Transfer device

Abstract

To provide a transfer device which can transfer a workpiece rotated by a predetermined angle relative to a transfer direction in a plan view, sandwiching the workpiece in a balanced fashion.SOLUTION: A transfer device 280 transfers a processed material, processed by a die in which a shaped hole is formed so that its longitudinal direction in a plan view is not orthogonal to any one of four sides of a square or rectangular die holder and intersects with directions of the four sides, having a predetermined angle in a state that the die is fixed to the die holder, to a next process. The transfer device 280 has: fingers 284A which are provided so as to sandwich the processed material from both sides in a direction orthogonal to a transport direction; and air cylinders 86A each of which enables the finger 284A to operate along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction so as to move close to or away from the processed material. Each finger 284A has a recessed part which is formed so as to contact with a surface along a longitudinal direction of the processed material in the plan view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transfer device for transporting a workpiece that has been subjected to press working. [Background technology]

[0002] As a press machine used in metal processing, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a transfer press machine.

[0003] For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a transfer press machine supports a die holder 13H by a bolster support wall 12 via a bolster 16, and a die 13 is fixed to the die holder 13H. A forming hole 13A is formed in the die 13, and a cylindrical workpiece 90 is pressed into the forming hole 13A of the die 13 by a punch 15 to be pressed. Similar to a transfer press machine, a single shot press machine and a progressive press machine also have the feature that a workpiece is pressed into a forming hole formed in the die by a punch to be pressed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6626234 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when a workpiece is transported while rotated at a predetermined angle in a plan view with respect to the transport direction, the workpiece may not be transported in a well-balanced manner.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and aims to provide a transfer device that can clamp and transport a workpiece that has been rotated a predetermined angle in a planar view with respect to the transport direction in a balanced manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The transfer device of the present invention comprises: A transfer device that conveys a workpiece processed by a die, which is fixed to a square or rectangular die holder and has a forming hole formed such that the longitudinal direction in a plan view is not perpendicular to any of the four sides of the die holder but intersects with the directions of the four sides at a predetermined angle, to a next process, Fingers are provided to hold the workpiece from both sides in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the workpiece; a drive source operable to move the fingers toward and away from the workpiece along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction; The finger is In a plan view, the recess is formed so as to abut against a surface along the longitudinal direction of the workpiece. It is characterized by:

[0008] According to the transfer device, the fingers have recesses formed to abut against the surfaces along the longitudinal direction of the workpiece in a plan view. Therefore, even if the forming holes formed in the die are not perpendicular to any of the four sides of the die holder but are formed at a certain angle to the directions of the four sides, the pressed workpiece can be clamped in a balanced manner from both sides perpendicular to the conveying direction. Moreover, there is no need to change the specifications of the drive source that operates the fingers. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a transfer device capable of clamping and transporting in a well-balanced manner a workpiece rotated by a predetermined angle in a plan view with respect to the transport direction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an example of a front view showing an entire system including a work supply device and a transfer press system. [Diagram 2]1 is an example of a plan sectional view of an entire system including a general work supply device and a transfer press system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a transfer press. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of some of a number of typical dies, a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in the plan view, and a cross-sectional plan view of a punch corresponding to the die shown in the plan view. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an example of a plan view of some of a plurality of characteristic dies, and a cross-sectional plan view of a punch corresponding to the die shown in the plan view. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a plan sectional view of an example of a press system including a transfer press, showing a state in which a workpiece is clamped between fingers. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an example of a cross-sectional plan view of a press system including a transfer press according to a modified example, showing a state in which a workpiece is clamped between fingers. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a detailed view of a portion B surrounded by a dashed line in FIG. 7 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] [1. Prerequisites] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, the up-down direction, the left-right direction, and the front-rear direction are defined as shown in each of the drawings described below.

[0012] In this embodiment, a transfer press system including a transfer press machine and a plurality of dies will be described as an example. The transfer press machine includes a plurality of processing stages where a workpiece as a processed material is processed, and a transfer device that transports the processed material processed at one of the processing stages to a processing stage for a next process. The dies are attached to each of the processing stages.

[0013] However, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned transfer press system, but can also be applied to a press system, a transfer device, or a die described below.

[0014] An example of a press system to which the present invention can be applied is, for example, a system including a plurality of press machines (e.g., a plurality of single press machines) for processing a workpiece as a processing material, and a die attached to each of the plurality of press machines. The plurality of press machines are arranged, for example, along the transport direction of the processed workpiece.

[0015] Another example of a press system to which the present invention can be applied is one that includes a press machine (e.g., a progressive press machine) that has multiple processing steps for processing a single surface of a workpiece (e.g., coil material) and dies that are provided for each of the multiple processing steps.

[0016] Furthermore, the transfer device to which the present invention can be applied may be one used in a transfer press system or one used in the example of the press system described above, but is not limited to these.

[0017] Furthermore, the mold to which the present invention can be applied may be one used in a transfer press system or one used in the example of the press system described above, but is not limited to these.

[0018] [2.Overall system overview] FIG. 1 is an example of a front view showing an entire system 1 including a work supply device 10 and a transfer press system 50.

[0019] 1, in this embodiment, a work supplying device 10 is disposed on the left side, and a transfer press system 50 is disposed on the right side. The work supplying device 10 supplies a work W (for example, see FIG. 2 described later) to the transfer press system 50.

[0020] In the present invention, the transfer press system 50 shown in FIG. 1 is defined as the transfer press system, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the entire system including the work supply device 10 may be defined as the transfer press system.

[0021] [3. Work supply device] First, an overview of the work supplying device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the work supplying device 10 is a device that supplies a work W (for example, see Fig. 2 described later) to a transfer press system 50, and is disposed adjacent to the upstream side of the transfer press system 50 in the work transport direction.

[0022] The work supply device 10 includes a frame 12 that is configured with a pair of side walls 13A, 13B that stand vertically and face each other in the left-right direction. The frame 12 has a structure in which a ram support wall 14, a bolster support wall 16, etc. are inserted between the pair of side walls 13A, 13B.

[0023] The ram support wall 14 supports a ram 20 so that it can move up and down, that is, can perform lifting and lowering operations. The ram 20 receives power from a servo motor (not shown) through a camshaft 22, and is capable of moving up and down. The ram 20 also supports a punch (not shown).

[0024] The left end of the camshaft 22 protrudes outward through the left side wall 13A of the pair of side walls 13A, 13B that are disposed opposite each other in the left-right direction. The portion that protrudes outward through the left side wall 13A is connected to the servo motor (not shown) via a pulley 24 and a timing belt (not shown).

[0025] When the camshaft 22 is driven to rotate by a servo motor (not shown), the ram 20 moves up and down. In addition, a pulley 24 and a flywheel 26 are attached to the left end of the camshaft 22. The pulley 24, a timing belt (not shown), and various members including the flywheel 26 are covered by a side cover 28 fixed to the outer surface of the side wall 13A.

[0026] The bolster support wall 16 supports the die holder 30 via the bolster 18. The die holder 30 has a two-stage structure consisting of an upper stage and a lower stage. The upper surface of the lower stage of the die holder 30 is flush with the upper surface of a die holder 70 (described later) of the transfer press system 50. The upper stage of the die holder 30 is disposed above the upper surface of the lower stage with a gap therebetween. A die (not shown) is held in the upper stage of the die holder 30.

[0027] The workpiece W (see, for example, FIG. 2 described later) is formed by punching a blank from a metal sheet with a punch and a die (not shown) supported by the ram 20 while moving the ram 20 downward, and passing the blank through the die. The workpiece W thus formed has, for example, an elliptical or elongated cylindrical shape in a plan view. The workpiece W is also pressed down to the upper surface of the lower part of the die holder 30.

[0028] Incidentally, on the left side of the work supply device 10, a drive unit 32 that drives a pair of rails 82A, 82B (see FIG. 2 described later) is disposed.

[0029] [4. Transfer press system] Next, a description will be given of the transfer press system 50. In the description of the transfer press system 50, a general transfer press system 50 will be described.

[0030] [4-1. Overview of the transfer press system] 1, the transfer press system 50 is disposed adjacent to the downstream side in the work transport direction of the work supply device 10. The work W formed by the work supply device 10 is transported to the transfer press system 50, and is subjected to drawing or ironing by the transfer press system 50.

[0031] The transfer press system 50 includes a frame 52 that is configured with a pair of side walls 53A, 53B that stand vertically and face each other in the left-right direction. The frame 52 has a structure in which a ram support wall and a bolster support wall 56 (not shown) are inserted between the pair of side walls 53A, 53B.

[0032] A ram support wall (not shown) supports the ram 60 so that it can move up and down, i.e., can move up and down. The ram 60 receives power from a servo motor (not shown) through a camshaft 62, and is capable of moving up and down. The ram 60 also supports a number of punches 74 arranged in the left-right direction (i.e., the work transfer direction). A camshaft 62 is inserted between the pair of side walls 53A, 53B above the ram support wall (not shown). The ram 60 engages with a cam 61 of the camshaft 62.

[0033] The right end of the camshaft 62 penetrates the right side wall 53B of the pair of side walls 53A, 53B arranged opposite to each other in the left-right direction and protrudes outward. The portion penetrating the right side wall 53B and protruding outward is connected to the above-mentioned servo motor (not shown) via a pulley 64 and a timing belt (not shown).

[0034] When the camshaft 62 is rotationally driven by a servo motor (not shown), the ram 60 moves up and down. A pulley 64 and a flywheel 66 are attached to the right end of the camshaft 62. The pulley 64, a timing belt (not shown), and various members including the flywheel 66 are covered by a side cover 68 fixed to the outer surface of the side wall 53B.

[0035] The bolster support wall 56 is disposed between the lower ends of the pair of side walls 53A, 53B, and has a bolster 58 fixed to its upper surface. A plurality of dies 72 (see FIG. 3 described below) are fixed to the upper surface of the bolster 58 via a plurality of die holders 70 arranged along the work transfer direction. The number of the dies 72 and the number of punches 74 are the same, and a pair of dies 72 and punches 74 is arranged for one processing stage 76. The processing stage 76 is composed of the die holder 70 and the die 72.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 2, the transfer press system 50 includes a plurality of processing stages 76 arranged along the work transport direction, and a pair of a die 72 and a punch 74 (see Fig. 1) is arranged on each of the plurality of processing stages 76. Fig. 2 is an example of a plan cross-sectional view showing an entire system 1 including a general work supply device 10 and the transfer press system 50. The pairs of dies 72 (see Fig. 3 described later) and punches 74 are each arranged at a constant pitch in the left-right direction.

[0037] 2, each of the side walls 13A, 13B, 53A, and 53B has a through hole 90 for transporting the workpiece W in the horizontal left-right direction. The workpiece W is transported downstream in the workpiece transport direction by a transfer device 80.

[0038] The transfer device 80 will be described in detail later, but the transfer device 80 extends through a through hole 90 and straddles the transfer press system 50 and the work supply device 10. The work W formed by the work supply device 10 is transported to the transfer press system 50 by the transfer device 80. In addition, a plurality of dummy stages 92 are provided between the work supply device 10 and the transfer press system 50 for temporarily stopping the work W without processing it.

[0039] The workpiece W is transported from a processing stage 76 on the upstream side (left side in FIG. 2) in the workpiece transport direction to a processing stage 76 on the downstream side (right side in FIG. 2) in the workpiece transport direction. In each processing stage 76, the workpiece W is pressed. That is, the workpiece W is pressed by a pair of dies 72 and a punch 74 in one processing stage 76 among a plurality of processing stages 76 arranged along the workpiece transport direction, and is transported to a processing stage 76 of the next process adjacent to the downstream side in the workpiece transport direction. Then, in this processing stage 76 of the next process, the workpiece W is also pressed by the pair of dies 72 and a punch 74. In this way, the workpiece W is repeatedly pressed multiple times until it reaches the processing stage 76 on the most downstream side in the workpiece transport direction.

[0040] 2, when the workpiece W is supplied from the workpiece supply device 10 to the transfer press system 50, it has an elliptical shape in a plan view, and is then drawn or ironed in the multiple processing stages 76 of the transfer press system 50, and finally becomes, for example, a long and narrow rectangular cylinder in a plan view. In each of the multiple processing stages 76, the workpiece W is pushed into the forming hole 73 (see FIG. 3) of the die 72 and then moved above the die 72, and then transported by the transfer device 80 to the processing stage 76 of the next process. The processing stage 76 of the next process corresponds to the adjacent processing stage 76 on the downstream side in the workpiece transport direction.

[0041] [4-2. Transfer device] Next, the transfer device 80 provided in the transfer press system 50 will be briefly described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 3 is an example of a side cross-sectional view of the transfer press system 50.

[0042] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the transfer device 80 is arranged on the die holder 70 (see Figure 3) and includes a pair of rails 82A, 82B, multiple pairs of fingers 84A, 84B, multiple pairs of air cylinders 86A, 86B as driving sources for driving each of the multiple pairs of fingers 84A, 84B, and a drive unit 32 (see Figure 1) that operates the pair of rails 82A, 82B in the left-right direction.

[0043] 2, the pair of rails 82A, 82B are arranged horizontally with the left-right direction being the longitudinal direction across the multiple processing stages 76. The pair of rails 82A, 82B are arranged parallel to each other with a certain distance therebetween in the front-rear direction.

[0044] A pair of fingers 84A, 84B and a pair of air cylinders 86A, 86B are placed on the pair of rails 82A, 82B for each processing stage 76. Therefore, when the pair of rails 82A, 82B is moved in the left-right direction by the driving unit 32 (see FIG. 1), the plurality of air cylinders 86A, 86B and the plurality of fingers 84A, 84B also move in the left-right direction. In this manner, the workpiece W held by the fingers 84A, 84B can be transported to the next process. Note that FIG. 2 shows a state in which the workpiece W is held by the fingers 84A, 84B. Although FIG. 2 shows a plurality of pairs of fingers 84A, 84B and a plurality of pairs of air cylinders 86A, 86B, only the pair of fingers 84A, 84B and the pair of air cylinders 86A, 86B are labeled for convenience.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, the fingers 84A and 84B are provided at the tip of the rod of the air cylinders 86A and 86B, respectively, and are configured to be able to open and close by the operation of the air cylinders 86A and 86B. More specifically, the finger 84A is provided at the tip of the rod of the front air cylinder 86A, and the finger 84B is provided at the tip of the rod of the rear air cylinder 86B. The air cylinders 86A and 86B operate symmetrically in the front-rear direction, with the front air cylinder 86A and the rear air cylinder 86B. That is, when the air cylinder 86A operates from the front to the rear direction, the air cylinder 86B operates from the rear to the front direction. At this time, the fingers 84A and 84B operate in a direction approaching each other, that is, from open to closed. Also, when the air cylinder 86A operates from the rear to the front direction, the air cylinder 86B operates from the front to the rear direction. At this time, the fingers 84A, 84B operate in a direction in which they move away from each other, that is, from closed to open. By opening and closing the fingers 84A, 84B in this manner, the workpiece W can be released or clamped.

[0046] The interval between adjacent fingers 84A, 84B in the work transport direction (i.e., the left-right direction) is the same constant pitch as the interval between adjacent punches 74 (see FIG. 1) and dies 72 in the left-right direction. The drive unit (see FIG. 1) repeats reciprocating motion of the pair of rails 82A, 82B in the left-right direction at a constant pitch while keeping the pair horizontal in synchronization with the lifting and lowering motion of the ram 60 (see FIG. 1). In addition, the multiple pairs of air cylinders 86A, 86B repeatedly perform opening and closing motions of the fingers 84A, 84B so that the work W is transported by the reciprocating motion of the pair of rails 82A, 82B in the left-right direction. In this way, the work W is transported by the transfer device 80 from the upstream side (i.e., the left side) in the work transport direction to the downstream side (i.e., the right side) in the work transport direction, and is pressed multiple times.

[0047] [4-3. General configuration of dies and punches] Next, a general configuration of the die 72 and punch 74 included in the transfer press system 50 will be briefly described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 4 shows a plan view of some of the general dies 72, a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in the plan view, and a cross-sectional view of the punch 74 corresponding to the die 72 shown in the plan view. In Figure 4, the blank material BL is shown by a two-dot chain line for reference. In Figure 4, the die 72 is shown in a state fixed to the die holder 70 (see Figure 3), and the punch 74 is shown in a state disposed on the processing stage 76 (see Figure 2). In the cross-sectional view of the punch 74 shown in Figure 4, hatching indicating a cross section is omitted for convenience.

[0048] 3, the die holder 70 has a step portion 71 formed on the upper part. A die 72 is fixed to the step portion 72 formed on the upper part of the die holder 70. With the die 72 fixed to the step portion 72, the upper surface of the die holder 70 and the upper surface of the die 72 are flush with each other. In this manner, one die holder 70 and one die 72 form one processing stage 76.

[0049] A forming hole 73 is formed in the die 72. Press working is performed by punching the workpiece W into the forming hole 73 of the die 72 with a punch 74. A knockout pin 94 is disposed below the forming hole 73 of the die 72. When the punch 74 of the die 72 pushes the workpiece W into the forming hole 73 of the die 72 to form it, the knockout pin 94 presses the bottom surface of the workpiece W upward, thereby restricting the downward bulging of the workpiece W. In addition, when the punch 74 rises, the workpiece W can be reliably pushed upward from the forming hole 73 of the die 72.

[0050] As described above, the pressed workpiece W is transported by the transfer device 80 to the processing stage 76 for the next process.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, each die 72 is square or rectangular in plan view, and a molding hole 73 is formed in the center of each die 72. The molding hole 73 is elongated in plan view. (more specifically, elongated shape), and is formed so that the longitudinal direction of the elongated shape is parallel to the front-rear direction when the die 72 is fixed to the die holder 70. More specifically, in the forming hole 73 in plan view shown in Fig. 4, the longest straight line connecting one portion and another portion in the inner peripheral portion forming the forming hole 73 is the straight line connecting the first portion 73a and the second portion 73b (hereinafter, this straight line will be referred to as "imaginary straight line 73L"). The forming hole 73 of the die 72 is formed so that this imaginary straight line 73L is parallel to the front-rear direction, i.e., perpendicular to the work transfer direction.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 4, when the punch 74 is placed on the processing stage 76, the shape and arrangement of the cross section of the punch 74 correspond to the forming hole 73 in a plan view when the die 72 is fixed to the die holder 70. In detail, in the cross section of the punch 74 shown in Fig. 4, the longest straight line connecting one portion and another portion on the outer periphery of the punch 74 is the straight line connecting the third portion 74a and the fourth portion 74b (hereinafter, this straight line will be referred to as "the imaginary straight line 74L"). The punch 74 is placed so that this imaginary straight line 74L is parallel to the front-rear direction, i.e., perpendicular to the work transfer direction.

[0053] In addition, the die 72 needs to have a certain thickness to ensure strength. Therefore, the limit of the size of the forming hole 73, i.e., the limit of the size of the workpiece W after press working, is determined by the size of the limited area 72S indicated by the dashed line in FIG.

[0054] In recent years, there is a demand for the production of larger processed products. In order to produce larger processed products, the restricted area needs to be larger than the restricted area 72S described above, and the die size needs to be increased. However, if the die size is increased, the distance between the pair of rails 82A and 82B in the front-rear direction needs to be increased, and the entire transfer press system 50 needs to be increased in size, which is not realistic. Therefore, in this embodiment, by making changes to the die 72 and punch 74, it is possible to produce larger processed products without increasing the size of the die. The configuration of the die and punch that is characteristic of the present invention will be described below.

[0055] [4-4. Characteristic configuration of the die and punch] Fig. 5 is an example of a plan view of some of the characteristic multiple dies 172, and a cross-sectional plan view of a punch 174 corresponding to the die 172 shown in this plan view. Note that Fig. 5 shows a state in which the die 172 is fixed to a die holder (not shown in Fig. 5, the same as the die holder 70 shown in Fig. 3), and shows a state in which the punch 174 is placed on a processing stage 176 (see Fig. 6 described later). For convenience, hatching indicating a cross section is omitted from the cross-sectional plan view of the punch 174 shown in Fig. 5.

[0056] 5 and 6, components that are different in shape and arrangement from the components shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are given different reference numerals from those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. On the other hand, components that are the same in shape and arrangement as the components shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are given the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. For example, punch 174 shown in FIG. 5 is given a different reference numeral because the angle in a plan view when placed is different from punch 74 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Also, for example, transfer press system 150 shown in FIG. 6 is given a different reference numeral because it includes components that are different in shape from transfer press system 50 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 (for example, die 172 with a different forming hole shape).

[0057] Moreover, in the following, configurations that are not particularly mentioned are the same as those described with reference to FIGS.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 5, the forming hole 173 formed in the die 172 used in the transfer press system 150 characteristic of the present invention has an elongated shape in a plan view, and is formed so that the longitudinal direction in the plan view intersects with both of the two directions (i.e., the left-right direction and the front-rear direction) parallel to any of the four sides of the die holder 70 (see Fig. 3) when the die 72 is fixed to the die holder 70. In other words, the longitudinal direction of the forming hole 173 in the plan view is not parallel to any of the four sides of the die holder 70, and therefore is not parallel to any of the four sides of the die 172. In Fig. 5, the forming hole 173 is formed so that the longitudinal direction of the elongated shape is rotated by a predetermined angle θ with respect to the front-rear direction. 5, the longest straight line connecting one portion and another portion in the inner peripheral portion that forms the forming hole 173 is the straight line connecting the first portion 173a and the second portion 173b (hereinafter, this straight line will be referred to as "imaginary straight line 173L.") The forming hole 173 is formed so that this imaginary straight line 173L intersects, but is not parallel to, any of the two directions (i.e., the front-rear direction and the left-right direction) that are parallel to any of the four sides of the die holder 70.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 5, the punch 174, when placed on the processing stage 176, has a shape and arrangement in a planar cross section that corresponds to the forming hole 173 in a plan view when the die 172 is fixed to a die holder (not shown). That is, the punch 174 is placed on the processing stage 176 (see FIG. 6 described later) so that the longitudinal direction in the planar cross section is rotated by a predetermined angle θ with respect to the front-rear direction. In detail, in the planar cross section of the punch 174 shown in FIG. 5, the longest straight line connecting one portion and another portion on the outer periphery of the punch 174 is the straight line connecting the third portion 174a and the fourth portion 174b (hereinafter, this straight line is referred to as the "imaginary straight line 174L"). The punch 174 is placed so that this imaginary straight line 174L is rotated by a predetermined angle θ clockwise with respect to the front-rear direction in a plan view.

[0060] The restricted area 72S shown in FIG. 5 is obtained by rotating the restricted area 72S shown in FIG. 4 by a predetermined angle θ clockwise. That is, in the transfer press machine 50 using the general die 72 and punch 74 shown in FIG. 4, the limit of the size of the forming hole 73 is determined according to the size of the restricted area 72S. In contrast, when the characteristic die 172 and punch 174 shown in FIG. 5 are used, the limit of the size of the forming hole 173 is determined according to the size of the restricted area 172S. Therefore, when the characteristic die 172 and punch 174 shown in FIG. 5 are used, it is possible to produce a larger molded product than when the general die 72 and punch 74 are used. Moreover, since the outer shape and size of the die 172 are the same as those of the die 72 (see FIG. 4), it is also possible to produce a molded product of a desired size by simply replacing the die 72 with the die 172 according to the size of the molded product.

[0061] In addition, the predetermined angle θ is preferably 45 degrees in order to manufacture a larger molded product, but is not limited to this. If the predetermined angle θ is an angle within the range of 0 to 180 degrees excluding 0 degrees, 90 degrees, and 180 degrees, a larger molded product can be produced than when a general die 72 and punch 74 are used. The reason why the predetermined angle θ is within the range of 0 to 180 degrees rather than within the range of 0 to 360 degrees is that the workpiece W has a symmetrical shape.

[0062] However, when a workpiece W using the characteristic die 172 and punch 174 shown in FIG. 5 is transported by the transfer device 80 (see FIG. 2), it is difficult to transport the workpiece W in a well-balanced manner using the conventional fingers 84A, 84B. Therefore, in this embodiment, a transfer device 180 is adopted instead of the transfer device 80. The transfer device 180 will be described below. Note that only configurations different from the transfer device 80 will be described below, and a description of configurations common to the transfer device 80 will be omitted.

[0063] [4-5.Characteristic configuration of transfer device] FIG. 6 is an example of a plan sectional view of the entire system 100 including the work supply device 110 and the transfer press system 150, and shows a state in which the work W is clamped by the fingers 184A, 184B. The multiple pairs of dies 172 and punches 174 (see FIG. 5 for both) are arranged at a constant pitch in the left-right direction. This constant pitch is the same as the pitch at which the multiple dies 72 and punches 74 (see FIG. 3) are arranged in the left-right direction. The processing stage 176 is composed of the die holder 70 and the die 172. In FIG. 6, the work supply device 110 is indicated by a different reference number from the work supply device 10 shown in FIG. 2 because the arrangement angle of the fingers 184A, 184B in the work supply device 110 is different from the fingers 84A, 84B in the work supply device 10 shown in FIG. 2.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 6, the transfer device 180 uses a plurality of air cylinders 186A, 186B instead of the plurality of air cylinders 86A, 86B of the transfer device 80 (see Fig. 2). The plurality of air cylinders 186A, 186B are different from the plurality of air cylinders 86A, 86B in that they are arranged to operate in a direction rotated a predetermined angle θ clockwise in a plan view with respect to the front-rear direction, but are otherwise common to the air cylinders 86A, 86B. The plurality of fingers 184A, 184B are provided at the tips of the rods of the corresponding air cylinders 186A, 186B, and therefore, like the plurality of air cylinders 186A, 186B, are arranged rotated a predetermined angle θ clockwise in a plan view with respect to the front-rear direction.

[0065] In this way, by arranging the multiple air cylinders 186A, 186B so as to operate in a direction rotated by a predetermined angle θ with respect to the front-rear direction in a plan view, the workpiece W is clamped from both sides in the longitudinal direction of the forming hole 173 (the direction along the imaginary straight line 174). Therefore, even if the longitudinal direction of the forming hole 173 is formed so as to intersect with both of the two directions (i.e., the front-rear direction and the left-right direction) parallel to any of the four sides of the die holder 70 (see FIG. 3), the workpiece W can be clamped by the fingers 184A, 184B from both sides in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece W. Therefore, it is possible to produce larger processed products without enlarging the size of the mold, and it is possible to clamp and transport the workpiece W in a balanced manner.

[0066] As described above, the multiple air cylinders 186A, 186B and the multiple fingers 184A, 184B are placed on the pair of rails 82A, 82B. Therefore, when the pair of rails 82A, 82B are moved in the left-right direction by the driving unit 32 (see FIG. 1), the multiple air cylinders 186A, 186B and the multiple fingers 184A, 184B also move in the left-right direction accordingly. Therefore, even if the multiple air cylinders 186A, 186B and the multiple fingers 184A, 184B are arranged so that the direction in which they are rotated by a predetermined angle θ in a plan view with respect to the front-rear direction is the operating direction, the workpiece W can be transported in the left-right direction.

[0067] In addition, the driving source of each finger 184A, 184B is not necessarily limited to the above-mentioned air cylinder 186A, 186B, so long as it can operate each finger 184A, 184B in a direction rotated by a predetermined angle θ in a plan view with respect to the front-rear direction. For example, a longitudinal member such as a rod may be operated by a motor in a direction rotated by a predetermined angle θ with respect to the front-rear direction in a plan view, and the fingers 184A, 184B may be provided at the tip of this longitudinal member.

[0068] [5. Modifications of the transfer device] When performing press processing with the transfer press system 150 using the characteristic die 172 and punch 174 shown in Fig. 5, a transfer device 280 shown in Fig. 7 can be used instead of the transfer device 180 shown in Fig. 6. The transfer device 280 according to the modified example will be described below. Note that only the configuration different from the transfer device 80 will be described below, and the description of the configuration common to the transfer device 80 will be omitted.

[0069] 7 is a modified plan sectional view of the entire system 200 including the work supply device 210 and the transfer press system 250, showing a state in which the work W is clamped between the fingers 284A, 284B. The transfer press system 250 shown in FIG 7 differs from the transfer press system 50 shown in FIG 2 and FIG 3 in the shape of the fingers 284A, 284B.

[0070] 6, the transfer press system 250 shown in Fig. 7 has a plurality of pairs of dies 172 and punches 174 (see Fig. 5 for both) arranged at a constant pitch in the left-right direction, and the processing stage 176 is composed of the die holder 70 and the die 172. In Fig. 7, the work supply device 210 is indicated by a different reference number from the work supply device 10 shown in Fig. 2 because the shapes of fingers 284A, 284B in the work supply device 210 are different from the fingers 84A, 84 in the work supply device 10 shown in Fig. 2.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 7, the transfer device 280 is provided with a plurality of fingers 284A, 284B instead of the plurality of fingers 84A, 84B provided in the transfer device 80 (see Fig. 2). As described above, the drive source of each finger 284A, 284B is not limited to the air cylinders 86A, 86B. For example, a longitudinal member such as a rod may be operated in the front-rear direction by a motor drive, and the fingers 284A, 284B may be provided at the tip of this longitudinal member.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 7, the multiple air cylinders 86A, 86B are arranged so that their operating direction is the front-rear direction, similar to the air cylinders 86A, 86B shown in Fig. 2. Therefore, the multiple fingers 284A, 284B both operate along the front-rear direction.

[0073] However, like the die 172 and punch 174 (both see Figure 5), the longitudinal direction of the workpiece W in a plan view is rotated a certain angle θ clockwise relative to the front-to-rear direction, so even if the workpiece W is clamped from the front-to-rear direction, it cannot be clamped in a balanced manner.

[0074] Therefore, in this modified example, the workpiece W is clamped by the fingers 284A, 284B so as to be wrapped from the front and rear directions. That is, instead of clamping only both sides of the workpiece W in the longitudinal direction in a plan view as in the conventional method, the surface of the workpiece W along the longitudinal direction in a plan view is wrapped by the fingers 284A, 284B as shown in FIG.

[0075] Here, the detailed structure of fingers 284A and 284B will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is an example of a detailed view of part B surrounded by a dashed line in Fig. 7. Note that, in the following, finger 284A will be described, but finger 284B is different in that its arrangement is symmetrical to finger 284A, but its shape is similar to that of finger 284A.

[0076] 8, the finger 284A is formed with a recess 285A capable of clamping the workpiece W. In a plan view, the recess 285A has a right surface 285Aa formed along a right surface Wa, which is one of two surfaces along the longitudinal direction of the workpiece W in a plan view. In addition, in a plan view, the recess 285A has a left surface 285Ab formed along the front-rear direction.

[0077] When the workpiece W is clamped by the fingers 284A and 284B (see FIG. 7 for the finger 284B), the right side Wa of the two faces of the workpiece W along the longitudinal direction in a plan view faces the right side 285Aa of the finger 284A, and most of this face Wa abuts against the right side 285Aa. In addition, the left corner Wb of the workpiece W not facing the right side 285Aa in a plan view is in point contact with the left side face 285Ab. The same applies to the finger 284B. In this way, it is not necessary to change the operating direction of the air cylinders 86A and 86B as the driving sources of the fingers 284A and 284B (that is, the air cylinders 86A and 86B may be arranged so as to operate in the forward and backward directions as in the conventional case). Therefore, it is possible to produce a larger processed product without enlarging the size of the die, and in addition, it is possible to convey the pressed workpiece W by clamping it in a balanced manner between the fingers 284A and 284B while suppressing costs.

[0078] In addition, since the left surface 285Ab of the finger 284A is formed along the front-rear direction in a plan view, the finger 284A can smoothly approach and move away from the workpiece W. That is, if the left surface 285Ab of the finger 284A is inclined in a direction in which the opening of the recess 285A narrows in a plan view, the tip end (opening side end) of the left surface 2845b may interfere with the workpiece W, and the finger 284A may not be able to smoothly clamp the workpiece W. Therefore, by forming the left surface 285Ab of the finger 284A along the front-rear direction in a plan view, it becomes possible to smoothly approach and move away from the workpiece W. The same applies to the finger 284B.

[0079] Moreover, from the viewpoint of smoothly moving the fingers 284A toward and away from the workpiece W, it is not essential that the left surface 285Ab is formed along the front-rear direction in a plan view, and it may be inclined in a direction in which the opening of the recess 285A becomes wider in a plan view. However, if the left surface 285Ab is inclined in a direction in which the opening of the recess 285A becomes wider in a plan view, if the inclination angle becomes too large, it may become difficult for the fingers 284A to hold the workpiece W without it falling off. Therefore, it is preferable that the left surface 285Ab is formed along the front-rear direction in a plan view, or even if it is inclined in a direction in which the opening of the recess 285A becomes wider in a plan view, the inclination angle is small.

[0080] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment and the above-described modified examples, and may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0081] For example, as described above, the die described in this embodiment is not limited to the transfer press system described in this embodiment, but may be used in a press system including a plurality of, for example, single press machines for processing a workpiece and dies attached to each of the plurality of press machines. Also, the die may be used in a press system including a progressive press machine including a plurality of processing steps for processing one surface of a workpiece and dies provided for each of the plurality of processing steps.

[0082] The press system, transfer press system, transfer device, and die described in this embodiment can be expressed as follows.

[0083] (1) The first press system is A press system including a plurality of press machines for processing a workpiece and a die attached to each of the plurality of press machines, The mold is a plurality of square or rectangular die holders supported by the plurality of presses, respectively; A plurality of dies are fixed to the plurality of die holders, respectively, and each of the dies has a longitudinal forming hole formed therein; Each of the multiple dies is formed such that, when fixed to the die holder, the longitudinal direction of the forming hole in a plan view intersects with two directions parallel to any of the four sides of the die holder. It is characterized by:

[0084] According to the first press system, it is possible to produce larger processed products without increasing the size of the die.

[0085] The "plurality of press machines" described in (1) above corresponds to, for example, single press machines for pressing a workpiece, which are arranged side by side along the transport direction of the workpiece.

[0086] (2) In the first press system, The press machine further includes a transfer device that transports the workpiece processed by one of the plurality of press machines to a press machine of a next process, The transfer device is Fingers capable of clamping the workpiece from both sides along the longitudinal direction of the forming hole in a plan view; A drive source capable of operating the finger so as to approach and move away from the workpiece along the longitudinal direction of the forming hole in a plan view. It is more preferable to do so.

[0087] According to the first press system described in (2), the workpiece is clamped from both sides along the longitudinal direction of the forming hole. Therefore, even if the longitudinal direction of the forming hole is formed so as to intersect with two directions parallel to any of the four sides of the die holder, the pressed workpiece can be clamped in a balanced manner. Therefore, in addition to enabling press working of larger workpieces without increasing the size of the die, it is also possible to clamp and transport the pressed workpiece in a balanced manner.

[0088] (3) In the first press system, The press machine further includes a transfer device that transports the workpiece processed by one of the plurality of press machines to a press machine of a next process, The transfer device is Fingers are provided to hold the workpiece from both sides in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the workpiece; a drive source operable to move the fingers toward and away from the workpiece along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction; The finger is In a plan view, the recess is formed so as to abut against a surface along the longitudinal direction of the workpiece. It is more preferable to do so.

[0089] According to the first press system described in (3) above, the fingers have recesses formed to abut against the surfaces along the longitudinal direction of the workpiece in a plan view. Therefore, even if the longitudinal direction of the forming hole is formed to intersect with two directions parallel to any of the four sides of the die holder, the pressed workpiece can be clamped in a balanced manner from both sides in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. Moreover, there is no need to change the specifications of the driving source that operates the fingers. Therefore, in addition to being able to press larger workpieces without enlarging the size of the die, it is possible to clamp and convey the pressed workpiece in a balanced manner while suppressing costs.

[0090] (4) In the first press system described in (3) above, The recessed portion is In a plan view, a surface opposite to a surface that abuts against a surface along the longitudinal direction of the processed material is formed along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, or is formed inclined in a direction in which the opening of the recess becomes wider. It is more preferable to do so.

[0091] According to the first press system described in (4) above, it is possible to smoothly move the fingers toward and away from the workpiece.

[0092] (5) The second press system is A press system including a press machine having a plurality of processing steps for processing a workpiece on one surface, and a die provided for each of the plurality of processing steps, The mold is A plurality of square or rectangular die holders provided in the plurality of processing steps; A plurality of dies are fixed to the plurality of die holders, respectively, and each of the dies has a longitudinal forming hole formed therein; Each of the multiple dies is formed such that, when fixed to the die holder, the longitudinal direction of the forming hole in a plan view intersects with two directions parallel to any of the four sides of the die holder. It is characterized by:

[0093] According to the second press system described in (5) above, it is possible to produce larger processed products without increasing the size of the die.

[0094] The "press machine" described in (5) above corresponds to, for example, a so-called progressive press machine that processes one surface of a coil material in a plurality of processing steps in sequence.

[0095] (6) The transfer press system is A transfer press machine having a plurality of processing stages in which a workpiece is processed, and a transfer device that transports the workpiece processed at one of the plurality of processing stages to a processing stage of a next process; A transfer press system comprising: a die attached to each of the plurality of processing stages, The mold is A plurality of square or rectangular die holders supported by the plurality of processing stages, respectively; A plurality of dies are fixed to the plurality of die holders, respectively, and each of the dies has a longitudinal forming hole formed therein; Each of the multiple dies is formed such that, when fixed to the die holder, the longitudinal direction of the forming hole in a plan view intersects with two directions parallel to any of the four sides of the die holder. It is characterized by:

[0096] According to the transfer press system described in (6) above, it is possible to produce larger processed products without increasing the size of the mold.

[0097] (7) In the transfer press system described in (6) above, The transfer device is Fingers capable of clamping the workpiece from both sides along the longitudinal direction of the forming hole in a plan view; A drive source capable of operating the finger so as to approach and move away from the workpiece along the longitudinal direction of the forming hole in a plan view. It is more preferable to do so.

[0098] According to the transfer press system described in (7) above, the workpiece is clamped from both sides along the longitudinal direction of the forming hole. Therefore, even if the longitudinal direction of the forming hole is formed so as to intersect with two directions parallel to any of the four sides of the die holder, the pressed workpiece can be clamped in a balanced manner. Therefore, in addition to enabling press working of larger workpieces without enlarging the size of the die, it is also possible to clamp and transport the pressed workpiece in a balanced manner.

[0099] (8) In the transfer press system described in (6) above, The transfer device is Fingers are provided to hold the workpiece from both sides in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the workpiece; a drive source operable to move the fingers toward and away from the workpiece along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction; The finger is In a plan view, the workpiece has a recess formed so as to come into contact with a surface along the longitudinal direction of the workpiece. It is more preferable to do so.

[0100] According to the transfer press system described in (8) above, the fingers have recesses formed to abut against the surfaces along the longitudinal direction of the workpiece in a plan view. Therefore, even if the longitudinal direction of the forming hole is formed to intersect with two directions parallel to any of the four sides of the die holder, the pressed workpiece can be clamped in a balanced manner from both sides in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. Moreover, there is no need to change the specifications of the driving source that operates the fingers. Therefore, in addition to being able to press larger workpieces without enlarging the size of the die, it is possible to clamp and convey the pressed workpiece in a balanced manner while suppressing costs.

[0101] (9) In the transfer press system described in (8) above, The recessed portion is In a plan view, a surface opposite to a surface that abuts against a surface along the longitudinal direction of the processed material is formed along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, or is formed inclined in a direction in which the opening of the recess becomes wider. It is more preferable to do so.

[0102] According to the transfer press system described in (9) above, it is possible to smoothly move the fingers toward and away from the workpiece.

[0103] (10) A first transfer device comprising: A transfer device that conveys a workpiece processed by a die having a forming hole formed such that the longitudinal direction in a plan view intersects with two directions parallel to any one of the four sides of the die holder in a state where the die is fixed to a square or rectangular die holder, to a next process, Fingers capable of clamping the workpiece from both sides along the longitudinal direction of the forming hole in a plan view; A drive source capable of operating the finger so as to approach and move away from the workpiece along the longitudinal direction of the forming hole in a plan view. It is characterized by:

[0104] According to the first transfer device described in (10) above, the workpiece can be clamped from both sides along the longitudinal direction of the forming hole formed in the die. Therefore, even if the longitudinal direction of the forming hole formed in the die is formed so as to intersect with two directions parallel to any of the four sides of the die holder, the pressed workpiece can be clamped in a balanced manner. Therefore, it is possible to clamp and transport a larger pressed workpiece in a balanced manner without increasing the size of the die.

[0105] (11) A second transfer device A transfer device that conveys a workpiece processed by a die having a forming hole formed such that the longitudinal direction in a plan view intersects with two directions parallel to any one of the four sides of the die holder in a state where the die is fixed to a square or rectangular die holder, to a next process, Fingers are provided to hold the workpiece from both sides in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the workpiece; a drive source operable to move the fingers toward and away from the workpiece along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction; The finger is In a plan view, the recess is formed so as to abut against a surface along the longitudinal direction of the workpiece. It is characterized by:

[0106] According to the second transfer device described in (11) above, the fingers have recesses formed to abut against the surfaces along the longitudinal direction of the workpiece in a plan view. Therefore, even if the longitudinal direction of the forming hole formed in the die is formed to intersect with two directions parallel to any of the four sides of the die holder, the pressed workpiece can be clamped in a balanced manner from both sides in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. Moreover, there is no need to change the specifications of the driving source that operates the fingers. Therefore, it is possible to clamp and convey a larger pressed workpiece in a balanced manner without increasing the size of the die while suppressing costs.

[0107] The "transfer device" described in (10) above and the "transfer device" described in (11) above may both constitute, for example, the press system described in (1) or (5) above, or may constitute, for example, the transfer press system described in (6) above. However, they are not limited to these, and may also be devices that transport the processed material processed by the die described in (10) or (11) above to the next process.

[0108] (12) In the second transfer device described in (11) above, The recessed portion is In a plan view, a surface opposite to a surface that abuts against a surface along the longitudinal direction of the processed material is formed along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, or is formed inclined in a direction in which the opening of the recess becomes wider. It is more preferable to do so.

[0109] According to the second transfer device described in (12) above, it is possible to smoothly move the fingers toward and away from the workpiece.

[0110] (13) A die used in a press machine for processing a workpiece, The mold is A square or rectangular die holder supported by the press; A die fixed to the die holder and having a longitudinal forming hole formed therein; The die is formed so that, when fixed to the die holder, the longitudinal direction of the forming hole in a plan view intersects with two directions parallel to any of the four sides of the die holder. It is characterized by:

[0111] According to the die described in (13) above, it is possible to produce larger processed products without increasing the size of the die.

[0112] The "mold" described in (13) above may be, for example, one that constitutes the press system described in (1) or (5) above, or one that constitutes the transfer press system described in (6) above, but is not limited to these.

[0113] According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a press system, a transfer press system, a transfer device, and a die that are capable of producing larger processed products than before without increasing the size of the die. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 50,150,250 Transfer Press System 70 Die holder 72,172 Die 73,173 Molding hole 74,174 punches 76,176 Processing stages 80,180,280 Transfer device 84A, 84B, 184A, 184B, 284A, 284B Finger 86A, 86B, 186A, 186B Air Cylinder Double work

Claims

1. A transfer device for conveying a processed material processed by a die having a forming hole formed therein such that, in a state of being fixed to a square or rectangular die holder, the longitudinal direction in a plan view does not intersect any of the four sides of the die holder and intersects at a predetermined angle with respect to the directions of the four sides, comprising: fingers provided so as to sandwich the processed material from both sides in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the processed material; a drive source capable of operating the fingers to approach and separate from the processed material along a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction; and the fingers have recesses formed so as to contact a surface along the longitudinal direction of the processed material in a plan view. A transfer device characterized by the above.

2. The recess is formed such that, in a plan view, a surface opposite to the side that contacts the surface along the longitudinal direction of the processed material is formed along a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, or is formed to be inclined in a direction in which the opening of the recess widens. The transfer device according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. A plurality of presses for processing a processed material, to which a square or rectangular die holder and a die having a forming hole are attached; The transfer device according to claim 1 or 2 for conveying a processed material processed by one of the plurality of presses toward a press in the next process; A press system comprising the above.

4. A plurality of processing stages for processing a processed material, to which a square or rectangular die holder and a die having a forming hole are attached; The transfer device according to claim 1 or 2 for conveying a processed material processed by one of the plurality of processing stages toward a processing stage in the next process; A transfer press system comprising the above.

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