US3873899A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic index and operating cycle regulator for a punch
Assignee: Komatsu Ltd
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Filing: 1973-11-09
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1993-11-09
Abstract
Abstract A control system is described for automatically establishing an optimum relation between an operating cycle of a punch press and the length of each of a succession of fixed-length segments of a continuous sheet advanced into the press by an indexing mechanism. A first output indication generated by a monitoring device at the conclusion of advance of each segment is compared with a second output indication generated at a fixed point in each cycle of the press. When the cyclic rate of the press is low, the second indication is delayed relative to the first indication, and the control system responds to such delay to accelerate the press cycle and thereby reduce the delay of the second indication relative to the first. When such acceleration has progressed to the point where the second indication coincides with the first, the acceleration of the press is terminated and the press thereafter proceeds at constant speed. Facilities are included for decelerating the press if the second indication overshoots and tends to lead the first indication, and for increasing the repeatability of a preselected length of the successive sheet segments.
Inventors
- 👤 Osamu Seo
- 👤 Genichi Tanabe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:13
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D43/00; B21D43/02; B21D43/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
In a manufacturing line wherein successive ideally fixedlength segments of sheet material are advanced into a punch press operating at a variable and initially low cyclic rate, the improvement which comprises means rendered effective at the completion of advance of each segment into the press for generating a first output indication; means operative at a fixed point in each press cycle for generating a second output indication, each second output indication being initially delayed relative to the corresponding first output indication, normally disabled means rendered effective during each press cycle that the second output indication is delayed relative to the first output indication for increasing the cyclic rate to decrease the time delay between the first and second indications; and means responsive to a coincidence of the first and second output indications for disabling the rate increasing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a manufacturing line wherein successive ideally fixedlength segments of sheet material are advanced into a punch press operating at a variable and initially low cyclic rate, the improvement which comprises means rendered effective at the completion of advance of each segment into the press for generating a first output indication; means operative at a fixed point in each press cycle for generating a second output indication, each second output indication being initially delayed relative to the corresponding first output indication, normally disabled means rendered effective during each press cycle that the second output indication is delayed relative to the first output indication for increasing the cyclic rate to decrease the time delay between the first and second indications; and means responsive to a coincidence of the first and second output indications for disabling the rate increasing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1, further comprising means responsive to a coincidence of the first and second output indications for initiating a decrease of the cyclic rate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
205 words
In a manufacturing line wherein successive ideally fixed-length segments of sheet material are advanced by a normally disabled indexing means into a punch press that is operable at a variable and initially low cyclic rate to subject each successive segment to at least one punching operation, apparatus for automatically establishing an optimum relation between the cyclic press rate and the ideally fixed length of the sheet segment comprising, in combination, means rendered effective at a first fixed point of each press cycle for enabling the indexing means; segment length monitoring means effective at the conclusion of advance of each segment into the press for disabling the indexing means and for producing a first output indication; means rendered effective at a second fixed point of each press cycle for generating a second output indication, each second output indication being initially delayed relative to the corresponding first output indication; normally disabled means rendered effective during each press cycle that the second output indication is delayed relative to the first output indication for increasing the cyclic rate to decrease the time delay between the first and second output indications; and means responsive to a coincidence of the first and second output indications for disabling the rate increasing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
205 words
In a manufacturing line wherein successive ideally fixed-length segments of sheet material are advanced by a normally disabled indexing means into a punch press that is operable at a variable and initially low cyclic rate to subject each successive segment to at least one punching operation, apparatus for automatically establishing an optimum relation between the cyclic press rate and the ideally fixed length of the sheet segment comprising, in combination, means rendered effective at a first fixed point of each press cycle for enabling the indexing means; segment length monitoring means effective at the conclusion of advance of each segment into the press for disabling the indexing means and for producing a first output indication; means rendered effective at a second fixed point of each press cycle for generating a second output indication, each second output indication being initially delayed relative to the corresponding first output indication; normally disabled means rendered effective during each press cycle that the second output indication is delayed relative to the first output indication for increasing the cyclic rate to decrease the time delay between the first and second output indications; and means responsive to a coincidence of the first and second output indications for disabling the rate increasing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3, further comprising means responsive to a coincidence of the first and second output indications for initiating a decrease of the cyclic rate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3, in which the cyclic rate of tHe press is established by a variable speed motor, and in which the rate increasing means comprises, in combination, a servomotor; means controlled by the output of the servomotor for applying to the input of the variable speed motor a first voltage that increases when the servomotor is driven in a first direction and decreases when the servomotor is driven in the opposite direction; and means operative during each cycle that the second output indication is delayed with respect to the first output indication for driving the servomotor in the first direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which the applying means comprises, in combination, means for generating a second voltage proportional to the speed of the variable speed motor; a potentiometer to the shaft of the servomotor; and means responsive to the difference between the second voltage and the voltage at the wiper arm of the potentiometer for driving the variable speed motor at a rate determined by the last-mentioned difference.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
172 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3, in which the indexing means comprises a variable speed motor, and in which the monitoring means comprises, in combination, a digital counter having a setting input, a counting input and means for generating a first voltage proportional to the difference between a count entered into the counter via the setting input and an accumulated count entered into the counter via the counting input; means for applying to the setting input of the counter a count corresponding to a desired fixed length of each sheet segment; means responsive to the advance of each segment for generating a succession of pulses at a fixed rate during such advance; means for coupling the output of the pulse generating means to the counting input of the counter; means for generating a second voltage proportional to the speed of the variable speed motor; and means responsive to the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage for driving the variable speed motor at a rate determined by the last-mentioned difference.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |