Novel assemblies and methods for processing workpieces in ram-driven presses
AssigneeWilson Tool International Inc.
InventorsBrian J. Lee, Timothy J. Mika
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Assemblies and methods for processing a workpiece in a ram-driven press employ an active tool contained by a housing that is interchangeable with a passive forming tool assembly in a mounting assembly of the press. The active tool includes a microprocessor and a functional head coupled to the microprocessor. Some assemblies including the active tool include a switch for activating the functional head; the switch may be mounted to the housing such that, when the housing is mounted in the mounting assembly of the press, the switch is triggered by movement of the housing in response to the ram stroke of the press.
Claims75
A tool assembly for a ram-driven press, the assembly comprising:
- an active tool comprising:
- a microprocessor;
- and
- a functional head coupled to the microprocessor;
- and
- a housing containing the active tool, the housing making the tool assembly interchangeable, in a mounting assembly of the press, with a tool assembly including a passive forming tool, the housing, when mounted in the mounting assembly, moving in response to a ram stroke of the press;
- wherein the functional head is oriented in the housing so as to perform an operation on a workpiece supported in the press.
A method for processing a workpiece in a ram-driven press, the method comprising:
- forming a surface of the workpiece with a passive tool, when the passive tool is loaded in a mounting assembly of the press;
- and
- performing an operation on the workpiece with an active tool, when the active tool is loaded in the mounting assembly of the press;
- wherein the active tool comprises a microprocessor and a functional head coupled to the microprocessor, the functional head being oriented to perform the operation on the workpiece.
A method for setting up a ram-driven press to process a workpiece, the method comprising:
- loading a passive forming tool assembly into a first position in a mounting assembly of the press;
- and
- loading an active tool assembly into a second position of the mounting assembly of the press, the active tool assembly including an active tool and a housing containing the active tool.
A tool assembly for a ram-driven press, the assembly comprising:
- an active tool comprising:
- a microprocessor;
- and
- a functional head coupled to the microprocessor;
- and
- a housing containing the active tool, the housing making the tool assembly interchangeable, in a mounting assembly of the press, with a tool assembly including a passive forming tool, the housing, when mounted in the mounting assembly, moving in response to a ram stroke of the press, and the housing including an opening;
- wherein the functional head is adapted for marking, is fixed within the housing and oriented so as to mark, through the opening of the housing, on a workpiece that is supported in the press.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.