Patent Publication Number: US-7584641-B2

Title: Forging machine having rollers between a support and a slide body of a die assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to a forging machine, more particularly to a forging machine having rollers between a support and a slide body of a male die assembly. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Fasteners, such as screws and nuts, are generally manufactured by feeding a wire material into a forging machine. In the forging machine, the wire material is straightened and cut into workpieces that are conveyed to a female die unit, and a male die unit is forced to move to the female die unit to perform a series of forging operations so as to forge the workpieces. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a forging machine  1  disclosed in Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 535662 includes a support  11  having a receiving space  111 , two rolling devices  12  disposed respectively at left and right sides of the receiving space  111 , and a male die assembly  13  installed slidably in the receiving space  111 . Each rolling device  12  includes a plurality of rollers  121  in contact with the male die assembly  13  so that the male die assembly  13  can slide smoothly via the rollers  121 , and generation of frictional heat during the sliding of the male die assembly  13  can be avoided. 
   As the forging machine  1  is designed to produce a large number of products within 1 min, the male die assembly  13  has to operate at a high speed. However, since the rolling devices  12  are provided only at the front of the two sides of the support  11  and at the front of the male die assembly  13 , during the sliding motion of the male die assembly  13 , the rolling movements occur only at the front thereof, and the rear side of the male die assembly  13  is suspended unsupportedly in the receiving space  111 . Furthermore, because the length of the male die assembly  13  from a location where it contacts the rollers  121  to its rear end is twice the length from that location to its front end which is assembled with a plurality of punching heads (not shown), in case the male die assembly  13  is tilted slightly, its rear end will vibrate, resulting in positional deviation and reduced stability of the punching heads. As a result, when the male die assembly  13  moves forward to effect forging, particularly, to press the front end punching heads against a female die assembly  14 , the male die assembly  13  will strike obliquely the female die assembly  14 , thereby adversely affecting the accuracy of the forging operation and the quality of products. Therefore, further improvement relating to the sliding of a male die assembly is desirable. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a forging machine with improvements that is to provide a forging machine with improvements that can overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art. 
   According to this invention, a forging machine comprises a support including a bottom wall, two sidewalls extending upward from left and right sides of the bottom wall, and two longitudinal track plates attached to the sidewalls, respectively. Each of the sidewalls has a lower portion to which a corresponding one of the track plates is attached, and an upper portion extending above the lower portion. The bottom wall, the sidewalls, and the track plates cooperatively confine a receiving space. 
   The forging machine further comprises two first rolling devices respectively mounted on the track plates proximate to a front end of the support, and having first rollers exposed from the track plates, respectively; two second rolling devices respectively mounted on the upper portions proximate to a rear end of the support, and having second rollers exposed from the upper portions, respectively; and a die assembly having a slide body slidably mounted within the receiving space. The slide body includes left and right lower side faces respectively confronting the track plates and contacting the first rollers, and left and right upper flanges that project outwardly and respectively above the left and right lower side faces and that are seated slidably and respectively on top ends of the track plates to contact the second rollers. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of the prior art; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view illustrating a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view showing the first preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 4  is an elevation view showing the first preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view showing a first rolling device of the first preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional plan view showing the first rolling device of the first preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional elevation view showing the first rolling device of the first preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded view showing a second rolling device of the first preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 9  is a sectional plan view showing the second rolling device of the first preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 10  is a sectional elevation view showing the second rolling device of the first preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded view showing a second rolling device according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 12  is a sectional plan view showing the second rolling device of the second preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 13  is a sectional elevation view showing the second rolling device of the second preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 14  is an exploded view showing a second rolling device according to the third preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 15  is a sectional plan view showing the second rolling device of the third preferred embodiment; and 
       FIG. 16  is a sectional elevation view showing the second rolling device of the third preferred embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 , a forging machine according to the present invention includes a support  2 , two first rolling devices  3 , two second rolling devices  4  and a male die assembly  5 . 
   The support  2  has a bottom wall  21 , two sidewalls  22  extending respectively from left and right sides of the bottom wall  21 , and two longitudinal track plates  23  mounted respectively on the sidewalls  22  and elongated in a front-to-rear direction. The bottom wall  21 , the sidewalls  22  and the track plates  23  cooperatively confine a receiving space  24 . Each sidewall  22  has a lower portion  220  to which a corresponding one of the track plate  23  is attached, and an upper portion  221 . The upper portion  221  is stepped and thus has a sidewall shoulder face  222  extending horizontally and longitudinally above a top end of the corresponding track plate  23 . A sidewall inner face  224  extends vertically and downwardly from the sidewall shoulder face  222  to the top end of the corresponding track plate  23  and faces the receiving space  24 . A cavity  223  is formed in the upper portion  221  proximate to a rear end  227  of the support  2 , and opens at the sidewall shoulder face  222  and at the sidewall inner face  224 . Each track plate  23  has upper and lower through holes  231  proximate to a front end  229  of the support  2 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7  in combination with  FIG. 2 , each through hole  231  in each track plate  23  has an inner small hole portion  233 , an outer large hole portion  234 , and a shoulder  235  formed inside the through hole  231  between the large and small hole portions  234  and  233 . The first rolling devices  3  are mounted in the respective track plates  23  on left and right sides of the male die assembly  5 . Each first rolling device  3  includes two first roller units  31  mounted respectively within the two through holes  231  in the corresponding track plate  23 . Each first roller unit  31  has a first roller holder  311 , a first roller  312  disposed inside the first roller holder  311  and exposed from the first roller holder  311  to project into the receiving space  24 , a first roller shaft  313  holding pivotally the first roller  312  within the first roller holder  311 , a first packing plate  314  disposed between the corresponding track plate  23  and sidewall  22 , adjustment screws  315  extending threadedly into the first packing plate  314  through the track plate  23 , springs  316  disposed between the first roller holder  311  and the shoulder  235  inside the through hole  231 , and a fixing screw  317  extending into the track plate  23  to abut against the first packing plate  314 . 
   The first roller holder  311  has a holder inclined face  318  that is proximate to the first packing plate  314  and that is inclined outwardly. And the first packing plate  314  has a complementary packing inclined face  319  in contact with the holder inclined face  318 . Each spring  316  provides a biasing force that biases the first roller holder  311  against the first packing plate  314 . The first packing plate  314  can move forward or rearward when the adjustment screws  315  are turned and cooperates with the springs  316  to move the first roller holder  311  outward or inward. When the fixing screw  317  is tightened, it abuts against and immobilizes the first packing plate  314 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10  in combination with  FIG. 2 , each second rolling device  4  includes a second roller unit  41  having a second roller holder  411  mounted inside the cavity  223  of the respective sidewall  22 . The upper portion  221  of the sidewall  22  further has a cavity bounding wall part  228  extending at one side of the second roller holder  411  opposite to the slide body  50 . The second roller unit  41  further has a second packing plate  415  inserted in between the cavity bounding wall part  228  and the second roller holder  411 , a second roller  412  disposed rotatably inside the second roller holder  411  and exposed from the second roller holder  411  to project into the receiving space  24 , a second roller shaft  413  attached to the second roller holder  411  to hold pivotally the second roller  412  within the second roller holder  411 , and two fastening bolts  414  extending through the cavity bounding wall part  228  and the second packing plate  415  and inserted threadedly into the second roller holder  411  so as to position the second roller holder  411  inside the cavity  223 . A cover plate  42  is disposed over the sidewall shoulder face  222  and the second roller holder  411  and projects into the receiving space  24  so as to extend over the male die assembly  5 . The cover plate  42  is fixed to the sidewall shoulder face  222  using a plurality of locking screws  43 . 
   Referring again to  FIGS. 2 ,  7  and  10 , the male die assembly  5  has a slide body  50  slidably mounted within the receiving space  24  to move forward or rearward. The slide body  50  includes left and right lower side faces  51  respectively confronting the track plates  23 , left and right upper flanges  52  that project outwardly above the respective left and right lower side faces  51  and are seated slidably on the top ends of the track plates, respectively, two pairs of first steel plates  53  each pair of which overlie portions of one of the left and right lower side faces  51 , and two second steel plates  54  covering outer surfaces of the respective left and right upper flanges  52 . Each of the left and right upper flanges  52  is slidable between the corresponding track plate  23  and the corresponding cover plate  42 . 
   When the slide body  50  is driven to move forward and rearward, the first steel plates  53  are in sliding contact with the respective first rollers  312 , and the second steel plates  54  are in sliding contact with the respective second rollers  412 . Due to the gapless sliding contact with the first and second rollers  312 ,  412  near both of the front and rear ends of the support  2 , the slide body  50  can be slid smoothly and stably within the receiving space  24 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 11 ,  12  and  13 , according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second rolling device  4  may include a second roller unit  44 . The second roller unit  44  differs from the second roller unit  41  of the first preferred embodiment in having a second roller holder  441 , a second packing plate  481 , and a retaining plate  482 . 
   The second roller holder  441  has a holder lateral wall  442  facing the cavity bounding wall part  228  of the sidewall  22 . The holder lateral wall  442  has a slide groove  443  that extends in a direction from a top end to a bottom end of the second roller holder  441 , and an inclined surface  444  facing the slide groove  443 . The second packing plate  481  is inserted into the slide groove  443  and has one side  488  in contact with the cavity bounding wall part  228 , and another side  487  opposite to the side  488  and contacting the inclined surface  444  of the holder lateral wall  442 . The side  487  of the second packing plate  481  is inclined with respect to the side  488  and the cavity bounding wall part  228 . The second packing plate  481  is slidable over the inclined surface  444  and along the slide groove  443  to move the second roller holder  441  in a direction substantially perpendicular to the cavity bounding wall part  228  so that the second roller holder  441  can be moved toward or away from the slide body  50  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
   The retaining plate  482  is fixed to a top end of the second roller holder  441  above the second packing plate  481  by means of screws  489  so as to retain the second packing plate  481  in the slide groove  443 . An adjustment screw  483  extends through the retaining plate  482  and is inserted threadedly into the second packing cavity bounding wall part  228  and are inserted threadedly into the second packing plate  481  and the holder lateral wall  442 . A biasing member is associated with each fastening bolt  484  to bias the second roller holder  441  to move in a direction toward the cavity bounding wall part  228 , or, away from the slide body  50 . Each fastening bolt  484  has ahead  4841  extending outwardly of the cavity bounding wall part  228 . The biasing member in this embodiment includes three spring discs  485  disposed around each fastening blot  484  between the head  4841  and the cavity bounding wall part  228 . 
   When the adjustment screw  483  is turned relative to the retaining plate  482 , the second packing plate  481  can be moved upward or downward. When the second packing plate  481  is moved upward, the second roller holder  441  is pushed toward the slide body  50  so that the position of the second roller  412  is adjusted. When the second packing plate  481  is moved downward, the second roller holder  411  is moved back by the biasing action of the spring discs  485  in a direction away from the slide body  50 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 14 ,  15  and  16 , according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention, upper and lower plate portions  491  and  492  may be used in place of the second packing plate  481  of the second preferred embodiment, upper and lower groove portions  494 ,  495  may be used in place of the slide groove  443   494 ,  495  may be used in place of the slide groove  443  of the second preferred embodiment, and upper and lower surface portions  496 ,  497  may be used in place of the inclined surface  444  in the second preferred embodiment. 
   Each of the upper and lower plate portions  491 ,  492  is inserted into one of the upper and lower groove portions  494 ,  495 , and has two opposite sides respectively contacting the cavity bounding wall part  228  and one of the upper and lower surface portions  496 ,  497 . One inclined side  498  of the upper plate portion  491  contacts the upper surface portion  496 , whereas one inclined side  499  of the lower plate portion  492  contacts the lower surface portion  497 . The upper and lower surface portions  496 ,  497  are inclined in two different directions so that the upper groove portion  494  tapers downward and the lower groove portion  495  tapers upward. Likewise, the upper plate portion  491  tapers downward, and the lower plate portion  492  tapers upward. An adjustment screw  493  passes through the upper plate portion  491  and is inserted into the lower plate portion  492 . When the adjustment screw  493  is rotated, the lower plate portion  492  can be moved upward or downward so that the second roller holder  441  can be moved toward or away from the slide body  50 . 
   Due to the use of the first and second rolling devices  3  and  4  which are provided respectively near the front and rear ends  229 ,  227  of the support  2 , the slide body  50  of the male die assembly  5  can be slid stably without positional deviation, thereby permitting the male die assembly  5  to operate at a high speed while still producing good quality products. 
   While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.