Computer controlled machine for punching and thermal cutting of workpieces
First Claim
1. In a computer controlled machine for performing punching and thermal cutting of workpieces, the combination comprising:
- A. a frame having a base and a head;
B. a ram assembly mounted on said head and including a ram member mounted for reciprocation on a vertical axis relative to said base and drive means for said ram member to effect such reciprocation;
C. first tool mounting means in said head including means for supporting a punch for reciprocation with said ram member;
D. second tool mounting means on said base including means for supporting a die in coaxial alignment with said axis of reciprocation of said ram member, said axis of reciprocation defining the work station and said tool mounting means being coaxial therewith;
E. a workpiece guidance system for moving a workpiece on said base of said frame below said ram assembly and along X and Y axes relative to said work station;
F. thermal cutting means including power generating means, a thermal cutting head mountable in one of said tool mounting means with its thermal cutting axis coaxially aligned with said axis of reciprocation of said ram member, and conduit means for coupling said head and power generating means;
G. waste removal means including a waste removal member mountable in the other of said tool mounting means, said machine including at last a portion of said conduit means for coupling to said thermal cutting head upon mounting in said one tool mounting means, and means for coupling said thermal cutting head and said portion of said conduit means upon such mounting; and
H. computer control means for selectively and alternately operating one of (i) said drive means for said ram member to reciprocate a punch and (ii) said thermal cutting means and for operating said guidance system to move a workpiece along said X and Y axes for operation thereon by the selected one of said ram member and thermal cutting means at said work station.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer controlled machine performs punching and thermal cutting of workpieces at the same work station in the machine. First tool mounting means is provided on the ram assembly of the punch head and supports a punch for reciprocation by the ram member. Second tool mounting means is provided on the base of the machine for supporting a die in coaxial alignment with the punch. The machine includes thermal cutting means including power generating means, a thermal cutting head mountable in one of the tool mounting means with its cutting axis aligned with the axis of reciprocation of the ram member, and conduit means for coupling the head to the power generating means. Waste removal means is provided for mounting in the other of the tool mounting means. Computer control means will selectively and alternately operate the drive means for the ram member and the thermal cutting means, as well as move the workpiece along X and Y axes relative to the work station at which both are selectively operable. The thermal cutting means may be a laser cutting head utilizing oxygen assist for the cutting operation, or it may be a plasma cutting head. The cutting heads and cooperating waste collection devices may be stored in an automatic tool changing device for automatic insertion into the tool mounting means in response to commands from the computer control.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. In a computer controlled machine for performing punching and thermal cutting of workpieces, the combination comprising:
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A. a frame having a base and a head; B. a ram assembly mounted on said head and including a ram member mounted for reciprocation on a vertical axis relative to said base and drive means for said ram member to effect such reciprocation; C. first tool mounting means in said head including means for supporting a punch for reciprocation with said ram member; D. second tool mounting means on said base including means for supporting a die in coaxial alignment with said axis of reciprocation of said ram member, said axis of reciprocation defining the work station and said tool mounting means being coaxial therewith; E. a workpiece guidance system for moving a workpiece on said base of said frame below said ram assembly and along X and Y axes relative to said work station; F. thermal cutting means including power generating means, a thermal cutting head mountable in one of said tool mounting means with its thermal cutting axis coaxially aligned with said axis of reciprocation of said ram member, and conduit means for coupling said head and power generating means; G. waste removal means including a waste removal member mountable in the other of said tool mounting means, said machine including at last a portion of said conduit means for coupling to said thermal cutting head upon mounting in said one tool mounting means, and means for coupling said thermal cutting head and said portion of said conduit means upon such mounting; and H. computer control means for selectively and alternately operating one of (i) said drive means for said ram member to reciprocate a punch and (ii) said thermal cutting means and for operating said guidance system to move a workpiece along said X and Y axes for operation thereon by the selected one of said ram member and thermal cutting means at said work station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21)
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20. In a computer controlled machine for performing punching and thermal cutting of workpieces, the combination comprising:
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A. a frame having a base and a head; B. a ram assembly mounted on said head and including a ram member mounted for reciprocation on a vertical axis relative to said base and drive means for said ram member to effect such reciprocation; C. first tool mounting means in said head including means for supporting a punch for reciprocation with said ram member; D. second tool mounting means on said base including means for supporting a die in coaxial alignment with said axis of reciprocation of said ram member, said axis of reciprocation defining the work station and said tool mounting means being coaxial therewith; E. a workpiece guidance system for moving a workpiece on said base of said frame below said ram assembly and along X and Y axes relative to said workstation; F. a laser cutting head mountable in said first tool mounting means with its cutting axis coaxially aligned with said axis of reciprocation of said ram member, and having focusing means therein to focus the laser beam onto a workpiece; G. waste removal means including a waste removal member mountable in said second tool mounting means; H. a laser resonator for generating a laser beam; I. laser beam transmission pathway means for transmitting the laser beam from said laser resonator to said focusing means of said laser cutting head upon mounting thereof in said first mounting means, at least a portion of said pathway means to direct the laser beam into said laser cutting head being disposed on said machine; and J. computer control means for selectively and alternately operating one of (i) said drive means for said ram member to reciprocate a punch and (ii) said laser cutting head means and said laser resonator, and for operating said guidance system to move a workpiece along said X and Y axes for operation thereon by the selected one of said ram member and laser cutting means at said work station. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. In a computer controlled machine for performing punching and thermal cutting of workpieces, the combination comprising:
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A. a frame having a base and a head; B. a ram assembly mounted on said head and including a ram member mounted for reciprocation on a vertical axis relative to said base and drive means for said ram member to effect such reciprocation; C. first tool mounting means in said head including means for supporting a punch for reciprocation with said ram member; D. second tool mounting means on said base including means for supporting a die in coaxial alignment with said axis of reciprocation of said ram member, said axis of reciprocation defining the work station and said tool mounting means being coaxial therewith; E. a workpiece guidance system for moving a workpiece on said base of said frame below said ram assembly and along X and Y axes relative to said work station; F. a plasma cutting head mountable in said first tool mounting means with its cutting axis coaxially aligned with said axis of reciprocation of said ram member, and conduit means for coupling said head and power generating means; G. a source of gas to be ionized in said cutting head; H. a source of high voltage energy to ionize gas in said cutting head; I. conduit means for coupling said cutting head with said gas source and said high voltage source upon mounting thereof in said first mounting means, at least a portion of said conduit means being disposed on said machine, and fitting means for coupling said portion of said conduit means to said plasma cutting head upon mounting thereof in said first mounting means; J. waste removal means including a waste removal member mountable in said second tool mounting means; and K. computer control means for selectively and alternately operating one of (i) said drive means for said ram member to reciprocate a punch and (ii) said plasma cutting head and for operating said guidance system to move a workpiece along sais X and Y axes for operation thereon by the selected one of said ram member and plasma cutting head, and for operating said high voltage source and gas source to produce a gas plasma at said plasma cutting head at said work station. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification