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US 4,273,738 AGranted
Method and apparatus for forming, and trimming, three-dimensional work pieces
AssigneeStanztechnik GmbH R & S
InventorErnst M. Spengler
Life of this patent
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AssigneeStanztechnik GmbH R & S
InventorErnst M. Spengler
Estimating the term…
Three-dimensional work pieces, such as instrument panels or dashboards, are made of initially flat stock or of synthetic material such as a two-component foamable material. The tools of the present apparatus include upper and lower holding tools which are preferably simultaneously shaping tools, and cutting or trimming tools. The upper tools and the cutting or trimming tools may have a common support which is preferably exchangeably secured in a main frame. The shaping tools are moved into a first cooperating position relative to each other, whereby the work piece is formed into the desired shape. The shaping tools may then be locked in the shaping position or they may be moved into a second cooperating position to be rigidly locked in the second position. A tool support such as a table carried by a scissors lift frame is used for moving the shaping tools into the desired positions. The cutting or trimming is then performed by applying pressure to the respective tools. A curing time may be provided between the forming step and the cutting or trimming step.
A method for three-dimensionally cutting or trimming a three-dimensional work piece, comprising the steps of moving a work piece support which carries first three-dimensional tool means against second three-dimensional tool means to thereby securely hold a three-dimensional work piece introduced between said first and second three-dimensional tool means, maintaining at least one of said first and second three-dimensional tool means substantially stationary when the first and second three-dimensional tool means hold said three-dimensional work piece in a cutting or trimming position, then rigidly locking the first and second three-dimensional tool means in a fixed position relative to a main frame for introducing the cutting or trimming pressure into said main frame, then moving independent third tool means through at least one of said first and second tool means for performing said three-dimensional cutting or trimming along three-dimensionally extending contours, and supporting said second three-dimensional tool means and at least one of the independent third tool means including actuator means for said at least one independent third tool means on secondary frame means removably attached to said main frame in an exchangeable manner whereby the secondary frame means and the second and third tool means attached thereto are exchangeable as a unit for facilitating the retooling.
An apparatus for cutting or trimming a three-dimensional work piece along three-dimensionally extending contours, comprising main frame means, first three-dimensional tool means, first tool support means operatively supporting said first three-dimensional tool means in said main frame means, second three-dimensional tool means, secondary frame means operatively and removably secured to said main frame means, second tool support means for operatively supporting said second three-dimensional tool means in said secondary frame means, drive means arranged for advancing said first and second three-dimensional tool means relative to each other for securely holding the work piece in a cutting or trimming position, locking means for locking said first and second three-dimensional tool means into a rigid position relative to said main frame means, independent third tool means, third tool support means operatively supporting at least one of said independent third tool means also on said secondary frame means and further drive means for said independent third tool means arranged for moving said independent third tool means through at least one of said first and second three-dimensional tool means to thereby perform said cutting or trimming when said first and second three-dimensional tool means are in said rigidly locked position, said further drive means for said at least one independent third tool means also being supported on said secondary frame means, whereby said removable secondary frame means with the second and third tool means supported thereon are exchangeable as a unit to facilitate the retooling of the apparatus, and whereby said locking means introduce the trimming or cutting pressure exerted by said further drive means into the main frame means thereby substantially relieving the first and second tool support means from said trimming or cutting pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.