US5394335A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retrofit auto-indexing system
Assignee: Amada Engineering and Service Co Inc
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Filing: 1993-03-31
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Granted: 1995-02-28
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Expires: 2013-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A retrofit auto-indexing system for a turret punch press is described in which a predetermined location is provided to which both the upper and lower turrets of a non-indexing turret punch press are rotated. Upper and lower punching tools are mounted respectively in the upper and lower turrets in such a manner so as to be rotated simultaneously, using a single servomotor, to a desired angle. The auto-indexing system is controlled using a microcomputer which is connected to receive the numerical control programmed data, determine whether the code it is receiving relates to the auto-indexing function and, when it does, institute the instructed auto-indexing function. Otherwise, the microcomputer passes the numerical control programmed data directly to a minicomputer which operates the turret punch press in a known manner.
Inventors
- 👤 James D. Rush
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:30
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/18; G05B19/414; G05B19/4147; B; B21; B21D; B21D28/00; B21D28/02; B21D28/12; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/34; G05B2219/34331; G05B2219/45; G05B2219/45137; G05B2219/50; G05B2219/50168
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for operating a turret punch press of the type having rotatable upper and lower tool carrying turrets, each of those turrets carrying at least one auto-indexing tool changer, comprising the steps of: storing in a first computer a set of programmed instructions for operating said turret punch press; sequentially determining whether each instruction of said set of programmed instructions contains a command for said at least one auto-indexing tool changer; transmitting each instruction which is determined not to contain an auto-indexing tool changer command to a second computer for execution of that instruction; and executing each instruction that is determined to contain an auto-indexing tool changer command such that said at least one auto-indexing tool changer is indexed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for operating a turret punch press of the type having rotatable upper and lower tool carrying turrets, each of those turrets carrying at least one auto-indexing tool changer, comprising the steps of: storing in a first computer a set of programmed instructions for operating said turret punch press; sequentially determining whether each instruction of said set of programmed instructions contains a command for said at least one auto-indexing tool changer; transmitting each instruction which is determined not to contain an auto-indexing tool changer command to a second computer for execution of that instruction; and executing each instruction that is determined to contain an auto-indexing tool changer command such that said at least one auto-indexing tool changer is indexed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, further including the step of instructing an auto-indexing servomotor to increment said at least one auto-indexing tool changer to a desired angle of rotation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1, further including the step of transmitting a portion of each instruction that is determined to contain an auto-indexing tool changer command to said second computer for executing said portion of said instruction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said step of instructing said servo motor to increment said at least one auto-indexing tool changer results in simultaneous rotation of tools carried on both of said upper and lower turrets by a similar predetermined degree of rotation.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for operating a turret punch press of the type having rotatable upper and lower tool carrying turrets, each of those turrets carrying at least one auto-indexing tool changer, comprising: a first computer for storing at least one set of programmed instructions for operating said turret punch press; means for analyzing each programmed instruction of said at least one set of programmed instructions in order to determine whether that programmed instruction contains a command for said at least one auto-indexing tool changer; a second computer connected to receive each programmed instruction that is determined not to contain a command for said at least one auto-indexing tool changer, said second computer executing each of the received programmed instructions to operate said turret punch press; and control means connected to said first computer for operating said at least one auto-indexing tool changer when said changer when said means for analyzing determines that a programmed instruction contains a command for said at least one auto-indexing tool changer.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for operating a turret punch press of the type having rotatable upper and lower tool carrying turrets, each of those turrets carrying at least one auto-indexing tool changer, comprising: a first computer for storing at least one set of programmed instructions for operating said turret punch press; means for analyzing each programmed instruction of said at least one set of programmed instructions in order to determine whether that programmed instruction contains a command for said at least one auto-indexing tool changer; a second computer connected to receive each programmed instruction that is determined not to contain a command for said at least one auto-indexing tool changer, said second computer executing each of the received programmed instructions to operate said turret punch press; and control means connected to said first computer for operating said at least one auto-indexing tool changer when said changer when said means for analyzing determines that a programmed instruction contains a command for said at least one auto-indexing tool changer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 5, wherein said control means increments said at least one auto-indexing tool changer to a desired angle of rotation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 5, wherein said control means includes a servomotor which causes said at least one auto-indexing tool changer to simultaneously rotate a selected tool on said at least one tool changer on both said upper and lower turrets through a similar degree of rotation.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for operating a non-indexing turret punch press of the type having rotatable upper and lower tool carrying turrets, each of those turrets carrying at least one auto-indexing tool changer, comprising the steps of: storing in a first computer a plurality of programmed instructions for operating said non-indexing turret punch press; sequentially determining whether each instruction of said plurality of programmed instructions contains a command for said at least one auto-indexing tool changer; transmitting each instruction which is determined not to contain an auto-indexing tool changer command to a second computer for execution of that instruction; and executing each instruction that is determined to contain an auto-indexing tool changer command such that said at least one auto-indexing tool changer is indexed.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for operating a non-indexing turret punch press of the type having rotatable upper and lower tool carrying turrets, each of those turrets carrying at least one auto-indexing tool changer, comprising the steps of: storing in a first computer a plurality of programmed instructions for operating said non-indexing turret punch press; sequentially determining whether each instruction of said plurality of programmed instructions contains a command for said at least one auto-indexing tool changer; transmitting each instruction which is determined not to contain an auto-indexing tool changer command to a second computer for execution of that instruction; and executing each instruction that is determined to contain an auto-indexing tool changer command such that said at least one auto-indexing tool changer is indexed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 8, further including the step of instructing an auto-indexing servomotor to increment said at least one auto-indexing tool changer to a desired angle of rotation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said step of instructing said servomotor to increment said at least one auto-indexing tool changer results in simultaneous rotation of tools carried on both of said upper and lower turrets by a similar predetermined degree of rotation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 8, further including the step of transmitting a portion of each instruction that is determined to contain an auto-indexing tool changer command to said second computer for executing said portion of said instruction.
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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) | 1998-02-27 | 1998-08-29 | 1999-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-02-27 | 2002-08-29 | 2003-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-02-27 | 2006-08-29 | 2007-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |