Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
`` l 1565~8
This invention relates to a hydraulically powered
press machine adapted to operate one or more tool units
(punch and die) simultaneously wherein the power applied
and used in the operation can be related closely to the
work load with consequen¢e that minimum energy is used in
each case and wherein the power applied can be readily
adjusted to different work loads.
It is general practice in the machine tool trade
to provide hydraulic press machines with a fixed maximum
I0 possible load capability wherein the hydraulic powe~avail-
able is directly related to the maximum load capability
and is substantially not adjustable.
It is therefore an object of the present invention
to provide a metal working machine such as a punch press
I5 which allows for the power, supplied hydraulically, to be
matched to the actual work to be performed.
In accordance with the present invention a punch
press machine is provided with a main support frameand one
or more operating hydraulic power ~ylinders are adjustably
mountable on the support frame td apply power to desired
locations on an operable ram member, the number of hydraulic
cylinders, their power capabilities alnd their locations on
the frame being determined by the size, number and locations
of the tool units to be simultaneously operated by the ram
member.
In a preferred form of the invention the punch press
machine comprises a main frame member incoporating a work
table, a ram member resiliently supported with respect to
the work table with ram guiding means confining the movement
of the ram in a direction substantially perpendicular to the
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work table, parallel mounting rail means being provided to
support one or more hydraulically powered work cylinders:~
by means of mounting plates which are adjustable longitud-
inally and transversely to the rails.
The invention will now be described more fully with
reference to the drawings in which;
Figure I shows a verti~al view of the adjustably
powered press machine, and
Figure 2 shows a plan view thereof.
I0 Referring now to the drawings the main frame of the
punch press machine comprises two end members I,2 of, for
instance, steel, which extend substantially the full height
of the machine. End members I,2 are joined at their lower
ends by heavy side members 4,4 to form a rectangular box-like
I5 structure base upon which a horizontal work table 3 is secured.
For economy reasons the joining of members is preferrably by
welding.
Similarily at the top end the end members I,2 are
joined by side members 9,I0 to form a closed rectangle. Cross
members 25 and 8 arewelded across the upper and lower ends,
respectively, of side members 9, I0. Below members 9, I0 two
side rail members 23, 23, extend between the ends I, 2.
These side rail members are provided with a number of clamp-
ing screws I8 the purpose of which will become clear in the
following description.
In the embodiment shown three air-hydraulic pressure
intensifier power cylinders I2, I3, I4, preferrably of the
type shown in United States patent 4~27I~67l - Smeets - June 9,
I98I, are secured in mounting plates I5, I6, I7 respectively
either by bolting or being threaded thereinto. The mounting
plates I5, I6, I7 extend crosswise of the main fr~me
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between side members 9, I0 and rails 23, 23. Their position
therebetween i8 secured by means of clamping screws I8 shown
in Figure I. Clamping screws may be provided to accommodate
the positioning of the power cylinders at any desired locat-
ion between the side members 5, I0. It wil be obvious that
longitudinal or transverse adjustment of the power cylinders
is available, limited of course, by the bulk of the power
cylinders employed and the spacing between the side rails 9,
I0. It will be noted that power cylinder I3 is shown centred
I0 transversely between side members 9, I0 while power cylinders
I2 and I4 are displaced wit~ respect to the centre-line of
the main frame.
An elongated rectangular plate-like ram member II
is resiliently suspended over the work table 3 by means of
I5 four ram-return bolt-spring units 7, 6. The springs are
compressed between cross members 8 and adjusting nuts 5 to
hold ram member II in the position shown in Figure I at its
unactuated position over the work table. Additional nuts 5
at the top ends of bolts 7 limit the downward travel of
ram member II.
Four punch and die units I9, 20, 2I and 22 are shown
secured to the work table 3 in position to be actuated by
ram member II when the power cylinders I2, I3 and I4 are
operated simultaneously through a work cycle.
It will be obvious with the floating ram system shown
power may be applied thereto at the locations and values
required for the work cycle, the size of the power~cyiinder
being selected for the force required at a particular location
on the ram. ~8 a consequence if little total power is required
it can be readily provided by the selection of power capacity
and number of power cylinders employed. Thus when the
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total power required is small low power capacity or fewer
power cylinders are employed with the conse~uent minimum
expenditure of power.
It will now be obvious that the invention provides
a power press machine of great versatility adaptable to a
wide range of power requirements and obviating the necessity
of having available a number of machines of different powers.
Furthermore, with the construction of the type shown great
economy in manufacture is obtained and the machines can be
supplied to the market place at lower cost to the consumer.
In addition, by using a pressure intensifier system type
power cylinder only air pressure, for instance at 100 psi,
need be supplied to the machine. Because of the relatively
light construction the machine also becomes readily movable.
Although the invention has been described with
reference to a particular embodimen~ thereof it will be
obvious to those skilled in the art that further modificat-
ions may be made which do not depart from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
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