Embossing machine for sheet material, transfer system and method for embossing sheet material

Abstract

The application discloses a plate embossing machine, a transfer system and a plate embossing method. The plate embossing machine comprises a rack, two pressure applying assemblies, at least one separator and a driving device. The two pressure applying assemblies are arranged oppositely along a set direction. The pressure applying assembly comprises a driving member and a pressure applying member. The driving member is installed on the rack and connected with the pressure applying member. The driving member is used for driving the pressure applying member to move along the set direction to realize plate embossing. The separator is arranged between the two pressure applying members along the set direction to separate the space between the two pressure applying members into multiple work stations for accommodating the plates. According to the plate embossing machine, the space between the two pressure applying assemblies is separated into multiple work stations by the separator, the number of work stations for accommodating the plates can be increased, the waiting time for transferring the plates or the plate embossing time is shortened, the working cycle of the embossing machine is shortened, the embossing efficiency of multiple plates is improved, and the production demand for the embossed plates can be met easily.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of metallurgical equipment technology, and more specifically, to an embossing machine, a transfer system, and a embossing method for sheet metal. Background Technology

[0002] Electrolytic refining using lead cathode sheets is the main process in electrolytic lead production. Lead cathode sheets are made from thin lead coils produced by a DM (thin sheet casting) machine and manufactured by a cathode manufacturing unit. The lead coils are processed through processes such as folding, shearing, wrapping, embossing, spot welding, and flattening to form lead cathode sheets, also known as lead starter sheets. Because lead starter sheets are thin and have extremely poor rigidity, they are easily deformed, which increases the risk of short circuits and is detrimental to the normal operation of the electrolysis process.

[0003] Embossing can improve the rigidity of lead cathode sheets, but the embossing equipment in related technologies uses a single embossing station, resulting in a long working cycle and low embossing efficiency, which is difficult to meet production needs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide an embossing machine for sheet metal, which can emboss sheet metal such as lead cathode sheets to improve the rigidity of the sheet metal, and has a short working cycle, high embossing efficiency, and easily meets production needs.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a transfer system for an embossing machine having the above-mentioned sheet material.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for embossing a sheet using an embossing machine that employs the aforementioned sheet material.

[0007] An embossing machine for sheet metal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a frame; two pressure-applying components arranged opposite to each other along a predetermined direction, each pressure-applying component including a driving member and a pressure member, the driving member being mounted on the frame and connected to the pressure member, the driving member being used to drive the pressure member to move along the predetermined direction to achieve sheet metal embossing; and at least one partition member arranged between the two pressure members along the predetermined direction to divide the space between the two pressure members into a plurality of workstations for accommodating sheet metal.

[0008] According to the embossing machine for sheet metal of the present invention, the space between two pressing components is divided into multiple workstations by a separator, which can increase the number of workstations that can accommodate sheet metal, shorten the waiting time for transferring sheet metal or the sheet metal embossing time, shorten the working cycle of the embossing machine, improve the embossing efficiency for multiple sheet metals, and easily meet the production needs for embossed sheet metals.

[0009] In addition, the embossing machine for sheet metal according to the above embodiments of the present invention may also have the following additional technical features:

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the frame is provided with a first guide rail extending along the set direction, and the separator is guided and engaged with the first guide rail and is movable along the first guide rail.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the frame is provided with a second guide rail, the pressure member cooperates with the second guide rail and is movable along the second guide rail, and the second guide rail is parallel to the first guide rail.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the separator is connected to at least one side along the set direction by an elastic member, the elastic member being used to apply a driving force toward the initial position to the separator.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the two pressure-applying components are configured such that: one of the pressure-applying components stops moving before the other pressure-applying component, one of the pressure-applying components stops moving after moving to a preset position, and the other pressure-applying component stops moving after applying pressure to reach a preset pressure value.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the pressure-applying surfaces of the pressure-applying member and the separator for contacting the plate are provided with vent holes.

[0015] The transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a robotic arm, a flipping mechanism, an anode spacing mechanism, and an embossing machine for a sheet material according to an embodiment of the present invention; the robotic arm is used to place the sheet material on the flipping mechanism into one of the stations of the embossing machine, and to transfer the embossed sheet material from the other station to the anode spacing mechanism.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the robotic arm is configured to alternately place the sheet material at a plurality of said workstations for embossing.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the flipping mechanism, the anode spacing mechanism and the embossing machine are arranged perpendicular to the set direction, and the embossing machine is located between the flipping mechanism and the anode spacing mechanism.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for embossing a sheet metal is used, which includes: placing the sheet metal to be embossed at one of the workstations and embossing it using two pressure-applying components; alternately placing the sheet metal to be embossed at multiple workstations to repeat a single embossing cycle until all the sheet metal to be embossed is embossed, wherein during the single embossing cycle, the sheet metal to be embossed is placed at an empty workstation and the embossed sheet metal is removed, and then embossed using the two pressure-applying components.

[0019] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embossing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of an embossing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of an embossing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of an embossing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of an embossing method for a sheet metal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure label:

[0028] Transfer system 1000;

[0029] Embossing machine 100; Flipping mechanism 200; Anodizing spacing mechanism 300; Robotic arm 400;

[0030] Frame 10; First guide rail 12; Second guide rail 11;

[0031] Pressure application component 20; driving component 21; pressure application component 22; hanging ear 221; punch body 23;

[0032] Separator 30; elastic element 31; connecting seat 32; die body 33; support part 34. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0034] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0035] In the description of this invention, "first feature" and "second feature" may include one or more of the features, "multiple" means two or more, "above" or "below" the second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or the first and second features being in contact through another feature between them, and "above," "over," and "on top" the second feature may include the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicate that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature.

[0036] The embossing machine 100 for sheet metal according to an embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] Reference Figures 1-6 As shown, the embossing machine 100 for sheet metal according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a frame 10, two pressure-applying components 20 and at least one separator 30.

[0038] Specifically, two pressure-applying components 20 are arranged opposite each other along a set direction. Each pressure-applying component 20 includes a driving component 21 and a pressure-applying component 22. The driving component 21 is mounted on the frame 10 and connected to the pressure-applying component 22. The driving component 21 is used to drive the pressure-applying component 22 to move along the set direction to achieve embossing of the sheet metal.

[0039] The sheet material can be metal or non-metal. For example, in some embodiments where the sheet material is a lead cathode sheet, the lead cathode sheet is extremely prone to deformation. By embossing the lead cathode sheet, not only can its rigidity be improved, but it can also be leveled to improve its flatness. The drive component 21 can be mounted on the frame 10 via flanges, bolts, or other structures, all of which are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0040] There is at least one separator 30, and the separator 30 is arranged in a set direction between two pressure members 22 to divide the space between the two pressure members 22 into multiple workstations for accommodating the sheet material, and the sheet material is placed at the workstation so that the pressure assembly 20 can perform embossing on the sheet material.

[0041] For example, in some embodiments where there is one partition 30, the partition 30 can divide the space between the two pressure-applying members 22 into two workstations, namely the space between the partition 30 and one pressure-applying member 22, and the space between the partition 30 and another pressure-applying member 22. As another example, in some embodiments where there are two partitions 30, the two partitions 30 are arranged in a predetermined direction between the two pressure-applying members 22 to divide the space between the two pressure-applying members 22 into three workstations, namely the space between one pressure-applying member 22 and one partition 30, the space between one partition 30 and another partition 30, and the space between another partition 30 and another pressure-applying member 22. Similarly, in some embodiments where there are three, four, five, etc., partitions 30, the space between the two pressure-applying members 22 can be divided by the partitions 30 into four, five, six, etc., workstations, increasing the number of workstations that can be used to accommodate the sheet material.

[0042] Taking the separator 30 as an example, the opposing sides of the two pressure-applying components 22 can be provided with embossing, and the surfaces of the separator 30 along both sides of the set direction can be provided with embossing. Then, the sides of the board material in the workstation along the set direction are opposite to the embossing. When the driving component 21 drives the pressure-applying component 22 to move along the set direction, the embossing of the pressure-applying component 22 and the separator 30 can together apply pressure to the board material in the workstation, achieving embossing treatment of the board material. The set direction can be as follows: Figure 2 The front-back direction shown can also be other directions. This invention does not limit this direction, as long as the material can be embossed along the set direction.

[0043] For example, in some embodiments, the pressure-applying member 22 includes a pressure-applying base and a punch 23. The punch 23 forms embossing patterns, and two punches 23 are arranged on opposite sides of the two pressure-applying bases. The separator 30 includes a separator base and two concave molds 33. The concave molds 33 form embossing patterns that match the embossing patterns of the punches 23, and the two concave molds 33 are arranged on both sides of the separator base along a set direction. The two pressure-applying members 22 move along the set direction, so that the punches 23 and the concave molds 33 together apply pressure to the sheet metal to perform embossing treatment on the sheet metal, thereby improving the rigidity of the sheet metal. Moreover, changing different styles of punches 23 and concave molds 33 can meet different embossing design requirements, which is beneficial to improving the diversity of sheet metal embossing designs. The connection method between the pressure-applying base and the punch 23 can be bolt connection, snap-fit ​​connection, etc., and the connection method between the separator base and the concave mold 33 can be bolt connection, snap-fit ​​connection, etc., all of which are within the protection scope of this invention. In other embodiments, the pressure-applying member 22 includes a pressure-applying base and a concave mold body 33, and the separator 30 includes a separator base and two convex mold bodies 23, which are also within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0044] For example, in some embodiments, the pressure-applying member 22 is a single piece with grooves to form embossing, and the grooves are arranged on opposite sides of the two pressure-applying members 22; the separator 30 is a single piece with protrusions that match the grooves of the pressure-applying members 22 to form embossing that matches the embossing of the pressure-applying members 22, and the protrusions are arranged on both sides of the separator 30 along a set direction. This prevents misalignment between the protrusions and grooves during the embossing process, making the embossing operation more reliable. In other embodiments, the pressure-applying member 22 has grooves and the separator 30 has protrusions, which is also within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0045] The space between the two pressing members 22 is divided into multiple workstations by the separator 30. Each workstation can be used to accommodate the board. Therefore, according to actual needs, the embossing machine 100 can emboss one board at a time, or it can emboss multiple boards at a time, which can meet the embossing quality requirements of the board, such as rigidity requirements.

[0046] In related technologies, embossing equipment has only one station for accommodating boards, meaning it is a single-station embossing equipment. When embossing multiple boards, it is necessary to wait for the previous board to finish embossing before moving it out of the station, and then the next board can be transferred to the station for embossing. Only one board can be embossed per cycle, and the waiting time for transferring the next board to the station is relatively long, resulting in low embossing efficiency.

[0047] In this application, for example in some embodiments where the separator 30 is one, the embossing machine 100 has two stations for accommodating the board, that is, the embossing machine 100 is a dual-station device. When embossing multiple boards, the next board can be transferred while the previous board is being embossed. After the previous board is embossed, the next board can be moved to another station more quickly, instead of having to complete the embossing of the previous board and remove the previous board before the next board can be transferred. The time to transfer the next board to another station is shorter, the work cycle is shorter, and the embossing efficiency is higher.

[0048] Similarly, in some embodiments where the separator 30 consists of two, three, etc., the time required to transfer the sheet material is shorter, which can improve the embossing efficiency of multiple sheets and help meet the production requirements for embossed sheets, such as the number of sheets and the quality of embossing.

[0049] Furthermore, depending on actual needs, the multiple stations of the embossing machine 100 can simultaneously emboss multiple boards, or one or more stations can simultaneously emboss the boards. The embossing machine 100 can emboss multiple boards in a single cycle, further improving embossing efficiency.

[0050] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the embossing machine 100 for sheet metal divides the space between two pressing components 20 into multiple workstations by means of a separator 30, which can increase the number of workstations that can accommodate sheet metal, shorten the waiting time for transferring sheet metal or the embossing time of sheet metal, facilitate the shortening of the working cycle of the embossing machine 100, improve the embossing efficiency for multiple sheet metals, and easily meet the production needs for embossed sheet metals.

[0051] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figures 3-4 As shown, the frame 10 is provided with a first guide rail 12 extending in a set direction. The separator 30 is guided and engaged with the first guide rail 12 and is movable along the first guide rail 12. Thus, the separator 30 can move with the force equilibrium position of the sheet material, thereby balancing the force on the separator 30 and reducing the possibility of deformation. For example, for sheets of different thicknesses, the separator 30 can move to adapt to the force equilibrium position of sheets of different thicknesses, expanding the applicability of the embossing machine 100.

[0052] The separator 30 can be guided and engaged with the first guide rail 12 by means of a slider, a connecting seat 32, etc., and the present invention does not limit this.

[0053] The first guide rail 12 enables the separator 30 to move more smoothly along the set direction, and the movement direction is less likely to deviate from the set direction. This enhances the accuracy of the movement direction of the separator 30, thereby making the embossing process along the set direction more reliable. Furthermore, the movement of the separator 30 along the front-back direction is easy to adapt to the thickness of different plates, improving the embossing quality of the plates and helping to ensure that the rigidity of the embossed plates meets expectations.

[0054] The number of first guide rails 12 can be one, two, or more, and the present invention does not limit this. For example, in some embodiments, the number of first guide rails 12 is two, and the two first guide rails 12 cooperate with the two ends of the middle part of the separator 30, which can further improve the guiding effect on the separator 30, making the movement of the separator 30 along the set direction more stable and more reliable.

[0055] In some embodiments, such as Figures 2-3 As shown, the frame 10 is provided with a second guide rail 11. The pressure applying member 22 is guided and engaged with the second guide rail 11 and is movable along the second guide rail 11. The second guide rail 11 is parallel to the first guide rail 12, so the second guide rail 11 extends in a set direction. The pressure applying member 22 can achieve guided engagement with the second guide rail 11 through a slider or the like, but this invention does not limit this.

[0056] The second guide rail 11 enables the pressure-applying component 22 to move more smoothly along the set direction, and the actual movement direction is less likely to deviate from the set direction. This enhances the accuracy of the movement direction of the pressure-applying component 22, thereby making the embossing process along the set direction more reliable, improving the embossing quality of the board, and helping to ensure that the stiffness of the embossed board meets expectations.

[0057] The number of second guide rails 11 can be one, two, or more, and the present invention does not limit this. For example, in some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, there are two second guide rails 11, and the two second guide rails 11 respectively cooperate with the two ends below the pressure member 22, which can further improve the guiding effect on the pressure member 22 as a whole, making the movement of the pressure member 22 along the set direction more stable and more reliable.

[0058] In some embodiments that include the first guide rail 12, such as Figures 2-3 and Figure 5 As shown, at least one side of the separator 30 along a set direction is connected to an elastic element 31. The elastic element 31 is used to apply a driving force to the separator 30 toward the initial position. The initial position of the separator 30 is the position of the separator 30 when the embossing machine 100 starts working. After the embossing machine 100 starts working, the drive element 21 drives the pressure element 22 to move toward the separator 30 along the set direction. The pressure element 22 presses against the separator 30, causing the separator 30 to move along the set direction. Then, the pressure element 22 and the separator 30 together perform embossing on the board material contained in the work station. After the embossing is completed, the drive element 21 drives the pressure element 22 to move away from the separator 30 along the set direction. Under the action of the elastic element 31, the separator 30 moves to the initial position along the set direction, which facilitates the accurate collection of the embossed board material and the accurate placement of the board material to be embossed, thus improving the embossing accuracy.

[0059] The elastic element 31 can be a spring or other elastic component, and the present invention is not limited to this, as long as it can enable the separation element 30 to move back to its initial position. For example, in some embodiments where the elastic element 31 is a spring, when the separation element 30 is in its initial position, the spring is at its initial length. When the separation element 30 moves along a set direction, the spring is stretched or compressed to increase or decrease its length. The spring has a restoring force to return to its initial length, so the restoring force of the spring can drive the connected separation element 30 to move back to its initial position until the spring returns to its initial length. At this time, the separation element 30 returns to its initial position and stabilizes, thus realizing the reset of the separation element 30 to its initial position.

[0060] The separator 30 is connected to an elastic element 31 on at least one side along a set direction. For example, in some embodiments, the separator 30 is connected to elastic elements 31 on both sides along the set direction. In this case, the separator 30 is subjected to a greater driving force by the elastic element 31 to move toward the initial position, which can shorten the time for the separator 30 to move to the initial position, that is, shorten the working cycle and further improve the embossing efficiency of the embossing machine 100.

[0061] In some embodiments, such as Figures 3-4 As shown, the embossing machine 100 includes a connecting seat 32, which is slidably mounted on the first guide rail 12. The separator 30 has support portions 34 at both ends, which are connected to the connecting seat 32 to guide the separator 30 to the first guide rail 12. The separator 30 is also connected to the elastic member 31 via the connecting seat 32. The separator 30 and the connecting seat 32 move along a set direction. The elastic member 31 is connected to both the connecting seat 32 and the machine frame 10 along the set direction. When the connecting seat 32 moves along the set direction, the elastic member 31 also extends and retracts along the set direction, which helps to reduce the deviation between the extension / retraction direction of the elastic member 31 and the set direction, increases the driving force of the elastic member 31 on the movement of the separator 30 along the set direction, and further improves the embossing efficiency.

[0062] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figures 2-3 As shown, the two pressure-applying components 20 are configured such that one pressure-applying component 20 stops moving before the other pressure-applying component 20, one pressure-applying component 20 stops moving after moving to a preset position, and the other pressure-applying component 20 stops moving after applying pressure to reach a preset pressure value.

[0063] The pressure-applying component 20 that stops moving first contacts the separator 30 and moves it to a preset position before stopping. The pressure-applying component 20 that stops moving later contacts the separator 30 after the first one stops moving and applies pressure to it. This applies equal and opposite pressure to the sheet metal in the station in the set direction, reducing the possibility of additional deformation of the separator 30 due to different forces along the set direction, improving the uniformity of pressure applied to the sheet metal in the station, and thus improving the rigidity and flatness of the embossing process.

[0064] For example, in some specific embodiments, such as Figure 2As shown, there is one separator 30. The front pressing component 20 stops moving before the rear pressing component 30. When the sheet material to be embossed is located between the front pressing component 22 and the separator 30, the front pressing component 22 pushes the sheet material and the separator 30 backward, and the rear pressing component 22 moves forward. After the front pressing component 22 and the separator 30 stop moving, the rear pressing component 22 contacts the separator 30 and applies pressure to the sheet material and the separator 30, so that the sheet material and the separator 30 are balanced in the front-back direction, thereby improving the uniformity and flatness of the embossing of the sheet material and making the separator 30 less prone to additional deformation during the embossing process. When the sheet material to be embossed is located between the rear pressing component 22 and the separator 30, the front pressing component 22 pushes the sheet material and the separator 30 backward, and the rear pressing component 22 moves forward. When the plate is positioned between the separators 30, the front pressure member 22 pushes the separator 30 backward, and the rear pressure member 22 pushes the plate forward. After the front pressure member 22 and the separator 30 stop moving, the rear pressure member 22 and the plate come into contact with the separator 30, and both pressure members 22 apply pressure to the plate and the separator 30 together, so that the plate and the separator 30 are balanced in the front-back direction, thereby improving the uniformity and flatness of the embossing on the plate and making the separator 30 less prone to additional deformation during the embossing process.

[0065] After the front pressure member 22 moves to the preset position, the rear pressure member 22 can contact the separator 30 more quickly and together with the front pressure member 22 to emboss the plate, which helps to shorten the working cycle and further improve the embossing efficiency.

[0066] The preset position can be determined according to specific embossing requirements. For example, the preset position can be the limit movement position of the pressure application component 20, but this invention does not limit this. The preset pressure value is the pressure required for the board to complete the embossing. The pressure applied by the pressure application component 20 can be determined by pressure sensors, etc., to determine whether the pressure applied by the pressure application component 20 reaches the preset pressure value. This can reduce the occurrence of board damage due to excessive pressure applied by the pressure application component 20, and also reduce the occurrence of board embossing quality not meeting expectations due to insufficient pressure applied by the pressure application component 20. This helps protect the board and improves the reliability of embossing.

[0067] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figures 2-3 As shown, the pressure-applying member 22 has a hanging ear 221 protruding towards the separator 30. The hanging ear 221 is used to install the plate. The plate can move together with the pressure-applying member 22, improving the stability of the embossing. The hanging ear 221 can also limit the installation position of the plate to a certain extent, making the plate correspond to the position of the embossing, further improving the quality of the embossing.

[0068] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 2As shown, both the pressure-applying surfaces of the pressure-applying member 22 and the separator 30 that come into contact with the sheet material are provided with vent holes. Specifically, the opposite sides of the two pressure-applying members 22 are the pressure-applying surfaces, and both sides of the separator 30 along a set direction are the pressure-applying surfaces, all of which are provided with vent holes. These vent holes are open to the atmosphere, which reduces the possibility that the sheet material will simultaneously adhere to both the pressure-applying member 22 and the separator 30 under negative pressure after embossing, making it easier to remove the sheet material after embossing and improving the reliability of sheet material handling. For example, in some embodiments, both the pressure-applying surfaces of the pressure-applying member 22 and the separator 30 that come into contact with the sheet material are provided with vent holes, further reducing the possibility that the sheet material will separately adhere to both the pressure-applying member 22 and the separator 30 under negative pressure after embossing, thus improving the reliability of sheet material handling.

[0069] like Figure 1 As shown, the transfer system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a robot arm 400, a flipping mechanism 200, an anodizing spacing mechanism 300, and an embossing machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flipping mechanism 200 is used to flip the sheet material in its initial state to a placement state suitable for the work station, such as flipping the sheet material to a vertical state, which facilitates the transfer of the sheet material into the work station. The anodizing spacing mechanism 300 is provided with a plurality of sheet material receiving positions spaced at a certain distance to place the embossed sheet material.

[0070] Since the embossing machine 100 according to the embodiments of the present invention has the above-mentioned beneficial technical effects, the transfer system 1000 according to the embodiments of the present invention divides the space between the two pressing components 20 into multiple workstations by the separator 30, which can increase the number of workstations that can accommodate the board, shorten the waiting time for transferring the board or the board embossing time, which is conducive to shortening the working cycle of the embossing machine 100, improving the embossing efficiency for multiple boards, and easily meeting the production needs for embossed boards.

[0071] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the flip-plate mechanism 200, the anode spacing mechanism 300, and the embossing machine 100 are arranged perpendicular to the set direction, with the embossing machine 100 located between the flip-plate mechanism 200 and the anode spacing mechanism 300. This arrangement helps to improve the structural compactness of the transfer system 1000 and increase space utilization. For example... Figure 1 The flipping mechanism 200, embossing machine 100 and anode spacing mechanism 300 are arranged in the left and right directions. The pressure application component 22 of the embossing machine 100 moves in the front and back directions, so the plate is embossed in the front and back directions and the plate is transferred in the left and right directions. This can reduce the space occupied by the transfer system 1000 in the front and back directions and the left and right directions, and make the arrangement of the transfer system 1000 more compact.

[0072] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1, the robot arm 400 is used to place the sheet material on the flipping mechanism 200 into one of the stations of the embossing machine 100, and to transfer the embossed sheet material from another station to the anode spacing mechanism 300. It is worth noting that "one of the stations" and "the other station" here refer to any two different stations among a plurality of stations, and the total number of stations can be two, three or more.

[0073] For example, in some embodiments where the separator 30 has two parts, the embossing machine 100 includes three stations. One station holds the embossed board material obtained from the previous embossing cycle, and the other two stations are empty. The robot arm 400 can move the board material to be embossed into any one of the empty stations in a single reciprocating movement, and then remove the embossed board material; or it can remove the embossed board material and then move the board material to be embossed into any one of the empty stations. An empty station refers to a station that is not currently holding a board material. For example, an empty station is a station that has not had a board material placed in it since the embossing machine 100 started working, or an empty station is a station after the board material has been removed.

[0074] The robotic arm 400's continuous and stable transfer operation of the sheet material can avoid human transfer errors and improve transfer accuracy. For example, it can accurately transfer the sheet material to be embossed to the station of the embossing machine 100 and remove the embossed sheet material from the station of the embossing machine 100, with high reliability.

[0075] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the robotic arm 400 is configured to alternately place the sheet material at multiple workstations for embossing, which can reduce the waiting time for transferring the sheet material and improve embossing efficiency.

[0076] For example, in some embodiments, during the first embossing cycle of the embossing machine 100, the robot arm 400 transfers the first plate from the flipping mechanism 200 to the first station of the embossing machine 100. While the embossing machine 100 is embossing the first plate, the robot arm 400 begins to transfer the second plate from the flipping mechanism 200. After the embossing machine 100 completes the embossing of the first plate, the robot arm 400 can quickly move the transferred second plate into the second station of the embossing machine 100, and remove the plate from the first station and transfer it to the anode spacing mechanism 300. Thus, while the embossing machine 100 is embossing the first plate, the robot arm 400 can simultaneously transfer the second plate, which helps to reduce the waiting time for transferring the plate and further improves the embossing efficiency.

[0077] For example, in some embodiments, when the embossing machine 100 performs its first embossing cycle, the robot arm 400 transfers multiple boards from the flipping mechanism 200 to multiple workstations of the embossing machine 100. This allows multiple workstations of the embossing machine 100 to simultaneously emboss multiple boards, reducing the time required to emboss multiple boards. More boards can be embossed within a given time, reducing the number of embossing cycles and improving embossing efficiency. Furthermore, it reduces the waiting time for the robot arm 400 during board transfer, thus meeting the speed requirements of the robot arm 400 in transfer mode.

[0078] The embossing method for sheet metal according to an embodiment of the present invention employs an embossing machine 100 for sheet metal according to an embodiment of the present invention, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the embossing methods include:

[0079] S1: Place the board to be embossed at one of the workstations and emboss it using two pressure components 20.

[0080] S2: The boards to be embossed are alternately placed in multiple workstations to repeat the single embossing cycle until all boards to be embossed are completed. The boards to be embossed are then placed in an empty workstation and the embossed boards are taken out. Then, the boards are embossed by two pressure components 20.

[0081] Step S1 embosses the first board, and step S2 completes the embossing process for all boards to be embossed. The boards to be embossed are alternately placed at multiple workstations, which helps to shorten the waiting time for transferring boards and improves embossing efficiency. For example, in some embodiments including a robot arm 400, the robot arm 400 alternately places the boards to be embossed at different workstations and removes the embossed boards, allowing the embossing machine 100 to emboss the boards. This reduces the waiting time for the robot arm 400 to emboss and improves the efficiency of board transfer. According to the embossing method of this invention, alternating the boards to be embossed at multiple workstations to repeat a single embossing cycle shortens the waiting time for transferring boards, improves the efficiency of board transfer, shortens the single embossing cycle of the embossing machine 100, improves the embossing efficiency for multiple boards, and easily meets the production needs for embossed boards.

[0082] The embossing machine 100, the transfer system 1000, and the embossing method for a sheet metal according to a specific embodiment of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the following description is merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0083] like Figures 1-6 As shown, a transfer system 1000 according to a specific embodiment of the present invention includes a flipping mechanism 200, an embossing machine 100, an anode spacing mechanism 300, and a robot arm 400. The embossing machine 100 includes a frame 10, two pressure application components 20, and a separator 30.

[0084] The flipping mechanism 200, the embossing machine 100, and the anode spacing mechanism 300 are arranged from left to right to form a transverse conveyor chain. The robot arm 400 is arranged behind the embossing machine 100, which facilitates the robot arm 400 to move the board to be embossed on the flipping mechanism 200 into the station of the embossing machine 100, and also facilitates the robot arm 400 to move the board that has been embossed in the station of the embossing machine 100 into the anode spacing mechanism 300, so as to realize the embossing and transfer of the board.

[0085] The plate material is a lead cathode sheet, and the transfer system 1000 is used to emboss and transfer the lead cathode sheet. The frame 10 is provided with two first guide rails 12 and two second guide rails 11 extending in the front-to-back direction.

[0086] Two pressure-applying assemblies 20 are arranged opposite each other in the front-to-back direction. Each pressure-applying assembly 20 includes a driving component 21, a pressure-applying component 22, and two lugs 221. One end of the driving component 21 is connected to the frame 10 via a flange, and the other end drives the pressure-applying component 22 to move. The driving component 21 is a hydraulic cylinder. The pressure-applying component 22 includes a pressure-applying base and two punches 23. The two punches 23 are located on opposite sides of the two pressure-applying bases and are connected to the pressure-applying bases by bolts. The punches 23 form embossing patterns. The lower left and right ends of the pressure-applying component 22 are respectively guided and engaged with two second guide rails 11 via sliders, allowing the pressure-applying component 22 to move in the front-to-back direction via the second guide rails 11. The two lugs 221 are respectively installed at the top of the left and right ends of the pressure-applying component 22 and are used to hang lead cathode sheets.

[0087] A separator 30 is arranged between two pressure-applying members 22 in a front-to-back direction, dividing the space between the two pressure-applying members 22 into two workstations for accommodating lead cathode sheets. The separator 30 includes a separator base, a die body 33, a support portion 34, and a connecting seat 32. The two die bodies 33 are located on the front and rear sides of the separator 30, and are connected to the separator base by bolts. The die bodies 33 form embossed patterns that match the punch body 23. The support portion 34 is located on the left and right sides of the separator 30, and is connected to the connecting seat 32. The connecting seat 32 is slidably connected to the first guide rail 12, enabling the separator 30 to guide the first guide rail 12 and allowing the separator 30 to move in the front-to-back direction via the first guide rail 12. The separator 30 is connected to two elastic members 31 arranged in the front-to-back direction through each connecting seat 32. One end of the elastic member 31 is connected to the connecting seat 32 and the other end is connected to the frame 10. The elastic member 31 extends in the front-to-back direction and is a spring.

[0088] When the lead cathode sheet is embossed and transported by the transfer system 1000, the lead cathode sheet is first flipped into a vertical position by the flipping mechanism 200, and then the flipped lead cathode sheet is transferred to a station of the embossing machine 100 by the robot arm 400.

[0089] Two driving components 21 drive the corresponding pressure components 22 to move toward the separator 30 in the front-back direction. The front pressure component 22 stops moving before the rear pressure component 22. The front pressure component 22 contacts the separator 30 first and moves with the separator 30 to the limit position of the front pressure component 20. Then the rear pressure component 22 contacts the stationary separator 30 and presses against the separator 30, so that the rear pressure component 22 and the front pressure component 22 exert equal and opposite pressure on the separator 30 to emboss the lead cathode sheet housed in the current work position.

[0090] During the embossing process of the first lead cathode sheet, the robot arm 400 transfers the second lead cathode sheet from the flipping mechanism 200 to another station of the embossing machine 100. After the first lead cathode sheet is embossed, the second lead cathode sheet is placed at the other station, and then the first lead cathode sheet is removed so that the embossing machine 100 can emboss the second lead cathode sheet. At the same time, the robot arm 400 transfers the removed first lead cathode sheet to the anode spacing mechanism 300 for spacing. Then, the robot arm 400 transfers the third lead cathode sheet from the flipping mechanism 200 to above the first station of the embossing machine 100, and repeats the above steps to achieve the embossing and transfer of multiple lead cathode sheets.

[0091] Other configurations and operations of the transfer system 1000 and embossing machine 100 according to embodiments of the present invention are known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0092] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0093] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "embodiment," "specific embodiment," and "example" indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0094] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for embossing a sheet metal, characterized in that, An embossing machine that uses sheet metal, the embossing machine comprising: frame; Two pressure-applying components are arranged opposite each other along a set direction. Each pressure-applying component includes a driving component and a pressure component. The driving component is mounted on the frame and connected to the pressure component. The driving component is used to drive the pressure component to move along the set direction to achieve embossing of the sheet metal. At least one separator is arranged between the two pressure-applying members along the predetermined direction to divide the space between the two pressure-applying members into a plurality of workstations for accommodating sheet metal. The two pressure-applying components are configured such that: one pressure-applying component stops moving before the other pressure-applying component; one pressure-applying component stops moving after moving to a preset position; and the other pressure-applying component stops moving after applying pressure to a preset pressure value. The frame is provided with a first guide rail extending along the set direction. The first guide rail cooperates with the middle part of the partition. The partition includes a connecting seat and the connecting seat is slidably mounted on the first guide rail. The separator is connected to elastic elements on both sides along a set direction. The elastic elements are used to apply a driving force toward the initial position to the separator. The elastic elements are connected to the connecting seat and the frame respectively along the set direction. The embossing method includes: The board to be embossed is placed in one of the workstations and embossed using the two pressure-applying components; The boards to be embossed are alternately placed at multiple workstations to repeat a single embossing cycle until all boards to be embossed are completed. During the single embossing cycle, the board to be embossed is placed in an empty workstation and the embossed board is taken out. Then, the board is embossed by two pressure-applying components.

2. The embossing method for sheet metal according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame is provided with a second guide rail, and the pressure-applying component cooperates with the second guide rail and is movable along the second guide rail. The second guide rail is parallel to the first guide rail.

3. The embossing method for sheet metal according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the pressure-applying component and the separator have vent holes on their pressure-applying surfaces that come into contact with the plate.

4. A transfer system, characterized in that, For implementing the embossing method for sheet metal as described in any one of claims 1-3, the transfer system includes a robotic arm, a flipping mechanism, an anode spacing mechanism, and an embossing machine; The embossing machine includes: frame; Two pressure-applying components are arranged opposite each other along a set direction. Each pressure-applying component includes a driving component and a pressure component. The driving component is mounted on the frame and connected to the pressure component. The driving component is used to drive the pressure component to move along the set direction to achieve embossing of the sheet metal. At least one separator is arranged between the two pressure-applying members along the predetermined direction to divide the space between the two pressure-applying members into a plurality of workstations for accommodating sheet metal. The two pressure-applying components are configured such that: one pressure-applying component stops moving before the other pressure-applying component; one pressure-applying component stops moving after moving to a preset position; and the other pressure-applying component stops moving after applying pressure to a preset pressure value. The frame is provided with a first guide rail extending along the set direction. The first guide rail cooperates with the middle part of the partition. The partition includes a connecting seat and the connecting seat is slidably mounted on the first guide rail. The separator is connected to elastic elements on both sides along a set direction. The elastic elements are used to apply a driving force toward the initial position to the separator. The elastic elements are connected to the connecting seat and the frame respectively along the set direction. The robotic arm is used to place the sheet material on the flipping mechanism into one of the stations of the embossing machine, and to transfer the embossed sheet material from the other station to the anode spacing mechanism.

5. The transfer system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The robotic arm is configured to alternately place the sheet material at multiple workstations for embossing.

6. The transfer system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The flip-plate mechanism, the anode spacing mechanism, and the embossing machine are arranged perpendicular to the set direction, and the embossing machine is located between the flip-plate mechanism and the anode spacing mechanism.

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