Press for forming a round blank, with a tool unit and a holder for the tool unit, as well as method for the ready-to-operate arrangement of the tool unit in the holder of the press

Abstract

The invention relates to a die unit (20) and a press (21), in particular an embossing press in order, for example, to emboss coins from a round blank. The die unit (20) can be inserted into or removed from a receptacle (23) of the press (21) in a simple and rapid manner so as to carry out a rapid die change with a short downtime of the press (21). For this purpose, the die unit (20) has a first die (45) and a second die (46) which are arranged along a die axis (A) on a die carrier (31) of the die unit (20). By means of a die guide (47), the second die (46) is mounted so as to be movable in a guided manner relative to the die carrier (31) and relative to the first die (45) independently of guide devices of the press (21). It is therefore possible, while the operation of a press (21) is in progress with another die unit, for such a die unit (20) to be prepared and set up outside this press. If it is desired or required, the prepared die unit (20) is exchanged for the die unit currently being used.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a press for forming a round blank, comprising a tool unit and a holder for such a tool unit, as well as a method for arranging the tool unit in an operational state in the holder of the press. A method not according to the claimed invention also includes replacing a currently used tool unit with another tool unit.

[0002] Especially with fast-running presses, such as minting presses for minting coins, medals, rounds, or other plate-shaped blanks, exchanging and setting up the tools for forming a blank, especially a round, takes a lot of time. When minting coins in particular, the minting tools must be aligned very precisely relative to one another due to the delicate structures that are to be minted in a coin or medal. Setting up a press before operation takes a relatively long time. If wear occurs on the tools during operation, it may be necessary to stop the press, replace and realign the tools, and then restart operation. Current minting presses therefore have relatively long downtimes.

[0003] A coin minting press is known, for example, from DE 26 28 855 C2. It has a holder for a die (first tool) and a ram that supports a patrix (second tool). The holder for the first tool consists of semicircular shells, which, when clamped, form a cavity for the first tool. The two tools can be exchanged separately and must be aligned with each other during press commissioning to ensure optimal minting results.

[0004] A coin minting press with a tool unit according to the preamble of patent claim 1 is described in DE 77 05 789 U. The tool unit comprises all components for minting coins. The tool unit can be detachably mounted in the coin minting press.

[0005] EP 2 813 345 A1 describes a method for changing tools, in which a tool unit is arranged in a press. The press has a press table and a swivel table. The tool unit consists of a lower tool and an upper tool. The swivel table has a holder for the tool unit and can be swiveled over the press workstation in which the tool unit is arranged. The tool unit can then be raised against the swivel table using the press table, connecting the upper tool to the swivel table.

[0006] JP S53-67852 U describes a holder or fixture for a tool for forming a workpiece. The tool holders have a protruding pin that engages a hole in the tool when the tool is positioned. This aligns the tool relative to the holder.

[0007] DE 10 2015 010 489 A1 describes a forging press with a tool carrier. The tool carrier has a sliding surface. One or more tools can be slidably mounted on this sliding surface for replacement.

[0008] Based on the known prior art, it can be considered the object of the present invention to provide a tool unit for a press, in particular a stamping press, which can be inserted or removed from the press with minimal downtime.

[0009] This object is achieved by a press having the features of patent claim 1 and a method having the features of patent claim 12.

[0010] The press according to the invention comprises a tool unit having a tool carrier configured to be replaceably connected to the press. In particular, the tool carrier is configured to be arranged, positioned, and / or aligned in a corresponding receptacle on a press frame of the press, and releasably secured to the press frame. The tool unit represents a uniformly manageable assembly that can be handled manually or automatically for placement on or removal from a press.

[0011] The tool unit also has a first tool and a second tool. Both tools are aligned with a tool axis on the tool carrier. The two tools are arranged coaxially to the tool axis A.

[0012] The tool unit has a tool guide by means of which the second tool is mounted on the tool carrier so that it can move along the tool axis. The second tool can therefore be moved in a stroke direction towards the first tool and opposite to the stroke direction in a return stroke direction away from the first tool. The two tools are thus aligned and guided relative to one another by the tool unit itself. Once the tool unit is inserted into the press, the second tool can be coupled to a ram of the press via a corresponding coupling device of the press so that the movement of the ram can be transmitted to the second tool and a stroke in the stroke direction or a return stroke in the return stroke direction can be initiated.

[0013] Because the two tools are already guided and aligned relative to each other within the tool unit, inserting and replacing the tools in the press is significantly simplified. The tool unit is handled as a single assembly, eliminating the need for laborious alignment of the two tools relative to each other in the press. Unlike previously known presses, especially stamping presses, the second tool does not use the ram's guide; instead, the tool unit has its own separate tool guide for the second tool.

[0014] The tools of the tool unit are preferably stamping tools for a stamping press, for example, for stamping coins, medals, or the like from a plate- or disc-shaped blank or a round blank. The blank or round blank can consist of one or more parts, consisting of a core and one or more rings arranged concentrically around the core. The outer contour of the round blank or a round blank part can, for example, be circular or polygonal, or have any other essentially arbitrary shape.

[0015] It is advantageous if the tool guide is configured to support transverse movements of the second tool transverse to the tool axis and / or tilting movements of the second tool relative to the tool axis. In particular, the tool guide can be designed such that the second tool can only be guided along the tool axis in a single degree of freedom, and movements in all other degrees of freedom—apart from any technically required play—are supported.

[0016] In one embodiment, the tool guide can comprise at least one guide column, which is movably mounted in an associated guide bushing parallel to the tool axis. For example, the first tool can be motion-coupled to the at least one guide column, for example, it can be arranged immovably relative to the guide column. The at least one guide bushing can be present on the tool carrier.

[0017] It is advantageous if the second tool has a tool coupling surface, by means of which the second tool rests against a ram surface of a press ram, at least during its movement in the stroke direction. Preferably, the tool coupling surface and the ram surface are flat and perpendicular to the tool axis. The second tool and the ram are designed, in particular, in the region of the abutting tool coupling surface and ram surface such that a tilting movement of the ram relative to the tool axis and / or a transverse movement of the ram perpendicular to the tool axis is not transmitted to the second tool.

[0018] In one embodiment of the tool unit, the first tool is movable between a forming position and an ejection position. In the ejection position, a formed blank can be ejected from a ring after forming or stamping. In the forming position, the first tool is supported, in particular, immovably in the stroke direction and can be supported either on the tool carrier or on the press.

[0019] Alternatively, in one embodiment it is also possible for the first tool to be arranged immovably relative to the tool carrier.

[0020] The tool carrier can preferably include a transport part with a sliding surface. The transport part with the sliding surface is designed to allow the sliding transport of discs into or out of the tool unit. This allows the discs to be positioned between the two tools for subsequent forming, embossing, and / or punching. After embossing and / or punching, they can be transported away via the sliding surface.

[0021] It is also advantageous if the tool carrier has a sliding guide. The sliding guide is designed to work together with a frame guide on a press frame. The tool unit can be moved into or out of the press holder via the sliding guide and the frame guide.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, at least one positioning recess is provided on the tool carrier of the tool unit. The at least one positioning recess is designed to cooperate with a positioning body of a positioning device of the press. By inserting the at least one positioning body into the at least one positioning recess, the tool carrier and thus the tool unit can be positioned or aligned relative to a press frame of the press. The at least one positioning recess has a tapered cross-section starting from its open end and can in particular be conical. The at least one positioning projection is preferably designed to be complementary to the at least one positioning recess.

[0023] A press according to the invention for forming a round blank has a holder for an exchangeable tool unit, in particular for a tool unit according to one of the exemplary embodiments as explained above. The press has a positioning device with at least one positioning body. The positioning body can be moved into a positioning position in which it protrudes at least partially into an associated positioning recess on the tool unit. The cooperation between the at least one positioning body and the at least one positioning recess allows positioning and / or alignment of the tool unit relative to the press. In addition, the press has a clamping device designed to clamp the tool unit in the holder.The clamping device is particularly designed such that, while the clamping force is being generated, no positive locking is created by the clamping device, but rather a force-locking or frictional connection is maintained between the clamping device and the tool unit. It is particularly advantageous if the press is designed to move the at least one positioning body of the positioning device out of the positioning position after the tool unit has been clamped, so that there is no contact between the at least one positioning body and the at least one positioning recess. In another embodiment, the clamping device can alternatively or additionally be designed such that a positive locking is created while the clamping force is being generated.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the press has a coupling device. The coupling device is configured to couple the second tool to a ram of the press, so that the movement of the ram can be transferred to the second tool to move it in the stroke direction or in the return stroke direction.

[0025] It is preferred if the coupling device is designed to push or pull the second tool towards the ram in the return stroke direction with a coupling force. A preferably positionable or adjustable stop surface can be provided on the press, against which the second tool is pressed or pulled by the coupling force when it assumes a rest position. In the rest position, the second tool has a maximum distance from the first tool when the first tool is in the forming position. In the rest position, the second tool is not lifted from the contact surface by the ram. The ram is located in the region of its reversal point, which is remote from the first tool in the return stroke direction and can also be referred to as the lower reversal point.

[0026] It is advantageous if the coupling device is configured to allow transverse movements of the ram transverse to the tool axis and / or tilting movements of the ram relative to the tool axis. This prevents such transverse movements or tilting movements of the ram from being transmitted to the second tool. This prevents jamming of the second tool, which is guided by the tool guide independently of the guide of the ram on the tool unit.

[0027] The procedure for arranging a tool unit ready for operation in the holder of a press is particularly as follows: First, the tool unit is inserted into the holder of the press. For this purpose, for example, the sliding guide on the tool carrier and the frame guide on the press frame can be used and the tool unit can be pushed into the holder on the press frame transversely to the tool axis. The tool unit is then positioned and / or aligned relative to the press frame. For this purpose, the at least one positioning body is moved by means of the positioning device into the respectively assigned at least one positioning recess on the tool unit, such that the at least one positioning body comes into contact with the tool unit in the at least one positioning recess, such that the position and / or alignment of the tool unit relative to the press frame is determined.The tool unit is then clamped to the press frame using a clamping device. After clamping, the at least one positioning body is retracted from the respective associated positioning recess, so that there is no contact between the at least one positioning body and the tool unit.

[0028] Furthermore, it is advantageous if a movement coupling between the second tool and a ram of the press is established by means of a coupling device of the press, in particular by urging the second tool against the ram in the return stroke direction by means of a coupling force.

[0029] Advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Figure 1a schematic, block diagram-like representation of a tool unit arranged in a receiving space of a press during positioning and / or alignment, Figure 2 the block diagram Figure 1 after alignment in an operational state during the feeding of a round blank into the tool unit, Figure 3 the embodiment according to the Figures 1 and 2 during the embossing of the supplied blank, Figure 4 the embodiment according to the Figures 1-3 during the ejection of the blank after embossing, Figure 5 the embodiment according to the Figures 1-4 , where the blank was incorrectly positioned before embossing, Figure 6 a perspective view of an embodiment of a tool unit and a press before inserting the tool unit into the press holder, Figure 7 the embodiment of the tool unit and the press from Figure 6in another perspective view, Figure 8 the embodiment of the tool unit and the press according to the Figures 6 and 7 after the tool unit has been inserted into the press holder, Figure 9 a perspective view of the embodiment of the tool unit according to the Figures 6-8 , Figures 10-13 a sectional view of the tool unit and the press according to the Figures 6-9 , wherein the tool unit is arranged in the holder of the press and Figures 14 and 15 each a perspective sectional view of the embodiment of the tool unit according to the Figures 6-13 .

[0030] In the Figures 6 and 71 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a tool unit 20 and a press 21, with the press 21 only partially shown. The press 21 is configured as a stamping press, in particular a coin stamping press, for forming single-piece or multi-piece blanks into coins, medals, or the like.

[0031] The press 21 has a press frame 22 with a receptacle 23, which is designed to receive the tool unit 20. In the exemplary embodiment, a frame guide 24 is provided in the receptacle 23, which cooperates with a sliding guide 25 provided on the tool unit 20, so that the tool unit 20 can be pushed into the receptacle 23 on the press frame 22 at right angles to a stroke direction H and a return stroke direction R. In Figure 8 the tool unit 20 is illustrated completely inserted into the holder 23.

[0032] In the preferred embodiment, the frame guide 24 has two spaced-apart guide projections 26, each forming a guide rail. The guide projections 26 or guide rails extend in an insertion direction perpendicular to a stroke direction H and a return stroke direction R. The stroke direction H and the return stroke direction R are oriented opposite to each other and define the direction in which a ram 27 of the press 21 and / or a tool of the tool unit 20, which is motion-coupled to the ram 27, can move to form a round blank. The movement of the ram 27 is caused by a ram drive 28 of the press 21.

[0033] The tool unit 20 has a tool carrier 31 on which the sliding guide 25 is formed or present. In the exemplary embodiment, the sliding guide 25 each has a groove-like sliding recess 32 which is delimited by two spaced-apart groove flanks 33, 34. In the exemplary embodiment, the stroke direction H and the return stroke direction R are aligned essentially vertically, so that one groove flank forms an upper groove flank 33, while the groove flank arranged vertically below it represents a lower groove flank 34 when the tool unit 20 is aligned in a position in which it can be inserted into the receptacle 23. An associated guide projection 26 engages in the sliding recess 32 when the tool unit 20 is inserted into the receptacle 23 of the press 21. In the exemplary embodiment, the upper groove flank 33 rests on top of the associated guide projection 26.

[0034] In the Figures 1-5The essential parts of the tool unit 20 and elements of the press 21 are each illustrated in the form of a block diagram. Figures 14 and 15 each show a perspective sectional view through a concrete embodiment of the tool unit 20 according to the Figures 6-13 .

[0035] In the block diagrams according to the Figures 1-5 The tool unit 20 is arranged in the holder 23 of the press 21. The complete insertion of the tool unit 20 into the holder 23 is detected, for example, by a sensor device 38. The sensor device 38 is, for example, in Figure 3 and for the sake of clarity in the Figures 1 , 2 and 4omitted. In the exemplary embodiment, the sensor device 38 has a light transmitter 39, for example a laser or the like, and a light receiver 40. On the tool carrier 31 of the tool unit 20, a through-hole 41 is provided, which releases the light path between the light transmitter 39 and the light receiver 40 when the tool unit 20 is completely and correctly arranged in the receptacle 23. If the tool unit 20 is not in the correct position in the receptacle 23, the tool carrier 31 or at least part of it interrupts the light path between the light transmitter 39 and the light receiver 40, so that depending on the signal at the light receiver 40, the correct or incorrect arrangement of the tool unit 20 in the receptacle 23 can be detected.

[0036] Instead of the light transmitter 39 and the light receiver 40, other sensors can also be used, such as proximity switches or contact switches, which can operate electrically and / or magnetically.

[0037] The tool unit 20 has a first tool 45 and a second tool 46, which are arranged in alignment along a common tool axis A. The first tool 45 is arranged, for example, vertically above the second tool 46 when the tool unit 20 is arranged in the holder 23. The tool unit 20 also has a tool guide 47, by means of which the second tool 46 can be moved in the stroke direction H towards the first tool 45 and in the opposite direction in the return stroke direction R away from the first tool 45. The tool guide 47 is preferably designed such that tilting movements of the second tool 46 relative to the tool axis A and / or transverse movements of the second tool 46 radially or at right angles to the tool axis A are supported on the tool carrier 31 - apart from the technically necessary play.The tool guide 47 is thus designed as a linear guide for moving the second tool 46 along the tool axis A.

[0038] In the preferred embodiment illustrated here, the tool guide 47 has at least two guide columns 48 which extend parallel to one another and at a distance from the tool axis A in the stroke direction H and the return stroke direction R. Each guide column 48 is guided in an associated guide bushing 49 so as to be displaceable in the stroke direction H and the return stroke direction R. The guide bushings 49 are arranged on the tool carrier 31 or in the tool carrier 31. For this purpose, the tool carrier 31 can contain, for example, recesses or through holes in which one of the guide bushings 49 is arranged. The guide bushings 49 can be designed as plain bearing bushes or as rolling bearing bushes for the guide columns 48.

[0039] As shown schematically in the Figures 1-5and in one embodiment of the tool unit 20 in particular based on the Figure 15 As can be seen, the two guide columns 48 are arranged immovably relative to the second tool 46. For this purpose, the exemplary embodiment includes a cross member 50 and, for example, a plate-shaped cross member 50 to which the two guide columns 48 are attached. The second tool 46 is also attached to the cross member 50. The cross member 50 can be an integrally formed body.

[0040] The two tools 45, 46 of the tool unit 20 are preferably designed in several parts, which is particularly Figure 15can be seen. The first tool 45 has a first pressure piece 51, to which a first die 52 is attached. Correspondingly, the second tool 46 has a second pressure piece 53, to which a second die 54 is attached. However, as a modification, it would also be possible to form the first tool 45 and the second tool 46 as a single, integral part.

[0041] Also attached to the tool carrier 31 is a transport part 57, which is plate-shaped, for example. The transport part 57 has, on its side facing the first tool 45, a sliding surface 58 that extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the tool axis A. The sliding surface 58 is designed to enable the sliding transport of blanks 59 to be formed or stamped. For this purpose, a corresponding transport device can be provided to transport blanks 59 into the tool unit 20 and, after the respective blank 59 has been formed or stamped, out of the tool unit 20. For example, a turntable can be used as the transport device. The turntable can be rotated stepwise about a rotational axis and has several transport pockets, each spaced apart from its rotational axis, for receiving a blank 59. In each rotational position of the turntable, a transport pocket is aligned with the tool axis A of the tool unit 20.The round blank 59 located in one of the transport pockets slides on the sliding surface 58 when the turntable rotates into a position in which it is located between the two tools 45, 46 and can be formed or embossed by a stroke of the second tool 46 relative to the first tool 45.

[0042] Subsequently, the embossed blank 59 can be ejected back into the transport pocket, for example by means of an ejector device 62. The ejector device 62 can, for example, have an ejector 63 which is movable in the stroke direction H and in the return stroke direction R and on which the first tool 45 is supported when the tool unit 20 is arranged in the holder 23 ( Figure 10 ). By means of the ejector device 62 and in particular the ejector 63, the first tool 45 can be moved between a forming position I ( Figures 1-3 and 5 ) and an ejection position II ( Figure 4 ) can be moved.

[0043] The ejector device 62 is required when a stamped blank 59 does not fall back into the transport pocket by itself due to its weight. In the exemplary embodiment, adjacent to the first tool 45, when it is in the forming position I, there is a ring 64 which is arranged on the tool carrier 31 and, in the exemplary embodiment, is supported on the tool carrier 31 in the stroke direction H in a spring-loaded manner. During the forming or stamping of the blank 59, the blank 59 is located within the ring 64 ( Fig. 3 ). The ring 64 limits the radial expansion of the blank 59 during forming or stamping. After forming or stamping, the blank 59 can be held or clamped in the ring 64 in a force-locking manner. By a relative movement between the ring 64 and the first tool 45, the stamped blank 59 can be ejected from the ring 64 and conveyed back into the transport pocket.

[0044] In the embodiment, the first tool 45 is moved from the forming position I to the ejection position II, so that the first tool 45 at least partially engages in the ring 64 and ejects the formed or embossed blank 59, which is shown schematically in Figure 4 is shown. For this purpose, the ejector 63, on which the first tool 45 is supported, is moved in the return stroke direction R. Subsequently, the embossed blank 59 can be removed from the tool unit 20 by means of the transport device and, for example, by means of the turntable, and a new blank 59 to be embossed can be fed in, which is located in the adjacent transport pocket of the turntable.

[0045] For the movement coupling of the second tool 46 with the ram 27 of the press 21, the press 21 has a coupling device 68. The coupling device 68 is designed to apply a coupling force to the second tool 46, which urges the second tool 46 in the return stroke direction R towards the ram 27 of the press 21. In the exemplary embodiment, the coupling device 68 exerts a force when the coupling is established ( Figures 2-5 ) exerts a tensile force on the second tool 46 in the return stroke direction R. In a rest position of the second tool 46 ( Figure 2 ), a tool coupling surface 69 of the second tool 46 rests against a stop surface 70 of the press 21 or the press frame 22. The stop surface 70 is designed in the exemplary embodiment as an annular surface which is arranged coaxially to the ram 27. The tool coupling surface 69 faces a ram surface 71 of the ram 27. In the Figure 2In the rest position shown, the ram surface 71 can be arranged at a distance from the tool coupling surface 69.

[0046] The tool coupling surface 69 is, for example, aligned in a plane at right angles to the tool axis A. As illustrated by way of example, the ram surface 71 extends substantially at right angles to the stroke direction H or return stroke direction R. The ram surface 71 can deviate from the ideal, parallel alignment with respect to the tool coupling surface 69 at least in one or more positions of the ram 27 or can also move at right angles to the stroke direction H or return stroke direction R during movement in the stroke direction H or return stroke direction R. The coupling device 68 prevents such an undesired ram alignment or ram transverse movement from being transmitted to the second tool 46 in that the coupling device 68 does not establish any movement coupling in these degrees of freedom between the ram 27 and the second tool 46. Preferably, the coupling device 68 is used only to couple the movement in the stroke direction H orReturn stroke direction R established.

[0047] The coupling device 68, for example, has a coupling part 72, which is connected to an actuator unit 73 by means of a suitable linkage or other connection. By means of a pretensioning device 74, for example a spring arrangement, the coupling part 72 is urged in the return stroke direction R relative to the press frame 22 and is thereby pretensioned. The actuator unit 73 is configured to position or move the coupling part 72 in the stroke direction H against the force of the pretensioning device 74. The actuator unit 73 can serve as a stop to prevent movement of the coupling part 72 in the return stroke direction R by the pretensioning force of the pretensioning device 74 ( Figure 1). As soon as the actuator unit 73 is moved into a state or position in which the coupling part 72 can be freely moved in the return stroke direction R by the pretensioning unit 74, the coupling part 72 can be brought into contact with a counter-coupling part 75 that is coupled to the second tool 46. The counter-coupling part 75 is arranged, for example, immovably relative to the second tool 46 and can be present on the cross member 50 or formed by a part of the cross member 50.

[0048] As is particularly the case in the Figures 10 and 12As can be seen, in one embodiment, a coupling surface 76 is present on the coupling part 72, which in particular corresponds to a spherical surface section. On the counter-coupling part 75, a counter-coupling surface 77 is present, complementary to the coupling surface 76, which, for example, also corresponds to a spherical surface section. The coupling surface 76 is convex in the embodiment, while the counter-coupling surface 77 is concave. A reverse arrangement is also possible as an alternative to the illustrated embodiment. They rest against one another in a sliding manner when a coupling is established between the plunger 27 and the second tool 46 ( Figures 2-5 ). The coupling surface 76 and the counter-coupling surface 77 can also have different contours than those shown in the Figures 10 and 12 shown shape with concave or convex spherical surface sections.

[0049] Because the coupling surface 76 and counter-coupling surface 77 are slidably mounted against one another, the coupling device 68 allows tilting movements of the ram 27 of the press 21 relative to the tool axis A and / or transverse movements perpendicular to the tool axis A and does not transmit them to the second tool 46 or transmits them only to a negligible extent.

[0050] The coupling device 68 can have a plurality of coupling parts 72, each of which cooperates with a counter-coupling part 75 of the tool unit 20. The coupling parts 72 can be subjected to a pre-tensioning force by a common or by a respective pre-tensioning device 74 and can have a common or respective actuator unit 73. In the embodiment according to the Figures 6-15 the press 21 has two coupling parts 72 each with a pretensioning device 74 and an actuator unit 73.

[0051] The coupling device 68 of the press 21 ensures that the second tool 46 executes a movement in the stroke direction H when the ram 27 moves in the stroke direction H and the ram surface 71 rests against the tool coupling surface 69 ( Figure 3 ). This allows a blank 59 to be lifted from the sliding surface 58 and moved into the ring 64 in order to reshape or stamp the blank 59 in the ring 64 between the tools 45, 46.

[0052] In the rest position of the second tool 46, the tool coupling surface 69 rests against the stop surface 70. It is possible for the second tool 46 to execute only a portion of the stroke movement of the ram 27. The stroke of the ram 27 of the press 21 in the stroke direction H can be greater than the movement in the stroke direction H executed by the second tool 46.

[0053] The press 21 also has a positioning device 82 with at least one and, for example, two positioning bodies 83. The positioning bodies 83 are each movable in the stroke direction H and in the return stroke direction R by a positioning drive 84. The positioning drive 84 can be formed by a cylinder.

[0054] The positioning bodies 83 taper toward their free end in the return stroke direction R and are, for example, conical in shape. Each positioning body 83 is assigned to a positioning recess 85 present on the tool unit 20 and, for example, on the tool carrier 31. In the exemplary embodiment, the positioning recesses 85 are open in the stroke direction H. They taper inward in the return stroke direction R and are, in particular, conical in shape analogous to the respectively assigned positioning body 83.

[0055] By means of the positioning drives 84, the positioning bodies 83 can be moved into a positioning position III ( Figure 1), in which the positioning bodies 83 engage in the respectively associated positioning recess 85 and rest against the tool carrier 31 within the positioning recess 85. Because both the positioning bodies 83 and the positioning recesses 85 are tapered in the return stroke direction R and in particular conically tapered, the tool unit 20 is aligned relative to the press frame 22. The frame guide 24 and the sliding guide 25 are provided with a corresponding amount of play. The receptacle 23 of the press frame 22 is therefore designed such that a relative movement between the tool unit 20 and the press frame 22 is possible.

[0056] In addition, the press 21 has a clamping device 90. The clamping device 90 is designed to create a clamping force between the tool carrier 31 and the press frame 22 and, for example, between the slide guide 25 and the frame guide 24. As a result, the tool unit 20 is clamped in the receptacle 23 of the press frame 22. In the exemplary embodiment, the clamping device 90 has several, for example, four clamping bodies 91, which are moved into a clamping position IV ( Figures 2-5) are movable. In the exemplary embodiment, the clamping bodies 91 are moved in the return stroke direction R or in the stroke direction H by means of the respectively assigned clamping drive 92. The clamping drive 92 can be formed, for example, by a cylinder and in particular a hydraulic cylinder. In the clamping position IV, the clamping bodies 91 are pressed against the tool carrier 31 in the return stroke direction R by means of the clamping drives 92. In the exemplary embodiment, the upper groove flanks 33 are thereby pressed against the respectively adjacent guide projection 26 with the clamping force. A force-fitting fixation of the tool unit 20 in the receptacle 23 is achieved. The clamping bodies 91 only bear against the tool carrier 31 in a force-fitting manner and do not produce a form-fitting connection.This ensures that the relative position and the relative alignment between the tool unit 20 and the press frame 22, which is adjusted by means of the positioning device 82, is not impaired by the clamping device 90.

[0057] In Figure 111 shows an embodiment of the clamping device 90 in which the clamping drive 92 has a spring assembly and in particular a disc spring assembly, which is supported on a piston 94 of a cylinder 95. The associated clamping body 91 is arranged on the piston 94 of the respective clamping drive 92 and protrudes from the cylinder 95. The disc spring assembly 93 urges the piston 94 with the clamping body 91 in the return stroke direction R and in the clamping position IV against the tool carrier 31 in order to generate the clamping force. Counter to the force of the disc spring assembly 93, a chamber in the cylinder 95 can be subjected to a fluid pressure, for example hydraulic pressure, in order to move the piston 94 with the clamping body 91 in the stroke direction H out of the clamping position IV and to release the clamping of the tool unit 20 in the holder 23.By generating the clamping force with a spring assembly and in particular a disc spring assembly 93, a clamping effect is ensured independent of externally available energy and in particular fluid pressure.

[0058] The arrangement of a tool unit 20 in the press 21 is carried out, for example, as follows:

[0059] Before inserting the tool unit 20 into the receptacle 23, the positioning device 82, the clamping device 90 and the coupling device 68 are moved into a position in which the insertion or pushing of the tool unit 20 into the receptacle 23 is possible. Subsequently, the tool unit 20 is pushed into the receptacle 23, for example using the sliding guide 25 and the frame guide 24, until the tool unit 20 is completely and correctly positioned in the receptacle 23. This is detected by the sensor device 38 ( Figure 3). Once the tool unit 20 has been correctly inserted into the holder 23, the positioning, alignment, fixing, and coupling of the tool unit 20 to the press 21 is carried out. This can be done either fully automatically after the tool unit 20 has been correctly positioned in the holder 23, which is detected by the sensor device 38, or after a corresponding command has been triggered by an operator.

[0060] First, the positioning device 82 is activated and the positioning bodies 83 are moved into their respective positioning position III. As a result, the positioning bodies 83 engage in the respective associated positioning recess 85 and align the tool unit 20 relative to the press frame 22. This state is shown schematically in Figure 1 illustrated.

[0061] Subsequently, the clamping device 90 and the coupling device 68 are activated simultaneously or sequentially. Preferably, the clamping bodies 91 of the clamping device 90 are first moved into their respective clamping position IV, thereby clamping the tool unit 20 in the receptacle 23 of the press frame 22. After this fixation, the positioning bodies 83 of the positioning device 82 are moved out of their positioning position III, so that there is no longer any contact between the positioning bodies 83 and the tool unit 20 or the tool carrier 31 ( Figure 2 ). In addition, the coupling device 68 or the actuator unit 73 is actuated, so that the second tool 46 is pressed against the stop surface 70 in the rest position by a preload force of the preload device 74 ( Figure 2 Press 21 is now ready for operation.

[0062] For stamping, a blank 59 can now be fed between the two tools 45, 46. The ram drive 28 moves the ram 27 in the stroke direction H, so that the ram surface 71 comes into contact with the tool coupling surface 69. As the ram 27 continues to stroke in the stroke direction H, the second tool 46 is also moved in the stroke direction H. The fed blank 59 is moved along the tool axis A by means of the second tool 46 towards the first tool 45, which is in the forming position I, and is formed between the two tools 45, 46 ( Figure 3 ). The first tool 45 is supported in the forming position I on the ejector device 62 and does not move in the stroke direction H. During forming, the blank 59 is located within the ring 64, which limits the radial expansion of the blank 59.

[0063] After forming, the blank 59 has an outer diameter that corresponds to the inner diameter of the ring 64. The formed or stamped blank 59 is held force-locked in the ring 64 when the second tool 46 moves away from the first tool 45 in the return stroke direction R due to the return stroke movement of the ram 27 until it returns to its rest position in which the tool coupling surface 69 rests against the stop surface 70 ( Figure 4). In order to remove the formed or stamped blank 59 from the ring 64, the ejector device 62 moves the first tool 45 - at least temporarily simultaneously with or after the return stroke movement of the second tool 46 - in the return stroke direction R into the ring 64 and presses the formed or stamped blank 59 out of the ring 64 (Figure 4). The first tool 45 is in the ejection position II. The first tool 45 is then moved back to the forming position I, while the formed or stamped blank 59 is removed from the tool unit 20 and a new blank 59 to be formed or stamped is fed in. This forming or stamping process is repeated cyclically.

[0064] In one embodiment, the sensor device 38 has an additional function for monitoring the forming or embossing, which is shown schematically in Figure 5is illustrated. If a round blank 59, which is not aligned along the tool axis A with the interior of the ring 64, is lifted by the second tool 46, the round blank 59 does not reach the interior of the ring 64. Rather, the ring 64 is displaced into the light path against its spring bearing by contact with the round blank 59 and interrupts the light path between the light transmitter 39 and the light receiver 40. This allows an error to be detected during the forming or embossing of a round blank 59.

[0065] The invention relates to a press 21, in particular a stamping press. The tool unit 20 can be easily and quickly arranged in or removed from a holder 23 of the press 21 in order to carry out a rapid tool change with a short downtime of the press 21. For this purpose, the tool unit 20 has a first tool 45 and a second tool 46, which are arranged along a tool axis A on a tool carrier 31 of the tool unit 20. By means of a tool guide 47, the second tool 46 is mounted so as to be guided and movable relative to the tool carrier 31 and relative to the first tool 45, independently of guide devices of the press 21. The tool unit 20 can therefore be prepared and set up during ongoing operation of a press 21. If desired or necessary, the prepared tool unit 20 is exchanged for the currently used tool unit 20. List of reference symbols:

[0066] 20Tool unit 21Press 22Press frame 23Holder 24Frame guide 25Sliding guide 26Guide projection 27Push 28Push drive 31Tool carrier 32Thrust recess 33Upper groove flank 34Lower groove flank 38Sensor device 39Light transmitter 40Light receiver 41Through hole 45First tool 46Second tool 47Tool guide 48Guide column 49Guide bush 50Cross member 51First pressure piece 52First die 53Second pressure piece 54Second die 57Transport part 58Sliding surface 59Round blank 62Ejector device 63Ejector 64Ring 68Coupling device 69Tool coupling surface 70Stop surface 71Push surface 72Coupling part 73Actuator unit 74Pretensioning device 75Counter-coupling part 76Coupling surface 77Counter-coupling surface 82Positioning device 83Positioning body 84Positioning drive 85Positioning recess 90Clamping device 91Clamping body 92Clamping drive 93Disc spring assembly 94Piston 95Cylinder Forming position IIEjection position IIIPositioning position IVClamping position ATool axis HStroke direction RReturn stroke direction

Claims

1. A press (21) for forming a round blank (59), the press (21) comprising: a tool unit (20) having a first tool (45) and a second tool (46) that is mounted so as to be movable in a stroke direction (H) toward the first tool (45) and in a back-stroke direction (R) away from the first tool (45), a holder (23) in which the tool unit (20) is arranged so as to be exchangeable and detachably connectable, a clamping device (90) which is configured to clamp the tool unit (20) arranged in the holder (23), characterized in that the press (21) further comprises: a positioning device (82) comprising at least one positioning body (83) which, in a positioning position (III), cooperates with a respective associated positioning recess (85) on the tool unit (20) in order to position and / or align the tool unit (20) relative to the press (21).

2. The press according to claim 1, characterized in that a coupling device (68) is provided that is configured to urge the second tool (46) in the back-stroke direction (R) with a coupling force toward a ram (27) and to couple it to the ram (27) of the press (21) such that the movement of the ram (27) is transferred to the second tool (46) at least in a movement section of the ram (27).

3. The press according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second tool (46) has a tool coupling surface (69) by means of which the second tool (46) abuts against a ram surface (71) of the ram (27) at least during its movement in the stroke direction (H), and in that the second tool (46) and the ram (27) are designed in the region of the mutually abutting tool coupling surface (69) and ram surface (71) such that a tilting movement of the ram (27) relative to the tool axis (A) and / or a transverse movement of the ram (27) orthogonal to the tool axis (A) is not transferred to the second tool (46).

4. The press according to claim 2 and claim 3, characterized in that the press (21) has a stop surface (70) against which the tool coupling surface (69) of the second tool (46) abuts when the second tool (46) assumes a rest position and is urged against the stop surface (70) by the coupling force, and in that the tool coupling surface (69) faces a ram surface (71) of the ram (27).

5. The press according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool unit (20) comprises a tool carrier (31) that is configured to be exchangeably connected to the press (21), wherein the first tool (45) and the second tool (46) are arranged on the tool carrier (31) in alignment with a tool axis (A), and wherein the second tool (46) is arranged on the tool carrier (31) so as to be movably guided along the tool axis (A) by means of a tool guide (47) of the tool unit (20) such that the second tool (46) is movable in a stroke direction (H) toward the first tool (45) and in a back-stroke direction (R) away from the first tool (45), wherein the second tool (46) is configured to be movably coupled with a ram (27) of the press (21).

6. The press according to claim 5, characterized in that the tool guide (47) is configured to support transverse movements of the second tool (46) transverse to the tool axis (A) and / or tilting movements of the second tool (46) relative to the tool axis (A).

7. The press according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the tool guide (47) comprises at least one guide column (48) that is movably supported in an assigned guide bushing (49) of the tool unit (20) in the stroke direction (H) and the back-stroke direction (R), wherein the second tool (46) is movably coupled to the at least one guide column (48) and the at least one guide bushing (49) is arranged on the tool carrier (31).

8. The press according to anyone of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the first tool (45) is movable relative to the tool carrier (31) between a forming position (I) and an ejection position (II).

9. The press according to claim 8, characterized in that, in the forming position (I), the first tool (45) is supported immovably in the stroke direction (H) on the tool carrier (31) and / or on the press (21).

10. The press according to anyone of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that a transport part (57) having a sliding surface (58) for the sliding transport of round blanks (59) into the tool unit (20) and out of the tool unit (20) is provided on the tool carrier (31).

11. The press according to anyone of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that a sliding guide (25) is provided on the tool carrier (31), that is configured to cooperate with a frame guide (24) on a press frame (22) of the press (21) in order to move the tool unit (20) in an insertion direction into the press (21) or out of the press (21).

12. A method for a ready-to-operate arrangement of a tool unit (20) in a holder (23) on a press frame (22) of a press (21) according to anyone of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: - inserting the tool unit (20) into the holder (23) of the press (21), - positioning and / or aligning the tool unit (20) relative to the press frame (22) by means of a positioning device (82) in that at least one positioning body (83) of the positioning device (82) engages in a respective associated positioning recess (85) on the tool unit (20), - clamping the tool unit (20) to the press frame (11) by means of a clamping device (90), and - retracting the at least one positioning body (83) from the respective positioning recess (85) on the tool unit (20).

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the tool unit (20) has a first tool (45) and a second tool (46), and in that the second tool (46) is movably coupled to a ram (27) of the press (21) by means of a coupling device (68) after the positioning and / or aligning the tool unit (20) relative to the press frame (22).

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