Apparatus for working metal workpieces

Abstract: An apparatus for working metal workpieces comprises a frame (1), a carrier plate (9) pivotably mounted in the frame and carrying a substantially triangular shear blade (11), wherein two triangle sides enclose a right angle and provide the cutting edges (12) extending substantially horizontally and vertically, respectively and the other triangle side of which is arcuate. The shear blade (11) is accommodated in a complementary recess (18) in the carrier plate (9) rotatable around a shear blade axis (17). The frame (1) supports a stationary counter shear blade (13). The shear blade axis (17) is made as a pin connecting the shear blade (11) rotatably with the carrier plate (9) and being located at the bisector of the right angle between the cutting edges (12) of the shear blade (11) at a distance from said angle. The frame (1) carries a guide (19) guiding the shear blade (11) along said bisector during pivoting of the carrier plate (9). Further to the carrier plate (9) or instead of the carrier plate the apparatus may include a main plate (4), wherein both main surfaces of the main plate (4) each carry one or more protruding claims (24, 25).

Description: The invention relates to an apparatus for working metal workpieces according to the preamble of claim 1. Such an apparatus is known in different embodiments. German patent 3 038 817 describes an apparatus of this type, wherein the shear blade axis lies at the intersection of the cutting edges and the guiding of the shear blade along the bisector of the right angle is obtained by forming special guide faces on the shear blade and by providing the frame with guide pins. Further, the shear blade is coupled with the carrier plate by an arcuate edge. This known construction is thereby rather complicated. Moreover, the load during operation on the guide faces and the guide pins is relatively high due to the location of the shear blade axis. US patent 3,866,522 describes an apparatus of this type wherein the shear blade is connected with the carrier plate in a position, in which the bisector of the right angle extends substantially vertically. Thereby it is rather awkward to use this known apparatus, in particular in case of obliquely cutting workpieces. The invention aims in the first place to provide an improvement apparatus of the above-mentioned type. To this end the apparatus according to the invention is characterized by the characterizing features of claim 1 In this manner it is obtained that the load of the guide during operation is relatively low because the cutting forces exerted on the shear blade mainly compensate each other on both sides of the shear blade axis, so that the cutting forces are mainly taken by the cooperation between the arcuate triangle side of the shear blade and the corresponding arcuate side of the recess in the carrier plate. Because the cutting edges extend horizontally and vertically, respectively, the apparatus is very convenient to use. Preferably, the guide comprises a cam cooperating with a slot formed in the shear blade and extending along said bisector. As an alternative it is possible to provide the guide with the slot and the shear blade with the cooperating cam. If the apparatus is of the type having a main plate movable up and down, it is possible according to the invention to couple the carrier plate with the main plate and to drive the carrier plate by the main plate. As an alternative of the invention the carrier plate is driven by a hydraulic cylinder piston assembly. This embodiment shows the advantage that the tools of the carrier plate can be used independent of the tools of the main plate. An apparatus of the above-mentioned type provided with a main plate movable up and down and guided in the frame, comprises generally a plurality of tools carried by the main plate. In the known apparatus these tools generally consist of cutting tools, for example a shear blade for cutting plates or strips and shear blades for cutting round and square workpieces, respectively. According to the invention an apparatus with more applications is obtained if both main surfaces of the main plate each carry one or more protruding tools. Such tools are for example a forming unit, an angle punch or the like. According to a very favourable embodiment of the invention the tools provided on both sides of the main plate are fixed by means of common mounting openings in the main plate. Thereby it is obtained that weakened locations are present in the main plate at one location only for mounting two tools. The application possibilities of the apparatus are still increased if at least one of the vertical end faces of the main plate carries at least one tool. The frame of the apparatus described generally comprises two web plates enclosing the main plate. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the web plates are interconnected above and below the main plate in an non-slidable manner, for example by cooperating key parts and slots. In this manner it is obtained that the web plates and the main plate may take very high forces. The invention further relates to an apparatus for working metal workpieces, comprising a frame with two web plates enclosing an intermediate space and a slide movable up and down and guided in the frame. Such an apparatus generally will include also the above described pivotable carrier plate and a main plate movable up and down, each with associated tools. According to the invention the applications of such an apparatus are increased in that the web plates at the location of the slide have a flat mainly vertical end edge and that the slide is adjacent to said end edge with a mainly vertical side, said side carrying a protruding bending tool cooperating with a die tool fixed to the frame. Thereby it is obtained that the bending tool and the die are completely freely accessible whereby the material to be bent will meet no obstructions during bending and the most fantastic shapes can be formed. The invention will be further explained by reference to the drawings in which an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is schematically shown. Fig. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a front view of the apparatus of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top view of the apparatus of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows in a larger scale a detail of the apparatus of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a section according to the line V-V of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a section of the stationary tool turret of the apparatus of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a section according to the line VII-VII in Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a side view of a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention. Fig. 9 is a back view of the apparatus of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a side view partially shown of a third embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention. Fig. 11 is a partially shown top view of the apparatus of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention. The apparatus shown in Fig. 1-3 for working metal workpieces comprises a frame 1 made of two web plates 2 joining a base plate 3. A main plate 4 movable up and down is guided between the web plates 2 and is driven by a hydraulic cylinder piston assembly 5 mounted at the top side of the apparatus on the web plates 2. The head of a bolt 6 can be seen in Fig. 1, by means of which the main plate 4 is connected with the piston not shown of the cylinder piston assembly 5. The main plate 4 is enclosed between fixed guiding blocks 7 at the front side of the apparatus and adjustable guiding blocks 8 at the back side and the lower centre part of the apparatus, respectively. Suitable sliding elements can be provided between the guiding blocks 7, 8 and the main plate 4. The apparatus further comprises a carrier plate 9 pivotably borne in the frame 1 and connected to the main plate 4 by a bearing 10. The carrier plate 9 is therefore also driven through the main plate 4 by the cylinder piston assembly 5. As shown in detail in Fig. 4 and 5, the carrier plate 9 comprises a substantially triangular shear blade 11, the straight triangle sides of which enclose a right angle and form the cutting edges 12 of the shear blade 11 extending substantially horizontally and vertically, respectively. The frame 1 supports a stationary shear blade 13 with corresponding cutting edges 14. A suitable opening 15 is provided in the web plate 2 shown in Fig. 1 for reaching and, if necessary, changing the shear blade 11, while a substantially L-shaped opening 16 is provided in the other web plate 2, so that angle workpieces and the like can be cut. The shear blade 11 further comprises an arcuate triangle side and is mounted in a recess of the carrier plate 9 complementary to the shear blade 11, by means of a bolt 17. The bolt 17 determines a shear blade axis lying at a distance from the angle as determined by the cutting edges 12, namely at the bisector of this right angle. In order to guarantee a movement of the shear blade 11 according to this bisector towards the counter shear blade 13 during pivoting of the carrier plate 9, a guiding element 19 is fixed to the frame 1, said guiding element carrying an elongated cam 20. This cam 20 engages a slot 21 of the shear blade 11, said slot extending according to the bisector of the right angle between the cutting edges 12. It is also possible to provide the shear blade 11 with the cam 20 and to provide the slot 21 in the guiding element 19. The location of the shear blade axis 17 at a distance of the right angle results in the advantage that the cutting forces occurring during operation at both sides of the shear blade axis 17 partially counter balance each other so that these cutting forces are taken by the engagement of the arcuate triangle side and the arcuate edge of the recess 18 in the carrier plate 9. Thereby the cam 20 is not heavily loaded. Because the main plate 4 engages the carrier plate 9 at the bearing 10, a higher cutting force is available at the location of the shear blade 11 than the force provided by the cylinder piston assembly 5. As shown in Fig. 1 and 4, the carrier plate 9 further carries a shear blade 22 and the frame at this location carries a counter shear blade 23 for cutting flat workpieces. Fig. 1-3 further show that the main plate 4 is provided with a protruding tool 24, 25 on both main surfaces. The tool 24 is made as a triangular punch cooperating with a die 26 supported by a corresponding web plate 2 of the frame 1. The tool 25 is made as a forming unit cooperating with a die 27 supported by the corresponding web plate 2 of the frame 1. Further, both vertical end faces of the main plate 4 also each carry a tool 28, 29, respectively. The tool at the back side is made as a rectangular punch cooperating with a die 30 supported by the frame 1. The tool 29 is made as a rotatable tool turret and will be further explained hereinafter. It will be clear that by providing the main plate 4 with said different tools a very versatile apparatus for working metal workpieces is obtained. It is noted that the different tools 24, 25, 28, 29 as mentioned are only mentioned by way of example only and that other types of tools are also possible. The web plates 2 of the frame 1 are coupled with each other in a non-slidable manner above and below the main plate 4. To this end one of the web plates 2 is provided with projecting key parts at its upper and lower sides in a manner not further shown, said key parts fittingly engaging slots provided at the upper and lower sides of the other web plate. Thereby, it is obtained that the web plates 2 and the main plate 4 may take very high loads. In the side view of Fig. 1 it is further indicated that the frame 1 and the main plate 4 are also provided with cutting tools 31 for cutting round and square workpieces. The tool 29 is made as a rotatable tool turret carrying six different punch tools 32. By rotating the tool turret 29 these punch tools 32 may subsequently be located in a vertically downwardly directed working position. A tool turret 33 which is also rotatable, is mounted on the frame 1 in a fixed position and carries die tools 34 corresponding with the different punch tools 32, which die tools may be located in an upwardly directed working position by rotation of the tool turret. As indicated in Fig. 1, the frame 1 further carries a detainer which, during the upward movement of the tool turret 29, prevents the workpiece to follow the punch tool 32. The detainer 35 is slidable on a guide 36. Fig. 6 shows a horizontal section of the fixed or stationary tool turret 33; the construction of the tool turret 29 fully corresponds with the same of the tool turret 33 wherein of course instead of die tools 34 punch tools 32 are provided. The construction of the tool turret 29 will not be described separately. The tool turret 33 comprises a carrier plate 37 attached to the web plates 2 and a round support 38 attached to this carrier plate 37, said support being stepped in section. A drum 39 is rotatably mounted on this round support 38, said drum 39 carrying the die tools 34 or punch tools 32. The drum 39 is locked in the desired position by a locking pin 40 adapted to engage with a bevelled head 41 which is V-shaped in section, in openings 42 of the drum 39 having a V-shape in section. For each die or punch tool a corresponding V-shaped opening 42 is provided. Due to the bevelled shape of the head 41 of the locking pin 40 and the cooperation with V-shaped openings 42 of the drum 39 an excellent stable locking of the tool turret 33 in the desired position is obtained by the wedge operation of the corresponding oblique faces. Moreover, the locking pin 40 can easily be pushed out of an opening 42 because the locking pin 40 cannot get jammed. The locking pin 40 is carried by an arm 43 received in a chamber 44 formed in the carrier plate 37. A shaft 45 is rotatably received in an axial cavity 46 in the support 38 and also extends rotatably the arm 43. A hexagonal part 47 projects through a complementary opening in a closing cap 48 of the drum 39. Although the shaft 45 can rotate with respect to the arm 43, the arm 43 cannot move in axial direction with respect to the shaft 45. If the shaft 45 is pushed inwardly, the locking pin 40 is disengaged from the opening 42 so that subsequently a desired die or punch tool 34, 32 can be moved into the working position. By a schematically shown spring 49 the arm 43 with the shaft 45 is moved back into the locking position. In order to prevent an incorrect positioning of a punch tool 32 and a die tool 34 in the working position, each tool turret 29, 33 is provided with a detector 50 for detecting the rotational position of the corresponding tool turret 29, 33. In the embodiment shown this detector 50 comprises a switch with six positions, the shaft 51 of which is coupled with the shaft 45 in a non-rotatable manner. Both detectors 50 are connected with the usual operating means of an apparatus of this type in such a manner that the cylinder piston assembly 5 can only drive the main plate 4 if corresponding punch and die tools are in the working position. As an alternative it is also possible to couple the tool turrets 29, 33 in such a manner with each other that upon rotation of one tool turret for moving a tool 32, 34 into the working position, the other tool turret is automatically rotated to move the corresponding tool 34, 32 into the working position. This coupling can for example be a mechanical coupling through tooth belts and wheels and the like. As appears from Fig. 2 and 3, the tools 24, 25 are aligned opposite each other wherein the mounting of these tools to the main plate 4 is provided by means of common mounting openings in the main plate 4. Thereby it is obtained that for two tools weakened locations in the main plate 4 are required at one location only. Fig. 7 shows a cross section of the apparatus described at the location of the tools 24, 25, wherein the mounting of these tools to the main plate 4 is shown in more detail. Slots 52 are provided in the main plate 4 whereas slots 53 are provided at the side of the tools 24, 25 directed to the main plate 4, whereby projecting parts 54 are obtained. These parts 54 fittingly engage as keys in the slots 52 of the main plate 4 so that shearing forces occurring during operation are taken by this slot and key connection 52, 54. The tools 24, 25 are fixed to the main plate 4 by means of a plurality of draw bolts 55 at the location of the key and slot connection 52, 54. At the upper side the tools 24, 25 are fixed by one (or more) draw bolt(s) 56, wherein spacers 57 are provided between the tools 24, 25 and the main plate 4. Of course suitable openings 58 and slots 59 are formed in the web plates 2 to provide the required freedom of movement. In the embodiment shown the supports for the dies 26, 27 are fixed to the web plates 2 by draw bolts 60. Between the die supports 26, 27 and the web plates a key and slot connection or the like can also be provided for taking the shearing forces. Slots 61 are provided in the main plate 4 to receive the draw bolts 60. A further embodiment of the apparatus is schematically shown in a side view in Fig. 8, wherein the tool turret 29 is directly driven by a cylinder piston assembly. In this case the web plates 2 at the front side of the apparatus carry a guide track 100, a slide 101 being movable up and down along said track. The slide 101 is driven by a hydraulic cylinder piston assembly 102. The centre line of the cylinder piston assembly 102 coincides with the centre line of the punch tool 32 lying in the working position, whereby a very favourable force transmission is obtained. The slide 101 is U-shaped and carries the tool turret 29 which is borne at both sides in the U-shaped slide 101 by a schematically indicated shaft 103. The tool turret 33 is also borne at both sides in a U-shaped holder 105 by a schematically indicated shaft 104. The holder 105 is stationary supported on the frame 1. By supporting the tool turrets 29, 33 in the U-shaped slide 101 and the U-shaped holder 105, respectively, relatively high forces can be taken. In the embodiment of Fig. 8 the pivotable carrier plate 9 can be driven by a hydraulic cylinder piston assembly 106 which is located in an oblique position substantially right above the pivot point of the carrier plate 9. The connection point between the cylinder piston assembly 106 and the carrier plate 9 lies between two boundary planes which are determined respectively by the centre lines of the pivot point of the carrier plate 9 and the hinge point connecting the cylinder piston assembly with the frame and the vertical end face 113 of the frame. Thereby a compact construction is obtained. Further, the carrier plate 9 is equipped with a triangular shear blade not shown in the manner described. The carrier plate 9 also includes the cutting tools 31. In this case the carrier plate 9 is also provided with a tool 28 cooperating with a die 30 supported by the frame 1. Finally, the carrier plate 9 is equipped with the shear blade 22 whereas the frame at this location supports a counter shear blade 23 for cutting flat workpieces. As indicated by a dashed line in Fig. 8 the carrier plate 9 is connected by a link 107 with a slide 108 which is guided movably up and down in the frame 1. To this end each web plate 2 is provided with a slot 109 as shown in a top view according to Fig. 11. The clearance for the movement of the slide 108 in the slots 109 is adjustable by means of an adjustment wedge 110. The slide 108 carriers a bending tool 111 cooperating with a die 112 supported by the frame 1 and having different V-shaped recesses. The web plates 2 at the location of the slide 109 have a flat mainly vertical end edge 113 so that the bending tool 111 and the die 112 are completely freely accessible. Thereby the material to be bent does not meet any obstructions during bending and the most fantastic shapes can be bent. Fig. 10 partially shows a side view of another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention mainly corresponding with the embodiment of Fig. 8. In this case, however, the slide 108 is not coupled by a link with the pivotable carrier plate 9. The slide 108 is driven by a hydraulic cylinder piston assembly 114. This embodiment further fully corresponds with the embodiment of Fig. 8. Fig. 11 shows a top view of the apparatus of Fig. 10, wherein the slide 108, the slots 109 and the adjustment wedge 110 can be seen. It is noted that the bending tool 111 is fixed to the slide 108 by means of a bolt 115 and a key 116. Fig. 12 shows a side view of an apparatus mainly corresponding with the embodiment of Fig. 8. However, in this case the die tool turret 33 is supported on the frame 1 rotatably around a vertical axis 117. Just as in the other embodiments wherein both tool turrets 29, 33 are rotatable around a horizontal axis, both tools 33, 34 located in a working position are located on a centre line intersecting the horizontal axis of the tool turret 29. The invention is not restricted to the above described embodiments which can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the claims.

Claims: Apparatus for working metal workpieces, comprising a frame (1), a carrier plate (9) pivotably mounted in the frame and carrying a substantially triangular shear blade (11), wherein two triangle sides enclose a right angle and provide the cutting edges (12) extending substantially horizontally and vertically, respectively, wherein the shear blade is accommodated in a complementary recess in the carrier plate rotatable around a shear blade axis (17), said shear blade axis being located at the bisector of the right angle between the cutting edges of the shear blade, wherein the frame supports a stationary counter shear blade (13) and wherein the frame carries a guide (19, 20) guiding the shear blade along said bisector during pivoting of the carrier plate, characterized in that the shear blade axis is made as a pin (17) connecting the shear blade (11) rotatably with the carrier plate (9), said pin being located at a distance from the intersection of the cutting edges (12). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide (19, 20) guides the shear blade (11) by means of a cam (20) cooperating with a slot (21) extending according to said bisector. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a main plate (4) is provided, said main plate being movable up and down, characterized in that the carrier plate (9) is coupled with the main plate (4) and is drivable by said main plate. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the carrier plate (9) is driven by a hydraulic cylinder piston assembly (106). Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the cylinder piston assembly (106) is located in an oblique position above the pivot point of the carrier plate. Apparatus for working metal workpieces according to claim 3, 4 or 5, comprising a plurality of tools (24, 25, 28, 29) carried by the main plate (4), characterized in that both main surfaces of the main plate (4) each carry one or more protruding tools (24, 25). Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the tools (24, 25) mounted at both sides of the main plate (4) and the main plate (4) at the surfaces directed towards each other are provided with complementary key parts (54) and slots (52) for taking shear forces. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the tools (24,25) mounted at both sides of the main plate (4) are connected with each other by draw bolts (56). Apparatus according to anyone of claims 6-8, characterized in that at least one of the vertical end faces of the main plate (4) carries at least one tool (28,29). Apparatus according to anyone of claims 6-9, characterized in that the web plates (2) are interconnected above and below the main plate (4) in a non-slidable manner, for example by cooperating key parts and slots. Apparatus for working metal workpieces, according to anyone of the preceding claims, comprising a slide (108) movable up and down and guided in the frame (1), characterized in that the web plates (2) at the location of the slide (108) have a flat mainly vertical end edge (113) and that the slide is adjacent to said end edge with a mainly vertical side, said side carrying a protruding bending tool (111) cooperating with a die tool (112) fixed to the frame (1). Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the slide (108) is guided in slots (109) formed in the web plate (2), wherein at the side opposite of the bending tool (111) an adjustment wedge (110) is mounted in the slots for adjusting the clearance of the slide in the slots. Apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the slide (108) is coupled with the pivotable carrier plate (9). Apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the slide (108) is driven by a hydraulic cylinder piston assembly (114).

Inventors: LIET CORNELIS HENDRICUS, LIET, CORNELIS HENDRICUS
Applicants: LIET CORNELIS HENDRICUS, LIET, CORNELIS HENDRICUS
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B23Q1
IPC codes: B21D28