DIE HOLDER TECHNOLOGY FOR FABRICATING PRESS
The invention involves a die holder (70) for a press, such as a metal-fabricating press (10). The die holder can be configured to receive a die (90), and can include a clamp portion (130) and a wall portion (140). Preferably, the clamp and wall portions can be positioned in an open configuration or a closed configuration, and the die holder can be adjusted from an undamped configuration to a clamped configuration. The die holder m have a die-release mechanism useful for overcoming stiction and facilitation removal of the die from the die holder.
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The present invention is in the field of die holders for machine tools. More particularly, this invention relates to die holders for metal-fabricating presses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMetal-fabricating presses, such as turret presses, single-station presses, etc., are used to fabricate sheet metal and other sheet-like workpieces. Commonly, each press includes an upper table and a lower table, and at least one die holder adapted for holding a die securely between the upper and lower tables. In many cases, the die holder is adapted to tightly hold the die with a plurality of set screws. In order to change out a die, the set screws must be loosened before the old die can be removed. Then, the new die can be loaded into the die holder (e.g., after moving the new die into the space between the upper and lower tables). The upper and lower tables of many presses are relatively close together. Thus, replacing dies can be a difficult and time consuming process. In addition, after a pressing operation, the die can be hard to remove from the die holder due to stiction. Stiction occurs when the die becomes stubbornly stuck in the die holder (e.g., due to a close fit between the die and the die holder, and any lubrication present). Stiction causes additional difficulty because the die must be forced from the die holder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn certain embodiments, the invention provides a die holder for a fabricating press. The die holder defines an interior recess configured to receive a die. The die holder includes a clamp portion and a wall portion. The clamp and wall portions are adapted to be positioned in an open configuration or a closed configuration. The clamp and wall portions together surround the interior recess when in the closed configuration. The die holder can be adjusted from a clamped configuration to an unclamped configuration by performing an unclamping operation. When the die is received in the interior recess and the die holder is in the clamped configuration, the die is clamped securely by the die holder. In the present embodiments, the die holder preferably is provided with a single-motion actuator that allows the unclamping operation to be performed in response to a single motion of the actuator.
Some embodiments of the invention provide a tool-free die holder for a fabricating press. The die holder defines an interior recess configured to receive a die. The die holder includes a clamp portion and a wall portion. The clamp and wall portions are adapted to be positioned in an open configuration or a closed configuration. The clamp and wall portions together surround the interior recess when in the closed configuration. The die holder can be adjusted from an unclamped configuration to a clamped configuration by performing a clamping operation, and the die holder can be adjusted from the clamped configuration to the unclamped configuration by performing an unclamping operation. When the die is received in the interior recess and the die holder is in the clamped configuration, the die is clamped securely by the die holder. In the present embodiments, the die holder preferably is provided with a tool-free actuator that allows both the clamping and unclamping operations to be tool-free operations.
Certain embodiments of the invention provide a die holder for a fabricating press. The die holder defines an interior recess configured to receive a die. The die holder includes a clamp portion and a wall portion. In the present embodiments, the die holder preferably is adapted to be adjusted from an unclamped, open configuration to a closed, clamped configuration by performing a single step that comprises pushing together the clamp and wall portions.
In some embodiments, the invention provides a method of using a die holder. The die holder defines an interior recess in which a die is provided. The die holder includes a clamp portion and a wall portion. In the present embodiments, the method comprises adjusting the die holder from an unclamped, open configuration to a closed, clamped configuration by performing a single step that comprises pushing together the clamp and wall portions.
In one group of embodiments, the invention provides a die holder. The die holder defines an interior recess configured to receive a die. The die holder includes a clamp portion and a wall portion. In the present embodiment group, the clamp portion is adapted to embrace the die such that when the clamp portion is moved away from the wall portion the die moves together with the clamp portion away from the wall portion. In some cases, the interior recess has a generally circular configuration, the clamp portion has a concave interior surface, the wall portion has a concave interior surface, and these interior surfaces are adapted to engage the die when the die holder is clamped securely on the die. In such cases, the die may have a generally disk-shaped configuration and a perimeter defined by an exterior side surface. In some embodiments of this nature, when the die holder is in the closed, clamped configuration, the concave interior surface of the clamp portion abuts more than 180 degrees of the die's exterior side surface. The present disclosure shows different embodiments of this nature, and the present embodiment group covers any die holder with a clamp portion having a die-embracing configuration, regardless of whether or not the die holder has tool-free or single-motion actuation or any other feature described in this disclosure.
In certain embodiments, the invention provides a die holder for a fabricating press. The die holder can define an interior recess configured to receive a die, and the die holder can include a clamp portion (which in some embodiments can be concave) and a wall portion (which also can be concave in some embodiments). If desired, the wall portion can be formed of a pre-hard material, such as hardened tool steel. The clamp and wall portions can be adapted to be positioned in an open configuration or a closed configuration, with the clamp and wall portions together surrounding the interior recess when in the closed configuration. Further, the die holder can be adjusted from an unclamped configuration to a clamped configuration by performing a clamping operation, and the die holder can be adjusted from the clamped configuration to the unclamped configuration by performing an unclamping operation. When the die is received in the interior recess and the die holder is in the clamped configuration, the die is clamped securely by the die holder.
In some embodiments, the die holder has an open configuration that involves a side of the die holder being open. Such die holders are useful, for example, for mounting and dismounting dies in a confined space, such as between the upper and lower tables of a press. Such die holders can be configured to allow a die to be easily inserted in, or removed from, the die holder from the perimeter of the press. This may avoid the need of having to lift a die upwardly during removal from the die holder, which may be difficult due to the limited space between the tables of the press.
In certain embodiments, the invention provides a die holder for a fabricating press. The die holder defines an interior recess configured to receive a die. The die holder includes a clamp portion and a wall portion. In the present embodiments, the clamp and wall portions are adapted to be positioned in an open configuration or a closed configuration. Preferably, the clamp and wall portions together surround the interior recess when in the closed configuration. The die holder can be adjusted from an unclamped configuration to a clamped configuration by performing a clamping operation, and the die holder can be adjusted from the clamped configuration to the unclamped configuration by performing an unclamping operation. Preferably, when the die is received in the interior recess and the die holder is in the clamped configuration, the die is clamped securely by the die holder. In the present embodiments, the die holder is provided with a single-motion actuator, such that the die holder is adapted to clamp in response to a single motion of the actuator.
Some embodiments of the invention provide a die holder for a fabricating press. The die holder defines an interior recess configured to receive a die. The die holder includes a clamp portion and a wall portion. Preferably, the clamp and wall portions are adapted to be positioned in an open configuration or a closed configuration. In the present embodiments, the clamp and wall portions together surround the interior recess when in the closed configuration. The die holder can be adjusted from an unclamped configuration to a clamped configuration by performing a clamping operation, and the die holder can be adjusted from the clamped configuration to the unclamped configuration by performing an unclamping operation. Preferably, when the die is received in the interior recess and the die holder is in the clamped configuration, the die is clamped securely by the die holder. In the present embodiments, when the clamp and wall portions are positioned in the open configuration, the die can be mounted in the die holder by moving the die sideways through an open side of the die holder, after which the clamp and wall portions can be positioned in the closed configuration and then the clamping operation can be performed to securely clamp the die holder on the die. In certain embodiments of this nature, the die holder is provided with an actuator comprising a pivotable body that moves pivotally during the clamping and unclamping operations. The actuator in such embodiments can optionally be a tool-free actuator.
Certain embodiments provide a fabricating press and a die holder in combination. In some of these embodiments, the metal-fabricating press has upper and lower tables separated by a gap. The gap is adapted to receive a sheet-like workpiece. In the present embodiments, the die holder is removably mounted on the lower table. The die holder defines an interior recess configured to receive a die. The die holder includes a clamp portion and a wall portion. Preferably, the clamp and wall portions are adapted to be positioned in an open configuration or a closed configuration. In the present embodiments, the clamp and wall portions together surround the interior recess when in the closed configuration. The die holder can be adjusted from an unclamped configuration to a clamped configuration by performing a clamping operation, and the die holder can be adjusted from the clamped configuration to the unclamped configuration by performing an unclamping operation. Preferably, when the die is received in the interior recess and the die holder is in the clamped configuration, the die is clamped securely by the die holder. In the present embodiments, when the clamp and wall portions are in the open configuration, the die can be moved into the gap and mounted in the die holder by moving the die sideways through an open side of the die holder, after which the clamp and wall portions can be positioned in the closed configuration and then the clamping operation can be performed (e.g., to securely clamp the die holder on the die). In the present embodiments, the die holder is provided with an actuator comprising a moveable body that pivots about at least one hinge during the clamping and unclamping operations. Optionally, the actuator in the present embodiments can be a tool-free actuator, a single-motion actuator, or both.
In some embodiments, the invention provides a tool-free die holder for a fabricating press. The die holder defines an interior recess configured to receive a die. The die holder includes a clamp portion and a wall portion. Preferably, the clamp and wall portions are adapted to be positioned in an open configuration or a closed configuration. In the present embodiments, the clamp and wall portions together surround the interior recess when in the closed configuration. The die holder can be adjusted from an unclamped configuration to a clamped configuration by performing a clamping operation, and the die holder can be adjusted from the clamped configuration to the unclamped configuration by performing an unclamping operation. Preferably, when the die is received in the interior recess and the die holder is in the clamped configuration, the die is clamped securely by the die holder. In the present embodiments, the die holder is provided with a tool-free actuator, such that both the clamping and unclamping operations are tool-free operations.
In some embodiments, the invention provides a die holder having a die-release mechanism. The die-release mechanism can include a body with a contact portion adapted to contact a portion of the die to apply a separation force on the die to urge the die away from at least a portion of the die holder. Such a die-release mechanism may, for example, be useful for overcoming stiction and facilitating removal of the die from the die holder.
In certain embodiments, the invention provides a die holder for a fabricating press. The die holder defines an interior recess configured to receive a die. In the present embodiments, the die holder has a die-release mechanism, and the die-release mechanism is adapted for selective actuation, such that when the die is received in the interior recess the die-release mechanism can be actuated at a desired time to apply a separation force on the die. This separation force urges the die away from at least a portion of the die holder.
Some embodiments provide a die holder for a fabricating press. The die holder defines an interior recess configured to receive a die. The die holder includes a clamp portion and a wall portion. Preferably, the clamp and wall portions are adapted to be positioned in an open configuration or a closed configuration. In the present embodiments, the clamp and wall portions together surround the interior recess when in the closed configuration. In the present embodiments, when the clamp and wall portions are in the open configuration, the die can be mounted in the die holder by moving the die sideways through an open side of the die holder. In the present embodiments, the die holder has a die-release mechanism, and the die-release mechanism is adapted for applying a separation force to the die when the die is received in the interior recess. In the present embodiments, the separation force is directed such that when the clamp and wall portions are in the open configuration the separation force urges the die toward the open side of the die holder.
In some embodiments, the invention provides a combination involving a die holder and a fabricating press, a combination of a die and die holder, a combination of a die, a die holder, and a press, or methods of using such a die holder, fabricating press, and/or die.
The following detailed description is to be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings have like reference numerals. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Skilled artisans will recognize that the given examples have many useful alternatives, which fall within the scope of the invention.
Some embodiments of the invention provide a die holder for a fabricating press, such as a metal-fabricating press. In some cases, the press has an upper table and a lower table. A gap between the upper and lower tables is adapted to receive sheet metal or another sheet-like workpiece. In some cases, the upper table may be omitted. The lower table preferably is adapted to have mounted thereon at least one die holder (a wall portion 140 of the die holder may be mounted fixedly on the table, and a clamp portion 130 of the die holder may, in some cases, be adapted for being removably attached to the wall portion). The lower table commonly has a horizontal surface on which the die holder can be mounted and/or defining a mount opening in which the die holder can be mounted. The mount opening in such a press can optionally have a generally circular configuration. In other cases, the mount opening is adapted to receive a polygonal (e.g., generally square) die holder.
One type of fabricating press is shown in
In some embodiments, the fabricating press 10 includes (e.g., is) a turret press 20. In such embodiments, the turret press 20 can include an upper table (e.g., an upper turret) 30 and a lower table (e.g., a lower turret) 40. The upper table 30 and lower table 40 can be separated by a turret gap 50 adapted to receive sheet-like workpieces. The turret press 20 can include a plurality of stations (reference is made to
For embodiments involving a turret press (or other presses with upper and lower tables separated by a gap), to mount a die 90 within the die holder 70, the die can be moved into the gap and mounted in the die holder.
In some embodiments, the die can be moved into the die holder through an open side of the die holder. The open side (which preferably can be closed once the die is mounted on the die holder) may optionally be bounded underneath by an opening base OB of the die holder. The opening base OB, when provided, desirably has a smaller height than the wall portion 140 of the die holder. Preferably, the opening base OB forms part of the die holder's shelf 110 and defines a portion of the support surface 120 that is adapted to support the bottom of a die. When the clamp portion 130 of the die holder is in a closed configuration, the clamp portion preferably is carried against (e.g., positioned on top of) at least part of the opening base OB.
One exemplary embodiment of a die 90 mounted in a die holder 70 is shown in
In some cases, the die holder is used on a single-station fabricating press. In embodiments of this nature, the press typically does not involve turrets, although the press may still have upper and lower tables (or at least a lower table), as is well known in the present art.
The die holder 70 can include any apparatus useful for holding a die 90. Preferably, the die holder 70 has an interior recess 100. The interior recess 100 may have a generally circular configuration (and/or it may be adapted to receive a die having a generally circular configuration). This, however, is not the case in all embodiments. For example, other embodiments involve a polygonal die 90 and a polygonal interior recess 100. Polygonal dies of the Salvagnini style are known, and the present die holder can be configured to accommodate such dies.
The die holder preferably has a shelf 110 adapted to support a bottom (e.g., a planar base) of a die 90. Reference is made to
In some embodiments, the die holder 70 includes a clamp portion 130 and a wall portion 140. The clamp portion 130 can optionally comprise (e.g., can be) a concave clamp portion (i.e., it can optionally have a concave interior surface). The clamp portion, for example, can have a generally C-shaped configuration as shown in many of the drawings. Additionally or alternatively, the wall portion 140 can optionally comprise (e.g., can be) a concave wall portion.
In some embodiments, the clamp portion 130 and wall portion 140 cooperate to allow the die holder 70 to have a closed configuration, embodiments of which are shown in
The terms “concave clamp portion” and “concave wall portion” do not require the whole of either component to be concave. Preferably, though, a concave clamp portion 130 has a concave interior surface 180, and a concave wall portion 140 has a concave interior surface 190. Those interior surfaces desirably are adapted to surround, abut, and/or engage a die 90 when the die is mounted in the die holder 70 and the die holder is in the closed configuration.
In some embodiments, a concave interior surface 180 of the clamp portion 130 bounds at least 30 degrees, at least 35 degrees, or at least 40 degrees of the interior recess 100 when the clamp and wall portions are in the closed configuration.
In certain embodiments, the die holder 70 also has a clamped configuration, embodiments of which are shown in
In certain embodiments, the die holder 70 includes at least one spring component. Preferably, the spring component is adapted to generate at least part of the clamping force the die holder places on the die. In some cases, the spring component comprises at least one compression spring CSP, optionally provided on the clamp portion 130. Reference is made to
In
In certain embodiments, the die holder includes a spring component having a body comprising (e.g., formed of) spring steel. For example, a spring steel body (optionally having an arcuate shape) can form at least part of the die holder's clamp portion 130. During a clamping operation, the die holder 70 can apply a clamping force on a die 90 (when the die is in the die holder's interior recess 100) and the optional spring steel body may generate at least part of the clamping force. In such embodiments, when the clamp and wall portions are in the closed configuration, a clamping operation preferably can be performed so as to decrease a dimension, such as a diameter, of the interior recess (more generally, this can optionally be the case for various embodiments described in this disclosure).
In many embodiments, the die holder includes an actuator 210. In some of these embodiments, the actuator is adapted to be moved (e.g., manually, or in some cases robotically or otherwise using hydraulics, pneumatics, electronics, magnetics, or the like) in such a way as to move the die holder between clamped and unclamped configurations. In some cases, the actuator is adapted to be moved in one manner (e.g., in one direction) so as to adjust the die holder from an unclamped position to a clamped position, and the actuator can be moved in a different manner (e.g., in a different direction) so as to adjust the die holder from a clamped position to an unclamped position. This, however, is not the case for all embodiments.
In one group of embodiments, the die holder is provided with an actuator 210 comprising a body that moves relative to the clamp portion 130 and/or wall portion 140 during clamping and/or unclamping operations. This moveable body can optionally be a pivotable body that moves pivotally (e.g., about at least one hinge) during the clamping and/or unclamping operations. The pivotable body, for example, can be a handle or a latch.
In certain embodiments, the actuator 210 is a tool-free actuator that allows the unclamping operation, the clamping operation, or both to be tool-free operations (or at least operations that do not involve rotating a set screw or any other threaded fastener). The clamping and/or unclamping operations, for example, may be performed without a wrench or screw driver. Components of the die holder itself, even if removable (e.g., a removable handle actuator), are not considered tools for purposes of the present disclosure.
As described below, some embodiments provide a die holder (which can optionally be a tool-free die holder) that can be clamped and unclamped, and/or adjusted between open and closed configurations, without requiring any assembly or disassembly of the die holder. These embodiments, for example, may involve the die holder having a clamp portion that is pivotally (e.g., hingedly) connected to the die holder's wall portion.
In certain embodiments, the actuator 210 is a single-motion actuator that allows the die holder 70 to be unclamped in response to a single motion of the actuator. (In some of these embodiments, the unclamping operation is also a tool-free operation.) Additionally or alternatively, the actuator 210 can be one that allows the die holder to be clamped in response to a single motion of the actuator 210. In some embodiments of this nature, the die holder must be partially assembled (e.g., the clamp portion may need to be joined to the wall portion, and/or a removable handle may need to be joined to the die holder) before the single-motion clamping can be performed. However, the actual clamping in such embodiments preferably occurs in response to a single motion of a single-motion actuator (the same may be true of the actual unclamping). Exemplary single motions can be pivoting, pressing, sliding, squeezing, or rotating the actuator 210.
In some embodiments, the die holder 70 is provided with an actuator 210 comprising a body (e.g., a handle) that is moved in one direction (once or repeatedly) during the clamping operation and in another direction (optionally an opposite direction) during the unclamping operation. In embodiments involving a die holder 70 with a shelf 110 defining a support surface 120 on which the bottom of a die 90 is adapted to rest, the handle or other body can optionally be moveable in a plane that is at least generally parallel (or at least substantially parallel) to the shelf's support surface (such that the handle or other body moves in that plane to cause the clamping and unclamping operations). If such a die holder 70 is on, for example, a horizontal table (optionally a lower table 40, as shown in
In certain embodiments, when the clamp and wall portions 130, 140 are in an open configuration, a die 90 can be mounted in the die holder 70 by moving the die sideways (in some cases, horizontally) through an open side 220 of the die holder. Reference is made to
In some embodiments, the die holder can be adjusted (e.g., moved) from an unclamped, open configuration to a closed, clamped configuration by pushing together the clamp and wall portions. For example, in embodiments like that of
In certain embodiments, the die holder is mounted on a table (optionally a horizontal table) of a fabricating press in such a way that when the clamp and wall portions 130, 140 of the die holder 70 are in the open configuration, an open side of the die holder faces an exterior perimeter 224 of the metal-fabricating press 20. Reference is made to
As shown in
In the embodiment shown, the clamp portion 130 includes a latch 230, and the latch is hingedly joined to the clamp portion and has a free end 240 that can be hooked onto a catch 250 on the wall portion 140. The illustrated latch 230 has a generally arcuate shape, although this is not required. The clamp portion also includes an actuator 210 connected to the latch 230 (optionally connected pivotably) and adapted to pull the free end 240 of the latch 230 tight against the catch 250 on the wall portion 140 as part of the clamping operation. This exemplifies embodiments where the die holder 70 is adapted for being clamped and unclamped without any assembly or disassembly of the die holder. Thus, one group of embodiments provides a die holder adapted for being clamped and unclamped without any assembly or disassembly. Another embodiment of this nature is shown in
In other cases, the closed configuration involves the clamp portion 130 being attached removably to the wall portion 140, as exemplified in
In the embodiment shown in
In some embodiments, one or more pinch plates (e.g., a stack of contiguous pinch plates) 300 can be included in the die holder's wall portion 140, as shown best in
The pinch plates 300 can be placed into a significantly skewed position relative to the clamp posts in any suitable manner. In the embodiment shown in
A binding-force mechanism like that in
Another embodiment is shown in
In the embodiments of
In
In such embodiments, the die holder is placed in its closed configuration by placing the clamp protrusions 370 in (or proximate to) the corresponding clamp protrusion receivers 390, and then placing (e.g., securing) each clamp cam 350 against its corresponding clamp shoulder 380. In more detail, the clamping operation here includes applying a force (optionally in a generally downward direction) to the actuator 210 so that it tends to pivot relative to the clamp bar 360 in such a manner that each clamp cam 350 articulates against its corresponding clamp shoulder 380 and forces each clamp protrusion 370 further into its corresponding clamp protrusion receiver 390. In some embodiments, the clamp cam 350 is curved so that, during clamping, it can be articulated to such an extent that an apex 400 of the curve has been articulated against, and forced downwardly past, the contact point with cam shoulder 380. At this point, the die holder will not release the die until a substantial external force is applied to the actuator 210 in the opposite direction (e.g., in a generally upward direction) to articulate the apex 400 of the clamp cam 350 upwardly past the contact point with the cam shoulder 380.
In connection with the die 90, some embodiments involve an opening 390 that extends entirely through the die. This, however, is not the case in all embodiments.
In embodiments where grooves, channels, or other recesses RE are provided in the die holder's shelf 110, the recesses optionally have a depth of at least 0.0015 inch (such as at least about 0.04 mm), or at least 0.0019 inch (such as at least about 0.05 mm). In some cases, the recesses RE reduce the amount of surface area (of the shelf) that contacts a die operably mounted on the die holder by at least 20%, at least 35%, or at least 40% (compared to an entirely flat shelf). In the embodiment of
In embodiments where the interior surface 160 of the die holder is provided with one or more relief areas RL, a relief area RL may be located circumferentially between two contact areas COA of the interior surface 160. The interior surface 160 may have one or a plurality of these relief areas RL. Preferably, when a die is clamped by the die holder, contact area(s) COA of the interior surface 160 contact the die, but relief area(s) RL do not. When provided, the relief area(s) may extend from the die holder's shelf all the way up to the top of the die holder's shoulder 150. This, however, is by no means required. In some embodiments, relief areas RL occupy at least 10%, at least 15%, or at least 20% of the die holder's interior side surface 160.
In embodiments where interior corner relief RS is provided, the relief contour can optionally extend along the entire perimetrical extent (e.g., the entire circumferential extent) of the wall portion 140. This, however, is by no means required. For example, other embodiments involve one or more sections of corner relief RS spanning a total of at least 10 degrees, at least 30 degrees, at least 45 degrees, at least 90 degrees, or at least 120 degrees about the die holder. The present invention covers any die holder (of any design described herein, or of any other design) with an interior corner relief RS.
The die holder 70 of
The actuator 210 on the die holder 70 of
In some embodiments, the die holder is moved between open and closed configurations, and/or between clamped and unclamped configurations, automatically (i.e., without manually manipulating the die holder, or without any direct human contact). For example, an automatic actuator actuated by electrical, hydraulic, and/or pneumatic power can be utilized for automatically configuring the die holder. Controls for such an automatic actuator can be included with the fabricating press or a control panel. In some embodiments, a programmable robot (e.g., a robotic arm) can be utilized to automatically actuate the actuator. For example, the various die holder embodiments described above can be configured on a press such that they can be clamped and/or unclamped pneumatically, hydraulically, etc.
Some embodiments of the fabricating press include a table (optionally a turret table) with a plurality of die holders. In those cases (or any other cases), each die holder can optionally be an independently-operable die holder such that performing a clamping operation clamps a single die holder alone and does not simultaneously clamp any other tool holder (e.g., any other die holder), and/or such that performing an unclamping operation unclamps the die holder alone and does not simultaneously unclamp any other tool holder.
Further, any of the fabricating presses or die holders described herein can include means to indicate that the die is received within, and securely clamped in, the die holder. For example, two electrical contacts can be included within the interior recess and a voltage potential can be applied between the two contacts. The contacts can be configured to allow the circuit to be completed only upon successful clamping of the die within the die holder. The completed circuit could be used to signal an indication light (or other means) on the die holder, on a fabricating press, or on a control panel to indicate the die is either clamped or unclamped. If desired, the press, a controller thereof, etc. can be set-up such that it will not initiate pressing operations unless the die holder registers that a (or each) die therein is securely clamped. Further, the system can be adapted to indicate whether the correct die is received in the die holder. If the correct die is not in the die holder, the controller can be set-up such that it will not initiate pressing. Any signals transmitted among the die holder, a press (e.g., a controller thereof), and a die can be sent by wire or by wireless RF means.
In some embodiments, the invention provides a die holder 70 having a die-release mechanism 520. Preferably, the die-release mechanism 520 is useful for overcoming the above-referenced stiction problem. Several exemplary embodiments, which will be discussed in detail below, are shown in
The die-release mechanism is useful for facilitating removal of the die 90 from the die holder 70 by applying a separation force to the die (e.g., so as to overcome stiction force created by lubricant between the die and die holder). In some embodiments, actuating the die-release mechanism 520 involves a contact portion 530 of that mechanism moving at least generally toward a central axis CA of the interior recess (and/or moving at least generally radially inward). Additionally or alternatively, actuating the die-release mechanism 520 may involve a body 524 with a contact portion 530 moving at least generally parallel to (or at least substantially parallel to) a plane in which the shelf's support surface 120 lies. This may involve the body 524 moving horizontally (e.g., if the die holder is mounted on a table of a press). In certain embodiments, actuation of the die-release mechanism 520 involves a contact portion 530 of that mechanism moving at least generally toward (or directly toward) an open side 80 of the die holder. In some cases, actuation of the die-release mechanism 520 involves a contact portion 530 of that mechanism emerging from an opening OP in the die holder's interior surface 160 (the opening OP can optionally be in a concave interior surface of the die holder).
In the embodiment shown in
In some embodiments, the body 524 is adapted to move radially (e.g., at least generally radially, or at least substantially radially) and/or at least generally toward a central axis CA of the interior recess so as to apply a separation force on the die 90, and the body 524 is resiliently biased toward (generally toward, substantially toward, or directly toward) the central axis CA of the interior recess. In such an embodiment, when a die 90 is moved into the die holder 70 and the die holder is moved into its closed configuration, the die 90 will exert sufficient force on the body 524 to retract the body 524 (overcoming the biasing force) into the die holder's wall portion. When the die holder 70 is placed in the open configuration, the body 524 will have sufficient biasing force (e.g., enough spring force) to overcome stiction and move the die 90 (e.g., so as to separate the die from at least one die holder surface to which the die was originally stuck due to the stiction).
In the embodiment of
Thus, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the actuator (e.g., an actuating ring AR thereof) moves along a curved path during actuation of the die-release mechanism.
With continued reference to
One or more keys 544 (e.g., useful for aligning the die within the die holder) can optionally be provided in any embodiment described in the present disclosure. The key can optionally be rigidly fixed to the wall portion, and can be a pin or any other key structure.
An actuating ring AR like that shown in
Another embodiment that allows for selective actuation of the die-release mechanism 520 is shown in
In the embodiment of
In some embodiments, an operator wishing to remove or exchange a die 90 from a fabricating press 10 may do so by first adjusting the die holder 70 from a clamped to an unclamped configuration and from a closed to an open configuration. The die 90 can then be removed from the die holder 70. Another die 90 can be then be placed within the die holder 70, and the die holder can be adjusted to a closed and clamped configuration.
In some embodiments, an operator may use a die-release mechanism 520 to overcome stiction in the process of removing a die 90 from the die holder 70. For example, a constantly biased member (e.g., a spring-loaded body) can be provided (and used) to release the die 90 when the die holder 70 is adjusted from the clamped configuration to the unclamped configuration and/or from the closed configuration to the open configuration. Alternatively, a die-release mechanism 520 may be selectively actuated, e.g., in response to an operator moving the die holder 70 from the closed configuration to the open configuration. In certain embodiments, the operator can selectively actuate the die-release mechanism 520 by moving a wedge member 550 so as to cause the wedge member to bear forcibly against the die 90 (optionally, so as to separate a bottom surface of the die from a support surface of the die holder, which may involve the wedge member lifting the die away from the die holder's shelf/support surface).
Referring to
Referring to
While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A die holder for a fabricating press, the die holder defining an interior recess configured to receive a die, the die holder including a clamp portion and a wall portion, wherein the clamp and wall portions are adapted to be positioned in an open configuration or a closed configuration, the clamp and wall portions together surrounding said interior recess when in the closed configuration, wherein the die holder can be adjusted from a clamped configuration to an unclamped configuration by performing an unclamping operation, wherein when the die is received in said interior recess and the die holder is in the clamped configuration the die is clamped securely by the die holder, the die holder being provided with a single-motion actuator that allows the unclamping operation to be performed in response to a single motion of the actuator.
2. The die holder of claim 1 wherein, when the clamp and wall portions are positioned in the open configuration, the die can be mounted in the die holder by moving the die sideways through an open side of the die holder.
3-4. (canceled)
5. The die holder of claim 1 wherein the clamp portion is a concave clamp portion and the wall portion is a concave wall portion, and when the clamp and wall portions are positioned in the closed configuration the die holder has a generally annular configuration.
6. The die holder of claim 1 wherein the die holder is an independently-operable die holder such that performing the unclamping operation unclamps the die holder alone and does not simultaneously unclamp any other die holder.
7-8. (canceled)
9. The die holder of claim 1 wherein the clamp portion has a concave interior surface, and wherein, when the clamp and wall portions are positioned in the closed configuration, the concave interior surface of the clamp portion bounds more than 180 degrees of said interior recess.
10. The die holder of claim 1 wherein the clamp portion has a concave interior surface adapted to embrace the die such that when the clamp portion is moved away from the wall portion the die moves together with the clamp portion away from the wall portion.
11. The die holder of claim 1 wherein the die holder has a shelf adapted to support a bottom of the die, and the die holder has a shoulder defining an interior side surface that extends at least generally orthogonally from the shelf, the shoulder bounding said interior recess, wherein the die holder has a central opening, and the shelf encompasses said central opening.
12. The die holder of claim 1 wherein said open configuration involves the clamp portion being removed from the wall portion, and said closed configuration involves the clamp portion being attached removably to the wall portion.
13. The die holder of claim 22 wherein the actuator is a tool-free actuator that allows both the unclamping operation and the clamping operation to be tool-free operations.
14. The die holder of claim 1 wherein the die holder includes at least one spring component.
15. The die holder of claim 14 wherein during a clamping operation the die holder applies a clamping force on the die, and wherein the spring component generates at least part of the clamping force.
16. The die holder of claim 14 wherein the spring component comprises at least one compression spring provided on the clamp portion.
17. The die holder of claim 14 wherein the spring component is adapted to resiliently bias an engagement body that is moveable between locked and unlocked positions, wherein the engagement body is in its locked position when the die holder is in the clamped configuration, and the engagement body is in its unlocked position when the die holder is in the unclamped position.
18. The die holder of claim 17 wherein the engagement body comprises a locking pin that moves axially between its locked and unlocked positions.
19-21. (canceled)
22. The die holder of claim 1 wherein the die holder can be adjusted from the unclamped configuration to the clamped configuration by performing a clamping operation, and wherein the single-motion actuator allows the clamping operation to be performed in response to a single motion of the actuator.
23. The die holder of claim 22 wherein the actuator comprises a body that moves in one direction during the clamping operation and in another direction during the unclamping operation.
24-25. (canceled)
26. The die holder of claim 1 wherein the fabricating press is a turret press having a turret with a plurality of stations adapted to receive respective tool holders, the die holder being mounted removably to the turret.
27. (canceled)
28. The die holder of claim 1 wherein die holder is adapted for being clamped and unclamped without any assembly or disassembly of the die holder.
29-35. (canceled)
36. A die holder for a fabricating press, the die holder defining an interior recess configured to receive a die, the die holder including a clamp portion and a wall portion, wherein the die holder is adapted to be adjusted from an unclamped, open configuration to a closed, clamped configuration by performing a single step that comprises pushing together the clamp and wall portions.
37. The die holder of claim 36 wherein, when the die holder is in the unclamped, open configuration, the die holder has an open side.
38. The die holder of claim 36 wherein the clamp portion is a concave clamp portion and the wall portion is a concave wall portion, and when the die holder is in the closed, clamped configuration the die holder has a generally annular configuration.
39. (canceled)
40. The die holder of claim 36 wherein the die holder includes at least one resiliently-biased engagement body that is moveable between locked and unlocked positions, wherein the engagement body is in its locked position when the die holder is in the closed, clamped configuration.
41. The die holder of claim 36 wherein the die holder includes a plurality of locking pins that are moveable axially between locked and unlocked positions, the locking pins being in the locked position when the die holder is in the closed, clamped configuration.
42. The die holder of claim 36 wherein the die holder can be unclamped by performing an unclamping operation, the die holder being provided with a single-motion actuator that allows the unclamping operation to be performed in response to a single motion of the actuator.
43. (canceled)
44. The die holder of claim 36 wherein the clamp portion has a concave interior surface and wherein the die has a generally disk-shaped configuration and a perimeter defined by an exterior side surface, and when the die holder is in the closed, clamped configuration, the concave interior surface of the clamp portion abuts more than 180 degrees of the die's exterior side surface.
45. The die holder of claim 36 wherein the clamp portion is adapted to embrace the die such that when the clamp portion is moved away from the wall portion the die moves together with the clamp portion away from the wall portion.
46. A method of using a die holder, the die holder defining an interior recess in which a die is provided, the die holder including a clamp portion and a wall portion, the method comprising adjusting the die holder from an unclamped, open configuration to a closed, clamped configuration by performing a single step that comprises pushing together the clamp and wall portions.
47. The method of claim 46 wherein, when the die holder is in the unclamped, open configuration, the die holder has an open side through which the die can be passed by moving the die sideways.
48. The method of claim 46 wherein the fabricating press is a turret press having a turret with a plurality of stations adapted to receive respective tool holders, the die holders being mounted removably to the turret, and wherein said pushing together of the clamp and wall portions involves moving the clamp portion horizontally toward the wall portion.
49. The method of claim 46 wherein said single step is a tool-free operation.
50. The method of claim 46 wherein the die holder includes at least one engagement body that is moveable between locked and unlocked positions, and wherein said pushing together of the clamp and wall portions results in the engagement body being moved resiliently from its unlocked position to its locked position during which process the engagement body moves into a corresponding recess.
51. The method of claim 46 wherein the die holder includes a plurality of locking pins that are moveable axially between locked and unlocked positions, and wherein said pushing together of the clamp and wall portions involves the locking pins moving axially into corresponding recesses.
52-86. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 20, 2008
Publication Date: Mar 18, 2010
Applicant: Wilson Tool International Inc. (White Bear Lake, MN)
Inventors: Jon M. Shimota (Stillwater, MN), Brian J. Lee (Elk River, MN)
Application Number: 12/530,519
International Classification: B21D 37/04 (20060101); B21D 37/14 (20060101);