Abstract: For die arrangement, bar code tags which correspond to identification numbers given to a punch and die to be attached to a punch press are read by a bar code reader, and die information on the punch and die as well as die assembly information on a die assembly in which the punch and die are paired for pressing operation are stored in a non-volatile memory. In connection with the die assembly information, the address of the die assembly stocked in the punch press is stored. When starting pressing operation, the die assembly is fetched according to the die assembly information to perform die replacement.

Abstract: In a turret punch press 1 provided with an upper rotatable turret 5 having a plurality of punches P and a lower rotatable turret 7 having a plurality of dies D, a diameter of the lower turret 7 is determined to be larger than that of the upper turret 5; rotational centers of the upper and lower turrets 5 and 7 are determined to be eccentric from each other; and on a line obtained by connecting the two rotational centers of both the upper and lower turrets when seen on a plane, a position at which the upper and lower turrets 5 and 7 are overlapped upon each other is determined to be a punching position 21 and positions remotely opposite to the punching position 21 and at which the upper and lower turrets 5 and 7 are separated from each other are determined to be indexing positions 61 at which the angular positions of the punch P and the die D can be both indexed.

Abstract: A turret punch press and a die set exchange device for the press are disclosed. The punch press includes a turret carrying die sets in die set attaching areas, and a die set exchanging device having a plurality of housings on a carriage, which moves horizontally between the turret and a die storage section to take out and charge die sets with the turret and the die set storage section to exchange the die sets for the next use.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed to provide an automatic exchanging device of a cross bar of a transfer feeder and a control system therefor, which makes it possible to perform automatic exchanging of the cross bar. The cross bar automatic exchanging device of a transfer feeder comprises a cross bar exchanging robot (7) for exchanging cross bars (8) removed from a press body (1) with cross bars (8) to be used for the next time via a moving bolster (10), together with die (11) to be exchanged, and a cross bar storage rack (9) for storing necessary number of cross bars (8) for press processes to automatically perform all operations in that the cross bars (8) removed from the press body are taken out by the cross bar exchanging robot (7) and stored in the cross bar storage rack (9), and the cross bars (8) to be used in the next operation are taken out from the storage rack (9) and set on the cross bar receptacle base (12).

Abstract: In order to change punches and dies on upper and lower turrets during punching operation on a workpiece, a turret punch press includes a plurality of rotatable holder frames each supporting the upper and lower turret. Thus, when a first set of upper and lower turrets supported on a first holder frames is located in a working region under a striker for a punching operation, a second set of upper and lower turrets supported on a second holder frame is located in a position outside the working region, whereby a punch and die supported on the second set of the turrets can be changed for another punch and die during punching operation. In the preferable embodiment, the holder frame is removably supported on a main frame of the turret punch press, whereby the holder frame can be changed for another holder frame during punching operation.

Abstract: A metal sheet processing apparatus for replacing dies with one another and for positioning a plate material in longitudinal directions. The metal sheet processing apparatus includes left and right side frames (3L, 3R), upper (5) and lower (7) tables supported by the side frames, one of the upper and lower tables serving as a vertically movable ram, and dies (17,19) disposed in a processing zone between the upper and lower tables (5, 7), for processing a plate material (W). A back gauge unit (41) is moved and positioned in longitudinal directions to position in the longitudinal directions the metal sheet (W) to be processed by the dies (17, 19). A die storage section (37) is defined behind the upper table (5). Part of the back gauge unit (41) is vertically movable and capable of supporting and replacing the dies (17, 19) between the die storage section (37) and the processing zone.

Abstract: A segmented tool rack having a plurality of individual bays to retain tool heads for an automated selection by a robotic arm, the tool heads being positively locked in the tool rack and upon selection by a robotic arm, the tool head remains in locked position until locked-onto the robotic arm at which time it is unlocked from the tool rack avoiding the possibility of an accidental dropping of a tool head and further, the tool head remains locked in position on said rack in the event of a loss of power.

Abstract: An automated die transfer system for location adjacent to one end of a press brake bed. It includes an upper and lower tier storage rack for storing a die, or for transferring a die to a press brake bed. The racks may have different widths, and rollers spaced along their length. A wheeled carriage on rails carries the storage rack. A first drive motor moves the carriage horizontally along the tracks, while a second drive motor is linked to a drive for raising and lowering the storage rack. A control system, which includes a multi-axis axis control, is connected to both motors. The control panel is mounted on a hinged support arm. In use, the control panel is pivoted to the front of the press brake, turned on, and the multi-axis control is used to control the first drive motor to move the carriage into alignment with one end of a press brake bed, and is then used to control the second drive motor to cause the storage rack to move vertically adjacent to the end of the press brake bed.

Abstract: A turret punch press includes rotatable upper and lower turrets, a striker which is vertically movable for striking a punch, a plate positioning device for moving and positioning, in the X and Y directions, a plate workpiece supported on a work table, and a tool changing device, wherein a punch holder magazine and a die holder magazine supporting respectively a punch and a die to be installed on the upper turret and the lower turret to replace the punch and die in use, are provided adjacent to the upper and lower turrets. The punch changing position on the upper turret is below the punch holder magazine, and the die changing position on the lower turret is above the die holder magazine. The tool changing device is positioned on a vertical line between the punch and die changing positions so that the punches and dies can be changed by a direct linear operation.

Abstract: A turret punch press (1) includes an upper turret (5) for holding punches (P) and a lower turret (7) for holding dies (D). The diameter of the lower turret (7) is larger than that of the upper turret (5) so that a punch exchange position (61) and a die exchange position (61), which are opposite to a punching position (21), are separated away from each other. This arrangement enables the die to be exchanged from above the same, expands the freedom of designing of dies, improves workability, and realizes an automatic die exchange in an automatic index station.

Abstract: A turret punch press and a die set exchange device for the press are disclosed. The punch press includes a turret carrying die sets in die set attaching areas, and a die set exchanging device having a plurality of housings on a carriage, which moves horizontally between the turret and a die storage section to take out and charge die sets with the turret and the die set storage section to exchange the die sets for the next use.

Abstract: Cassette changing apparatus for index-feed machining systems having such a construction that a plurality of machining units, in which cassettes having machining means are provided, are disposed at predetermined intervals in the workpiece feeding direction in accordance with a plurality of machining processes; the cassette changing apparatus comprising a cassette transfer unit adapted to be movable in such a direction as to intersect with the workpiece feeding direction on a plane, and a cassette holder adapted to be approachable to and detachable from an index-feed machining system; a cassette being extracted from the index-feed machining system and housed in the cassette holder by means of the cassette transfer unit, and then another cassette holder housing a new cassette being moved to a loading position and mounted on the machining unit by means of the cassette transfer unit.

Abstract: A punch press provided with a tool magazine in which a plurality of tool mounting gondolas are supported movably in a vertical loop by and between two endless chains arranged vertically around sprocket wheels. Each gondola is supported at its supporting points which differ from each other at least in height, whereby the gondola is moved around in the loop without overturn when the sprocket wheels are rotated by a motor. Each of the gondolas stays at a manually tool changing location of the magazine where a table is provided for changing a number of tool assemblies in the magazine. The table has at least one guide which is positioned at two different heights, and along the guide tool assemblies or an upper and a lower die holders are drawn out of the gondola horizontally and placed in desired positions for replacement.

Abstract: In order to insert a punch into a punch mounting hole formed in a turret by a robot hand, the present method includes the following steps: (a) grasping the punch above the upper turret by a robot hand, and horizontally moving the punch to a position above a mounting hole formed in the upper turret; (b) moving the punch downwardly by the robot hand; (c) detecting whether the lower end of the punch is in contact with the wall of the mounting hole (d) detecting the height of the lower end of the punch when the lower end of the punch comes in contact with the wall of the mounting hole; (e) comparing the detected height of the lower end with a predetermined height; and (f) further moving the punch downwardly if the detected height is smaller than the predetermined height. In the preferred embodiment, if the insertion in accordance with the previous steps fails, the punch is moved upwardly and the center of the mounting hole is re-calculated on the basis of the data by a three-point search method.

Abstract: A punching machine has an upper (3) and a lower (4) tool magazine of the carousel type. Coaxially interacting punching tools (10) and die tools (19) are transferred in conjunction with tool changing from take-up positions in the upper and lower magazine to working positions respectively in the upper reciprocating punch holder (45, 49) of the machine and in the lower fixed die holder (29) of the machine. The upper punch holder is divided along an axial plane into one fixed parts and one radially moving part (45) relative to the magazine. The lower die holder is executed in the form of an uninterrupted ring. After the transfer of a punching tool from the upper magazine to the working position in the punch holder, the magazine (D.sub.1) with the other punching tools accommodated in it is raised in order to ensure the necessary clearance between these magazined tools and any projections and irregularities on the workpiece as it is fed and moved between the magazines during working.

Abstract: A grooving machine efficiently and speedily forms different kinds of grooves on the surface of a plate work (W). The grooving machine comprises a work table (11) on which the work (W) is fixed, a frame (7), an X-axis slider (17) disposed above the work table (11) and horizontally movably supported by the frame (7), a Z-axis slider (19) vertically movably supported by the X-axis slider (17), a tool holder base (75) supported by the Z-axis slider (19), and different kinds of cutting tools (97A to 97C) attached to the tool holder base (75), for grooving the surface of the work (W). Any one of these cutting tools (97A to 97C) is indexed to a cutting position where the work (W) is grooved. The tool holder base (75) has a cutting liquid supply portion (109) for supplying cutting liquid to a cutting zone where the indexed cutting tool cuts the work (W), and a cutting liquid suction portion (111) for sucking and removing excessive cutting liquid.

Abstract: A tool changing apparatus for changing the punches and dies on a turret punch press is disclosed, wherein a carriage device provided with a upper rotatable disk on which a plurality of punches in removably supported, and a lower rotatable disk on which a die holders supporting a plurality of dies is removably supported, is positioned at the side of the turret punch press. A punch mounting/dismounting device is further provided for dismounting a punch from and mounting a punch on the upper rotatable disk and for dismounting a punch from and mounting a punch on an upper turret disk on the turret punch press. The punch mounting/dismounting device is adapted to transport the punch between the upper rotatable disk and the upper turret disk. A die mounting/dismounting device is yet further provided for moving the die holder back and forth between a lower turret disk on the turret punch press, and the lower rotatable disk.

Abstract: A punch press has a frame with a rotatable ram having a tool mounting portion at its lower end and a rotatable die holder in the base of the frame, and it has a tool mounting portion. The tool mounting portions of the ram and die holder are aligned and have tool receiving passages at a point about their periphery. A work support table is provided about the work station and its upper surface provides a workpiece support. The press has a workpiece guidance system which includes an elongated rail and a multiplicity of tool holders supported on the rail for movement therewith. The press also includes a tool storage and transfer assembly at the outer end of the frame with a tool storage magazine rotatable about a horizontal axis and having tool holders spaced about the major portion of its periphery.

Abstract: A tool changing apparatus for changing the punches and dies on a turret punch press is disclosed, wherein a carriage device provided with a upper rotatable disk on which a plurality of punches is removably supported, and a lower rotatable disk on which a die holders supporting a plurality of dies is removably supported, is positioned at the side of the turret punch press. A punch mounting/dismounting device is further provided for dismounting a punch from and mounting a punch on the upper rotatable disk and for dismounting a punch from and mounting a punch on an upper turret disk on the turret punch press. The punch mounting/dismounting device is adapted to transport the punch between the upper rotatable disk and the upper turret disk. A die mounting/dismounting device is yet further provided for moving the die holder back and forth between a lower turret disk on the turret punch press, and the lower rotatable disk.

Abstract: The invention provides an automatic replacement system for automatically and efficiently replacing a bar cutter and a material transfer unit as well as all or part of plural dies and punches attached to a multi-stage press forming machine. The automatic replacement system includes a carrier for conveying tools between a multi-stage press station A including plural dies and punches and tool replacements stations B and C disposed in the vicinity of the press station A; first engagement means for detachable connecting a jig for conveying dies or punches with a material transfer unit; and second engagement means for detachable connecting the carrier with a bar cutter.

Abstract: A device for use in a multi-stage former automatically replaces a tool used for successive press work. When the tool is worn or damaged, or when the tool has been used for its estimated life, this condition is detected, whereupon the old tool is automatically removed and replaced by a new one. The device is used in an apparatus wherein a punch is forced against a die by a ram for plastically working a metal by press work, and the device handles the punch mounted on the ram. A punch case or punch holder is utilized to the punch replacing device being assembled therewith.