RAPID CHANGE RADIUS PUNCH FOR PRESS BRAKE

BACKGROUND

[0001] In the use of a press brake, often the punch must be changed due to desire or replacement. Often, there are typically many punches that are spaced, and each takes time to change. Further, changing the punches requires skill that is not necessarily required for an operator, thus increasing the time and complexity for a punch exchange.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002]

[0003] Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

[0004] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an adapter tool.

[0005] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of an adapter tool in an exploded view.

[0006] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of an attachment section, a body, and a punch insert in an exploded view.

[0007] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of an adapter tool.

[0008] FIG. 5 shows a profile embodiment of an adapter tool.

[0009] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of an adapter tool.

[0010] FIGs. 7-9 shows an embodiment of an adapter tool replacing a punch insert.

[0011] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of an adapter tool in use with a press brake.

[0012] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of an adapter tool.

[0013] FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of an adapter tool. [0014] FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of an adapter tool.

[0015] FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of an adapter tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features. The description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

[0017] Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now be presented.

[0018] The term “coupled” is defined as connected, whether integral with, directly attached, or indirectly attached through intervening components, and is not necessarily limited to physical connections. The connection can be such that the objects are permanently connected or releasably connected. The term “outside” refers to a region that is beyond the outermost confines of a physical object. The term “inside” indicates that at least a portion of a region is partially contained within a boundary formed by the object. The term “substantially” is defined to be essentially conforming to the particular dimension, shape or other word that substantially modifies, such that the component need not be exact. For example, substantially cylindrical means that the object resembles a cylinder, but can have one or more deviations from a true cylinder. The term “about” in relation to quantitative measurements (unless otherwise stated) includes, but is not limited to, the disclosed measure and measurements about the disclosed measure in terms of its disclosed degree. For example, “about 90” would at least include 80-100 (including 90), whereas “about 90.0” would at least include 89.0-91.0 (including 90.0). The term “comprising” means “including, but not necessarily limited to”; it specifically indicates open- ended inclusion or membership in a so-described combination, group, series, and the like.

[0019] The present disclosure is described in relation to a punch press; however, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to a punch press. Further, while the description is focused on a European Style AMADA One-Touch System, it is understood that the adapter tool 100 can be configured to work with other systems such as WILA Style, AMADA Auto Tool Change (ATC), and Bolt Change type of systems. These systems are well known to those of skill in the art.

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of adapter tool 100. The adapter tool 100 comprises an attachment section 1, a body 4, a connector 3, and a punch insert 2.

[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of an adapter tool 100 in an exploded view.

[0022] In some embodiments, the attachment section 1 comprises a safety groove 18, a tang 16, punch shoulder 17, or a combination thereof. [0023] In some embodiments, the connector 3 comprises a clamping plate 30, a biasing member 35, one or more biasing member guides 33, a hinge pin 303, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the hinge pin 303 extends through the hinge pinhole 44, and in other embodiments, the hinge pin 303 may be internal and/or integral with the body 4. In some embodiments, the one or more biasing member guides 33 are threaded elements, projections, screws, pins, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the clamping plate 30 comprises a hinge 301, an engagement member 302, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the hinge 301 is coupled to the body 4. In some embodiments, the biasing member 35 is a coil spring. In some embodiments, a hinge 301 is not employed, but the connector 3 is in rotational attachment to the body 4. In some embodiments, multiple hinges 301 are employed.

[0024] In some embodiments, the punch insert 2 comprises a punch locking groove 22, a punch attachment 23, a punch ledge 21, a punch abutment 29, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the center of punch shoulder 17 is aligned with the center of the punch seat 42, the punch insert 2, or a combination thereof. This would allow force from the adapter tool 100, applied to the punch shoulder 17, to be directly applied to the punch insert 2, and minimize torque. In some embodiments, the projection 43 extends further down (in reference to the drawings) that the connector 3 and/or the punch locking groove 22. In some embodiments, the projection 43 and the body base 40 define a slit that increases the spring action of the projection 43. It is to be understood that the slit is not required and there are some embodiments that do not define a slit. In some embodiments, the punch seat 42 is configured to accept the punch attachment 23 inside. In embodiments of the punch attachment 23 has a substantially trianglelike shape and the punch seat 42 defines a triangle-like shape, the shape allows for the ‘self- seating’ of the insert in the adapter tool 100. In some embodiments, the triangles like-shape of punch seat 42 and the punch attachment 23 define an angle, and in some embodiments, that angle is about 70 degrees, about 60 degrees, about 50 degrees, about 45 degrees, or about 30 degrees. In some embodiments of the punch attachment 23, the shape can eliminate the need for an actuation member 61, such as a draw bolt, to help secure and seat the punch insert 2 to the adapter tool 100. While the punch attachment 23 is shown to have a substantially triangle-like shape, it is to be understood that the punch attachment 23 and the punch seat 42 can define any shape that allows for the acceptance and transmission of force can be used. In some embodiments, the punch attachment 23 and the punch seat 42 can define a rectangle-like shape. In some embodiments, the punch attachment 23 and/or the punch seat 42 define irregular shapes. [0025] In some embodiments, the user is able to easily remove the punch insert 2 by applying pressure to the punch insert 2 or the punch abutment 29 in the direction of the clamping plate 30. This will actuate the clamping plate 30 and remove the engagement member 302 from the punch locking groove 22.

[0026] The same is to be said of the punch locking groove 22 and the engagement member 302. While shown to have different shapes, in some embodiments, they have corresponding shapes. In some embodiments, the punch locking groove 22 and the engagement member 302 can define any geometric shape, same or differing, as long as the engagement member 302 is able to engage the punch locking groove 22 to assist in securing the punch insert 2. In some embodiments, there is no engagement member 302 and/or punch locking groove 22 the punch insert 2 is secured by the connector 3 with an interference fit. [0027] In some embodiments, the body 4 comprises a body base 40, a projection 43, defines a punch seat 42, defines a hinge pinhole 44, defines a clamping plate space 45, or combinations thereof.

[0028] As can be seen in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the body 4 defines one or more biasing member spaces 465, a hinge space 47, a hinge pin space 48, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, there will be multiple hinge spaces 47.

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the adapter tool 100.

[0030] FIG. 5 shows a profile view of an adapter tool 100.

[0031] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of an adapter tool 100 along the line shown in FIG. 3.

In some embodiments, the body 4 further defines one or more biasing member spaces 465, which at least partially houses the biasing member 35 inside thereof.

[0032] FIGs. 7-9 show an embodiment of the adapter tool 100 with multiple punch inserts 2 (e.g., a punch insert, a second punch insert, a third punch insert. . .). The connector 3 is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The biasing member 35 biases the connector 3 to the first position. In the first position, the engagement member 302 is engaged in the punch locking groove 22 when a punch is present. In some embodiments, once the punch insert 2 is secured, the clamping plate 30 will be located outside the clamping plate space 45 when in the first position.

[0033] In some embodiments, the clamping plate 30 is actuated against the force of the biasing member 35 significantly enough to allow for the removal and/or insert of the punch insert 2 to arrive at the second position. In some embodiments, force is applied to the punch insert 2 in a direction towards the connector 3, either linear or rotational force, to free the punch insert 2 from the adapter tool 100. In some embodiments, a punch insert 2 can be inserted by actuating the clamping plate 30 and inserting the punch attachment 23 into the punch seat 42 to arrive at the second position. In some embodiments, the punch insert 2 can be inserted directly into the punch seat 43 as the clamping plate 30 will just slide along the punch insert 2 until the punch insert is fully seated. Once the engagement member 302 and the punch locking groove 22 are aligned, the clamping plate 30 is free to move to the first position by the force of the biasing member 35 to secure the punch insert 2.

[0034] In some embodiments, the clamping plate 30 will rotate about the hinge 301 to the second position such that it is at least partially inside the clamping plate space 45, and the projection 43 will disengage the punch locking groove 22, allowing for removal of the punch insert 2.

[0035] In some embodiments, in the first position, the engagement member 302 is located a first distance from the punch seat 42, and in the second position, the engagement member 302 is a second distance from the punch seat 42. In some embodiments, the second distance is greater than the first distance.

[0036] As seen in FIG. 8, in some embodiments, the punch insert 2 can be pushed into the punch seat 42. In some embodiments, the punch attachment 23 corresponds exactly to the punch seat 42 or substantially corresponds to the punch seat 42.

[0037] It is understood many punch inserts 2, having many different shapes or sameshaped punch abutments 29 can be provided. The ability to quickly switch out punch insert 2 allows users to save a great deal of time. While the adapter tool 100 provides for ease of changing punch inserts 2 in commonly used press brake 7 machines (e.g., European Style AMADA One-Touch System, WILA Style, AMADA Auto Tool Change [ATC] and Bolt Change), the adapter tool 100 still provides for a stable means to apply force.

[0038] Some embodiments of the punch insert 2 possess the benefit in that there are no bolt holes or hardware required for attachment. The punch inserts 2 are able to connect based upon their shape. The prior art requires mounting holes and/or mounting hardware to form the attachment. When these items are necessary, an entirely higher level of precision is also required in both manufacturing and installation. Just the proper alignment of holes introduces another level of precision that must be accomplished in both manufacturing and for every punch change. The same can be said for the use of hardware for attachment. The geometry of the punch insert 2 (e.g., punch locking groove 22, punch attachment 23) and how it interacts with the body 4 (e.g., punch seat 42, projection 43, clamping plate 30) and the connector 3 to allow for self-seating and/or self-alignment.

[0039] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of an adapter tool 100 for use with a press brake 7. The press brake 7 comprises a die 73, an actuation arm 71, and a press brake attachment 72. In some embodiments, the adapter tool 100 is coupled to the press brake attachment 72 and aligned with the die 73. The press brake 7 is configured to move from a press brake first position to a press brake second position by movement of the actuation arm 71. In the press brake first position, the punch insert 2 is a distance away from the die 73. In the press brake second position, the punch insert 2 forces an item to abut the die 73. In some embodiments, the press brake 7 will cause an item, such as a sheet of metal to bend, be cut, and/or make a hole in the item. [0040] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of an adapter tool 100. In some embodiments, the adapter tool 100 defines a safety groove 18 and a second safety groove 181. In some embodiments, the adapter tool 100 further comprises a safety insert 5. In some embodiments, the safety insert 5 can extend and retract to engage a receiving space and help secure or release the adapter tool 100. In some embodiments, the safety insert 5 is configured to interact with WILA style system. In some embodiments, the safety insert 5 is substantially identical to a WILA style WILA safety click button. In some embodiments, the adapter tool 100 defines an obround slot 62, and in some embodiments, the obround slot 62 enables the adapter tool 100 to interact with an AMADA Auto Tool Change system. In some embodiments, the safety insert 5 comprises a safety insert upper portion 51 and a safety insert lower portion 52, and a portion of the press brake 7 is configured to reside between the safety insert upper portion 51 and a safety insert lower portion 52.

[0041] FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of an adapter tool 100 comprising one or more actuation members 61; and in some embodiments, adjustment of an actuation member 61 causes the safety insert 5 to retract and expand. When in use, the actuation member 61 will be adjusted so that the safety insert 5 will retract to secure an element between a portion of the safety insert 5 and the body 4, and the actuation member 61 can be adjusted so that the safety insert 5 will extend and release the element that is secured between the safety insert 5 and the body 4. In other embodiments, when the safety insert 5 is extended, the safety insert 5 will prevent the removal of the adapter tool 100 from the press brake 7, and the safety insert 5 must be retracted to be removed. In some embodiments, the safety insert 5 will engage a space in WILA style press break when extended. In some embodiments, when the safety insert 5 is extended, a portion of the press brea7 will reside between the safety insert upper portion 51 and the safety insert lower portion 52. In some embodiments, the actuation member 61 is a draw bolt, and in some embodiments, a spring is located between the safety insert 5 and the actuation member 61. [0042] FIGs. 13 and 14 show an embodiment of adapter tool 100 comprising an engagement space 6. In some embodiments, the engagement space 6 is treaded, and a threaded element is configured to engage the thread. In some embodiments, the engagement space 6 is configured to accept a portion of the press brake 7. In some embodiments, an element extends through the engagement space 6 and is coupled to the press brake 7 or both the press brake 7 and the adapter tool 100.

[0043] Even in embodiments comprising a actuation member 61 and/or the engagement space, the adapter tool 100 is still provides for easier means to exchange than that of the prior art. [0044] The embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, including in matters of shape, size and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present disclosure up to, and including, the full extent established by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the claims.

[0045] It should also be noted that elements of embodiments may be described in reference to the description of a particular embodiment; however, it is disclosed that elements of disclosed embodiments can be switched with corresponding elements of embodiments with the same name and/or number of other disclosed embodiments. [0046] Depending on the embodiment, certain steps of methods described may be removed, others may be added, and the sequence of steps may be altered. It is also to be understood that the description and the claims drawn to a method may include some indication in reference to certain steps. However, the indication used is only to be viewed for identification purposes and not as a suggestion as to an order for the steps.