Method for installing divided upper tool to upper tool holder provided on upper table of press brake, tool changer, and tool stocker

A divided upper tool installing method for installing divided upper tools to a plurality of upper tool holders, respectively, by using a tool changer, the plurality of upper tool holders disposed to be spaced at a predetermined interval in a left-right direction in a lower portion of an upper table of a press brake, the divided upper tool installing method comprising:

• (a) engaging a rod-shaped finger of the tool changer in an engagement hole of one divided upper tool, of the plurality of divided upper tools, that is to be installed, the engagement hole being provided at a central portion in the left-right direction of the one divided upper tool, the one divided upper tool being supported by a tool stocker, the tool stocker being adjacent the press brake, and removing the one divided upper tool from the tool stocker;
• (b) moving the tool changer in the left-right direction, and causing an attachment portion of the one divided upper tool to pass between an upper tool supporting portion of an upper tool holder, of the plurality of upper tool holders, located closest to the tool stocker in the left-right direction, and an upper tool clamp of the upper tool holder located closest to the tool stocker in the left-right direction;
• (c) temporarily positioning the attachment portion of the one divided upper tool between an upper tool supporting portion of an upper tool holder, of the plurality of upper tool holders, to which the one divided upper tool is to be installed and an upper tool clamp of the upper tool holder to which the one divided upper tool is to be installed;
• (d) separating the finger from the engagement hole of the one divided upper tool;
• and
• (e) fixing the attachment portion of the one divided upper tool to the upper tool holder to which the one divided upper tool is to be installed,
• wherein the tool stocker supports the one divided upper tool and a second divided upper tool, the one divided upper tool having a width which is larger than a gap disposed between two adjacent upper tool holders of the plurality of tool holders, and the second divided upper tool having a width which is smaller than the gap;
• and
• wherein steps (a) to (e) are performed when the tool stocker supports the one divided upper tool to be installed and the width of the one divided upper tool that is to be installed is larger than the gap.