Improvements in and relating to Stamping and Punching Machines for Working Metal and other Materials.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Dec., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 18th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 18th Nov., 1899
Improvements in and relating to Stamping and Punching Machines
for Working Metal and other Materials.
I, JOHN ASHFORD, of 27, Baronsmere Road, East Finchley, London, N.,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to stamping and punching machines and more particu-
larly to machines where multiple punches are employed for the purpose of form-
ing from strips or sheets small stamped or pressed articles.
The invention broadly consists in arranging the stamping tool or tools, punch
or punches in guides which are attached to or in one continuous rigid structure
with the corresponding bolster or bolsters, while the slide or force which operates
the punch or punches or tools is reciprocated in any convenient manner and
carries at its lower end a recessed flange which intermeshes with suitable collars
on the top of the punch or punches that it may give them the desired lift.
In carrying the invention into effect as applied to multiple tools or punches
employed in forming eyelets from a continuous metal strip the construction is
as follows:-Six is a common number of multiple punches used in forming eye-
lets and these six punches are suitably spaced in one line. The first punch as
the strip is fed along produces a shallow wide depression and this punch is con-
structed with a presser plate which holds the strip firmly against the bolster while
a centre piece is forced down to form the said depression. The second, third
and fourth punches are so constructed as to successively deepen the depression
and decrease its diameter, and shoulders are formed on these punches which
impinge on the strip so as to prevent crimping round the edges of the depression
formed. A little cylinder is thus formed by the first four punches, and the fifth
punch is arranged to cut out the bottom of this cylinder, while the sixth punches
out the eyelet itself. The improvements are applied to such an arrangement
by rigidly attaching to the bolster containing the six holes or dies an angle
bracket. This angle bracket has six guide holes drilled in it within which the
main body of the punches fit accurately, and between the bracket and the bolster
plate sufficient space is left to feed the strip while punching is being carried on,
and at the same time the inner vertical side of the angle bracket forms a guide
for one edge of the strip operated on.
Each of the six punches at its top end projects through the upper portion of
the angle bracket for some distance and each of those ends has a groove turned
in it forming a neck of a diameter or size corresponding with grooves or slots
in a flange carried by the reciprocating slide or force. The reciprocating slide
or force at its bottom end has attached to it the flange just referred to and this
flange has six grooves or slots intermeshing with the tops of the punches as stated.
The grooves in the flange all open out preferably towards the front of the stamp-
ing or punching machine, so that the bolster and angle bracket only require to
be moved horizontally forward from the frame-work of the machine to release
all the tools or punches with one movement.

page_text: In operation the slide or force lifts the tools or punches by the recessed flange
acting on the collars at the tops of the punches while on the down or working
stroke a number of machine pins attached to the slide itself at the required
distance from the recessed flange strike the tops of the punches and give the
necessary pressure. In forming the eyelet the strip is fed continuously along
one hole being successively operated upon as hereinbefore described to form the
evelet.
Several distinct advantages are secured by the improved means of constructing
and arranging the punch or punches or tools and bolster or bolsters and dies.
First, the alignment between the punch and its corresponding hole or die in
the bolster is absolute as the guides for the punches are formed practically in
one piece with the bolster plate and the clearance necessary and usual in the
slide or force of the punching machine does not therefore in any way affect the
alignment of the punch. Second, the method of attaching the punches to the
guide by a recessed flange open at one side intermeshing with grooves in the
heads of the punches permits the rapid and accurate attachment to the machine
of any given number of sets of tools and therefore easy alteration when the
process requires a great number of differing punches.
It is to be clearly understood that the angle bracket may be formed in one piece
with the steel holster or may be attached by bolts, rivets, set-screws, or in any
suitable mechanical way to it, and also that the recessed flange on the slide or
force may be formed integral with the said slide or force attached thereto by set-
screws or other suitable means. Further, the applicant does not limit himself to
any number of tools as the improvements may be equally well applied to one tool
as to six.
Jated this 2nd day of December 1898.
MARKS & CLERK.
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents.
Improvements in and relating to Stamping and Punching Machines
for Working Metal and other Materials.
I, JOHN ASHFORD, of 27, Baronsmere Road, East Finchley, London, N.,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement: -
This invention relates to stamping and punching machines and more particu-
larly to machines where multiple punches are employed for the purpose of ferm-
ing from strips or sheets small stamped or pressed articles.
The invention broadly consists in arranging the stamping tool or tools, punch
or punches, in guides which are attached to or in one continuous rigid structure
with the corresponding bolster or bolsters, while the slide or force which operates
the punch or punches or tools is reciprocated in any convenient manner and
carries at its lower end a recessed flange which intermeshes with suitable collars
on the top of the punch or punches that it may give them the desired lift.
In the accompanying sheet of explanatory drawings,
Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved arrangement of punching tools.
Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation of the same.
Figure 3 is a plan of my lifting plate.

page_text: Figure 4 is a sectional end elevation showing an adjustable stop on the slide
head.
In carrying my invention into effect when applying it to multiple tools or
punches employed in forming, for example, eyelets from a continuous metal strip,
I arrange the punches as shown in the accompanying sheet of explanatory
drawings.
It is usual to employ six multiple punches in forming eyelets and these six
punches are arranged in one line, the first punch, as the strip is fed along, pro-
duces a depression, and this punch is constructed with a presser plate which holds
the strip firmly against the bolster while the centre piece is forced down to form
the said depression. The second, third and fourth punches are so constructed
as to successively shape the depression correctly by decreasing its diameter, and
shoulders are formed on these punches which impinge on the strip so as to pre-
vent crimping round the edges of the depression formed. A small cylinder or
cup is thus formed by the first four punches and the fifth punch is arranged to cut
out the bottom of this cylinder while the sixth punch cuts the eyelet itself.
My improvements are applied to such an arrangement by rigidly attaching to
the bolster containing the six holes or dies an angle bracket A, this angle bracket
has six guide holes drilled in it within which the main body of the punches B
fit accurately or bushes C may be introduced into the holes for the punches to
work through. Between the end portion a of the bracket and the bolster plate
surface a sufficient space is left for the strip to be fed while punching is being
carried on, the inner vertical side of the angle bracket forming a guide for one
edge of the strip.
Each of the six punches B at its upper end projects through the top portion of
the angle bracket A for some distance and the ends are formed with a groove or
neck B corresponding in size with grooves or slots D arranged in a flange
plate E carried by the reciprocating slide or force F. The reciprocating slide or
force F at its bottom end has secured to it the flange plate E which flange plate
is provided with the six grooves or slots D intermeshing with the tops or necks
of the punches B.
The grooves D in the flange plate open out preferably towards the front of
the stamping or punching machine so that the bolster G and angle bracket A
only require to be moved horizontally forward from the frame-work of the
machine to release all the tools and punches at one movement.
In operation the slide or force F lifts the tools or punches B by the recessed
flange plate E acting on the collars or shoulders at the head of the necks B¹ of
the punches, while on the down or working stroke, a number of machine pins
or plugs Hattached to the slide itself or to the plug-block K secured to such
slide, strike the tops of the punches and give the necessary pressure. In forming
the eyelet the strip is fed continuously along, one hole being successively operated
upon as herein before described.
The advantages attendant upon my improved construction and arrangement
of the punch or punches or tools and bolsters are such that the alignment between
the punch and the corresponding hole or die in the bolster is absolute as the
guides for the punches are formed practically in one piece with the bolster plate,
while the clearance necessary and usual in the slide or force of the punching
machine does not in any way affect the alignment of the punch.
By means of my improved method of attaching the punches to the guide by a
recessed flange such as E open at one side which intermeshes with the grooves
in the necks of the punches I am enabled to rapidly and accurately attach to the
machine any given number of sets of tools to suit the processes of articles required
to be produced therefrom.
I may sometimes form my angle bracket in one piece with the bolster or it may
he attached thereon by means of bolts, rivets or like ordinary fastenings, simi-
larly a recessed flange carried on the slide or force may be formed with the said
slide,

page_text: I do not limit myself to any particular arrangement or number of punches to
be carried within or upon my improved bracket, as my improvements may be
equally well applied to one tool or to a series and I may attach to my bracket a
drawing off plate or arm such as L for removing the strip from the punches or
tools in the upward stroke, a cleaning or oiling pad N to prevent dirt or swarf
getting into the guide holes, and I employ an ordinary adjustable stop M for
setting the punches to suit the particular operation for which the pressing,
cutting out or stamping machine is to be employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1.) The improved tool holder, and guide for stamping and pressing machines
for working metal and other materials substantially as and for the purpose here-
inbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2.) In stamping and punching machines the combination and arrangement
of a bracket in which a punch or tool is carried having arranged or mounted
within the same bracket one die or block on to or through which the punch or
tool works substantially as and for the purpose herein before described and as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3.) In stamping and punching machines the combination and arrangement of
a series of punches and dies within one bracket, the punches being arranged to
work through the upper portion of the bracket while the dies are fixed in the
lower portion immediately beneath substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before described.
4.) In stamping and punching machines for working metal and other materials
the combination and arrangement of a fixed bracket having mounted therein a
punch and die or punches and dies, the upper portion of each punch being formed
with a neck to receive a grooved or recessed flange plate carried upon the slide or
force of the press or machine for the purpose of raising the punches or tools on
the upward stroke of the machine, while projecting plugs or studs formed or
carried upon the slide or force act upon the outer heads of the punches or tools
to give the necessary pressure for the downward operating stroke of the punches
substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and as illustrated in
the accompanying drawings.
T
101
1
Pa
MARKS & CLERK,
18. Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, and
25, Cross Street, Manchester, Agents.