Abstract:
A plate workpiece processing tool includes a first tool portion and a second tool portion. The first and second tool portions are arranged along an application axis in spaced relation to each other such that a plate workpiece can be disposed therebetween. The tool also includes two or more processing devices that are carried by the first tool portion, and one or more counter-devices that are carried by the second tool portion. The processing devices are rotatable, relative to the first tool portion, about a first rotational axis that extends perpendicular to the application axis and are arranged to follow each other along an axis extending perpendicularly to the application axis. The processing devices and the one or more counter-devices are selectively alignable to form a plurality of alternative device pairings for processing plate workpieces therebetween.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of and claims the priority of U.S. Ser. No. 12/425,534, filed Apr. 17, 2009, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to PCT Application No. PCT/EP2007/008447, filed on Sep. 28, 2007, which claims priority to German Application No. 10 2006 049 045.2, filed Oct. 18, 2006. The contents of all of these priority applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to the processing, e.g., the forming and/or cutting, of plate workpieces, such as metal sheets, and tools configured to do such processing. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    One example of a tool for processing workpieces is known from the publication EP-B-1 152 842. The tool, which is in the form of a rolling tool and which is provided for use on a turret punch press, includes several rotatable processing rollers on an upper tool portion and several rotatable counter-rollers on a lower tool portion. In order to process a workpiece, the tool portions are moved towards each other until the workpiece to be processed is acted upon by the outer surfaces of the processing rollers, which surfaces act as processing devices, and the outer surfaces of the counter-rollers, which surfaces act as counter-devices. The workpiece is then moved relative to the rollers with a workpiece coordinate guide while the rollers continue to act on the metal sheet. Continuous processing of the workpiece takes place with the processing rollers and the counter-rollers rolling along the respective side of the workpiece being acted upon. The processing devices of all of the processing rollers are active during workpiece processing. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In general, this invention relates to the processing, e.g., the forming and/or cutting, of plate workpieces, such as metal sheets, and tools configured to do such processing. 
         [0005]    One aspect of the invention provides a plate workpiece processing tool that includes a first tool portion and a second tool portion. The first and second tool portions are arranged along an application axis in spaced relation to each other such that a plate workpiece can be disposed therebetween. The tool also includes two or more processing devices that are carried by the first tool portion, and one or more counter-devices that are carried by the second tool portion. The processing devices are rotatable, relative to the first tool portion, about a first rotational axis that extends perpendicular to the application axis and are arranged to follow each other along an axis extending perpendicularly to the application axis. The processing devices and the one or more counter-devices are selectively alignable to form a plurality of alternative device pairings for processing plate workpieces therebetween. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, at least two of the two or more processing devices are separately alignable with a common one of the counter devices to form different device pairings. 
         [0007]    In certain embodiments, the first tool portion and the second tool portion are rotatable relative to each other about a second rotational axis extending parallel with the application axis. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, the one or more counter-devices and the two or more rotatable processing devices are rotatable relative to each other about the second rotational axis. 
         [0009]    In certain embodiments, the rotatable processing devices are arranged to follow each other about the second rotational axis. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, a first one of the processing devices is configured for use in a first machining operation and a second one of the processing devices is configured for use in a second machining operation that is different from the first machining operation. 
         [0011]    In certain embodiments, at least two of the rotatable processing devices are provided on a common rotary body which is rotatably mounted to the first tool portion. The common rotary body can have a varying cross-section along its length. In some cases, the varying cross-section defines the rotatable processing devices. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the common rotary body is in the form of a roller. 
         [0013]    In certain embodiments, at least one of the one or more counter-devices is rotatable relative to the second tool portion. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more counter-devices is a universally rotatable ball. 
         [0015]    In certain embodiments, at least one of the counter-devices is displaceable, relative to at least one other one of the counter-devices, into an operating position in which it projects towards the first tool portion. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the processing devices are linearly displaceable, relative to the first tool portion, along the first rotational axis. 
         [0017]    Another aspect of the invention features a method of processing a plate workpiece. The method includes placing a metal sheet between a first tool portion that carries a roller comprising first and second processing devices and a second tool portion that carries one or more counter-devices; aligning one of the first and second processing devices with one of the one or more counter-devices to form a first device pairing; utilizing the first device pairing to perform a first machining operation on the metal sheet; then, aligning the other one of the first and second processing devices with one of the one or more counter-devices to form a second device pairing, different from the first device pairing; and then utilizing the second device pairing to perform a second machining operation, different from the first machining operation, on the metal sheet. 
         [0018]    In certain embodiments, utilizing the first device pairing to perform a first machining operation on the metal sheet includes moving at least one of the first and second tool portions, along an application axis, relative to the other one of the first and second tool portions until the metal sheet is acted upon by the first device paring. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, aligning one of the first and second processing devices with one of the one or more counter-devices to form the first device pairing includes rotating at least one of the first tool portion and the second tool portion relative to the other one of the first tool portion and the second tool portion. 
         [0020]    In certain embodiments, at least one of the first machining operation and the second machining operation includes cutting the metal sheet. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, at least one of the first machining operation and the second machining operation includes forming a bead or a step in the metal sheet. 
         [0022]    In certain embodiments, the first machining operation includes forming a first step in the metal sheet and the second machining operation includes forming a second step in the metal sheet, the second step having a different height than the first step. 
         [0023]    Another aspect of the invention provides a plate workpiece processing tool that includes a first tool portion and a second tool portion. The tool also includes a roller rotatably mounted to the first tool portion and including two or more processing devices, and one or more counter-devices carried by the second tool portion. The processing devices and the one or more counter-devices are selectively alignable to form a plurality of alternative device pairings for processing plate workpieces. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the roller has a varying cross-section along its length. The varying cross-section defines the two or more processing devices. 
         [0025]    In certain embodiments, at least two of the two or more processing devices are separately alignable with one of the one or more counter devices to form different device pairings. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the roller includes a common rotary body that defines the two or more processing devices. 
         [0027]    In another aspect of the invention, different device pairings, which include different rotatable processing devices, are activatable for workpiece processing. Thus, during workpiece processing with one of the rotatable processing devices, influences of a second rotatable processing device can be avoided. The individual rotatable processing devices can therefore be configured with a high degree of freedom. This in turn may broaden the possible uses of the tool. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, the activation of different device pairings with different rotatable processing devices is effected by associating a single counter-device with different processing devices. Consequently, one counter-device can be used together with different rotatable processing devices for workpiece processing. A specific number of activatable device pairings can be made available with a small number of counter-devices. This in turn means that the tool can be manufactured inexpensively. 
         [0029]    In certain embodiments, the association of one counter-device with various rotatable processing devices is effected by a relative rotational movement of the counter-device and the processing devices about a rotational axis of the tool. In this regard, the tool can be configured for use on machine tools which normally have rotary drives by means of which the tool portions are rotatable in a controlled manner about rotational axes of the tool. Accordingly, the tool can advantageously use machine axes which are present in order to activate different device pairings. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, either a bead or a step, as desired, can be produced on a workpiece using the same tool. 
         [0031]    In certain embodiments, at least two rotatable processing devices are provided on a common rotary body which is rotatable on the first tool portion. Since each rotary body is supported on the tool portion by at least one pivot bearing, locating multiple processing devices on a single rotary body can allow for the number of pivot bearings to be reduced. The structural space gained on the first tool portion by dispensing with pivot bearings can make it possible, inter alia, to configure the pivot bearings of the common rotary body to be larger and therefore more stable. As a result, the tool can be made to be highly loadable. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, the common rotary body has a varying cross-section along its length. The varying cross-section defines the rotatable processing devices. A roller form of the common rotary body can allow the rotary body to be formed as a simple rotary part. 
         [0033]    In certain embodiments, at least one counter-device is rotatable on the second tool portion. Thus, workpiece processing takes place with the rotatable processing device and the rotatable counter-device rolling along their respective sides of the workpiece. This can help to provide for relatively gentle workpiece processing. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, at least one rotatable counter-device is a universally rotatable ball. Alternatively or in addition, at least one rotatable processing device is a universally rotatable ball. The use of balls can also allow contours having especially small radii to be produced. In the case of rotary bodies which are rotatable about only one rotational axis, an orientation of the rotary body&#39;s rotational axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a contour to be produced is generally necessary. When a universally rotatable ball is used, such orientation is superfluous. 
         [0035]    In certain embodiments, the tool can also include an activating mechanism which is operable to displace the counter-device (e.g., of a device pairing including the counter-device and a processing device) toward an operating position. In the operating position, the counter-device projects towards the workpiece relative to other counter-devices. Alternatively or in addition, the rotatable processing device of the device pairing to be activated is transferable into a corresponding operating position. Disturbing influences of counter-devices and processing devices, respectively, not activated during workpiece processing may thus be avoided. 
         [0036]    The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0037]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a machine tool for cutting and/or forming metal sheets, 
           [0038]      FIG. 2  shows a tool having a first construction for forming metal sheets, 
           [0039]      FIG. 3  shows a tool having a second construction for forming metal sheets, 
           [0040]      FIG. 4  shows a tool having a third construction for forming metal sheets, 
           [0041]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a lower tool portion of a tool having a fourth construction for forming metal sheets and 
           [0042]      FIG. 6  shows a tool having a fifth construction for forming metal sheets. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0043]    According to  FIG. 1 , a machine tool  1  for cutting and/or forming metal sheets  2  has a tool  3  having a first tool portion in the form of an upper tool  4 , and a second tool portion in the form of a lower tool  5 . The upper tool  4  is held by an upper tool holder  6  and the lower tool  5  is held by a lower tool holder  7 . The upper tool  4  and the lower tool  5  are arranged on opposite sides of the metal sheet  2  to be processed. A workpiece (e.g., the metal sheet  2 ) to be processed is supported on a workpiece table  8  and is moved relative to the tool  3  with a coordinate guide  9  during workpiece processing. 
         [0044]    The upper tool  4  is movable along an application axis  11  relative to the lower tool  5  via a press drive  10 . The tool holders  6  and  7  are each provided with a respective rotary tool drive  12 . The upper tool  4  and the lower tool  5  can be rotated, via the tool drives  12 , in a controlled manner about a rotational axis  13  of the tool which is identical with the application axis  11 . 
         [0045]    All of the drives of the machine tool  1  are controlled by a central numerical control unit  14 . 
         [0046]    At the commencement of workpiece processing, the metal sheet  2  is positioned between the upper tool  4  and the lower tool  5  by the coordinate guide  9 . The upper tool  4  is then lowered along the application axis  11  by the press drive  10  until the metal sheet  2  is acted upon on its two sides by the upper tool  4  and the lower tool  5 . The action on the metal sheet  2  by the upper tool  4  and the lower tool  5  therefore takes place along the application axis  11 . 
         [0047]    Starting from these conditions, the metal sheet  2  is moved relative to the tool  3  by the coordinate guide  9 . Depending on the type of tool  3 , the metal sheet  2  acted upon is formed or cut along a predetermined processing line. For example, a shaping produced on the metal sheet  2  using the tool  3  is shown in the form of a bead  15  in  FIG. 1 . The rotary drives  12  allow the tool portions to be oriented along the contour to be produced on the metal sheet  2 . 
         [0048]    After the completion of workpiece processing with the tool  3 , the tool  3  is replaced by another processing tool arranged on the coordinate guide  9 . Depending on the type of tool used in exchange, a processing of the metal sheet  2  again takes place in continuous operating mode, or an intermittent stroke-wise processing takes place. For example, the tool used in exchange may be a punching tool. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the upper tool  4  has a base body  16  having a shank  17  which is to be received in the upper tool holder  6 . In addition, the upper tool  4  includes two different rotatable processing devices (i.e., first and second processing devices  18  and  19 , respectively). The first processing device  18  is used to produce a step, and the second processing device  19  is used to produce a bead. The first and second processing devices  18  and  19  are rotatable on the upper tool  4  about a rotational axis  20 . They lie next to each other perpendicularly to the application axis  11  on a common rotary body in the form of a roller  21 . Furthermore, they follow each other about the rotational axis  13  of the tool. 
         [0050]    The roller  21  is supported on the base body  16  of the upper tool  4  by pivot bearings. The roller  21  has cross-sections of different sizes along its rotational axis  20 . The first and second processing devices  18  and  19  are formed on the roller  21  owing to the variation in cross-section. 
         [0051]    The lower tool  5  has a base body  22  on which a counter-device  26  in the form of a universally rotatable ball  23  is supported. For the purpose of illustration, the bearing of the ball  23  is shown partly cut open. The bearing has a plurality of small ball bearings  24 . On its upper side, the lower tool  5  forms a workpiece support for the metal sheet  2  to be processed. In order to reduce the friction between the metal sheet  2  to be processed and the lower tool  5 , a plurality of rotatably supported supporting balls  25  are provided on the lower tool  5 . 
         [0052]    During workpiece processing, the rotatable counter-device  26  forms a device pairing with one of the first and second processing devices  18  and  19 . 
         [0053]    Under the conditions shown in the left-hand partial view of  FIG. 2 , the tool  3  is in a state in which a device pairing with the first processing device  18  and the counter-device  26  is activated for workpiece processing. The metal sheet  2  to be processed is acted upon by the first processing device  18  and the counter-device  26  along the application axis  11 . Starting from the situation shown on the left-hand side of  FIG. 2 , the metal sheet  2  is moved by the coordinate guide  9  ( FIG. 1 ) relative to the tool  3  in a direction which extends perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing of  FIG. 2 . With the first processing device  18  and the counter-device  26  aligned therewith and rolling along their respective sides of the workpiece, a step is produced on the metal sheet  2  in continuous operating mode. 
         [0054]    With reference to the right-hand partial view of  FIG. 2 , the tool  3  is in a state in which a device pairing with the second processing device  19  and the counter-device  26  is activated for workpiece processing. In that case, a shaping in the form of a bead is produced on the metal sheet  2  by a relative movement of the metal sheet  2  and the tool  3  in a direction extending perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing of  FIG. 2 , with the processing device  19  and the counter-device  26  aligned therewith and rolling along their respective side of the workpiece. 
         [0055]    In order to produce curved contours the upper tool  4  and the lower tool  5  are rotated synchronously about the rotational axis  13  of the tool by the rotary drives  12  ( FIG. 1 ) arranged at the machine side, so that the rotational axis  20  of the roller  21  extends at all times perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the contour to be produced. 
         [0056]    In order to switch between the conditions on the left-hand side of  FIG. 2  and the conditions on the right-hand side of  FIG. 2 , the lower tool  5  can be rotated by its rotary drive  12  through an angle of 180° relative to the upper tool  4  about the rotational axis  13  of the tool. The upper tool  4  may possibly have to be raised beforehand and lowered again after the rotation of the lower tool  5 . 
         [0057]    By the described relative rotational movement, two different device pairings each with a respective one of the first and second processing devices  18  and  19  can be activated for workpiece processing. 
         [0058]    The relative rotational movement takes place by rotating the lower tool  5  while the upper tool  4  remains at a standstill. Alternatively, the activating relative rotational movement may consist solely in a rotational movement of the upper tool  4  or in combined rotational movements of the upper tool  4  and the lower tool  5 . 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a tool  30  having a second construction is used to form metal sheets  2 . The tool  30  has two rotatable processing devices (i.e., first and second processing devices  31  and  32 , respectively) which are rotatable about a rotational axis  33  and which are provided on a common rotary body or common roller  34 . A rotatable counter-device  35  is provided in the form of a universally rotatable ball  36 . 
         [0060]    In the case of the tool  30 , steps are produced on the metal sheet  2  to be processed, using both activatable device pairings. When the first processing device  31  is used, only relatively low steps can be formed. Owing to a recess  37  at the base body side, relatively high steps can be produced by the second processing device  32 . 
         [0061]    A tool  40  having a third construction for forming metal sheets  2  is shown in  FIG. 4 . Unlike the tools  3  and  30  described above, the tool  40  has two rotatable counter-devices (i.e., first and second counter-devices  41  and  42 , respectively), which are provided in the form of rotatable balls  43  and  44 , respectively. One of the first and second counter-devices  41  and  42  can be transferred into an operating position by an activating mechanism. The activating mechanism can be, for example, a rotatable annular base that is connected to the lower tool  5  and which is configured to move one of the first and second counter-devices  41  and  42  into an operating position when the activating mechanism is rotated to a first position, and which is configured to move the other of the first and second counter devices  41  and  42  into an operating position when the activating mechanism is rotated to a second position. The counter-devices project toward the upper tool  4  to a greater extent when in the operating position than when in a non-operating position. Additional details of the activating mechanism and other details and features combinable with those described herein may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/424,802, filed Apr. 16, 2009, entitled “PLATE WORKPIECE PROCESSING TOOLS AND MACHINES,” the entire contents of which application are hereby incorporated by reference. According to  FIG. 4 , the first counter-device  41  is in its operating position in which it projects towards the metal sheet  2  relative to the second counter-device  42 . 
         [0062]    The first counter-device  41  and a first processing device  45  form an activated device pairing for workpiece processing. The second counter-device  42  is in a non-operating position in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0063]    If, via the activating mechanism, the second counter-device  42  is transferred into its operating position and at the same time the first counter-device  41  is transferred into its non-operating position, the device pairing with the second counter-device  42  and a second processing device  46  is activated for workpiece processing. 
         [0064]    As an alternative to the two device pairings described, a third device pairing can also be activated for workpiece processing. For this purpose, starting from the conditions shown in  FIG. 4 , the lower tool  47  is rotated through an angle of 180° relative to the upper tool  48  about the rotational axis  13  of the tool. Alternatively, only the upper tool  48  can be rotated or both tool portions can be rotated in a combined manner. In any case, a device pairing comprising the first counter-device  41  and a third processing device  49  is activated. 
         [0065]    All of the rotatable processing devices (i.e., first, second, and third processing devices  45 ,  46  and  49 , respectively) of the tool  40  are provided on a common rotary body or common roller  50  which is rotatable on the upper tool  48  about a rotational axis  51  extending perpendicularly to the application axis  11 . 
         [0066]    According to  FIG. 5 , a lower tool  52 , shown in diagrammatic plan view, of a tool having a fourth construction has rotatable counter-devices in the form of three universally rotatable balls  53 ,  54  and  55  which are arranged on a circular path  56  around the rotational axis  13  of the tool. Like the tool  40  according to  FIG. 4 , the balls  53 ,  54  and  55  can each be transferred into an operating position by a respective activating mechanism. The ball  53  has a larger diameter than the balls  54  and  55 . Provided on the associated upper tool are rotatable processing devices which each form activatable device pairings with a respective one of the rotatable counter-devices on the lower tool  52  for workpiece processing. 
         [0067]      FIG. 6  illustrates a tool  60  having a fifth construction which offers a further possibility for activating different device pairings with different rotatable processing devices for workpiece processing. 
         [0068]    The tool  60  has two rotatable processing devices (i.e., first and second processing devices  61  and  62 , respectively) on a rotary body in the form of a roller  64  which is rotatable about a rotational axis  63 . A counter-device  65  is provided in the form of a universally rotatable ball  66 . The roller  64  is displaceable together with the first and second processing devices  61  and  62  on the base body  67  of the upper tool  68  in the direction of the rotational axis  63 . 
         [0069]    According to  FIG. 6 , a device pairing with the second processing device  62  and the counter-device  65  is in a state activated for workpiece processing. In order, starting from this state, to activate a device pairing with the first processing device  61  and the counter-device  65  for workpiece processing, the first and second processing devices  61  and  62  are displaced relative to the counter-device  65  in the direction of the rotational axis  63 . 
         [0070]    The relative movement of the first and second processing devices  61  and  62 , on the one hand, and of the counter-device  65 , on the other hand, is effected by displacing the roller  64  in the direction of the rotational axis  63  on the base body  67  of the upper tool  68 . During this process, the roller  64  is displaced until the processing device  61  is aligned with and arranged above the counter-device  65 . 
         [0071]    The upper tool  68  may possibly have to be raised from the metal sheet  2  before the roller  64  can be displaced. After the displacement of the roller  64 , the upper tool  68  is lowered onto the metal sheet  2  again for workpiece processing. 
         [0072]    The device pairing activated for workpiece processing is arranged substantially centrally on the tool  60 . Thus, transverse forces and moment loads which may occur in the case of off-centre workpiece processing may be avoided or at least reduced. 
         [0073]    Constructions of tools for sheet-metal processing which differ from the above constructions are possible. For example, it is also possible to provide cutting edges as rotatable processing devices and counter-devices. 
         [0074]    A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.