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HYDRAUUCALLY OPERATED METAL FORMING
MACHINE
This invention relates to a multipurpose, metal forming machine capable of performing operations such as shearing, punching, bending, notching, etc.
At the present time, separate metal forming machines are specially designed for performing different metal forming operations such as shearing, punching and bending. Generally, one type of metal forming machine is unsuitable for the other types of metal forming operations because of workpiece space requirements, accessibility to the work supporting surface and the stroke distance of the movable ram. Thus, where various different metal forming operations must be performed, a relatively high investment in machinery is required even though the frequency with which the various different metal forming operations are performed, do not warrant such expediture. Accordingly, there is often a loss in time in subcontracting the performance of certain metal forming operations in the manufacture of metal parts. A need therefore exists for an effective, multipurpose metal forming machine.
In accordance with the present invention, a multipurpose metal forming machine is provided which features a single moving blade guided along one longitudinal edge on an elongated bed relative to a base die block which is adjustably positioned on the bed. The moving blade is reversible in its mounting on the bed so as to interchangeably present different cutting edges for shearing operations. A fixed blade is mounted on the bed in sliding contact with the moving blade for shearing purposes, the shearing function being thereby performed without material loss. An adjustable stock guide is provided for support of stock during the shearing operation in order to obtain an accurate square cut as well as to facilitate the positioning of the stock.
For punching and bending purposes, the base die block features a built-in die holder thereby eliminating costly die shoes and also provides a support for a length gauge in connection with end stopping during the punching and shearing operations.
The bed on which the blades, die block and power operated piston mechanism, are mounted, is pivotally connected to a mobile base so that the bed may be displaced relative to the base between horizontal and vertical positions. Thus, in the vertical position, a levelled horizontal work supporting surface is provided by the die block in order to utilize gravity for holding the workpiece in position for punching operations. Gravity may also be utilized to align a work piece on a horizontal bed surface perpendicular to the bending die surface when the bed is in a horizontal position thereby eliminating the need for guides as in the case of press brake bending machines.
Various metal engaging tools and implements may be utilized in conjunction with the metal forming machine of the present invention including adapters mounted at the forward end of the moving blade, strippers mounted on the bed and projecting between the blade and the base die block and repositionable bending dies held against the die block. The adjustable positioning of the base die block on the bed offers a variable shut height for large dies and permits use of different die sets to perform different operations such as coping and notching.
These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the metal forming machine of the present invention in a horizontal position.
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing the machine in a vertical position.
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the machine as shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a partial side sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 4—4 in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a partial side elevational view of the machine in a horizontal position with parts broken away and shown in section.
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FIG. 6 is a partial transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 6—6 in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 7—7 of FIG. 5. 5 FIG. 8 is a partial top plan view of the machine bed with the housing enclosing the power operated piston mechanism shown in dotted line.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 9—9 in FIG. 1. 10 FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the movable blade associated with the machine.
FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the stripper implement shown mounted on the machine in FIG. 5.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a punch carrying adapter to ^ be mounted on the moving blade as shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 13 is a simplified hydraulic circuit diagram associated with a power operated piston mechanism for operating the machine.
Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIGS. 1 and 2 illus
^0 trate the metal forming machine which is generally denoted by reference numeral 10. The machine may be utilized in a horizontal position as shown in FIG. 1 and in a vertical position as shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 1, the machine is shown set up for bending operations while in FIG. 2 the machine is shown set up for punching operations. As will be explained hereinafter, the machine may also be conditioned for other metal forming operations such as shearing. The vertical and horizontal positioning involves pivotal displacement of an
2q elongated bed generally referred to by reference numeral 12 relative to a mobile base generally referred to by reference numeral 14. The bed mounts a reciprocable ram assembly generally referred to by reference numeral 16 advanced from a retracted position by power operated piston means within an
2j enclosure secured to the bed and generally referred to by reference numeral 18. The ram assembly is advanced toward a base die block generally referenced to by reference numeral 20 adjustably positioned on the bed closer to end 22 opposite the end on which the housing enclosure 18 is mounted. By
40 means of handles 24, projecting laterally from the housing 18, the bed 12 may be pivotally displaced between a horizontal position resting on a top supporting surface portion 26 of the base and a vertical position engaging an end panel 28 of the base 14 on which angularly displaced lock elements 30 are
45 mounted for embracing the lower flange portion 32 of the bed as shown in FIG. 2 in order to hold the bed in its vertical position.
The end panel 28 is welded to and extends upwardly from a pair of parallel spaced rectangular support beams 34 having
50 locking wheel assemblies 36 mounted adjacent opposite ends thereof for wheeled support of the machine. The panel 28 is spaced further from the ends 38 of the support beams than the spacing between the end panel 40 from the opposite ends 32 of the support beams for off-center mounting of an enclosure
55 formed between the end panels 28 and 40. The end panels not only form part of the base enclosure but also interconnect the support beams 34 to form a rigid assembly therewith. The support beams are also interconnected by a bottom member 44 as shown in FIG. 9 to which a pair of upwardly converging side
60 panels 46 are secured by fasteners 48. The enclosure formed by the bottom member 44, the end panels 28 and 40 and the side panels 46, is closed at the top by the top supporting cover portion 26 aforementioned which extends between the end panels 28 and 40 and is held in place on the side panels 46 by
65 retainer clips 50. Suspended from the top cover portion 26, and also extending between the end panels 28 and 40, is a reservoir tank 52 containing a fluid pressure medium 54 such as oil. A removable filler cap and fitting 54 is accordingly mounted on the top cover portion 26 for replacing any oil lost
70 through leakage. Supported within the base enclosure on the bottom member 44 will be any suitable pressure generating equipment such as the motor operated pump assembly 58 to which electrical power is brought through a switch control box 60 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, The end panel 40 is accordingly
75 provided with a ventilation opening 62. The end panel 28 of
the base enclosure as more clearly seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, have a pair of pivot brackets 64 welded thereto and projecting upwardly therefrom on either side of the bed 12. A pivot shaft 66 extends between the pivot brackets 64 through the bottom flange 32 of the bed so as to establish a pivotal axis for the bed adjacent the upper edge of the end panel 28. Thus, the bed 12 overhangs the panel 28 in its horizontal position so that when it is displaced to the vertical position engaging the panel 28, the lock elements 30 may be turned into engagement with the lower flange 32 adjacent the end 22 of the bed. A substantially balanced arrangement is thereby obtained in both the horizontal and vertical positions of the bed.
