The present invention relates to tools for processing plate-like workpieces, and more specifically to tools having multiple tool parts that can be moved toward one another for processing a workpiece arranged between the multiple tool parts.
WO 0243892 A2 provides a tool for forming slots in metal sheets. The tool comprises an upper tool part with a rectangular punch and a lower tool part with a opening adapted to the cross section of the punch. The punch has a cutting edge as a processing device. The cutting edge is inclined on the longitudinal sides of the punch relative to the plane of the metal sheet and on a transverse side of the punch perpendicular to the longitudinal sides. Two counter cutting edges are provided as counter devices on the opening which are arranged respectively on a transverse side and on the longitudinal sides of the opening. At the beginning of the slotting process a strip is cut out which is still joined onto the metal sheet on one side, in that the cutting edge on the punch works together with a counter cutting edge on the opening. During the following slotting process the strip also remains joined to the metal sheet on one side. To cut the strip free, the punch is rotated relative to the opening by 180°. Now the cutting edge on the punch already used at the beginning works together with the second counter cutting edge on the opening. The processing of the workpiece is performed with identical processing parameters for the initial cut stroke and the severing stroke.
In a first aspect, the present invention features tools for processing plate-like workpieces. The tools include a first tool part and a second tool part, which can be moved towards one another in a direction of travel for processing a workpiece between the first and second tool parts, at least one processing device provided on the first tool part, and at least two counter devices provided on the second tool part. The at least one processing device and the at least two counter devices are rotatable relative to one another about at least one positioning axis, and the at least two counter devices are aligned relative to one another along a direction of relative rotational movement of the at least one processing device and the at least two counter devices. The at least one processing device and a first counter device of the at least two counter devices are allocated to one another by at least a first defined processing parameter, and the at least one processing device and a second counter device of the at least two counter devices are allocated to one another by at least a second defined processing parameter. The first processing parameter is different than the second processing parameter.
In some embodiments, at least one of the first tool part and the second tool part can rotate about a tool rotation axis, the tool rotation axis forming a positioning axis, about which the at least one processing device and the at least two counter devices can be rotated relative to one another.
In some aspects, the at least two counter devices of the second tool part are aligned relative to one another along a circular path about a positioning axis at a distance from the positioning axis, which can be adjusted to a distance of the at least one processing device from the positioning axis.
In certain embodiments, the at least one processing device includes a cutting edge, and at least two counter cutting edges are provided as counter devices on the second tool part.
In some aspects, the at least one processing device includes a cutting edge, and at least two portions of a single counter cutting edge are provided on the second tool part.
In some embodiments, a width of a cutting gap between a cutting edge of the at least one processing device and a counter cutting edge of at least one of the at least two counter devices can vary by allocating a cutting edge to different counter cutting edges as processing parameters.
In certain embodiments, a cutting contour produced by means of a cutting edge of the at least one processing device can vary by allocating the cutting edge to different counter cutting edges as processing parameters.
In some embodiments, the at least one processing device includes a pressure surface, and the at least two counter devices include embossing contours, and an embossed shape produced by interaction of the pressure surface and an allocated embossing contour can vary by allocating the pressure surface to different embossing contours as processing parameters.
In some aspects, the at least one processing device includes a bearing surface, the at least two counter devices include forming surfaces, and a shape produced by interaction of the bearing surface and an allocated forming surface can vary by allocating the bearing surface to different forming surfaces as processing parameters.
In certain embodiments, at least two processing devices are provided on the first tool part, and can be allocated respectively to the at least two counter devices of the second tool part.
In some aspects, at least two processing devices are provided on the first tool part, an activating device being provided for activating the at least one processing device to a functional state. In the functional state, the at least one processing device can project towards the workpiece relative to another processing device during tool processing in the direction of travel.
In some embodiments, at least two processing devices are provided on the first tool part, which can be allocated to a common counter device on the second tool part.
In certain aspects, a support is provided on a base of the first tool part, the support including the at least one processing device, and being rotatably mounted about a support axis.
In some embodiments, a support is provided on a base of the second tool part, the support including at least one counter device, and being rotatably mounted about a support axis.
In further embodiments, at least one support axis forms a positioning axis, about which the at least one processing device and the at least two counter devices can be rotated relative to one another.
In some aspects, the at least one processing device is provided on a tool insert, which is arranged on at least one of a base and a support that is rotatable relative to the base.
In further aspects, at least one counter device is provided on a tool insert, which is arranged on at least one of a base and a support that is rotatable relative to the base.
In still other embodiments, a processing parameter can be defined for preparative processing of a workpiece portion by allocating the at least one processing device to a counter device, and a processing parameter for subsequent processing of the workpiece portion can be defined by allocating the at least one processing device to a different counter device.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
The invention is explained in more detail in the following with reference to schematic drawings provided by way of example.
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
The tools 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, and 1h shown in
The upper tool 2 of all shown tools 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, and 1h comprises a base 6 with a shaft 7 and an adjusting wedge 8. The shaft 7 is used for securing the upper tool 2 in the machine-side upper tool mounting. In this case the rotational position of the upper tool 2 is determined in relation to the machine-side tool mounting by the adjusting wedge 8. The lower tool 3 has a base 9, which is suitable for being secured in the machine-side lower tool mounting in a defined rotational position.
On the main body 9 of the lower tool 3 a cutting plate 12a is provided. On the cutting plate 12a along a circular path 13 in the direction of the rotational movement about the tool rotation axis 5 five openings are arranged in succession, which are denoted as a whole by the reference number “14”. Each of the openings 14 is delimited by a circular counter cutting edge functioning as a counter device. The counter cutting edges are denoted as a whole by the number “15”. Both the cutting edge 11 and the counter cutting edges 15 are arranged to be off-center relative to the tool rotation axis 5. The distance of the cutting edge 11 and the distance of the counter cutting edges 15 from the tool rotation axis 5 are adjusted to one another.
On punching a hole with the tool 1a the cutting edge 11 on the upper tool 2 is moved past one of the counter cutting edges 15 of the lower tool 3 in the direction of travel 4. So that the cutting edge 11 can descend into the circular openings 14 in the direction of travel 4 the diameters of the counter cutting edges 15 are larger than the diameter of the cutting edge 11.
In addition, the diameters of the counter cutting edges 15 are different from one another. Depending on which of the counter cutting edges 15 the cutting edge 11 is allocated to, the width of the cutting gap between the cutting edge 11 and the respective counter cutting edge 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, and 15.5 is defined to be different. For example, the cutting edge 11 on the hole punch 10 has a diameter of 6.0 millimeters and a circular counter cutting edge 15.1 on an opening 14.1 has a diameter of 6.1 millimeters. The diameters of additional counter cutting edges 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, and 15.5 are 6.2 millimeters, 6.3 millimeters, 6.4 millimeters, and 6.5 millimeters. Thus by means of the interaction of the punch-side cutting edge 11 with the counter cutting edge 15.1 a width of the cutting gap is defined as 0.1 millimeters, by the interaction of the cutting edge 11 with the counter cutting edge 15.2 a width of the cutting gap is defined as 0.2 millimeters etc.
The width of the cutting gap influences to a great extent the quality of the result of processing. In this way the width of the cutting gap is changed for example depending on the thickness of the metal sheet to be processed. In the aforementioned case by means of the interaction of the cutting edge 11 with the counter cutting edge 15.1 a metal sheet can be processed with a thickness of 1.0 millimeters, whereas by combining the cutting edge 11 with the counter cutting edge 15.2 a metal sheet with a thickness of 1.5 millimeters can be punched with comparable cut quality. Generally, with one and the same tool metal sheets of varying thicknesses can be processed with uniform quality.
The cutting edge 11 can be allocated to one of the counter cutting edges 15 in a simple manner by a relative rotational movement of the cutting edge 11 on the one hand and the counter cutting edges 15 on the other hand. The positioning axis about which the cutting edge 11 and the counter cutting edges 15 can be rotated relative to one another is in this case formed by the common tool rotation axis 5. The upper tool 2 can be rotated alone about the tool rotation axis 5 relative to the lower tool 3 and the lower tool 3 can be rotated alone relative to the upper tool 2. However, a change in the allocation can be achieved by superimposing rotational movements of the two tool parts about the tool rotation axis 5.
In the left part of
On a cutting plate 12b of the lower tool 3 two rectangular openings 14 are provided. The larger of the openings 14 is only delimited on one side by a counter cutting edge 15.1 acting as a counter device, whereas the smaller of the openings 14 is surrounded by a rectangular counter cutting edge 15.2 acting as an additional counter device. The counter cutting edges are denoted as a whole by the reference number “15”.
The cutting edge 11 on the rectangular punch 16 of the upper tool 2 can, as shown in the left part of
If the tool 1b is located in the position shown in the left part of
In the conditions according to the right part of
The processing device is formed in the case of tool 1b by the rectangular cutting edge 11. Depending on the relative rotational position of the tool parts of tool 1b the cutting edge 11 is allocated as a counter device to the counter cutting edge 15.1 or the counter cutting edge 15.2. As a processing parameter the cutting contour produced by means of the cutting edge 11 can be defined differently.
It is also possible with tool 1b to eject relatively large workpieces, punched out of the composite metal sheet, through the larger of the openings 14 from tool 1b. If a freely punched workpiece, once it has been cut by the tool 1b from the composite metal sheet, lies completely over the larger of the openings 14, it can pass down through the latter, provided it is the appropriate size. Alternatively, the freely punched tool can also be cut out of the composite metal sheet aligned relative to the lower tool 3, so that it does not lie over the larger of the openings 14.
As a function of the relative rotational position of the upper tool 2 and lower tool 3 about the tool rotation axis 5 the cutting edge 11 is allocated to one of the four counter cutting edges 15.
In
Both tools 1d, 1e have rotating cutting edges 11 on several punch inserts 18 as processing devices. For processing the workpiece only one of the punch inserts 18 is ever moved into a functional position. The respective punch insert is activated by means of an activating device of known design integrated into the upper tool 2. Depending on the relative rotational position of an activating element 19 relative to the base 6 of the upper tool 2 supporting the punch inserts 18, one of the punch inserts 18 protrudes relative to one or the other in the direction of travel 4.
To change its rotational position relative to the base 6 the activating element 19 on the external circumference comprises a toothing 20. A machine-side pinion engaging in the toothing 20, which is not shown for reasons of simplicity, enables on rotation of the base 6 about the tool rotation axis 5 either a rotation of the activating element 19 at the same time as the base 6 or obstructs the activating element 19 in a joint rotary movement with the base 6. If the activating element 19 is obstructed in a rotary movement with the base 6, the rotation of the base 6 causes a rotation of the base 6 relative to the activating element 19. The rotation angle is selected so that the desired punch insert is activated.
The tool id according to
The punch inserts 18 of the upper tool 2 and thereby the cutting edges 111 arranged on the punch inserts 18 can be activated individually by means of the activating device for processing the workpiece. An activated punch insert, i.e. located in a functional position, can be allocated each of the die inserts 22 by rotation of the upper tool 2 and the lower tool 3 relative to one another about the tool rotation axis 5. Thus even with tool 1d the tool rotation axis 5 forms a positioning axis, about which the cutting edges 11 and the counter cutting edges 15 can be rotated relative to one another.
With ten different punch inserts 18 and ten different die inserts 22, as shown in
The tool 1e, also in the form of a “multitool,” is shown in
The two punch inserts 18 and the cutting edges 11 arranged thereon are arranged off-centre relative to the tool rotation axis 5, but are a different distance from the tool rotation axis 5.
Also the cutting edges 11 and the allocatable counter cutting edges 15 on the tool 1e are configured so that by allocating the cutting edges 11 to different counter cutting edges 15 the width of the cutting gap is defined differently as a processing parameter.
In contrast to the tools 1d, 1e the processing device, a pressure surface 28 provided on a pressure element 27 is not attached directly onto the base 6 of the upper tool 2 but onto the support 26 that is rotatable relative to the base 6. With a rotation of the base 6 about the tool rotation axis 5 the machine-side pinion either permits a rotation of the support 26 at the same time as the base 6 or prevents the support 26 from making a common rotational movement with the base 6. In this way the pressure surface 28 also rotates either with the base 6 or the base 6 performs a rotational movement relative to the pressure surface 28. Upon a rotational movement of the base 6 relative to the pressure surface 28 forming a processing device a relative rotational movement of the processing device is performed on the upper tool 2 relative to the counter devices on the lower tool 3, in that the lower tool 3 is rotated by means of the machine-side rotary drive of the lower tool 3 to the same extent as the base 6 of the upper tool 2. The lower tool 3 together with the counter devices provided thereon thus performs a rotational movement relative to the standing support 26 and the processing device provided on the support 26. Advantageously, to produce the relative rotational movement of the processing device and counter devices it is not necessary for the upper tool 2 and the lower tool 3 to perform independent rotational movements. It may be sufficient for both tool parts to be rotated only simultaneously about the tool rotation axis 5. In this way it is easier to control the rotary drives of the tool parts.
As shown in
Between the embossing inserts 29 brush inserts 32 are provided, the brushes of which project over the embossing contours 31 in the direction of travel 4. The brush inserts 32 are used as a resilient tool bearing for the metal sheet to be processed.
Depending on the relative rotational position of the pressure surface 28 and the embossing contours 31 about the support axis 25 or the workpiece rotational axis 5 coinciding with the support axis 25 the pressure surface 28 is allocated to one of the embossed contours 31.
To process a workpiece the upper tool 2 and the lower tool 3 are moved towards one another in the direction of travel 4. Firstly, the brush inserts 32 ensure that the underside of the workpiece is spaced apart from the embossing contours 31. The pressure exerted by the pressure surface 28 on the workpiece means that the workpiece is pressed against the elastic force of the brushes in the region below the pressure surface 28 downwards against the embossing contour arranged there. In this way the respective embossed shape is made in the underside of the workpiece. When the pressure is lifted from the workpiece the brush inserts 32 push the workpiece upwards. As a result the underside of the workpiece lifts up again from the embossing contours 31 in the direction of travel 4. After allocating the pressure surface 28 to a different embossing contour a different embossed shape can be made in the workpiece.
An alternative, not shown design of a forming tool is used for forming extrusions in metal sheets. The tool corresponds structurally largely to the tools 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, and 1f described above. Essentially the extrusion tool differs from the tools 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, and 1f described above in that it comprises a processing device on a first tool part in the form of a extrusion pin and two counter devices on a second tool part which are designed as extrusion cups.
The extrusion pin and the cups are arranged in such a way that the pin can be allocated by a relative rotational movement of the pin and cups about the tool rotation axis to different extrusion cups. In the actual forming process the extrusion pin and the inside of a extrusion cup have a forming effect on the metal sheet. Depending on the internal dimensions of the extrusion cup on the metal sheet a pushed-through hole is produced with varying dimensions. Accordingly by allocating the extrusion pin with cups to extrusion cups with different internal dimensions as processing parameters, the dimensions of the pushed-through hole produced can be defined to be different.
The internal dimensions of the extrusion cups can be selected so that with the extrusion tool by allocation of the extrusion pin to different extrusion cups it is possible to process metal sheets of different thicknesses. In this case it should be taken into account that the internal dimensions of the extrusion cups also have to increase with increasing sheet thickness.
To process a metal sheet the upper tool 2 and the lower tool 3 are moved towards one another in the direction of travel 4 until the metal sheet to be processed is clamped between the roller 33 and the counter roller 36. In the clamped state the forming surface 35 of the roller 33 and the opposite counter surface 38 of the counter roller 36 in the direction of travel 4 interact. By moving the metal sheet in a horizontal plane between the two tool parts a shoulder is created on the metal sheet in a continual operation.
Prior to processing the workpiece the forming surface 35 can be allocated to one of the two counter surfaces 38 by a relative rotational movement of the forming surface 35 and the counter surfaces 38 about the tool rotation axis 5. In the case of the tool 1g the distances between the two counter surfaces 38 from the tool rotation axis 5 differ. In this way the distance between the forming surface 35 and the counter surface 38 allocated thereto are different, depending on which of the two counter surfaces 38 of the lower tool 3 the forming surface 35 of the upper tool 2 is allocated to. The different distances are selected to that by changing the allocation of forming surface 35 and counter surface 38 metal sheets of different thicknesses can be processed.
The lower tool 3 of tool 1h has a bearing surface 43 as a processing device, which during the processing of a workpiece depending on the relative rotational position of the tool parts works together with one of the forming surfaces 40, 41. The bearing surface 43 is provided on a bearing block 44 which in turn comprises a recess 45 that is open at the top.
In
Firstly, the upper tool 2 is lifted from the position shown in
According to the allocation of the bearing surface 43 to one of the forming surfaces 40, 41 as processing parameters the shape to be achieved can be defined differently.
The tools 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, and 1h described above are moved towards one another for tool processing by means of a not-shown, machine-side lifting drive in the direction of travel 4. Furthermore, the two tool parts are rotated respectively by means of also not shown, machine-side rotary drives about the tool rotation axis 5 and secured in the respective relative rotational position. The movement of the workpiece relative to the tool parts is performed by means of a coordinate guide of the tool machine. To control all of the aforementioned drives of the tool machine a numerical control unit is used.
To allocate to one another a processing device and a counter device of one of the tools 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, and 1h for processing a workpiece, the tool rotary drives are controlled by the control unit so that the necessary relative rotational position of the tool part is produced. In the case of a multiple tool the desired processing device for processing a workpiece is also activated by the control unit.
Advantageously, the numerical control unit comprises storage means in which information about the tool, in particular the possible relative rotational positions of the tool parts are stored. Furthermore, for each relative rotational position of the processing and contour devices the processing parameters are stored, which are defined by said relative rotational position. On the basis of processing parameters provided in a processing program the control unit can determine the tool suitable for the respective workpiece processing by referring to the stored tool information and if necessary ensure that the suitable tool is inserted by means of a tool changing device. Furthermore, by means of the control unit the corresponding relative rotational position of the tool parts can be adjusted automatically.
A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2006 049 044 | Oct 2006 | DE | national |
This application is a continuation application of and claims priority under 35U.S.C. §120 to PCT Application No. PCT/US2007/081837, filed on Oct. 18, 2007 and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to German Application No. 102006049044A, filed on Oct. 18, 2006, the entire content of both are hereby incorporated by reference.
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Entry |
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Notification Concerning Transmittal of International Preliminary Report on Patentability and Written Opinion from corresponding PCT Application No. PCT/US2007/081837, mailed Apr. 30, 2009, 8 pages. |
International Search Report and Written Opinion for corresponding PCT Application No. PCT/US2007/081837, mailed Feb. 1, 2008, 11 pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20090211326 A1 | Aug 2009 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/US2007/081837 | Oct 2007 | US |
Child | 12425661 | US |