EP0388644A2 — Sheet metal punching machine

Claim 1

Independent Claim 175 words

- Sheet metal punching machine characterised by the fact that it includes: - a first line (8) for advancing or conveying plurality of punch sets (3) and of the type comprising a plurality of seat means (28) for said punch sets (3); - a second line (9) for advancing or convenying plurality of die sets (4) and of the type comprising a plurality of second seat means (45) for said die sets (4); - at least a working station (12) comprising first centering means (13) for one of said first seat means (28), said one first seat means constantly supporting, in use, a respective punch set (3) during advancement and punching, and second centering means (16) for one of said die set (4), said one die set being constantly accomodated, in use, within a respective said second seat means (45) during advancement and punching; - one drop hammer (15) installed at the level of the said working station (12); and - an electrical control computer (21) designed to manage the functioning of the untire installation.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 175 words

- Sheet metal punching machine characterised by the fact that it includes: - a first line (8) for advancing or conveying plurality of punch sets (3) and of the type comprising a plurality of seat means (28) for said punch sets (3); - a second line (9) for advancing or convenying plurality of die sets (4) and of the type comprising a plurality of second seat means (45) for said die sets (4); - at least a working station (12) comprising first centering means (13) for one of said first seat means (28), said one first seat means constantly supporting, in use, a respective punch set (3) during advancement and punching, and second centering means (16) for one of said die set (4), said one die set being constantly accomodated, in use, within a respective said second seat means (45) during advancement and punching; - one drop hammer (15) installed at the level of the said working station (12); and - an electrical control computer (21) designed to manage the functioning of the untire installation.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 47 words

- Machine in accordance with claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said working station (12) is provided with third devices (14) for the angular positioning of the said punch set (3) and fourth devices (17) for the angular positioning of the said die set (4).

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 38 words

- Machine in accordance with Claim 2, characterised by the fact that the said working station (12) is provided with fifth devices (18) for the hydraulic shock absorption of the said die set (4) during the punching phase.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 137 words

- Machine in accordance with at least one of the foregoing Claims, characterised by the fact that it comprises: a plurality of working units (5), each of which includes the said conveyor lines (8 and 9) and at lest one working station (12) with a corresponding drop hammer (15); a magazine (2) in which are stored a plurality of the said punch sets (3) and of the said die sets (4); a first device (11) for loading the said punch sets (3) between the said magazine (2) and said first seat means (28) of said first conveyor lines (8); and a second device (11) for loading the said die sets (4) between the said magazine (2) and said second seat means (45) of said second conveyor line (9); said loading devices (11) operating along respective vertical axes.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 42 words

- Machine in accordance with at least one of the foregoing claims, characterised by the fact that the said conveyor lines (8 and 9) include a respective chain (26) driven by a respective electric motor (38) controlled by the said computer (21).

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 33 words

- Machine in accordance with Claim 5, characterised by the fact that it includes a frame (35) from which originate respective guides (36, 37, 57 and 58) to support the said chains (26).

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 104 words

- Machine in accordance with Claim 6, differing from at least one of the foregoing Claims, characterised by the fact that the said first centering devices (13) comprise a third fixed body (77) borne by the said frame (35) and featuring at least a first pin (91) operated hydraulically by command issued by the said computer (21) in order to center said first seat means (28) and, hence, the said punch set (3); the said first pin (91), featuring a point (95) preferably shaped like a truncated cone and designed to engage a first hole (101) fashioned in the said first seat means (28).

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 91 words

- Machine in accordance with Claim 7, characterised by the fact that the said third body is substantially shaped like an upside-down letter "U" comprising a top side (81) in which a second through hole (82) is drilled, and two lateral sides (78); between these two a space (83 and 84) is defined which is corssed at the top by the said punch set (3), and each of the said lateral sides (78) presenting a respective inner shoulder (85) in correspondence with which the said first pin (19) is fitted vertically.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 65 words

- Machine in accordance with Claim 8, characterised by the fact that the said first seat means (28) presents at its top end two opposing projections (31) in which a respective first hole (101) is drilled and which, in use cross a space defined by the said shoulders (85) and a corresponding strip (86) borne by the bottom end of the said lateral sides (78).

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 171 words

- Machine in accordance with Claims 8 and 9, depending from at least one of the Claims from 3 to 7 depending from Claim 2, characterised by the fact that the said third devices (14) include a first tubular sleeve (106) housed in the said second hole (82) axially aligned with the said punch set (3) when this is in centering position in the said working station (12); the said first sleeve (106) being capable of rotating via a coupling between a first gear wheel (107) and an endless screw (111) powered by a third electric motor (112) operated by the said computer (21), and inside the said first sleeve (106) there being installed angularly solid with this a fourth annular body (123) designed to be translated axially by hydraulic power controlled by the said computer (21) between an upper and a lower position in which a part of it that is geared (142) engages with a geared part (68) of the upper part of the said underlying punch set (3).

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 68 words

- Machine in accordance with Claim 10, characterised by the fact that, between the said drop hammer (15) and the said punch set (3) in the said working station (12), a pivot (115) is fitted which crosses the said first sleeve (106) and the said fourth body (123) in order to transmit, during the punching phase, a translation towards the metal sheet, to the said punch set (3).

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 103 words

- Machine in accordance with Claim 7 to 11, characterised bu the fact that computer (21) is serviced by first sensors (252) designed to monitor the centering, via the said first pin (91), of the said first seat means (28) to the said third body (77), a second sensor (251) designed to monitor the presence of a said punch set (3) in correspondence with the said working station (12) and the type to which belongs the said punch set (3), and a third sensor (254) designed to monitor the geared coupling between the said fourth body (123) and the said punch set (3).

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 78 words

- Machine in accordance with one of the Claims from 6 to 12, depending from Claim 5, characterised by the fact that the said second centering devices (16) include a fifth tubular body (151) capable of being translated axially between a first release position and a second position in which the top end (152 and 154) of the said fifth body presses against a lower portion (55) of a die-holder drawer (48) of the said die set (4).

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 63 words

- Machine in accordance with Claim 13, characterised by the fact that the said upper end of the said fifth body (151) comprises a plate (154) that can be translated complanearly in order to ensure the aforesaid pressing against the said die-holder drawer (48) through the actuation of a second pin (162) operated hydraulically and cleared for operation by the said computer (21).

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 67 words

- Machine in accordance with Claim 13 and/or 14, characterised by the fact that the said firfth body (151) can rotate on its own longitudinal axis and that the said fourth devices (17) include a second gear wheel (184) borne by the said fifth body (151) and meshing with an endless screw (183) driven by an electric motor (185) cleared for operation by the said computer (21).

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 112 words

- Machine in accordance with one of the Claims from 13 to 15, characterised by the fact that the said fifth devices (18) include a first piston (187) powered hydraulically and designed, in its turn, to operate the axial translation of the said fifth body (151); between the said piston (187) and a sixth fixed body (181), two annular chambers (188 and 191) watertight between them, into which by inserting fluid under pressure, the axial position of the said first piston( 187) can be controlled in order that, during the punching phase, the stresses generated by this phase may be absorbed by the fluid present in the said chambers (188 and 191).

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 75 words

- Machine in accordance with Claim 16, characterised by the fact that the said fifth devices (18) include a hydraulic power unit (196) comprising a first circuit to supply the said chambers (188 and 191) of the said first piston (187) and a second circuit to supply a second piston (197) through the stroke of the said drop hammer (15) is actuated; the said hydraulic power unit (196) being operated by the said computer (21).

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 85 words

- Machine in accordance with Claim 13 to 17, characterised by the fact that the said computer (21) is serviced by fourth sensors (255) designed to moni tor the axial translation of the said fifth body (151), a fifth sensor (256) designed to monitor the axial position of the said die set (4) and hence to ensure that it is actually tight against the said fifth body (151), and sixth sensors (257) designed to monitor the axial position of the said pistons (187 and 197).

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 75 words

- Machine in accordance with at least one of the Claims, from 2 to 18, characterised by the fact that it includes a particular punch set (261) and a particular die set (262) designed to clamp the metal sheet between them in order that, through the synchronised actuation of the said third (14) and fourth (17) devices, they may rotate around their own longitudinal axis and thus vary the angular position of the metal sheet.

Sheet metal punching machine

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