Patent GB-987232-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in machines for performing working operations on blanks of material
Inventor: WEBER HANSPETER
IPC: B65H29/04
Filed: 1961-06-19
Abstract: 987,232. Cutting-out presses. SAMUEL M. LANGSTON CO. June 19, 1961, No. 22011/61. Heading B4B. [Also in Division B6] A machine for performing working operations on blanks of material at successive stages at a plurality of spaced working positions comprises blank transfer means for sequentially and intermittently feeding blanks to and away from a work station, blank work means at said station for intermittently performing a work operation on a said blank in timed sequence with movement of said blank transfer means, blank discharge means for disengaging said blank at a discharge station and intermittent motion drive mechanism to start and index the said blank transfer means and stop the same autoin timed sequence with the work stroke of said blank work means, said intermittent motion drive mechanism including a fluid-powered motor, electrically and cam controlled fluid control valves operable upon initial energization of said mechanism to automatically control operation of said fluidpowered motor through the various cycles of intermittent operation thereof, and means for selectively controlling the time cycle of intermittent movement and standstill of said mechanism and the rate of acceleration and deceleration of movement without changing the entire time cycle of the machine, said fluid motor being connected in an hydraulic circuit, pressure to said motor being variable whereby the rate of acceleration and deceleration of the drive mechanism can be varied. Sheets 20, Fig. 2a., are fed sequentially from the bottom of a stack 24 by means of an hydraulically-operated feed bar 32 and pushed into register with a gate 42 adjacent to mechanism 36 which deflects the leading edge of the sheet downwardly. When the sheet is positioned correctly at the gate 42, sensing devices 66 give a signal to cause a bar 92 to be moved upwardly by an hydraulic cylinder 114 to impale the leading edge of the sheets on the tines 112 of hooks 94, Fig. 7. The hooks are detachably mounted by brackets 96 on feed bars 98 extending transversely between a pair of parallel endless chains 100 passing around pairs of sprocket wheels 102, 104. The sprocket wheels 102 are mounted on a shaft 106 which is driven from an hydraulic motor 110, Fig. 17, through a gear reduction transmission. The motor 110 is controlled by cam-operated valve 254 during acceleration and by cam-operated valve 264 during deceleration. Indexing is stopped when an hydraulically-actuated indexing arm 276, Fig. 18, engages an adjustable stop 282 keyed to the shaft 106. As the bar 92 completes its upward movement, a limit switch 142 is actuated to cause an hydraulic cylinder 37 to angularly raise the mechanism 36, the sensing devices 66 move away from the leading edge of the sheet and a switch 88 is tripped causing the bar 92 to return to its downward position. The sheet is thereby drawn under platen 150 which is movable vertically relative to fixed platen bed 152. After the sheet has been operated on by the platen members, the indexing mechanism is again actuated to move the sheet to the delivery station. At this station, the sheet depresses the nose 244, Fig. 2b, of a rotatable cam 240 to cause the latter to actuate a microswitch 236. This causes hydraulic means to turn arm 178 about a shaft 174 and bars 180 to eject the sheets from the tines 112 of hooks 94, the ejected sheet being removed by means of rollers 196, 206. The apparatus is actuated by hydraulic and electric circuits, Figs. 19 and 20 (not shown). Specifications 974,660 and 987,233 are referred to.