LIVE TOOLING SYSTEMS FOR MACHINE TOOLS
First Claim
1. A tool adapted for use on a metal-fabricating press having a ram configured to strike and accelerate the tool, the tool having a generator adapted to transform dynamic energy from a stroke of the ram into electrical energy.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In conventional ram-driven presses, the downward stroke of the ram into a tool causes acceleration of the tool, thereby facilitating an operation on a workpiece by the tip of the tool. While the ram stroke is found to impart sufficient dynamic energy to the tool to facilitate the necessitated operation by the tool tip, there are other more efficient, and in turn, more effective, means and methods of actuating the tool tip, with such means and methods being facilitated from energy derived from the tool'"'"'s acceleration or from energy from other external sources.
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Citations
53 Claims
- 1. A tool adapted for use on a metal-fabricating press having a ram configured to strike and accelerate the tool, the tool having a generator adapted to transform dynamic energy from a stroke of the ram into electrical energy.
- 21. A tool and a metal-fabricating press in combination, the tool being operably mounted on the press, the press having a ram configured to accelerate the tool, the tool having a generator adapted to transform dynamic energy, created when the ram accelerates the tool, into electrical energy.
- 34. A method of using a press, the method involving a tool and a metal-fabricating press in combination, the tool being operably mounted on the press, the press having a ram configured to strike and accelerate the tool, the tool having a generator adapted to transform kinetic mechanical energy, created when the ram accelerates the tool, into electrical energy, the method comprising actuating the ram of the press to accelerate the tool thereby causing the generator to transform said dynamic energy into electrical energy.
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38. The method of claim 38 wherein said act is selected from the group consisting of punching the workpiece, bending the workpiece, creating a form in the workpiece, rotary cutting of the workpiece, deburring the workpiece, tapping the workpiece, ink printing on the workpiece, spotwelding the workpiece, forming a swirl pattern on the workpiece, measuring the workpiece, and inspecting the workpiece.
- 44. A tool adapted for use on a metal-fabricating press, the tool having a power source, the power source being adapted to deliver electric current so as to energize a component of the tool, thereby causing the tool to act on a workpiece.
Specification