Blanking die with device for replacing at least one punch

A sheet metal blanking die, comprising:

• a lower part,
• an upper part and
• guide columns for maintaining the lower part and upper part aligned during movement of the upper part relative to the lower part in order to close or open the die or to blank the sheet metal to obtain relative blanked laminations,
• wherein the upper part and the lower part comprise respective upper and lower flat parallel mutually opposing horizontal portions, the lower flat portion being adapted to receive the sheet metal, the upper flat portion comprising a plurality of punches which project downwards from the upper flat portion upon blanking when, by action of a press, the die is closed onto said lower flat portion, the lower flat portion comprising blanking recesses to receive respective punches,
• the die further comprising, for at least one of the punches, a device for replacing the relative punch, said device comprising:
• a chamber provided in the upper part of the die, within which chamber a loader can move, the loader comprising at least two cavities having a vertical axis and having apertures at their two upper and lower ends, to receive relative punches, wherein one of the cavities is adapted, through movement of the loader, to correspond with a through seat provided in a punch holder and positioned below the loader, the through seat and relative cavity being coaxial with a corresponding blanking recess of the lower part of the die, the through seat enabling a punch to be transferred from a rest position, in which the punch is completely contained within the relative cavity, to an operating blanking position, the loader comprising a solid part which is adapted to be brought into a position corresponding with said through seat by moving the loader;
• a first pneumatic means enabling a pressurized fluid to be fed to that the cavity located in a position corresponding with the through seat, to cause the punch to move from the rest position to the operative blanking position;
• moving means for moving the loader to bring one of the cavities of the loader or the solid part of the loader into a position corresponding with said through seat;
• a second pneumatic means to be activated when the first pneumatic means is inactive and when the loader lies in a position in which the relative loader cavity corresponds with the punch when the punch is in the operative position of the punch, said second pneumatic means enabling the punch to be returned from the operative position to the rest position;
• and
• means for closing the through seat.