U.S. patent application number 15/549732 was filed with the patent office on 2018-02-01 for stamping press arrangement.
The applicant listed for this patent is BRUDERER AG. Invention is credited to Josef Thomas Hafner.
Application Number | 20180029104 15/549732 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52544232 |
Filed Date | 2018-02-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180029104 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hafner; Josef Thomas |
February 1, 2018 |
STAMPING PRESS ARRANGEMENT
Abstract
The invention relates to a stamping press arrangement comprising
a plurality of first stamping press units arranged adjacent to one
another, which have working directions extending parallel in
relation to each other in a common plane, and comprising a second
stamping press unit, the working direction of which extends
perpendicularly in relation to the working directions of the first
stamping press units, such that material processed in said stamping
press unit can be guided in the direct extension of the working
direction thereof into the working regions of the first stamping
press units. The stamping press units each have a crankshaft
portion or eccentric shaft portion, by means of which the travel
movement of the press ram is effected via a connecting rod. The
crankshaft portion or eccentric shaft portion of the first stamping
press units are driven forcibly together via a common drive unit
with the same speed and comprise a common axis of rotation. The
crankshaft portion or eccentric shaft portion of the stamping press
unit is coupled to the crankshaft portion or eccentric shaft
portion of the first stamping press units so as to forcibly rotate
therewith in a synchronous manner. The invention allows
high-precision and high-speed stamping press arrangements to be
provided for economically mass-producing multi-part stamping and
shaped and punched products which have low tolerances, such as
container ends with press-in or pull tabs for opening without
tools, in a cost-effective manner.
Inventors: |
Hafner; Josef Thomas;
(Rorschacherberg, CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BRUDERER AG |
Frasnacht |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
52544232 |
Appl. No.: |
15/549732 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
February 11, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CH2015/000018 |
371 Date: |
August 9, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B30B 15/0064 20130101;
B21D 22/02 20130101; B21D 51/383 20130101; B21D 35/002
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B21D 51/38 20060101
B21D051/38; B21D 35/00 20060101 B21D035/00; B21D 22/02 20060101
B21D022/02 |
Claims
1. A stamping press arrangement comprising at least two adjacent
first stamping press units, each of which has a press ram for
receiving a first tool part, which works against a receiving plate
for receiving a corresponding second tool part, wherein the first
stamping press units have working directions extending parallel to
each other in a common plane, and comprising at least a second
stamping press unit having a press ram for receiving a first tool
part which works against a receiving plate for receiving a
corresponding second tool part, wherein the working direction of
the at least one second stamping press unit extends perpendicularly
to the working directions of the first stamping press units, in
such a way that material pieces or material strips processed in a
working space of the second stamping press unit can be guided in
direct extension of the working direction of the second stamping
press unit into working regions of the first stamping press units
for further processing in the first stamping press units with
material pieces or material strips supplied in working direction of
the first stamping press units to the first stamping press units,
wherein the at least two first stamping press units are driven via
a common driving unit, wherein each of the respective first
stamping press units has a crankshaft portion or eccentric shaft
portion, which is rotatable about a first rotation axis by the
driving unit in order to generate a travel movement of the press
ram of the respective stamping press unit, in interaction with at
least one connecting rod of the respective first stamping press
unit, for processing the material pieces and/or the material strips
in the first stamping press units, wherein the rotation axes of the
crankshaft portions or eccentric shaft portions of the first
stamping press units are identical and wherein the crankshaft
portions or eccentric shaft portions of the first stamping press
units are connected or coupled to one another in such a way that
they are rotated forcibly together with the same number of
rotations, wherein the at least one second stamping press unit has
a crankshaft portion or eccentric shaft portion which is rotatable
about a second rotation axis by a driving unit, for generating in
interaction with at least one connecting rod of the at least one
second stamping press unit a travel movement of the press ram of
the at least one second stamping press unit for processing the
material pieces or material strips in the second stamping press
unit, wherein the crankshaft portion or eccentric shaft portion of
the at least one second stamping press unit is coupled to the
crankshaft portions or eccentric shaft portions of the first
stamping press units in such a way, particularly by a rotational
positive fit in both rotation directions, that it is rotatable
forcibly synchronously with the crankshaft portions or eccentric
shaft portions of the first stamping press units, particularly with
the same number of rotations, wherein multiple, particularly three
or four, first stamping press units arranged in an adjacent way are
coupled to one another to form a common structure, wherein the two
outer ones of these first stamping press units coupled to one
another to form a common structure are each coupled to a supporting
structure, via which the structure formed by it is supported on the
floor, and wherein each one of the first stamping press units has
an own receiving plate which is separate from the other stamping
press units, each of which is supported by a hanging supporting
structure.
2. The stamping press arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at
least one of the supporting structures, via which the structure
formed by the adjacent first stamping press units is supported on
the floor, carries on its side facing away from the mutually
coupled first stamping press units the at least one second stamping
press unit.
3. The stamping press arrangement according to claim 1, wherein two
groups of first stamping press units, particularly two groups of
each three first stamping press units, are coupled to one another
to a first common structure and to a second common structure,
wherein this first structure and this second structure are coupled
to one another via a first supporting structure arranged between
them, via which the first structure and the second structure are
supported on the floor, wherein each outer first stamping press
unit of the respective first or second structure, respectively, is
coupled to a further supporting structure, via which it is
supported on the floor, and wherein at least one of the further
supporting structures carries one of the second stamping press
units on its side facing away from the respective first or second
structure, respectively.
4. The stamping press arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
second rotation axis is parallel to the first rotation axis, and
particularly wherein it is identical with it.
5. The stamping press arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
first stamping press units have each a separate crankshaft portion
or eccentric shaft portion and these crankshaft portions or
eccentric shaft portions are coupled to one another by a rotational
positive fit in both rotation directions, particularly in such a
way that they are axially and radially shiftable with respect to
one another, particularly by means of one or more Oldham
couplings.
6. The stamping press arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
at least one second stamping press unit has a separate crankshaft
portion or eccentric shaft portion which is coupled to one
crankshaft portion or eccentric shaft portion of one of the first
stamping press units by a rotational positive fit in both rotation
directions, particularly in such a way that the two crankshaft
portions or eccentric shaft portions are axially and radially
shiftable with respect to one another, particularly by means of an
Oldham coupling.
7. The stamping press arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
press rams of the stamping press units work each from the top
against the receiving plates.
8. The stamping press arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
crankshaft portions or eccentric shaft portions are each arranged
above the press rams.
9. The stamping press arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
driving unit for the at least two first stamping press units has a
flywheel and no gears are arranged between the flywheel and the
crankshaft portions or eccentric shaft portions of the at least two
first stamping press units.
10. The stamping press arrangement according to claim 1, wherein
each one of the first stamping press units has a supply device for
supplying individual material pieces into a working area of the
respective stamping press unit, particularly a conveyor belt with
holes for supplying metal can shell blanks.
11. The stamping press arrangement according to claim 10, wherein
the supply devices are driven with the driving unit for the at
least two first stamping press units.
12. The stamping press arrangement according to claim 11, wherein
no separable clutches are present between the supply devices and
the driving unit.
13. The stamping press arrangement according to claim 10, wherein
the supply devices are integrated into the receiving plates of the
first stamping press units.
14. The stamping press arrangement according to claim 1, wherein
the stamping press arrangement in the drive train for the stamping
press units has precisely one flywheel, precisely one friction and
precisely one brake.
15. The stamping press arrangement according to claim 1, wherein
the first stamping press units in each case have precisely one
connecting rod, by means of which the stamping force is introduced
centrally into the respective press ram.
16. The stamping press arrangement according to claim 1, wherein
the at least one second stamping press unit has two connecting
rods, by means of which the stamping force is introduced
symmetrically into its press ram.
17. The stamping press arrangement according to claim 1, wherein
each one of the stamping press units has an own mass compensation
device for diminishing or eliminating dynamic forces acting towards
the outside.
18. The stamping press arrangement according to claim 1, wherein
each one of the stamping press units is adjustable independently
from the other stamping press units with respect to press ram
stroke and/or closing height.
19. A use of the stamping press unit according claim 1 for
manufacturing metal can ends with a push-in or a pull-off tab.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a National Stage application of
International Patent Application No. PCT/CH2015/000018, filed on
Feb. 11, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a stamping press
arrangement as well as to a use of the stamping press arrangement
according to the preambles of the independent claims.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A variety of components are manufactured by stamping presses
in a particularly economic way and in large numbers.
[0004] A special field is the manufacturing of container lids with
a push-in or a pull-off tab which can be opened without tools, also
called EOE (Easy Open Can Ends) by the industry, for which
manufacturing pre-fabricated metal sheet lids are provided in the
stamping press, with different profiles, with a carving for the
opening position as well as with a separately supplied push-in or a
pull-off tab.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,424 discloses a stamping press for
manufacturing EOEs, for which the prefabricated sheet metal lids
are guided in two parallel rows through a bottom press part where
they are stepwise reshaped, provided with a carving and provided
subsequently with a pull-off tab. A top press part is located
directly above the bottom press part, through which a metal strip
is guided and during this time reformed stepwise asstrip carrying
serially one after the other the pull-off tabs to be attached to
the lids in the bottom press part. This strip is inserted into the
bottom press part in a 180.degree. arc in its transport direction
in a reverse way and then perpendicular to the transport direction
of the lids, where the pull-off tabs carried by it are separated
from the strip and riveted with the lids. In case of the bottom
press part, the bottom tool half is moved and works against the
fixed top tool half while in case of the top press part the top
tool half is moved and works against the fixed bottom tool part.
The moved tool halves of the bottom and top press part are
connected to one another via pull rods and are moved together up
and down via a crank drive, such that the bottom press part acts
during the upward movement and the top press part acts during the
downward movement. This stamping press has the disadvantage that it
is structurally weak and therefore only provides low precision as
well as allows only comparatively slow stroke speeds. Additionally,
the top press part, which produces the pull-off tabs, has
mandatorily the same stroke like the bottom press part, which
processes the lids, such that the influencing possibilities for
optimizing the entire process are considerably restricted.
[0006] DE 36 27 179 A1 discloses a stamping press for manufacturing
EOEs, in case of which the prefabricated sheet metal lids are
guided in two parallel rows in longitudinal direction of the press
through a first press half, where they are stepwise reshaped,
provided with a carving and provided subsequently with a pull-off
tab. The pull-off tabs are produced in the second press half and
are attached to the lids in in the first press half. The lids are
processed in the first press half with two press rams penetrating
one another, which work downward against a press table which is
solidary with the second press half. The second press half has an
own press ram for manufacturing the pull-off tabs, which also works
downward against the press table. All three press rams are driven
by a common crank drive. This stamping press has the disadvantage
that it has a complicated construction with three different press
rams and that it is also structurally weak, such that also in this
case it allows only a low precision as well as only comparatively
slow stroke speeds. A particular disadvantage of this construction
is additionally that deformations of the one press half due to
stamping force and/or temperature have a strong influence on the
respective other press half.
[0007] EP 0 281 777 A1 discloses a stamping press for manufacturing
EOEs, in case of which the prefabricated sheet metal lids are
guided in three parallel rows in longitudinal direction of the
press through a first press, where they are stepwise reshaped,
provided with a carving and provided subsequently with a pull-off
tab. The pull-off tabs are produced in a second press which is
synchronized with the first press and has a transport direction
which is perpendicular to the transport direction of the first
press, wherein the pull-off tabs are subsequently supplied directly
to the first press and are attached to the lids there. This
stamping press avoids some of the disadvantages of the stamping
presses mentioned above, it has however still the disadvantage that
the press ram of the first press is relatively big and accordingly
massive, which leads to enormous component stress and a high energy
consumption in case of high stroke speeds or significantly limits
the potential for increasing the stroke speeds and consequently for
increasing the productivity of the press, respectively.
Additionally, due to the use of a common tool for three shell rows
the problem results that the first press has to be operated with an
enormous press load in order to ensure a precise carving depth for
all three shell rows, thus requiring much energy and being prone to
wear.
[0008] The publications WO 2014/144119 A1 and WO 2014/144284 A1
disclose a stamping press for manufacturing EOEs, in case of which
the prefabricated sheet metal lids are stepwise reshaped in three
parallel stamping press units with one row each, are provided with
a carving and provided subsequently with a push-in or pull-off tab,
respectively. In a further stamping press unit with a transport
direction which runs perpendicularly to the transport direction of
the three other press units, the push-in or pull-off tab,
respectively, are manufactured of a sheet metal strip and
subsequently supplied directly to the three mentioned press units,
where they are attached to the lids. The press ram of the stamping
press units work each downward against a machine table under which
crank shafts, each running through the press units in transport
direction of the lids, and connecting rods for transforming the
rotational movement of the crank shaft in the up and down movement
of the press ram, are arranged. The crank shafts of the four
stamping press units are coupled to the main press drive via four
angular gears and frictions arranged in between. This stamping
press partially avoids the disadvantages of the above mentioned
stamping press, however it has the disadvantage that it is
constructed in a very complex way and has many wear-prone and
energy consuming components, therefore having a negative influence
on its energy efficiency, its life, its maintenance intensity and
last but not least also on the attainable stroke speeds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is therefore the objective to provide a technical
solution which doesn't have the above mentioned disadvantages of
the prior art or at least partially avoids them.
[0010] This objective is reached by the stamping press arrangement
according to the independent claims.
[0011] According to them, a first aspect of the invention relates
to a stamping press arrangement with a plurality of stamping press
units, preferably for manufacturing container lids with push-in or
pull-off tabs which can be opened without tools.
[0012] The arrangement comprises at least two adjacent first
stamping press units according to the claims, preferably with
identical construction and size, each of which has a press ram for
receiving and moving a first tool part which works against a
receiving plate for receiving a corresponding second tool part.
These first stamping press units are oriented with respect to one
another in such a way that they have working directions extending
parallel to each other and preferably have work planes located in a
common plane.
[0013] Furthermore, the arrangement comprises at least a second
stamping press unit according to the claims, having a press ram for
receiving and moving a first tool part which works against a
receiving plate for receiving a corresponding second tool part.
[0014] The working direction of this second stamping press unit
extends perpendicularly to the working directions of the first
stamping press units, in such a way that material pieces or
material strips processed in a working space of the second stamping
press unit can be guided in direct extension of the working
direction of the second stamping press unit into working regions of
the first stamping press units for further processing in the first
stamping press units with material pieces or material strips
supplied in working direction of the first stamping press units to
the first stamping press units. For this, the work plane of the
second stamping press unit is preferably located in a same plane
with the work planes of the first stamping press units.
[0015] The first stamping press units have each a crankshaft
portion or eccentric shaft portion, which is rotatable about a
first rotation axis according to the claims, and which serves in
interaction with at least an attributed connecting rod to generate
a travel movement of the press ram of the respective stamping press
unit for processing the material pieces and/or the material strips
in the first stamping press units. The crankshaft portion or
eccentric shaft portion of the first stamping press units are
driven via a common driving unit, wherein their rotation axes are
identical. They are connected or coupled to one another in such a
way that they are rotated forcibly together with the same number of
rotations.
[0016] The second stamping press unit also has a crankshaft portion
or eccentric shaft portion which is rotatable with a driving unit
about a second rotation axis according to the claims and which
serves in interaction with at least an attributed connecting rod to
generate a travel movement of the press ram of the second stamping
press unit for processing the material pieces and/or the material
strips in the second stamping press unit. The crankshaft portion or
eccentric shaft portion of the second stamping press unit is
coupled to the crankshaft portion or eccentric shaft portion of the
first stamping press units in such a way, particularly by a
rotational positive fit in both rotation directions, that its
crankshaft portion or eccentric shaft portion is rotatable forcibly
synchronously with the crankshaft portion or eccentric shaft
portion of the first stamping press units, preferably with the same
number of rotations.
[0017] In other words, the invention relates to a stamping press
arrangement with multiple stamping press units arranged in an
adjacent way, which have work directions running mutually parallel
in a common plane, and with a second stamping press unit, the work
direction of which is perpendicular to the work directions of the
first stamping press units, such that material processed in this
stamping press unit can be guided in direct extension of its work
direction into work areas of the first stamping press units. The
stamping press units have each a crankshaft portion or eccentric
shaft portion, by means of which the stroke movement of the
respective press ram is effected via a connecting rod. The
crankshaft portions or eccentric shaft portions of the first
stamping press units are driven forcibly together with the same
number of rotations by a common driving unit and they have a common
rotation axis. The crankshaft portion or eccentric shaft portion of
the second stamping press unit is coupled to the crankshaft
portions or eccentric shaft portions of the first stamping press
units in such a way that it rotates forcibly synchronously with the
latter.
[0018] The invention makes it possible to provide in an inexpensive
way highly precise and fast stamping press arrangements for the
economic large series production of low-tolerance multiple-part
stamping and punching products, e.g. container lids with push-in or
pull-off tabs (EOEs), which can be opened without tools.
[0019] Preferably, the rotation axis of the crankshaft portion or
eccentric shaft portion of the second stamping press unit is
parallel to the rotation axis of the crankshaft portions or
eccentric shaft portions of the second stamping press units. It is
particularly preferred that these rotation axes are identical. In
this way, a simple and loss-free or low-loss, respectively,
rotational coupling of the crankshaft portions or eccentric shaft
portions is possible, e.g. by their rigid mutual connection or by
their coupling via a positive fit coupling.
[0020] It is further advantageous that the first stamping press
units have each a separate crankshaft portion or eccentric shaft
portion and the crankshaft portions or eccentric shaft portions of
the first stamping press units are coupled to one another by a
rotational positive fit in both rotation directions, preferably
such that they are radially and axially shiftable with respect to
one another, wherein this is advantageously done by means of one or
more Oldham-couplings.
[0021] It is also advantageous that the second stamping press unit
has a separate crankshaft portion or eccentric shaft portion which
is coupled to the crankshaft portion or eccentric shaft portion of
one of the first stamping press units in the way described
above.
[0022] Such an embodiment of the stamping press units make it
possible to rule out a transfer of temperature-dependent and
stamping-force-dependent deformation forces between the stamping
press units via their crankshaft portion or eccentric shaft
portion.
[0023] In a further preferred embodiment of the stamping press
arrangement, each one of the first stamping press units has an own
receiving plate which is separate from the other stamping press
units. In this way it is possible to mechanically decouple from one
another to a large extent the structures of the stamping press
units in order to avoid a transfer of temperature-dependent and
stamping-force-dependent deformation forces between its
structures.
[0024] In another preferred embodiment, the receiving plates of the
first stamping press unit are formed together, which allows a
considerable cost advantage in case certain compromises in terms of
precision have to be accepted.
[0025] Advantageously, the press rams of the stamping press units
work each from the top against a receiving plate arranged below.
Such concepts have the advantage that the material pieces or
material strips to be processed lie on the bottom, fixed tool half
due to the gravitational force, thereby simplifying material
handling for many applications in contrast to other concepts.
[0026] If the crankshaft portions or eccentric shaft portions are
each arranged above the press ram, which is preferred, the
advantage results that particularly precise stamping press units
are possible, because a minimization of the
stamping-force-dependent bending of the press ram can be reached by
a central force introduction into the press ram, and the actual
press ram drive can be formed by very short and rigid components,
thereby additionally leading to advantages with respect to the
inert masses and thereby with respect to the feasible stamping
frequencies.
[0027] In yet a further preferred embodiment of the stamping press
arrangement according to the invention, it has multiple, preferably
three or four first stamping press units according to the claims,
arranged in an adjacent way, which are coupled to one another in a
common self-carrying structure, preferably each one in sections of
the stamping press units which are not charged by stamping forces.
"Sections of the stamping press units which are not charged by
stamping forces" are provided by components or component portions
which do not experience dimension changes or deformation,
respectively, due to the stamping force, in operation as intended.
In this way, the individual stamping press units can be positioned
in a precise way with respect to one another and they can be
coupled to one another as a fixed unit. For the preferred case that
the stamping press units are coupled to one another in an area
which is substantially not charged by the stamping forces, the
further advantage results that practically no deformations due to
the stamping forces are transferred between the stamping press
units.
[0028] In this context it is preferred that the two outer ones of
the first stamping press units, which are coupled to one another in
a common structure, are each coupled to a supporting structure via
which the structure formed by the first stamping press units is
supported on the floor. The connection with the supporting
structure is preferably implemented in an area of the stamping
press units, which is not charged by the stamping forces.
[0029] In this way it is possible to fix the height of the working
planes of the stamping press units via the supporting structure and
to use stamping press units in case of which the receiving plate is
supported by a hanging supporting structure.
[0030] Advantageously, in case of this preferred embodiment of the
stamping press arrangement, at least one of the supporting
structures carries a second stamping press unit according to the
claims on its side facing away from the mutually coupled first
stamping press units. In this way, the at least one second stamping
press unit can be positioned precisely with respect to the first
stamping press units and it can be connected to them, thus forming
a fixed unit. This also makes it possible to set the height of the
working plane of the second stamping press unit via the supporting
structure or to adjust it to the height of the working planes of
the first stamping press units, respectively. Furthermore, in this
way it is possible to use a second stamping press unit according to
the claims, in case of which the receiving plate is carried by a
hanging supporting structure.
[0031] A preferred configuration of this embodiment of the stamping
press arrangement according to the invention has two groups of
first stamping press units, preferably two groups of each three
first stamping press units. These groups of first stamping press
units are coupled to one another to a first common self-supporting
structure (first group of first stamping press units), preferably
each in an area of the respective stamping press units, which is
substantially not charged by the stamping forces, and to a second
common self-supporting structure (second group of first stamping
press units). The first structure and the second structure are
coupled to one another at their ends facing one another via a first
supporting structure arranged between them, via which these two
structures are each supported on the floor with this first end. At
its other second end, the structures are each coupled to a further
supporting structure, with the first stamping press unit arranged
at this second end, via which the respective structure is supported
on the floor at its second end. At least one of these further
supporting structures carries a second stamping press unit
according to the claims on its side which is opposed to the
respective first or second structure, respectively, of mutually
connected first stamping press units. Very large volumes can be
produced with such "tandem arrangement", wherein this configuration
allows a simple supplying and discharging of material and
products.
[0032] In order to keep wear and energy losses of the stamping
press arrangement according to the invention as low as possible, it
is further preferred that the driving unit for the first stamping
press units according to the claims or the common driving unit for
the first and second stamping press units, respectively, has no
gears between its flywheel and the crankshaft portions or eccentric
shaft portions.
[0033] It is further preferred that each one of the first stamping
press units according to the claims has an own supply device for
supplying individual material pieces into a working area of the
respective stamping press unit, preferably a conveyor belt with
holes for supplying metal blanks, e.g. metal can shell blanks. Such
stamping press arrangements are particularly suitable for
manufacturing container lids with press-in or pull tabs (EOEs)
which can be opened without tools.
[0034] Advantageously, these supply devices are driven via the
driving unit for the stamping press units, resulting in the simple
implementation of a synchronous drive and in that additional drives
are obsolete.
[0035] Preferably, no separable clutches are present between the
supply devices and the driving unit, such that a forcibly
synchronous coupling of the supply devices is present.
[0036] If the supply devices are integrated into the receiving
plates of the first stamping press units according to the claims,
which is preferred, they can be provided in a particularly space
saving way.
[0037] In order to design the system concept of the stamping press
arrangement according to the invention as robust and failsafe as
possible and to reduce the effort with respect to technical
implementation to a minimum, it is further advantageous that the
stamping press arrangement only has precisely one flywheel,
precisely one friction and precisely one brake in the drive train
for the stamping press units.
[0038] In a further preferred embodiment of the stamping press
arrangement, the first stamping press units and/or the at least one
second stamping press unit have each precisely one connecting rod,
by means of which the stamping force is introduced centrally into
the respective press ram. This way of construction is advantageous
particularly in case of short press rams, seen in transport
direction, or in case of substantially central press ram load,
respectively, because it has a simple and inexpensive drive
mechanism with few moving parts.
[0039] In a further preferred embodiment of the stamping press
arrangement, the first stamping press units and/or the at least one
second stamping press unit have each two connecting rods, by means
of which the stamping force is introduced symmetrically into the
respective press ram. This way of construction is advantageous
particularly in case of relatively long press rams, seen in
transport direction, or in case of relatively asymmetric press ram
load, respectively, because it increases the tilt resistance of the
press ram.
[0040] It is further advantageous that each one of the stamping
press units of the stamping press arrangement has an own mass
compensation device. In this way, the dynamic forces acting towards
the outside can be diminished or eliminated, respectively.
[0041] It is also advantageous that each one of the stamping press
units of the stamping press arrangement is adjustable independently
from the other stamping press units with respect to press ram
stroke and/or closing height. In this way, the stamping press
arrangement according to the invention provides a maximum of
production flexibility and production precision.
[0042] A second aspect of the invention relates to the use of the
stamping press arrangement according to the first aspect of the
invention for manufacturing metal can lids with a push-in or a
pull-off tab. The advantages of the invention are particularly
evident in case of such use of the stamping press arrangement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0043] In the following the prior art and embodiments of the
invention will be further explained by means of the figures.
Thereby it is shown in:
[0044] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a first stamping press
arrangement according to the invention;
[0045] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the first stamping press
arrangement from the direction S of FIG. 1;
[0046] FIG. 3 shows a horizontal section through the first stamping
press arrangement along the line X-X of FIG. 1;
[0047] FIG. 4 shows a partial vertical section through the first
stamping press arrangement along the line X-Y of FIG. 2;
[0048] FIG. 5 shows a vertical section through the first stamping
press arrangement along the line Z-Z of FIG. 4;
[0049] FIG. 6 shows a view like in FIG. 5 of a variant of the first
stamping press arrangement; and
[0050] FIG. 7 shows a front view of a second stamping press
arrangement according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0051] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first stamping press arrangement for
manufacturing metal container lids with a push-in or a pull-off tab
and which can be opened without tools, once in a front view (FIG.
1) and once in a side view with viewing direction S from the left
(FIG. 2).
[0052] As can be seen by viewing together with FIGS. 3 and 4, which
show a horizontal section along the line X-X of FIG. 1 (FIG. 3) and
a partial vertical section along the line Y-Y of FIG. 2 (FIG. 4)
through the press arrangement, the latter comprises three adjacent
stamping presses 4a, 4b, 4c (three first stamping press units
according to the invention), in the following called
"conversion-presses", by means of which prefabricated metal sheet
lids are provides with different profiles, with a carving for the
opening location as well as with an additionally supplied push-in
or pull-off tab, respectively. The three conversion presses 4a, 4b,
4c are coupled to one another as common self-supporting structure
4a-4c. The two outer conversion presses 4a, 4c of this structure
4a-4c are each coupled to a supporting structure 9, 11; 10, 11, via
which the structure 4a-4c formed by the three conversion presses
4a, 4b, 4c is supported on the floor.
[0053] The left supporting structure 9, 11 consists of a drive
housing 9 and a supporting pillar 11, and the right supporting
structure 10, 11 consists of a supporting section 10 and a
supporting pillar 11. Said supporting structure 10, 11 carries a
further stamping press 8 (second stamping press unit according to
the claims) on its side which is opposed to the conversion presses
4a, 4b, 4c, by means of which the push-in or the pull-off tabs,
respectively, are manufactured from a strip material 22. In the
following, this press 8 is called "tab press".
[0054] The three conversion presses 4a, 4b, 4c are oriented with
respect to one another in such a way that they have mutually
parallel working directions B and their working planes are in a
same plane.
[0055] The tab press 8 is oriented with respect to the conversion
press 4a, 4b, 4c in such a way that its working direction A runs
perpendicular to the working directions B of the conversion presses
4a, 4b, 4c and its working plane lies in the same plane, where also
the working planes of the conversion presses 4a, 4b, 4c are
located. The working direction A of the tab press 8 intersects with
the working directions B of the conversion presses 4a, 4b, 4c in
the working direction of the conversion presses 4a, 4b, 4c. The
push-in or the pull-off tabs, respectively, formed in the working
area of the tab press 8 by stamping and reshaping on a material
strip 22, are guided with the material strip 22 in direct extension
of the working direction A of the tab press 8 in the working areas
of the conversion presses 4a, 4b, 4c, where each of them is
detached from the material strip with the respective conversion
press 4a, 4b, 4c and are riveted with the metal lids passing
through the respective conversion press 4a, 4b, 4c in its working
direction B. The transport of the material strip 22 in the working
direction A of the tab press 8 through the presses 4a, 4b, 4c is
done by means of an advancing device 23a at the input of the tab
press 8 and a pulling device 23b at the output of the last
conversion press, as seen in this direction A.
[0056] As it results particularly from FIGS. 3 and 4 as seen
together with FIG. 5, which shows a vertical section through the
stamping press arrangement along the line Z-Z of FIG. 4, the
conversion presses 4a, 4b, 4c comprise each a press ram 1a, 1b, 1c
for receiving the moved top conversion tool half (not shown), which
work from above against a receiving plate 2a, 3a; 2b 3b; 2c, 3c,
which is separate from the other presses, for receiving the
attributed fixed bottom conversion tool half (not shown). The press
rams 1a, 1b, 1c are each guided as vertical shifting via four press
ram guides 12.
[0057] In the same way, the tab press 8 comprises a press ram 5 for
receiving the moved top tab tool half (not shown), which works from
above against a receiving plate 6, 7 for receiving the attributed
fixed bottom tab tool half (not shown). The press ram 5 is also
guided as vertical shifting via four press ram guides 21.
[0058] The conversion presses 4a, 4b, 4c have each separately
formed crank shafts 28a, 28b, 28c (crankshaft portions or eccentric
shaft portions according to the claims), each of them being
arranged above the respective press ram 1a, 1b, 1c and being
coupled to the press ram 1a, 1b, 1c of the respective conversion
press 4a, 4b, 4c via a single attributed connecting rod 29a, 29b,
29c, for generating the stroke of the press ram 1a, 1b, 1c of this
press. The stamping force is introduced into the press ram 1a, 1b,
1c with the connecting rod 29a, 29b, 29c, in each case centrally
via a height-adjustable thrust bearing 39.
[0059] The tab press 8 also has a crank shaft 30 (crankshaft
portion or eccentric shaft portion according to the claims), which
is arranged above its press ram 5 and coupled to the press ram 5
via two connecting rods 31a, 31b, for generating the stroke of the
press ram 5 of this press 8. The stamping force is introduced into
the press ram 5 with the two connecting rods 31a, 31b,
symmetrically via two height-adjustable thrust bearings 39.
[0060] The rotation axis R2 of the crank shaft 30 of the tab press
8 and the rotation axis R1 of the crank shafts 28a, 28b, 28c of the
conversion presses 4a, 4b, 4c are identical. The cranks shafts 28a,
28b, 28c, 30 have a rotational positive fit in both rotation
directions and are coupled to one another radially and mutually
shiftable by means of Oldham-couplings 32. They are driven via a
common driving unit comprising an outer main drive motor 24, a
friction arrangement and a brake arrangement 34, 35 with a flywheel
33, arranged inside the drive housing 9, as well as a belt drive
25, 26 arranged at the drive housing 9 below a protecting cover 27.
No gears are arranged between the flywheel 33 and the crank shafts
28a, 28b, 28c, 30 of the presses 4a, 4b, 4c, 8.
[0061] As particularly visible in FIG. 3, each conversion press 4a,
4b, 4c has an own supplying device 13, 14, 15, integrated in its
receiving plate, for supplying the metal shell blanks to their
working area, each comprising a transfer system 13 and a transport
band 15 with holes 16 for receiving the shell blanks. The transport
band 15 extends between two deflection pulleys 14 through the
respective conversion press 4a, 4b, 4c. The deflections pulleys 14
at the output of the conversion presses 4a, 4b, 4c are each carried
by an axle 17, which is fixedly, with respect to rotation,
connected to the respective deflection pulley 14 and which is
supported via two bearing blocks 18 in a rotatable way on the
structure of the respective conversion press 4a, 4b, 4c. These
axles 17 of the three conversion presses 4a, 4b, 4c are coupled to
one another via two intermediary axles 19 in a rotational positive
fitting way in both rotation directions and they are driven by a
stepping gear 20 which is coupled to the crank shafts 28a, 28b,
28c, 30 of the presses 4a, 4b, 4c, 8 in a synchronous way with
respect to rotation by means of two angle gears 20a, 20c and a
joint shaft 20b. No separable clutchess are present between the
supplying devices 13, 14, 15, 16 and the driving unit 24, 25, 26,
33, 34.
[0062] As it is further evident, each of the presses 4a, 4b, 4c, 8
has a compensation mass 36a, 36b, 36c, 37 which is moved up and
down by means of further connecting rods arranged on the respective
crank shaft 28a, 28b, 28c, 30 in an opposite direction to the
respective press ram 1a, 1b, 1c, 5, in order to reduce or
eliminate, respectively, dynamic forces acting to the outside.
[0063] FIG. 6 shows a variant of the stamping press arrangement in
a vertical section along the line Z-Z of FIG. 4. As can be seen, in
case of the conversion presses 4a, 4b, 4c of this variant, the
respective connecting rod 29a, 29b, 29c is coupled to the press ram
1a, 1b, 1c of the respective conversion press 4a, 4b, 4c via a
lever mechanism, wherein the force introduction is done
symmetrically via two pressure tongues 38.
[0064] FIG. 7 shows a front view of a second stamping press
arrangement according to the invention. It differs from the above
mentioned first stamping press arrangement according to the
invention only in that it comprises six adjacent conversion presses
4d, 4e, 4f; 4g, 4h, 4i (six first stamping press units according to
the claims), by means of which prefabricated sheet metal shells are
provided with different profiles, with a carving for the opening
location as well as with a supplied push-in or pull-off tab,
respectively.
[0065] These six conversion presses 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i form two
groups of each three conversion presses 4d, 4e, 4f; 4g, 4h, 4i, of
which the first group 4d, 4e, 4 forms a first common
self-supporting structure 4d-4f and the second group 4g, 4h, 4i
forms a second common self-supporting structure 4g-4i. The first
structure 4d-4f and the second structure 4g-4i are connected to one
another via a middle supporting structure 10a, 11a (first
supporting structure according to the claims) arranged between
them, which consists of a supporting portion 10 and a supporting
pillar 11, and they are supported on the floor by means of this
supporting structure 10, 11.
[0066] The first structure 4d-4f is connected at its left end with
its outer conversion press 4d to a further supporting structure
consisting of a drive housing 9 and a supporting pillar 11 and it
is supported on the floor via this supporting structure 9, 11.
[0067] The second structure 4g-4i is connected at its right end
with its outer conversion press 4i to a further supporting
structure consisting of a supporting portion 10 and a supporting
pillar 11 and it is supported on the floor via this supporting
structure 10, 11. This supporting structure 10, 11 supports on its
side which faces away from the conversion presses 4g, 4h, 4i a tab
press 8 (second stamping press unit according to the claims), by
means of which the push-in or pull-off tabs, respectively, are
produced of a material strip.
[0068] The rest of the construction of this second stamping press
arrangement according to the invention is identical to the one of
the first stamping press arrangement.
[0069] While the present disclosure has been illustrated and
described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, it should
be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various
modifications to this disclosure may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
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