Mounting device for attaching a support board to a flatbed punching machine, support board, and flatbed punching machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mounting device (10) for attaching a support board (12) to a flatbed punching machine (2), wherein the mounting device (10) comprises a support section, first and second adjustment units (30), and an adjustable contact unit (32), the adjustment units (30) and the contact unit (32) being spaced apart on the support section (11) to receive the support board (12) in an adjustable position relative to the support section (11), and the mounting device (10) having actuators (46, 56) associated with the adjustment units (30) and the contact unit (32). The present invention further relates to a support board (12) for a flatbed punching machine (2), wherein the support board (12) comprises first and second engagement structures (14) adapted to cooperate with the first and second adjustment units (30) of the mounting device (10) described in any of the preceding claims, and a contact structure (20) spaced apart from the first and second engagement structures (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an attachment device for attaching a support board to a flat-bed punching machine, a support board, and a flat-bed punching machine.

Background Art

[0002] A punching machine processes a cardboard sheet. This will be briefly described below with reference to FIG. 1.

[0003] When the cardboard enters the introduction station 1, it is gripped and conveyed through a punching machine 2 (often also called a "platen press"), a waste removal station 3, and a blanking station 4.

[0004] In the punching machine 2, the blank is cut from the sheet material and, in some cases, scored. In the waste removal station 3, the waste is separated from the sheet material. In the blanking station 4, the blank is separated from the cardboard sheet. In the discharge station 5, the remainder of the sheet material is discharged. The sheet material is conveyed throughout the stations by a chain drive 6 having a plurality of gripping bars 7.

[0005] The punching machine 2 press corresponds to two purposes, namely, cutting the blank within the sheet and creating a score line (or embossing some shapes). A score line is a compressed portion of the cardboard that will be bent to form a box.

[0006] To create fold lines, the die-cutting machine has a fixed upper tool 8 that supports several knives or rulers on a tooling board for cutting or creasing the cardboard. The die-cutting machine also has a lower tool that moves up and down, and the lower tool has a mounting device 10, which supports a sheet 13 having several slots that align with a support board 12 and the creasing rulers on the upper board. The sheet is secured to the support board by either screws or a quick-lock mechanism. Once mounted on the support board, the position of the sheet 13 is fixed on the support board. The tooling board of the upper tool 8 and the sheet of the lower tool need to be replaced after each production run. To replace the sheet, the support board and sheet assembly is removed from the machine, the sheet is removed and replaced with a new sheet, and the support board and sheet assembly is returned to the machine.

[0007] Conventionally, the position of the support board 12 relative to the tooling board is adjusted by using an adjustment screw provided for manual adjustment of the position of the support board 12 relative to the mounting device 10. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The objective of this invention is to make the adjustment of the support board easier. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To address this objective, the present invention provides a mounting device for attaching a support board to a flatbed die-cutting machine, the mounting device comprising a support section, first and second adjustment units, and an adjustable contact unit, wherein the adjustment units and contact unit are spaced apart on the support section to receive the support board in an adjustable position relative to the support section, and the mounting device has actuators associated with the adjustment units and contact unit. The combination of the two adjustment units and contact unit allows the position of the support board to be adjusted both longitudinally and transversely, when the direction of movement of the sheet is defined as the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, rotational adjustment is possible.

[0010] By using an electric motor as an actuator, adjustments can be made in a convenient manner, and only an electrical cable is required to supply the necessary energy to the actuator.

[0011] In one embodiment, each adjustment unit has a drive element that is translationally displaceable relative to the support. The drive element is a mechanically simple element that defines the position of the support board relative to the mounting device.

[0012] The drive element can be a screw, on which a drive nut driven by one of the actuators is placed. This type of linear drive device can convert the motion provided by the actuator into translational motion in a very convenient manner.

[0013] In one embodiment, the contact unit comprises a wedge that is translationally displaceable. The wedge is a mechanically simple element and allows the position of the support board to be adjusted in a direction perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the wedge.

[0014] The wedge can be positioned on a screw driven by one of the actuators. Here again, a linear drive is formed that allows the motion provided by the actuator to be converted into translational motion in a very convenient manner.

[0015] Preferably, a locking unit associated with the contact unit is provided to mechanically lock the support board to the mounting device.

[0016] The locking unit may have a locking lever that is rotatably displaceable between a mounting position and a locked position. Using a pivotable locking lever is a mechanically simple solution that does not require sophisticated guides on the mounting device.

[0017] A pneumatic actuator can be associated with a lock lever so that it can be biased with a locking force, while still allowing for some flexibility or displaceability of the lock lever due to the gas buffer pressure present within the pneumatic actuator.

[0018] Furthermore, the above objective is solved by a support board for a flatbed punching machine, the support board having first and second engagement structures adapted to cooperate with first and second adjustment units of the mounting device described in any of the preceding claims, and abutment structures spaced apart from the first and second engagement structures, the engagement structures being adapted to position the support board in a first direction, and the abutment structures being adapted to position the support board in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The engagement structures and abutment structures cooperate with the adjustment units and abutment units to allow for translational adjustment of the support board in both the longitudinal and transverse directions, and rotational adjustment of the support board about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the support board.

[0019] The engagement structure can have a fork-like shape, with both engagement structures opening on the same side of the support board. This shape of the engagement structure allows for secure cooperation with the adjustment unit of the mounting device, while also allowing the support board to be positioned in the mounting device in a very simple manner, namely by pressing the engagement structure laterally onto the adjustment unit.

[0020] The contact structure preferably has a curved surface, with the center of curvature on the side of the support board opposite to the side where the engagement structure is open. The curved surface forms a pivot axis that allows the support board to rotate during the adjustment process, and this axis remains stationary in principle while the support board rotates, which simplifies the adjustment process.

[0021] The support board preferably has a rectangular shape, with the engaging structures positioned directly opposite each other and the contact structures positioned such that they form a triangle with the engaging structures. This positioning of the different structures ensures a secure and stable connection between the support board and the mounting device. More generally, each engaging structure is located on the opposite side of the support board. Preferably, the engaging structures are located on each lateral side of the support board. The lateral side is the side parallel to the longitudinal axis. The contact structures are located on the same side as one of the engaging structures. The configuration of the engaging and contact structures preferably forms a triangle. Nevertheless, it is also possible for the contact structures to be positioned at the same location as one of the engaging structures (resulting in a degenerate triangle with two merged vertices, where the contact structure lies on one of the merged vertices).

[0022] Furthermore, the above objective is achieved by a flatbed punching machine having the mounting device described above and the support board described above clamped to the mounting device. For advantages, please refer to the comments above.

[0023] Preferably, a position detection system is provided to detect the position of the support board relative to the counter tool. This makes it possible to use software to adjust the position of the support board relative to the tool board, and as a result, the position of the thin plate 13 relative to the tool board can be adjusted, and in this case, the assistance of a camera system configured to capture the geometric structure indicating the position of each board and adjust the position of the support board relative to the tool board may be used.

[0024] Here, it is mentioned that the features and / or advantages described with respect to the support board on the one hand and the mounting device on the other hand are applicable respectively to the support board and the mounting device, and also to a punching machine having both the mounting device and the support board.

[0025] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram of a punching machine. [Figure 2] It is a schematic diagram of the support board and the directions in which its position can be adjusted. [Figure 3] It is a schematic diagram of the support board. [Figure 4] It is a schematic diagram of a mounting device suitable for receiving the support board of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram of an adjustment unit used in the mounting device of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] It is a schematic diagram of an abutting unit used in the mounting device of FIG. 4. [Figure 7] It is a schematic diagram of a locking unit used in the mounting device of FIG. 4. [Figure 8] It shows the support board of FIG. 3 at an intermediate step while being mounted on the mounting device of FIG. 4. [Figure 9] It is a schematic diagram of the support board mounted on the mounting device.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] FIG. 2 schematically shows a support board used in a punching machine. The moving direction of the sheet passing through the punching machine is indicated here by an arrow, and this direction is also called the longitudinal direction.

[0028] In order to achieve proper positioning of the support board 12 and the thin sheet 13 relative to the upper tool of the punching machine, the support board 12 needs to be moved longitudinally (along the y-axis) and laterally (along the x-axis), and further rotated around an access point perpendicular to the plane defined by the x-axis and y-axis (and therefore along the z-axis).

[0029] According to the present invention, this adjustment is achieved by mounting the support board 12 at three positions on the mounting device 10, where these three positions form a triangle (shown by dashed lines in Figure 2).

[0030] At two of the vertices of the triangle, the support board 12 can be adjusted longitudinally relative to the mounting device 10, and at the remaining vertex, the position of the support board 12 can be adjusted laterally relative to the mounting device 10. Rotational adjustment is possible by appropriately overlapping the longitudinal adjustment with the lateral adjustment.

[0031] Figure 3 shows one embodiment of the support board 12 according to the present invention.

[0032] The support board has two engaging structures 14 positioned on the opposite side of the support board 12 and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0033] Each engaging structure 14 has a fork-like shape with two protrusions 16 and a free space 18 between them. Both engaging structures 14 are open on the same side (upper side in Figure 3) of the support board.

[0034] The support board 12 further comprises a contact structure 20, which is positioned to form a triangle as shown in Figure 2. With respect to the fork-like shape of the engagement structure 14, it is important to note that the contact structure 20 is located on the same side of the support board 12 as the engagement structure 14, which opens toward the centerline of the support board 12.

[0035] The contact structure 20 has a convex surface 22 that faces the center line of the support board 12. In other words, the center of curvature is on the side of the support board opposite to the side where the engaging structure is open.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the surface 22 has a constant radius, and with respect to Figure 3, the center of curvature is on the lower side of the support board, while the side with the engagement structure 14 open is on the upper side.

[0037] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of the mounting device 10. Here, the direction of movement of the sheet is also indicated by an arrow.

[0038] The mounting device 10 includes a support section 11 (preferably a movable beam of a platen press) and two adjustment units 30 and a contact unit 32 positioned on the support section 11. The support board 12 is positioned on the support section 11 and can be conveniently removed from the machine. The positions of units 30 and 32 correspond to the vertices of a triangle formed by the engagement structure 14 and the contact structure 20. Thus, unit 30 coupled to the engagement structure 14 displaces two of the vertices of the triangle along the longitudinal direction (Y), thereby controlling the longitudinal position and orientation of the support board 12. Unit 32 coupled to the contact structure 20 displaces one of the vertices of the triangle along the lateral direction (X), thereby controlling the lateral position of the support board 12.

[0039] The mounting device 10 further comprises a locking unit 34 associated with the contact unit 32.

[0040] The adjustment unit 30 is shown in detail in Figure 5.

[0041] The adjustment unit 30 includes a translationally displaceable drive element 40. The drive element 40 is, in this case, a rod or screw guided within a guide 42 and held non-rotatably relative to the guide 42.

[0042] The drive nut is positioned on the drive element 40 to convert rotational motion into translational motion of the drive element.

[0043] The drive nut can be formed here by a gear 44 having a female thread that is attached to the threads of the drive element 40. The rotation of the gear 44 is converted into a translational displacement of the drive element 40.

[0044] The gear 44 can be driven by an actuator 46 (preferably an electric motor) that drives a gear 48 that meshes with the gear 44. A reduction gear drive device can be placed between the actuator 46 and the gear 48.

[0045] The actuator 46 can be controlled to displace the drive element 40 to a desired position in the longitudinal direction.

[0046] The contact unit 32 is shown in detail in Figure 6. The contact unit 32 also includes a wedge 50 that is similarly translationally displaceable. The wedge 50 is mounted by a guide structure 52 and engages with a screw 54 driven by an actuator 56. Here, similarly, a reduction gear drive can be placed between the actuator 56 and the screw 54.

[0047] The wedge 50 can be displaced along its longitudinal direction by operating the actuator 56 in one direction or the other.

[0048] The locking unit 34 is shown in detail in Figure 7. The locking unit 34 includes a locking lever 60 that is pivotably mounted on the mounting device 10. An actuator 62 is provided, which is a pneumatic actuator having a displaceable piston 64 within a cylinder 66, to pivot the locking lever 60 between a mounting position and a locked position.

[0049] As described above, the support board 12 needs to be replaced after each new operation of the punching machine. To install a new support board 12, the support board 12 is pushed laterally onto the mounting device 10 with the open side of the fork-shaped engagement structure 14 facing forward (see Figure 8).

[0050] Figure 9 shows the support board 12 attached to the mounting device 10.

[0051] The engagement structure 12 engages with the adjustment unit 30 so that the drive element 40 is received between the projections 16 of the engagement structure 12.

[0052] The surface 22 of the contact structure 20 contacts the wedge 50 of the contact unit 32. On the opposite outer surface, the lock lever 60 of the lock unit 34 engages to press the contact structure 20 against the contact unit 32.

[0053] The position of the support board 12 in the longitudinal direction is defined by the adjustment structure 14 that engages with the drive element 40. With proper operation of the actuator 46, this position can be adjusted as desired.

[0054] The position of the support board 12 in the lateral direction is defined by the contact support portion 20 that engages with the wedge 50. This position can be adjusted as desired by operating the actuator 56 to displace the wedge 50 in the longitudinal direction.

[0055] The support board 12 can be rotated relative to the mounting device 10 by changing the position of the engaging element 40 of the adjustment unit 30 in the longitudinal direction by operating only one of the actuators 46 or by operating the actuators 46 in opposite directions. During rotation, the surface 22 "plays its role" on the wedge 50, and the pneumatic actuator 62 exerts a biasing force on the contact structure 20.

[0056] By appropriately operating actuators 46 and 56 relative to each other, the longitudinal position, lateral position, and rotational position of the support board 12 can be adjusted in a desired manner relative to the mounting device 10.

[0057] An automatic adjustment system can be provided to ensure proper adjustment of the support board 12 without manual intervention. A camera can be used to capture the geometric structure indicating the position of the support board 12, and a control element can be used to determine the adjustments necessary to move the support board 12 to the desired position. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 2 Flatbed punching machine 10 Mounting device 11 Support part 12 Support board 30 Adjustment Unit 32 Contact Units 46, 56 actuators

Claims

1. A mounting device (10) for attaching a support board (12) to a flatbed punching machine (2), A support portion (11) configured to support the support board (12), First and second adjustment units (30), Adjustable contact unit (32), It has, The adjustment unit (30) and the contact unit (32) are positioned spaced apart from each other on the support portion (11) in order to receive the support board (12) at an adjustable position relative to the support portion (11). The mounting device (10) has actuators (46, 56) associated with the adjustment unit (30) and the contact unit (32).

2. The mounting device (10) according to claim 1, wherein a locking unit (34) related to the contact unit (32) is provided.

3. The mounting device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the locking unit (34) has a locking lever (60) that is rotatably displaceable between a mounting position and a locked position.

4. The mounting device (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the locking unit (34) has a pneumatic actuator (62).

5. The mounting device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the actuators (46, 56) are electric motors.

6. The mounting device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the adjustment units (30) has a drive element (40) that is translationally displaceable relative to the support portion (11).

7. The mounting device (10) according to claim 6, wherein the drive element (40) is a screw, and a drive nut (44) driven by one of the actuators (46) is disposed on the screw.

8. The mounting device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the contact unit (32) comprises a wedge (50) that is capable of translational displacement.

9. The mounting device (10) according to claim 8, wherein the wedge (50) is positioned on a screw (52) driven by one of the actuators (56).

10. A support board (12) for a flatbed die-cutting machine (2), First and second engagement structures (14) adapted to cooperate with first and second adjustment units (30) of the mounting device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, A contact structure (20) spaced apart from the first and second engagement structures (14), It has, The engagement structure (14) is adapted to position the support board (12) in a first direction, and the contact structure (20) is adapted to position the support board (12) in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the support board (12).

11. The support board (12) according to claim 10, wherein the engaging structure (14) has a fork shape, and both sides of the engaging structure (14) are open on the same side of the support board (12).

12. The support board (12) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the contact structure (20) has a curved surface (22), and the center of curvature is on the side of the support board (12) opposite to the side where the engagement structure (14) is open.

13. The support board (12) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the support board (12) has a rectangular shape, the engaging structure (14) is on the opposite side of the support board (12), and the contact structure (20) is on one of the sides of the support board (12).

14. A flatbed punching machine (2) having a mounting device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a support board (12) according to any one of claims 10 to 13 clamped to the mounting device (12).

15. The flatbed punching machine (2) according to claim 14, wherein the support board (12) supports a sheet (13) having at least one slot, and the punching machine comprises a position detection system provided for detecting the position of the sheet (13) relative to a counter tool (8).

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