Punch for mechanical transformation operations by plastic deformation of metal products, method of manufacturing punches and machine-tool including this punch

Abstract

The present invention relates to a punch-type tool (10) for performing mechanical transformation operations by plastic deformation of metal products, as well as to a machine / tool including said punch (10), as well as to a method for manufacturing this type of punch-type tool (10) or the like. The invention is based on a punch (10) with a single-piece structure that comprises the interface (20), main body (30) and impact zones (40) and that are made by additive manufacturing allowing to configure the consolidation of the material used to adapt different physical properties of each part, having a main body (30) with cavities (31) and integrated conduits (31, 32) for the application of air and / or lubricant in the work area effectively.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a punch-type tool for performing mechanical transformation operations by plastic deformation of metal products.

[0002] The invention also relates to both a machine tool including said punch and a method for manufacturing such punch-type tools or the like.Background of the invention

[0003] The mechanical transformation of metal products, and in particular the plastic deformation of metal products, is a common operation in the manufacture of metal products that need the modification of the geometry of one of their parts to be configured in the desired way for their use / application.

[0004] In the state of the art, punch-type tools are known for the transformation by means of the plastic deformation of the geometry of one end of a tube in order to provide it with a widened finish or with a modified geometry with respect to the rest of the tube to be transformed. An example of these operations are those of the flaring process, where these operations are carried out in machine tools that have a punch-type tool attached and that, having the tube immobilized by another element or jaw, carry out the impact on the end of the tube to be transformed, creating at said end geometries such as expansions, beads, flared-hats, reductions, nailing by interference (supports or flanges) and / or shortenings, among others.

[0005] The punch-type tools known in the state of the art are formed by a set of different parts that allow to form a tool that can be attached to the machine / tool, which performs the impact and pressure movement against the end of the tube to be transformed, having the punch integrally attached to the machine / tool.

[0006] The punches of said state of the art comprise different parts mechanically joined together. These different pieces that make up the punch are usually: the core which comprises the internal conformation of the striking metal part, the cleats or shims that perform the adjustment of the bore position, core holder that is configured as a joining element between the core and the body or housing, and the casing or body of the punch, which is configured as a cohesive element between the above and the machine tool.

[0007] In addition to those above, there are other auxiliary parts necessary according to the machine tool model, to define the position of the punch in said machine / tool, to couple the assembly to the machine / tool bed.

[0008] This configuration in different parts causes the known punches to have significant drawbacks, including: There is an operation with a high noise emission, since the punch is manufactured with a rigid non-ductile structural assembly that does not allow a minimum absorption of the energy / vibration of the impact, as well as by the striking itself between the pieces of the punch itself when impacting the tube and that generate new impacts between them; This configuration in different parts that are joined together to form the punch in different parts, when hitting each other continuously, creates wear between said parts. The actions of lubrication and cleaning of the punch and the part to be transformed are carried out from auxiliary elements, where the correct and effective placement and orientation of these auxiliary elements depend on the operator or personnel responsible for the workstation, with the difficulty of acting in the moments before and / or after the impact on the most appropriate areas of both the punch and the piece to be transformed. In the same way, the correct the configuration of each element of the punch makes it necessary its preparation and adjustment by an operator who, through his manual action and based on his experience, initially prepares and readjusts during the useful life of said punch due to the non-linear and homogeneous wear of each of these different elements that form the punch. The heat treatment must be carried out individually on each component, so there may be deviations in the heat treatment of each element and, therefore, different hardness levels, which, when hitting each other, the element that has achieved a lower level of hardness has a greater chance of breaking first.

[0009] The manufacturing process of these punch-type tools known in the state of the art is carried out by subtractive methods or chip removal, such as turning, machining, etc., and subsequent machining and grinding, which implies having the consequent limitations of creating fluid passages inside and having to generate elimination and residue of material to obtain each geometry by the initial roughing.

[0010] The machine / tools that integrate these punches have a tool coupling system so that it is fixed and integral to the displacement and impact system, as well as a lubrication and air cleaning system of the impact zone of the punch in the tube or workpiece, where these lubrication and cleaning systems are independent of the punch and the correct application in the work area on the tube and in the impact zone of the punch is not precise and of low repeatability and reproducibility, since it depends on the experience and knowledge of the operator or preparer of the work station that configures these external lubrication and cleaning systems.

[0011] Therefore, it is necessary to have a technical solution that, on the one hand, allows to have a punch-type tool that minimises the number of parts used in its constitution, so as not to have to depend on the experience of the operator for its installation and maintenance, which allows to simplify and reduce production costs and also increases its versatility by maintaining or even improving its properties and functionality with respect to this state of the art.Description of the invention

[0012] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a punch for mechanical transformation operations by plastic deformation of metal products, as well as a method for manufacturing this type of punch-type tools and the machine / tool for carrying out mechanical transformation operations which includes the punch, offering other advantages which are described below.

[0013] Thus, and in accordance with these objectives, with respect to a first aspect, the present invention is based on a punch for mechanical transformation operations by plastic deformation of metal products.

[0014] The punch comprises a body with at least one impact zone on a workpiece and a coupling area configured for removable assembly on a machine / tool to which a punch is attached.

[0015] Advantageously in the present invention, the punch is configured in a single piece of metallic material manufactured by additive manufacturing. By way of clarification, as additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, should be understood as the methods and means for generating a product by continuous addition of layers of a product, in this case metallic material and, by means of the contribution of an energy source, the consolidation of these layers to form a product is carried out. In the present case, the additive manufacturing of this punch is based on the selective fusion of a metallic powder bed, consolidated by means of a laser energy source or an electron beam.

[0016] Also as a clarification of the terms included in the present description, a single-piece punch is to be understood as a punch in which its main parts such as the main body, the part of attachment to the machine tool and the impact zone are in the same and single piece that allows to carry out the conventional mechanical transformation actions without fundamental elements for its use, excluding possible non-critical accessories which are specific for special uses, such as complementary parts of the impact zone, given the type of geometry to be applied in the transformation process of the target piece to be worked, or complementary elements or systems configured to ensure a safe and effective fixing in the machine / tool.

[0017] Also advantageously, the punch comprises at least the following areas included in the same and only piece: Connection interface section, which comprises elements and / or assembly geometries configured to be coupled to a machine / tool for the mechanical transformation of metal products; Main body zone of the punch, which forms a section of continuity and union between the connection interface section and the impact zone and provides structural stability to the punch assembly, where this main body zone of the punch comprises a not completely solid internal structure, with cavities communicated between them and communicated to the outside and which, at least, form an independent internal conduit tight with respect to other possible internal cavities and other possible internal conduits, for the conduction of a lubrication fluid and / or an extraction and cleaning air conduit, from an inlet associated with each of these conduits, to the impact zone where they come out; and Zone of impact on the workpiece, which comprises the final section of at least one internal conduit that exits the fluid on the area between the punch and the workpiece.

[0018] This advantageous configuration allows to have a punch with a mono-block structure in one piece, but not solid, but with an internal structure with cavities that on the one hand facilitates the extraction and cleaning of the unconsolidated / molten powder inside it, eliminating the risk of accumulation and even its deflagration, as well as carrying out the conduits for fluids in a watertight manner, by means of passages in the form of ducts formed in the structure of the punch zones itself, both technical effects improving the existing punches in the state of the art that do not comprise these cavities and internal ducts. All of this maintaining the structural stability against the impacts for which said punch is used and allowing a better absorption, distribution and transmission of said impacts in the punch, with a decrease in noise both for this absorption of the impacts in this structure with cavities, as well as for the absence of a multitude of assembled parts forming the punch.

[0019] This mono-block piece includes the three main functional zones, which in the state of the art were made in different pieces and which, in this advantageous design, when made by additive manufacturing, can be made with different properties in each of the zones, at the user's will, in the same and only piece. In addition, it includes the integration and relocation of the point of application of the lubricant, being driven internally and taken to the impact zone to come out at the exact desired point of application, where both lubrication and cleaning of the area is more effective, which could not be done in the state of the art punches.

[0020] Preferably for the invention, the different areas of the punch that form a single piece are made out of a metal alloy formed by an additive manufacturing based on the selective fusion of a metallic powder bed, consolidated by means of a laser energy source or electron beam, wherein this metallic powder is a compatible powder for use in additive manufacturing, used to carry out the manufacture and consolidation of the different punch zones described.

[0021] By way of clarification, the provisions of recognized standards such as ASTM52907, ASTM WK 82609 and / or ASTM F42.05 should be understood as compatible metallic powder for use in additive manufacturing. The way in which the punch is constituted is part of the characteristics of its properties since the consolidation parameters of the metallic powder, the energy application rates, the type and intensity of this energy itself, the thickness of layers of the metallic powder, the type of metallic powder used, as well as the heat and / or surface treatment of the piece finally constituted in the additive manufacturing, among other parameters, allow to advantageously provide different properties, if desired, to each of the main areas of the punch.

[0022] Thus and according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the configuration of the consolidation of the metal material that forms the punch corresponding to each of the areas that form the single piece of the punch, the interface section, the main body zone and the impact zone is the same in at least two of these three areas, for at least the 2D energy supply parameters to consolidate the layers of the metallic powder bed, wherein this 2D energy has an energy density equal to 250 J / m or greater in separation of consolidation lines and equal to 525 J / m or greater in volume and geometry contour.

[0023] 2D energy should be understood as the energy applied for the fusion of the metallic powder bed material in the surface plane at the time of application of the energy on the bed, while 3D energy applies the energy in depth of the layer of the metallic powder bed, that is perpendicular to this surface plane of previous application.

[0024] The punch obtained with these common consolidation energy parameters in the punch zones, and with the structure indicated above, allows to have a mono-block punch in a single piece compared to a traditional punch made of the same or similar material, with a hardness achieved according to said consolidation parameters, but with a configuration in a single piece that improves the performance of the punch in its operation solving the problems of the state of the art.

[0025] Alternatively to the above and according to an also preferred embodiment of the invention, the configuration of the consolidation of the metal material that forms the punch corresponding to each of the zones that form the single piece of the punch, the interface section, the main body zone and the impact zone, is different in each of these three zones, for at least the 2D energy supply parameters to consolidate the layers of the metallic powder bed, wherein this 2D energy has an energy density equal to 250 J / m or greater in separation of consolidation lines and equal to 525 J / m or greater in volume and geometry contour, as well as at least for the construction speed of each of these areas between 13.5 cm^3 / h and 54 cm^3 / h.

[0026] In this embodiment, a punch with consolidation parameters specifically designed to configure each of the punch zones is advantageously achieved, so that, in addition to allowing a mono-block punch to be made in a single piece compared to a traditional punch made of the same or similar material, zones with a greater hardness than others and with a different ductile behaviour of the consolidated material in each of the areas can be available.

[0027] Therefore, according to a possible embodiment of the invention, the connection interface section is configured with a lower hardness than the other two punch zones, at least until the machining of the elements and / or geometries of assembly to the machine tool is performed; the main body zone is configured with a ductility greater than the impact zone and greater absorbance and transmittance of the force for the distribution of the impact; and the impact zone is configured with a greater hardness than the rest of the zones being at least 50 HRC, while being ductile.

[0028] This configuration allows, with the variation of the previous consolidation parameters, to have these physical properties of hardness and ductile behaviour of each zone to adapt to each function of each zone in the same single piece.

[0029] In an embodiment of the invention that would complement the previous ones, at least two independent internal conduits are provided, which are configured so that at least one conducts lubricant fluid from its supply intake through the connection interface section or the main body zone, to the outlet in the impact zone.

[0030] This allows to have a structure with conduits integrated inside the walls of the punch structure, watertight with each other and also with respect to other possible internal cavities of at least the main body of the punch.

[0031] Also, optionally and in addition to the previous embodiments, the punch comprises a complementary piece attached to the impact zone comprising the final geometry of the workpiece to be transformed and wherein this complementary piece comprises connection to the outlet of the internal conduits through the impact zone to be able to apply the fluids through this complementary piece on the area between the punch and the workpiece.

[0032] This complementary piece allows special forms or applications of treatment of the tube to be made, in addition to the conventional ones for which the punch is designed. The complementary part is fixed by means of a detachable mechanical joint, preferably according to the DIN specification to the impact zone.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition of the metallic powders for their fusion and consolidation for the formation of each of the parts of the single piece punch are mostly based on martensitic steel alloys. This composition of the martensitic steel alloys used preferably consists of the presence and concentration of at least Ni: 4.00 to 25.00%, Co: 7.00 to 12.50%, Cr: 0.00 to 17.00%, Mo: 0.2 to 5.20%, Ti: 0.30 to 1.60%, Al: 0.05 to 0.60%, Cu: 0.05% to 3.30%, Si: <= 0.10%, Mn: <= 0.15%, C: <= 0.02%, P: <= 0.01% and S: <= 0.01 %.

[0034] This composition allows to guarantee an adequate mechanical resistance and hardness for the correct performance of the punch, thanks to the precipitation of phases and intermetallic particles of nanometric size, Ni3(MO, Ti), and FeMo, during the post-heat treatment ageing process.

[0035] According to the objects of the invention and according to a second aspect thereof, this invention is also based on a machine / tool for mechanical transformation by plastic deformation of metal products, wherein this machine tool comprises a system, element or geometry of coupling to a punch and a supply of one or more fluids for its function of machining a metal product.

[0036] Advantageously for this invention, the machine tool comprises a punch as described in the previous embodiments.

[0037] According also to the objects of the invention and according to a third aspect thereof, this invention is also based on a method of manufacturing punches for mechanical transformation operations by plastic deformation of products.

[0038] This method is advantageously characterized in that the method comprises steps configured for the manufacture of a single-piece mono-block punch, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: Divide the configuration of the material consolidation parameters in each area of the mono-block piece corresponding to the punch according to its function and, therefore, according to its structural requirements, being segmented into at least three areas: ∘ Connection interface section configured for coupling to a machine / tool; ∘ Main body zone configured to make the union between the connection interface section and the impact zone and provide structural stability to the punch assembly; and ∘ Zone of impact on the product to be transformed; Define internal cavities of the main body configured so as to result in a non-solid structure and wherein these cavities communicate with each other and / or communicate with the outside forming at least one or more independent and watertight fluid supply conduits with respect to other possible internal cavities and among other possible internal conduits; Define the one or more independent, watertight internal conduits for the conduction of a lubrication fluid and / or an extraction and cleaning air conduit, from an inlet associated with each of these conduits, to the impact zone where they come out; Adapt the material consolidation parameters in each area so that the 2D energy input parameters for consolidating the layers of the metallic powder bed, wherein this 2D energy has an energy density equal to 250 J / m or greater in separation of consolidation lines and equal to 525 J / m or greater in volume and geometry contour, as well as a construction speed of each of these areas between 13.5 cm^3 / h and 54 cm^3 / h, wherein the selective fusion of the powder layers that make up the punch will be carried out with thicknesses of at least 50 microns [µm] and wherein the particle distribution of the powder of the metal alloy used for its additive manufacturing is between 15 and 45 microns [µm]. Perform the selective fusion of the metallic powder bed by means of the contribution of laser energy or electron beam following the parameters that have been configured in the previous step for each of the punch zones; Perform the machining of the punch zones carried out by additive manufacturing, which are likely to have a design that requires this machining step, prior to the heat treatment; and Carry out a heat treatment.

[0039] These steps allow the manufacture of the punch in a single mono-block piece, having the possibility of adapting each of its zones to certain physical properties, according to the function of each of said zones, modifying the consolidation parameters and the post-fusion treatments of each of the layers of material.

[0040] Preferably, the configuration of the material consolidation parameters is performed so that: The connection interface section is configured with a lower hardness for its specific machining of coupling to the machine / tool; The main body zone is configured with increased ductility and impact transmittance, comprising inner cavities with a structure configured to allow maintaining the structural strength of said main body. The hardest impact zone

[0041] In this regard, the interface section, at least, is machined prior to the heat treatment and with consolidation parameters that do not create a hardness in the consolidated material as great as in the impact zone, for example, allowing a machining that, if carried out after the heat treatment, would be very expensive and very difficult to execute.

[0042] On the other hand, the main body of the punch, in charge of absorbing and transmitting the stresses of the impact, is calculated and sized according to its mechanical requirements, where this sizing affects the internal geometry and wall thicknesses of the main body of the punch so that the ducts for the passage of fluids through its interior are adapted in each case.

[0043] Finally, the impact zone is made with a consolidation that allows it to obtain a greater hardness without losing ductile behaviour thanks to a lower speed of application of the energy than in the rest of the punch.

[0044] Preferably, the heat treatment that is carried out after the consolidation of each of the punch zones and, preferably, after the machining of the parts that need it, is carried out in a controlled atmosphere and comprises at least the steps of: i) heating up to 470 - 510 °C at the rate of 3 °C / min ii) maintaining conditions for 5-7 hours, and iii) naturally cooling down to room temperature

[0045] The controlled atmosphere is preferably achieved by arranging this atmosphere with argon versus nitrogen, with a flow rate of at least 15 l / min. This heat process allows achieving consolidation and mechanical values of at least: density of 99.98% or greater, tensile strength from 979 to 1936MPa, elastic limit from 822 to 1854 MPa, elongation from 8 to 14% and elastic module from 140 to 177 GPa.

[0046] Optionally, the impact zone of the punch and / or the complementary piece receives a surface treatment by deposition of aluminium nitride and titanium by means of a physical vapour deposition PVD process. This surface treatment achieves the effect of increasing the wear strength of the zone where it is applied, increasing its useful life by at least 50% more with respect to the untreated zones and, therefore, with a clear benefit of the useful life of the impact zone with greater wear, thanks to the creation of a protective layer against wear of 5 to 7 µm microns thick of said materials that are deposited.

[0047] In accordance also with the objects of the invention and according to a fourth aspect thereof, this invention is also based on a computer-readable medium storing data defining both a digital representation of the punch of any of the above embodiments of the first and third aspects, and operating instructions adapted to control an additive manufacturing device for manufacturing the punch using the digital representation of the punch when said data is transmitted to the additive manufacturing device.

[0048] This computer-readable medium allows to gather the structural design characteristics of the punch indicated above, as well as the basic configuration of the additive manufacturing medium, 3D printer, for the manufacture of the punch in this medium.Brief description of the drawings

[0049] For a better understanding of the description made herein, a set of drawings has been provided wherein, schematically and solely by way of a non-limiting example, different practical cases of an embodiment are represented. Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a punch according to the state of the art. Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view of a punch according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 shows a schematic partial view of a punch according to another preferred embodiment of the invention with a complementary piece installed in the impact zone. Figure 4 shows a schematic sectional view of a punch of Figure 3 with the complementary piece separated from the impact zone. Figure 5 shows a schematic sectional view of fluid flow inside a punch according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 shows a schematic sectional view of the installation of a punch of the invention in a machine tool. Figure 7 shows a flow chart of the punch manufacturing process steps of the above embodiments. Description of a preferred embodiment

[0050] In order to facilitate the understanding of the present disclosure, possible embodiments of technical solutions of the present invention are described below to facilitate a sufficient understanding thereof. These embodiments are to be understood as non-limiting options that may be implemented in similar or alternative ways.

[0051] Thus, and according to Figures 2 to 5, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the punch (10) is configured in a single piece of metallic material, in this case a martensitic steel alloy, configured from a manufacturing process by additive manufacturing. In said single piece, the punch (10) comprises the connection interface section (20), the main body zone (30) and the impact zone (40) on the workpiece (P).

[0052] This punch (10) is used for installation in machine / tools (100), as can be seen schematically and partially in Figure 6, for performing mechanical transformation operations by plastic deformation of metal products, wherein these machine / tools (100) comprise at least one element or geometry (101) for attachment to a punch (10) and a supply (102) of lubricant and air to improve their function of machining a metal product. The punch (10) clearly differs from the punches of the state of the art, example shown in Figure 1, in that the punches of the state of the art are formed from the union of different independent solid metal parts, which have been usually made by a solid material subtraction procedure until reaching the geometry of each of the parts, with the drawbacks indicated in the previous sections.

[0053] According to the present embodiment, the connection interface section (20) comprises an assembly geometry (21) which in this case is a non-graphed threading, but which in alternative embodiments may be formed by other elements and / or assembly geometries configured to be attached to the machine tool (100).

[0054] The main body zone (30) that joins the connection interface sections (20) with the impact zone (40) has a non-massive internal structure, with cavities (31) that, on the one hand, form in the present embodiment two independent conduits (32,33) tight with respect to each other, as well as, on the other hand, form other holes in the structure that communicate with the outside and that are watertight to the previous conduits (32,33). These conduits (32,33) have points of communication with the outside (34,35) for the entry of fluids separately to each conduit (32,33). In this embodiment, lubricant is introduced through a first point of communication with the outside (34) to carry said lubricant through a first conduit (32) to its outlet (42) in the impact zone (40), as well as pressurized air is introduced through a second point of communication with the outside (35) to carry said air through a second conduit (33) to its outlet (43) in the impact zone (40).

[0055] In alternative embodiments, a single conduit or more than two with the same characteristics of water-tightness may be provided between them. There may also be more cavities communicated between them and with the outside, tight with respect to the fluid passage conduits, which allow the unconsolidated powder to be removed in additive manufacturing, or only have the cavities that form the one or more conduits. In the present preferred embodiment all the inner cavities are used as part of the two fluid passage conduits and it is the outlets intended for the outlet of fluids and the inlets intended for the inlets of fluids, which will serve for the evacuation of unconsolidated powder in additive manufacturing.

[0056] The impact zone (40) is the one that is configured to make the impact on the workpiece (P) and also comprises the final section of the two conduits (32,33) up to their outlets (42,43) on the area between the punch (10) and the workpiece (P).

[0057] As shown in Figures 3 to 5 and complementary to the preferred embodiment, the punch (10) can have a complementary part (50) that is attached to the impact zone (40), by means of mechanical elements (52), to be able to provide other functional geometries to the punch (10) and has extension conduits (51) from the outlets (42,43) of the conduits (32,33) for application in the desired area.

[0058] As indicated, the different zones (20, 30, 40) of the punch (10) that form a single piece are made out of a metal alloy formed by an additive manufacture based on the selective fusion of a metallic powder bed, consolidated by means of a laser energy source or electron beam, wherein this metallic powder is a compatible powder for use in additive manufacture, used to carry out the manufacture and consolidation of the different punch zones described, according to the provisions of recognized standards such as ASTM52907, ASTM WK 82609 and / or ASTM F42.05. More specifically and according to this embodiment of the present invention, the composition of the martensitic steel alloys used preferably consists of the presence and concentration of at least Ni: 4.00 to 25.00%, Co: 7.00 to 12.50%, Cr: 0.00 to 17.00%, Mo: 0.2 to 5.20%, Ti: 0.30 to 1.60%, Al: 0.05 to 0.60%, Cu: 0.05% to 3.30%, Si: <= 0.10%, Mn: <= 0.15%, C: <= 0.02%, P: <= 0.01% and S: <= 0.01%. As indicated, this composition may vary within the possibilities compatible with this production process and the necessary consolidation parameters associated with the physical properties of the material (energy, exposure time, etc.) must be modified accordingly.

[0059] In the present embodiment, the consolidation of the metallic material corresponding to each of the zones (20, 30, 40) forming the single piece of the punch (10) is the same in the three zones, for at least the 2D energy input parameters for consolidating the layers of the metallic powder bed, wherein this 2D energy has an energy density equal to 250 J / m or greater in separation of consolidation lines and equal to 525 J / m or greater in volume and geometry contour. In this consolidation, the construction speed of each of these zones can be used between 13.5 cm^3 / h and 54 cm^3 / h, which can differ or be the same in at least two of the zones (20,30,40) of the punch.

[0060] Alternatively, the consolidation of the metallic material corresponding to each of the zones that form the single piece of the punch, the connection interface section, the main body zone and the impact zone, is different in each of these three zones, for at least the 2D energy input parameters to consolidate the layers of the metallic powder bed, wherein this 2D energy has an energy density equal to 250 J / m or greater in separation of consolidation lines and equal to 525 J / m or greater in volume and geometry contour, as well as at least for the construction speed of each of these zones between 13.5 cm^3 / h and 54 cm^3 / h.

[0061] With this variation of main parameters, together with the adjustment of specific parameters for each configuration of powder of metallic material and other parameters of the 2D and 3D energy supply, different properties are achieved within the same single piece that forms the punch. In this way, the connection interface section (20) is configured with a lower hardness than the other two punch zones, at least until the machining of the geometry (21) of coupling to the machine / tool (100) is carried out. The main body zone 30 is configured with a higher ductility than the impact zone (40) and higher absorbance and force transmittance for impact distribution. Finally, the impact zone (40) is configured with a greater hardness than the rest of the zones (20,30), being at least 50 HRC, while being ductile.

[0062] The manufacturing method for the punches as described in the previous embodiments, as can be seen in Figure 7, comprises at least the steps of: A. Divide the configuration of the material consolidation parameters in each zone (20,30,40) of the mono-block piece corresponding to the punch (10) according to its function and, therefore, according to its structural requirements; B. Define internal cavities (31) of the main body configured so that a non-solid structure results and where these cavities communicate with each other and / or communicate with the outside forming the two independent, watertight fluid supply conduits (32,33); C. Define the one or more independent watertight internal conduits (32,33) for the conduction of a lubrication fluid and / or an extraction and cleaning air conduit, from an inlet (34,35) associated with each of these conduits, to the impact zone where they come out (42,43); D. Adapt the material consolidation parameters in each zone (20,30,40) so that the 2D energy input parameters to consolidate the layers of the metallic powder bed, wherein this 2D energy has an energy density equal to 250 J / m or greater in separation of consolidation lines and equal to 525 J / m or greater in volume and geometry contour, as well as a construction speed of each of these zones between 13.5 cm^3 / h and 54 cm^3 / h, wherein the selective fusion of the powder layers that make up the punch (10) is carried out with thicknesses of at least 50 microns [µm] and wherein the particle distribution of the powder of the metal alloy used for its additive manufacture is between 15 and 45 microns [µm]. These consolidation parameters are configured in the present embodiment such that: a. The connection interface section (20) is configured with a lower hardness for its specific machining of coupling to the machine / tool; b. The zone of the main body (30) is configured with increased ductility and impact transmittance, comprising inner cavities (31) with a structure configured to allow maintaining the structural strength of said main body. c. The impact zone (40) with the greatest hardness E. Perform the selective fusion of the metallic powder bed by means of the contribution of laser energy or electron beam following the parameters that have been configured in the previous step for each of the zones (20,30,40) of the punch (10); F. Carry out the machining of the connection interface section (20), prior to the heat treatment; and G. Perform a heat treatment on the punch (10), wherein in the present embodiment, the heat treatment that is carried out after the consolidation of each of the punch zones and, preferably, after the machining of the parts that need it, is carried out in a controlled atmosphere and comprises at least the steps of: a. heating up to 470 - 510 °C at a rate of 3 °C / min b. maintaining conditions for 5-7 hours, and c. naturally cooling down to room temperature

[0063] According to an alternative embodiment, this treatment can be different and a surface treatment can be even additionally carried out on this impact zone (30) and on the complementary piece (50) by means of the deposition of aluminium nitride and titanium by means of a physical vapour deposition PVD process.

[0064] Finally, the information of the structural configuration of the punch (10) as well as the consolidation parameters to be used by the 3D machine that will generate said punch (10), can be held on a computer-readable medium that stores said data for any of the above embodiments.

[0065] Although reference has been made to various specific embodiments of the invention, it is evident to a person skilled in the art that both the punch for mechanical transformation operations by plastic deformation of metal products, as well as the machine / tool that contains it and the method of manufacturing this punch and the computer-readable file that includes the information for the creation by additive manufacturing thereof, are susceptible to numerous variations and modifications, and that all the aforementioned details can be replaced by other technically equivalent details, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. Punch for mechanical transformation operations by plastic deformation of metal products, wherein this punch (10) comprises a body with at least one impact zone on a workpiece (P) and a coupling area configured for removable assembly on a machine / tool (100) to which the punch (10) is attached; characterised in that the punch (10) is configured in a single piece of metallic material manufactured by additive manufacturing, wherein the punch (10) comprises at least the following zones included in the same single piece: - Connection interface section (20), which comprises assembly elements and / or geometries (21) configured to be coupled to the machine / tool (100) for mechanical transformation of metal products; - Main body zone (30) of the punch, which forms a section of continuity and union between the connection interface section (20) and an impact zone (40) and provides structural stability to the punch assembly (10), where this main body zone (30) of the punch (10) comprises a not completely solid internal structure, with cavities (31) communicated between them and communicated to the outside and which, at least, form an independent internal conduit (32,33) tight with respect to other possible internal cavities (31) and other possible internal conduits, for the conduction of a lubrication fluid and / or an extraction and cleaning air duct, from an inlet (34,35) associated with each of these conduit (32,33), to the impact zone (40) where they come out (42,43); and - Zone of impact (40) on the workpiece, which comprises the final section of at least one internal conduit (32,33) that exits (42,43) the fluid on the area between punch (10) and workpiece (P).

2. Punch for mechanical transformation operations by plastic deformation of metal products, according to claim 1, wherein the different zones (20,30,40) of the punch (10) that form a single piece are made of metal alloy formed by an additive manufacturing based on the selective fusion of a metallic powder bed, consolidated by means of a laser energy source or electron beam, wherein this metallic powder is a compatible powder for use in additive manufacturing, used to carry out the manufacture and consolidation of the different zones (20,30,40) of the punch (10) described.

3. Punch for mechanical transformation operations by plastic deformation of metal products, according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the configuration of the consolidation of the metal material that forms the punch (10) corresponding to each of the zones (20,30,40) that form the single piece of the punch (10), the connection interface section (20), the main body area (30) and the impact zone (40) is the same in at least two of these three zones, for at least the 2D energy supply parameters to consolidate the layers of the metallic powder bed, wherein this 2D energy has an energy density equal to 250 J / m or greater in separation of consolidation lines and equal to 525 J / m or greater in volume and geometry contour.

4. Punch for mechanical transformation operations by plastic deformation of metal products, according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the configuration of the consolidation of the metal material that forms the punch (10) corresponding to each of the zones (20,30,40) that form the single piece of the punch (10), the connection interface section (20), the main body zone (30) and the impact zone (40), is different in each of these three areas, for at least the 2D energy input parameters to consolidate the layers of the metallic powder bed, wherein this 2D energy has an energy density equal to 250 J / m or greater in separation of consolidation lines and equal to 525 J / m or greater in volume and geometry contour, as well as at least for the construction speed of each of these zones between 13.5 cm^3 / h and 54 cm^3 / h.

5. Punch for mechanical transformation operations by plastic deformation of metal products, according to claim 4, wherein the connection interface section (20) is configured with a lower hardness than the other two zones of the punch (10), at least until the machining of the elements and / or geometries (21) of assembly to the machine / tool (100); the main body zone (30) is configured with a greater ductility than the impact zone (40) and greater absorbance and transmittance of the force for the distribution of the impact; and the impact zone (40) is configured with a greater hardness than the rest of the zones being at least 50 HRC, while being ductile.

6. Punch for mechanical transformation operations by plastic deformation of metal products, according to claim 1, wherein at least two independent internal conduits (32,33) are provided, being configured so that at least one (32) conducts lubricant fluid from its supply inlet (34,35) through the connection interface section (20) or the main body zone (30), to the outlet (43,44) in the impact zone (C).

7. Punch for mechanical transformation operations by plastic deformation of metal products, according to claim 1 or6, wherein the punch (10) comprises a complementary piece (50) joined to the impact zone (40) comprising the final geometry of the workpiece (P) to be transformed and wherein this complementary piece (50) comprises connection to the outlet (42,43) of the internal conduits (32,33) through the impact zone (40) to be able to apply the fluids through this complementary piece (50) on the area between the punch (10) and the workpiece (P).

8. Punch for mechanical transformation operations by plastic deformation of metal products, according to claim 2, wherein the composition of the metal powders for their fusion and consolidation for the formation of each of the areas (20,30,40) of the single-piece punch (10), are mostly based on alloys of martensitic steels.

9. Punch for mechanical transformation operations by plastic deformation of metal products, according to claim 8, wherein the composition of the martensitic steel alloys used consists of the presence and concentration of at least Ni: 4.00 to 25.00%, Co: 7.00 to 12.50%, Cr: 0.00 to 17.00%, Mo: 0.2 to 5.20%, Ti: 0.30 to 1.60%, Al: 0.05 to 0.60%, Cu: 0.05% to 3.30%, Si: <= 0.10%, Mn: <= 0.15%, C: <= 0.02%, P: <= 0.01% and S: <= 0.01%.

10. Machine / tool for mechanical transformation by plastic deformation of metal products, wherein this machine / tool comprises a system, element or geometry for coupling (101) to a punch and a supply (102) of one or more fluids for its function of machining a metal product, characterised in that the machine / tool (100) comprises a punch (10) as described in claims 1 to 9.

11. Method for manufacturing punches for mechanical transformation operations by plastic deformation of products, characterised in that the method comprises steps configured for the manufacture of a single-piece mono-block punch (10), wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: A. Dividing the configuration of the material consolidation parameters in each zone (20,30,40) of the mono-block piece corresponding to the punch (10) according to its function and, therefore, according to its structural requirements, being segmented into at least three zones: ∘ Connection interface section (20) configured for coupling to a machine tool (100); ∘ Main body area (30) configured to make the union between the connection interface section (20) and the impact zone (40) and provides structural stability to the punch assembly (10); and ∘ Area of impact (40) on the workpiece (P); B. Defining internal cavities (31) of the main body (30) configured so as to result in a non-solid structure and wherein these cavities communicate with each other and / or communicate with the outside, forming at least one or more independent fluid supply conduits (32,33) tight with respect to other possible internal cavities (31) and among other possible internal conduits; C. Defining the one or more independent watertight internal conduits (32,33) for the conduction of a lubrication fluid and / or an extraction and cleaning air conduit, from an inlet (34,35) associated with each of these conduits (32,33), to the impact zone (40) where they come out (42,43); D. Adapting the material consolidation parameters in each zone (20,30,40) so that the 2D energy input parameters to consolidate the layers of the metallic powder bed, wherein this 2D energy has an energy density equal to 250 J / m or greater in separation of consolidation lines and equal to 525 J / m or greater in volume and geometry contour, as well as a construction speed of each of these zones between 13.5 cm^3 / h and 54 cm^3 / h, wherein the selective fusion of the powder layers that make up the punch (10) is carried out with thicknesses of at least 50 microns [µm] and wherein the particle distribution of the powder of the metal alloy used for its additive manufacture is between 15 and 45 microns [µm]. E. Performing the selective fusion of the metallic powder bed by means of the contribution of laser energy or electron beam following the parameters that have been configured in the previous step for each of the zones (20,30,40) of the punch (10); F. Performing the machining of the zones (20) of the punch (10) carried out by additive manufacturing, which are likely to have a design that needs this machining step, prior to the heat treatment; and G. Carrying out a heat treatment12. Manufacturing method, according to claim 11, wherein the configuration of the consolidation parameters (A) of the material is performed so that: - The connection interface section (20) is configured with a lower hardness for its specific machining of coupling to the machine / tool (100); - The main body zone (30) is configured with greater ductility and impact transmittance, comprising inner cavities (31) with a structure configured to allow maintaining the structural strength of said main body (30). - The impact zone (40) with the greatest hardness13. Manufacturing method, according to claim 11, wherein the heat treatment (G) is carried out in a controlled atmosphere and comprises at least the steps of: - i) heating up to 470 - 510 °C at the rate of 3 °C / min - ii) maintaining the conditions for 5-7 hours, and - iii) naturally cooling down to room temperature14. Manufacturing method, according to claim 11, wherein the impact zone (40) of the punch (10) and / or the complementary piece (50) receives a surface treatment by means of the deposition of aluminium nitride and titanium by means of a physical vapour deposition PVD process.

15. Computer-readable medium storing data defining both a digital representation of the punch (10) of any of claims 1 to 9, and operating instructions adapted to control an additive manufacturing device for manufacturing the punch (10) using the digital representation of the punch (10) when said data is transmitted to the additive manufacturing device.

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