Retrofit auto-indexing system
AssigneeAmada Engineering & Service Co., Inc.
InventorJames D. Rush
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A retrofit auto-indexing system for a turret punch press is described in which a predetermined location is provided to which both the upper and lower turrets of a non-indexing turret punch press are rotated. Upper and lower punching tools are mounted respectively in the upper and lower turrets in such a manner so as to be rotated simultaneously, using a single servomotor, to a desired angle. The auto-indexing system is controlled using a microcomputer which is connected to receive the numerical control programmed data, determine whether the code it is receiving relates to the auto-indexing function and, when it does, institute the instructed auto-indexing function. Otherwise, the microcomputer passes the numerical control programmed data directly to a minicomputer which operates the turret punch press in a known manner.
Claims11
A method for operating a turret punch press of the type having rotatable upper and lower tool carrying turrets, each of those turrets carrying at least one auto-indexing tool changer, comprising the steps of:
- storing in a first computer a set of programmed instructions for operating said turret punch press;
- sequentially determining whether each instruction of said set of programmed instructions contains a command for said at least one auto-indexing tool changer;
- transmitting each instruction which is determined not to contain an auto-indexing tool changer command to a second computer for execution of that instruction;
- and
- executing each instruction that is determined to contain an auto-indexing tool changer command such that said at least one auto-indexing tool changer is indexed.
A system for operating a turret punch press of the type having rotatable upper and lower tool carrying turrets, each of those turrets carrying at least one auto-indexing tool changer, comprising:
- a first computer for storing at least one set of programmed instructions for operating said turret punch press;
- means for analyzing each programmed instruction of said at least one set of programmed instructions in order to determine whether that programmed instruction contains a command for said at least one auto-indexing tool changer;
- a second computer connected to receive each programmed instruction that is determined not to contain a command for said at least one auto-indexing tool changer, said second computer executing each of the received programmed instructions to operate said turret punch press;
- and
- control means connected to said first computer for operating said at least one auto-indexing tool changer when said changer when said means for analyzing determines that a programmed instruction contains a command for said at least one auto-indexing tool changer.
A method for operating a non-indexing turret punch press of the type having rotatable upper and lower tool carrying turrets, each of those turrets carrying at least one auto-indexing tool changer, comprising the steps of:
- storing in a first computer a plurality of programmed instructions for operating said non-indexing turret punch press;
- sequentially determining whether each instruction of said plurality of programmed instructions contains a command for said at least one auto-indexing tool changer;
- transmitting each instruction which is determined not to contain an auto-indexing tool changer command to a second computer for execution of that instruction;
- and
- executing each instruction that is determined to contain an auto-indexing tool changer command such that said at least one auto-indexing tool changer is indexed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.