US 5,701,791 AGranted

Workpiece processing machine with retractable clamping device

AssigneeTrumpf GmbH & Co.

InventorsEckehart Schulze, Peter Bytow

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Abstract

A workpiece being processed on a machine tool is moved by control devices to the tool head or work station of the machine mechanically or automatically. A stop defines an area around the work station from which the holding devices must be kept to prevent damage. As soon as a holding device reaches the limit of the danger zone around the tool head, it is switched into a setting releasing the workpiece and moves into a position away from the work station. The machine has a switching element connected to each holding device to be so movable, and the switching element has a switching slide which is acted on by an applied force and is supported in a first position until it abuts the stop when one slide position connects the energy source to the drive of the holding device to move it away from the stop. In another slide position, the connection to the energy source is broken and the holding device returns to the workpiece holding position.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A machine tool comprising:

(a) a tool head for processing a workpiece;
(b) a workpiece guide assembly movable relative to said head;
(c) at least two holding devices on said guide assembly which are engageable with the workpiece, said holding devices being movable relative to said workpiece and relative to the workpiece guide assembly;
(d) drive devices each coupled to a respective one of said holding devices for effecting movement thereof relative to said tool head and said guide assembly;
(e) energy conduit means connected to each of said drive devices for connection to an energy source to effect operation of said drive devices to move said holding devices;
(f) each of said holding devices carrying a switching element for movement therewith;
and
(g) a stationary stop positioned adjacent said tool head and cooperating with said switching elements, each of said switching elements having a switching slide which is supported on its associated holding device in a position wherein said switching slide is movable when said switching element abuts said stop, each of said switching slides in one position connecting the energy source to its associated drive device and in another position breaking said connection, each of said holding devices being movable into a position releasing the workpiece when its associated switching element abuts said stop and being movable relative to the workpiece and said tool head into a position at a safe distance from said tool head.

5 more elements

A machine tool comprising:

(a) a tool head for processing a workpiece;
(b) a workpiece guide assembly movable relative to said head;
(c) at least two holding devices on said guide assembly which are engageable with the workpiece, said holding devices being movable relative to the workpiece and relative to said workpiece guide assembly;
(d) drive devices each coupled to a respective one of said holding devices for effecting movement thereof relative to said tool head and said guide assembly;
(e) energy conduit means connected to each of said drive devices for connection to a drive pressure source to effect operation of said drive devices to move said holding devices;
(f) each of said holding devices carrying a switching element for movement therewith;
(g) a stationary stop positioned adjacent said tool head and cooperating with said switching elements, each of said switching elements having a switching slide which is supported on its associated holding device in a position wherein said switching slide is movable when said switching element abuts said stop, each of said switching slides in one position connecting the energy source to its associated drive device and in another position breaking said connection, each of said holding devices being movable into a position releasing the workpiece when its associated switching element abuts said stop and being movable relative to the workpiece and said tool head into a position at a safe distance from said tool head, at least one of said drive devices including a piston valve master cylinder unit connectable by its associated switching element to the drive pressure source, said switching element of said at least one drive device comprising a directional control valve with a valve slide movable in said control valve and which, in one slide position, releases the connection between the drive pressure source and said piston valve master cylinder unit and in another slide position closes said connection.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/531,777Filed 21 Sep 1995
Priority: DE 94 15 514 U24 Sep 1994
Granted: 30 Dec 1997
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

B21D 43/11
By grippers: for feeding sheet or strip material
B21D 28/04
Punching blanks or articles with or without obtaining scrap ; Notching: centering the work; Positioning the tools
Y10T 83/4632
Work-feed element contacts and moves with work: comprises a work-moving gripper
Y10T 83/6563
With work-constraining means on work conveyor [i.e., "work-carrier"]: with means to orient or position work carrier relative to tool station

Family

No related US applications are recorded in the indexed filing history.

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