Assemblies and methods for processing workpieces in ram-driven presses
AssigneeWilson Tool International Inc.
InventorsBrian J. Lee, Timothy J. Mika
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Assemblies and methods for processing a workpiece in a ram-driven press employ an active tool contained by a housing that is interchangeable with a passive forming tool assembly in a mounting assembly of the press. The active tool includes a microprocessor and a functional head coupled to the microprocessor. Some assemblies including the active tool include a switch for activating the functional head; the switch may be mounted to the housing such that, when the housing is mounted in the mounting assembly of the press, the switch is triggered by movement of the housing in response to the ram stroke of the press.
Claims19
A method for processing a workpiece in a ram-driven press, the method comprising:
- loading an active tool assembly in a mounting assembly of the press, the active tool assembly including an active tool and a housing containing the active tool;
- and
- performing an operation on the workpiece with the active tool;
- wherein the active tool comprises a microprocessor and a functional head coupled to microprocessor, the microprocessor being electrically coupled to a power source, the functional head comprising a printer cartridge and oriented to perform the operation on the workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.