Tooling for deforming a heated part by compression, equipped with a means for positioning the tooling
The air cushion mechanism in the tooling facilitates precise and effortless alignment and fixing of heavy deformation tools to a press, addressing the imprecision issues in conventional methods.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023004876
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-16
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-05-16
AI Technical Summary
Conventional tools for deforming heated parts by compression face challenges in precise positioning due to the weight and handling of the tooling, which is typically fixed to a press using a lifting device like a forklift, leading to imprecise alignment.
The tooling is equipped with an air circuit that forms an air cushion under the lower part, allowing for easy and precise movement and alignment on an external support, facilitated by air circulation through an inlet fitting, diffusion network, and conduits, enabling precise positioning and fixing to the press platens.
The air cushion mechanism allows for effortless and precise positioning of the tooling relative to the press, reducing the effort required for alignment and ensuring accurate fixing, even for heavy tooling, enhancing operational efficiency.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: TOOL FOR DEFORMING A COMPRESSION-HEATED PART EQUIPPED WITH A TOOLING POSITIONING MEANS. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of deformation tools and particularly to deformation tools of a heated part, by compression.
[0002] The present invention relates more particularly to a tooling equipped with a means of positioning the tooling on an external support, an assembly comprising a tooling and a press, and a method of mounting the assembly. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Conventionally, tools for deforming a heated part by compression, such as stamping, thermoforming and thermocompression tools, can be used with a press.
[0004] Each tool generally comprises a lower part and an upper part movable relative to each other between an open and a closed position of the tool. The press generally comprises a lower platen and an upper platen movable relative to each other between an open and a closed position of the press.
[0005] In some cases, the lower part of the tooling is fixed to the lower platen of the press and the upper part of the tooling is fixed to the upper platen of the press. Consequently, the movement of the upper platen of the press causes the upper part of the tooling to move between its open and closed positions. Such an application requires precise positioning of the tooling relative to the press, and more specifically of the lower part of the tooling relative to the lower platen of the press, in order to align the press mounting means with the tooling mounting means and thus secure the tooling to the press.
[0006] However, since the tooling weighs a relatively high amount, on the order of 500 kilograms, it is placed on the lower platen of the press using a lifting device, such as a forklift. The use of a lifting device does not allow for precise positioning of the tooling on the lower platen of the press; therefore, aligning the tooling and press mounting means with respect to each other requires the tooling to be manipulated by the press operators. Summary of the invention
[0007] The invention offers a solution to the problems mentioned above, by proposing a tool equipped with a means of positioning the tool on an external support.
[0008] A first aspect of the invention relates to a tooling for deforming a heated part by compression comprising a lower part and an upper part movable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position of the tooling, the lower part having a lower face comprising a contact surface.
[0009] The lower part includes an air circuit comprising: - an air inlet fitting, - an air outlet opening into the lower face of the lower part, and - a diffusion network connected to the outlet of the air circuit and comprising a plurality of grooves connected to each other, the grooves being arranged in the underside of the lower part and open on the contact surface.
[0010] The deformation tooling according to the invention is equipped with a means for positioning the tooling on an external support in the form of an air circuit opening into the lower part of the tooling. The presence of an air circuit makes it possible to form an air cushion under the lower part of the tooling, through the circulation of air in the air circuit, and thus to allow easy and precise movement of the tooling relative to an external support. For example, with 1 bar of air pressure, the invention makes it possible to lift the lower part by a few tenths of a millimeter.
[0011] Advantageously, the lower part comprises a lower base having the contact surface and a bonding surface opposite the contact surface, and a lower mold arranged to support the bonding surface of the lower base, and the air circuit is arranged in the lower base of the lower part.
[0012] Preferably, the grooves of the air circuit diffusion network form a grid centered with respect to the lower face of the lower part so as to distribute the air evenly under the tooling.
[0013] Advantageously, the tooling comprises a first air circulation duct extending from the inlet fitting, and a second duct substantially perpendicular to the first duct and extending from the outlet to the first duct. The presence of the first and second ducts allows air to be conveyed from the inlet fitting to the outlet of the air circuit.
[0014] Preferably, each of the first and second conduits includes an end opposite, respectively, to the inlet fitting and the outlet, having a cone shape.
[0015] Advantageously, the lower part comprises a deformation surface opposite its contact surface, and lateral surfaces each connecting the contact surface to the deformation surface of the lower part, and the air circuit inlet fitting is arranged in one of the lateral surfaces of the lower part.
[0016] Preferably, the lower and upper parts of the tooling each include fixing holes for fixing the tooling to an external support.
[0017] A second aspect of the invention relates to an assembly comprising: - a press comprising a lower platen and an upper platen movable relative to each other between an open and a closed position of the press, the lower platen comprising an upper face comprising a contact surface, and - a tooling according to the invention positioned between the lower plate and the upper plate, the tooling being removable relative to the lower plate between: • a movable position of the tooling according to which the contact surface of the lower part is raised relative to the contact surface of the lower plate by an air circulation in the air circuit, and • a low centered position to fix the lower part to the lower plate by means of lower fixing.
[0018] The assembly according to the invention allows for easy and precise movement of the lower part of the tooling relative to the lower plate of the press.
[0019] Advantageously, the lower platen and the upper platen of the press each include fixing holes, the lower fixing means are arranged in the fixing holes of the lower part and in the fixing holes of the lower platen, and the upper fixing means are arranged in the fixing holes of the upper part and in the fixing holes of the upper platen.
[0020] A third aspect of the invention relates to a method for assembling the unit comprising the following successive steps: - positioning of the lower part of the tooling on the lower platen of the press, in the lower position of the tooling in which the contact surface of the lower part is in contact with the contact surface of the lower platen, - connection of the tool's air circuit inlet to an external air supply, - air circulation in the air circuit up to the diffusion network and formation of an air cushion between the contact surface of the lower part of the tooling and the contact surface of the lower platen of the press, up to the movable position of the tooling, - movement of the tooling relative to the lower platen of the press until the lower part is centered relative to the lower platen, stopping the airflow within the air circuit until the tooling reaches its centered, lower position, and fixing the lower part of the tooling to the lower plate of the press, and fixing the upper part of the tooling to the upper plate of the press.
[0021] The invention and its various applications will be better understood upon reading the description which follows and examination of the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0022] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description, illustrated by the figures in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an assembly comprising a tool and a press according to the invention, in a low, non-centred position of the tool; [Fig.2] is viewed analogously to that of [Fig.1] in which the tooling is in a movable position; [Fig.3] is a view analogous to that of [Fig.2] in which the tooling is in a low centered position; [Fig.4] is a view analogous to that of [Fig.3] in which the tooling is fixed to the press; Fig. 5 is a partial schematic perspective cross-sectional view of the tooling according to the invention; Figure 6 is a schematic view from below of the tooling according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] An example of the embodiment of a workpiece deformation tool according to the invention is described in detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings. This example illustrates the features and advantages of the invention.
[0024] Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing on different figures has a unique reference.
[0025] For the purposes of understanding the invention, the vertical, longitudinal, and transverse orientations will be adopted according to the V, L, T coordinate system shown in the figures, whose longitudinal axis L and transverse axis T extend in a horizontal plane. The lower part of the tooling towards the upper part of the tooling is oriented along the vertical axis V of the VLT coordinate system.
[0026] Fig. 1 to 4 illustrate an assembly 10 comprising a tool 20 and a press 30 according to an example of the invention.
[0027] Tooling 20 of set 10 comprises: a lower part 22 comprising: • a lower face 220 comprising a contact surface 220A, • an upper face 222 comprising a deformation surface 222A, and • lateral surfaces 223 each connecting the contact surface 220A to the deformation surface 222A, - an upper part 24 comprising: • a lower face 240 comprising a deformation surface 240A, • an upper face 242 comprising a contact surface 242A, and • lateral surfaces 243, each connecting the deformation surface 240A to the contact surface 242A, - an air circuit 230 arranged in the lower part 22.
[0028] The tooling 20 includes lower fixing holes 228 arranged in the lower part 22 and upper fixing holes 248 arranged in the upper part 24.
[0029] According to an example of the tooling 20 as shown in the figures, the deformation surfaces 222A, 240A are complementary to each other so that in the closed position of the tooling, the deformation surfaces 222A, 240A are nested and substantially in contact with each other, so that one forms a positive surface and the other forms a negative surface.
[0030] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the lower part 22 of the tooling 20 is an assembly of two parts: - a lower base 224 comprising: • the lower face 220 as well as the contact surface 220A of the lower part 22, • a 224A bonding surface vertically opposite the 220A contact surface, and • lateral edges 224B connecting the contact surface 220A to the bonding surface 224A and each corresponding to a part of one of the lateral surfaces 223 of the lower part 22, - a lower mold 226 comprising: • the upper face 222 as well as the deformation surface 222A of the lower part 22, • a bonding surface 226A vertically opposite the deformation surface 222A, and • lateral edges 226B connecting the deformation surface 22A to the bonding surface 226A and each corresponding to a part of one of the lateral surfaces 223 of the lower part 22.
[0031] The upper part 24 of the tooling 20 is also an assembly of two parts: - an upper base 244 comprising: • the upper face 242 as well as the contact surface 242A of the upper part 24, • a bonding surface 244A vertically opposite the contact surface 242A, and • lateral edges 244B connecting the contact surface 242A to the bonding surface 244A and each corresponding to a part of one of the lateral surfaces 243 of the upper part 24, - an upper mold 246 comprising: • the lower face 240 as well as the deformation surface 240A of the upper part 24, • a bonding surface 246A vertically opposed to the deformation surface 240A, and • lateral edges 246B connecting the deformation surface 240A to the connection surface 246A and each corresponding to a part of one of the lateral surfaces 243 of the upper part 24.
[0032] Each lateral surface 243 of the upper face 242 and of the lower face 240 therefore includes one of the lateral edges 224B, 244B of respectively the lower base 224 and upper base 244 and one of the lateral edges 226B, 246B of the mold respectively lower 226 and upper 246.
[0033] The lower base 224 and the lower mold 226 as well as the upper base 244 and the upper mold 246 are fixed to each other by lower connecting means 44, so that their connecting surface 224A, 226A are in contact with each other.
[0034] Preferably, the lower connecting means 44 and upper 46 of the assembly 10 are of the screw-nut type.
[0035] The lower fixing holes 228 and upper 248 are through holes and extend, in the vertical direction V, from the contact surface 220A, 242A to the bonding surface 226A, 246A.
[0036] The air circuit 230 of the lower part 22 of the tooling 20 comprises: - an air inlet fitting 230A arranged in one of the lateral surfaces 223 of the lower part 22, - a 230B air outlet opening into the lower face 220 of the lower part 22, - a first and a second air circulation duct 236, 238 connecting the inlet fitting 230A to the outlet 230B, and - a 232 diffusion network connected to the 230B output of the 230 air circuit.
[0037] As shown in [Fig.5], the air circuit 230 is arranged in the lower base 224 of the lower part 22 so that the inlet fitting 230A is arranged in one of the lateral edges 224B and the outlet 230B opens into the lower face 220 of the base 24.
[0038] The first air circulation duct 236 extends longitudinally from the inlet fitting 230A to an end opposite the inlet fitting 230A and the second duct 238 extends vertically from the outlet 230B to an end opposite the outlet 230B. Therefore, the first and second ducts 236, 238 are substantially perpendicular to each other and intersect at a point of intersection.
[0039] Advantageously, the first and second conduits 236, 238 are formed by drilling into the base 224 of the lower portion 22. More specifically, the first conduit 236 is formed by drilling from one of the lateral edges 224B of the base 224 to its end, and the second conduit 238 is formed by drilling from the lower face 220 of the base 224 to its end. Consequently, the drilled ends of the first and second conduits 236, 238 have a conical shape. Furthermore, the first and second conduits 236 are each drilled beyond their point of intersection so that their drilled ends are each located beyond this point of intersection.
[0040] The diffusion network 232 of the air circuit 230 is formed by a plurality of grooves 234 connected to each other. The grooves 234 are arranged in the lower face 220 of the lower part 22 and open onto the contact surface 220A. According to an example illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the grooves 234 of the diffusion network 232 of the air circuit 230 form a grid centered with respect to the lower face 220 of the lower part 22.
[0041] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the upper part 24 of the tooling 20, and more particularly the upper base 244, can also include an air circuit 250. The air circuit 250 of the upper part 22 is arranged in the same way as the air circuit 230 of the lower part 22. The presence of an air circuit 250 in the upper part 24 of the tooling 20 allows the tooling 20 to be used if it has been rotated by an angle of 180° about a longitudinal axis L.
[0042] Press 30 of set 10 comprises: - a lower platform 32 comprising: • a lower face 320, and • an upper face 322 opposite the lower face 320 along the vertical direction V and comprising a contact surface 322A, an upper tray 34 comprising: • a lower face 340 comprising a contact surface 340A, and • a top face 342 opposite the bottom face 340 along the vertical direction V.
[0043] The tooling 20 of the assembly 10 is positioned between the lower plate 32 and the upper plate 34 according to different positions of the tooling 20 relative to the press 30: - a low position in which the tooling 20 is supported against the lower plate 32 of the press 30, the low position being able to be centered as illustrated in [Fig.1] or not centered as illustrated in [Fig.3], - a movable position in which the tooling 20 is raised relative to the upper plate of the press 30, the movable position being able to be centered as illustrated in [Fig.2], or not centered.
[0044] In the lower position of the tooling 20, the contact surface 220A of the lower part 22 is in contact with the contact surface 322A of the lower plate 32.
[0045] In the movable position of the tooling 20, the contact surface 220A of the lower part 22 is raised relative to the contact surface 322A of the lower plate 32.
[0046] In the lower centered position of the tooling 20, the fixing holes 228 of the lower part 22 are aligned with the fixing holes 328 of the lower plate, and the fixing holes 248 of the upper part are aligned with the fixing holes 348 of the upper plate 34.
[0047] Preferably, the lower 40 and upper 42 fixing means of the assembly 10 are of the screw-nut type.
[0048] The assembly method for the assembly 10 comprises the following successive steps: - positioning of the tooling 20 on the lower plate 32 of the press 30, in the lower position of the tooling 20 ([Fig.1]), - connection of a 50V external air supply to the 230A inlet fitting of the 230V air circuit of tool 20, - circulation of air in the air circuit 230 up to the entire groove 234 of the diffusion network 232 and formation of an air cushion between the contact surface 220A of the lower part 22 of the tooling 20 and the contact surface 322A of the lower plate 32 of the press 30, up to the movable position of the tooling 20 ([Fig.2]), - displacement of the tooling 20 relative to the lower plate 32 of the press 30 until the movable centered position of the tooling 20 (not shown), and - stopping the air circulation inside the air circuit 230 until the tooling 20 reaches its centered low position ([Fig.3]), - fixing the lower part 22 to the lower plate 32, and fixing the upper part 24 to the upper plate 34 until a fixed position of the tooling 20 ([Fig.4]).
[0049] The positioning step of the tooling 20 may require a prior step of translating the upper plate 34 so as to move the upper plate 34 away from the lower plate 32 until there is a distance between the two plates 32, 34 large enough to receive the tooling 20.
[0050] The positioning step of the tooling 20 is carried out by means of a lifting device, such as a forklift, allowing the tooling 20 to be transferred between the first and second platens 32, 34 of the press 30. This step does not require any precision on the positioning of the tooling 20 in relation to the lower platen 32 of the press 30.
[0051] The connection step allows the air circuit 230 to be supplied with air in a state of overpressure.
[0052] The air circulation step allows, in the first instance, the tooling 20 to be lifted, for example by 0.1 millimeters in height relative to the lower plate 32 of the press 30, and in the second instance, to be supported in equilibrium above the lower plate 32.
[0053] The tooling movement step 20 allows the position of the lower part 22 of the tooling 20 to be adjusted relative to the lower plate 32 in the longitudinal direction L and transverse direction T. Thanks to the presence of the air cushion, the adjustment of the position requires little force from the users of the assembly 10, it can be done with the fingertips.
[0054] The step of stopping the air circulation may include a substep of disconnecting the power supply 50 from the inlet fitting 230A of the air circuit 230 of the tooling 20.
[0055] The step of fixing the lower part 22 of the tooling 20 includes a sub-step of inserting the lower fixing means 40 into the fixing holes 228 of the lower part 22 and into the fixing holes 328 of the lower plate 32 and then tightening the lower fixing means 40.
[0056] The step of fixing the upper part 24 of the tooling comprises the following successive sub-steps: - translation of the upper plate 34 towards the lower plate 32 until the contact surface 340A of the upper plate 34 is in contact with the contact surface 242A of the upper part 24, and - insertion of the upper fixing means 42 into the fixing holes 248 of the upper part 24 and into the fixing holes 348 of the upper plate 34 then tightening of the upper fixing means 42 so that the upper part 24 is fixed relative to the upper plate 34.
[0057] In the case where the tooling 20 has been rotated by an angle of 180° about the longitudinal axis L, the upper part 22 becomes the lower part 24 and vice versa, and more particularly the upper base 244 becomes the lower base 224. The assembly method of such an assembly 10 is therefore the same as that described previously.
[0058] For example, to raise a tool 20 with a mass of approximately 500 kilograms whose contact surface 220A of the lower face 220 is between 47m2 and 48 m2, an air pressure in the air circuit 230 substantially equal to Ibar is sufficient.
[0059] Such a tool 20 according to the invention, allows, thanks to the presence of an air circuit 230, which, following its supply of air, creates an air cushion under the tool, to adjust its positioning relative to an external support without requiring any particular effort to move it and allows its movement with precision.
[0060] An assembly 10 comprising such tooling 20 makes it possible to significantly facilitate the positioning of the tooling 20 in relation to the plates 32, 34 of the press 30 for the purpose of fixing them and thus to ensure the alignment of the lower part 22 and upper part 24 of the tooling 20 with respect to each other in the open and closed positions of the press 30 and therefore of the tooling 22.
Claims
Demands
1. Tooling (20) for deforming a heated workpiece by compression comprising a lower part (22) and an upper part (24) movable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position of the tooling (20), the lower part (22) having a lower face (220) comprising a contact surface (220A), characterized in that the lower part (22) has an air circuit (230) comprising: - an air inlet fitting (230A), - an air outlet (230B) opening into the lower face (220) of the lower part (22), and - a diffusion network (232) connected to the outlet (230B) of the air circuit (230) and comprising a plurality of grooves (234) connected to each other, the grooves (234) being arranged in the lower face (220) of the lower part (22) and open on the contact surface (220A).
2. Tooling (20) according to claim 1, characterized: - in that the lower part (22) comprises a lower base (224) having the contact surface (220A) and a connecting surface (224A) opposite the contact surface (220A), and a lower mold (226) arranged to support the connecting surface (224A) of the lower base (224), - and in that the air circuit (230) is arranged in the lower base (224) of the lower part (22).
3. Tooling (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grooves (234) of the diffusion network (232) of the air circuit (230) form a grid centered with respect to the lower face (220) of the lower part (22).
4. Tooling (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air circuit (230) comprises: - a first air circulation duct (236) extending from the inlet fitting (230A), and - a second duct (238) substantially perpendicular to the first duct (236) and extending from the outlet (230B) up to the first conduit (236).
5. Tooling (20) according to claim 4, characterized in that each of the first and second conduits (236, 238) comprises an end opposite, respectively, to the inlet fitting (230A) and to the outlet (230B), having a cone shape.
6. Tooling (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized: - in that the lower part (22) comprises: - a deformation surface (222A) opposite its contact surface (220A), and - lateral surfaces (223) connecting the contact surface (220A) to the deformation surface (222A) of the lower part (22), - and in that the inlet fitting (230A) of the air circuit (230) is arranged in one of the lateral surfaces (223) of the lower part (22).
7. Tooling (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower part (22) and the upper part (24) of the tooling (20) each comprise the fixing holes (228, 248).
8. Assembly (10) comprising: - a press (30) comprising a lower platen (32) and an upper platen (34) movable relative to each other between an open and a closed position of the press (30), the lower platen (32) comprising an upper face (322) comprising a contact surface (322A), and - a tool (20) according to any one of the preceding claims positioned between the lower platen (32) and the upper platen (34), the tool (20) being removable relative to the lower platen (32) between: • a movable position of the tool (20) according to which the contact surface (220A) of the lower part (22) is raised relative to the contact surface (322A) of the lower platen (32) by air circulation in the air circuit (230), and • a low centered position to fix the lower part (22) to the lower plate (32) by means of lower fixing (40).
9. Assembly according to claim 7 in combination with claim 6, characterized in that: - the lower platen (32) and the upper platen (34) of the press (0) each comprise fixing holes (328, 348), - the lower fixing means (40) are arranged in the fixing holes (228) of the lower part (22) and in the fixing holes (328) of the lower platen (32), - the upper fixing means (42) are arranged in the fixing holes (248) of the upper part (24) and in the fixing holes (348) of the upper platen (34).
10. A method for assembling the unit (10) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it comprises the following successive steps: - positioning the lower part (22) of the tooling (20) on the lower platen (32) of the press (30), in the lower position of the tooling (20) such that the contact surface (220A) of the lower part (22) is in contact with the contact surface (220A) of the lower platen (32), - connecting the inlet fitting (230A) of the air circuit (230) of the tooling (20) to an external air supply (50), - circulating the air in the air circuit (230) to the diffusion network (232) and forming an air cushion between the contact surface (220A) of the lower part (22) of the tooling (20) and the contact surface (322A) of the lower plate (32) of the press (30), up to the movable position of the tooling (20),- movement of the tooling (20) relative to the lower platen (32) of the press (30) until the lower part (22) is centered relative to the lower platen (32), - stopping the airflow within the air circuit (230) until the tooling (20) is centered in its lowest position, and, fixing the lower part (22) of the tooling (20) to the lower plate (32) of the press (30) and fixing the upper part (24) of the tooling (20) to the upper plate (34) of the press (30).