Hydraulic press with pressure cell with a tray whic consists of prestressed lamellas

Abstract

The present invention relates to a press of pressure cell type and a tray for use in a press of pressure cell type. The tray which defines a space for arranging a forming tool and/or a workpiece has prestressing means arranged on the external surface of the tray. The prestressing means induce a compressing prestress which acts in planes parallel to the plane of the tray.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a press of pressure cell type, a tray for use in a press of pressure cell type and a method for manufacturing such a tray.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A press of pressure cell type generally comprises a force-absorbing press body which defines a press chamber. In the upper part of the press chamber, a press plate and a diaphragm of rubber or another resilient material are arranged, which together form a pressure cell. The pressure cell communicates with a source of pressure and expands when a pressure medium is supplied. In the lower part of the press chamber, a structural support or a tray is arranged, which comprises a bottom plate having a tray frame. The tray supports a working tool or a forming tool, a workpiece, a mat of rubber or another resilient material, covering the forming tool and the workpiece.

[0003] Presses of pressure cell type are used, among other things, when forming sheet-shaped blanks, for example sheets of steel or aluminium, for short series products within the aircraft industry and the motor industry. The sheet is placed in the press in such a manner that one of its sides faces a forming tool. The resilient diaphragm is arranged on the other side of the sheet. A closed space between the diaphragm and the press plate located above the diaphragm constitutes the pressure cell and this space is filled during the forming process with a pressure medium. By pumping additional pressure medium into the pressure cell, the pressure is increased in the pressure cell and the resilient diaphragm is pressed during stretching against the sheet which, in its turn, is formed round or in the forming tool. When the sheet completely fits to the tool, the pressure in the pressure cell is released and the diaphragm is removed from the sheet, after which the formed component can be taken out of the press.

[0004] Another field in which presses of pressure cell type are used is wood compaction when a workpiece of wood is exposed to high pressure, either in a forming tool or on its own. Reasons for compacting wood are, for example, that it is desirable to increase the hardness of the wood, decrease the moisture content or to obtain a phase in pressure impregnation.

[0005] In traditional presses of pressure cell type, use has been made of a forged tray, in which at least the short sides of the tray are provided integrally with the bottom of a tray. The short sides and the radius transition to the bottom of the tray have to be dimensioned in such a manner that they can manage high working pressures. This means that the tray becomes unnecessarily thick and heavy.

[0006] SE 452 436 discloses a press of pressure cell type which was developed with the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problem. Said patent specification discloses a press plant having a forged, cylindrical press body which defines a press chamber. A tray which supports a forming tool and a workpiece is inserted into the press chamber. A large annular support which is arranged round the press body is adapted to absorb load being induced on the tray during a pressing operation. Each time the tray is to be taken out or inserted, the annular support has to be elevated in order to make the press chamber accessible. This is a complicated and time-consuming method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a press of pressure cell type which reduces the above-mentioned problems.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a tray which, in comparison with prior-art technique, gives advantages when handling a press of pressure cell type.

[0009] These and other objects which will be evident from the following description are achieved by a press of pressure cell type and a tray, which have the features indicated in the appended claims.

[0010] In the following specification, it should be understood that a “tray” according to the present invention means a device with the purpose of including a forming tool and/or a workpiece. In the traditional sense, it may thus comprise walls and a bottom plate. However, it should also comprise an essentially annular configuration which is adapted to be arranged in a detachable manner on a separate bottom plate; for example, the tray can rest on a bottom plate belonging to a press body, or a bottom plate which can be pushed in and pulled out of the press. In the detachable variant, the tray is thus tubular and has a through aperture which is defined by an annular wall configuration.

[0011] In the present application, terms describing position and direction, such as “vertical” and “horizontal” are used. In the application, these terms are defined with respect to the tray arrangement. Consequently, the circumference of the tray arrangement runs horizontally, whereas its height has an extension vertically. In the application, it should also be understood that “over/upwards/above” and “under/downwards/below” are defined with respect to the main direction of the pressing, i.e. so that a press plate is located above a diaphragm which, in its turn, is located above a bottom plate, which means that it is vertically defined as perpendicular to the press plate and horizontally as parallel to the press plate. The plane of a tray is thus a horizontal plane. The above-mentioned definitions have been indicated for the sake of clarity since the press of pressure cell type can be inclined in different manners and, due to this fact, the relative directions can vary.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, a press of pressure cell type is provided. The press comprises a force-absorbing press body which encloses a press chamber, in which press chamber a tray is arranged. The tray defines a space for arranging a forming tool and/or a workpiece. According to the invention, prestressing means are arranged on the external surface of the tray and induce a compressing prestress which acts in planes parallel to the plane of the tray, i.e. essentially horizontal planes.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, a tray is provided for use in a press of pressure cell type, prestressing means that induce a compressing prestress, which acts in planes parallel to the plane of the tray, being arranged on the external surface of the tray.

[0014] The present invention is thus based on the understanding that considerable improvements regarding handling and time expenditure can be provided by moving the force-absorbing function closer to the actual tray, without needing to use forged, thick trays. Consequently, the invention does not apply the known principle of improving the technique by having external means, such as an annular support, which are arranged outside the press body in order to absorb forces which are induced in the tray during the pressing. On the contrary, such external means are excluded in the present invention by prestressing means instead being integrated with the tray. According to the invention, the tray is thus adapted to independently absorb or withstand axial load unlike the prior-art press having the annular support. The prestressing means according to the invention allow a considerable decrease of the thickness of the tray as regards short sides and radius transitions compared with a traditionally forged tray. This means that the tray according to the invention allows a greater working depth in relation to previously known forged trays and also that aspects such as manufacturing and transport of the tray are improved.

[0015] The prestressing means are adapted to induce a compressing prestress on the tray in planes which are parallel to the plane of the tray, i.e. planes which are perpendicular to the main direction of the pressing. Preferably, the prestressing means are arranged on the external circumferential surface of the tray in the form of wound prestressing elements.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the press of pressure cell type, the tray comprises a number of plate-shaped lamellar means which abut against one another. Each lamellar means is annular and has a central through hole. The lamellar means which are plate-shaped are thus arranged on one another in different planes of the tray or planes of the plate and are arranged concentrically with the central holes. A workpiece, such as a metal sheet or a piece of wood, is intended to be machined in the space that is mutually formed by the holes of the concentric lamellar means.

[0017] Advantageously, the tray is prestressed in such a manner that each lamellar means is individually prestressed. This is preferably provided by a prestressing element being arranged on each lamellar means. It has turned out to be particularly advantageous to use and wind by means of a prestressing element that is bandshaped and has essentially the same width as the thickness of a lamellar means.

[0018] It is made clear by that mentioned above that the invention is also based on the understanding that, by dividing the tray arrangement into several annular parts, the manufacturing and transport of a tray are facilitated, and the handling is made easier when the press of pressure cell type is in operation. These parts or lamellar means can be assembled to a tray at the location where the press is to be used and can also be dismounted individually for further transport or storage. The dismountability also has advantages when a press plant is in operation, which will be made evident by the following description.

[0019] The tray can have a tool-holding function. In the lower portion of the space, a forming tool can be arranged having a workpiece arranged thereon. In the case of wood compaction, the forming tool can be excluded.

[0020] As already mentioned, a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises the features that the tray is divisible because of the fact that it comprises lamellar means of the above-described type which are dismountably arranged on one another. In connection with a pressing operation, the lowest lamellar means is preferably detachably arranged on a bottom plate in the press chamber. A diaphragm support is preferably arranged above the uppermost lamellar means, and a press plate is, in its turn, arranged above the diaphragm support. The holes in the lamellar means thus together form a space which is defined by the inner wall of the internal lamellar means, the bottom plate and a diaphragm which is placed in the diaphragm support. Depending on, for instance, working depth, one or more lamellar means can be arranged between the lowest lamellar means and the diaphragm support. Alternatively, the tray comprises only one lamellar means.

[0021] Preferably, the divisible tray is arranged in a press chamber in such a manner that the diaphragm support placed above the tray can be lifted in the direction towards the press plate. This allows a practical insertion and removal of the tray as will be described in the following. Actuating means, such as hydraulic pistons, are suitably adapted to lift the diaphragm support (and possibly also one or more lamellar means). At its upper portion, the inner diameter of the diaphragm support essentially corresponds to the circumference or diameter of the press plate and, due to this fact, the diaphragm support can be made to enclose the press plate when it is lifted upwards. It is convenient that the diaphragm support is so high that it encloses the press plate also in a non-lifted state so that satisfactory sealing is obtained during pressing.

[0022] The diaphragm support is preferably formed as a lamellar means, which as regards its appearance is essentially similar to the lamellar means comprised in the tray, and is adapted to hold a diaphragm which forms a pressure cell together with the press plate. Since the diaphragm is generally not removed or replaced as often as the workpiece is, it is an advantage if it is not necessary to remove the diaphragm support from the press when a workpiece or forming tool is to be removed from the press.

[0023] A considerable advantage of the lifting function in the press chamber as described above is that the replacement of a workpiece or a forming tool is facilitated. Instead of lifting a heavy annular support, which is arranged outside the press, relatively high up in order to obtain access to the tray in the press chamber, it is thus sufficient to lift the diaphragm support so that a gap is provided (which does not exist when a pressing operation is carried out), the underlying lamellar means being easy to remove in the direction of the main axis of the press chamber, since there is no friction against the diaphragm support. The direction of the main axis of the press chamber is in a horizontal plane. An alternative is that the diaphragm support and one or more lamellar means are lifted up and the lamellar means which is/are positioned therebelow are taken out whereas the remaining ones are left in the press. Subsequently, the remaining lamellar means can be lowered (with or without the diaphragm support) by means of the actuating means to the bottom of the press chamber and, in a corresponding manner, these lamellar means can be lifted up to the intended position before a pressing operation.

[0024] The internal lamellar means are advantageously loosely arranged on the bottom plate and on one another; however, a type of control elements are arranged in order to ensure correct placements. Due to the fact that the internal structure of the press comprises lamellar means which are loosely arranged on one another, it is possible to easily take these out separately or several at the same time.

[0025] The divisibility of the tray arrangement results in several advantages in that the lamellar means can have several purposes; on the one hand, they may constitute a direct or indirect support for a working tool or forming tool on which for example, a metal sheet is to be shaped and, on the other, they can support or fasten various parts which are active in the press. For instance, a diaphragm which together with the press plate forms a pressure cell can be clamped between two lamellar means or the uppermost lamellar means and the press plate. Alternatively, the diaphragm can rest loosely against a shelf which protrudes from the uppermost lamellar means which corresponds to the above-described diaphragm support. A mat which is used to protect the diaphragm and is placed below the same can be fastened between two lamellar means. In a corresponding manner, the metal sheet can be fastened with the aid of suitable means.

[0026] Due to the advantageous embodiment having prestressed lamellar means, no external force absorber is needed on the short sides of the press chamber. The press structure can therefore be made relatively open by the short sides of the press chamber wall, i.e. the external sides of the lamellar means being accessible with the aim of inserting and removing the internal lamellar means. In the assembled press, part of the internal lamellar means will preferably protrude at the ends of the press beyond the actual press body.

[0027] The lamellar means which advantageously are used to form a tray are essentially oval as regards their shape. According to one embodiment, each annular lamellar means has a wall configuration which defines a central hole and can be compared to a closed running track in a stadium. Thus, the wall configuration has two parallel sides which at the respective ends are connected to one another by a convex semicircular portion in such a manner that a closed track is formed. On certain occasions, it can be advantageous if the holes have an essentially rectangular or square cross-section in the horizontal plane. Advantageously, this is provided by means of filling blocks of resilient material, such as rubber, which are arranged on the inside of the tray inside the semi-circular portions of the lamellar means which are arranged on one another. The purpose of the filling blocks is, among other things, to serve as support for a forming tool. If the forming tool is large enough, the filling blocks can be excluded. It is also suitable to use filling blocks in wood compaction since a workpiece has the shape of a right-angled block. In addition, the purpose of the filling blocks is to absorb and distribute forces and stress which are generated during a pressing operation.

[0028] During a pressing operation, the tray according to the invention is exposed to an internal overpressure, which results in the tray then tending to expand and high tension being generated in the inner circumference of the tray. It may therefore be desirable to control the deformations in the tray. One way is to arrange force-transmitting means or force generators separate from the tray which generate a force in the horizontal plane. Preferably, such force-transmitting means are adapted to “actively” apply to the tray one or more radially prestressing and/or radially predeforming forces. Alternatively, these forces can be applied to one or more lamellar means if the tray comprises such lamellar means. For example, the force-transmitting means comprise hydraulic pistons or other suitable devices having a corresponding function. Due to these force-transmitting means, tensile stress and compressive stress which arise in the tray in connection with the pressing are counteracted. The distribution of stress in the tray is thus controlled in this manner. The purpose of said means may also be to eliminate any initial clearance between lamellar means and side walls which are located next to them in the press chamber.

[0029] The lamellar means in the tray according to the invention can be given the desired shape by milling or cutting. Different types of cutting are possible, a few examples being water cutting, plasma cutting and flame cutting. Those skilled in the art will realise that this is a considerably simpler process than forming the traditional compact tray by forging. There will also be a great simplification as regards transport of the lamellar means which are each relatively light, in comparison with transport of trays according to prior-art technique. Preferably, the tray or the lamellar means are made of hot-rolled steel sheet which subsequently is easily given the desired shape. In the present invention, it has been found that it is suitable to use a sheet thickness of 80-200 mm, preferably 100-150 mm, especially 100-120 mm.

[0030] Due to the fact that the lamellar means are separate units which, by degrees, together are to form a tray, manufacture of them can be accelerated considerably. Thus, various lamellar means blanks can be machined in the respective stations at the same time. A first lamellar means blank can be machined in a certain station and when this lamellar means blank has been moved on to a subsequent station for further machining, a second lamellar means blank can be machined at the same time in said certain station. This parallel performing of different manufacturing steps thus turns out to be very beneficial. It is also distinctly easier to move a relatively thin lamellar means in comparison with a large traditional tray. Preferably, some stations can machine several lamellar means blanks simultaneously.

[0031] The lamellar means are easily transported to the location where the press of pressure cell type is intended to be used and assembled in situ. It has been found that the tray structure according to the invention having integrated prestressing means functions excellently at typical working pressures (such as 1200 bar) for presses of pressure cell type. Instead of making a large and heavy tray, it is possible to divide the structure into several plates which each weigh less and thus are easier to handle.

[0032] Although the tray according to the invention advantageously is used in a press chamber which is enclosed by a traditional, forged press body, it has been found to be practical to make also the press body of force-absorbing lamellar means, and because of this fact the main part of the press can be manufactured in the same way and is easy to transport in parts which are subsequently assembled at the location where the press is to be used.

[0033] It is also possible to assemble each lamellar means from two or more parts, which then by said winding of a band are connected to a coherent unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1 is a side view, partly in cross-section, of a press of pressure cell type according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 2A shows the press of pressure cell type in cross-section along the line A-A in FIG. 1.

[0036] FIG. 2B is a top plan view of a component in FIG. 2A.

[0037] FIGS. 3A-3E are end views of different variants of presses of pressure cell type according to the invention.

[0038] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate the function of a detached force generator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] FIG. 1 is a side view (of the long side), partly in cross-section, of a press of pressure cell type 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. A central portion of the press of pressure cell type 10 is cut out of the Figure, an ordinary side view of the press being shown to the left of the central portion and a side view in cross-section of the press being shown to the right of the central portion. The press of pressure cell type 10 is essentially made up of plate-shaped lamellar means. A force-absorbing press body is formed of external lamellar means 12 which are vertically arranged at a distance from one another. Each external lamellar means 12 has a central hole, the press body thus enclosing a press chamber in which the actual pressing operation takes place. An upper press plate 14 and a bottom plate 16 run through the central holes of the external lamellar means 12. Between these plates, a diaphragm support 18 and an internal horizontal lamellar means 20, which abut against one another, are arranged. The diaphragm support 18 is plate-shaped and annular and thus has a shape that essentially corresponds to the internal lamellar means 20. The internal lamellar means 20 rests detachably on the bottom plate 16, whereas the diaphragm support 18 is arranged so that it partly encloses the press plate 14 (shown in the right part of the figure) with the purpose of ensuring sufficient sealing.

[0040] The circumference of both the internal and the external lamellar means 12, 20 (also the diaphragm support 18) is defined by a relatively narrow, circumferential, external edge surface 22. A plurality of turns of a band 24 of spring steel are wound round the external edge surface 22 of the lamellar means 12, 20 and the diaphragm support 18, the band 24 having a width which essentially corresponds to the thickness of a lamellar means 12, 20 and a diaphragm support 18, respectively. The height of the band layer 24 of the lamellar means 12, 20 and of the diaphragm support 18 is about 100 mm and the layer can consist of one single long band or a plurality of joined pieces of band. When a lamellar means 12, 20, is being manufactured, the band 24 is wound round the same under resistance so that a compressing prestress is permanently induced in the lamellar means 12, 20. FIG. 1 shows that the tray according to the invention, i.e. the internal lamellar means 20, is without external support at the short sides of the press of pressure cell type 10 since the turns of the band 24 replace that function satisfactorily. For the same reason, the diaphragm support 18 does not have an external support.

[0041] The right part in FIG. 1 is as mentioned a side view in cross-section of the press of pressure cell type 10. The cross-section is made at the middle of the press, i.e. along the main axis of the press chamber. The right part of FIG. 1 clearly shows that both the lamellar means 12, 20 and the diaphragm support 18 are wound with a band 24 on the respective external edge surface 22. The turns of the band 24 of the internal tray-forming lamellar means 20 and the diaphragm support 18 are, according to the invention, intended to essentially permanently limit the expansion of these, i.e. they should be able to resist the forces that are formed in the press chamber. The internal lamellar means 20 is annular, which thus means that it defines an internal, open space 26, being comprised in the press chamber. A diaphragm 28 is arranged in the open space of the diaphragm support 18. The diaphragm has a seal 30 against the press plate 14 and forms a pressure cell with the same. When in operation, the pressure medium is supplied to the pressure cell in such a manner that the diaphragm 28 expands. The open space 26 of the internal lamellar means 20, which is placed below the diaphragm 18, is adapted to contain a forming tool or working tool. A metal sheet which is to be pressed against the working tool is arranged in a suitable manner above the working tool, the diaphragm 28 in connection with pressurisation being expanded and shaped on the working tool, which means that the metal sheet located therebetween also is shaped on the working tool. In addition, the Figure shows a mat 32 which is arranged just below the diaphragm 28. The mat 32 takes part in the shaping of the metal sheet and protects at the same time the diaphragm 28 against wear and tear. Adjacent to the inner wall of the lower internal lamellar means 20, a filling block 34 of rubber is arranged with the purpose of distributing forces and of supporting the working tool. A piece of wood can arranged and be pressed either directly against the bottom plate 16 or against a working tool which is arranged on the bottom plate.

[0042] The external lamellar means 12 are, apart from the central hole, each provided with four circular apertures, two above and two below the hole. The apertures are adapted to receive coupling means. Through the circular apertures in all the external lamellar means included in the press body run coupling means 36 (two of which are shown), for example a steel rod having threaded ends. The press-body-forming lamellar means 12 are kept at a distance from one another by the fact that round each coupling means 36, between the lamellar means 12, there are distance means 38 having a thickness that is as large as the desired distance between the lamellar means. The distance means 38 are made of a relatively rigid material and their inner diameter is larger than that of the coupling means 36 at the same time as their external measures are essentially larger than the apertures arranged in the lamellar means 12. At the two external ends of the coupling means 36, outside the respective external lamellar means 12 which are included in the press body, there are stop devices 40 of which at least one has a fixing and clamping mechanism which is complementary to the coupling means 36. In the case when the coupling means comprises a rod being threaded at its ends, the attaching and stressing mechanism can comprise a washer and a nut, the washer having external measures which are essentially larger than the coupling apertures of the external lamellar means. The four coupling means 36 are thus tightened to a predetermined prestress condition. This eliminates play and motion in the construction and at the same time contributes to the structural stability of the construction as regards flexural rigidity, torsional rigidity and resistance to extension in all dimensions.

[0043] FIG. 2A shows the press of pressure cell type in cross-section along the line A-A in FIG. 1. The Figure shows that an external lamellar means 12 is plate-shaped. The central through holes of the external lamellar means 12 are defined by an internal edge surface. The hole is essentially quadrangular, but without actual corners. The “corner regions” are instead rounded and bend inwards into the wall so that a larger hole area is obtained. The radii of these inward bends are made relatively large with the aim of minimising the stress concentration that arises in the corner regions.

[0044] The external lamellar means 12 is essentially quadrangular and has rounded corners. The shape of the lamellar means 12 is adapted to the expected thrust which arises in connection with the pressing. Thus, the material quantity or the distance between the internal and the external edge surface is larger vertically than horizontally since the main direction of pressing is vertical.

[0045] A plurality of turns of a band 24 of spring steel are wound round the external edge surface of the external lamellar means 12, the internal lamellar means 20 and the diaphragm support 18 which are shown in FIG. 2A, the band 24 having a width which essentially corresponds to the thickness of the respective lamellar means 12, 20 (or diaphragm support 18). Each band can be one single long band or a plurality joined pieces of band.

[0046] FIG. 2A also shows side walls 50 which are arranged on one side each of the internal lamellar means 20 and the diaphragm support 18 and extend in the direction of the main axis of the press chamber. The side walls 50 have a height which essentially corresponds to the distance between the upper press plate 14 and the bottom plate 16. The internal lamellar means 20 and the diaphragm support 18 are during pressing exposed to an internal overpressure, and because of this fact the lamellar means and the diaphragm support aim at expanding, whereby high tensile stress in their inner circumference is generated. For this reason, a hydraulic compensator or a generator 52 of horizontal force is arranged adjacent to the left side wall 50 in the figure. This generator affects the internal lamellar means 20 and the diaphragm support 18 horizontally and predeforms and prestresses the deformation zones thereof. Unlike the integrated wound bands 24, this generator 52 is separate from the internal tray-forming lamellar means 20 and the diaphragm support 18, and is adapted to apply these radially prestressing or predeforming forces. Conveniently, the generator 52 comprises hydraulic pistons.

[0047] FIG. 2B is a partial top plan view of the internal lamellar means 20 in FIG. 2A. Thus, it is shown that this lamellar means 20 has the shape of a “running track”, i.e. its wall is defined by two parallel straight portions which at the ends are connected to one another by convex semicircles. In the space just inside the respective semicircles, a semi-circular filling block or end block 54 of resilient material, such as rubber, is fitted so that the remaining free space is quadrangular. The purpose of the end blocks 54 is to serve as support for the forming tool or working tool. Straight resilient supports 56 which are parallel to the direction of the main axis of the press chamber can also be arranged adjacent to the straight wall portions. These supports 56 and end blocks 54 (which correspond to the filling element 34 in FIG. 1) also have a protecting function in the sense of protecting and prolonging the life of the internal lamellar means 20. Since the internal lamellar means 20 and the diaphragm support 18 are prestressed by the turns of the band 24, no external limiting means are required and therefore, for example, the semi-circular portions can protrude from the short sides of the press body as shown in FIG. 1. Since the internal tray-forming lamellar means 20 protrudes, it is relatively easily accessible, which is time-saving when metal sheets are removed, tools are replaced, diaphragms are replaced etc.

[0048] FIGS. 3A-3E show end views of different variants of presses of pressure cell type according to the invention. The Figures thus show that the size of the external press body as well as the internal press chamber with a tray can vary. The tray can be made of different numbers of internal lamellar means, and the thickness of the lamellar means can vary.

[0049] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate some variants where an internal lamellar means 60 is arranged between a diaphragm support 62 and a bottom plate 64. A press plate 66 is arranged above the diaphragm support 62. As these Figures show, an external press-body-forming lamellar means 68 can be made in different sizes and have different shapes. The size of the internal lamellar means 60 can also vary. In FIG. 3A the dimensions of the load space are 100×200×2500 mm3 and the tray is suitable for a working pressure of 1200 bar. In FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C the dimensions of the load space are 125×500×1500 mm3 and 200×710×2000 mm3, respectively.

[0050] FIG. 3D shows another variant having a tray which comprises two lamellar means 60a, 60b that are arranged between the diaphragm support 62 and the bottom plate 64. The dimensions of the load space are 200×1100 2000 mm3.

[0051] FIG. 3E shows a variant having a tray which comprises four lamellar means 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d that are arranged between the diaphragm support 62 and the bottom plate 64. The dimensions of the load space are 400×1600×4000 mm3.

[0052] FIGS. 4A-4C show the function of a detached force generator 80. An essentially oval tray 82 (or a lamellar means included in the tray) according to the invention is exposed to an internal overpressure during a pressing operation. High tensile stress is generated in the inner circumference of the tray. It can therefore, among other things, be desirable to control possible deformations. The generator 80 applying the force F in the horizontal direction eliminates initial clearance I between the tray 82 and the side wall 84, which is schematically illustrated in FIG. 4A that is a cross-sectional view as FIG. 2A.

[0053] FIG. 4B is a partial top plan view of a lamellar means or tray 82 as FIG. 2B. In the front portion or tip 86 of the tray 82, stress concentration may arise during pressing operations due to peeling. Owing to the generator of the horizontal force F, compressive stress is provided in the tip 86 so that the peeling is reduced or eliminated.

[0054] FIG. 4C is a top plan view of a lamellar means or a tray 82 and side walls 84. In the transition zones 88 between the straight long sides of the tray 82 and two semi-circular wall portions, stress concentration can arise. By predeforming the tray 82, compressive stress is thus generated in the transition or deformation zones 88. As illustrated in the Figure, the transition zones 88 are excessively bent to reduce the tensile stress.

[0055] Although some preferred embodiments have been described above, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, separate lamellar means and the diaphragm support can be varied in accordance with the current needs. It should thus be understood that a plurality of modifications and variations can be provided without deviating from the scope of the present invention which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A press (10) of pressure cell type, which comprises a force-absorbing press body (12, 68) which encloses a press chamber, in which press chamber a tray (20, 60, 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 82) is arranged, which defines a space (26) for arranging a forming tool and/or a workpiece, characterised in that the tray comprises an annular configuration having an internal surface which defines said space, and an external surface (22), wherein prestressing means (24) which induce a compressing prestress which acts in planes parallel to the plane of the tray are arranged on the external surface.

2. A press of pressure cell type as claimed in claim 1, wherein said prestressing means comprises at least one prestressing element which is wound round the external surface.

3. A press of pressure cell type as claimed in claim 2, wherein said annular configuration comprises at least one plate-shaped, annular lamellar means (20, 60, 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 82) which has a central hole, a workpiece being adapted to be machined in the space which is formed by the central hole.

4. A press of pressure cell type as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, wherein the tray comprises a number of concentric, plate-shaped, annular lamellar means which abut against one another, each have a central through hole and are located in planes that are parallel to the plane of the tray, a workpiece being adapted to be machined in the space which is mutually formed by the holes of the concentric lamellar means.

5. A press of pressure cell type as claimed in any one of claims 3-4 combined with claim 2, wherein the prestressing element is band-shaped and has essentially the same width as the thickness of a lamellar means, each lamellar means being provided with a prestressing element.

6. A press of pressure cell type as claimed in claim 4 or 5 combined with claim 4, wherein the lamellar means are detachable from one another.

7. A press of pressure cell type as claimed in any one of claims 3-6, wherein the lowest lamellar means (20, 60, 60b, 60d) is detachably arranged on a bottom plate (16, 64) in the press chamber.

8. A press of pressure cell type as claimed in any one of claims 3-7, wherein a diaphragm support (18, 62) for holding a diaphragm (28) is arranged above and, when pressing the workpiece, in abutment against the uppermost lamellar means (20, 60, 60a) in such a manner that the diaphragm together with a press plate (14, 66) which is arranged in the upper portion of the press chamber forms a pressure cell, the diaphragm in connection with the supply of pressure medium to the pressure cell being adapted to exert a forming pressure on the workpiece arranged below.

9. A press of pressure cell type as claimed in claim 8, which is designed with such dimensions that at least the diaphragm support, and optionally one or more lamellar means, is liftable with the purpose of uncovering the underlying lamellar means inside the press chamber, one or more of said underlying lamellar means being removable from the press chamber while the diaphragm support and any remaining lamellar means are left inside the press chamber.

10. A press of pressure cell type as claimed in claim 9, wherein the remaining lamellar means are removable from the press chamber when the press chamber is free from said underlying lamellar means.

11. A press of pressure cell type as claimed in any one of claims 3-10, which comprises at least one force-transmitting means (52, 80), such as hydraulic pistons, which is adapted to actively apply to one or more of the lamellar means, and preferably the diaphragm support, one or more prestressing and/or predeforming forces in the plate-plane of the lamellar means so that tensile stress and compressive stress which arise in connection with pressing are counteracted.

12. A press of pressure cell type as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tray is made of hot-rolled steel plate.

13. A tray (20, 60, 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 82) for use in a press of pressure cell type (10), which tray defines a space (26) with the purpose of arranging a forming tool and/or a workpiece, characterised in that the tray comprises an annular configuration having an internal surface which defines said space, and an external surface (22), wherein prestressing means (24) which induce a compressing prestress which acts in planes parallel to the plane of the tray are arranged on the external surface.

14. A tray as claimed in claim 13, wherein said prestressing means comprises at least one prestressing element which is wound round the external surface.

15. A tray as claimed in claim 14, wherein said annular configuration comprises at least one plate-shaped, annular lamellar means (20, 60, 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 82) which has a central hole, a workpiece being adapted to be machined in the space which is formed by the central hole.

16. A tray as claimed in any one of claims 13-15, which comprises a number of concentric, plate-shaped, annular lamellar means which abut against one another, each have a central through hole and are located in planes that are parallel to the plane of the tray, a workpiece being adapted to be machined in the space which is mutually formed by the holes of the concentric lamellar means.

17. A tray as claimed in any one of claims 15-16 combined with claim 14, the prestressing element being band-shaped and having essentially the same width as the thickness of a lamellar means, each lamellar means being provided with a prestressing element.

18. A tray as claimed in any one of claims 13-17, preferably for use in a press of pressure cell type as claimed in any one of claims 1-12, wherein said space has a rectangular or square cross-section in planes which are parallel to the plane of the tray.

19. A tray as claimed in claim 18, wherein said rectangular or square cross-section is provided by means of filling elements (34, 54) which are arranged on the inside of the tray, which inside has an essentially oval shape, preferably defined by two parallel straight sides which are connected to one another at the ends by means of semi-circular portions.

20. A tray as claimed in claim 16, wherein two lamellar means which abut against one another are formed in such a manner that a workpiece, such as a metal sheet, which extends transversely to said space, is kept in position when these two lamellar means have been joined.

21. A tray as claimed in any one of claims 13-20, wherein the tray is made of hot-rolled steel plate.

22. A method for manufacturing a tray for use in a press of pressure cell type, comprising the steps of

forming the tray of steel plate, and

inducing a remaining compressing prestress in the tray, the prestress acting in planes parallel to the plane of the tray.

23. A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the step of forming the tray comprises forming plate-shaped lamellar means of steel plate, preferably hot-rolled steel-plate, and providing each of them with a through hole, and arranging each lamellar means with the plane of the plate oriented parallel to the plane of the plate of a concentrically abutting lamellar means, a workpiece being adapted to be machined in the space which is mutually formed by the holes of the concentric lamellar means.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein prestressing elements are wound round the external edge surface of the lamellar means with the purpose of providing said prestressing.

25. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein a prestressing element is used, which is band-shaped and has essentially the same width as the thickness of a lamellar means.

26. A method as claimed in any one of claims 23-25, which comprises giving the lamellar means the desired shape by milling or cutting, such as water cutting, plasma cutting, flame cutting, etc.

27. A method as claimed in any one of claims 23-26, which comprises making the lamellar means of steel plate having a thickness of 80-200 mm, preferably 100-150 mm, especially 100-120 mm.