Method and apparatus for separating hollow sections

Abstract

A method for separating hollow sections after the extrusion process, the hollow sections being separated to create a component with a predefined geometrical shape by way of a punching operation.

Claims

1. A method for separating and shaping hollow sections which are formed as twin wall panels or -sections to produce a prescribed geometrical component shape following an extrusion process, characterized in that the separating of hollow sections to produce a prescribed geometrical component shape is realized through a punching operation, wherein during the punching operation a front punching edge (8) of a punching die (7) first separates a top face (2) of the hollow section between two webs (5) and a rear punching edge (9) of the punching die (7) bends the top face (2) to close off individual cavities (4) and wherein during a descent of the punching die (7) a bottom face (3) is separated by the rear punching edge (9) and then the webs (5) are separated by cutting edges (11) which are arranged in gaps (10) of the punching die (7).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that auxiliary die plates (14) are driven into the individual cavities (4) of the hollow sections prior to the start of the punching operation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is described in greater detail by way of an exemplary embodiment. Shown are:

(2) FIG. 1Twin wall section

(3) FIG. 2End trimming of a twin wall section

(4) FIG. 3Side view of a punching die

(5) FIG. 4Position Iinsertion of the twin wall section

(6) FIG. 5Position IIdie cut 1 and bending

(7) FIG. 6Position IIIdie cut 2

(8) FIG. 7Position IVstripping

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) FIG. 1 shows a hollow section in the form of a twin wall section 1 which comprises a top face 2 for punching, a bottom face 3 for punching, a cavity 4 lying there between, and webs 5.

(10) FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the twin wall section 1 with a typical end trimming 6 of a twin wall section 1.

(11) FIG. 3 shows the separating tool, the punching die 7, with punching edges 8, 9 for punching the twin wall section 1 each of which is sharpened at different levels on parallel sides and can differ in design depending on the useful length of the contour. The punching die 7 has a front 8 and a rear cutting edge 9, the rear cutting edge 9 being offset in relation to the front cutting edge 8 in such a manner that the front cutting edge 8 first cuts through the top face 2 in the area of the auxiliary die plate 14 and, during the descent of the punching die 7, the top face 2 is bent between the webs 5, so that the cavities of the twin wall section 1 are closed.

(12) After the top face 2 is folded between the webs, the separation of the webs 5 is accomplished by the cutting edges 11 of the punching die 7 provided in the gaps 10 in the front cutting edge 8 and the rear cutting edge 9 and separation of the bottom face 3 of the twin wall section 1(FIGS. 5 and 6).

(13) FIG. 4 shows the insertion position of the twin wall section 1 in the apparatus. The twin wall section 1 is slid into position with the top face 2 and bottom face 3 flush against the stripping plate 12 and is fixed in this position by a hold-down device (not shown). An auxiliary die plate 14 is introduced into the cavity or cavities 4 of the twin wall section 1 by a hydraulic cylinder 13 until the front vertical face of the auxiliary die plate 14 forms an imaginary vertical line 16 with the front punching edge 8 of the punching die 7.

(14) The punching die 7 is then driven in the direction of the twin wall section 1, the punching edge 8 of the punching die 7 penetrating the top face of the twin wall section 1 and separating it. The movable retractable auxiliary die plate 14 prevents the top face of the twin wall section 1 from drifting downward due to theipunching pressure exerted by the punching device. The punched area between the webs 5 of the twin wall section 1 is bent in the punching direction by the face 15 of the punching die 7 lying at an angle to the top face 2, the area settling into the opening of the cavity 4 fully or partly, depending on the prescribed parameters. (FIG. 5)

(15) At the same time, the webs 5, which are arranged vertically between the top and bottom faces, are separated by the cutting edges 11.

(16) FIG. 6 shows the punching die 7 driving further in the direction of the bottom face 3, after which it separates the bottom face 3 first with the punching edge 8 and then with the other punching edge 9.

(17) FIG. 7 shows the punching die 7 retracted into the starting position following the separation of the top face 2 and the bottom face 3 as well as the webs 5, and the auxiliary die plate 14 retracted into the starting position.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(18) 1twin wall section 2top face 3bottom face 4cavity 5web 6punching face end trimming 7punching die 8front punching edge 9rear punching edge 10gaps 11cutting edges 12stripping plate 13hydraulic cylinder 14auxiliary die plate 15face 16vertical line