Processing equipment

Abstract

To provide a new processing apparatus with a simpler structure, which processes an object with a liquid pressure.SOLUTION: A processing apparatus 10 comprises a base member 20 on which a liquid chamber 50 filled with liquid 50L is formed, a punch 64, and a piston 42. The liquid chamber 50 has a processing chamber 51 and a liquid pressure generation chamber 53 which are opened toward the outside of the base member 20 at positions different from each other. The punch 64 can move between an initial position separated from the processing chamber 51 and a received position where the processing chamber 51 is partially received. When the punch 64 is made to move to the received position from the initial position, the punch 64 pressurizes a portion 82 to be processed of an object 80 toward the inside of the processing chamber 51. The piston 42 is received partially by the liquid pressure generation chamber 53. The piston 42, while the punch 64 is moving from the initial position to the received position, receives a pressurizing force toward the inside of the liquid pressure generation chamber 53 via an elastic member 76, and raises a liquid pressure of the liquid 50L.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing apparatus that processes an object using hydraulic pressure.

Background Art

[0002] This type of processing apparatus is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1.

[0003] Referring to FIG. 15, a processing apparatus 90 disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a conventional general processing apparatus that processes a blank (object) 98 using hydraulic pressure. The processing apparatus 90 includes a die 91, a blank holder 92, a punch 93, and a hydraulic control device 95. A liquid chamber 94 is formed in the die 91. The liquid chamber 94 is filled with a liquid such as oil. The hydraulic pressure of the liquid is controlled by a hydraulic control device 95 including a pump and a relief valve. The blank holder 92 is movable up and down by a power device (not shown). The punch 93 is movable up and down relative to the blank holder 92 by another power device (not shown). When the blank holder 92 is lowered to sandwich the object 98 between the die 91 and the blank holder 92 and then the punch 93 is lowered, the object 98 is drawn using hydraulic pressure.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The processing apparatus 90 disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a complex hydraulic control mechanism including a pump and a relief valve. On the other hand, a processing apparatus having a simpler structure is required.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a new processing apparatus that uses hydraulic pressure to process an object and has a simpler structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides, as a first processing apparatus, A processing device that uses hydraulic pressure to process the workpiece of an object, The aforementioned processing apparatus is equipped with a main component, The main component comprises a base member, a punch, and a piston. A liquid chamber is formed in the base member. The aforementioned liquid chamber can be filled with liquid. The aforementioned liquid chamber has a processing chamber and a hydraulic pressure generation chamber. The processing chamber and the hydraulic pressure generating chamber are connected to each other and each has an opening that opens to the outside of the base member at a different position. The punch is movable between an initial position away from the opening of the processing chamber and a receiving position where it passes through the opening of the processing chamber and is partially received into the processing chamber. When the punch is moved from the initial position to the receiving position with the workpiece covering the opening of the processing chamber, the punch presses the workpiece toward the interior of the processing chamber. The piston is movable within the hydraulic pressure generating chamber, passes through the opening of the hydraulic pressure generating chamber, and is partially received in the hydraulic pressure generating chamber, and partially protrudes from the hydraulic pressure generating chamber. When the liquid chamber is filled with the liquid, the piston receives an applied pressure directed towards the interior of the hydraulic pressure generating chamber via the elastic member as the punch moves from the initial position to the receiving position, and moves in response to the applied pressure to increase the hydraulic pressure of the liquid. We provide processing equipment.

[0008] The present invention provides a second processing apparatus, which is a first processing apparatus, The aforementioned processing apparatus is equipped with a slider, The slider is located above the base member in the vertical direction and is movable in the vertical direction between the upper position and the lower position. The punch protrudes downward from the slider and moves in the vertical direction as the slider moves in the vertical direction. The processing chamber and the hydraulic pressure generation chamber each extend in the vertical direction and open upwards. The piston is partially received in the hydraulic pressure generating chamber so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and protrudes upward from the hydraulic pressure generating chamber. The piston receives the downward pressure from the slider as the slider moves from the upper position to the lower position. With the liquid chamber filled with the liquid and the workpiece positioned above the processing chamber, when the slider is moved from the upper position to the lower position, the punch moves downward, pressurizing the workpiece toward the interior of the processing chamber, and the piston moves downward in response to the applied pressure, increasing the liquid pressure of the liquid. We provide processing equipment.

[0009] The present invention provides a third processing apparatus, which is a second processing apparatus, The aforementioned processing apparatus comprises two or more processing sets, Each of the aforementioned processing sets includes the liquid chamber, the piston, and the punch. All of the punches protrude downward from one of the sliders, At a predetermined timing, the hydraulic pressure in at least one of the processing sets is different from the hydraulic pressure in the other processing set. We provide processing equipment.

[0010] The present invention relates to a fourth processing apparatus, which is a third processing apparatus, At least one of the pistons receives the pressure from the slider at a different timing than the other piston. We provide processing equipment.

[0011] The present invention provides a third processing device as a fifth processing device, each of the processing sets includes a spacer, all of the spacers protrude downward from one of the sliders, each of the pistons receives the pressing force from the spacer while the slider moves from the upper position to the lower position, when the slider is in the upper position, each of the spacers is separated from the piston by a predetermined distance in the vertical direction, at least one of the predetermined distances is different from another one of the predetermined distances A processing device is provided.

[0012] The present invention provides a fifth processing device as a sixth processing device, each of the spacers includes a pressing portion and the elastic member, each of the pressing portions is a portion that presses the piston downward, each of the elastic members has elasticity and supports the pressing portion so as to be movable relative to the slider, A processing device is provided.

[0013] The present invention provides a third processing device as a seventh processing device, each of the pistons has a main portion, each of the main portions is partially received in the hydraulic pressure generating chamber, at least one of the main portions has a cross-sectional area different from another one of the main portions in a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction, A processing device is provided.

[0014] The present invention provides an eighth processing device as any one of the second to seventh processing devices, the main member includes a holder and a holder support member, The holder is located outside the punch in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, The holder support member is elastic and supports the holder so that it can move relative to the slider. When the slider is moved downward with the workpiece positioned above the processing chamber, the holder moves downward and presses the workpiece against the base member. We provide processing equipment.

[0015] The present invention relates to a ninth processing apparatus, which is an eighth processing apparatus, The liquid chamber has a branched channel, The aforementioned branch channel branches off from the processing chamber and has an opening that opens to the outside of the base member. When the holder presses the workpiece against the base member, the opening is located below the holder in the vertical direction and outside the peripheral edge of the workpiece in the horizontal plane. We provide processing equipment.

[0016] The present invention uses the following as the first main component: A main component formed together with a slider for a processing device that processes a workpiece using hydraulic pressure, The main component comprises a base member, a punch, and a piston. When the processing apparatus is formed, the slider is located above the base member in the vertical direction and is movable in the vertical direction between the upper position and the lower position. The punch is attachable to the slider, When the punch is attached to the slider, the punch protrudes downward from the slider and moves in the vertical direction as the slider moves in the vertical direction. A liquid chamber is formed in the base member. The aforementioned liquid chamber can be filled with liquid. The aforementioned liquid chamber has a processing chamber and a hydraulic pressure generation chamber. The processing chamber and the hydraulic pressure generating chamber are connected to each other and each has an opening that opens to the outside of the base member at a different position. The processing chamber and the hydraulic pressure generation chamber each extend in the vertical direction and open upwards. The piston is partially received in the hydraulic pressure generating chamber so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and protrudes upward from the hydraulic pressure generating chamber. The piston receives downward pressure from the slider via an elastic member as the slider moves from the upper position to the lower position. With the liquid chamber filled with the liquid and the workpiece positioned above the processing chamber, when the slider is moved from the upper position to the lower position, the punch moves downward, pressurizing the workpiece toward the interior of the processing chamber, and the piston moves downward in response to the applied pressure, increasing the liquid pressure of the liquid. We provide the main components. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The piston of the present invention moves in response to the applied pressure received via an elastic member, thereby increasing the hydraulic pressure of the liquid inside the liquid chamber. This structure allows for the suppression of excessive pressure increases without the need for a relief valve, by utilizing the elasticity of the elastic member. Furthermore, since the liquid is retained within the liquid chamber when a relief valve is not provided, there is no need to replenish the liquid from an external source. Therefore, a complex hydraulic pressure control mechanism including a pump and relief valve is unnecessary. According to the present invention, a new processing apparatus with a simpler structure can be provided for processing an object using hydraulic pressure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1]This is a perspective view showing a processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. An object is placed in the processing apparatus. The punch and spacer shown are separated from the slider, but the actual punch and spacer are fixed to the slider. A part of the processing apparatus (the area enclosed by the dashed line) is shown in an enlarged view. In the enlarged view, the location of the hidden branching channel is shown with a dashed line. [Figure 2] This is a front view of the processing apparatus shown in Figure 1. The position of the hidden punch is indicated by a dashed line. [Figure 3] This is a rear view of the processing apparatus shown in Figure 1. The location of the hidden liquid chamber is indicated by a dashed line. [Figure 4] This is a top view showing the machining apparatus in Figure 1. The slider is not drawn. The positions of the hidden machining chamber opening and the hidden piston are drawn with dashed lines. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the processing apparatus along the VV line. The slider is in the upper position. The lower end of the slider is indicated by a dashed line. A portion of the processing apparatus (enclosed by a dashed line) is shown in enlargement. [Figure 6] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the processing apparatus along the line VI-VI. The slider is in the upper position. The lower end of the slider is indicated by a dashed line. [Figure 7] This is another cross-sectional view showing the processing apparatus of Figure 5. The slider is descending. The lower end of the spacer is in contact with the piston, and the lower end of the holder is in contact with the workpiece. A magnified view of a part of the processing apparatus (the area enclosed by the dashed line) is shown. [Figure 8] This is another cross-sectional view showing the processing apparatus in Figure 7. The slider is descending further. The spacer is pressing down on the piston, and the lower end of the punch is in contact with the workpiece. A magnified view of a portion of the processing apparatus (the area enclosed by the dashed line) is shown. [Figure 9] This is another cross-sectional view showing the processing apparatus in Figure 8. The slider has been lowered further and is in the lower position. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view showing a magnified view of a part of the processing apparatus in Figure 9 (the area enclosed by the dashed line A). [Figure 11]This is a cross-sectional view showing a magnified view of a part of the processing apparatus in Figure 10 (the area enclosed by the dashed line B). [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional view showing a magnified view of a part of the processing apparatus in Figure 11 (the area enclosed by the dashed line C). [Figure 13] This is a top view showing a modified version of the processing apparatus in Figure 1. The location of the hidden hydraulic pressure generation chamber is indicated by a dashed line. [Figure 14] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the base member, piston, and spacer of the processing apparatus. The illustrated cross-section corresponds to the cross-section in Figure 5. [Figure 15] This is a cross-sectional view showing the processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] Referring to Figure 1, the processing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a processing apparatus that processes the workpiece (blank) 82 of an object 80 using hydraulic pressure. In this embodiment, "hydraulic pressure" is the pressure applied to the workpiece 82 by the liquid 50L (see Figure 5), which will be described later, and is a concept that includes the "opposing hydraulic pressure OP" and "circumferential hydraulic pressure PP" which will be described later. The object 80 in this embodiment is a single metal plate, and before processing it has a thin, flat plate shape. Referring to Figure 1 in conjunction with Figure 4, the illustrated object 80 has a carrier 81 and three workpieces 82 connected to the carrier 81.

[0020] The processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment is suitable for progressive die processing of the workpiece 80. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to apparatus for transfer processing of the workpiece 80. Furthermore, the workpiece 80 may be a single workpiece 82 separated from the carrier 81. That is, the processing apparatus 10 may be an apparatus that processes only one workpiece 82 in a single pass.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment comprises one base member 20, one movable member 60, and three metal pistons 42. The movable member 60 is located above the base member 20 and the pistons 42 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the vertical direction is the Z direction. Up is the +Z direction, and down is the -Z direction. It is preferable that the vertical direction coincides with the direction of gravity. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the vertical direction may intersect with the direction of gravity within the range in which the object 80 can be processed.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, a groove 18 is formed in the base member 20. The groove 18 is a recessed space. The groove 18 extends continuously along the lateral direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and opens on both sides in the lateral direction. In this embodiment, the lateral direction is the Y direction. The bottom surface of the groove 18 extends along a horizontal plane (XY plane) perpendicular to the vertical direction. The object 80 is placed on the bottom surface of the groove 18. The workpiece 82 of the object 80 is arranged in the lateral direction.

[0023] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment comprises only the base member 20, movable member 60, and piston 42 described above. The lateral size of the processing apparatus 10 is small, at most a few tens of centimeters. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to larger processing apparatuses 10. Furthermore, the processing apparatus 10 may further comprise other members in addition to those described above.

[0024] The base member 20 of this embodiment comprises three base members 20F, 20S, and 20T: a first base member 20F, a second base member 20S, and a third base member 20T. The base members 20F, 20S, and 20T are arranged in the lateral direction. Each of the three base members 20F, 20S, and 20T is capable of processing three workpieces 82.

[0025] The processing steps in this embodiment consist of three steps. The processing apparatus 10 in this embodiment is equipped with three base members 20F, 20S, and 20T, each used in one of the three processing steps. The base members 20F, 20S, and 20T in this embodiment are formed separately from each other and are arranged side by side without any gaps. According to this embodiment, two or more base members 20F, 20S, and 20T can be arranged depending on the number of processing steps. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the base members 20F, 20S, and 20T may be formed integrally with each other. If the number of processing steps is one, the processing apparatus 10 may be equipped with only one base member 20F.

[0026] The base members 20F, 20S, and 20T of this embodiment have the same external shape and similar structure. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the base members 20F, 20S, and 20T may have different external shapes or different structures.

[0027] The base member 20F of this embodiment will be described below. The following description is applicable to the base members 20S and 20T, respectively.

[0028] Referring to Figure 5 in conjunction with Figure 1, the base member 20F of this embodiment comprises a bed 22, a metal mold 30, and a metal cylinder 40. The bed 22 comprises a metal upper member 222 and a metal lower member 224. The upper member 222 is placed on top of the lower member 224. The groove 18 mentioned above is formed in the upper member 222. A liquid chamber 50 is formed in the base member 20F. The liquid chamber 50 is an internal space of the base member 20F and is closed inside the base member 20F, except for several openings which will be described later. The liquid chamber 50 can be filled with a liquid 50L such as oil. The illustrated liquid chamber 50 is filled with a liquid 50L.

[0029] Referring to Figure 5, the base member 20F of this embodiment is formed by combining an upper member 222, a lower member 224, a mold 30, and a cylinder 40. This structure facilitates the formation of the liquid chamber 50. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the upper member 222, the mold 30, and the cylinder 40 may be integral components. On the other hand, the base member 20F may further include other components in addition to those described above.

[0030] In this embodiment, the mold 30 and cylinder 40 each have a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. That is, each of the mold 30 and cylinder 40 has a cylindrical central hole extending in the vertical direction. The upper member 222 has two cylindrical mounting holes 223. The mold 30 and cylinder 40 are fitted into the two mounting holes 223, respectively. The cylindrical members can be easily fitted into the cylindrical holes while eliminating any gaps through which the liquid 50L can leak. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. As long as each of the mold 30 and cylinder 40 has a central hole, the shapes of the mold 30 and cylinder 40 are not particularly limited.

[0031] The upper end surfaces of the mold 30 and cylinder 40 are exposed upward from the upper member 222. The mold 30 is located in front of the cylinder 40 in the front-rear direction, which is perpendicular to both the vertical and lateral directions. In this embodiment, the front-rear direction is the X direction. The front is the +X direction, and the rear is the -X direction. The upper end surface of the mold 30 forms a part of the bottom surface of the groove 18. Referring to Figures 1 and 11, a recess 32 is formed on the upper end surface of the mold 30. The recess 32 is a space that is recessed downward. The recess 32 has an annular shape in the XY plane and surrounds the central hole of the mold 30.

[0032] As shown in Figure 5, the liquid chamber 50 has a processing chamber 51 and a hydraulic pressure generation chamber 53. The processing chamber 51 and the hydraulic pressure generation chamber 53 are connected to each other and have openings 52 and 54, respectively, that open to the outside of the base member 20F at different positions.

[0033] More specifically, in this embodiment, the processing chamber 51 and the hydraulic pressure generation chamber 53 each extend in the vertical direction and open upward. In other words, the processing chamber 51 and the hydraulic pressure generation chamber 53 extend parallel to each other along the vertical direction and each have an opening 52 and an opening 54 that open upward. The openings 52 and 54 in this embodiment open at different positions on the upper end surface of the base member 20F. In addition to the processing chamber 51 and the hydraulic pressure generation chamber 53, the liquid chamber 50 in this embodiment has a connecting chamber 55. The connecting chamber 55 extends along the front-rear direction and connects the lower end of the processing chamber 51 and the lower end of the hydraulic pressure generation chamber 53 to each other.

[0034] The processing chamber 51 and the hydraulic pressure generation chamber 53 in this embodiment have the structure described above. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the structure of the processing chamber 51 and the hydraulic pressure generation chamber 53 can be modified in various ways.

[0035] For example, comparing Figure 13 with Figure 4, the modified processing apparatus 10A has a base member 20A that is different from the base member 20 of this embodiment. Comparing Figure 14 with Figure 5, the base member 20F of the base member 20A of this modified example has a liquid chamber 50A that is different from the liquid chamber 50. The liquid chamber 50A has the same processing chamber 51 as the liquid chamber 50, but has a liquid pressure generation chamber 53A that is different from the liquid pressure generation chamber 53. The liquid pressure generation chamber 53A extends along the front-rear direction and opens to the rear. That is, the openings 52 and 54 of this modified example open to the outside of the base member 20F on different surfaces of the base member 20F. The lower end of the processing chamber 51 and the front end of the liquid pressure generation chamber 53A are connected to each other without a connecting chamber 55. According to this modified example, there is no need to provide a connecting chamber 55.

[0036] Referring to Figure 5, the processing chamber 51 in this embodiment extends through the central hole of the mold 30. The opening 52 of the processing chamber 51 is located on the upper end surface of the mold 30. The hydraulic pressure generation chamber 53 in this embodiment extends through the central hole of the cylinder 40. The opening 54 of the hydraulic pressure generation chamber 53 is located on the upper end surface of the cylinder 40 and is located above the opening 52. Both the processing chamber 51 and the hydraulic pressure generation chamber 53 have a circular shape in the XY plane. The connecting chamber 55 has a circular shape in the orthogonal plane (YZ plane) perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

[0037] Referring to Figures 5 and 10 in conjunction with Figure 1, the liquid chamber 50 of this embodiment further has four branched flow channels 56. The four branched flow channels 56 are located on the front, rear, and lateral sides of the processing chamber 51, respectively. Each of the branched flow channels 56 branches off from the processing chamber 51. Specifically, a portion of the lower end surface of the mold 30 is located slightly above the upper end surface of the lower member 224, thereby forming a flow channel that extends outward from the processing chamber 51 in the XY plane. Each of the branched flow channels 56 extends upward from this flow channel.

[0038] Each of the branched channels 56 extends vertically parallel to the processing chamber 51, passing through small holes formed inside the mold 30, and opens upward. That is, each of the branched channels 56 has an opening 57 that opens to the outside of the base member 20F. Referring to Figure 11, each of the openings 57 is located on the bottom surface of the recess 32 of the mold 30. That is, each of the openings 57 is located slightly below the opening 52 of the processing chamber 51.

[0039] Referring to Figure 5, the liquid chamber 50 of this embodiment has the structure described above. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the structure of the liquid chamber 50 can be modified as needed. For example, the connecting chamber 55 and the branching channel 56 may be provided as needed. On the other hand, the liquid chamber 50 may have other parts in addition to the parts described above.

[0040] Referring to Figure 6, the three pistons 42 in this embodiment are provided corresponding to the three hydraulic pressure generating chambers 53, respectively. The pistons 42 corresponding to the hydraulic pressure generating chambers 53 of the base member 20F will be described below. The following description is applicable to each of the pistons 42.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the piston 42 of this embodiment has a main portion 44 and a pressurized portion 46. Both the main portion 44 and the pressurized portion 46 have a cylindrical shape extending along the vertical direction. The size of the pressurized portion 46 in the XY plane is larger than the size of the main portion 44 in the XY plane. The main portion 44 extends downward from the lower end of the pressurized portion 46.

[0042] Referring to Figure 5, the piston 42 is partially received into the hydraulic pressure generating chamber 53 by passing through the opening 54 of the hydraulic pressure generating chamber 53 so as to be movable within the chamber. The piston 42 partially protrudes from the hydraulic pressure generating chamber 53. According to this embodiment, the main part 44 of the piston 42 is inserted into the hydraulic pressure generating chamber 53 by passing downward through the opening 54 and is movable in the vertical direction. That is, the piston 42 of this embodiment is partially received into the hydraulic pressure generating chamber 53 so as to be movable in the vertical direction and protrudes upward from the hydraulic pressure generating chamber 53.

[0043] In this embodiment, the lower part of the main body 44 is received substantially without gap in a central hole formed inside the cylinder 40. On the other hand, the upper part of the main body 44 protrudes upward from the hydraulic pressure generating chamber 53. The lower end of the main body 44 is in contact with the liquid 50L. An O-ring 48 is attached to the lower part of the main body 44, thereby preventing leakage of the liquid 50L.

[0044] The piston 42 of this embodiment has the structure described above and is attached to the base member 20F as described above. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the O-ring 48 may be provided as needed. Also, referring to the modified example in Figure 14, the piston 42 in the modified example passes forward through the rearward-opening opening 54 and is inserted into the hydraulic pressure generating chamber 53A. The piston 42 protrudes partially rearward from the hydraulic pressure generating chamber 53A. The piston 42 is movable in the front-rear direction inside the hydraulic pressure generating chamber 53A.

[0045] Referring to Figure 1, the movable member 60 of this embodiment will now be described.

[0046] The movable member 60 of this embodiment comprises a slider 61, three processing members 62, and three spacers 72. That is, the processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment comprises a slider 61, processing members 62, and spacers 72.

[0047] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the slider 61 of this embodiment is located above the base member 20 in the vertical direction. The slider 61 is supported by a power unit (not shown) and is movable vertically between an upper position when the object 80 is not being processed (position in Figures 1 to 3) and a lower position when the object 80 is being processed (position in Figure 9). The slider 61 of this embodiment has a flat plate shape extending along the XY plane. However, the shape and internal structure of the slider 61 of the present invention are not particularly limited.

[0048] Referring to Figure 4, the three processing members 62 are provided corresponding to the three base members 20F, 20S, and 20T, respectively. The processing members 62 are located in the XY plane, corresponding to the openings 52 of the processing chamber 51. As can be seen from this arrangement, the number of processing members 62 should correspond to the number of members that process the workpiece portion 82 (see Figure 1) of the object 80. For example, if the processing device 10 is equipped only with the base member 20F, the number of processing members 62 should be 1.

[0049] Referring to Figures 2 and 5, each of the processing members 62 in this embodiment comprises a metal base 63, a metal punch 64, a metal holder 65, and a holder support member 66 made of one or more metal springs. That is, the processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment comprises a base 63, a punch 64, a holder 65, and a holder support member 66. Each of the punches 64 has a circular shape in the XY plane. Each of the base 63 and the holder 65 has an annular shape in the XY plane. Each of the processing members 62 in this embodiment has the above-described members. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the shape of each member in each of the processing members 62 is not particularly limited.

[0050] Referring to Figure 4, the three spacers 72 are provided, each corresponding to one of the three pistons 42. The spacers 72 are located in positions corresponding to the pistons 42 in the XY plane. As can be seen from this arrangement, the number of spacers 72 can be equal to the number of pistons 42. For example, if the processing device 10 has only one piston 42 attached to the base member 20F, then the number of spacers 72 can be 1.

[0051] Referring to Figures 3 and 5, each of the spacers 72 in this embodiment comprises a metal base 73, a metal pressurizing portion 74, and a support member (elastic member) 76 made of one or more metal springs. That is, the processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment comprises a base 73, a pressurizing portion 74, and an elastic member 76. The base 73 and the pressurizing portion 74 each have a cylindrical shape extending along the vertical direction. Each of the spacers 72 in this embodiment has the above-described members. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the shape of each member in each of the spacers 72 is not particularly limited.

[0052] Referring to Figure 5 in conjunction with Figures 2 and 3, the movable member 60 of this embodiment includes the above-described members. The punch 64, holder 65, and spacer 72 are fixed to the slider 61 and are movable together with the slider 61. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the slider 61, holder 65, holder support member 66, and spacer 72 may be provided as needed. For example, if the base member 20 includes only the base member 20F, the movable member 60 may include only one punch 64 corresponding to the base member 20F. On the other hand, the movable member 60 may further include other members in addition to the above-described members.

[0053] Referring to Figure 2 in conjunction with Figure 1, the three punches 64, three holders 65, and three spacers 72 of this embodiment cooperate with the three base members 20F, 20S, and 20T to process the three workpieces 82 of the object 80, respectively. That is, referring to Figure 3, the processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment is equipped with three processing sets 12 for processing the workpieces 82 (see Figure 1). More specifically, the processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment is equipped with three processing sets 12 consisting of a first set (processing set) 12F, a second set (processing set) 12S, and a third set (processing set) 12T. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of processing sets 12 can be one or more. For example, the processing apparatus 10 may be equipped with only one processing set 12F, or it may be equipped with two or more processing sets 12.

[0054] The following describes the processing set 12 of this embodiment.

[0055] Referring to Figure 6 in conjunction with Figure 2, each of the processing sets 12 in this embodiment includes a liquid chamber 50, a piston 42, a punch 64, a holder 65, and a spacer 72. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the processing apparatus 10 does not need to include a holder 65 and a spacer 72. In this case, each of the processing sets 12 only needs to include a liquid chamber 50, a piston 42, and a punch 64.

[0056] Referring to Figure 6, each of the pistons 42 in this embodiment has the main portion 44 described above. Each of the main portions 44 is partially received in the hydraulic pressure generating chamber 53, and its lower end is in contact with the liquid 50L.

[0057] Referring to Figure 5 in conjunction with Figure 2, each of the punches 64 in this embodiment is fixed to the slider 61 by a fixing member such as a screw, and extends downward from the lower end surface of the slider 61. Each of the bases 63 in this embodiment is fixed to the slider 61 by a fixing member such as a screw. Each of the bases 63 surrounds the punch 64 in the XY plane and extends downward from the lower end surface of the slider 61.

[0058] Each of the holder support members 66 in this embodiment is attached to the outer periphery of the base 63 in the XY plane and extends along the vertical direction. Each of the holders 65 in this embodiment is located outside the punch 64 in the XY plane. In other words, each of the holders 65 surrounds the punch 64 in the XY plane. Each of the holders 65 is attached to the lower end of the holder support member 66. Each of the holder support members 66 is elastic and supports the holder 65 so that it can move relative to the slider 61. According to this embodiment, the lower end of each punch 64 is located slightly above the lower end of the holder 65.

[0059] Referring to Figure 5 in conjunction with Figure 3, in this embodiment, each base portion 73 of the spacer 72 is fixed to the slider 61 by a fixing member such as a screw, and extends downward from the lower end surface of the slider 61. Each pressurizing portion 74 is a part that pressurizes the piston 42 downward. Each elastic member 76 consists of one or more metal springs and has elasticity. In each spacer 72, the upper end of each metal spring is attached to the base portion 73, and the lower end of each metal spring is attached to the pressurizing portion 74. With this structure, each elastic member 76 supports the pressurizing portion 74 so that it can move relative to the slider 61. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each spacer 72 may consist only of an elastic member 76. In this case, it is sufficient that the lower end of each elastic member 76 functions as the pressurizing portion 74.

[0060] Each of the pressurizing units 74 in this embodiment is movable in the vertical direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, referring to the modified example in Figure 14, each of the pressurizing units 74 in the modified example is movable in the front-rear direction.

[0061] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, in this embodiment, all punches 64 and all spacers 72 are directly fixed to one slider 61 and protrude downward from the slider 61. In this embodiment, all holders 65 are indirectly fixed to one slider 61 via an elastic holder support member 66 and protrude downward from the slider 61. Therefore, by moving one slider 61 in the vertical direction, all punches 64, all holders 65 and all spacers 72 move in the vertical direction.

[0062] Each of the processing sets 12 in this embodiment has the structure described above. With this structure, all punches 64, all holders 65, and all spacers 72 can be moved simultaneously by a common slider 61 attached to a single power unit (not shown), thereby making the processing apparatus 10 smaller. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the punches 64, holders 65, and spacers 72 may be fixed to separate power units (not shown) so as to be movable in the vertical direction. Also, the support structure for the holders 65 is not particularly limited. The holder support member 66 is not limited to a metal spring as long as it has elasticity. Similarly, each of the elastic members 76 is not limited to a metal spring.

[0063] The following describes the machining process using the first set 12F, which is one of the machining sets 12 in this embodiment. The following description is applicable to the second set 12S and the third set 12T, respectively.

[0064] Referring to Figures 5 and 9, the punch 64 is movable between an initial position (position in Figure 5) away from the opening 52 of the processing chamber 51 and a receiving position (position in Figure 9) where it passes through the opening 52 of the processing chamber 51 and is partially received by the processing chamber 51. In this embodiment, the initial position is located above the receiving position. In this embodiment, the punch 64 moves vertically between the initial position and the receiving position as the slider 61 moves between an upper position (position in Figure 5) and a lower position (position in Figure 9) in the vertical direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the punch 64 may move vertically between the initial position and the receiving position by receiving force directly from a power unit (not shown).

[0065] Referring to Figures 5 and 7, the spacer 72 in this embodiment moves vertically along with the punch 64 as the slider 61 moves vertically. When the punch 64 moves from its initial position (position in Figure 5) to an intermediate position (position in Figure 7), the pressurizing portion 74 of the spacer 72 comes into contact with the pressurized portion 46 of the piston 42. Referring to Figure 7, at this time, the punch 64 is located above the opening 52 of the processing chamber 51. The liquid level 58 of the liquid 50L is located below the opening 52. That is, the liquid 50L is contained within the liquid chamber 50.

[0066] According to this embodiment, the lower end of the holder 65 contacts the object 80 at the same time that the spacer 72 contacts the piston 42. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the lower end of the holder 65 may contact the object 80 before the spacer 72 contacts the piston 42.

[0067] Referring to Figures 7 to 9, as the punch 64 continues to move from the intermediate position (position in Figure 7) towards the receiving position (position in Figure 9), the punch 64 moves to the processing start position (position in Figure 8). While the punch 64 moves from the intermediate position to the processing start position, the holder support member 66 elastically compresses and presses the holder 65 against the object 80. As a result, the punch 64 moves downward relative to the holder 65. When the punch 64 moves to the processing start position, the lower end of the punch 64 is at the same position as the lower end of the holder 65 and contacts the workpiece portion 82 of the object 80.

[0068] Referring to Figure 8 in conjunction with Figures 11 and 12, when the punch 64 moves to the processing start position (position in Figure 8), the holder 65 applies a force due to the restoring force of the holder support member 66 to the outer circumference of the workpiece 82 in the XY plane. That is, the holder 65 presses the outer circumference of the workpiece 82 in the XY plane against the upper end surface of the die 30 of the base member 20F. The workpiece 82 pressed against the base member 20F, together with the holder 65 and the base member 20F, forms a sealed space 59 including the recess 32.

[0069] Referring to Figures 7 and 8, as the punch 64 moves from the intermediate position (position in Figure 7) to the machining start position (position in Figure 8), the elastic member 76 of the spacer 72 compresses elastically, pressing the pressurizing portion 74 against the piston 42. As a result, the piston 42 is pushed toward the inside of the hydraulic pressure generating chamber 53. The piston 42, pushed in this way, moves toward the inside of the hydraulic pressure generating chamber 53. As a result, the liquid level 58 of the liquid 50L rises, and the liquid 50L comes into contact with the lower surface of the workpiece 82 of the object 80 and fills the inside of the sealed space 59 (see Figure 12). The liquid 50L is sealed inside the sealed space 59 without leaking out of the sealed space 59.

[0070] Referring to Figures 5, 8, and 9, when the punch 64 is moved from its initial position (position in Figure 5) to the receiving position (position in Figure 9) with the workpiece 82 of the object 80 covering the opening 52 of the processing chamber 51, the punch 64 pressurizes the workpiece 82 toward the interior of the processing chamber 51. More specifically, as the punch 64 moves from the processing start position (position in Figure 8) toward the receiving position, the punch 64 pressurizes the workpiece 82 toward the interior of the processing chamber 51. As a result, the workpiece 82 deforms while pushing down the liquid level 58 of the opening 52 and is partially received inside the processing chamber 51.

[0071] Meanwhile, the pressurizing portion 74 of the spacer 72 continues to apply pressure PP to the piston 42 via the elastic member 76 while the punch 64 moves from the processing start position (position in Figure 8) towards the receiving position (position in Figure 9). As a result, for example, 30-60M Pa An active counter-hydraulic pressure OP (hereinafter simply referred to as "counter-hydraulic pressure OP") is generated to a certain extent. That is, when the liquid chamber 50 is filled with liquid 50L, the piston 42 receives an applied pressure PP directed towards the inside of the hydraulic pressure generation chamber 53 via the elastic member 76 as the punch 64 moves from its initial position (position in Figure 5) to the receiving position, and moves in accordance with the applied pressure PP to increase the hydraulic pressure of the liquid 50L. The punch 64 continues to pressurize the workpiece 82 against this counter-hydraulic pressure OP, and as a result the workpiece 82 is drawn.

[0072] The hydraulic pressure generated by this embodiment can be adjusted by the spring force of the elastic member 76 (more specifically, the elastic modulus of the metal spring). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the hydraulic pressure from becoming excessively high. In other words, the elastic member 76 functions as a hydraulic pressure adjustment mechanism.

[0073] To summarize the above explanation, in this embodiment, the piston 42 moves in response to the applied pressure PP received via the elastic member 76, thereby increasing the hydraulic pressure of the liquid 50L inside the liquid chamber 50. With this structure, if the hydraulic pressure inside the liquid chamber 50 becomes higher than a predetermined value, the piston 42 will stop moving toward the inside of the hydraulic pressure generation chamber 53. In other words, by utilizing the elasticity of the elastic member 76, an excessive rise in hydraulic pressure can be suppressed without providing a relief valve. In addition, if a relief valve is not provided, the liquid 50L is retained inside the liquid chamber 50, so there is no need to replenish the liquid 50L from the outside. Therefore, there is no need to provide a complex hydraulic pressure control mechanism including a pump and a relief valve. According to this embodiment, a new processing device 10 that uses hydraulic pressure to process an object 80 has a simpler structure.

[0074] The processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment is particularly suitable for processing small components such as the shell (not shown) of a connector (not shown) that is incorporated inside an electronic device (not shown). The processing apparatus 10 can process a workpiece 82 of a size of several millimeters into a desired shape, for example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the size of the object 80 is not particularly limited.

[0075] Referring to Figures 5, 8, and 9, according to this embodiment, when the slider 61 is moved from an upper position (position in Figure 5) to a lower position (position in Figure 9) with the liquid chamber 50 filled with 50L of liquid and the workpiece 82 of the object 80 placed on the processing chamber 51 (state in Figure 5), the punch 64 moves downward, pressurizing the workpiece 82 toward the inside of the processing chamber 51, and the piston 42 moves downward in accordance with the applied pressure PP, increasing the hydraulic pressure of the 50L of liquid. In this embodiment, the piston 42 receives a downward applied pressure PP from the slider 61 via the elastic member 76 while the slider 61 is moving from an upper position to a lower position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0076] For example, referring to the modified examples in Figures 13 and 14, the modified processing apparatus 10A includes an additional slider 61A in addition to the slider 61. The additional slider 61A moves in the front-rear direction in conjunction with the vertical movement of the slider 61. As the additional slider 61A moves forward, the piston 42 receives a forward pressure PP from the additional slider 61A via the elastic member 76. The piston 42 in this modified example also moves in response to the pressure PP received via the elastic member 76, increasing the hydraulic pressure of the liquid 50L inside the liquid chamber 50A.

[0077] Referring to Figure 5, according to this embodiment, when the slider 61 is in the upper position (position in Figure 5), the vertical distance between the lower end of the punch 64 and the workpiece portion 82 of the object 80 (first distance) is longer than the vertical distance between the lower end of the spacer 72 and the upper end of the piston 42 (second distance). Referring to Figures 5 and 8, with this arrangement, the piston 42 receives the applied pressure PP before the punch 64 begins machining the workpiece portion 82. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the first distance may be shorter than the second distance. In this case, the piston 42 receives the applied pressure PP after the punch 64 has started machining the workpiece portion 82, generating the opposing hydraulic pressure OP.

[0078] Referring to Figure 8, in this embodiment, the piston 42 receives an applied pressure PP from the slider 61 via the spacer 72. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, if the spacer 72 is not provided, the slider 61 may have an elastic portion. The piston 42 may receive an applied pressure PP from the elastic portion of the slider 61.

[0079] Referring to Figures 5, 7, and 8, according to this embodiment, when the slider 61 is moved downward with the workpiece 82 positioned on the processing chamber 51, the holder 65 moves downward and presses the workpiece 82 against the base member 20F. This mechanism allows the workpiece 82 to be drawn without causing wrinkles. According to this embodiment, the holder 65 pressurizes the workpiece 82 before processing by the punch 64 begins. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the holder 65 may pressurize the workpiece 82 after processing by the punch 64 has begun. More specifically, when the slider 61 is in the upper position (position in Figure 5), the punch 64 may protrude slightly beyond the lower end of the holder 65. Also, as mentioned above, the holder 65 may be provided as needed.

[0080] Referring to Figures 11 and 12, the opening 57 of the branch channel 56 in this embodiment opens into the sealed space 59. Specifically, when the holder 65 presses the workpiece 82 against the base member 20F, the opening 57 of the branch channel 56 is located below the holder 65 in the vertical direction and outside the peripheral edge 84 of the workpiece 82 in the XY plane.

[0081] When the piston 42 is pushed inward into the hydraulic pressure generation chamber 53, the liquid 50L fills the sealed space 59, applying circumferential hydraulic pressure PP to the periphery 84 of the workpiece 82. The workpiece 82 is pushed inward into the processing chamber 51 by the circumferential hydraulic pressure PP. This mechanism makes it easy to draw the workpiece 82 into the desired shape. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, opposing hydraulic pressure OP and circumferential hydraulic pressure PP can be generated simultaneously by simply lowering a single slider 61 (see Figure 9). However, the present invention is not limited thereto. As mentioned above, the branched flow path 56 may be provided as needed.

[0082] Referring to Figure 3, as mentioned above, the processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes three processing sets 12. As will be explained below, the processing sets 12 of this embodiment generate different hydraulic pressures at different timings.

[0083] Referring to Figure 6, each of the pistons 42 in the three machining sets 12 receives a pressure PP from the spacer 72 as the slider 61 moves from the upper position (position in Figure 6) to the lower position (position in Figure 9). When the slider 61 is in the upper position, each of the spacers 72 is a predetermined distance D1, D2, or D3 from the piston 42 in the vertical direction.

[0084] In this embodiment, the predetermined distances D1, D2, and D3 are different from each other. As can be understood from this distance condition, each of the pistons 42 in this embodiment receives the pressure PP (see Figure 8) from the spacer 72 at different timings. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, two of the three predetermined distances D1, D2, and D3 may be the same. That is, at least one of the predetermined distances D1, D2, and D3 may be different from the other one of the predetermined distances D1, D2, and D3. In other words, at least one of the pistons 42 may receive the pressure PP from the slider 61 at a different timing than the other piston 42.

[0085] Referring to Figure 2, according to this embodiment, the punches 64 of the three machining sets 12 have the same diameter as each other. Referring to Figure 6, the main portions 44 of the pistons 42 of machining sets 12F and 12S have the same diameter (i.e., cross-sectional area) as each other in the XY plane. On the other hand, the main portion 44 of the piston 42 of machining set 12T has a different cross-sectional area in the XY plane than the main portions 44 of the pistons 42 of machining sets 12F and 12S. That is, at least one of the main portions 44 has a different cross-sectional area in the XY plane than another of the main portions 44.

[0086] According to this embodiment, processing sets 12F and 12S generate the same hydraulic pressure, while processing set 12T generates a different hydraulic pressure from processing sets 12F and 12S. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the main parts 44 of the three processing sets 12 may have different cross-sectional areas in the XY plane. That is, the three processing sets 12 may generate different hydraulic pressures.

[0087] According to this embodiment, at a predetermined timing, the hydraulic pressure in at least one of the processing sets 12 is different from the hydraulic pressure in another of the processing sets 12. Referring to Figure 9, the predetermined timing in this embodiment is the timing for processing the workpiece 82.

[0088] Referring to Figure 3, according to this embodiment, the machining set 12F generates a relatively large hydraulic pressure at an early timing, the machining set 12S generates the same hydraulic pressure as the machining set 12F at a later timing, and the machining set 12T generates a relatively small hydraulic pressure at an even later timing.

[0089] Referring to Figure 4, the processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment is equipped with three processing sets 12 as described above, and by using hydraulic pressure, one workpiece 82 can be drawn in three processing steps. The processing apparatus 10 can sequentially process one workpiece 82 (see Figure 1) by feeding the object 80 along the groove 18. For example, drawing can be performed by processing set 12F, further drawing by processing set 12S, and a finishing drawing to prevent springback can be performed by processing set 12T. It is also possible to perform different processing on each of the three workpieces 82 simultaneously. Furthermore, a processing set 12 that separates the workpiece 82 from the carrier 81 can also be provided.

[0090] Referring to Figure 1, the structure of the processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described from another viewpoint. The processing apparatus 10 comprises a main component (partial component) 11 and a slider 61. The main component 11 of this embodiment consists of all components of the illustrated processing apparatus 10 except for the slider 61. The main component 11, together with the slider 61, forms the processing apparatus 10 that processes the workpiece 82 of the object 80 using hydraulic pressure. In other words, the main component 11 is a partial component 11 of the processing apparatus 10. To put it another way, the processing apparatus 10 comprises a partial component 11 that functions as the main component 11 of the processing apparatus 10.

[0091] The main member 11 of this embodiment comprises at least a base member 20, a punch 64 (see Figure 2), a holder 65 (see Figure 2), a holder support member 66 (see Figure 2), a spacer 72 (see Figure 3), and a piston 42 (see Figure 3). Each member of the main member 11 has the structure already described and functions as already described. For example, when the processing apparatus 10 is formed, the slider 61 is located above the base member 20 in the vertical direction and is movable in the vertical direction between an upper position (position in Figure 5) and a lower position (position in Figure 9). The punch 64, holder 65, and spacer 72 can be attached to the slider 61. When the punch 64 is attached to the slider 61, the punch 64 protrudes downward from the slider 61 and moves vertically with the vertical movement of the slider 61.

[0092] Referring to Figure 2, this embodiment can be modified in various ways in addition to the various modifications already described. For example, the three processing members 62 in this embodiment have the same shape as each other. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the three punches 64 may have different diameters. In this case, the processing chambers 51 (see Figure 5) may have inner diameters corresponding to each of the punches 64. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0093] 10,10A processing equipment 11. Main components (partial devices) 12 Processing Sets 12F Set 1 (Processing Set) 12S 2nd Set (Processing Set) 12T 3rd set (machining set) 18 grooves 20,20A Base member 20F First component (base component) 20S Second component (base component) 20T Third component (base component) 22 beds 222 Upper member 223 Mounting holes 224 Lower part 30 molds 32 recesses 40 cylinders 42 pistons 44 Main body 46 Pressurized part 48 O-rings 50,50A liquid chamber 50L liquid 51 Processing room 52 Opening 53, 53A Hydraulic Generation Room 54 Opening 55 Connection room 56 Branching channel 57 Opening 58 Liquid level 59 Sealed space 60 Movable member 61 Slider 61A Additional slider 62 Processing components 63 Base 64 punches 65 holder 66 Holder support member 72 Spacers 73 Base 74 Pressurized section 76 Support members (elastic members) 80 Objects 81 Carriers 82. Workpiece (blank) 84 Periphery

Claims

1. A processing device that uses hydraulic pressure to process the workpiece portion of an object, The aforementioned processing apparatus is equipped with a main component, The main component comprises a base member, a punch, and a piston. A liquid chamber is formed in the base member. The aforementioned liquid chamber can be filled with liquid. The aforementioned liquid chamber has a processing chamber and a hydraulic pressure generation chamber. The processing chamber and the hydraulic pressure generating chamber are connected to each other and each has an opening that opens to the outside of the base member at a different position. The punch is movable between an initial position away from the opening of the processing chamber and a receiving position where it passes through the opening of the processing chamber and is partially received into the processing chamber. When the punch is moved from the initial position to the receiving position with the workpiece covering the opening of the processing chamber, the punch presses the workpiece toward the interior of the processing chamber. The piston is movable within the hydraulic pressure generating chamber, passes through the opening of the hydraulic pressure generating chamber, and is partially received in the hydraulic pressure generating chamber, and partially protrudes from the hydraulic pressure generating chamber. When the liquid chamber is filled with the liquid, the piston receives an applied pressure directed towards the interior of the hydraulic pressure generating chamber via the elastic member as the punch moves from the initial position to the receiving position, and moves in response to the applied pressure to increase the hydraulic pressure of the liquid. Processing equipment.

2. A processing apparatus according to claim 1, The aforementioned processing apparatus is equipped with a slider, The slider is located above the base member in the vertical direction and is movable in the vertical direction between the upper position and the lower position. The punch protrudes downward from the slider and moves in the vertical direction as the slider moves in the vertical direction. The processing chamber and the hydraulic pressure generation chamber each extend in the vertical direction and open upwards. The piston is partially received in the hydraulic pressure generating chamber so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and protrudes upward from the hydraulic pressure generating chamber. The piston receives the downward pressure from the slider as the slider moves from the upper position to the lower position. With the liquid chamber filled with the liquid and the workpiece positioned above the processing chamber, when the slider is moved from the upper position to the lower position, the punch moves downward, pressurizing the workpiece toward the interior of the processing chamber, and the piston moves downward in response to the applied pressure, increasing the liquid pressure of the liquid. Processing equipment.

3. A processing apparatus according to claim 2, The aforementioned processing apparatus comprises two or more processing sets, Each of the aforementioned processing sets includes the liquid chamber, the piston, and the punch. All of the punches protrude downward from one of the sliders, At a predetermined timing, the hydraulic pressure in at least one of the processing sets is different from the hydraulic pressure in another of the processing sets. Processing equipment.

4. The processing apparatus according to claim 3, At least one of the pistons receives the pressure from the slider at a different timing than the other piston. Processing equipment.

5. The processing apparatus according to claim 3, Each of the aforementioned processing sets includes a spacer, All of the spacers protrude downward from one of the sliders. Each of the pistons receives the applied pressure from the spacer as the slider moves from the upper position to the lower position. When the slider is in the upper position, each of the spacers is separated from the piston by a predetermined distance in the vertical direction. At least one of the predetermined distances is different from the other predetermined distance. Processing equipment.

6. A processing apparatus according to claim 5, Each of the aforementioned spacers comprises a pressurizing portion and the elastic member, Each of the aforementioned pressurizing sections is a part that pressurizes the piston downwards, Each of the aforementioned elastic members is elastic and supports the pressurizing portion so that it is movable relative to the slider. Processing equipment.

7. The processing apparatus according to claim 3, Each of the aforementioned pistons has a main part, Each of the aforementioned main parts is partially received in the hydraulic pressure generating chamber. At least one of the main parts has a different cross-sectional area from the other main part in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. Processing equipment.

8. A processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7, The main component comprises a holder and a holder support member. The holder is located outside the punch in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, The holder support member is elastic and supports the holder so that it can move relative to the slider. When the slider is moved downward with the workpiece positioned above the processing chamber, the holder moves downward and presses the workpiece against the base member. Processing equipment.

9. A processing apparatus according to claim 8, The liquid chamber has a branched channel, The aforementioned branch channel branches off from the processing chamber and has an opening that opens to the outside of the base member. When the holder presses the workpiece against the base member, the opening of the branch channel is located below the holder in the vertical direction and outside the peripheral edge of the workpiece in the horizontal plane. Processing equipment.

10. A main component formed together with a slider for a processing device that processes a workpiece using hydraulic pressure, The main component comprises a base member, a punch, and a piston. When the processing apparatus is formed, the slider is located above the base member in the vertical direction and is movable in the vertical direction between the upper position and the lower position. The punch is attachable to the slider, When the punch is attached to the slider, the punch protrudes downward from the slider and moves in the vertical direction as the slider moves in the vertical direction. A liquid chamber is formed in the base member. The aforementioned liquid chamber can be filled with liquid. The aforementioned liquid chamber has a processing chamber and a hydraulic pressure generation chamber. The processing chamber and the hydraulic pressure generating chamber are connected to each other and each has an opening that opens to the outside of the base member at a different position. The processing chamber and the hydraulic pressure generation chamber each extend in the vertical direction and open upwards. The piston is partially received in the hydraulic pressure generating chamber so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and protrudes upward from the hydraulic pressure generating chamber. The piston receives downward pressure from the slider via an elastic member as the slider moves from the upper position to the lower position. With the liquid chamber filled with the liquid and the workpiece positioned above the processing chamber, when the slider is moved from the upper position to the lower position, the punch moves downward, pressurizing the workpiece toward the interior of the processing chamber, and the piston moves downward in response to the applied pressure, increasing the liquid pressure of the liquid. Main component.

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