Patent ID: 6758079
Filing Date: 2004-07-06
Classification: B21F

Abstract:
A coil spring forming machine for forming a coil spring having a coil diameter, the forming machine comprising:a frame; a diameter control tool movably mounted on the frame; and a diameter control mechanism mounted on the frame and coupled to the diameter control tool, the diameter control mechanism including first and second differently configured cam surfaces and a cam follower assembly, wherein the cam follower assembly includes a shiftable cam follower arrangement having at least one cam follower member and an actuator mechanism, wherein the cam follower arrangement is movable by operation of the actuator mechanism between a first operative position in which the actuator mechanism positions the cam follower member in engagement with the first cam surface and a second operative position in which the actuator mechanism positions the cam follower member in engagement with the second cam surface, wherein the diameter control mechanism is configured to form a coil spring having a first diameter when the cam follower arrangement is in the first operative position and to form a coil spring having a second diameter, different than the first diameter, when the cam follower arrangement is in the second operative position; wherein the first and second cam surfaces are defined by respective first and second rotatable cam members, wherein each cam member rotates about an axis of rotation, and wherein the at least one cam follower member is movable by operation of the actuator mechanism in a transverse direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the respective first and second rotatable cam members upon movement of the cam follower arrangement between the first and second operative positions.