Punch actuator monitoring system and method

• US 6,598,505 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2001
• Issued: 07/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Helinski, Edward F., Henderson, Donald W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rachuba, M.
• Application Number:
  US09/792,011
• Publication Number:
  US 20010006016A1
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 83/13, 83/72, 835/75, 836/86, 836/87, 83/30
• US Class Current: 83/13
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 5/00 Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 7/08 Means for treating work or cutting member to facilitate cutting tensioning band cutters B26D1/48
• CPC Class Codes: B26F 1/02 Perforating by punching, e.g. with relatively-reciprocating punch and bed
• CPC Class Codes: B26F 2210/08 of ceramic green sheets, printed circuit boards and the like
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/44 pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/005 Punching of holes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/04 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/089 Responsive to tool characteristic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/141 With means to monitor and control operation [e.g., self-regulating means]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/152 And modify another operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/173 Arithmetically determined program
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/8765 Magnet- or solenoid-actuated tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/9425 Tool pair
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/9428 Shear-type male tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/943 Multiple punchings

Abstract

A method and apparatus for detecting performance of an apparatus for punching holes in a substrate, ensuring hole quality and/or minimizing or eliminating damage to the films during the hole punching process.

Claims

1. A method for preventing mispunching of holes in a substrate, said method comprising:

sensing punch movement parameters related to timing of a punch movement during a plurality of punching operations;

detecting a change in the parameters over time;

comparing the change to a predetermined value; and

ceasing the punching of holes when the detected change substantially differs from the predetermined value by a predetermined amount.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the parameters include a delay in the punches returning to a starting position after the punch engages the substrate subsequent to forming a hole in the substrate.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the parameters include the velocity of punch throughout the punching cycle.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the parameters include the acceleration and associated force required to punch a hole in the substrate.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the position of said substrate and said punch move relative to each other during said punching.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the parameters include a time interval between a time when a punch engages the substrate and a time when the punch exits the substrate.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the parameters include an increase in a time interval between a time when a punch leaves an initial position to a time when the punch returns to the initial position after punching a hole in the substrate.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, if the interval between the time when a punch leaves an initial position to a rime when the punch returns to the initial position is from about 600 to about 800 microseconds, and if a detected change in the interval is from about 3 to about 5 milliseconds, then said ceasing the punching of holes occurs.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined difference is from about 50% to about 300% of the predetermined value.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the parameters include an impact voltage and an actuation voltage, the method further comprising:

sensing the actuation voltage;

sensing the impact voltage; and

sensing a rime between the occurrence of the impact voltage and the occurrence of the actuation voltage.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

mounting an accelerometer on each punch actuator for measuring accelerating force on each punch actuator as a function of time; and

compensating for the forces detected on each punch actuator by the accelerometers by controlling actuation of each punch.

10. The method according to claim 14, wherein the parameters include an acceleration and associated force of return of the punch from a fully extended position to a starting position.