Method and apparatus for manufacturing stamped extruded parts
AssigneeE & E Manufacturing Company, Inc.
InventorsMark L. Cutshall, Wallace E. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of manufacturing a stamped, extruded finished part includes permanently attaching upper and lower shoes to a moveable ram and a stationary bolster plate of a dedicated stamping press. A replaceable extrusion die sub-assembly is mounted between the upper and lower shoes for extruding a workpiece into a preform. A component die sub-assembly is replaceably attached to the ram and bolster plate of the press for processing the preform into the finished part. The workpiece is progressively extruded then stamped into the finished part. Only the component die sub-assembly and the perishable components of the extrusion die sub-assembly are replaced when a different finished part is ordered.
Claims15
A method of manufacturing a finished part to a customer's specifications with a stamping press having upper and lower shoes configured to operate with replaceable die sub-assemblies, comprising:
- attaching the upper shoe to a movable ram of the stamping press and the lower shoe to a stationary bolster plate of the stamping press;
- assembling an extrusion die sub-assembly for extruding a workpiece into a preform for the finished part, and replaceably attaching the extrusion die subassembly to the upper and lower shoes;
- assembling a component die sub-assembly based on the customer's finished part specifications, and replaceably attaching it to the ram and bolster plate of the press in a position to receive the preform from the extrusion die subassembly;
- and
- feeding the workpiece into the stamping press so it is progressively first extruded into the preform by the extrusion die sub-assembly, and then formed into the finished part by the component die sub-assembly.
A method of doing business in a stamping facility whereby net costs are lowered for the stamping facility and its customers, comprising:
- capitalizing an upper shoe attached to a moveable ram of a press and capable of cooperating with replaceable die sub-assemblies;
- capitalizing a lower shoe attached to a bolster plate opposite the movable ram on the press, and capable of cooperating with the die sub-assemblies;
- standardizing extrusion configurations and inventorying a plurality of different components adapted to make such configurations, and publishing such configurations for pre-selection by a customer in designing a finished part;
- assembling an extrusion die sub-assembly using at least some of the inventoried die components, and replaceably attaching the extrusion die subassembly to the upper and lower shoes for extruding the workpiece into a preform for the finished part;
- assembling a component die sub-assembly based on the customer's finished part specifications, and replaceably attaching it to the ram and bolster plate of the press in a position to receive the preform from the extrusion die subassembly;
- and
- manufacturing the customer's finished part by feeding the workpiece into the stamping press and first extruding it into the preform with the extrusion die sub-assembly, and then forming it into the finished part with the component die subassembly.
A modular progressive stamping die assembly, comprising:
- a stamping press having a moveable ram for imparting a stamping force to a workpiece, and a stationary bolster plate located opposite the moveable ram;
- a first shoe attached to the moveable ram and capable of cooperating with replaceable die sub-assemblies;
- a second shoe attached to the bolster plate and capable of cooperating with the die sub-assemblies;
- an extrusion die sub-assembly, replaceably attached to the first and second shoes and configured to extrude the workpiece into a preform for a finished part;
- and
- a component die sub-assembly, replaceably attached to the ram and bolster plate of the press in a position to receive the preform from the extrusion die sub-assembly, and configured to form the preform into at least a near net shape.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.