Turret punch press with a die exchanging device

Claim 2

A turret punch press comprising: a turret having a plurality of die set attaching areas adapted to attachably and removably support die sets; a die set storage section positioned close to said turret for storing a plurality of die sets; a plurality of carriages for supporting said plurality of die sets, mounted on a guide rail provided in the turret punch press, and means for freely moving and firmly supporting respective said plurality of die sets on said guide rail; and an automatic die set exchanging device for exchanging die sets, wherein said automatic die set exchanging device comprises a plurality of die set carrying sections which are adapted to move between a die set exchanging position of said turret and said die set storage section in order to exchange die sets.

Claim 3

The turret punch press of claim 1, wherein said plurality of die set carrying sections are arranged in horizontal rows.

Claim 4

The turret punch press of claim 1, wherein the number of die set carrying sections is one greater than the number of said die set attaching areas.

Claim 5

The turret punch press of claim 1, wherein said die attaching areas when located in said die set exchanging position, are positioned at the same height as said die set carrying sections.

Claim 6

The turret punch press of claim 4, wherein a plurality of said die sets positioned in said die set storage section are adapted to move and to be positioned at said same height; and said die set carrying sections are adapted to move substantially horizontally, in a substantially transverse direction, between said die set exchanging position and said die set storage section in order to exchange said die sets by discharging and charging said die sets in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to said die set attaching areas and said die set storage section.

Claim 7

A turret punch press comprising: a turret having die set attaching areas in which die sets are adapted to be attached; a die set exchanging device disposed exteriorly of said turret for exchanging die sets which are attached in said die set attaching areas; and a device for fixing and releasing said die sets in said die set attaching areas, said device including a plurality of fixing elements, wherein first fixing elements are mounted on said turret, with a plurality of additional fixing elements being adapted to actuate said first fixing elements into either an attachment or release condition, said additional fixing elements being located exteriorly of said turret; and wherein said first fixing elements comprise fixing members, pins, and springs, wherein said springs are adapted to force said fixing members and said pins to engage said die sets in order to attach the die sets to said die set attaching areas.

Claim 8

A turret punch press comprising: a turret having die set attaching areas in which die sets are adapted to be attached; a die set exchanging device disposed exteriorly of said turret for exchanging die sets which are attached in said die set attaching areas; and a device for fixing and releasing said die sets in said die set attaching areas, said device including a plurality of fixing elements, wherein first fixing elements are mounted on said turret, with a plurality of additional fixing elements being adapted to actuate said first fixing elements into either an attachment or release condition, said additional fixing elements being located exteriorly of said turret; and wherein said first fixing elements comprise fixing members, pins, and springs, wherein said springs are adapted to force said fixing members and said pins to engage said die sets in order to attach the die sets to said die set attaching areas.

Claim 9

The turret punch press of claim 6, wherein said additional fixing elements are positioned on at least one of said die set exchanging device and a part of said turret punch press other than said turret.

Claim 10

A die set exchange device adapted to be used in a punch press which includes at least one die set area for detachably receiving at least one die set, and a die set storage section for storing a plurality of die sets, the die set exchange device comprising: a rail substantially extending between the die set area of the punch press and the die set storage section; a die set carriage having a plurality of die set carrying sections each adapted to support at least one die set, the die set carriage being supported on the rail for sliding along the rail; and means for moving said rail relative to said punch press.

Claim 11

A die set exchange device adapted to be used in a punch press which includes at least one die set area for detachably receiving at least one die set, and a die set storage section for storing a plurality of die sets, the die set exchange device comprising: a rail substantially extending between the die set area of the punch press and the die set storage section; a die set carriage having a plurality of die set carrying sections each adapted to support at least one die set, the die set carriage being supported on the rail for sliding along the rail; and means for moving said rail relative to said punch press.

Claim 12

A turret punch press comprising: a turret having die set attaching areas in which die sets are adapted to be attached; a die set exchanging device disposed exteriorly of said turret for exchanging die sets which are attached in said die set attaching areas; a device for fixing and releasing said die sets in said die set attaching areas, said device including a plurality of fixing elements, wherein first fixing elements are mounted on said turret, with a plurality of additional fixing elements being adapted to actuate said first fixing elements into either an attachment or release condition, said additional fixing elements being located exteriorly of said turret; and wherein said die set exchanging device and said fixing and releasing device are adapted to exchange die sets by discharging and charging die sets in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to said die set attaching areas, and are also adapted to attach said die sets in said die set attaching areas.

Claim 13

A turret punch press comprising: a turret having die set attaching areas in which die sets are adapted to be attached; a die set exchanging device disposed exteriorly of said turret for exchanging die sets which are attached in said die set attaching areas; a device for fixing and releasing said die sets in said die set attaching areas, said device including a plurality of fixing elements, wherein first fixing elements are mounted on said turret, with a plurality of additional fixing elements being adapted to actuate said first fixing elements into either an attachment or release condition, said additional fixing elements being located exteriorly of said turret; and wherein said die set exchanging device and said fixing and releasing device are adapted to exchange die sets by discharging and charging die sets in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to said die set attaching areas, and are also adapted to attach said die sets in said die set attaching areas.