Abstract:
Machines and tools that can be used to process (e.g., to cut and/or form) plate-like workpieces, such as metal sheets. In some aspects, a plate workpiece processing tool includes a first tool portion, which is drivingly connectable to a stroke drive, and a second tool portion. The tool has at least one processing device on the first tool portion and at least two counter-devices on the second tool portion. By using an activating device provided on the second tool portion, different device pairings can be activated for workpiece processing.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to PCT Application No. PCT/EP2007/008449, filed on Sep. 28, 2007, which claimed priority to German Application No. 10 2006 049 046.0, filed Oct. 18, 2006. The contents of both of these priority applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to machines and tools that can be used to process (e.g., to cut and/or form) plate-like workpieces, such as metal sheets. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    DE-A-10 2005 005 214 describes a type of tool, referred to as a “multitool,” that includes an upper tool that is drivingly connected to a stroke drive and that has several male punching/forming dies of various shapes. An associated lower tool has a corresponding number of female punching/forming dies, the geometry of which corresponds to that of the respective male dies associated therewith. 
         [0004]    In order to activate a male die/female die pairing for workpiece processing, the upper tool&#39;s male die that is part of the male die/female die pairing to be activated is transferred into a position in which it projects towards the workpiece relative to the other male dies. To achieve this, an activating device is provided on the upper tool, which is drivingly connected to a stroke drive. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In one aspect of the invention, a plate workpiece processing tool includes a first tool portion that is drivingly connectable to a stroke drive, and a second tool portion. The first tool portion and the second tool portion can be associated with sides of a workpiece to be processed that lie opposite each other along a stroke axis along which the first tool portion is driven. The plate workpiece processing tool further includes at least one processing device on the first tool portion and at least two counter-devices on the second tool portion. A processing device of the first tool portion is movable along the stroke axis towards a counter-device of the second tool portion for the purpose of workpiece processing. An activating device is provided on the second tool portion. Rotating a rotationally adjustable activating member about an activating rotational axis can cause the activating device to transfer a counter-device that is part of a processing device and counter-device pairing to be activated into an operating position in which, relative to a non-operating position that it can assume, the relevant counter-device projects towards the workpiece during workpiece processing. 
         [0006]    In the above-described aspect of the invention, the activating device is provided, not on the tool portion that is drivingly connectable to a stroke drive, but, rather, on the second tool portion. By the activating rotational movement of the rotationally adjustable activating member, the counter-device that is part of the device pairing to be activated is transferred into an operating position. In its operating position, during workpiece processing, the relevant counter-device projects towards the workpiece relative to its position in a non-operating state. 
         [0007]    The counter-devices are, when necessary for workpiece processing, located in their operating position close to the workpiece, and, when not required for workpiece processing, are located in their non-operating position away from the workpiece. Consequently, undesirable influences of the counter-devices that are not required during the relevant workpiece processing can be avoided. For example, when using counter-devices that, during workpiece processing, penetrate into the workpiece in the direction towards the first tool portion connected to a stroke drive, the counter-devices that are not required and that are not part of the activated device pairing are prevented from acting on the workpiece in an undesirable manner. The tool, can carry out workpiece processing operations that cannot be carried out with tools of the prior art without a tool change. Furthermore, the tool has only a slightly interfering contour in the immediate vicinity of the workpiece. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, an additional activating device is provided on the first tool portion. Thus, disturbing influences of processing devices that are not part of the activated device pairing are avoided. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, due to the position of the workpiece to be processed relative to the counter-devices, the second tool portion forms a workpiece support on its side associated with the workpiece. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the workpiece support provided on the second tool portion acts as a workpiece stripper. As a result, an operationally reliable removal of the counter-devices from the workpiece after workpiece processing can be achieved. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, at least one counter-device is transferable into its non-operating position under the effect of gravity. In such embodiments, it is possible to dispense with some tool elements, such as restoring springs. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, at least one counter-device is in the form of a male processing die (e.g., a male forming die). Therefore, multitools can be used for producing shapings or protrusions extending out of the workpiece plane in the direction towards the first tool portion connected to a stroke drive. If the second tool portion is the lower tool portion, shapings or protrusions in an upward direction are consequently possible. Upwardly directed shapings or protrusions may have the advantage over downward shapings or protrusions in that they do not collide with a workpiece table supporting the workpiece. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, the counter-devices follow each other about the activating rotational axis. As a result, the tool can be relatively compact. Alternatively or in addition, a similar arrangement can be used for the processing devices. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the activating rotational movement is carried out about a rotational axis of the tool about which the tool portions are rotatable by the rotary drive. Thus, rotary tool drives can be used to provide the activating rotational movement. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, an indexing-switching device for the second tool portion is provided on the machine tool. Using the indexing-switching device, either an activating rotational movement of the rotationally adjustable activating member or a common rotational movement of the counter-devices and of the rotationally adjustable activating member can be brought about in a simple manner. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, a corresponding indexing-switching device is provided for the first tool portion. Consequently, both the portion of the rotary drive for the first tool portion and the portion of the rotary drive for the second tool portion can be used for the activating rotational movement and the relevant common rotation of the tool portions. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments a stroke drive is also provided for the second tool portion. Depending on the type of workpiece processing, a working stroke can be carried out by the stroke drive for the first tool portion and/or by the stroke drive for the second tool portion. 
         [0018]    In another aspect of the invention, a plate workpiece processing tool includes a first tool portion that is drivingly connectable to a stroke drive. The stroke drive is configured to move the first tool portion along a stroke axis. The plate workpiece processing tool also includes a second tool portion. The first tool portion and the second tool portion are movable relative to one another along the stroke axis so that a plate workpiece can be positioned between the first tool portion and the second tool portion. The plate workpiece processing tool further includes a processing device connected to the first tool portion and at least two counter-devices connected to the second tool portion. Each of the at least two counter-devices is selectively alignable with the processing device. A first rotatable activating member is connected to the second tool portion. The first rotatable activating member is configured to move one of the at least two counter-devices into an operating position when the first rotatable activating member is rotated to a first position, and the first rotatable activating member is configured to move another of the at least two counter devices into an operating position when the first rotatable activating member is rotated to a second position. The at least two counter-devices project towards the first tool portion to a greater extent when in the operating position than when in a non-operating position. The processing device is movable towards the second tool portion in a direction substantially parallel to the stroke axis such that, when one of the at least two counter-devices is aligned with the processing device and is positioned in its operating position, the aligned processing device and counter-device can process a workpiece positioned between the first and second tool portions. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, at least two processing devices and a second rotatable activating member are connected to the first tool portion. The second rotatable activating member is configured to move one of the at least two processing devices into an operating position when the second rotatable activating member is rotated to a first position, and the second rotatable activating member is configured to move another of the at least two processing devices into an operating position when the second rotatable activating member is rotated to a second position, and the at least two processing devices project towards the second tool portion to a greater extent when in the operating position than when in a non-operating position. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, when one of the at least two processing devices is aligned with one of the at least two counter-devices, the first and second rotatable members can be positioned so that the aligned processing device and counter-device are in their operating positions. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the second tool portion includes a workpiece support facing the first tool portion. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the second tool portion is configured so that the workpiece support can strip a workpiece from the counter-device after workpiece processing. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the second tool portion includes a resilient member disposed between the workpiece support and a base of the second tool portion, and the resilient member is configured to move the workpiece support away from the base. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, at least one of the counter-devices is configured to be moved into its non-operating position by gravity. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, at least one of the counter-devices is in the form of a male processing die (e.g., a male forming die). 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the counter-devices are arranged to follow each other around an axis about which the first activating member rotates when the first activating member is rotated. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the first tool portion is positioned above the second tool portion. 
         [0028]    In a further aspect of the invention, a plate workpiece processing machine includes a rotary drive and a tool. The tool includes a first tool portion that is drivingly connected to a stroke drive. The stroke drive is configured to move the first tool portion along a stroke axis. The tool further includes a second tool portion. The first tool portion and the second tool portion are movable relative to one another along the stroke axis so that a plate workpiece can be positioned between the first tool portion and the second tool portion. The tool also includes a processing device connected to the first tool portion and at least two counter-devices connected to the second tool portion. Each of the at least two counter-devices is selectively alignable with the processing device. A first rotatable activating member is connected to the second tool portion and configured to be rotated by the rotary drive. The first rotatable activating member is configured to move one of the at least two counter-devices into an operating position when the first rotatable activating member is rotated by the rotary drive to a first position, and the first rotatable activating member being configured to move another of the at least two counter devices into an operating position when the first rotatable activating member is rotated by the rotary drive to a second position. The at least two counter-devices project towards the first tool portion to a greater extent when in the operating position than when in a non-operating position. The processing device is movable towards the second tool portion in a direction substantially parallel to the stroke axis such that, when one of the at least two counter-devices is aligned with the processing device and is positioned in its operating position, the aligned processing device and counter-device can process a workpiece positioned between the aligned processing device and counter-device. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, the first rotatable activating member and the first and second tool portions are rotatable about a rotational axis of the tool by the rotary drive. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, the machine further includes an indexing-switching device connected to the second tool portion. The indexing-switching device is moveable between first and second switching states. In the first switching state, the counter-devices and the rotatable activating member are rotationally fixed relative to one another and are rotatable by the rotary drive and, in the second switching state, the counter-devices and the rotatable activating member are rotatable relative to each other with a rotational movement provided by the rotary drive. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, at least two processing devices and a second rotatable activating member are connected to the first tool portion. The second rotatable activating member is configured to move one of the at least two processing devices into an operating position when the second rotatable activating member is rotated by the rotary drive to a first position, and the second rotatable activating member is configured to move another of the at least two processing devices into an operating position when the second rotatable activating member is rotated by the rotary drive to a second position, and the at least two processing devices project towards the second tool portion to a greater extent when in the operating position than when in a non-operating position. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, when one of the at least two processing devices is aligned with one of the at least two counter-devices, the first and second rotatable members can be positioned so that the aligned processing device and counter-device are in their operating positions. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, the machine further includes an indexing-switching device connected to the first tool portion. The indexing-switching device is moveable between first and second switching states. In the first switching state, the processing devices and the rotatable activating member are rotatably fixed relative to one another and are rotatable by the rotary drive and, in the second switching state, the processing devices and the rotatable activating member are rotatable relative to each other with a rotational movement provided by the rotary drive. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, the machine further includes a stroke drive connected to the second tool portion. The stroke drive is configured to move the second tool portion along the stroke axis. 
         [0035]    In addition to the advantages discussed above, aspects of the invention can result in increased efficiency of workpiece processing. 
         [0036]    Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0037]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic representation of a machine including a tool for forming metal sheets. 
           [0038]      FIG. 2  shows the tool of  FIG. 1 , which includes an upper and a lower tool portion for forming metal sheets. 
           [0039]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the upper tool portion of the tool of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the lower tool portion of the tool of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0041]    According to  FIG. 1 , a machine tool  1  includes a tool  2  having a first tool portion in the form of an upper tool  4  drivingly connected to a stroke drive  3 , and having a second tool portion in the form of a lower tool  5 . The upper tool  4  is held in an upper tool holder  6  and the lower tool  5  is held in a lower tool holder  7 . The two tool portions are arranged along a stroke axis  8  defined by the stroke drive  3  and are associated with sides of a metal sheet  9  to be processed which lie opposite each other along the stroke axis  8 . In order to process the metal sheet  9 , the metal sheet  9  supported on a workpiece table  10  is moved relative to the tool  2  by a coordinate guide  11 . 
         [0042]    The upper tool  4  can be raised and lowered along the stroke axis  8  by the stroke drive  3 . In addition, the lower tool  5  can likewise be raised and lowered along the stroke axis  8  by a stroke drive  12 . The upper tool  4  and the lower tool  5  are rotatable about a rotational axis  14  of the tool by a rotary drive  13  on the upper tool holder  6  and on the lower tool holder  7 . 
         [0043]    Indexing-switching devices  15  and  16  shown in simplified form as pinions are also provided on the upper tool holder  6  and on the lower tool holder  7 . 
         [0044]    All of the drives of the machine tool  1  are controlled by way of a central numerical control unit  17 . 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the tool  2  has, on the upper tool  4 , five different processing devices in the form of female forming dies to which, as a whole, the reference numeral  20  is allocated. A counter-device in the form of a male forming die on the lower tool  5  is associated with each of the female forming dies  20 . The five male forming dies are indicated as a whole by the reference numeral  21  and are hidden in  FIG. 2  by a workpiece support  22  of the lower tool  5 . Only the tip of one male forming die  21 . 1  is visible in an opening of the workpiece support  22 . 
         [0046]    By the five different device pairings, protrusions having five different sizes can be produced in the metal sheet  9  to be processed without a tool change being necessary. 
         [0047]    On a base body  23 , the upper tool  4  has a shank  24  by which the upper tool  4  can be clamped in the upper tool holder  6 . An activating member  26  provided with teeth  25  around its circumference is supported on the base body  23  of the upper tool  4  and is rotatable about the rotational axis  14  of the tool. 
         [0048]    The lower tool  5  has a base body  27  on which an activating member  28  having teeth  29  around its circumference is disposed. The activating member  28  is rotatable about the rotational axis  14  of the tool. 
         [0049]    The activating members  26  and  28  are parts of activating devices of the upper tool  4  and of the lower tool  5 , the mode of operation of which is explained hereinafter. 
         [0050]    In  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the upper tool  4  and the lower tool  5  are shown in a sectional view along a device pairing activated for workpiece processing. The device pairing includes a female forming die  20 . 1  and the male forming die  21 . 1 . 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the base body  27  of the lower tool  5  has a base plate  30  and a guide plate  32  connected to the base plate  30  by a screw  31 . An anti-rotation member  33  fixes the guide plate  32  in a defined rotational position relative to the base plate  30 . 
         [0052]    The guide plate  32  has five guide bores  34  that follow one another along a circular path around the rotational axis  14  of the tool and of which one can be seen in  FIG. 4 . The guide bores  34  form slideways for the male forming dies  21  which are displaceable along the stroke axis  8  (i.e., parallel to the stroke axis  8 ) relative to the guide plate  32 . Therefore, the male forming dies  21  are also arranged on a circular path around the rotational axis  14  of the tool. 
         [0053]    Also provided on the guide plate  32  are five bushes  35  which are component parts of guides  36  for the workpiece support  22 . An annular recess  37  on the upper side of the guide plate  32  is used to accommodate a resilient member in the form of an Eladur ring  38 . The workpiece support  22  is supported resiliently on the guide plate  32  by the Eladur ring  38 . Thus, starting from its resting position (shown in  FIG. 4 ), the workpiece support  22  can perform a downwardly directed stroke movement against the resilient force of the Eladur ring  38 . 
         [0054]    The pot-like activating member  28  of the lower tool  5  is supported to be rotatable about the rotational axis  14  of the tool relative to the base plate  30  and the guide plate  32 . 
         [0055]    An annular base  39  of the activating member  28  rises in the circumferential direction in the manner of a ramp and has a top planar surface  40 . The male forming die that is part of the activated device pairing is held in its operating position by the top planar surface  40  of the ramp portion of the annular base  39 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the male forming die  21 . 1  is located in its operating position close to the workpiece. When, during workpiece processing, the male forming die  21 . 1  is acted upon by a downwardly directed force, the top planar surface  40  of the ramp portion of the annular base  39  prevents the male forming die  21 . 1  from being displaced downwards into a non-operating position along the guide bore  34  extending parallel with the stroke axis  8 . 
         [0056]    In order to transfer the male forming die  21 . 1  into a non-operating position, the activating member  28  is rotated with an activating rotational movement about the rotational axis  14  of the tool until the ramp portion of the annular base  39  is no longer located beneath the male forming die  21 . 1 . As a result, the male forming die  21 . 1  slides under the effect of gravity out of its operating position downwards into its non-operating position away from the workpiece. Instead of the male forming die  21 . 1 , another of the male forming dies  21  is now activated for workpiece processing. 
         [0057]    Under the conditions according to  FIG. 4 , the four non-activated male forming dies, which are not visible in  FIG. 4 , are in their non-operating position. 
         [0058]    On the underside of the annular base  39 , the lower tool  5  has multiple cavities in which, depending on the rotational position of the activating member  28 , a spring-loaded locking ball  41  engages. The function of the locking ball  41  is described hereinafter in connection with the processes involved in the activating rotational movement. 
         [0059]    By overlapping with the workpiece support  22 , a protective ring  42  secured to the activating member  28  prevents dirt from penetrating between the workpiece support  22  and the activating member  28  into the interior of the lower tool  5 . 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the base body  23  of the upper tool  4  is of similar construction to the base body  27  of the lower tool  5 . It has a base plate  43  and a guide plate  44  that is connected to the base plate  43  and that is secured against rotation. The female forming dies  20  are supported in guide bores  45  of the guide plate  44  to be displaceable along the stroke axis  8 . 
         [0061]    The activating device of the upper tool  4  has, in with a similar manner to that of the activating device of the lower tool  5 , a rotationally adjustable activating member  26  that is arranged between the base plate  43  and the guide plate  44  and that has a ramp portion with a bottom planar surface  46 . The bottom planar surface  46  of the ramp portion, in the configuration shown in  FIG. 3 , is arranged above the female forming die  20 . 1 . Consequently, the female forming die  20 . 1  remains in an operating position close to the workpiece even if acted upon by an upwardly directed force. 
         [0062]    In the situation illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the four non-activated female forming dies are also in their operating positions. This can be seen, for example, by referring to the female forming die  20 . 2 . If, however, they are acted upon by an upwardly directed force during workpiece processing, they move upwards out of their operating position and into a non-operating position. For example, such an application of force can be caused by a shaping already present on the metal sheet  9  to be processed. 
         [0063]    In the following, an explanation is given, by way of example, of a processing operation carried out by activating the device pairing shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , which includes the male forming die  21 . 1  and the female forming die  20 . 1 . 
         [0064]    At the beginning of the process, the metal sheet  9  to be processed is positioned between the male forming die  21 . 1  and below the female forming die  20 . 1  (i.e., above the male forming die  21 . 1  and below the female forming die  20 . 1 ) by the coordinate guide  11 . The metal sheet  9  to be processed rests on the workpiece support  22  of the lower tool  5 . The upper tool  4  is then lowered by the stroke drive  3  together with the female forming dies  20 , including the female forming die  20 . 1 , along the stroke axis  8  (i.e., parallel to the stroke axis  8 ) towards the lower tool  5  until the female forming dies  20  come into contact with the upper side of the metal sheet  9 . 
         [0065]    Starting from this state, the actual working stroke, in which the upper tool  4  and the lower tool  5  are moved towards each other along the stroke axis  8 , takes place. As this happens, the workpiece support  22  is pushed towards the guide plate  32  against the resilient force of the Eladur ring  38  due to the force transmitted via the metal sheet  9 . At the same time, the male forming die  21 . 1  penetrates into the metal sheet  9  to be formed and, in so doing, forces a portion of the metal sheet  9  upwards into the female forming die  20 . 1 . A protrusion is thus produced in the metal sheet  9 . 
         [0066]    Normally, the working stroke is performed by the stroke drive  3  for the upper tool  4 . Alternatively, the working stroke can be effected by the stroke drive  12  for the lower tool  5  or in a combined manner by both stroke drives  3  and  12 . 
         [0067]    During the working stroke and the associated downward movement of the workpiece support  22 , the inner volume of the lower tool  5  is reduced. Through-bores  47  and  48  enable the resultant compressed air to escape from the lower tool  5 . 
         [0068]    After the working stroke, the upper tool  4  and the lower tool  5  are moved apart from each other again along the stroke axis  8 . The workpiece support  22  returns to its starting position under the action of the Eladur ring  38  and, in so doing, forces the processed metal sheet  9  off the male forming die  21 . 1 . Accordingly, the workpiece support  22  acts as a workpiece stripper for the male forming dies  21 . 
         [0069]    Starting from the conditions illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in order to activate another device pairing for workpiece processing, the rotationally adjustable activating member  28  of the lower tool  5  is rotated with an activating rotational movement relative to the male forming dies  21 . This also involves a rotational movement of the activating member  28  relative to the base plate  30  of the guide plate  32  and to the workpiece support  22 . The activating rotational movement takes place about the rotational axis  14  of the tool which therefore forms an activating rotational axis. The activating rotational movement ends as soon as the top planar surface  40  of the ramp portion of the activating member  28  is located under the male forming die to be activated. 
         [0070]    In a comparable manner, the activating member  26  of the upper tool  4  is rotated with an activating rotational movement about the rotational axis  14  of the tool relative to the female forming dies  20  until the bottom planar surface  46  of the ramp portion of the activating member  26  is located above the female forming die to be activated. 
         [0071]    The activating rotational movements of the activating member  28  are effected by the rotary drive  13  arranged at the machine side. In order to control the activating rotational movement, the activating member  28  has teeth  29  around its circumference. When the base body  27  of the lower tool  5  is rotated about the rotational axis  14  of the tool, the indexing-switching device  16  which is arranged at the machine side and which engages the teeth  29 , and which is shown in the form of a pinion for the sake of simplicity, permits either a rotation of the activating member  28  simultaneously with the base body  27  (first switching state) or prevents the activating member  28  from performing a common rotational movement with the base body  27  (second switching state). If the activating member  28  is prevented from performing a rotational movement with the base body  27 , a rotation of the base body  27  brings about a relative movement of the base body  27  and of the male forming dies  21  supported on the base body  27  with respect to the activating member  28 . 
         [0072]    The common rotation of the activating member  28  and the base body  27  when the indexing-switching device  16  is in the first switching state is used to orient the male forming dies  21  relative to the metal sheet  9  to be processed about the rotational axis  14  of the tool. During this operation, an undesirable rotation of the activating member  28  relative to the base body  27  is prevented by the locking ball  41 . 
         [0073]    The control of the activating rotational movement of the activating member  26  on the upper tool  4  by the indexing-switching device  15  is effected in with the same manner as the control of the activating rotational movement of the activating member  28  of the lower tool  5 . 
         [0074]    In order to simplify maintenance and repair, the base  39  of the activating member  28  of the lower tool  5  has openings through which, after the base plate  30  has been removed, male forming dies  21  to be exchanged can be removed downwards. The exchange of worn-out or destroyed male forming dies  21  can therefore take place in a simple manner after releasing the screw connection  31 . 
         [0075]    Modified structures of the tool  2  can have, for example, male punching dies and female punching dies instead of male forming dies and female forming dies. Furthermore, unlike the illustrated tool, the processing devices and/or the counter-devices can be returned to their non-operating position by resilient members. 
         [0076]    Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.