Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
In a punching and nibbling machine comprising a frame, a first slide movable on said frame in a first linear direction, a second slide movable on said first slide in a second linear direction at least approximately perpendicular to said first direction, means on said second slide for holding a workpiece, and a tool reciprocable on said frame for periodic engagement with and disengagement from said workpiece, means for moving said slides comprising a program-controlled motor for each of said slides, a linear transmission element driven by each of said motors respectively and movable in the direction of movement of the respective slide, and resilient means coupling each of said slides individually with the respective transmission element for movement of said transmission element by said motor while the respective slide is held stationary by engagement of said tool with said workpiece, said slide being moved to predetermined position by force stored in said resilient coupling means upon disengagement of said tool from said workpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
In a punching and nibbling machine comprising a frame, a first slide movable on said frame in a first linear direction, a second slide movable on said first slide in a second linear direction at least approximately perpendicular to said first direction, means on said second slide for holding a workpiece, and a tool reciprocable on said frame for periodic engagement with and disengagement from said workpiece, means for moving said slides comprising a program-controlled motor for each of said slides, a linear transmission element driven by each of said motors respectively and movable in the direction of movement of the respective slide, and resilient means coupling each of said slides individually with the respective transmission element for movement of said transmission element by said motor while the respective slide is held stationary by engagement of said tool with said workpiece, said slide being moved to predetermined position by force stored in said resilient coupling means upon disengagement of said tool from said workpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A machine according to claim 1, in which each of said linear transmission elements comprises a ball bearing screw driven in rotation by said motor and a nut engaging said screw and moved linearly by rotation of said screw, said resilient means coupling said nut with the respective slide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A machine according to claim 2, in which said resilient coupling means comprises two compressible resilient elements disposed respectively on opposite sides of said nut.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A machine according to claim 1 or 2, in which said resilient coupling means comprise compressible members of elastomeric material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A machine according to claim 1, in which said resilient coupling means comprise springs associated with damping means for damping sympathetic vibrations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A machine according to claim 1, further comprising means for sensing relative movement between each of said linear transmission elements and the respective slide and transmitting sensed information to the respective motor control.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A machine according to claim 6, in which said motors are computer controlled and said sensing means transmits information to said computer for programming said computer.