Punch press utilizing workpiece guidance system to effect tool changing
First Claim
1. In a punching press, the combination comprising:
- (a) a frame having a base and a head spaced thereabove with a ram reciprocatably mounted therein for movement relative to the base and defining a work station;
(b) tool mounting means in said head and base at said workstation for releasably mounting a cooperating punch and die;
(c) a workpiece guidance system including a transversely extending elongated rail, said system being supported on said frame for clamping an associated workpiece and effecting its movement relative to said work station in horizontal perpendicularly oriented X and Y axes;
(d) at least one tool holder supported on said rail for movement therewith, said tool holder projecting forwardly therefrom and having tool seating portions at the forward end thereof; and
(e) means for moving said rail with said tool holder to cause said tool holder to abut the tool mounting means in said head and transfer a punch between said holder and said tool mounting means.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A punching machine having a workpiece guidance system and a numeric control therefor, has one or more tool holders mounted upon the transverse rail of the guidance system, and a tool mounting assembly for receiving the punch and the die from the tool holder and securing them into position for punching of sheet metal and like workpieces. The workpiece guidance system effects the motion of the tool holder forwardly to bring the tools into the tool mounting positions, and the tools are then clamped in position. The guidance system is then moved rearwardly with the empty tool holder to a position where the punching operation can be conducted. Generally, the work table and the workpiece are moved forwardly with the workpiece guidance system during the tool changing operation, and a channel is provided in the lower portion of the frame and its worktable to permit movement of the tool holder and the die below the plane of the upper surface of the worktable. Multiple tool holders may be carried upon the transverse rail of the guidance system, or a single tool holder may be mounted at the end of the transverse rail and cooperate with adjacent tool storage devices to effect automatic exchange of tool holders and associated tool sets.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. In a punching press, the combination comprising:
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(a) a frame having a base and a head spaced thereabove with a ram reciprocatably mounted therein for movement relative to the base and defining a work station; (b) tool mounting means in said head and base at said workstation for releasably mounting a cooperating punch and die; (c) a workpiece guidance system including a transversely extending elongated rail, said system being supported on said frame for clamping an associated workpiece and effecting its movement relative to said work station in horizontal perpendicularly oriented X and Y axes; (d) at least one tool holder supported on said rail for movement therewith, said tool holder projecting forwardly therefrom and having tool seating portions at the forward end thereof; and (e) means for moving said rail with said tool holder to cause said tool holder to abut the tool mounting means in said head and transfer a punch between said holder and said tool mounting means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification