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US 4,304,041 AGranted
Automatic tool changer for forging machines
AssigneeThe National Machinery Company
InventorsGaylen O. Kline, Harry A. Dom
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AssigneeThe National Machinery Company
InventorsGaylen O. Kline, Harry A. Dom
Estimating the term…
A fully automated tool changer system for multi-station forging machines is disclosed. This system provides a tool and die supporting head providing spaced support rails on which the tools or dies are supported during the transfer between the machine and the tooling rack. Such head is operable to properly position tools and dies which have different diameters for insertion into the cylindrical cavities in which they are mounted within the machine. A second tooling head is rotated to an operative position when the elements of the shear are to be changed. The tool heads are directly supported on the machine frame or the tool rack so that the loads of installing and removing the tooling are directly transmitted to stationery supports and need not be absorbed by the power transfer system. Further, the supports are arranged so that a high degree of positional accuracy is provided during the tool changing operations. Powered clamping means are provided to releasably lock the tooling in its installed position and is structured to assure that adequate locking is provided without jamming. A flushing system is provided to insure that debris does not cause difficulty during the tool changing operations.
A forging machine comprising a frame, a slide reciprocable on said frame, tooling on said frame and slide operable in cooperation to form workpieces therebetween, tool storage means, replacement tooling in said tool storage for replacement of tools in said machine, and tool changing means operable to remove tools from said machine and to transfer said replacement tooling to said machine, said tool changing means including a tooling handling head and a transfer operable to selectively move said tooling handling head between said tool storage means and said machine, said machine and tooling handling head providing mating support surfaces which engage to precisely locate said head with respect to said machine and which absorb loads produced on said head during insertion and removal of tooling into and out of said machine, said tooling handling head including power drive means for inserting and removing tooling into and out of said machine.
A forging machine comprising a frame, a slide reciprocable on said frame, tooling on said frame and slide operable in cooperation to form workpieces therebetween, tool storage means adapted to receive replacement tooling and a tool changer operable to transfer tooling between said storage means and said machine, said tooling including tools having cylindrical bodies which are mounted within cylindrical cavities in said machine with a close fit, said tool changer including a tool handling head including a support platform operable to support said tools and movable to a position to support said tools in alignment with associated cavities, said tool handling head also providing a tool drive engageable with said tools operable to move said tools axially between said cavities and said platform.
A forging machine comprising a frame, a slide reciprocable on said frame, tooling on said frame and slide operable in cooperation to form workpieces, tool storage means, replacement tooling on said tool storage means, and a tool changer operable to transfer tooling between said storage means and said machine, said tooling including tools and dies each providing a cylindrical body, a cutter including a shear blade and a quill cooperating a shear workpieces from elongated stock, said machine providing a cylindrical cavity in which associated tools and dies are mounted with a close fit, said tool changer including a transfer and two tooling handling heads mounted thereon for movement between a first position in which one head is operable to handle said tools and dies and another position in which the other of said heads is operable to handle said cutter blade and quill.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.