Board cutting tool with multiple cutting stations

Abstract

Press-mounted blank cutting tool (100) for producing shaped blanks (10) from a strip-shaped sheet material (300), with a lower tool part (120) to be arranged on the press table (220) and an upper tool part (110) to be fastened to the press ram (210), characterized in that the blank cutting tool (100) comprises a plurality of cutting stations (130, 140, 150), each having a lower frame attached to the lower tool part (120) with a lower cutting blade arrangement (142) and an upper frame attached to the upper tool part (110) with an upper cutting blade arrangement (141), wherein at at least one cutting station (140) the lower cutting blade arrangement (142) and / or the upper cutting blade arrangement (141) can be displaced by means of a first adjusting device in a first displacement direction (V1, V1') such that it can be brought selectively into a cutting-effective or cutting-ineffective position, wherein the cutting gap (S) is also adjustable at the same cutting station (140), for which purpose the lower cutting blade arrangement (142) or the upper cutting blade arrangement (141) is displaceable in a second displacement direction (V2, V2') by means of a second adjusting device.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a press-mounted blank cutting tool for producing shaped blanks from a strip-shaped sheet material, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Cutting presses equipped with a cutting tool for producing preformed blanks are known from the prior art. The resulting preformed blanks are then fed into a press or press line for the production of preformed sheet metal parts. Changing the cutting tools involves a production downtime, which contradicts the requirement for high utilization.

[0003] With regard to the state of the art, reference is made, for example, to DE 100 39 882 A1, which describes a system for producing blanks (in particular also shaped or contoured blanks), which comprises a cutting or production shear and a cutting press, which are arranged one behind the other in a line and can optionally be operated separately.

[0004] The invention is intended to show possibilities how the production of shaped blanks can be optimized, especially under press shop conditions.

[0005] This is achieved with a blank cutting tool according to the invention according to the features of claim 1. Preferred further developments and embodiments emerge both from the dependent claims and from the following explanations.

[0006] The blank cutting tool according to the invention comprises a plurality of (i.e. at least two and preferably at least three) cutting stations, each having a lower frame fastened to a lower tool part with a lower cutting blade arrangement and an upper frame fastened to an upper tool part with an upper cutting blade arrangement, wherein at least one cutting station, and preferably at several and in particular at all cutting stations, the lower cutting blade arrangement and / or the upper cutting blade arrangement, preferably only the upper cutting blade arrangement, can be displaced by means of or with the aid of at least one adjusting device (in a first displacement direction) in such a way that it can be brought, in particular during tool operation, selectively into a cutting-effective or cutting-ineffective position.

[0007] A cutting blade arrangement is understood to mean a structural unit having at least one cutting blade (or the like).

[0008] The cutting station in question, i.e. the cutting station with at least one cutting blade arrangement which can be displaced according to the invention between a cutting-effective and a cutting-ineffective position, can, in particular during tool operation, be switched between an active and an inactive operating state by displacing the displaceable cutting blade arrangement and in this way be activated or deactivated or switched on or off. An effective or cutting-effective position enables the displaceable cutting blade arrangement to cut with the corresponding cutting blade arrangement during the closing stroke (tool or press closing stroke), so that a cutting operation takes place at the cutting station in question. In this operating state or mode, the cutting station is therefore active and can therefore also be referred to as an effective cutting station. If the cutting blade arrangement is in an ineffective orIn the inactive cutting position, no cutting action occurs during the closing stroke, and no cutting operation takes place, even though the upper and lower sections or upper frame and lower frame of the cutting station can mesh. In this operating state or mode, the cutting station is inactive and can therefore also be referred to as an inactive cutting station.

[0009] Preferably, each cutting station of the blank cutting tool according to the invention has at least one displaceable cutting blade arrangement such that the individual cutting stations can be selectively activated or deactivated, in particular during tool operation. Preferably, only one cutting station is active, i.e., at least one cutting blade arrangement of this specific cutting station is in a cutting-effective position during the closing stroke, so that a cutting operation takes place only at this active cutting station, whereas the displaceable cutting blade arrangements of the other cutting stations are in cutting-ineffective positions and thus no cutting operations take place at these inactive cutting stations. Which cutting station is active or effective can be determined anew from closing stroke to closing stroke.

[0010] With the blank cutting tool according to the invention, different cutting operations can be performed depending on which cutting blade arrangement is in a cutting-effective position or which cutting station is active. In particular, the blank cutting tool according to the invention enables the production of different shaped blanks without retooling (i.e., without tool changes and / or tool conversion), for which separate cutting tools were previously used. Setup times and production downtimes are reduced, and the utilization rate and productivity are increased. Investment, toolmaking, and storage costs are also reduced.

[0011] Preferably, the cutting stations or their cutting blade arrangements of the blank cutting tool according to the invention are designed to produce different cutting contours and preferably to produce different shape cuts, in particular with an arcuate contour (arc cut) and different arc radii. A shape cut is understood to be a non-straight cut (with an open cutting geometry) between the outer edges of the strip-shaped sheet material.

[0012] The displacement of a displaceable cutting blade arrangement can be carried out using an associated adjustment device. A (first) adjustment device for displacing a cutting blade arrangement between its cutting-active and cutting-inactive positions can have at least one pneumatic, hydraulic, and / or electric actuator, which acts on the respective displaceable cutting blade arrangement via a suitable adjustment mechanism. Preferably, the cutting blade arrangement can also be locked, at least in the cutting-active position. The adjustment device for selectively displacing a cutting blade arrangement between a cutting-active and cutting-inactive position can be constructed similarly to the tool for deep-drawing and trimming sheet metal parts described in DE 10 2009 051 022 A1.

[0013] Preferably, the movable cutting blade assembly is translationally or rotationally movable or displaceable for shifting between the cutting-active and cutting-inactive positions. A rotational movement is primarily understood to mean a pivoting movement, which in particular also includes a pivoting movement with translational movement components. Accordingly, the cutting blade assembly is mounted for longitudinal displacement or pivoting. The adjustment mechanism is designed in a suitable manner.

[0014] It is preferably provided that at the relevant cutting station, i.e. at the cutting station having at least one displaceable cutting knife arrangement (which according to the invention can be any cutting station of the blank cutting tool), the cutting gap is changeable and in particular adjustable, in particular during tool operation, when the cutting knife arrangement displaceable between a cutting-effective and a cutting-ineffective position is in its cutting-effective position, for which purpose this cutting knife arrangement or the other cutting knife arrangement is displaceable in a second displacement direction.

[0015] Due to the resulting variability or adjustability of the cutting gap (for the definition of the cutting gap, reference is made to the relevant specialist literature) at an active cutting station, the blank cutting tool according to the invention can also be used to process sheet materials of different thicknesses and / or material types (e.g., aluminum sheet, steel sheet, and the like) without the need for conversions. As is well known, the size of the required cutting gap depends on the sheet thickness and the sheet material (or sheet material). The cutting gap also has a significant influence on cutting blade wear, cutting surface quality, burr formation, and chip or spangle formation, so that the given variability or adjustability is also advantageous in this regard, and associated maintenance work, downtime, and downtime are avoided or at least reduced.

[0016] For the displacement of a cutting blade arrangement for adjusting the cutting gap, a separate (second) adjustment device can be provided, which in particular has at least one piezoelectric actuator which acts on the relevant displaceable cutting blade arrangement via a suitable adjustment mechanism.

[0017] It is preferably provided that the same cutting blade arrangement, in particular the upper cutting blade arrangement (or alternatively the lower cutting blade arrangement), is displaceable in two displacement directions, which can be accomplished with the aid of a single adjustment device or separate adjustment devices (first and second adjustment device) in order to displace it in a first (translational and / or rotational) displacement direction between a cutting-effective and cutting-ineffective position and in order to be able to change or adjust the cutting gap acting during the cutting engagement by displacement in a second (in particular translational) displacement direction, whereas the other cutting blade arrangement is arranged immovably or rigidly.It can also be provided that one of the two cutting blade arrangements, in particular the upper cutting blade arrangement (or alternatively the lower cutting blade arrangement), can be displaced by means of a first adjustment device in a first displacement direction between a cutting-effective and a cutting-ineffective position and that the other cutting blade arrangement, in particular the lower cutting blade arrangement (or alternatively the upper cutting blade arrangement), can be displaced in a second displacement direction by means of a second adjustment device in order to adjust the cutting gap.

[0018] The cutting station in question can have at least one device for measuring the cutting gap, which can be used in particular for monitoring the cutting gap or for in-process measurement (at this cutting station). The effective cutting gap can be measured, for example, inductively or by means of a laser beam, for which the device is designed accordingly. Preferably, the cutting gap is measured or monitored at several points along the cutting gap.

[0019] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the blank cutting tool according to the invention comprises at least one device for sheet thickness measurement (or a sensor for sheet thickness measurement) and / or at least one device for sheet material detection (or a sensor for sheet material detection, in particular to distinguish between aluminum sheet and steel sheet). These devices are preferably suitable for in-process measurement and arranged accordingly.

[0020] The cutting tool according to the invention is preferably designed to regulate the size of the cutting gap at the active or effective cutting station based on a cutting gap measurement (or cutting gap monitoring), sheet thickness measurement and / or sheet material detection (which can also be referred to as cutting gap control). By means of such cutting gap control, tolerance fluctuations within a sheet material batch can be compensated. A target value for the cutting gap can be obtained, for example, from relevant specialist literature, from preliminary tests and / or from quality control. The cutting gap control is preferably carried out with the aid of a control device belonging to the blank cutting tool according to the invention, which controls the adjustment device (or its actuator) accordingly to adapt the cutting gap. Preferably, control is possible for each closing stroke, i.e.The cutting gap size can be adjusted before, during, and / or after each closing stroke. Cutting gap adjustment can also include an uneven change or adjustment of the respective cutting gap, for which the adjustment device can be designed accordingly.

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below by way of example and in a non-limiting manner with reference to the schematic figures, which are not drawn to scale. The features shown in the figures and / or explained below may be general features of the invention, regardless of specific combinations of features. Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a blank made of sheet material that can be produced using a blank cutting tool according to the invention. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a blank cutting tool according to the invention for producing shaped blanks according to Fig. 1. Fig. 3 illustrates in a schematic sectional view the displacement principle in a blank cutting tool of the Fig. 2 cutting station. Fig. 4 illustrates in a schematic sectional view another displacement principle in a blank cutting tool of the Fig. 2 cutting station.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a formed blank 10 produced from a strip-shaped sheet material or sheet metal strip 300 by two curved cuts 11 and 12. The curved cuts 11 and 12 have, for example, the same radius R. The width B between the untrimmed longitudinal outer edges 13 and 14 is, for example, 1750 mm, and the length L is, for example, approximately 1000 mm. The radius R of both curved cuts 11 and 12 is, for example, 1800 mm. The formed blank 10 is used for the subsequent production of a car front flap (e.g., outer flap) by forming in a press or press line.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a blanking tool 100 according to the invention, which comprises an upper tool part 110 fastened to a press ram 210 and a lower tool part 120 arranged on a press table 220. The blanking tool 100 further comprises a plurality of (example three) cutting stations 130, 140, and 150, with which different curved cuts T1, T2, and T3, for example with a radius R of 1300 mm, 1800 mm, and 2000 mm, can be produced. Each cutting station has a base frame fastened to the lower tool part 120 with a lower cutting knife arrangement or knife bank, and an upper frame fastened to the upper tool part 110 with an upper cutting knife arrangement or knife bank.

[0024] It is intended that only one of the cutting stations 130, 140 or 150 is active during a closing stroke, so that only at this active or effective cutting station a curved cut T1, T2 or T3 can be generated on the sheet metal strip 300 being fed through in the direction of travel DLR, whereas the other cutting stations are inactive or ineffective. (Self-explanatory, several cutting stations can also be active during a closing stroke.) By synchronized advancing of the sheet metal strip 300 between the closing strokes, shaped blanks 10 are continuously produced according to Fig. 1, wherein the middle cutting station 140 (curved cut T2 with R = 1800 mm) is the active cutting station in this case. The cyclical feed of the sheet metal strip 300 corresponds to the length L. The blank cutting tool 100 comprises means and devices for transporting the sheet metal strip 300 and / or the produced shaped blanks 10 inside (i.e. within the blank cutting tool 100), wherein in particular transport through the inactive cutting stations is also possible. This can include lifting plates or bars with balls that can be raised and / or lowered in the press cycle, driven magnetic rollers, vacuum rollers and the like. Preferably, the blank cutting tool 100 is designed for sheet metal strips 300 of different widths (see width B in Fig. 1).

[0025] If blanks with a different arc cut are to be produced (e.g., for the production of the associated inner flaps or for the production of other front flaps), the active cutting station can be changed without removing or modifying the tool. To accomplish this, the upper cutting knife assemblies of work stations 130, 140, and 150 can be displaced using an associated adjustment device such that they can be brought into either an active cutting or inactive cutting position. A cutting position enables the upper cutting knife assembly to engage the lower cutting knife assembly belonging to the same cutting station during the closing stroke. In particular, the blank cutting tool 100 shown enables the production of different blanks for the subsequent production of related outer flaps and inner flaps of a specific front flap type.

[0026] Fig. Figure 3 shows the upper cutting blade assembly 141 and the lower cutting blade assembly 142 of the middle cutting station 140 (the cutting stations 130 and 150 are constructed analogously). When the press ram 210 is lowered, the corresponding cutting blade assemblies 141 and 142 can engage in cutting (as shown), whereby the sheet metal strip 300 located therebetween is severed with a curved cut T2 (R = 1800 mm). The upper cutting blade 143 and the lower fixed cutting blade 144 move past each other at a distance through a cutting gap S (so-called shear cutting).

[0027] The upper cutting blade arrangement 141 is displaceable in a first vertical displacement direction V1 (corresponding to the tool closing or press working direction) by means of an adjustment device belonging to the cutting station 140 and not shown in detail (e.g. as described in DE 10 2009 051 022 A1) such that it can be brought into an active or cutting-effective position (i.e. cutting during the closing stroke) or an inactive or non-cutting position (i.e. non-cutting during the closing stroke). The upper cutting blade arrangement 141 is thus displaceable between a cutting-effective position and a cutting-ineffective position. The displacement V1 takes place relatively within the tool upper part 120 which is fastened to the tool upper part 120 and in Fig. 3, the upper frame of the cutting device 140 (not shown) is moved by means of a pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric actuator (or other force-generating means) (also not shown). 145 denotes guide elements (guide plates) that enable the translational displacement V1.

[0028] Furthermore, it is provided that the upper cutting blade arrangement 141 can also be translationally displaced in a second horizontal displacement direction V2 (corresponding to the sheet metal passage direction DLR) using the same adjustment device or a separate adjustment device, in order to be able to change and adjust the cutting gap S. In particular, automatic cutting gap monitoring and control (or control of the cutting gap size) is also provided, as explained above. Preferably, the displacements V1 and V2 can be carried out independently of one another. To change or adjust the cutting gap S, at least one piezoelectric actuator is preferably used.

[0029] Analogous to the Fig. 3, the lower cutting blade arrangement 142 can also be designed to be displaceable. In particular, it can be provided that the upper cutting blade arrangement 141 (or alternatively the lower cutting blade arrangement 142) is displaceable in the first displacement direction V1 between a cutting-effective and a cutting-ineffective position by means of a first adjustment device, and that the lower cutting blade arrangement 142 (or alternatively the upper cutting blade arrangement 141) is displaceable in the second displacement direction V2' by means of a second adjustment device for adjusting the cutting gap S (see also Fig. 2).

[0030] Fig. 4 shows an embodiment in which the upper cutting blade arrangement 141 is pivotable in order to move it between a cutting-inactive position ( Fig. 4a) and a cutting position ( Fig.4b). (In an analogous manner, the lower cutting blade assembly 142 can also be pivotable.) The pivoting displacement in a rotational displacement direction V1' has many advantages (such as, for example, low space requirements, good accommodation of the actuator, possible use of a lever effect, and the like). The cutting gap S is adjusted, for example, via the lower cutting blade assembly 142 by means of a separate (second) adjustment device, which in particular comprises a piezoelectric actuator. List of reference symbols 10 Form board 11 Arch cut 12 arched cut 13 Longitudinal outer edge 14 Longitudinal outer edge 100 circuit board cutting tools 110 upper tool part 120 tool base 130 Cutting station (work station) 140 Cutting station (work station) 141 upper cutting knife assembly (upper knife bank) 142 lower cutting knife arrangement (lower knife bank) 143 upper cutting blade 144 lower cutting blade 145 Guide plate 150 cutting station (work station) 210 press rams 220 press table 300 sheet metal strip B Blank width (sheet metal strip width) DLR flow direction L Board length (feed) R arc cutting radius S cutting gap T1 separating cut (arc cut) T2 separating cut (arc cut) T3 separating cut (curved cut) V1 first displacement direction V2 second displacement direction

Claims

[1] Press-bound blank cutting tool (100) for producing shaped blanks (10) from a strip-shaped sheet material (300), with a lower tool part (120) to be arranged on the press table (220) and a tool upper part (110) to be fastened to the press ram (210), characterized by , that the blank cutting tool (100) comprises a plurality of cutting stations (130, 140, 150), each having a lower frame attached to the lower tool part (120) with a lower cutting blade arrangement (142) and an upper frame attached to the upper tool part (110) with an upper cutting blade arrangement (141), wherein at at least one cutting station (140) the lower cutting blade arrangement (142) and / or the upper cutting blade arrangement (141) can be displaced by means of a first adjusting device in a first displacement direction (V1, V1') such that it can be brought selectively into a cutting-effective or cutting-ineffective position, wherein the cutting gap (S) is also adjustable at the same cutting station (140), for which purpose the lower cutting blade arrangement (142) or the upper cutting blade arrangement (141) is displaceable in a second displacement direction (V2, V2') by means of a second adjusting device. [2] Blank cutting tool (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the displaceable cutting blade arrangement (141, 142) is movable translationally (V1) and / or rotationally (V1') for displacement between the cutting-effective and cutting-ineffective positions. [3] Blank cutting tool (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the first adjusting device for displacing the cutting blade arrangement (141, 142) between the cutting-effective and cutting-ineffective positions has at least one pneumatic, hydraulic or electromotive actuator. [4] Blank cutting tool (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the second adjustment device for adjusting the cutting gap (S) has a piezoelectric actuator. [5] Blank cutting tool (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cutting station (140) in question has a device for measuring the cutting gap. [6] Blank cutting tool (100) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one device for sheet thickness measurement and / or at least one device for sheet material detection. [7] Blank cutting tool (100) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by that it is designed to regulate the size of the cutting gap (S) based on a cutting gap measurement, sheet thickness measurement and / or sheet material detection. [8] Board cutting tool (100) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat its cutting stations (130, 140, 150) are designed to produce different cutting contours. [9] Board cutting tool (100) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized by that its cutting stations (130, 140, 150) are designed to produce different form separation cuts (T1, T2, T3) with an arcuate contour and different arc radii (R).

Images