US4987765A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for multi-step workpiece manufacturing
Assignee: Hashimoto Forming Industry Co Ltd
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Filing: 1989-11-21
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Granted: 1991-01-29
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Expires: 2009-11-21
Abstract
Abstract A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a workpiece in plurality of manufacturing steps with small time losses between successive manufacturing steps, which utilizes a small number of manufacturing machines, according to which the manufacturing machines and the transferring machines are controlled such that while one manufacturing step is being applied by one manufacturing machine and then the workpiece is being transferred by the transferring machine from that one manufacturing machine to another manufacturing machine for applying a next manufacturing step to the workpiece, the another manufacturing machine is prepare for the next manufacturing step by placing an appropriate one of the manufacturing press dies under the ram of the press machine of the another manufacturing machine by intermittently moving the plurality of manufacturing press dies.
Inventors
- 👤 Tatsuo Nishimura
- 👤 Makoto Chikama
- 👤 Koichi Ogiwara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:00
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D43/00; B21D43/02; B21D43/04; B21D43/10; B21D43/105; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/51; Y10T29/5124; Y10T29/5152; Y10T29/5153; Y10T29/519; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/869; Y10T83/8748
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
An apparatus for manufacturing a workpiece, comprising: at least two manufacturing means for applying manufacturing steps to the workpiece, each one of which including: a press machine having a ram; a table means for carrying a plurality of manufacturing press dies corresponding to different manufacturing steps to be applied to the workpiece, the table means being capable of moving the manufacturing press dies intermittently under the ram of the press machine such that any one of the manufacturing press dies can be placed under the ram of the press machine selectively; means for transferring the workpiece among the manufacturing means, capable of transferring the workpiece in and out of one manufacturing press die of one manufacturing means placed under the ram of the press machine; means for controlling the manufacturing means and the transferring means such that while one manufacturing step is being applied by one manufacturing means and then the workpiece is being tranferred by the transferring means from that one manufacturing means to another manufacturing means for applying a next manufacturing step to the workpiece, the table means of the another manufacturing means is intermittently moved to prepare for the next manufacturing step by placing an appropriate one of the manufacturing press dies under the ram of the press machine of the another manufacturing means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
217 words
An apparatus for manufacturing a workpiece, comprising: at least two manufacturing means for applying manufacturing steps to the workpiece, each one of which including: a press machine having a ram; a table means for carrying a plurality of manufacturing press dies corresponding to different manufacturing steps to be applied to the workpiece, the table means being capable of moving the manufacturing press dies intermittently under the ram of the press machine such that any one of the manufacturing press dies can be placed under the ram of the press machine selectively; means for transferring the workpiece among the manufacturing means, capable of transferring the workpiece in and out of one manufacturing press die of one manufacturing means placed under the ram of the press machine; means for controlling the manufacturing means and the transferring means such that while one manufacturing step is being applied by one manufacturing means and then the workpiece is being tranferred by the transferring means from that one manufacturing means to another manufacturing means for applying a next manufacturing step to the workpiece, the table means of the another manufacturing means is intermittently moved to prepare for the next manufacturing step by placing an appropriate one of the manufacturing press dies under the ram of the press machine of the another manufacturing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the table means comprises a rotary table rotatable around the press machine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of manufacturing press dies are arranged on the table means along its circumference with a predetermined interval between neighboring manufacturing press dies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transferring means comprises a multi-joint robot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transferring means is located between two manufacturing means for manufacturing two ends of the workpiece.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
223 words
A method of manufacturing a workpiece, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least two manufacturing means for applying manufacturing steps to the workpiece, each one of which including: a press machine having a ram; a table means for carrying a plurality of manufacturing press dies corresponding to different manufacturing steps to be applied to the workpiece, the table means being capable of moving the manufacturing press dies intermittently under the ram of the press machine such that any one of the manufacturing press dies can be placed under the ram of the press machine selectively; (b) providing means for transferring the workpiece among the manufacturing means, capable of transferring the workpiece in and out of one manufacturing press die of one manufacturing means placed under the ram of the press machine; (c) controlling the manufacturing means and the transferring means such that while one manufacturing step is being applied by one manufacturing means and then the workpiece is being transferred by the transferring means from that one manufacturing means to another manufacturing means for applying a next manufacturing step to the workpiece, the table means of the another manufacturing means is intermittently moved to prepare for the next manufacturing step by placing an appropriate one of the manufacturing press dies under the ram of the press machine of the another manufacturing means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
223 words
A method of manufacturing a workpiece, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least two manufacturing means for applying manufacturing steps to the workpiece, each one of which including: a press machine having a ram; a table means for carrying a plurality of manufacturing press dies corresponding to different manufacturing steps to be applied to the workpiece, the table means being capable of moving the manufacturing press dies intermittently under the ram of the press machine such that any one of the manufacturing press dies can be placed under the ram of the press machine selectively; (b) providing means for transferring the workpiece among the manufacturing means, capable of transferring the workpiece in and out of one manufacturing press die of one manufacturing means placed under the ram of the press machine; (c) controlling the manufacturing means and the transferring means such that while one manufacturing step is being applied by one manufacturing means and then the workpiece is being transferred by the transferring means from that one manufacturing means to another manufacturing means for applying a next manufacturing step to the workpiece, the table means of the another manufacturing means is intermittently moved to prepare for the next manufacturing step by placing an appropriate one of the manufacturing press dies under the ram of the press machine of the another manufacturing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the table means comprises a rotary table rotatable around the press machine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of manufacturing press dies are arranged on the table means along its circumference with a predetermined interval between neighboring manufacturing press dies.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the transferring means comprises a multi-joint robot.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the transferring means is located between two manufacturing means for manufacturing two ends of the workpiece.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3937057A
Cited
GB2038681A
Cited
US4449390A
Cited
JPS5841630A
Cited
JPS5942145A
Cited
JPS6281230A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-01-28 | 1994-07-30 | 1995-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-01-28 | 1998-07-30 | 1999-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-01-28 | 2002-07-30 | 2003-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |