOND MOLD
- 7
  a INSERTION PART, 7b FIRST INSERTION PART, 7c SECOND INSERTION PART
- 10 WORKPIECE
- 11 ELECTROMAGNETIC STEEL SHEET HAVING FIRST SHAPE
- 12 ELECTROMAGNETIC STEEL SHEET HAVING SECOND SHAPE
- 10: PRESS APPARATUS
- 102 THIRD DRIVE UNIT
- 103 FOURTH DRIVE UNIT
- 104 FIFTH DRIVE UNIT
- 201 PRESS APPARATUS
- 202 CONTROL UNIT
- 301 PRESS APPARATUS
- 302 TEMPERATURE DETECTION UNIT
- 303 CONTROL UNIT

PRESS APPARATUS

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