Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
259 words
A numerically controlled nibbling machine comprising a fixed tool, a punching tool cooperating with said fixed tool, means including crank mechanism having a crankshaft for cyclically reciprocating said punching tool relative to said fixed tool between a working position and a release position, step feeding means for moving a workpiece step-by-step between said fixed tool and said punching tool while said punching tool is in release position, computer means controlling said feeding means, means for generating a multiplicity of pulses each revolution of said crankshaft, said pulse generating means comprising a rotor rotatable with said crankshaft and having a multiplicity of angular zones each representing a small angle of rotation of said crankshaft and a sensor for detecting passage of said zones as said rotor rotates to generate said pulses, means for feeding said pulses and information of the thickness of said workpiece to said computer means, said computer means being programmed to send a control signal to said step feeding means for blocking the workpiece feed movement when the number of pulses transmitted to said computer following top dead center, as a reference, corresponds to a first angular position of said crankshaft in which said punching tool just clears a workpiece of predetermined thickness, and subsequently to send a control signal to said feeding means for resumption of workpiece feed movement when the number of additional pulses transmitted to said computer corresponds to a second angular position of said crankshaft in which said punching tool again just clears said workpiece of predetermined thickness after having engaged said workpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
259 words
A numerically controlled nibbling machine comprising a fixed tool, a punching tool cooperating with said fixed tool, means including crank mechanism having a crankshaft for cyclically reciprocating said punching tool relative to said fixed tool between a working position and a release position, step feeding means for moving a workpiece step-by-step between said fixed tool and said punching tool while said punching tool is in release position, computer means controlling said feeding means, means for generating a multiplicity of pulses each revolution of said crankshaft, said pulse generating means comprising a rotor rotatable with said crankshaft and having a multiplicity of angular zones each representing a small angle of rotation of said crankshaft and a sensor for detecting passage of said zones as said rotor rotates to generate said pulses, means for feeding said pulses and information of the thickness of said workpiece to said computer means, said computer means being programmed to send a control signal to said step feeding means for blocking the workpiece feed movement when the number of pulses transmitted to said computer following top dead center, as a reference, corresponds to a first angular position of said crankshaft in which said punching tool just clears a workpiece of predetermined thickness, and subsequently to send a control signal to said feeding means for resumption of workpiece feed movement when the number of additional pulses transmitted to said computer corresponds to a second angular position of said crankshaft in which said punching tool again just clears said workpiece of predetermined thickness after having engaged said workpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
A numerically controlled nibbling machine according to claim 1, in which said pulse generating means comprises a photoelectric pulse generator comprising a disc operatively connected to said crankshaft, said disc having alternate transparent and nontransparent zones, a light source disposed to direct light against said disc, and a photodiode on the opposite side of said disc in position to receive light transmitted through said transparent zones.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A numerically controlled nibbling machine according to claim 1, in which said pulse generating means comprises an inductive pulse generator comprising a metal disc operatively connected to said crankshaft and having slits defining inductive fields, and an induction coil associate with said disc in position to be in said fields.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A numerically controlled nibbling machine according to claim 1, in which said pulse generating means comprises an analog angular indicator operatively connected to said crankshaft and an analog-digital converter connected to said indicator for transmitting pulses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A numerically controlled nibbling machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4 in which said pulse generating means has a measuring resolution of at least 1000 pulses per revolution.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A numerically controlled nibbling machine according to claim 1, in which said feeding means comprises servo devices for step feeding said workpiece in two directions at right angles to one another.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
A numerically controlled nibbling machine according to claim 1, in which said computer is programmed to control said feeding means to feed said workpiece a predetermined distance per stroke of said punching tool and is further programmed so that operation of said feeding means is prevented if the time required for said programmed movement exceeds the time required for said crankshaft to turn from said angular position to said first angular position.