FINE BLANKING PRESS AND METHOD FOR HANDLING A PROCESS MATERIAL TO BE PROCESSED IN A FINE BLANKING PRESS

Abstract

A fine blanking press comprises a blanking ram and a counter unit positioned opposite the blanking ram. A press drive is configured to drive at least the blanking ram along a driving direction during a fine blanking process step. A feeding device is configured to feed a process material to a process zone defined between the blanking ram and the counter unit and at least one handling device is configured to handle the process material outside of the process zone. At least one levelling drive is configured to drive the at least one handling device in a same direction as the blanking ram during a fine blanking process step.

Claims

1. A fine blanking press comprising: a blanking ram; a counter unit positioned opposite the blanking ram; a press drive configured to drive at least the blanking ram along a driving direction during a fine blanking process step; a feeding device configured to feed a process material to a process zone defined between the blanking ram and the counter unit; at least one handling device configured to handle the process material outside of the process zone; and at least one levelling drive configured to drive the at least one handling device in a same direction as the blanking ram during a fine blanking process step.

2. The fine blanking press according to claim 1, wherein the at least one handling device comprises one of a process material feeding device, a process material guiding device, a process material straightening device, and a process material cutting device.

3. The fine blanking press according to claim 1, wherein the at least one levelling drive is configured to drive the at least one handling device to prevent bending of the process material between the process zone and the at least one handling device during the fine blanking process step.

4. The fine blanking press according to claim 1, wherein the press drive is one of a hydraulic drive, a mechanical drive, a servo-hydraulic drive, a servo-mechanical drive, an electrical drive, and a pneumatic drive.

5. The fine blanking press according to claim 3, wherein the at least one levelling drive is one of a hydraulic drive, a mechanical drive, a servo-hydraulic drive, a servo-mechanical drive, an electrical drive, and a pneumatic drive.

6. The fine blanking press according to claim 1, further comprising a synchronizer configured for synchronizing the driving movement of the blanking ram with the driving movement of the at least one handling device.

7. The fine blanking press according to claim 6, wherein the synchronizer comprises a controller configured to provide a closed loop controlled synchronizing of the press drive of the blanking ram with the at least one levelling drive of the at least one handling device.

8. The fine blanking press according to claim 7, wherein the synchronizer comprises at least one synchronizing controller configured to synchronize the press drive of the blanking ram with the at least one levelling drive of the at least one handling device.

9. The fine blanking press according to claim 8, further comprising a connector configured to connect the press drive with the at least one levelling drive, wherein the at least one levelling drive is partly or completely driven by the press drive.

10. The fine blanking press according to claim 9, wherein the press drive is one of a hydraulic drive and a servo-hydraulic drive, wherein the at least one levelling drive is one of a hydraulic drive and a servo-hydraulic drive, and wherein the connector is configured to connect at least one hydraulic drive cylinder of the press drive with at least one hydraulic drive cylinder of the at least one levelling drive.

11. The fine blanking press according to claim 10, wherein the connector is configured to connect the at least one hydraulic drive cylinder of the press drive with the at least one hydraulic drive cylinder of the at least one levelling drive such that a movement of the at least one hydraulic drive cylinder of the press drive in a first direction results in a movement of the at least one hydraulic drive cylinder of the at least one levelling drive in the first direction, and wherein a movement of the at least one hydraulic drive cylinder of the press drive in a second direction opposite the first direction results in a movement of the at least one hydraulic drive cylinder of the at least one levelling drive in the second direction.

12. The fine blanking press according to claim 10, wherein a volume of hydraulic fluid displaced by the at least one hydraulic cylinder of the press drive equals a volume of hydraulic fluid displaced by the at least one hydraulic cylinder of the at least one levelling drive.

13. The fine blanking press according to claim 12, wherein the at least one hydraulic cylinder of the press drive connected to the at least one hydraulic cylinder of the at least one levelling drive is an auxiliary hydraulic cylinder driven by at least one main drive hydraulic cylinder driving the press drive.

14. The fine blanking press according to claim 13, wherein the connector comprises a disconnecting valve configured to disconnect the at least one hydraulic drive cylinder of the press drive from the at least one hydraulic drive cylinder of the at least one levelling drive.

15. A method for handling a process material to be processed in a fine blanking press, the method comprising: feeding the process material to a process zone defined between a blanking ram and a counter unit positioned opposite the blanking ram; driving the blanking ram along a driving direction during a fine blanking process step; and driving at least one handling device configured to handle the process material outside of the process zone in a same direction as the blanking ram during the fine blanking process step to prevent bending of the process material between the process zone and the at least one handling device during the fine blanking process step.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail in the following by referring to drawings. In the drawings it is shown schematically:

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross sectional view of an a fine blanking press in a first operating condition according to the prior art;

[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates the fine blanking press of FIG. 1 in a second operating condition;

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates the fine blanking press of FIG. 1 in a third operating condition;

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a fine blanking press in a first operating condition;

[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates the embodiment of the fine blanking press according to FIG. 4 in a second operating condition;

[0034] FIG. 6 illustrates the embodiment of the fine blanking press according to FIG. 4 in a third operating condition; and

[0035] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a method for controlling of the fine blanking press.

[0036] In the drawings same reference numerals relate to identical or functionally identical components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] The fine blanking press according to the prior art shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 comprises a blanking ram 10 and a counter unit 12 arranged opposite the blanking ram 10. In this example the counter unit 12 is a working table 12. A press drive not further shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is provided for driving the blanking ram 10 along a driving direction, in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 upwards and downwards, during a fine blanking process step. Integrated into the blanking ram 10 and the working table 12 are cushions 68, 70, which are connected to a blanking tool arranged between the blanking ram 10 and the working table 12 through transfer pins 72, 74. The blanking tool further comprises press punch 14, which may be positionally fixed together with the working table 12, and die 16, and moves together with the blanking ram 10. The blanking tool further comprises ejectors 76, 78, set plates 80, 82 pressure plate 84 and a tool guiding 86. Punch 14 and die 16 blank parts out of a sheet metal 18 fed to the process zone between the blanking ram 10 and the working table 12 by a feeding device 20, in the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in a direction from left to right. A chopping device 22 is provided downstream of the process zone for chopping scrap process material after the fine blanking process. In the shown example the feeding device 20 comprises two rotationally driven feeding rollers 24, 26 arranged on opposite sides of the process material 18. Of course also other feeding devices are possible, for example gripper feeders or other feeders. The chopping device 22 comprises axially driven cutters 28, 30 arranged on opposite sides of the process material 18 for chopping the scrap process material. An impingement ring 32 is further shown schematically for securely holding the process material 18 during the fine blanking process. The impingement ring 32 may in particular be provided on the pressure plate 84 of the blanking tool driven by one of the cushions. This general design of a fine blanking press is known to the skilled person and shall not be explained in more detail.

[0038] FIG. 1 shows the open condition of the fine blanking press in which the process material 18 can be fed into the process zone. Subsequently, the blanking ram 10 is moved upwards against the working table 12, as shown by arrow 34 in FIG. 2.

[0039] The process material 18 is thus clamped by the blanking tool between the blanking ram 10 and the working table 12 and securely held in place by the impingement ring 32. Subsequently, the blanking ram 10 is further driven against the working table 12, as shown by arrow 36 in FIG. 3, punch 14 and die 16 thus blanking a part 38 out of the process material 18. The working table 12 may exert a counter force against the press drive of the blanking ram 10, for example through a cushion, in particular for clamping the impingement ring 32 into the process material 18 to improve clamping of the process material 18. After the explained movements the blanking ram 10 is moved downwards and the fine blanking press is opened again, as shown in FIG. 1, to eject the produced part 38.

[0040] As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 the fixed position of the feeding device 20 and the chopping device 22 lead to severe bending of the process material 18 between the process zone and the handling devices.

[0041] FIGS. 4 to 6 show an inventive embodiment of a fine blanking press. This fine blanking press corresponds largely to the fine blanking press as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. It differs from the known fine blanking press shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in the embodiment of the feeding device 20 with, in the shown example, its rotationally driven feeding rollers 24, 26 and the chopping device 22 with its axially driven cutters 28 and 30, as well as a connection between the press drive and the feeding device 20 and the chopping device 22, as will be explained in more detail in the following.

[0042] As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the feeding device 20 and the chopping device 22 are each provided with leveling drives that drive the feeding device 20 and the chopping device 22 synchronously in the same direction as the blanking ram 10 during the fine blanking process step. This includes in particular the operating conditions shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, and also subsequent operating conditions for moving the blanking ram 10 downwards and opening the fine blanking press for ejection of the blanked part 38. The movement of the feeding device 20 and the chopping device 22 is visualized by arrows 40, 42 in FIGS. 5 and 6. As can be seen from a comparison of FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the process material 18 is not bent at any time during the fine blanking process between the process zone, provided between the blanking ram 10 and the working table 12, and the feeding device 20 on the one side and the chopping device 22 on the other side.

[0043] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram visualizing an example of a possible embodiment for controlling the movement of the feeding device 20 and the chopping device 22. In FIG. 7 a main drive hydraulic cylinder 44 is shown as part of the press drive to drive blanking ram 10 along movement directions M1 and M2. Through this movement auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 46 is moved, which is also connected to the blanking ram 10. The feeding device 20 also comprises a hydraulic cylinder 48 as part of its leveling drive and the chopping device 22 comprises a hydraulic cylinder 50 as part of its leveling drive. A connecting valve 52 is provided connecting hydraulic line 54 with hydraulic lines 56 and 58 as well as hydraulic line 60 with hydraulic lines 62 and 64. Hydraulic line 54 is connected for example to the piston side of auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 46 and the barrel sides of hydraulic cylinders 48 and 50, and hydraulic line 60 is connected for example to the barrel side of auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 46 and the piston sides of hydraulic cylinders 48 and 50 through the connecting valve 52. In the shown example the active cylinder area of auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 46 is identical to the combined active cylinder areas of hydraulic cylinders 48, 50. In this manner movement of the blanking ram 10 effects movement of auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 46, which causes synchronized corresponding movement of hydraulic cylinders 48 and 50, and thus synchronized movement of feeding device 20 and chopping device 22. More specifically, movement of blanking ram 10 along direction M1 leads to a corresponding synchronized movement along directions M3 and M5 of feeding device 20 and chopping device 22, respectively. In the same manner, movement of blanking ram 10 along direction M2 leads to corresponding synchronized movement of feeding device 20 and chopping device 22 along directions M4 and M6, respectively. This synchronization encompasses movement direction, movement speed, as well as movement acceleration and deceleration.

[0044] A disconnecting valve 66 is further provided in the example, which when activated bypasses connecting valve 52 to flush hydraulic fluid between hydraulic lines 54 and 60, and thus between the piston side and the barrel side of auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 46 during movement of blanking ram 10. In this way, the leveling of feeding device 20 and chopping device 22 can be fully deactivated, if needed.

[0045] Of course, the drawings only show an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Other embodiments are possible. For example, more or less handling devices may be present. Also, control of the leveling drives could be different. For example, an electronic controller could be provided, as explained above, in particular if the leveling drives of the feeding device 20 and the chopping device 22 operate independently from the press drive of the blanking ram 10. Also, the controller could be provided for carrying out a closed-loop control of the movement of the different components of the fine blanking press. To this end, sensors could be provided for detecting position, movement direction, movement speed, acceleration and deceleration of different components of the fine blanking press, for example the blanking ram 10 and/or handling devices, such as the feeding device 20 and the chopping device 22. Also, it would be possible to move only a part of the handling devices, such as rollers 24 and 26, and cutters 28 and 30 to obtain the same advantage of a fully plain and parallel process material 18. Furthermore, as already explained, additional handing devices could be provided. Such additional handling devices could for example comprise a further guiding device downstream of the process zone in order to pull the process material out of the process zone. Any such further handling devices can be provided with leveling drives as explained above in order to synchronize speed and stroke of these handling devices with speed and stroke of the blanking ram 10.

[0046] Also, in certain embodiments, when switching off of the leveling system is not required, the disconnecting valve 66 could be omitted. Also, by using an appropriate T junction it would be possible to omit connecting valve 52. This would be possible in particular for example if the active cylinder area of hydraulic cylinders 48 and 50 is identical and each one half of the active cylinder area of auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 46. An additional accumulator or valve could be installed to refill the leveling system with the required amount of hydraulic fluid to compensate possible leakages during the ram stroke.

[0047] In some particular applications an unsynchronized system could be required to provide different movement speeds for the handling devices 20, 22 than for the ram 10 or for example only a following of the movement of the ram 10 for a part of the ram stroke. For example for effecting a partial following the disconnecting valve 66 could be activated at a certain time of the ram stroke to stop synchronization. For different movement speeds the connecting valve 52 could for example be a controllable valve which allows varying the volume of hydraulic fluid passed to the hydraulic cylinders 48 and 50. Different movement speeds could also be effected by providing different cylinder areas for hydraulic cylinders 48, 50 on the one hand and auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 46 on the other hand

REFERENCE NUMERAL LIST

[0048] 10 blanking ram

[0049] 12 counter unit/working table

[0050] 14 punch

[0051] 16 die

[0052] 18 process material

[0053] 20 feeding device

[0054] 20 feeding device

[0055] 22 chopping device

[0056] 22 chopping device

[0057] 24 feeding roller

[0058] 24 feeding roller

[0059] 26 feeding roller

[0060] 26 feeding roller

[0061] 28 cutter

[0062] 28 cutter

[0063] 30 cutter

[0064] 30 cutter

[0065] 32 impingement ring

[0066] 34 arrow

[0067] 36 arrow

[0068] 38 part

[0069] 40 arrow

[0070] 42 arrow

[0071] 44 main drive hydraulic cylinder

[0072] 46 auxiliary hydraulic cylinder

[0073] 48 hydraulic cylinder

[0074] 50 hydraulic cylinder

[0075] 52 connecting valve

[0076] 54 hydraulic line

[0077] 56 hydraulic line

[0078] 58 hydraulic line

[0079] 60 hydraulic line

[0080] 62 hydraulic line

[0081] 64 hydraulic line

[0082] 66 disconnecting valve

[0083] 68 cushion

[0084] 70 cushion

[0085] 72 transfer pin

[0086] 74 transfer pin

[0087] 76 ejector

[0088] 78 ejector

[0089] 80 set plate

[0090] 82 set plate

[0091] 84 pressure plate

[0092] 86 tool guiding