Workpiece-positioning apparatus and machine using same

Claim 3

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a holder for holding said workpiece in said precise position at said station and means synchronizing the movements of said positioning member and said holder to assure said workpiece is in position prior to engagement and holding thereof by said holder.

Claim 6

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said positioning member comprises an elongated member supported for axial movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a punch comprising said machine, said member having said stop fixed at a predetermined Position along the length thereof.

Claim 9

An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which said urging means comprises an air-operated cylinder having said member provided as its telescoping rod.

Claim 10

An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which said mechanism comprises a pivoted lever having one end portion which is adapted to be engaged by an inner portion of said stop, a cam roller provided on an opposite end portion of said lever, a cam operatively connected to and driven by said machine, and an actuator operatively connected to said lever and holding said cam roller against said cam to control the position of said one end portion, said urging means holding said stop against said one end portion to thereby control said rate of movement of said member toward said station.

Claim 11

An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 in which said urging means comprises an air-operated cylinder having, an outer housing fixed to said machine, said control surface provided on a portion of said housing, and said member provided as its telescoping rod.

Claim 12

An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 in which said actuator is in the form of an air cylinder.

Claim 13

A machine comprising a die, a reciprocating punch cooperating with said die for drawing and ironing an associated workpiece at a drawing and ironing station of said machine to define a container, a workpiece receiver at said station for confining a side portion of said workpiece, a workpiece-positioning member supported for movement toward and away from said station and having a stop provided thereon, a fixed control surface provided adjacent said positioning member, and means urging said positioning member toward said station causing said positioning member to engage and move an associated workpiece to a precise position controlled by said stop engaging said control surface, and a mechanism which limits the rate of movement of said member toward said station, said urging means continuously urging said member against said mechanism and toward said station until said stop engages said control surface, said mechanism being controlled for movement to comparatively loose tolerances due to the precise positioning provided by said stop engaging said control surface, said receiver and positioning member cooperating to hold said workpiece in precise alignment ahead of said die to enable efficient drawing and ironing by said punch.

Claim 14

A machine comprising a die, a reciprocating punch cooperating with said die for drawing and ironing an associated workpiece at a drawing and ironing station of said machine to define a container, a workpiece receiver at said station for confining a side portion of said workpiece, a workpiece-positioning member supported for movement toward and away from said station and having a stop provided thereon, a fixed control surface provided adjacent said positioning member, and means urging said positioning member toward said station causing said positioning member to engage and move an associated workpiece to a precise position controlled by said stop engaging said control surface, and a mechanism which limits the rate of movement of said member toward said station, said urging means continuously urging said member against said mechanism and toward said station until said stop engages said control surface, said mechanism being controlled for movement to comparatively loose tolerances due to the precise positioning provided by said stop engaging said control surface, said receiver and positioning member cooperating to hold said workpiece in precise alignment ahead of said die to enable efficient drawing and ironing by said punch.

Claim 15

A machine as set forth in claim 10 and further comprising a holder for engaging the precisely aligned workpiece and holding it in position against said die.

Claim 16

A machine as set forth in claim 10 in which said workpiece comprises a cup-shaped article and further comprising a holder for engaging the precisely aligned cup-shaped article and holding it in position against said die to enable said efficient drawing and ironing thereof.

Claim 17

A machine as set forth in claim 10 in which said receiver comprises a pivotal arm having a C-shaped portion defining the terminal outer end thereof, said arm being held in a fixed position during normal operation and being easily pivoted away from said station to enable easy access to a workpiece which may be jammed at said station.

Claim 18

A machine as set forth in claim 10 in which said workpiece comprises a cup-shaped article, said receiver comprises a pivotal arm having a substantially C-shaped outer end portion provided with an extension portion which extends toward said positioning member and away from the bight of such C-shaped portion, and further comprising means conveying each cup-shaped article generally toward said station, said extension provided on said C-shaped portion of said arm being adapted to support the lowermost cup-shaped article adjacent said station and guide each lowermost cup-shaped article toward the bight of the C-shaped portion during movement of said cup-shaped article by said positioning member.

Claim 19

A machine as set forth in claim 14 in which said conveying means comprises a gravity chute.

Claim 20

A machine as set forth in claim 12 and further comprising means synchronizing the movements of said positioning member and said holder to assure said cup-shaped article is in position prior to engagement and holding thereof by said holder.

Claim 21

A machine comprising a die; a reciprocating punch cooperating with said die for drawing and ironing an associated workpiece at a drawing and ironing station of said machine to define a container; a workpiece receiver at said station for confining a side portion of said workpiece; a workpiece-positioning member supported for movement toward and away from said station and having a stop provided thereon; a fixed control surface provided adjacent said positioning member; means urging said positioning member toward said station causing said positioning member to engage and move an associated workpiece to a precise position controlled by said stop engaging said control surface; said receiver and positioning member cooperating to hold said workpiece in precise alignment ahead of said die to enable efficient drawing and ironing by said punch; a holder for engaging the precisely aligned workpiece and holding it in position against said die to enable said efficient drawing an ironing thereof; and means synchronizing the movements of said positioning member and said holder to assure said workpiece is in position prior to engagement and holding thereof by said holder; said synchronizing means comprising, a rotatable shaft driven by said machine, a first cam fixed on said shaft for rotation therewith, an actuating assembly operatively associating between said first cam and said holder to control the movement thereof, and a second cam fixed on said shaft for rotation therewith and operatively associating with said positioning member, said cams being rotated simultaneously by said shaft and cooperate to assure said synchronized movements.

Claim 22

A machine comprising a die; a reciprocating punch cooperating with said die for drawing and ironing an associated workpiece at a drawing and ironing station of said machine to define a container; a workpiece receiver at said station for confining a side portion of said workpiece; a workpiece-positioning member supported for movement toward and away from said station and having a stop provided thereon; a fixed control surface provided adjacent said positioning member; means urging said positioning member toward said station causing said positioning member to engage and move an associated workpiece to a precise position controlled by said stop engaging said control surface; said receiver and positioning member cooperating to hold said workpiece in precise alignment ahead of said die to enable efficient drawing and ironing by said punch; a holder for engaging the precisely aligned workpiece and holding it in position against said die to enable said efficient drawing an ironing thereof; and means synchronizing the movements of said positioning member and said holder to assure said workpiece is in position prior to engagement and holding thereof by said holder; said synchronizing means comprising, a rotatable shaft driven by said machine, a first cam fixed on said shaft for rotation therewith, an actuating assembly operatively associating between said first cam and said holder to control the movement thereof, and a second cam fixed on said shaft for rotation therewith and operatively associating with said positioning member, said cams being rotated simultaneously by said shaft and cooperate to assure said synchronized movements.

Claim 23

A machine as set forth in claim 17 in which said positioning member comprises an elongated member and said stop comprises a stop collar which is substantially infinitely adjustable along the length of said elongated member and further comprising means for fixing said collar at any desired position along said elongated member.

Claim 24

A machine as set forth in claim 17 in which said positioning member comprises an elongated member supported for axial movement and having said stop in the form of an infinitely axially adjustable stop attached adjacent one end of said elongated member, and further comprising a mechanism which limits the rate of movement of said elongated member toward said station, said urging means continuously urging said member against said mechanism and toward said station until said stop engages said control surface, said mechanism being controlled for movement to comparatively loose tolerances due to the precise positioning provided by said stop engaging said control surface.

Claim 25

A machine as set forth in claim 19 in which said urgIng means comprises an air-operated cylinder having said member provided as its telescoping rod.

Claim 26

A machine as set forth in claim 19 in which said mechanism comprises a pivoted lever having one end portion which is adapted to be engaged by an inner portion of said stop, a cam roller provided on an opposite end portion of said lever, a cam operatively connected to and driven by said machine, and an actuator operatively connected to said lever and holding said cam roller against said cam to control the position of said one end portion, said urging means holding said stop against said one end portion to thereby control said rate of movement of said member toward said station.

Claim 27

A machine as set forth in claim 21 in which said urging means comprises an air-operated cylinder having, an outer housing fixed to said machine, said control surface provided on a portion of said housing, and said elongated member provided as its telescoping rod.