Tool unit, press machine for holding the tool unit, method for operably arranging the tool unit in a holder of the press machine

Abstract

To provide an embossing-press machine that emboss-processes a coin from a circular blank material, for instance.SOLUTION: A die unit (20) is configured to enable a press machine (21) to be inserted into or detached from a receptacle (23) easily and promptly so that a die can be promptly replaced at a short downtime of the press machine (21). The die unit has a first die (45) and a second die (46) arranged along a die shaft (A) of a die carrier (31). The second die (46) can be guided by a die guide (47) to move with respect to the metal carrier (31) and the first die (45), independently from a guide device of the press machine (21). When operation of the press machine (21) progresses between another die unit and the machine, and at the same time the another die unit can be prepared outside the press machine and set up. The prepared die unit can be replaced with the die unit in use as needed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tool unit for a press, a press comprising a holder for holding such a tool unit, and a method of arranging the tool unit in an operable state in the press. The method also includes replacing an actually used tool unit with another tool unit.

Background Art

[0002] Particularly in high-speed operating presses such as embossing presses for embossing coins, medals, circular blanks, or other plate-shaped blanks, it takes a very long time to replace or mount tools for forming blanks, particularly circular blanks. Especially during coin forging, due to the filigree structures that need to be applied to the coins and medals, the embossing tools must be aligned with each other. For this reason, it takes a considerable amount of time to mount the tools before operating the press. Also, if wear occurs on the tools during operation, the press may have to be stopped to replace the tools, readjust the tools, and then resume operation. Therefore, the downtime of conventionally used embossing presses has been relatively long.

[0003] A forging press is known, for example, from DE 26 28 855 C2. This includes a holder for the female die (first tool) and a ram for supporting the male die (second tool). The holder for the first tool has a semi-circular recess that forms a hollow space for the first tool in a clamped state. These two tools are separately replaceable and need to be aligned with each other at the start of the press operation to obtain an optimal embossing result.

[0004] DE 10 2015 010 489 A1 describes a forging press having a tool carrier There is a sliding surface on the tool carrier. For replacement, one or more tools can be guided and slidably supported on this sliding surface.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Starting from known prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a tool unit that can be inserted or removed with a short downtime of a press, in particular a tool unit for an embossing press.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This object is solved by a tool unit having the features of claim 1, a press having the features of claim 11, and a method having the features of claim 16.

[0007] The tool unit for a press according to the present invention has a tool carrier configured to be removably connected to the press. In particular, the tool carrier is arranged, positioned and / or aligned in a holder provided on the press frame of the press and is configured to be removably attached to the press frame. The tool unit forms a unit that can be uniformly handled for placement on the press and removal from the press.

[0008] The tool unit has a first tool and a second tool. These two tools are arranged in alignment with a common tool axis. These two tools are arranged coaxially with respect to the tool axis A.

[0009] The tool unit includes a tool guiding device, whereby the second tool is guided along the tool axis and movably supported with respect to the tool carrier. Thereby, the second tool can move in the stroke direction towards the first tool and in the backstroke direction away from the first tool opposite to this stroke direction. Thus, these two tools are aligned with each other and guided by the tool unit itself. When the tool unit is inserted into the press, the second tool can be coupled to the ram of the press by a coupling device, whereby the movement of the ram is transmitted to the second tool, and thus a stroke in the stroke direction or a backstroke in the backstroke direction can be initiated.

[0010] Since these two tools are already movably guided and aligned with each other within the tool unit, the insertion of the tools into the press and the removal from the press are significantly simplified. The tool unit is treated as a module or unit within the body, whereby the cumbersome alignment of the two tools with respect to each other within the press is omitted. Different from conventionally known presses, especially embossing presses, the second tool does not use the guiding device of the ram, but the tool unit has a separate and unique tool guiding device for the second tool.

[0011] The tools of the tool unit are embossing tools for an embossing press, and for example, it is preferable that they are for embossing coins, medals, etc. from a plate-shaped or disk-shaped blank material, or a circular blank material. The blank material, that is, the circular blank material, may be a blank material consisting of one part, or a blank material consisting of a plurality of parts composed of a core and one or more rings arranged concentrically around the core. The outer shape of the circular blank material, or the circular blank material, may be, for example, circular or polygonal, or any other substantially arbitrary shape.

[0012] Advantageously, the tool guiding device is configured to support the lateral movement of a second tool across the tool axis and / or the tilting of the second tool with respect to the tool axis. In particular, the tool guiding device can be configured such that the second tool is guided and movable along the tool axis with only one degree of freedom, and the movement in all other degrees of freedom except for the technically necessary clearance is supported.

[0013] In one embodiment, the tool guiding device can have a guide column movably supported within a guide bush associated parallel to the tool axis. Thereby, for example, the first tool can be movably coupled to at least one guide column, and for example, the first tool can be arranged immovably with respect to the guide column. At least one guide bush can be provided on the tool carrier.

[0014] The second tool is provided with a tool mating surface, whereby it is advantageous for the second tool to abut against the ram surface of the ram of the press machine at least during movement in the stroke direction. The tool mating surface and the ram surface are preferably planes extending in a direction orthogonal to the tool axis. The second tool and the ram are configured in a region where the tool mating surface and the ram surface are adjacent to each other such that the tilting of the ram with respect to the tool axis and / or the lateral movement of the ram orthogonal to the tool axis are not transmitted to the second tool.

[0015] In an embodiment of the tool unit, the first tool is movable between a forming position and an ejector position. In the ejector position, after forming or embossing, the formed circular blank can be removed from the ring. In the ejector position, the first tool is supported immovably, particularly in the stroke direction, whereby the first tool can be supported either by the tool carrier or the press machine.

[0016] Alternatively, in another embodiment, it is also possible for the first tool to be arranged immovably with respect to the tool carrier.

[0017] Preferably, a conveying unit having a sliding surface can be attached to the tool carrier. The conveying unit having a sliding surface is configured to enable sliding conveyance of a circular blank material within or outside the tool unit. Thereby, the circular blank material can be supplied between two tools, and subsequently, the circular blank material can be shaped, embossed and / or punched, and removed across the sliding surface after embossing and / or punching.

[0018] Furthermore, it is advantageous if a movement guide device is provided on the tool carrier. The movement guide device is configured to cooperate with a frame guide device of a press frame of the press. The movement guide device and the frame guide device enable the tool unit to be moved within or outside the holder of the press.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, at least one positioning recess is provided in the tool carrier of the tool unit. The at least one positioning recess is configured to cooperate with a positioning portion of a positioning device of the press. By inserting the at least one positioning portion into the at least one positioning recess, the tool carrier, and thus the tool unit, can be positioned or aligned with respect to the press frame of the press. The at least one positioning recess includes a tapered cross-section and can thus be particularly conical. It is preferable that at least one positioning projection is configured complementary to the at least one positioning recess.

[0020] As described above, the press of the present invention for forming a circular blank material includes an exchangeable tool unit, in particular a holder for holding the tool unit according to any of the embodiments. The press has a positioning device with at least one positioning part. The positioning part can be moved to an alignment position, where the positioning part projects at least partially into a corresponding positioning recess of the tool unit. By the cooperation between the at least one positioning part and the at least one positioning recess, the positioning and / or orientation of the tool unit relative to the press can be aligned. Further, the press includes a clamping device configured to clamp the tool unit within the holder. In particular, the clamping device is configured such that no engagement occurs between the clamping device and the tool unit during the generation of the clamping force, but a connection by pressure or frictional force is maintained between the clamping device and the tool unit. It is particularly advantageous if the press is configured to move at least one positioning part out of the alignment position after clamping the tool unit, so that no contact occurs between the at least one positioning part and the at least one positioning recess. In another embodiment, instead of or in addition to this, the clamping device can be configured such that engagement occurs during the generation of the clamping force.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the press has a coupling device. The coupling device is configured to couple a second tool to the ram of the press, whereby the movement of the ram can be transmitted to the second tool to move the second tool in the stroke direction or the backstroke direction.

[0022] Preferably, the coupling device is configured to push or pull the second tool in the backstroke direction by a coupling force directed towards the ram. A press machine can be provided with a stop surface that can be positioned and adjusted, and when the second tool is in the rest position, it is preferable that the second tool is pushed or pulled against this stop surface by the coupling force. When the first tool is in the forming position, the second tool in the rest position has the maximum distance from the first tool. In the rest position, the second tool cannot be lifted from the stop surface by the ram. The ram is located within the range of its return point away from the first tool in the backstroke direction, and this return point can also be indicated as the lower return point.

[0023] Advantageously, the coupling device is configured to enable a lateral movement of the ram transverse to the tool axis and / or a tilting of the ram with respect to the tool axis. By doing so, such a lateral movement or tilting of the ram is prevented from being transmitted to the second tool. Thereby, independent of the guide of the ram, clamping of the second tool guided by the tool guide device of the tool unit is avoided.

[0024] In order to operably arrange the tool unit within the holder of the press machine, it is particularly proceeded as follows.

[0025] First, insert the tool unit into the holder of the press. For example, the moving guide device of the holder and the frame guide device of the press frame can be used for this purpose, and the tool unit can be moved laterally with respect to the tool axis within the holder of the press frame. Subsequently, position and / or align the tool unit with respect to the press frame. For this purpose, at least one positioning part is moved by a positioning device within at least one associated positioning recess of the tool unit, whereby at least one positioning part comes into contact with the tool unit within at least one positioning recess, and the position and / or orientation of the tool unit with respect to the press frame is determined. Subsequently, clamp the tool unit to the press frame by a clamping device. After clamping, at least one positioning part can be retracted again from the respectively associated positioning recess so that no contact occurs between at least one positioning part and the tool unit.

[0026] Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous if a movement coupling between the first tool and the ram of the press is established by a coupling device of the press, especially in that the second tool is biased in the backstroke direction with respect to the ram by the coupling force.

[0027] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are obtained from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028]

Figure 1

[0029]

Figure 2

[0030]

Figure 3

[0031]

Figure 4

[0032]

Figure 5

[0033]

Figure 6

[0034]

Figure 7

[0035]

Figure 8

[0036]

Figure 9

[0037]

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

[0038]

Figure 14

Figure 15

[0039] 6 and 7 respectively show perspective views of an embodiment of a tool unit 20 and a press 21, the latter only partially shown. The press 21 is configured as an embossing press, in particular a forging press, for forming one or more circular blanks into coins, medals or the like.

[0040] The press 21 has a press frame 22 with a holder 23 configured to hold the tool unit 20. In this embodiment, a frame guide device 24 is provided on the holder 23, and the frame guide device 24 cooperates with a movement guide device 25 provided on the tool unit 20, thereby allowing the tool unit 20 to move in the holder 23 of the press frame 22 perpendicular to the stroke direction H and the backstroke direction R. Figure 8 shows the tool unit 20 fully inserted into the holder 23.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the frame guide device 24 comprises two guide lugs 26 arranged opposite to each other at a distance and each forming a guide rail. The guide lugs 26, i.e. the guide rails, extend in an insertion direction perpendicular to the stroke direction H and the backstroke direction R. The stroke direction H and the backstroke direction R are opposite and define a direction in which a ram 27 of the press 21 and / or a tool of the tool unit 20 coupled with the ram 27 can be moved to form the circular blank. The movement of the ram 27 is initiated by a ram drive 28 of the press 21.

[0042] The tool unit 20 has a tool carrier 31, and a movement guide device 25 is configured or provided therein. In the present embodiment, the movement guide device 25 includes groove-shaped movement recesses 32 each restricted by two groove side surfaces 33, 34 arranged facing each other with a distance therebetween. In the present embodiment, the stroke direction H and the backstroke direction R are substantially in the vertical direction. When the tool unit 20 is arranged at a position where it can be inserted into the holder 23, one of the groove side surfaces forms the upper groove side surface 33, and the groove side surface arranged vertically downward becomes the lower groove side surface 34. When the tool unit 20 is inserted into the holder 23 of the press 21, the respective guide projections 26 project into the movement recesses 32. Thereby, in the present embodiment, the upper groove side surface 33 is arranged above the upper portions of the respectively corresponding guide projections 26.

[0043] In FIGS. 1 to 5, important parts of the tool unit 20 and elements of the press 21 are shown in certain block diagrams respectively. FIGS. 14 and 15 show perspective cross-sectional views of specific embodiments of the tool unit 20 from FIGS. 6 to 13 respectively.

[0044] In the block diagrams of FIGS. 1 to 5, the tool unit 20 is arranged in the holder 23 of the press 21. That the tool unit 20 is completely inserted into the holder 23 is detected by, for example, a sensor device 38. The sensor device 38 is shown, for example, in FIG. 3 and is omitted in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 for clarity. In the present embodiment, the sensor device 38 includes, for example, an optical transmitter 39 such as a laser and a light receiver 40. A through hole 41 is provided in the tool carrier 31 of the tool unit 20, and when the tool unit 20 is completely and appropriately arranged in the holder 23, this through hole 41 allows the optical path between the optical transmitter 39 and the light receiver 40 to pass therethrough. When the tool unit 20 is not in an appropriate position within the holder 23, the tool carrier 31 or at least a part thereof blocks the optical path between the optical transmitter 39 and the light receiver 40, so that it is possible to recognize whether the arrangement of the tool unit 20 within the holder 23 is appropriate or inappropriate based on the signal at the light receiver 40.

[0045] Instead of the optical transmitter 39 and the optical receiver 40, different sensor technologies such as proximity switches or contact switches capable of electrical and / or magnetic operations can also be used.

[0046] The tool unit 20 includes a first tool 45 and a second tool 46 that are aligned along a common tool axis A. According to this example, when the tool unit 20 is disposed within the holder 23, the first tool 45 is disposed vertically above the second tool 46. Further, the tool unit 20 also includes a tool guiding device 47, whereby the second tool 46 can move in a stroke direction H towards the first tool 45 and in a backstroke direction R opposite thereto, away from the first tool 45. Except for the technically necessary clearances, the tool guiding device 47 is preferably configured such that the tilting of the second tool 46 with respect to the tool axis A and / or the lateral movement of the second tool 46 in a radial or orthogonal direction with respect to the tool axis A is supported by the tool carrier 31. Thus, the tool guiding device 47 is configured as a linear guide for the movement of the second tool 46 along the tool axis A.

[0047] In the preferred embodiment shown in the figure, the tool guiding device 47 includes two guide columns 48 that extend parallel to each other in the stroke direction H or the backstroke direction R at a predetermined distance from the tool axis A. Each guide column 48 is guided to be movable in the stroke direction H and the backstroke direction R within a corresponding guide bush 49. The guide bush 49 is disposed within the tool carrier 31 or in the tool carrier 31. For this purpose, for example, cavities or through holes can be provided in the tool carrier 31, and one guide bush 49 can be disposed therein respectively. The guide bush 49 can also be configured as a friction guide bush or as a roller guide bush for the guide column 48.

[0048] As can be seen schematically from FIGS. 1 to 5, and in particular from the embodiment of the tool unit 20 of FIG. 15, the two guide columns 48 are arranged immovably with respect to the second tool 46. For this purpose, in this embodiment, a lateral support 50, for example a plate-shaped lateral support 50, to which the two guide columns 48 are attached, is provided. Further, the second tool 46 is attached to the lateral support 50. The lateral support 50 can be made as a one-piece body.

[0049] The two tools 45, 46 of the tool unit 20 are preferably tools composed of a plurality of elements, which is particularly evident from FIG. 15. The first tool 45 has a first pressing piece 51, to which a first embossing stamp 52 is attached. The second tool 46 has a second pressing piece 53, to which a second embossing stamp 54 is correspondingly attached. However, in a modified example, it is also possible to integrally configure the first tool 45 and the second tool 46 respectively.

[0050] Furthermore, a conveying part 57 is attached to the tool carrier 31 configured in a plate shape in this example. It is configured as follows. The conveying unit 57 has a sliding surface 58 that extends substantially orthogonally to the tool axis A in a plane on the side facing the first tool 45. The sliding surface 58 is configured to be able to slidably convey the circular blank material 59 to be formed or embossed. For this purpose, respective conveying devices can be provided to convey the circular blank material 59 into the tool unit 20 and, after forming or embossing each circular blank material 59, convey it out of the tool unit 20. For example, a rotating disk provided with a plurality of conveying pockets that can be rotated stepwise about a rotating axis and hold one circular blank material 59 at a distance from the rotating axis can be used as the conveying device. At each rotational position of the rotating disk, one conveying pocket is aligned with the tool axis A of the tool unit 20. The circular blank material 59 contained in one of the conveying pockets slides on the sliding surface 58 during the rotation of the rotating disk and enters the position between the two tools 45 and 46, and can be formed or embossed by the stroke of the second tool 46 with respect to the first tool 45.

[0051] Subsequently, the embossed circular blank material 59 can be pushed out, for example, by an ejector device 62 and returned to the conveying pocket. The ejector device 62 can include, for example, an ejector 63 that is movable in the stroke direction H and the backstroke direction R when the tool unit 20 is disposed within the holder 23 and on which the first tool 45 is supported (FIG. 10). By the ejector device 62, particularly the ejector 63, the first tool 45 can move between the forming position I (FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5) and the ejector position II (FIG. 4). It is possible.

[0052] If the embossed circular blank material 59 does not easily return to the transport pocket due to the force of gravity, an ejector device 62 is required. In this embodiment, when the first tool 45 is in the forming position I, a ring 64 is provided adjacent to the first tool 45. This ring 64 is provided on the tool carrier 31 and is supported by the tool carrier 31 by spring elasticity. When forming or embossing the circular blank material, the circular blank material 59 is located inside the ring 64 (Figure 3). The ring 64 limits the radial expansion of the circular blank material 59 during forming or embossing. After forming or embossing, the circular blank material 59 can be held or clamped inside the ring 64 by pressure. By the relative movement between the ring 64 and the first tool 45, the embossed circular blank material 59 can be pushed out of the ring 64 and returned to the transport pocket.

[0053] In this embodiment, for this purpose, the first tool 45 is moved from the forming position I to the ejector position II. As a result, as schematically shown in Figure 4, the first tool 45 at least partially protrudes into the ring 64 and pushes out the formed or embossed circular blank material 59. For this purpose, the ejector 63 supporting the first tool 45 is moved in the backstroke direction R. Then, the embossed circular blank material 59 is pushed out of the tool unit 20 by a transport device and, in this example, by a rotating disk, making it possible to supply a new circular blank material 59 to be embossed located in the adjacent transport pocket of the rotating disk.

[0054] For the moving connection between the ram 27 of the press 21 and the second tool 46, the press 21 is provided with a coupling device 68. The coupling device 68 is configured to apply a coupling force to the second tool 46 that biases the second tool 46 in the backstroke direction R towards the ram 27 of the press 21. In the present embodiment, in the coupled state, the coupling device 68 applies a tensile force to the second tool 46 in the backstroke direction R (from FIGS. 2 to 5). At the rest position of the second tool 46 (FIG. 2), the tool coupling surface 69 of the second tool 46 abuts against the stop surface 70 of the press 21 or the press frame 22. In this embodiment, the stop surface 70 is configured as a ring surface arranged coaxially with the ram 27. The tool coupling surface 69 faces the ram surface 71 of the ram 27. At the rest position shown in FIG. 2, the ram surface 71 can be arranged at a distance from the tool coupling surface 69. It can be arranged with a distance.

[0055] According to this example, the tool coupling surface 69 extends in a direction orthogonal to the tool axis A. As shown by way of example, the ram surface 71 extends in a direction orthogonal to the stroke direction H or the backstroke direction R. The ram surface 71 may deviate from the ideal parallel orientation with respect to the tool coupling surface 69 at at least one or more positions of the ram 27, or may move in a direction orthogonal to the stroke direction H or the backstroke direction R during the movement in the stroke direction H or the backstroke direction R. Since the coupling device 68 does not establish a moving connection between the ram 27 and the second tool 46 with these degrees of freedom, such an undesirable ram orientation, i.e., the lateral movement of the ram, is avoided by the coupling device 68 from being transmitted to the second tool 46. It is preferable that only the moving connection in the stroke direction H or the backstroke direction R is established by the coupling device 68.

[0056] According to this example, the coupling device 68 has a coupling portion 72 coupled to the actuator unit 73 by a suitable lever device or another coupling part. The coupling portion 72 is biased by a biasing device 74, such as a spring device, and thus is biased in the backstroke direction R with respect to the press frame 22. The actuator unit 73 is configured to position or move the coupling portion 72 against the force in the stroke direction H of the biasing device 74. Thereby, the actuator unit 73 functions as a stopper and can suppress the movement of the coupling portion 72 in the backstroke direction R due to the biasing force of the biasing device 74 (FIG. 1). When the actuator unit 73 is moved to a state or position where the coupling portion 72 can move freely in the backstroke direction R by the biasing device 74, the coupling portion 72 can be brought into contact with the opposing coupling portion 75 coupled to the second tool 46. According to this example, the opposing coupling portion 75 is arranged immovably with respect to the second tool 46, and this can be provided on the lateral support 50 or can be formed by a part of the lateral support 50.

[0057] As is particularly apparent from FIGS. 10 and 12 in one embodiment, a coupling surface 76 corresponding particularly to the ball shell surface portion is provided on the coupling portion 72. An opposing coupling surface 77, which is complementary to the coupling surface 76 and also corresponds to the ball shell surface portion in this example, is provided on the opposing coupling portion 75. In this embodiment, the coupling surface 76 is convex and the opposing coupling surface 77 is concave. Also, as an alternative to the illustrated embodiment, the reverse configuration is also possible. These surfaces are in slidable contact when the coupling between the ram 27 and the second tool 46 is established (FIGS. 2 to 5). Also, the coupling surface 76 and the opposing coupling surface 77 can have other outer shapes other than the concave or convex ball shell surface portions shown in FIGS. 10 and 12.

[0058] Since the mating surface 76 and the opposing mating surface 77 are slidably abutted against each other, the coupling device 68 enables the tilting of the ram 27 of the press 21 with respect to the tool axis A and / or the lateral movement orthogonal to the tool axis A, and it is achieved that such movement is not transmitted to the second tool 46 or is transmitted only to an ignorable extent.

[0059] The coupling device 68 can include a plurality of coupling parts 72 that respectively cooperate with one opposing coupling part 75 of the tool unit 20. A biasing force can be applied to the coupling parts 72 by a common or respective biasing device 74, and a common or respective actuator unit 73 can be included. In the embodiments of FIGS. 6 to 15, the press 21 is provided with two coupling parts 72 each having a biasing device 74 and an actuator unit 73.

[0060] When the ram 27 moves in the stroke direction H and the ram surface 71 abuts against the tool mating surface 69 (FIG. 3), the second tool 46 can be moved in the stroke direction H by the coupling device 68 of the press 21. By doing so, the circular blank material 59 is lifted from the sliding surface 58 and moved into the ring 64, and the circular blank material 59 can be formed or embossed inside the ring 64 between the tools 45 and 46.

[0061] The tool mating surface 69 abuts against the stop surface 70 at the rest position of the second tool 46. The second tool 46 can perform only a part of the stroke movement of the ram 27. The stroke of the ram 27 of the press 21 in the stroke direction H can be made longer than the movement in the stroke direction H performed by the second tool 46.

[0062] Also, the press 21 has a positioning device 82 provided with at least one, in this example two, positioning parts 83. The positioning parts 83 are each movable in the stroke direction H and the backstroke direction R by a positioning drive device 84. The positioning drive device 84 can be realized by a cylinder.

[0063] The positioning portion 83 tapers in the backstroke direction R toward its free end and is formed in a conical shape in this example. Each positioning portion 83 is associated with a positioning recess 85 provided in the tool unit 20, in this example, the tool carrier 31. The positioning recess 85 opens in the stroke direction H in this embodiment. These taper inward in the backstroke direction R and are formed in a conical shape in particular, similar to the associated positioning portions 83.

[0064] By the positioning drive device 84, the positioning portion 83 can move to the alignment position III (Fig. 1), wherein the positioning portion 83 projects into the respectively associated positioning recess 85 and abuts against the tool carrier 31 inside the positioning recess 85. Since the positioning portion 83 and the positioning recess 85 taper, particularly in a conical taper in the backstroke direction R, the tool unit 20 is aligned with respect to the press frame 22. Clearances are provided in the frame guide device 24 and the movement guide device 25, respectively. Accordingly, the holder 23 of the press frame 22 is formed such that relative movement between the tool unit 20 and the press frame 22 is possible.

[0065] Furthermore, the press 21 has a clamping device 90. The clamping device 90 is configured to provide a clamping force between the tool carrier 31 and the press frame 22, in this example, between the movement guide device 25 and the frame guide device 24. By doing so, the tool unit 20 is clamped and fixed to the holder 23 of the press frame 22. In this embodiment, the clamping device 90 has a number of, in this example, four clamping bodies 91 for this purpose, and these are each in the clamping position IV (Figs. 2 to It is movable to 5). In the present embodiment, the clamp bodies 91 are moved in the backstroke direction R or the stroke direction H by the respectively associated clamp driving devices 92. The clamp driving device 92 can be realized by, for example, a cylinder, particularly a hydraulic cylinder. At the clamp position IV, the clamp body 91 is pressed in the backstroke direction R against the tool carrier 31 by the clamp driving device 92. In the present embodiment, thereby, the upper groove side surfaces 33 are pressed against the respectively adjacent guide protrusions 26 with a clamping force. Attachment of the tool unit 20 to the holder 23 by pressure is achieved. The clamp body 91 abuts against the tool carrier 31 only by pressure and does not establish a connection by meshing. By doing so, it is ensured that the relative position and the relative orientation between the tool unit 20 adjusted by the positioning device 82 and the press frame 22 are not affected by the clamping device 90.

[0066] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the clamping device 90. In this clamping device 90, each of the clamp driving devices 92 includes one spring stack, particularly one disc spring stack supported by the piston 94 of the cylinder 95. The respectively associated clamp body 91 is arranged on the piston 94 of each clamp driving device 92 and protrudes from the cylinder 95. The disc spring stack 93 biases the piston 94 together with the clamp body 91 in the backstroke direction R against the tool carrier 31 at the clamp position IV in order to generate a clamping force. The chamber in the cylinder 95 can receive a fluid pressure, for example, a hydraulic pressure, whereby the piston 94 is moved together with the clamp body 91 in the stroke direction H, out of the clamp position IV against the force of the disc spring stack 93, and the clamping of the tool unit 20 in the holder 23 can be invalidated. Generation of the clamping force by the spring stack, particularly the disc spring stack 93, ensures a clamping effect independent of externally available energy, particularly fluid pressure. Each is arranged on the piston 94 of its respective clamp driving device 92 and protrudes from the cylinder 95. The disc spring stack 93 biases the piston 94 together with the clamp body 91 in the backstroke direction R against the tool carrier 31 at the clamp position IV in order to generate a clamping force. The chamber in the cylinder 95 can receive a fluid pressure, for example, a hydraulic pressure, whereby the piston 94 is moved together with the clamp body 91 in the stroke direction H, out of the clamp position IV against the force of the disc spring stack 93, and the clamping of the tool unit 20 in the holder 23 can be invalidated. Generation of the clamping force by the spring stack, particularly the disc spring stack 93, ensures a clamping effect independent of externally available energy, particularly fluid pressure.

[0067] The arrangement of the tool unit 20 in the press 21 is carried out as follows in this example.

[0068] Before inserting the tool unit 20 into the holder 23, the positioning device 82, the clamping device 90, and the coupling device 68 are moved to positions where the tool unit 20 can be inserted or slid into the holder 23. Subsequently, the tool unit 20 is moved into the holder 23, for example, by using the movement guide device 25 and the frame guide device 24, and the tool unit 20 is completely and correctly positioned within the holder 23. This is detected by the sensor device 38 (FIG. 3). As soon as the tool unit 20 is correctly inserted into the holder 23, the positioning, alignment, attachment, and coupling of the tool unit 20 and the press 21 are performed. This can be done completely automatically after the correct placement of the tool unit 20 within the holder 23, as recognized by the sensor device 38, or by the operator after the start of each command.

[0069] First, the positioning device 82 is activated, and the positioning part 83 is moved to the respective alignment position III. By doing so, the positioning part 83 projects into the corresponding positioning recess 85, aligning the tool unit 20 with the press frame 22. This state is schematically shown in FIG. 1.

[0070] Next, the clamping device 90 and the coupling device 68 are activated simultaneously or subsequently. First, the clamping body 91 of the clamping device 90 is moved to the respective clamping position IV, whereby it is preferable that the tool unit 20 is clamped and attached to the holder 23 of the press frame 22. After this attachment, the positioning part 83 of the positioning device 82 is moved from the alignment position III so as not to come into contact with the positioning part 83 and the tool unit 20 or the tool carrier 31 (FIG. 2). Further, the coupling device 68 or the actuator unit 73 is operated so that the second tool 46 is biased to the rest position against the stop surface 70 by the biasing force of the biasing device 74 (FIG. 2). This enables the operation of the press 21.

[0071] Here, the circular blank material 59 can be supplied between the two tools 45, 46 for embossing. The ram 27 is moved in the stroke direction H by the ram drive device 28, and the ram surface 71 abuts against the tool coupling surface 69. As the stroke of the ram 27 in the stroke direction H continues, the second tool 46 is moved in the stroke direction H together with the ram 27. Thereby, the supplied circular blank material 59 is moved along the tool axis A by the second tool 46 toward the first tool 45 at the forming position I and is formed between the two tools 45, 46 (FIG. 3). The first tool 45 is supported at the forming position I in the ejector device 62 and does not move in the stroke direction H. During forming, the circular blank material 59 is located inside a ring 64 that restricts the radial expansion of the circular blank material 59.

[0072] After forming, the circular blank material 59 has an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the ring 64. When the second tool 46 is moved away from the first tool 45 by the backstroke movement of the ram 27 in the backstroke direction R, the tool coupling surface 69 abuts against the stop surface 70 until the second tool 46 enters the rest position (FIG. 4 ), the formed or embossed circular blank material 59 is held in the ring 64 by pressure. To extrude the formed or embossed circular blank material 59 from the ring 64, the ejector device 62 moves the first tool 45 into the ring 64 in the backstroke direction R at least temporarily simultaneously or after the backstroke movement of the second tool 46, and presses the formed or embossed circular blank material 59 to extrude it from the ring 64 (FIG. 4). Thereby, the first tool 45 is at the ejector position II. Subsequently, the first tool 45 is returned to the forming position I again, while the formed or embossed circular blank material 59 is extruded from the tool unit 20 and a new circular blank material to be formed or embossed is supplied. This forming or embossing process is repeated periodically.

[0073] In this embodiment, the sensor device 38 has an additional function of monitoring forming or embossing, which is schematically shown in FIG. 5. When the circular blank material 59, which is not arranged in alignment along the tool axis A inside the ring 64, is lifted by the second tool 46, the circular blank material 59 does not reach the inside of the ring 64. Rather, due to contact with the circular blank material 59, the ring 64 is displaced with respect to its spring support and enters the optical path, blocking the optical path between the optical transmitter 39 and the optical receiver 40. Thereby, an error during the forming or embossing of the circular blank material 59 can be recognized.

[0074] The present invention relates to a tool unit 20 and a press 21, particularly an embossing press. In order to perform a quick tool change with a short downtime of the press 21, the tool unit 20 can be easily and quickly arranged in the holder 23 of the press 21 or removed from the holder 23. For this purpose, the tool unit 20 includes a first tool 45 and a second tool 46 arranged on a tool carrier 31 along a tool axis A. The second tool 46 is guided by a tool guide device 47 independently of the guide device of the press 21 and is movably supported with respect to the tool carrier 31 and the first tool 45. Therefore, the tool unit 20 can be prepared and set up during the operation of the press 21. The prepared tool unit 20 is replaced with the currently used tool unit 20 as needed.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0075] 20 Tool unit 21 Press 22 Press frame 23 Holder 24 Frame guide device 25 Moving guide device 26 Guide projection 27 Ram 28 Ram drive device 31 Tool carrier 32 Moving recess 33 Upper groove side 34 Lower groove side 38 Sensor device 39 Light transmitter 40 Light receiver 41 Through hole 45 First tool 46 Second tool 47 Tool guide device 48 Guide column 49 Guide bush 50 Lateral support 51 First pressing piece 52 First embossing stamp 53 Second pressing piece 54 Second embossing stamp 57 Conveyor section 58 Sliding surface 59 Circular blank material 62 Ejector device 63 Ejector 64 Ring 68 Coupling device 69 Tool coupling surface 70 Stop surface 71 Ram surface 72 Coupling part 73 Actuator unit 74 Biasing device 75 Opposing coupling part 76 Coupling surface 77 Opposing coupling surface 82 Positioning device 83 Positioning part 84 Positioning drive device 85 Positioning recess 90 Clamping device 91 Clamping body 92 Clamping drive device 93 Disc spring laminate 94 Piston 95 Cylinder I Forming position II Ejector position III Alignment position IV Clamping position A Tool axis H Stroke direction R Backstroke Direction

Claims

1. A press (21) for forming a circular blank material (59), having a holder (23) that holds internally an exchangeable tool unit (20) comprising a first tool (45) and a second tool (46) movably supported in a stroke direction (H) towards the first tool (45) and a backstroke direction (R) away from the first tool (45); having a positioning device (82) with at least one positioning part (83) that cooperates respectively with one positioning recess (85) associated with the tool unit (20) for positioning and / or aligning the tool unit (20) with respect to the press (21); having a clamping device (90) configured to clamp the tool unit (20) disposed within the holder (23); The second tool (46) has a tool coupling surface (69) that abuts against a ram surface (71) of a ram (27) of the press (21) during movement in the stroke direction (H), and is configured to allow tilting of the ram (27) with respect to a tool axis (A) and / or lateral movement of the ram (27) transverse to the tool axis (A). The press (21).

2. A coupling device (68) is provided, configured such that by coupling the second tool (46) with the ram (27) of the press (21), movement of the ram (27) is transmitted to the second tool (46) at least in a movement region of the ram (27). The press (21) according to claim 1.

3. The press (21) according to claim 2, characterized in that the coupling device (68) is configured to bias the second tool (46) in the backstroke direction (R) by a coupling force towards the ram (27).

4. A stop surface (70) is provided, and when the second tool (46) is in the rest position, the second tool (46) is biased against the stop surface (70) by the clamping force of the clamping device (90). The press (21) according to claim 3.

5. The coupling device (68) is configured to enable a lateral movement of the ram (27) across the tool axis (A) and / or a tilting of the ram (27) with respect to the tool axis (A). The press (21) according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. The tool unit (20) comprises a tool guiding device (47), the tool guiding device (47) guides the second tool (46) along the tool axis (A) in the tool carrier (31), and the tool carrier (31) is removably connected to the press (21). The press (21) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The positioning recess (85) includes a tapered cross-section, and the positioning portion (83) is configured complementary to the positioning recess (85). The press (21) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. A gap is provided between a movement guiding device (25) of the tool carrier (31) and a frame guiding device (24) provided on a press frame (22) of the press (21) for moving the tool unit (20) in a direction of insertion into the press (21) or in a direction of removal from the press (21). The press (21) according to claim 6.

9. A method of operably arranging a tool unit (20) within a holder (23) of a press frame (22) of a press (21), A step of inserting the tool unit (20) into the holder (23) of the press (21), A step of positioning and / or aligning the tool unit (20) with respect to the press frame (22) by a positioning device (82), wherein at least one positioning portion (83) of the positioning device (82) protrudes into a positioning recess (85) associated with the tool unit (20). A step of clamping the tool unit (20) to the press frame (22) by a clamping device (90). A step of retracting the at least one positioning portion (83) from the positioning recess (85) of the tool unit (20). A method comprising the above steps.

10. The tool unit (20) includes a first tool (45) and a second tool (46), and after positioning and / or aligning the tool unit (20) with respect to the press frame (22), the second tool (46) is movably coupled to a ram (27) of the press (21) by a coupling device (68). The method according to claim 9.

11. A tool unit (20) that is interchangeably connected to a press (21) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tool unit (20) has A tool carrier (31) configured to be interchangeably connected to the press (21). A first tool (45) supported by the tool carrier (31) aligned with a tool axis (A), and a second tool (46). The second tool (46) is guided and movably arranged along the tool axis (A) with respect to the tool carrier (31) by a tool guiding device (47) so that the second tool (46) is movable in a stroke direction (H) towards the first tool (45) and a backstroke direction (R) away from the first tool (45), and the second tool (46) is configured to be movably coupled to a ram (27) of the press (21). A press (21).

12. The tool guide device (47) is configured to support the lateral movement of the second tool (46) across the tool axis (A) and / or the tilting of the second tool (46) with respect to the tool axis (A). The press (21) according to claim 11.

13. The tool guide device (47) comprises at least one guide column (48) movably supported in the corresponding guide bush (49) in the stroke direction (H) and the backstroke direction (R). The press (21) according to claim 11.

14. The second tool (46) is movably coupled to the at least one guide column (48), and the at least one guide bush (49) is disposed on the tool carrier (31). The press (21) according to claim 13.

15. The first tool (45) is movable between a forming position (I) and an ejector position (II) with respect to the tool carrier (31). The press (21) according to claim 11.

16. In the forming position (I), the first tool (45) is non - movably supported in the stroke direction (H) on the tool carrier (31) and / or on the press (21). The press (21) according to claim 15.

17. A conveying part (57) having a sliding surface (58) for slidably conveying a circular blank material (59) to the tool unit (20) and for slidably conveying the circular blank material (59) away from the tool unit (20) is attached to the tool carrier (31). The press (21) according to claim 11.

18. The direction in which the tool unit (20) is inserted into the press (21) or the press ( A moving guide device (25) configured to cooperate with a frame guide device (24) provided on a press frame (22) of the press (21) is provided on the tool carrier (31) in order to move it in a direction of taking out from (21). The press (21) according to claim 11.

19. At least one positioning recess (85) is formed in the tool carrier (31), and the positioning recess (85) is configured to cooperate with a positioning portion (83) of the press (21) in order to define a relative position and / or a relative orientation between the tool unit (20) and the press (21). The press (21) according to claim 11.

Images