Tool changing mechanism for a metal forming press

• US 6,024,681 A
• Filed: 10/10/1997
• Issued: 02/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Amada GmbH (Amada Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Amada GmbH (Amada Company Limited)
• Inventors: Saito, Hideji, Latten, Werner
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Daniel W.
• Application Number:
  US08/948,972
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 72/446, 72/448, 72/389.3, 483/28, 483/29, 483/68
• US Class Current: 483/29
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 37/145 Die storage magazines
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 5/02 on press brakes without making use of clamping means
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 15/028 Loading or unloading of dies, platens or press rams
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/1731 including matrix
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/1891 Chain or belt

Abstract

The present invention refers to a tool-changing mechanism that can be used especially in combination with a metal-forming press. Especially in the case of big and heavy forming tools, pairs of tools are difficult to exchange. The present invention intends to provide the possibility of exchanging also tools of this type rapidly and easily, the tool exchange being, in addition, carried out automatically, if desired. For this purpose, the tool-changing mechanism (1) includes a circulating means provided with a plurality of reception means (4a, 4b) for holding forming tools (5a, 5b). The tool-changing mechanism is adapted to be set up beside a metal-forming press. At a tool changing position, the tools can be pushed into the metal-forming press. Furthermore, the present invention refers to an arrangement comprising a metal-forming press and a tool-changing mechanism in the case of which said tool-changing mechanism is arranged directly at the side of the metal-forming press (10).

Claims

1. A tool changing mechanism for supplying pairs of cooperating tools to, and for receiving pairs of cooperating tools from, a forming press (10), comprising:

(a) a frame (2) adapted to be positioned adjacent the press;

(b) endless drive means (3) mounted on said frame, said drive means including a pair of parallel runs a first one of which extends adjacent a first tool changing position (I) relative to said frame;

(c) a plurality of parallel reception means (4a, 4b) connected with said drive means in equally spaced relation, said reception means extending normal to the plane containing said drive means, successive pairs of said reception means being adapted to receive the tools of said tool pairs, respectively; and

(d) guide means (4g, 4h) arranged on each of said reception means normal to said endless conveyor run, said tools being supported for movement longitudinally of said guide means, whereby when a desired first pair of said reception means is positioned on said first run opposite said first tool changing position, the associated pair of tools may be transferred between said first pair of reception means and the press.

2. A tool changing mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said reception means is pivotally connected with said endless drive means.

3. A tool changing mechanism as defined in claim 1, and further including position detecting means (8a) arranged on said frame adjacent said first tool changing position.

4. A tool changing mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said reception means comprises a storage facility (9) for removably supporting a plurality of said tools.

5. A tool changing mechanism as defined in claim 1, and further including tool displacing means (M) mounted on said frame adjacent said first position for displacing said tools between said reception means and the press.

6. A tool changing mechanism as defined in claim 1, and further including tool displacing means (M'"'"') mounted on said reception means for displacing said tools between said reception means and the press.

7. A mechanism for changing the tools of a press (10) having a pair of relatively displaceable tool holders (11a, 11b) that are spaced a given first distance (a) when the press is at rest, comprising:

(a) a frame (2);

(b) endless traction drive means (3) mounted on said frame;

(c) a plurality of pairs of reception means (4a, 4b) arranged successively on said endless traction drive means, respectively;

(d) a cooperating pair of tools (5a, 5b) arranged in one of said pair of reception means, one of said tools consisting of a plurality of sections (5c, 5d) one of which has a given width (x); and

(e) said endless traction drive means having a first run that extends adjacent a first tool changing position (I) relative to said frame, whereby when said frame is positioned adjacent the press and a desired first pair of said reception means is positioned on said first run opposite said first tool exchanging position, the tools of said tool pair are positioned opposite the tool holders of the press, respectively, for transfer of the tools between said reception means and said tool holders, respectively, said endless traction drive means being displaceable through a distance equal to said given width to a second position (II) relative to the tool holders of the press for transfer of the corresponding section of the tool.

8. A mechanism for changing the tools of a press (10) having a pair of relatively displaceable tool holders (11a, 11b) that are spaced a given first distance (a) when the press is at rest, comprising a plurality of tool-changing mechanisms arranged in alignment on the same side of said press, each of said tool changing mechanisms including:

(a) a frame (2);

(b) endless traction drive means (3) mounted on said frame;

(c) a plurality of pairs of reception means (4a, 4b) arranged successively on said endless traction drive means for removably holding the associated pairs of tools (5a, 5b), respectively; and

(d) a cooperating pair of tools (5a, 5b) arranged in one of said pair of reception means, respectively;

(e) said endless traction drive means having a first run that extends adjacent a first tool changing position (I) relative to said frame, whereby when said frame is positioned adjacent the press and a desired first pair of said reception means is positioned on said first run opposite said first tool exchanging position, the tools of said tool pair are positioned opposite the tool holders of the press, respectively, for transfer of the tools between said reception means and said tool holders, respectively.