Metal deforming – By use of non-deforming work-gripping clamp and relatively... – With interrelated clamp closer and tool mover
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-12
2001-01-30
Crane, Daniel C. (Department: 3725)
Metal deforming
By use of non-deforming work-gripping clamp and relatively...
With interrelated clamp closer and tool mover
C072S383000, C072S411000, C072S379200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178799
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to forming presses. The invention relates more particularly to a joggling press and associated method for forming joggles in L-shaped or T-shaped workpieces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Joggling is the process of deforming a plate-shaped member by bending the member along two parallel spaced axes through equal and opposite angles. The resulting deformation is referred to as a joggle. Joggles permit flush connections to be made between two plates, sheets, or structural members. In many applications, it is desired to form joggles in L-shaped or T-shaped members having a cap portion that is to be joggled and a leg portion that is joined to the cap portion at an angle. The usual approach to joggling such workpieces involves clamping the leg of the workpiece between two clamping members so that the leg does not wrinkle during the deformation process. In most joggling presses, two actuators are used for moving the clamping members toward each other to clamp the leg, and a third actuator is used to move a forming die along a direction normal to the direction along which the clamping member is moved so that the forming die engages the cap and deforms it to a desired shape.
Conventional joggling presses typically have forming dies that are specifically configured to form only one workpiece configuration. Commonly, two forming dies are bolted to an upper press member and two cooperating forming dies are mounted to the lower press member for engaging and deforming the cap between the two pairs of forming dies. The two lower forming dies comprise clamping members that are movable toward and away from each other. They are typically supported between a pair of fixed blocks immovably bolted to the lower press member. The workpiece is positioned by an operator so that the leg is between the clamping members. The two actuators controlling the clamping members are operated to move the clamping members toward each other to clamp the leg. Once adequate clamping pressure has been applied to the leg, the press members are moved relatively toward each other to cause the cap to be pressed between the two pairs of forming dies carried by the two press members such that the cap is deformed to a shape generally conforming to the shape of forming surfaces of the dies. The press members are then moved back apart, and the clamping pressure on the leg is released. The operator then manually removes the workpiece from the press.
One drawback of such conventional joggling presses is that when a different workpiece configuration is to be produced, the large and heavy forming dies must be unbolted from the press members and removed, and new forming dies must be placed into the press and bolted to the press members. This operation requires considerable time, and is also awkward and cumbersome because of the size and weight of the forming dies, which consist of massive solid metal blocks. A further drawback is that it can be difficult for the operator to locate the workpiece in precisely the correct location with respect to the forming dies. Yet another drawback is the need for two separate actuators for providing the clamping force and the joggling force.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to overcome the above drawbacks by providing a press and method for deforming angle-section workpieces wherein a single actuator producing force along a single direction generates both the force for deforming the workpiece and the force for clamping the workpiece, by virtue of a unique arrangement of tooling members. Thus, only one actuator is required, thereby simplifying the press and providing attendant cost benefits. Additionally, in preferred embodiments of the invention, the tooling includes forming die inserts mounted to the press by quick-release fastening systems. The forming die inserts are significantly less massive than conventional forming dies, and can be removed and installed without the use of bolts or similar fasteners. Thus, the time required for changing the forming die inserts is substantially less than that required to change conventional forming dies. The process of changing the forming die inserts is also more convenient and less cumbersome than changing conventional forming dies because the inserts are substantially smaller and lighter in weight than conventional dies. The forming die inserts are also less costly than conventional forming dies.
In other preferred embodiments of the invention, a workpiece is precisely located with respect to the forming dies by a locator that is positioned within the workpiece-receiving space defined between a pair of clamping members that clamp the leg of the workpiece to prevent its wrinkling during a forming process. The leg of the workpiece is slid along the workpiece-receiving space until it abuts the locator, thereby locating the workpiece in the proper location with respect to the tooling. Advantageously, after the forming operation is completed, the locator is withdrawn from the workpiece-receiving space so that the workpiece can be slid out a discharge end of the space. Preferably, the press is arranged so that gravity alone will cause the workpiece to slide out the discharge end when the locator is withdrawn. Thus, the operator need not manually remove the workpiece from the press. The locator can be actuated automatically by a suitable actuator such as an air cylinder or solenoid so as to be extended into the workpiece-receiving space prior to a workpiece being fed into the infeed end of the workpiece-receiving space, and to be withdrawn from the space after completion of the forming operation on the workpiece.
A press in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention comprises first and second press members relatively movable toward and away from each other along a first direction, a first forming die carried by the first press member for engaging and deforming the workpiece to a desired shape when the press members are moved toward each other with the workpiece held therebetween, and a clamping assembly mounted on the second press member for clamping the leg of the workpiece to stabilize the workpiece during shaping thereof. The clamping assembly comprises at least one cam member fixed with respect to the second press member. The cam member defines a pair of spaced-apart cam surfaces oppositely inclined so as to form a channel that widens in the first direction toward the first press member. The clamping assembly further includes a pair of clamping members disposed within the channel so as to be movable along the first direction. The clamping members define a workpiece-receiving space therebetween for receiving the leg of the workpiece and are in sliding engagement with the cam surfaces such that movement of the clamping members along the first direction away from the first press member causes the clamping members to slide along the cam surfaces and be moved toward each other so as to clamp the leg therebetween. The clamping members are arranged to be urged by the first press member to slide along the cam surfaces toward each other when the press members are moved together. The press also includes an actuator for moving at least one of the press members along the first direction toward the other press member so as to engage and deform the workpiece. Actuation force along only the first direction accomplishes both deformation and clamping of the workpiece by virtue of the clamping arrangement.
Preferably, each clamping member comprises a main body member and a forming die insert secured to the main body member by a quick-release fastening system, the forming die inserts being configured to receive and clamp the leg of the workpiece therebetween. The main body members remain in the press permanently, and only the forming die inserts are removed and replaced when a tooling change is required. The quick-release fastening systems advantageously comprise keys and keyways formed on the main body members and forming die inserts. Accordingly, the inserts can be slid out and removed and a new s
Buehler Charles E.
Miller Richard H.
Pollard Donald E.
Alston & Bird LLP
Crane Daniel C.
The Boeing Company
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