Modular tooling system and method
First Claim
1. A re-usable tooling system adapted to be reconfigured to fabricate parts from sheet metal, wherein the parts having different sizes and shapes, the tooling system comprising:
- first and second die shoes operably interconnected by linear guides, the shoes having inner sides facing one another, at least the first die shoe having a plurality of spring-receiving pockets in the inner side arranged to define an array of spring-receiving pockets;
a plurality of resilient members disposed in selected ones of the spring-receiving pockets, wherein the number of resilient members is substantially less than the number of spring-receiving pockets;
a plate member secured to the first die shoe having a plurality of spring-receiving pockets, the plate member closing off a plurality of the pockets that do not have resilient members disposed in them, the plate member simultaneously providing clearance at the pockets having resilient members disposed in them;
a plurality of die steels mounted to the plate member, including at least one metal-forming component operably connected to a selected one of the resilient members such that the metal-forming component shifts as the first and second die shoes move relative to one another.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A die having various features such as spring pockets and mounting provisions for a lifter bar that can be utilized to make a variety of dies. The dies may include pockets or other mounting features that provide for mounting replaceable plates that can be machined for mounting of die forming and cutting steels and other die components. The die shoe may include an array of pockets or blind holes for mounting nitrogen springs or the like for operation of forming steels and the like. One or more openings may be drilled in the replaceable plates above the pockets selected to receive nitrogen springs, with the remaining unused pockets being covered by the replaceable plate. The replaceable plate and pre-formed spring pockets thereby permit the die to be readily adapted for a particular die. The replaceable plates may be removed, and a replacement plate may be installed as needed for a new die.
28 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A re-usable tooling system adapted to be reconfigured to fabricate parts from sheet metal, wherein the parts having different sizes and shapes, the tooling system comprising:
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first and second die shoes operably interconnected by linear guides, the shoes having inner sides facing one another, at least the first die shoe having a plurality of spring-receiving pockets in the inner side arranged to define an array of spring-receiving pockets; a plurality of resilient members disposed in selected ones of the spring-receiving pockets, wherein the number of resilient members is substantially less than the number of spring-receiving pockets; a plate member secured to the first die shoe having a plurality of spring-receiving pockets, the plate member closing off a plurality of the pockets that do not have resilient members disposed in them, the plate member simultaneously providing clearance at the pockets having resilient members disposed in them; a plurality of die steels mounted to the plate member, including at least one metal-forming component operably connected to a selected one of the resilient members such that the metal-forming component shifts as the first and second die shoes move relative to one another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A reconfigurable die system, comprising:
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a die including first and second die shoes that are operably interconnected by linear guides, wherein the first die shoe defines generally parallel opposite edge portions that are spaced-apart from one another and include connecting features adjacent the opposite edge portions; metal-forming components secured to the first and second die shoes for forming a piece of metal in the die when the first and second die shoes are brought together in use; lifter bar assembly including a pair of linear guides releasably secured to the connecting features, and an elongated bar having opposite ends movably supported by the linear guides, the linear guides biasing the elongated bar away from the first die shoe, the lifter bar assembly further including a locating pin mounted to a central portion of the elongated bar and extending transversely from the elongated bar; and
wherein;the locating pin is removably connected to the elongated bar so it can be removed and replaced when the die is reconfigured, and the linear guides can be connected to the connecting features at different positions such that the lifter bar assembly can be secured to the first die at different locations. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method of providing tooling for production of metal parts, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a die set having first and second die shoes, the first die shoe having a plurality of spring-receiving pockets on an inner side of the first die shoe; positioning a resilient member in at least one of the pockets; securing a first plate member to the first die shoe such that the first plate member closes off at least some of the spring-receiving pockets, and wherein the first plate member is secured to the first die in a manner that does not substantially interfere with the resilient member; and securing a first metal-forming die steel to the first plate member; fabricating a plurality of first metal parts having a first size and shape by deforming sheet metal in the die utilizing a press machine; removing the first metal-forming die steel and the first plate member from the die set; replacing the first metal-forming die steel and the first plate member with a second metal-forming die steel and a second plate member; fabricating a plurality of second parts having a second size and shape that is distinctly different than the first size and shape by deforming sheet metal in the die utilizing a press machine. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification