STAMPING / PERFORATING MACHINE

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a punching / perforating machine for producing a punching / perforating pattern in a fed material unit / web, having a punching tool, with a plurality of punching punches / perforating needles arranged in a longitudinal direction in a predetermined grid, which are movable via a pressure bar which is operatively connected via a control device to a drive unit for producing a punching / perforation stroke transverse to the longitudinal direction, a control block for controlling / activating / deactivating the punching punches / perforating needles by the control device during the punching / perforating process, wherein the punching tool and / or the control block is / are each designed as a separate assembly, which is each arranged separately as a unit and can be detachably fastened within the punching / perforating machine. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] DE 33 39 503 A1 discloses a punching machine with several punches, each interacting with a die, a drive device for the punch movements, and a feed device for the cyclical advancement of the material to be punched through the punching machine. At least one of the punches, preferably all of the punches, is provided with its own switchable drive and / or a switchable coupling to the drive device. The punching machine further comprises a machine table with several receiving positions, each for a tool unit. The tool unit has at least one die and at least one punch that can be actuated by the drive device.The tool unit with the die and a punch interacting with the die has its own switchable drive or a switchable coupling device for transmitting the punch drive force.

[0003] DE 41 35 787 A1 describes a punching processing device for producing a punching pattern, comprising an upper die with a punch holder with a plurality of punches and with an underlying stripping plate with bores for receiving the ends of the punches projecting from the punch holder in such a way that they can be extended or retracted, and a lower die with bores into which the ends of the punches enter during the punching process. Feed devices move a material unit inserted between the lower die and the stripping plate intermittently synchronously with the punching process. The punches are held in the punch holder so that they can be moved up and down, with the upper sides of the heads of the punches being smooth or flush with the upper surface of the punch holder. Press heads are used with a head surface for pressing down the punch heads.Additionally, a stepped portion preventing depression is movable by press head drive devices such that either the head surface or the blunted portion is aligned with the respective punch head. The press head drive devices are controlled by a control circuit that generates binary-coded processing data corresponding to the punching pattern.

[0004] The German utility model DE 20 2005 010 990 U1 describes a device for punching workpieces with an upper tool and a lower tool, wherein the upper tool is movable relative to the lower tool, wherein a plurality of punching punches and adjusting elements associated with the same are arranged in the upper tool, which are adjustable between an actuating position in which the punching punches process the workpiece when the upper tool is moved relative to the lower tool, and a non-actuating position in which the punching punches do not process the workpiece when the upper tool is moved relative to the lower tool, and wherein the upper tool has a first, upper punch guide plate with bores for the punches to pass through and a second punch guide plate facing the lower tool with bores for the punches to pass through.Furthermore, a second punch guide plate of the upper tool facing the lower tool is part of a hold-down element, wherein the friction of the punches within the bores of the hold-down element is higher than within the bores of the upper punch guide plates of the upper tool.

[0005] German utility model DE 20 2017103 498 U1 discloses a perforating machine with a machine table and a striking element movable relative thereto. A perforating tool is mounted either on the machine table or on the striking element, and a die is associated with the other part of the perforating tool. The perforating tool is guided between the perforating tool and the die in a driveable manner in its longitudinal direction. Additionally, means are provided for simultaneously moving the perforating tool and the die in the transverse direction to the material web.

[0006] German utility model DE 20 2014 104 997 U1 describes a punching machine with several punching dies, whose punch heads are mounted in a punch support plate. The mounting of the punch heads in the punch support plate is designed in such a way that an undercut is created during the return stroke of the punches, with a drive element indirectly moving the punch support plate. The punching machine has at least one locking element, which is assigned to at least one punch and is located between the drive element and the punch support plate.The locking element is movable in two operating positions, wherein in a first operating position the locking element fills the space between the drive element and the punch head of the at least one punch and in a second operating position the locking element forms a free space above the punch head of the at least one punch and wherein in addition the at least one punch is held by a braking element at least in the second operating position of the locking element.

[0007] EP 0 963 801 A2 discloses a press for producing variable machining patterns. In this press with adjustable tool parts, for example punches, each tool part is preferably assigned a locking element, wherein the locking element has a locking and release position. A contact surface is provided on the locking element, which is divided into surface areas, with recesses formed between the surface areas. This creates a toothing. The required stroke of the locking element during its transfer from the locking to the release position and vice versa can thus be limited to the tooth width. This makes it possible to create particularly narrow locking members. In one disclosed embodiment, the locking members and the adjustable tool parts are arranged in separable sub-tools, for example cassettes.This allows, for example, different punches—i.e., different punch diameters, punch shapes, and punch toothings—to be punched without changing the unit containing the bolts and drives. High variability and differentiation of the hole pattern produced by the punches is not possible.

[0008] EP 0 508 557 A2 discloses a punching machine in which the individual punching dies can be activated or deactivated via movable locking elements. This makes it possible to produce a different punching pattern in a single punching row. Creating a different punching pattern requires complex modifications.

[0009] JP H08323695 A discloses a punching device in which the individual punching dies can be activated or deactivated via movable locking slides. This device enables a punching pattern consisting of rows of punched holes and is not capable of producing intricate punching patterns. Furthermore, the assembly effort required to change to a different punching pattern, for example, with punched holes of different diameters, is very complex.

[0010] In conventional punching / perforating machines, the punching tool and control block are bolted together via numerous screw connections and are also attached to the machine frame. This means that maintenance, which is required regularly due to the continuous use of the punching / perforating machines, such as grinding the perforating needles and / or dies, or in the case of repairs, can only be carried out with time-consuming and complex measures. This means that in the event of maintenance or repair work, the punching / perforating machine is unavailable for the production process for an extended period.

[0011] Furthermore, in the known punching / perforating machines, the distance between the punching dies / perforating needles is relatively large due to the selected geometry, so that punching / perforation patterns with a small grid size cannot be produced.

[0012] The number of needles in the known punching / perforating machines is therefore very limited per unit area.

[0013] Furthermore, with regard to the existing punching / perforating machines, it should be noted that the cycle rate of the punching / perforating strokes to be performed is relatively low due to the mechanical design, which increases the processing time in the production process. This has a negative impact on the economic use of such punching / perforating machines. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Based on the cited prior art, the present invention is based on the object or technical problem of specifying a punching / perforating machine that significantly reduces the times for maintenance or repair and thus enables economical use of such a punching / perforating machine.

[0015] The present invention is further based on the object or technical problem of specifying a punching / perforating machine which enables the creation of a variably predeterminable punching pattern, which ensures a significantly higher cycle rate of the perforation stroke compared to the known machines, enables an increased number of punching punches / perforation needles per unit area compared to the known machines and ensures permanently reliable functionality.

[0016] The punching / perforating machine according to the invention is defined by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of claims 2 to 17, which are directly or indirectly dependent on independent claim 1.

[0017] The punching / perforating machine according to the invention is accordingly characterized by the following features: a storage device in which the data for the geometry of the punching / perforation pattern is stored, a control device that is in communication with the storage device, a control block that has piston-cylinder units whose movements during the punching / perforation stroke can be individually controlled via the control device and are individually assigned to each punching punch / perforating needle, a locking slide, each of which is connected to a corresponding piston rod of the piston-cylinder unit, wherein the locking slide can be moved into an activation or deactivation position by the movement of the piston rod, the locking slide in the activation position acts directly or indirectly on the punching punch / perforating needle during the execution of the stroke, the locking slide in the deactivation position has no effect on the punching punch / perforating needle,so that in the activation position of the locking slide, it acts on the punching punch / perforating needle during the lifting movement and a perforation is carried out and in the deactivation position of the locking slide, no punching / perforation of the material unit / web is effected and is characterized in that the control block has guide recesses arranged in a longitudinally predeterminable grid that corresponds to the grid of the punching punch / perforating needle, in which extension profiles are mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable in the stroke direction, the length of which corresponds to the distance between the underside of the respective locking slide and the head of the associated punching punch or perforating needle.

[0018] These extension profiles ensure that the associated punching / perforating pins are reliably activated when the punching / perforating stroke is performed and the locking slide is activated. The extension profiles are individually designed to the position of the associated punching pin or perforating pin.

[0019] A particularly preferred embodiment is characterized in that the punching tool and / or the control block are arranged in guide grooves provided within the punching machine so that they can be retracted / extended in the longitudinal direction.

[0020] A particularly advantageous development of the punching / perforating machine according to the invention is characterized in that the guide grooves are designed in such a way that additional adapter units can be inserted in order to enable the positive mounting of different geometries of punching tools or control blocks.

[0021] The inventive design, with individual, independently mountable components relating to the punching tool and the control block, provides a highly flexible system. In the event of maintenance—for example, for grinding the perforating needles or dies—or repairs, only individual components or parts thereof need to be replaced or removed to perform the maintenance / repair work. The punching tool and the control block can be separated independently of each other, in contrast to conventional systems in which the punching tool and the control block are completely bolted together in multiple connections and are also bolted to the machine frame.

[0022] The use of guide grooves and the elimination of screwed fastenings within the system enable rapid punching tool and control block changes. This can reduce changeover times for these two components by up to 80% compared to conventional systems. This means that significantly less downtime is possible during regular maintenance and / or repair work compared to conventional punching / perforating machines, significantly increasing the cost-effectiveness of these punching / perforating machines.

[0023] A particularly preferred embodiment which enables the implementation of high cycle rates is characterized in that the piston-cylinder unit is designed as a double-acting piston-cylinder unit with a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber, wherein the first pressure chamber is permanently subjected to a first pressure via the control device, which causes the locking slide to be in or held in the deactivation position and, when punching or perforation is carried out, the control device, in the event of activation, applies a second pressure to the second pressure chamber which is greater than the first pressure, so that the locking slide extends into the activation position and, as a result, this movement is transferred to the associated punching punch / perforating needle during the lifting movement, so that punching or perforation of the material unit / web is carried out.

[0024] A particularly advantageous further development, which ensures permanently functional use at high cycle rates, is characterized by the fact that the locking slide is connected in a form-fitting manner with axial and radial play to the corresponding piston rod of the piston-cylinder unit.

[0025] A particularly preferred embodiment, which ensures a compact design of the control block in conjunction with a small grid dimension of the punching punches / perforating needles to be controlled, is characterized in that the control block has housings which can be individually controlled by the control device and which have a plurality of individually controllable piston-cylinder units arranged offset in the longitudinal direction and in the stroke direction.

[0026] In order to produce the desired punching / perforation images on the material unit or web - specifically in the respective desired geometry of the spacing of the perforations from one another - a particularly advantageous embodiment of the punching / perforating machine according to the invention is characterized in that the piston-cylinder units arranged within the housing correspond in the longitudinal direction to an offset dimension of 0.5, 1 and 2 times or multiples of the grid dimension of the arrangement of the punching punches / perforating needles within the punching tool.

[0027] An advantageous further development, which on the one hand facilitates the disassembly of the punching tool and on the other hand enables the use of other tools with the same tool profile - but with a different grid of the punching punches / perforating needles - for example when the control of the perforation process is switched off, is characterized in that a spacer plate is arranged above on a needle holder of the punching tool, which either has congruent recesses in the same grid dimension corresponding to the grid dimension of the punching punch / perforating needle or is designed as a closed plate.

[0028] A particularly preferred design variant, which enables efficient and economical use, is characterized in that a valve device is provided which is controlled by the control device and is in communication with the piston-cylinder units of the control block.

[0029] A further advantageous design variant, which ensures permanently reliable functionality with regard to a permanent guarantee of high cycle rates, is characterized in that the locking slide has a contour inclined to the stroke direction in its free end area, such that when the locking slide is extended, a possibly protruding extension profile or protruding punch / perforating needle is pushed downwards in the stroke direction.

[0030] A particularly preferred and advantageous embodiment of the punching / perforating machine according to the invention, which significantly improves the handling of the machine for the operator and at the same time ensures a high level of functionality, is characterized in that a projection laser unit is provided which, depending on the data of the contour of the material to be processed or perforated stored in the storage device, images these contours on a feed table of the machine, thereby enabling exact alignment of the material and the position data then recorded by the projection laser are fed to the control device.

[0031] A particularly advantageous design, which further increases functionality, is characterized in that the longitudinally displaceable extension profile has a stepped outer peripheral contour and the associated guide recess has a corresponding counter contour.

[0032] A particularly advantageous design in terms of variability and functionality is characterized by the fact that the housing is designed with several piston-cylinder units that are self-sufficient with regard to control, pressure regulation and pressure monitoring or the like.

[0033] In an alternative advantageous embodiment, the valve device, which is remotely controlled by the control device, is designed as a unit that can be connected separately to the punching / perforating machine.

[0034] A particularly preferred structural design, which has proven particularly successful in practice with regard to the required punching / perforation pattern to be produced, is characterized in that the housing has four cylinder-piston units and the control block / punching tool has four grid recesses arranged in a longitudinal grid pattern and offset in the transverse direction for the extension profile or the punching punch / perforating needles.

[0035] A particularly simple design solution, which is advantageous with regard to maintenance / repair and when changing the punching tool, is characterized by the fact that the spacer plate is attached to the top of the needle holder.

[0036] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the valve device can be designed as a pneumatic or hydraulic system.

[0037] The present invention thus comprises an accessory unit, namely a punching unit for installation in a custom-designed punching / perforating machine. The machine can be equipped with various tool adapters to accommodate different tool profiles available on the market. This is possible by providing appropriate guide profiles for the control block and the punching tool. In addition to punching / perforating round holes, any symmetrical and / or asymmetrical contours (shapes) can also be produced within specified dimensional and technical limits.

[0038] The punching / perforating machine according to the invention comprises the following components: a control device comprising a control block with corresponding guide, a valve device with special piston-cylinder units with associated piston rods that can be individually controlled via the control device, as well as locking slides that are assigned to each punching punch / perforating needle, with corresponding mechanical extension profiles that are arranged between the locking slide and the punching punch / perforating needles.

[0039] The punching / perforating machine is driven by a servo-hydraulic system or, alternatively, by a motor with a pneumatic brake-clutch combination. The control block is located beneath the pressure beam and is connected to it by a T-slot guide and centering pins. The pressure beam is moved up and down in the stroke direction by the aforementioned drive, depending on the signals from the control device. A corresponding punching tool is located beneath the control block, with the same grid pattern as that of the control block. A needle holder for the punching tool is also guided by a T-slot guide on the control block, and the lower part of the punching tool with the dies is positioned using a centering pin. This lower part is also placed in a T-slot guide. The needle holder, together with the needle guide, which is firmly connected to the tool, forms a single unit, the so-called punching tool.

[0040] The following must be done to construct the control block: The control block consists of piston-cylinder units, for example, pneumatically controlled and supported by an air spring on the return stroke. A piston rod / cylinder piston is used for each piercing needle to be controlled in the tool.

[0041] In a particularly preferred embodiment, a piston-cylinder housing unit is used, which is formed from four independently operating piston-cylinder units with piston rods. This results in a narrow design.

[0042] At the end of each piston rod, a positive-locking but loose connection is used to connect to a gate valve. This connection allows for play in both axial and radial directions, ensuring consistently reliable functionality by eliminating system-related geometric inaccuracies.

[0043] The separate design of the control block and punching tool allows for the minimum distance between the punching dies / perforating needles in the tool, which corresponds to a standard perforation, for example, in automotive manufacturing. This currently results in a maximum number of 1024 needles at a perforation width of 1945.6 mm.

[0044] Such a number of needles cannot be achieved with the known punching / perforating machines.

[0045] To bridge the gap between the head of each needle and its associated locking slide, a mechanical extension (extension profile) is used. This consists, for example, of a hardened round material with a stepped diameter, which rests loosely on the head of the needle. The stepped outer diameter prevents the vertically installed extension profile in the control block from falling down when the tool is installed or removed. At the same time, this extension profile is held in a fixed position above the needle head by the aforementioned step. To compensate for the difference between the specified needle diameter or needle distance and the inevitably wider locking slide with the associated piston rod, the mechanical extension profiles are inserted in the control block in different lengths and assigned to the locking slides accordingly.

[0046] The individual special cylinders or the piston-cylinder units used in the control block are controlled by a valve assembly, which is integrated into four housing units within the machine, protected from damage or access. These housings contain the complete electronic and pneumatic control system (valve terminals, pressure control, pressure monitoring, etc.). These units are connected to the valves on the control block via a coupling system (multipole). Alternatively, the valve assemblies can also be flexibly mounted on appropriate transport frames for use on various punching / perforating machines. This eliminates the need for a single work area.

[0047] The punching / perforating machine according to the invention operates as follows: The geometric data of the perforation pattern are determined and electronically recorded. This data is transmitted to the punching / perforating machine's memory and evaluated by the control unit.

[0048] Alternatively, or in parallel, the data of, for example, any given contour (external or internal shape) of the material to be perforated can be projected onto a lay-out table using a projection laser. Based on this image, the material can be aligned, and this position data can be transmitted to the control device. The control signals determined by the control device actuate the piston rods of the piston-cylinder units in the control block via the valve devices.

[0049] As a result of the pressure applied to the individually assigned piston-cylinder unit, the respective piston rod of the piston-cylinder unit extends and moves the locking slide forward into the activation position. In this position, the mechanical extension (extension profile) is limited upwards by the lower edge of the locking slide. This results in the punching die / perforating needle being held by the extension profile during the subsequent punching cycle, thus enabling punching.

[0050] If the piston rod is not activated during the following punching cycle, the constant counterpressure from the pressure accumulator unit (so-called air spring) acting on the piston-cylinder unit causes the piston rod to automatically return to its starting position, i.e. the deactivation position. This also retracts the locking slide and releases the limit stop at the upper end of the extension profile. During the subsequent punching cycle, the punching punches or perforating needles and the extension profile above them are pushed back onto the upper edge of the locking slide when they hit the material to be perforated. This means that no punching occurs. Because the guide for the punching punch / perforating needle and the associated extension profile are designed to run very smoothly, the surface of the material to be perforated is not damaged.

[0051] Because each piston-cylinder unit is designed as a double-acting piston-cylinder unit, the constant counterpressure of the associated pressure accumulator continuously causes a return stroke to the deactivation position of the locking slide, which is only moved to the activation position by increased counterpressure when activated via the valve device, significantly reduces the switching time between individual punching operations. This results in a significantly higher cycle rate of the punching unit, for example, 160 to 180 punching operations per minute, compared to conventional punching / perforating machines.

[0052] Further embodiments and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the features further recited in the claims and from the exemplary embodiments given below. The features of the claims may be combined with one another in any way, provided they are not obviously mutually exclusive. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0053] The invention, as well as advantageous embodiments and further developments thereof, are described and explained in more detail below with reference to the examples shown in the drawings. The features shown in the description and the drawings can be used individually or in any combination according to the invention. They show: Fig. 1 highly schematic representation of a punching / perforating machine with a control block arranged in guide grooves and a punching tool arranged in guide grooves, with punching punches / perforating needles that can be activated individually via a control device, valve device and piston-cylinder units with locking slide, Fig. 2 schematic partial detailed representation of a constructive variant of the punching / perforating machine according to Fig. 1with an exemplary representation of a locking slide in the activation position before the perforation stroke, whereby a spacer plate with a hole pattern is arranged on the needle holder of the perforation needles, Fig. 3 schematic detailed view of the punching / perforating machine according to Fig. 2 after the execution of the perforation stroke, Fig. 4 schematic detailed view of the punching / perforating machine according to Fig. 2 with the locking slide retracted after the perforation stroke, Fig. 5 schematic detailed view of the punching / perforating machine according to Fig. 4 before the perforation stroke, whereby a closed spacer plate, i.e. without hole pattern, is attached to the needle holder and Fig. 6 schematic detailed view according to Fig. 2 with additional schematic representation of a valve device and a pressure accumulator. WAYS TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION

[0054] The Fig. 1The schematically illustrated punching / perforating machine 10 has a punching tool 12 and a control block 14. In the servo-hydraulic-driven punching / perforating machine 10, the control block 14 is connected to a pressure bar 36, i.e., it is inserted and centered in a control block guide groove 42 provided on the pressure bar 36. The pressure bar 36 is moved up and down in the stroke direction H by a drive unit 18. Below the control block 14 is the corresponding punching tool 12, the grid of which for the perforating needles 16 is identical to that of the control block 14. The punching tool 18 has a needle holder 34, which is inserted into a needle holder guide groove 44 in the control block 14. The lower part of the punching tool 12 with the dies is centered by means of a centering pin (not shown in detail). This lower part of the punching tool 12 is also placed in tool guide grooves 46.The needle holder 34, together with the needle guide, which is firmly connected to the punching tool 12, forms a unit, namely the punching tool 12.

[0055] A spacer plate 60 is located on the needle holder 34, which facilitates the disassembly of the punching tool 12 and also allows the use of other standard tools with the same tool profile but a different pitch. The open spacer plate 60, which is provided with grid holes (see Figures 1 to 4 ), by a closed version without grid holes (see Fig. 5 ) replaced.

[0056] The perforating needles 16 are arranged in a predetermined grid in the longitudinal direction L, which is perpendicular to the plane of representation of Fig. 1The perforating needles 16 can be individually activated or deactivated for each perforation stroke H. This individual control is implemented by the presence of a control device 30 that is in communication with a storage device 40 in which the geometric data of the perforation pattern to be created on a material web M fed to the punching tool 12 are stored.

[0057] The control device 30 is in communication with a valve device 26, wherein the valve device 26 has valve units, each of which is individually in communication with piston-cylinder units arranged on the control block 14. The piston-cylinder units are designed as double-acting piston-cylinder units, with a cylinder 24, a piston 21, and a piston rod 20. Each piston-cylinder unit has a first pressure chamber 28 and a second pressure chamber 32.

[0058] Each piston rod 20 is connected at its free end to a locking slide 22, which can be moved from an activation position (extended state) and a deactivation position (retracted state) upon appropriate pressure application to the piston-cylinder unit in the sliding direction S transversely to the stroke direction H. Furthermore, a first pressure accumulator 28.1 and a second pressure accumulator 32.1 are provided, which communicate with the valve device 26. The first pressure chamber 28 provides a pressure P1, and the second pressure chamber 32 provides a pressure P2 that is greater than the pressure P1.

[0059] Each perforating needle 16 is assigned a locking slide 22 with an associated controllable piston-cylinder unit. The locking slide 22 is spaced from the upper head end of the perforating needle 16. Below the locking slide 22, an extension profile 48 is provided in the control block 14 in a corresponding guide, wherein the underside of the extension profile 48 rests on the head of the associated perforating needle 16 and the upper end face of the extension profile 48 is arranged at the same height as the underside of the locking slide 22. When the locking slide 22 is extended, it rests on the extension profile 48, so that when the lifting movement H of the control block 14 is carried out, the perforating needle 16 is moved downward, triggering a perforation on the material web M.

[0060] When the locking slide 22 is retracted, there is no contact between the extension profile 48 and the locking slide 22, since the underside of the locking slide 22 is adjacent to the underside of the extension profile 48. If a perforation stroke is performed in the retracted position of the locking slide 22, the extension profile 48 is not subjected to movement by the locking slide 22, so that the associated perforating needle 16 does not perform a perforation.

[0061] The locking slide 22 has a contour 52 in its free end area that runs at an angle to the stroke direction H. This contour ensures that if the extension profile 48 or the perforating needle 16 protrudes upward when the locking slide 22 is extended, the extension profile 48 is pushed downward and is not sheared off or damaged. This ensures permanently reliable functionality.

[0062] During operation of the punching / perforating machine, the first pressure chamber 28 and the second pressure chamber 32 are individually controlled via the valve device 26 and the control device 30, taking into account the stored perforation pattern data, as follows. The first pressure chamber 28 is permanently pressurized with pressure P1 via the first pressure accumulator 28.1. This means that under the effect of pressure P1, the locking slide 22 is in the retracted position, so that when the perforation stroke H is performed, the associated perforating needle 16 does not perform a perforation.

[0063] If a perforating needle 16 is to be activated during a perforation stroke H, the control device 30 causes, via the valve device 26, the second pressure chamber 32 to be pressurized via the second pressure accumulator 32.1 with the pressure P2, which is greater than the permanently present pressure P1 in the first pressure chamber 28, so that the locking slide 22 extends and, when the perforation stroke H is carried out, the associated perforating needle 16, in conjunction with the extension profile 48, carries out a perforation stroke H and creates a perforation on the material web M.

[0064] Thus, individually controlled piston-cylinder units are present on the control block 14 and are subjected to a permanent first pressure P1, which virtually forms an air spring in the return stroke, wherein for each perforating needle 16 to be controlled in the punching tool 12, a piston rod 20 is assigned to the corresponding piston-cylinder unit, which is activated, i.e. extended, by application of the pressure P2.

[0065] In practice, a Fig. 1An embodiment not shown in more detail is used, wherein a housing 38 is used which has four independently operating piston-cylinder units with piston rods 20. These piston-cylinder units are arranged offset from one another in the stroke direction H and in the longitudinal direction L within the housing 38, wherein the housings 38 are provided on both sides of the control block 14. This results in a narrow structure. At the head of each piston rod 20, the connection to the locking slide 22 is established by means of a positive but loose connection. This connection allows play in both the axial and vertical directions. This counteracts possible damage to the extension profile 48 when the locking slide 22 is extended and retracted and overall improves functionality.

[0066] The separate design of control block 14 and punching tool 12, in conjunction with the piston-cylinder units arranged offset in stroke direction H and longitudinal direction L within a housing 38, makes it possible to achieve a minimum spacing in terms of the grid dimension between the perforating needles 16 in tool 12, which corresponds, for example, to a standard perforation in automotive construction. This allows, for example, a maximum number of 1024 needles to be achieved over a perforation width of 1945.6 mm.

[0067] This high number of needles per unit area cannot be achieved with the known systems.

[0068] As already described above, the extension profile 48 is arranged between the head of the individual perforating needles 16 and the locking slide 22. The extension profile 48 consists, for example, of a hardened round material with a stepped diameter, which rests loosely on the head of the perforating needle 16. The stepped outer diameter prevents movement of the vertically installed extension profile 48 in the control block 14 during installation or removal of the tool. At the same time, this step holds the extension profile 48 in a fixed, defined position above the needle head.

[0069] In order to compensate for the difference between the specified needle diameter or needle spacing and the necessarily wider locking slide 22 with the associated piston rod 20, these mechanical extension profiles 48 are inserted in different lengths in the control block 14 and assigned to the locking slides 22 accordingly.

[0070] The individual piston-cylinder units are provided as special cylinders on both sides of the control block 14 and are individually controlled by control valves 26. These special cylinders are arranged within the machine, for example, in housings 38, each containing four piston-cylinder units, to protect them from damage or access. These housings 38 contain the complete electronic and pneumatic control system (valve terminals, pressure regulators, pressure monitoring, etc.). These housings 38 are connected to the valve unit 26 with their individually assigned control valves by means of a specially designed coupling system. Alternatively, the control valves of the valve unit 26 can also be flexibly mounted on appropriate transport frames for use on various punching machines. This eliminates the need to rely on a single work area.

[0071] Due to the constant counterpressure P1 during the return stroke of the piston rod 20 of the piston-cylinder units, the switching time between punching operations can be significantly reduced. This results in a significantly higher cycle rate (e.g., 160 to 180 per minute) of the punching unit compared to conventional punching machines.

[0072] In the Figures 2 to 5 is a constructive embodiment according to the punching tool of Fig. 1 shown in detail. Identical components bear the same reference symbols and are not explained again.

[0073] The Fig. 2 shows a situation in which the locking slide 22 is extended before the perforation stroke is carried out. Fig. 3 shows the situation with the locking slide 22 extended after the perforation stroke has been carried out. Fig. 4 shows a locking slide 22 in retracted position after performing the perforation stroke and the Fig. 5shows the situation with the locking slide 22 extended, whereby a spacer plate 60 without holes is inserted before the perforation stroke is carried out, which means that during one perforation stroke all perforating needles 16 carry out a perforation. The guidance of the perforating needles 16 is in this case (see Fig. 5 ) arranged laterally offset to the guide when using a spacer plate (60) with a hole pattern.

[0074] The Fig. 6 finally shows the detail according to Fig. 2 with additionally shown first pressure accumulator 28.1 and the valve device 26 controlled by the control device 30.

Claims

1. A punching / perforating machine (10) for generating a punching / perforating pattern in a supplied material unit / web (M), comprising - a punching tool (12) having a plurality of punches / perforating needles (16) which are arranged in a predetermined grid in a longitudinal direction (L) and which are movable via a pressure beam (36) which is operatively connected via a control device (30) to a drive unit (18) for generating a punching / perforating stroke (H) transversely to the longitudinal direction (L), - a control block (14) for actuating / activating / deactivating the punches / perforating needles (16) by the control device (30) during the punching / perforating process, whereby - the punching tool (12) and / or the control block (14) is / are each designed as a separate subassembly which is each arranged within the punching / perforating machine (10) so as to be removably fixable separately as a unit, characterized by the following features: - a memory device (40), in which the data for the geometry of the punching / perforating pattern is stored, - a control device (30), which has a communication link with the memory device (40), - a control block (14) which has piston-cylinder units, the movements of which during the punching / perforation stroke can be controlled individually via the control device (30) and are individually assigned to each punch / each perforating needle (16), - a blocking slide (22), which is respectively connected to a corresponding piston rod (20) of the piston-cylinder unit, wherein the blocking slide (22) can be displaced into an activation or deactivation position by the movement of the piston rod (20), -- in the activation position, the blocking slide acts directly or indirectly on the punch / the perforating needle (16) during the execution of the stroke (H), -- in the deactivation position, the blocking slide does not exert any action on the punch / the perforating needle (16) -- such that, in the activation position of the blocking slide (22), the latter acts on the punch / perforating needle (16) during the stroke movement (H) and a perforation is carried out and, in the deactivation position of the blocking slide, no punching / perforation of the material unit / web (M) is effected, - characterized in that - the control block (14) has guide recesses arranged in a grid which can be predefined in the longitudinal direction (L) and which corresponds to the grid of the punch / the perforating needle (16), in which guide recesses there are extension profiles (48) longitudinally displaceably mounted in the stroke direction (H), the length of which corresponds to the distance between the underside of the respective blocking slide and the head of the associated punch or perforating needle (16).

2. The punching / perforating machine as claimed in claim 1, - characterized in that - the punching tool (12) and / or the control block (14) is / are arranged such that they can be pulled in / out in the longitudinal direction (L) in guide grooves (42, 44, 46) present within the punching machine.

3. The punching / perforating machine as claimed in claim 2, - characterized in that - the guide grooves (42, 44, 46) are formed in such a way that additional adapter units can be introduced in order to permit the form-fitting mounting of different geometries of punching tools (12) or control blocks (14).

4. The punching / perforating machine as claimed in claim 1, - characterized in that - the piston-cylinder unit is formed as a double-acting piston-cylinder unit having a first pressure chamber (28) and a second pressure chamber (32), wherein a first pressure (P1) is applied permanently to the first pressure chamber (28) via the control device (30) and has the effect that the blocking slide (22) is located or is held in the deactivation position and, when carrying out punching or perforation, the control device (30) applies a second pressure (P2), which is higher than the first pressure (P1), to the second pressure chamber (32) when activated, such that the blocking slide (22) moves out into the activation position and, as a result, during the stroke movement (H), this movement is transmitted to the associated punch / perforating needle, such that punching or perforation of the material unit / web (M) is carried out.

5. The punching / perforating machine as claimed in claim 4, - characterized in that - the blocking slide (22) is in each case connected to the corresponding piston rod (20) of the piston-cylinder unit in a form-fitting manner with axial and radial play.

6. The punching / perforating machine as claimed in one or more of the claims 1 to 5, - characterized in that - the control block has housings (38) which can be controlled individually by the control device (30) and which have a plurality of individually controllable piston-cylinder units that are arranged offset in the longitudinal direction (L) and in the stroke direction (H) .

7. The punching / perforating machine as claimed in claim 6, - characterized in that - the piston-cylinder units arranged within the housing (38) correspond in the longitudinal direction (L) to an offset dimension of 0.5 times, 1 times and 2 times the grid size (R) of the arrangement of the punches / the perforating needles within the punching tool (12).

8. The punching / perforating machine as claimed in one or more of the claims 1 to 7, - characterized in that - a spacer plate (60) is arranged above on a needle holder (34) of the punching tool (12), which either has congruent recesses corresponding to the grid size of the punch / the perforating needle (16) in the same grid size or is formed as a closed metal sheet.

9. The punching / perforating machine as claimed in one or more of the claims 1 to 8, - characterized in that - there is a valve device (26) which is activated by the control device (30) and has a communication link with the piston-cylinder units of the control block (14).

10. The punching / perforating machine as claimed in one or more of the claims 1 to 9, - characterized in that - the blocking slide (22) has in its free end region a contour (52) inclined relative to the stroke direction (H) in such a way that when the blocking slide (22) is extended, a possibly projecting extension profile (48) or projecting punch / perforating needle (16) is pushed downward in the stroke direction (H).

11. The punching / perforating machine as claimed in one or more of the claims 1 to 10, - characterized in that - there is a projection laser unit which, depending on the data stored in the memory device relating to the contour of the material to be processed or perforated, depicts these contours on a feed table of the machine, whereby exact alignment of the material is made possible and the position data then acquired by the projection laser is fed to the control device (30).

12. The punching / perforating machine as claimed in one or more of the claims 1 to 11, - characterized in that - the longitudinally displaceable extension profile (48) has a step-like external circumferential contour, and the associated guide recess has a corresponding mating contour.

13. The punching / perforating machine as claimed in one or more of the claims 1 to 12, - characterized in that - the housing (38) having a plurality of piston-cylinder units is designed to be autonomous with regard to control, pressure regulation and pressure monitoring or the like.

14. The punching / perforating machine as claimed in one or more of the claims 1 to 13, - characterized in that - the valve device is formed as separately connectable to the punching / perforating machine.

15. The punching / perforating machine as claimed in one or more of the claims 1 to 14, - characterized in that - the housing (38) has four cylinder-piston units and the control block (14) / the punching tool (12) has four grid recesses arranged to be offset in the form of a grid in the longitudinal direction (L) and in the transverse direction for the extension profile (48) or the punch / the perforating needles (16).

16. The punching / perforating machine as claimed in one or more of the claims 1 to 15, - characterized in that - the spacer plate (60) is fixed to the upper side of the needle holder (34).

17. The punching / perforating machine as claimed in one or more of the claims 1 to 16, - characterized in that - the valve device (26) is formed as a pneumatic or hydraulic system.