Punching device

Abstract

The invention relates to a plate punching device (1) comprising a frame (2) having a lower block (3), an upper block (4), and means for guiding the upper block (4) relative to the lower block (3) in a vertical direction (Z). The lower block (3) includes a die (M) for cooperating with a punch (10) located on the upper block (4) to punch the plate. According to the invention, the punch (10) includes an insert holder (12) and a punching insert (13). The punching insert (13) includes a cutting surface (14) adapted for punching the plate, and the punching insert (13) is removably mounted on the insert holder (12). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Punching device

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of plate punching devices.

[0002] The punching operation is very widespread in industry, and particularly in the automotive industry, thanks to the possibility of high-speed operations at a very reasonable cost. The punching process consists of cutting a solid shape from a plate using a punch and a die. The punch exerts a force greater than the resistance of the plate.

[0003] In the above field, production machines equipped with an integrated punching system comprising a punch fixed by various means to an upper part of the punching system are known.

[0004] The punched plates obtained are then processed according to various operations. For example, for the production of electrodes to form a battery, the punched plates are then cut and stacked. Different materials can be used to form the plates or strips.

[0005] The punching operation requires regular changes of the punch and associated die. Replacing these tools results in a complete shutdown of the production machine for several minutes, impacting the profitability of the production line.

[0006] Furthermore, maintenance by sharpening requires several steps for each of the tools concerned (punch or die), such as tool disassembly, cleaning, inspection, sharpening, quality control, and assembly. All these steps entail a high cost, and refurbishing the tools concerned may become less profitable than purchasing new tools.

[0007] Thus, to repair or change the punch or die, the production machine must be completely stopped so that the parts can be disassembled or all the supplies replaced. This requires transporting entire blocks of the production line and therefore the mobilization of a large number of people, namely production, maintenance, logistics and administrative personnel, but also results in a loss of time.

[0008] In certain fields, particularly in the punching of plates to produce battery electrodes, the production machine incorporating a punching unit is installed in a cleanroom. However, a cleanroom requires a restriction on the number of manual operations. Furthermore, the tools used to manufacture the electrodes must be cleaned in a dust-free and impurity-free environment.

[0009] In order to overcome these drawbacks, the present invention proposes a new design of the punching device in particular by separating it from the production machine and facilitating access to the tools concerned, thus limiting the downtime of the production line thanks to a very quick change of the cutting parts without having to dismantle the entire punching device.

[0010] The invention relates to a device for punching a plate comprising a frame having a lower block, an upper block and means for guiding the upper block relative to the lower block in a vertical direction, the lower block comprising a die intended to cooperate with a punch located on the upper block to punch the plate.

[0011] According to the invention, the punch comprises a punch holder and a punching plate, the punching plate having a cutting surface suitable for punching the plate and the punching plate being removably mounted on the punch holder. Thus, the active parts of the punching device, namely at least the punching plate of the punch, can be changed easily and quickly.

[0012] Advantageously, the use of a removable punching insert allows for quick and clean sharpening, repair, or replacement. Disassembly is targeted and rapid, thus limiting the impact of the environment on the system, namely dust dispersal or oxidation of the cutting surface. The punching device therefore meets the requirements of a cleanroom.

[0013] The punching device according to the invention can advantageously punch different types of material or thickness by simply changing the cutting surface of the punch, namely by very simply changing the punching plate.

[0014] The punching device according to the invention has the advantage of having a very compact and robust design compatible with quick and efficient tool changes and adjustments.

[0015] The punching device according to the invention comprises a frame that can be integrated into a production line, thus allowing the punching device to be separated from the production machine. Therefore, handling operations can be carried out on the punching device independently of a shutdown of the entire production line; the punching unit can indeed be installed and removed very quickly, sometimes in less than a minute.

[0016] Furthermore, placing the punching device outside the production line allows for very quick disassembly and assembly. The punching device according to the invention is independent and can be integrated into a production line without prior modification allows for high punching quality over time while providing significant savings in replacement time.

[0017] The tools concerned can be maintained in a simpler and therefore more regular manner, thus increasing their lifespan.

[0018] According to another feature of the invention, the upper block includes a punch holder, and the punch is removably mounted on the punch holder. The use of a punch holder allows for the addition of a fixed connecting element in the punching device, making it easier to access the punch for mounting or removal. Even more simply, only the punching insert can be removed from the punching device.

[0019] According to yet another feature of the invention, the die comprises a forging insert removably mounted on a forging insert holder fixed to the lower block. The use of a forging insert holder allows for the addition of a fixed connecting element in the punching device to facilitate access to the forging insert for mounting or removal. The forging insert includes an opening adapted to cooperate with a punching insert to perform the punching operation.

[0020] The implementation of a removable die also makes it possible to parameterize and control the clearance between the punch and the die so as to systematically respect the distance between the two elements, namely the spacing between the punch and the die.

[0021] More particularly, the implementation of a removable die plate also makes it possible to parameterize and control the gap between the punching plate and the die plate so as to systematically respect the distance between the two elements, namely the spacing between the punching plate and the die plate.

[0022] According to one feature of the invention, the punch includes a groove adapted to accommodate at least partially a stop element, the stop element being removably mounted on the upper block. Other means of fastening the punch to the upper block are possible within the scope of the invention.

[0023] According to one feature of the invention, the punch also includes a guide surface, the guide surface and the cutting surface being adapted to cooperate with the die. Advantageously, the guide surface ensures the correct positioning of the punch as it penetrates the die during cutting.

[0024] According to one feature of the invention, the punching device further comprises a blank holder connected to the upper block by at least one return column, allowing translational movement along the vertical direction of the blank holder relative to the upper block. The blank holder guides and holds the plate to be punched during the punching operation. The implementation of a return column ensures independent movement of the blank holder relative to the punch holder carrying the punch, thus improving the support of the plate during the punching operation.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the guiding means comprise two guide columns mounted between the lower block and the upper block, the guide columns being capable of driving a translational movement along the vertical direction of the upper block relative to the lower block.

[0026] The guide columns ensure the precise positioning of the upper block on the lower block. The guide columns contribute to maintaining the stability, accuracy, and durability of the entire punching device. Different types of guide columns are available to meet the specific dimensioning requirements of the invention.

[0027] Advantageously, the guide columns are driven by a guide interface mounted on the upper block. A control unit can thus program and control the guidance from the upper block to the lower block via the guide interface, thereby controlling the punching operation.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper block comprises at least one limit stop extending towards the lower block. Such a limit stop makes it possible to secure the descent of the upper block by limiting it.

[0029] Of course, the different features, variants and embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other in various ways insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0030] In addition, various other features of the invention become apparent from the attached description made with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention and where:

[0031] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a device punching according to the invention,

[0032] [Fig.2] is a half-sectional view along the section plane (A,A) of [Fig.1],

[0033] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of an example of the realization of a punch of a punching device according to the invention,

[0034] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a matrix holder carrying a die of a punching device according to the invention, and

[0035] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of a detail of an upper block of a device punching according to the invention with transparency of a punch holder.

[0036] It should be noted that in these figures the structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references.

[0037] The invention aims to provide a system for punching a plate with at least one of the removable tools.

[0038] For these purposes, a punching device designated by reference numeral 1, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a frame 2 including a lower block 3 and an upper block 4. The frame 2 can be removably attached to an operating machine (not shown) comprising other operating units, for example by means of at least one anchoring screw 5 as shown in [Fig. 2]. Other means of attaching the frame 2 to an operating machine are compatible within the scope of the invention.

[0039] The punching device 1 also includes guiding means to initiate a translation of the upper block 4 relative to the lower block 3 along a vertical direction Z defined according to the orthogonal plane X,Y,Z of the frame 2.

[0040] The terms “lower” and “upper” are relative to the orthogonal plane X,Y,Z as it appears on [Fig.1].

[0041] According to the illustrated embodiment, the punching device 1 comprises four guide columns 6 mounted between the lower block 3 and the upper block 4. The guide columns 6 thus allow a vertical movement of the upper block 4 relative to the lower block 3.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the guide columns 6 are controlled by a control unit (not shown) and driven via a guide interface 7 capable of translational movement along the vertical direction Z. Such a control unit can also control the advancement of the plate in the punching device 1.

[0043] Other means of guiding the upper block 4 relative to the lower block 3 are compatible within the scope of the invention.

[0044] According to the illustrated embodiment, the upper block 4 also includes a limit stop 8 which extends from the upper block 4 to the lower block 3. The height of the limit stop 8 is defined so as to fix a maximum descent value from the upper block 4 to the lower block 3.

[0045] The translation of the upper block 4 allows a punching of a plate (not shown).

[0046] To do this, the punching device 1 according to the invention includes a punch 10 suitable for collaborating with a die M and more particularly a die-making plate 11.

[0047] According to the embodiment illustrated in particular in [Fig. 3], a punch 10 comprises a tool holder 12 equipped with a punching tool 13. Such a punching tool 13 comprises a cutting surface 14 adapted to cut the plate. The cutting surface 14 comprises cutting edges adapted to cut the plate and thus defining a punching shape. According to the illustrated embodiment, the cutting surface 14 gives the punch 10 a triangular shape with a rounded apex. This particular shape is at least found in the opening 17 of a compatible die 11.

[0048] The punching insert 13 is mounted on the insert holder 12 in a removable manner, for example by means of a screw. Thus, several punching inserts 13 are compatible with the same insert holder 12.

[0049] According to this illustrated embodiment, the punch 10 also includes a guide surface 15 formed in part by the insert holder 12 which extends from the cutting surface 14. The guide surface 15 includes a straight edge 16 and is intended to penetrate first into the die 11 in order to ensure the correct placement of the plate to be punched.

[0050] A die M compatible with punch 10 of [Fig.3] is illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0051] The die M therefore comprises a die-making wafer 11 provided with an opening 17 suitable for receiving the punch 10 and more particularly the guiding surface 15 and the cutting surface 14 of the punching plate 13 of said punch 10. Advantageously, several shapes of punch 10 and in particular of punching plate 13 are compatible with the opening 17 of the same die 11.

[0052] The punch 10 and more particularly the punching plate 13 is able to collaborate with the die-making plate 11 in order to punch a plate arranged between the lower block 3 and the upper block 4.

[0053] According to the illustrated embodiment, the upper block 4 includes a punch holder 20 in which the punch 10 is housed. The punch 10 and also the punching plate 13 of the punch 10 are thus easily removable from the punching device 1 according to the invention.

[0054] According to the illustrated embodiment, the punch holder 20 includes a stop element 22 intended to hold the punch 10 in the punch holder 20.

[0055] To this end, the punch 10 includes a groove 23 adapted to receive at least part of the stop element 22, which is substantially parallelepiped in shape. Other compatible fixing methods for securing the punch 10 in the punch holder 20 are possible within the scope of the invention.

[0056] Such an arrangement is visible in particular in [Fig.5]. The stop element 22 is removably mounted on the punch holder 20 (transparent in [Fig.5]), for example by means of a stop screw 24, in order to easily release the punch 10.

[0057] The punch holder 20 is fixed to the lower face of the upper block 4 by means of high screws 25.

[0058] According to the illustrated embodiment, the lower block 3 comprises a removable die holder 21 in which a die holder 11 is housed, thus forming the die M. The die holder 21 is fixed to the upper face of the lower block 3 by means of lower screws 26. And the die holder 11 is mounted on the die holder 21 by means of two die screws 27. Other removable fastening means are compatible within the scope of the invention.

[0059] The two elements of the die M, namely the die-making plate 11 and the die-making plate holder 21, are thus easily removable from the punching device 1 according to the invention.

[0060] According to the illustrated embodiment, the upper block 4 also includes a blank holder 30, visible in particular in [Fig. 5]. The blank holder 30 is arranged so that the punch 10 can pass through it. Two return columns 31 connect the blank holder 30 to the upper block 4. The control unit can also control the position, raising, and lowering of the blank holder 30 relative to the upper block 4.

[0061] According to the illustrated embodiment, the clamp 30 includes a cutout 31 opposite the stop element 22 in order to facilitate access to the stop screw 24.

[0062] To use a punching device 1 according to the invention and as illustrated in figures 1 to 5, a punching plate is placed on the die M.

[0063] Depending on the properties of the plate to be punched, such as its materials, its coating or its thickness, a punching insert 13 with a suitable cutting surface 14 is chosen and placed on an insert holder 12, thus forming the punch 10, which is placed on the punch holder 20. The stop element 22 is positioned to block the movement of the punch 10 in the punch holder 20 and then fixed to the punch holder 20 by the stop screw 24 so as to secure the holding of the punch 10.

[0064] The die-making insert 11 chosen to collaborate with the punching insert 13 is implemented on the die-making insert holder 21 and is fixed by means of the die screws 27.

[0065] The plate then advances along the die 11 to a desired distance to perform the punching at a chosen location on the plate. According to an embodiment not shown, an uncoiler in the production line advances the plate to be punched.

[0066] Once the plate is in place, the guiding means, namely the four guide columns 5 according to the illustrated embodiment example, are actuated for example by a control unit via the guide interface 7 so as to lower the upper block 4 towards the lower block 3 for the punching operation.

[0067] The guide surface 15 of the punch 10 adjusts as needed the alignment of the plate relative to the opening 17 of the die 11.

[0068] The plate located between the cutting surface 14 of the punch 10 and the opening 17 of the die 11 is punched. The plate then has a triangular shape with a rounded apex on one of its edges.

[0069] The punched plate can then be retrieved to be directed and then processed to other operating units such as a cutting device.

[0070] The control unit operates the uncoiler (or the uncoiler operates automatically) to advance the plate between the lower block 3 and the upper block 4 of the punching device 1, thus allowing punching actions to be carried out at different locations on the same plate.

[0071] Of course, various other modifications can be made to the invention within the scope of the annexed claims.

Claims

Demands

1. A plate punching device (1) comprising a frame (2) having a lower block (3), an upper block (4) and means for guiding the upper block (4) relative to the lower block (3) in a vertical direction (Z), the lower block (3) comprising a die (M) intended to cooperate with a punch (10) located on the upper block (4) to punch the plate, characterized in that the punch (10) comprises a tool holder (12) and a punching tool (13), the punching tool (13) comprising a cutting surface (14) suitable for punching the plate and the punching tool (13) being removably mounted on the tool holder (12).

2. Punching device (1) according to the preceding claim in which the upper block (4) includes a punch holder (20) and the punch (10) is removably mounted on the punch holder (20).

3. Punching device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the die (M) comprises a die-making insert (11) mounted removably on a die-making insert holder (21) fixed on the lower block (3).

4. Punching device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the punch (10) includes a groove (23) adapted to accommodate at least in part a stop element (22), the stop element (22) being removably mounted on the upper block (4).

5. Punching device (1) according to the preceding claim in which the punch (10) also includes a guide surface (15), the guide surface (15) and the cutting surface (14) being able to cooperate with the die (M).

6. Punching device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a blank holder (30) connected to the upper block (4) by at least one return column (31) allowing translational movement along the vertical direction (Z) of the blank holder (30) relative to the upper block (4).

7. A punching device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guiding means comprise two guide columns (6) mounted between the lower block (3) and the upper block (4), the guide columns (6) being capable of driving a 10 translational movement along the vertical direction (Z) of the upper block (4) relative to the lower block (3).

8. Punching device (1) according to the preceding claim in which the guide columns (6) are driven by a guide interface (7) mounted on the upper block (4).

9. Punching device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper block (4) has at least one end stop (13) extending towards the lower block (3).

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