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US 11,033,948 B2Granted
Forming multi-tool
AssigneeMate Precision Technologies Inc.
InventorsChristopher Morgan, Bruce Thielges
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A punch and die set and selection apparatus adapted for sheet material forming, to work cooperatively with an automated punch press to select one of a set of punches and dies to operate within said apparatus to be engaged with the punch-press load-applying ram and tool holders, and to compel or allow the non-selected dies to be moved away from the sheet material so as not to impinge on or damage the sheet material being formed.
Claims19
A multi-die carrier assembly, comprising:
- a die locator configured to retain a plurality of forming dies;
- and
- a cam base coupled with the die locator and configured to select one of the plurality of forming dies for operation on a workpiece by retaining or elevating the selected forming die at an operational height,
- wherein the die locator and the cam base define complementary mating surfaces that form a slidable interface configured to accommodate relative motion between the die locator and the cam base;
- wherein the cam base defines a cam or a ramp configured to slide beneath each of the plurality of forming dies upon the relative motion between the die locator and the cam base;
- and
- wherein the die locator is rotatable with respect to the cam base and the cam base is configured to remain stationary.
4 more elements
A multi-die carrier assembly, comprising:
- a die locator configured to retain a plurality of forming dies;
- and
- a cam base coupled with the die locator and configured to select one of the plurality of forming dies for operation on a workpiece by retaining or elevating the selected forming die at an operational height;
- wherein the die locator and the cam base define complementary mating surfaces that form a slidable interface configured to accommodate relative motion between the die locator and the cam base;
- wherein the die locator is further configured to receive a lock pin, the lock pin configured to slide within an aperture defined by the die locator;
- and
- wherein sliding of the lock pin causes the assembly to switch between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, wherein the lock pin is biased toward the locked configuration.
4 more elements
A multi-die carrier assembly, comprising:
- a die locator configured to retain a plurality of forming dies;
- and
- a cam base coupled with the die locator and configured to select one of the plurality of forming dies for operation on a workpiece by retaining or elevating the selected forming die at an operational height;
- wherein the die locator and the cam base define complementary mating surfaces that form a slidable interface configured to accommodate relative motion between the die locator and the cam base;
- and
- further comprising a plurality of die shoes, wherein each of the plurality of die shoes is biased away from a bottom surface of one of the plurality of forming dies.
3 more elements
A multi-die carrier assembly, comprising:
- a die locator configured to retain a plurality of forming dies;
- and
- a cam base coupled with the die locator and configured to select one of the plurality of forming dies for operation on a workpiece by retaining or elevating the selected forming die at an operational height;
- wherein the die locator and cam base define complementary mating surfaces that form a slidable interface configured to accommodate relative motion between the die locator and the cam base;
- and
- further comprising a mechanical rotator configured to rotate the die locator with respect to the cam base.
3 more elements
A multi-die carrier assembly, comprising:
- a die locator configured to retain a plurality of forming dies;
- and
- a slidable puck coupled with the die locator and configured to select one of the plurality of forming dies for operation on a workpiece by retaining or elevating the selected forming die at an operational height;
- wherein the die locator and the slidable puck define complementary mating surfaces that form a slidable interface configured to accommodate relative motion between the die locator and the slidable puck;
- and
- wherein the slidable puck defines a plurality of camming surfaces each configured to slide beneath and elevate one of the plurality of forming dies.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.