Caterpillar-traction drawing machine and drawing method

Abstract

A caterpillar-traction drawing machine and a method for drawing of elongated workpieces can be provided with at least one drawing tool fastened pivotally on a tool holder and/or with at least two identical drawing recesses, which can be brought selectively into a drawing position, so that the influence of any fatigue phenomena that may exist is minimized. For the same reason, a caterpillar-traction drawing machine is advantageous in which the two chains of the caterpillar-traction unit are block chains and are respectively braced via an idler roller chain including idler rollers on respectively one pressing beam.

Claims

1. A caterpillar-traction drawing machine for drawing of an elongated workpiece in a drawing direction along a drawing line comprising: (a) a drawing die; and (b) a caterpillar-traction unit disposed in the drawing direction down-line from the drawing die; wherein the caterpillar-traction unit comprises: at least first and second revolving chains having at least first and second tool holders, respectively, carrying first and second drawing tools, respectively, in first and second drawing positions, respectively; a press for application of a pressing force on the first and second drawing tools with a component of the pressing force directed toward the drawing line; and (c) a gripping region; wherein the first and second drawing tools are provided with at least first and second drawing recesses, respectively, in the first and second drawing positions, respectively, in the gripping region and rest with the first and second drawing recesses, respectively, on the workpiece and by the press are pressed against the workpiece; wherein the first drawing recesses comprise two first drawings recesses disposed at right angles to one another on the first drawing tool; and wherein at least the first drawing tool is fastened pivotally on the first tool holder and is pivotable without removing the first drawing tool from the first tool holder.

2. The caterpillar-traction drawing machine according to claim 1, wherein the two first drawing recesses are different drawing recesses.

3. The caterpillar-traction drawing machine according to claim 1, wherein the first drawing tool is formed as a turntable.

4. The caterpillar-traction drawing machine according to claim 3, wherein a drawing plane spanned by the drawing line and the component of the pressing force directed toward the drawing line is assigned to the first drawing tool in at least the first drawing position of the first drawing tool.

5. The caterpillar-traction drawing machine according to claim 4, wherein the turntable is disposed in a bracing recess of the first tool holder machined in the first tool holder from a side of the first tool holder disposed perpendicular to the drawing plane or is braced on a rim of a bracing recess of the first tool holder machined in the first tool holder from the side of the first tool holder disposed perpendicular to the drawing plane.

6. The caterpillar-traction drawing machine according to claim 4, wherein the first drawing tool is pivotable or becomes pivoted around an axis lying in the drawing plane.

7. The caterpillar-traction drawing machine according to claim 4, wherein the first drawing tool is lockable or becomes locked on the first tool holder by a locking mechanism acting perpendicular to the drawing plane.

8. The caterpillar-traction drawing machine according to claim 7, wherein the first drawing tool is or becomes held in the first drawing position by a retaining mechanism acting perpendicular to the drawing plane.

9. The caterpillar-traction drawing machine according to claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism and the retaining mechanism comprise identical assemblies.

10. The caterpillar-traction drawing machine according to claim 1, wherein the first drawing tool is provided with at least one of a locking pin and a retaining pin extending with a component parallel to a drawing plane and the first tool holder is provided with at least one of a corresponding locking recess and a holding recess.

11. The caterpillar-traction drawing machine according to claim 1, wherein the first and second chains are block chains.

12. The caterpillar-traction drawing machine according to claim 1, wherein at least the first tool holder is formed by a chain member of the first chain.

13. The caterpillar-traction drawing machine according to claim 1, wherein the first and second chains are provided with the first and second tool holders, respectively, on first and second chain members of the first and second chains, respectively.

14. The caterpillar-traction drawing machine according to claim 1, wherein the two first drawing recesses are identical drawing recesses.

15. A drawing method for drawing an elongated workpiece in a drawing direction along a drawing line through a drawing die, the method comprising: (a) disposing a caterpillar-traction unit down-line in the drawing direction from the drawing die, wherein the caterpillar-traction unit comprises at least first and second revolving chains having at least first and second tool holders, respectively, carrying first and second drawing tools, respectively, in first and second drawing positions, respectively, wherein the first and second drawing tools are provided with at least first and second drawing recesses, respectively, wherein the first drawing recesses comprise two first drawings recesses disposed at right angles to one another on the first drawing tool; (b) disposing and revolving the first and second revolving chains so that the first and second drawing tools come into contact in the first and second drawing positions with a first drawing recess of the two first drawing recesses of the first drawing tool and are pressed against the workpiece to apply traction forces on the workpiece; and (c) drawing the workpiece; wherein after or during drawing of the workpiece when the first and second drawing tools are not being pressed against the workpiece, at least the first drawing tool remains on the first tool holder and is pivoted without removing the first drawing tool from the first tool holder.

16. The drawing method according to claim 15, wherein, the second drawing tool has a second drawing recess and after or during the drawing of the workpiece, when the first and second drawing tools are not being pressed against the workpiece, both of the first and second drawing tools remain pivoted on the first and second tool holders, respectively, or a further identical drawing recess of the two first drawing recesses of the first drawing tool and at least one further identical second drawing recess of the second drawing tool are brought into the first and second drawing positions, respectively.

17. The drawing method according to claim 15, wherein the two first drawing recesses are different drawing recesses.

18. The drawing method according to claim 15, wherein the two first drawing recesses are identical drawing recesses.

19. A caterpillar-traction drawing machine for drawing of an elongated workpiece in a drawing direction along a drawing line comprising: (a) a drawing die; and (b) a caterpillar-traction unit disposed in the drawing direction down-line from the drawing die; wherein the caterpillar-traction unit comprises: at least first and second revolving chains having at least first and second tool holders, respectively, carrying first and second drawing tools, respectively, in first and second drawing positions, respectively; a press for application of a pressing force on the first and second drawing tools with a component of the pressing force directed toward the drawing line; and (c) a gripping region; wherein the first and second drawing tools are provided with at least first and second drawing recesses, respectively, in the first and second drawing positions, respectively, in the gripping region and rest with the first and second drawing recesses, respectively, on the workpiece and by the press are pressed against the workpiece; wherein the first drawing recesses comprise two first drawings recesses disposed at right angles to one another on the first drawing tool; wherein at least the first drawing tool is fastened pivotally on the first tool holder and is pivotable without removing the first drawing tool from the first tool holder; and wherein the first and second chains are block chains and are braced via first and second idler roller chains, respectively comprising idler rollers on first and second pressing beams, respectively.

20. The caterpillar-traction drawing machine according to claim 19, wherein the idler rollers of the first and second idler roller chains extend over an entire width of at least one of: first and second chain members of the first and second chains and the first and second pressing beams, respectively.

21. The caterpillar-traction machine according to claim 20, wherein the idler rollers of the first and second idler roller chains are in contact with at least one of: the first and second chain members of the first and second chains and the first and second pressing beams, respectively, over the entire width.

22. The caterpillar-traction drawing machine according to claim 19, wherein the two first drawing recesses are different drawing recesses.

23. The caterpillar-traction drawing machine according to claim 19, wherein the two first drawing recesses are identical drawing recesses.

24. A caterpillar-traction drawing machine for drawing of an elongated workpiece in a drawing direction along a drawing line comprising: (a) a drawing die; and (b) a caterpillar-traction unit disposed in the drawing direction down-line from the drawing die; wherein the caterpillar-traction unit comprises: at least first and second revolving chains having at least first and second tool holders, respectively, carrying first and second drawing tools, respectively, in first and second drawing positions, respectively; a press for application of a pressing force on the first and second drawing tools with a component of the pressing force directed toward the drawing line; and (c) a gripping region; wherein the first and second drawing tools are provided with at least first and second drawing recesses, respectively, in the first and second drawing positions, respectively, in the gripping region and rest with the first and second drawing recesses, respectively, on the workpiece and by the press are pressed against the workpiece; wherein the first drawing recesses comprise two first drawings recesses disposed at right angles to one another on the first drawing tool; and wherein at least the first drawing tool is fastened displaceably on the first tool holder and is displaceable without removing the first drawing tool from the first tool holder.

25. The caterpillar-traction drawing machine according to claim 24, wherein the two first drawing recesses are different drawing recesses.

26. The caterpillar-traction drawing machine according to claim 24, wherein the two first drawing recesses are identical drawing recesses.

27. A drawing method for drawing an elongated workpiece in a drawing direction along a drawing line through a drawing die, the method comprising: (a) disposing a caterpillar-traction unit down-line in the drawing direction from the drawing die, wherein the caterpillar-traction unit comprises at least first and second revolving chains having at least first and second tool holders, respectively, carrying first and second drawing tools, respectively, in first and second drawing positions, respectively, wherein the first and second drawing tools are provided with at least first and second drawing recesses, respectively, wherein the first drawing recesses comprise two first drawings recesses disposed at right angles to one another on the first drawing tool; (b) disposing and revolving the first and second revolving chains so that the first and second drawing tools come into contact in the first and second drawing positions with a first drawing recess of the two first drawings recesses of the first drawing tool and are pressed against the workpiece to apply traction forces on the workpiece; and (c) drawing the workpiece; wherein after or during drawing of the workpiece when the first and second drawing tools are not being pressed against the workpiece, at least the first drawing tool remains on the first tool holder and is displaced without removing the first drawing tool from the first tool holder.

28. The drawing method according to claim 27, wherein the two first drawing recesses are different drawing recesses.

29. The drawing method according to claim 27, wherein the two first drawing recesses are identical drawing recesses.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages, objectives and properties of the present invention will be explained on the basis of following description of exemplary embodiments, which in particular are also illustrated in the attached drawing. In the drawing:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows a side view of a caterpillar-traction drawing machine;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a section through two chain members of the caterpillar-traction drawing machine according to FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of one of the drawing tools of the chain members illustrated in FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the drawing tool according to FIG. 3. slanted with respect to its drawing recess;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the drawing tool according to FIGS. 3 and 4, slanted with respect to its locked and/or retaining pin;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a view in drawing direction of a further drawing tool;

(8) FIG. 7 shows an overhead view of the drawing tool according to FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a view in drawing direction of a further drawing tool;

(10) FIG. 9 shows an overhead view of the drawing tool according to FIG. 8;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of one of the chains of the caterpillar-traction unit of the caterpillar-traction drawing machine according to FIG. 1 and associated chain wheels with the drawing tools according to FIGS. 8 and 9;

(12) FIG. 11 shows a view in drawing direction of a further drawing tool;

(13) FIG. 12 shows a section through a further drawing tool along line XII-XII in FIG. 13 with drawing jaws pushed apart from one another;

(14) FIG. 13 shows a section through the drawing tool according to FIG. 12 along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12;

(15) FIG. 14 shows a section through the drawing tool according to FIGS. 12 and 13 along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 15 with drawing jaws pushed together;

(16) FIG. 15 shows a section through the drawing tool according to FIGS. 12 to 14 along line XV-XV in FIG. 14;

(17) FIG. 16 shows a view in drawing direction of a further drawing tool with closed drawing jaws;

(18) FIG. 17 shows a view in drawing direction of the drawing tool according to FIG. 16 with open drawing jaws;

(19) FIG. 18 shows a view in drawing direction of a further drawing tool with closed drawing jaws; and

(20) FIG. 19 shows an overhead view of a handle of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(21) The caterpillar-traction drawing machine 10 illustrated in the exemplary embodiments comprises above and below a drawing line 20 respectively two chain wheels 15, around which chains 14 travel. In this exemplary embodiment, the chain wheels 15 are constructed as chain-wheel pairs, but in other embodiments may be configured simply or with a higher number of chain-wheel leaves. As illustrated in particular in FIG. 10, the chains 14 are formed as block chains, wherein each of the chain members of the chains 14 are provided with two lateral plates on one end face and with one central plate on an oppositely disposed end face. In this case the plates of a chain member are situated on both sides of a central plate of another chain member, wherein the two chain members are connected to one another by a bolt 19, which passes through plates and and as a connecting member connects them with one another.

(22) In these exemplary embodiments, chain rollers 16, in which the chain wheels 15 are able to engage in order to drive and to guide the chains 14, are disposed on the bolts.

(23) In these exemplary embodiments, the chain members of the chains 14 are formed as tool holders 30 (see, e.g. FIG. 2), although in different embodiments these chain members may also be optionally capable of carrying separate tool holders, but are less compactly structured. The tool holders 30 then carry drawing tools 40, which are able to interact in drawing manner with a workpiece 11 to be drawn.

(24) The arrangement of the chains 14 and of the chain wheels 15 forms a caterpillar-traction unit 13. The drawing line 20 is situated between the two chains 14. By means of the caterpillar-traction unit 13, the workpiece 11 can be drawn in drawing direction 21 along the drawing line 20 through a drawing die 12, whereby the caterpillar-traction drawing machine 10 is able to fulfill its basic task.

(25) In order to be able to apply the drawing forces through the drawing die 12 in drawing direction 21, the caterpillar-traction unit 13 is provided with pressing beams 82, on which idler rollers 80, which are respectively connected to idler roller chains 81, are able to travel, which in turn again travel together with the chain members of the chains 14, because they travel on the side of the chain members that face away from the drawing tools 40. In this way, a component 22 of a pressing force directed toward the drawing line 20 can be applied in a gripping area 18.

(26) In exemplary embodiments here, the idler roller chains 81 revolve between the chain-wheel pairs of the chain wheels 15. In different exemplary embodiments, respectively shorter idler roller chains 81 may be provided, which respectively revolve in front of the chain wheels 15.

(27) By the chains 14 and the drawing line 20, it is possible to define a drawing plane 23 (see FIG. 2), which lies parallel to the revolving chains 14 and intersects the drawing line 20. Perpendicular to this drawing plane 23, it is possible to define a further plane 25, which likewise intersects the drawing line 20. The two chains 14 are then respectively disposed above and below or on the two sides of this plane 25.

(28) As can be inferred directly from FIG. 2, the idler rollers 80 of the two idler roller chains 81 extend respectively parallel to the plane 25 over the width of the chain members or of the tool holders 30 and of the respective pressing beam 82. Within the scope of the necessary tolerances and measurement accuracies, they are also in contact with the chain members or tool holders and respective pressing beam over the entire width, and so a very even force distribution can be ensured. This even force distribution is also ensured in particular by the use of block chains as chains 14 and by the use of idler roller chains 81 in order to guide the idler rollers 80.

(29) The drawing tools 40 are situated on a side 31 of the respective tool holders 30 disposed perpendicular to the drawing plane 23. These sides 31 of the tool holders 30 are respectively turned toward the plane 25.

(30) In the exemplary embodiments illustrated here, the chain members secure the drawing tool 40 by means of a locking and retaining mechanism 90.

(31) Thus, in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 10, the drawing tools 40 are secured in their position via a bolt 34, which engages in a locking and retaining recess 92 of a locking and retaining pin 91. For this purpose, the bolt 34 is pressed with a spring 36 against a locking face 45 (see, e.g. FIG. 3) and behind a retaining undercut 46 (see FIG. 5), which are respectively provided on the locking and retaining pin 91, so that the drawing tool on the one hand is secured in its pivoted position relative to the tool holder 30 by the pressing pressure against the locking face 45 and is also prevented by the retaining undercut 46 from escaping from the tool holder 30.

(32) The bolt 34 is connected to a handle 35, by which it is able to release the retaining undercut 46 against the spring force of the spring 36. This arrangement makes it possible to remove the drawing tool 40 as needed. With suitable choice of the spring force of the spring 36, a pivoting of the respective drawing tool is already possible without actuation of the handle 35, but can be facilitated by an actuation of the handle 35.

(33) For the spring 36 to be preloaded, it is retained by means of a securing cover 37, which is firmly inserted in a seat or recess 38 for the bolt 34 and the spring 36.

(34) In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 10, the locking and retaining pins 91 are aligned along an axis 24, which lies in the drawing plane 23. As is immediately apparent, the locking and retaining mechanism 90 in these exemplary embodiments are realized by identical or double-acting assemblies, which structurally represents a simple and compact approach.

(35) The drawing tools 40 of all exemplary embodiments are provided with drawing recesses 41 (see, e.g. FIG. 3), which are able to interact in drawing manner with the respective workpieces 11 and are adapted to the respective workpieces 11 in ways that are suitable and known in themselves.

(36) In this case, the drawing tools of the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 10 and 12 to 15 are formed as turntables, which are respectively provided with a bracing land 44, by means of which the turntables can be braced on the rim 33 of a bracing recess 32 of the tool holders 30. This arrangement permits a particularly uniform bracing, which respectively is able to reduce fatigue phenomena of the respective materials.

(37) In order that the turntable can be pivoted simply, it is respectively provided in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 10 with actuating bores 43, in which a pivoting lever can be inserted in order to facilitate pivoting. If appropriate, mechanisms may also be provided correspondingly in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 15.

(38) As is immediately apparent, the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5 is provided with a drawing tool 40 having only one drawing recess 41. By pivoting the drawing tool 40 by 180°, it is possible to change the direction of action between drawing tool 40 and the workpiece 11 or the tool holder 30, which in turn allows fatigue phenomena to be reduced. This pivoting is also possible in the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 6 to 9, in which respectively two drawing recesses 41 are provided. A pivoting of 90° permits a change between the drawing recesses 41, wherein the drawing recesses 41 in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 are identically structured, which permits a process opposing fatigue phenomena even better, whereas the drawing recesses 41 in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 are formed differently, so that different workpieces 11 may also be drawn and disposed in these.

(39) The exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 comprises a drawing tool 40, which is displaceable laterally along the plane 25, has two identical drawing recesses 41 and is held laterally displaceably in the tool holder 30 via a guide rail 39. Via a locking and retaining bolt or pin 71, which is equipped with a handle 35, a locking and retaining ball 73 can be released from a locking and retaining bore 72, because an indentation 74 in the locking and retaining pin 71 of the locking and retaining ball 73 is made available as a retraction capability. The drawing tool 40 can then be displaced laterally and if necessary can even be removed from the tool holder 30. As in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, it is therefore possible to change between two identical drawing recesses 41, in order in this way to relieve the drawing tool 40.

(40) By split drawing jaws 47, the practical embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 19 permit a change of the drawing recesses 41, so that they can be adapted to different workpieces 11. For this purpose, the drawing jaws 47 of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 15 are mounted by means of an eccentric pivoting guide 48 in a bearing member 49, which in turn is provided with a locking and retaining pin 51, 61, in order that the entire arrangement can be pivoted by 180°, which in turn serves for relief of the drawing tool 40. In contrast, by a staggered pivoting of the individual drawing jaws 47, their spacing can be varied.

(41) In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 19, two drawing jaws 47 are held by means of guide rails 39 in the tool holder 30 in such a way as to be laterally displaceable parallel to the plane 25. For locking, springs 36 that urge spacers 76 in the direction of the plane 25 are mounted in spring holders 75. In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, the spacers 76 must be urged manually against the springs 36, in order that the drawing jaws 47 can be displaced laterally. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, a handle shaft 77 with a cam 79, which can be actuated by lever 78, is used for this purpose. Depending on specific implementation, the spacers, just as described in the foregoing, can be used for both a locking and also a retaining, because they can also prevent or permit a lateral removal of the drawing jaws 47 from the guide rail 39.

(42) Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.