Metal deforming – By use of tool acting during relative rotation between tool... – During rotation of work
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-03
2001-05-22
Tolan, Ed (Department: 3725)
Metal deforming
By use of tool acting during relative rotation between tool...
During rotation of work
C072S405030, C072S421000, C072S423000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233992
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to multiple station endforming machines wherein work stations are indexed about an axis of rotation during operational cycles.
2. Description of the Related Art
Endforming machines are used to axially upset elongated workpieces, usually tubes, to form the end of a tube or produce an annular enlargement or diametric reduction, and may also do rolling, assembly and other secondary operations. The endforming tool engages the end of the workpiece while the workpiece is firmly held against axial displacement. Engagement of the tool with the workpiece causes the workpiece material to deform, and the workpiece holder may include configurations to receive and shape the deformed metal during displacement of the workpiece metal by the tool.
Conventional endforming machines consist of a single work station wherein the work station includes a work holder, usually in the form of jaws, for firmly gripping and positioning the workpiece prior to workpiece deformation. After the workpiece has been firmly clamped, the endforming tool is moved into engagement with the workpiece to deform the workpiece as desired. The workpiece is then removed from the work holder. Such single work station machines, while adequately shaping the workpiece by the endforming operation, are relatively low production in that each work station must be singly loaded and unloaded, and with the plurality of machine cycling, only a single part has been shaped.
Further, if secondary operations must occur on the workpiece, it must be reclamped for each operation which reduces the workpiece diameter and hardens and stresses the workpiece.
Previous attempts to increase the production of endforming machines have not been satisfactory for a number of reasons, and until the advent of the instant invention, high production endforming apparatus has not been available.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an endforming machine having a high production capacity wherein the machine includes a plurality of work stations.
A further object of the invention is to provide a high production endform machine having a plurality of work stations indexing about an axis wherein various operations may be performed upon the workpiece at selected work stations and a finished workpiece is produced at each indexing.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a multiple station endforming machine of rugged construction which is relatively economical to manufacture and wherein the workpieces may be effectively gripped and held by a linkage system, and the linkage system is operated by expansible chamber motors.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a multiple station endforming machine having a plurality of work stations indexing about an axis, and wherein tooling to perform secondary operations such as assembly procedures, rolling, threading or the like may be produced on the workpiece without reclamping thereof, and wherein it is possible to perform a number of workpiece operations prior to the workpiece being released from the endform machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The multiple station end forming machine in accord with the invention is mounted on a frame which supports a rotatable spindle. A circular head is mounted upon one end of the spindle consisting of a pair of spaced parallel plates, and a plurality of work stations are defined on the head between the head plates. In the disclosed embodiment, eight work stations are disclosed.
Each of the work stations includes a workpiece holder defined by a fixed jaw and a movable jaw. The workpiece holders' jaws together define a cavity complemental in configuration and size to the workpiece whereby when the jaws are closed, a workpiece is firmly gripped by the holder.
In the disclosed embodiment, one of the jaws is pivotably mounted upon the head, while the other jaw is fixed to the head. An over-center linkage operates each pivoted jaw wherein movement of the linkage to its over-center position closes the jaws of a work station to firmly lock the jaws in the closed position for gripping the workpiece. Upon the over-center linkage being shifted to a less-than-center position, the movable jaw is pivoted to an open condition releasing the workpiece.
The spindle head, and spindle, is rotatably indexed about the axis of the spindle, and such indexing is produced by an indexing motor. The endforming tool, or tools, mounted upon the frame which align with the workpiece during indexing may be operated by an expansible chamber motor.
While the over-center linkages operating the work station jaws are mounted upon the head and indexed therewith, actuating members mounted upon the frame selectively operate the over-center linkage to open or close the work station jaws. In this manner, the workpieces are gripped, or released, as desired at the appropriate position during the indexing of the head.
The frame includes a mounting sleeve having a plurality of flat mounting surfaces whereby tooling may be affixed thereto for producing the various operations at each indexed position of the head. For instance, in the disclosed embodiment wherein eight work stations are shown, the sleeve will have eight mounting surfaces for tooling.
Each indexing of the head will produce a completed workpiece upon which all of the desired operations have occurred. The average cycle time of the endform machine will be six seconds between indexes, and in the disclosed embodiment of the invention, six machining operations, in addition to loading and unloading operations, can be produced during each indexing of the head.
An endforming machine in accord with the invention may be made substantially fully automatic. By the use of known timing and cycling air or pressurized oil circuits, the operation of the endforming machine can be automated, and the high production rate achieved by a multiple station endforming machine in accord with the invention lowers the cost of forming parts by endforming.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4152566 (1979-05-01), Magerle
patent: 4936130 (1990-06-01), Kramer
patent: 5768931 (1998-06-01), Gombas
patent: 86/06306 (1986-11-01), None
Lomar Machine & Tool Co.
Tolan Ed
Young & Basile P.C.
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