Drilling device for metal plates

Abstract

Drilling device for metal plates adapted to allow the centering of any metal plate to be drilled, so as to obtain the centering holes essential for proceeding with the molding of said plate, when placed inside a common molding machine; said drilling device comprising the use of a mobile plate, provided with punches, adapted to be moved vertically by at least two pneumatic pistons, so as to exert a high pressure on the inserted metal plate, creating such molding holes by means of said punches; a plurality of self-lubricating columns being adapted to connect said mobile plate with a fixed plate, so as to ensure the pressing and therefore the drilling of the plates inserted inside the present device.

Description

[0001] “Drilling device for metal plates”

[0002] Description

[0003] Field of the art

[0004] The invention refers to an innovative device for drilling metal plates, which will subsequently be used inside molding machinery, where it will be easy to center such plates thanks to the previous creation of centering holes made by means of punching by the present drilling device.

[0005] Prior art

[0006] Punching is a drilling process which uses a press to force a tool, called a punch, which creates a hole by means of shearing. Punching is applicable to a wide variety of plate-shaped materials, including various types of metals and plastics.

[0007] In the process, the punch passes through a die, pushing and depositing the sheet material inside the die. The rest of the material stays in the original position, remaining "perforated." Punching is usually the most economical method for drilling materials.

[0008] Punching tools are often made of hardened steel or tungsten carbide.

[0009] As already mentioned, the punch passes through a die, pushing and depositing the sheet material inside the die.

[0010] The amount of force needed depends on the thickness, the hardness of the material to be drilled and the diameter of the hole to be made. According to physics, it is impossible to make a hole with a diameter smaller than the thickness of the sheet, however today there are some techniques for making sub-thickness holes.

[0011] Therefore, this process creates a hole which has a diameter equivalent to the punch, or slightly smaller, after the punch has been removed.

[0012] All ductile materials extend to some extent during punching, often this feature causes the punch to stick to the drilled material. In this case, the punch must be physically extracted from the hole. The waste material of the hole falls through the nut into a sort of container. However, punching is further necessary to create centering holes so as to make a useful reference for subsequent machinings.

[0013] Each centering of the plate is today very slow and cumbersome, due to the labor and the level of personnel required to complete a quality job.

[0014] The centering of each plate is the result of observations and experiments which can no longer compete within an economy based on industrial mass production.

[0015] Not even patent KR980000669, published on March 30, 1998, solves the aforesaid problems, as it claims a sheet measuring instrument, within a hot rolling process inside steelworks, in order to reduce the curvature defects caused by high temperatures.

[0016] Other documents of the prior art can be considered:

[0017] - CN104741654 A which claims a plowing device with hydraulic punching device which has the purpose of reducing the debris produced;

[0018] - CN104148695A which describes an improved drilling piston for drilling efficiency;

[0019] - KR1485417B 1 relating to a circular drilling device whose safety is improved.

[0020] The object of the present patent application is different from those of the documents just cited and is therefore to create a drilling device for metal plates, adapted to make at least four centering holes on any metal plate, using common punches and a special retractable reference template.

[0021] Description of the invention

[0022] According to the present invention, a device for metal plates is created which effectively solves the above problems.

[0023] The drilling device described in the present patent application allows the machining times linked to the centering of any metal plate to be significantly reduced, so as to simplify the subsequent treatment steps of such a plate, which can comprise molding and its deformation. Thanks to the present device, in fact, it is possible to create special centering holes on each plate in less than three minutes, without resorting to the use of specialized personnel.

[0024] The present device therefore comprises a fixed plate, adapted to constitute a support base for the entire device; said fixed plate can be constrained to any support surface, by means of the use of screws or any other fastening technique; said fixed plate is further adapted to both host and support the metal plate to be drilled.

[0025] In an embodiment thereof, said fixed plate comprises a plurality of load cells therein, adapted to identify the insertion of any metal plate; the identification of the plate would allow any microprocessor, to automatically start the drilling process of the present plate.

[0026] A mobile plate, arranged above said fixed plate, is adapted to be moved by a plurality of pneumatic pistons adapted to make said mobile plate slide vertically on special self-lubricating columns; said mobile plate further comprises a plurality of punches adapted to exert a pressure on the metal plate, such as to perform the drilling thereof, creating said centering holes.

[0027] A plurality of pneumatic pistons are installed above said mobile plate, adapted to exert a sufficient pressure to perform the drilling on said metal plate. Such pneumatic pistons are powered by a jet of compressed air deriving from a compressor installed outside the present drilling device.

[0028] A retractable reference template is instead comprised inside said mobile plate, so as to ensure the centering of the inserted metal plate, using special manual centering points; said points are adapted to carry out a sufficient centering if even just two points diagonally opposite each other are used.

[0029] Said retractable reference template, by way of non-limiting example, is adapted to be moved by an automatic mechanical system, adapted to be controlled by the load cells arranged inside said fixed plate.

[0030] The retractable reference template can therefore be moved by an automatic mechanical system, adapted to be controlled by said load cells arranged inside said fixed plate.

[0031] Alternatively, the present retractable template is adapted to be moved by an automatic mechanical system driven by an optical sensor adapted to detect the insertion of any metal plate above said fixed plate.

[0032] The installation of at least a drive control panel is envisaged behind said fixed plate, so as to allow the selection of the maximum operating pressure, customizing the operation of the present drilling device for metal plates.

[0033] In an embodiment thereof, said drive control panel is adapted to be controlled remotely, using a wi-fi Internet connection which can be accessed by any administration server, so as to create an automatic chain for drilling metal sheets.

[0034] Finally, the device described in the present patent application can further comprise a cleaning system, which is adapted to perform a rapid removal of metal chips resulting from drilling the plate, so as to ensure a subsequent efficient and precise drilling, thanks to a clean environment. By way of non-limiting example, said cleaning system comprises the use of a compressed air system, shared by the same system which powers said pneumatic pistons; said compressed air system being adapted to remove from the fixed plate all the impurities and metal chips obtained following the previous drilling, optimizing the subsequent drilling processes.

[0035] Alternatively, said cleaning system comprises an automatic system for the suction of chips and impurities obtained following the previous drilling; said cleaning system can be adapted to be controlled by said load cells comprised inside the fixed plate, so as to detect both the moment of insertion and the moment of extraction of such a plate, for the purpose of carrying out cleaning by means of suction of the impurities present above said fixed plate.

[0036] Again in a further improved variant of the device, the latter, for each pre-established number of drillings, is adapted to nebulize a disinfectant substance onto the fixed plate by means of a sanitization system comprised in said device.

[0037] The advantages offered by the present invention are evident in the light of the description presented thus far and will be even clearer thanks to the attached figures and the detailed description.

[0038] Description of the figures

[0039] The invention will be described hereinafter in at least a preferred embodiment by way of nonlimiting example with the aid of the appended figures, in which:

[0040] - FIGURE 1 shows the perspective view of the drilling device for plates which is the subjectmatter of the invention, more in particular the present figure is adapted to show the components which determine the vertical movement of the mobile plate 11. Said mobile plate 11 is in fact adapted to be moved by at least two pneumatic pistons 10, adapted to exert a high pressure on the metal plate positioned above the fixed plate 12. The mobile plate 11 performs a vertical movement thanks to the presence of a plurality of self-lubricating columns 13. To perform a rapid and reliable centering, a retractable reference template 14 is further used, visible above said mobile plate 11.

[0041] - FIGURE 2 shows a side view of the lower part of the device, where the metal plate to be subjected to drilling is inserted. The drilling to create centering holes occurs thanks to the use of special punches, installed below said mobile plate 11. Figure 2 further explains the self-lubricating column 13, on which said mobile plate 11 is adapted to slide. In the present figure it is further evident how the space between said mobile plate 11 and said fixed plate 12 is organized, even in the absence of a metal plate to be drilled.

[0042] Detailed description of the invention

[0043] The present invention will now be illustrated by way of a purely non-limiting or binding example, resorting to the figures which illustrate some embodiments with respect to the present inventive concept.

[0044] With reference to FIG. 1, a perspective view of the drilling device described in the present patent application is shown.

[0045] The present drilling device comprises a retractable reference template 14, adapted to be activated both manually and mechanically, so as to fix the position of any inserted metal plate, performing a centering thereof.

[0046] Said centering allows the creation of precise and reliable centering holes, which are obtained following a punching, completed by special punches installed below said mobile plate 11.

[0047] The mobile plate 11 is therefore adapted to be moved vertically, exerting a pressure on said metal plate until the drilling thereof, thanks to the use of at least two pneumatic pistons 10.

[0048] Each pneumatic piston 10 is powered by the same compressor, which can be either external or belonging to the present device. The mobile plate 11 is designed to slide vertically on a plurality of self-lubricating columns 13, with the aim of reducing friction while outlining a precise and constant movement on each drilling.

[0049] With reference to FIG. 2, a view is shown which is adapted to explain the movement of the mobile plate 11 with respect to the fixed plate 12.

[0050] Said mobile plate 11 is adapted to slide on a plurality of self-lubricating columns 13, obtaining a constraint along its vertical axis, which allows an exclusively vertical movement.

[0051] The metal plate subjected to drilling is then placed on top of said fixed plate 12, and is subsequently pressed by the fixed plate 11, which performs a drilling on said plate by means of the use of special punches.

[0052] By means of the device of the present invention, having more than one metal plate in a configuration superimposed on each other at said fixed plate, it is also possible to further optimize the drilling process by simultaneously drilling multiple superimposed metal plates.

[0053] Finally, it is clear that modifications, additions or variations that are obvious to a person skilled in the art can be made to the invention described so far, without thereby departing from the scope of protection provided by the attached claims.

Claims

Claims1. Drilling device for metal plates, designed to allow the centering of any metal plate subsequently subjected to drilling, in order to obtain the centering holes essential for proceeding with the molding of said plate; said drilling device being characterized in that it comprises:- at least a fixed plate (12), suitable to constitute the support base of this device, and therefore capable of being fixed to any support surface, through the use of screws or any other fastening device; said fixed plate (12) being suitable for hosting at least a metal plate to be drilled;- at least a mobile plate (11), arranged above said fixed plate (12), capable of being moved by a plurality of pneumatic pistons (10) capable of making said mobile plate (11) slide vertically on special self-lubricating columns (13); said mobile plate (11) comprising a plurality of punches, capable of exerting pressure on the inserted metal plate, such as to perform the drilling, creating said centering holes;- said self-lubricating columns (13) designed to connect said mobile plate (11) with said fixed plate (12), in order to guarantee the pressing and therefore the drilling of the plates inserted inside the present device;- a plurality of pneumatic pistons (10), suitable for being installed above said mobile plate (11), in order to exert sufficient pressure to perform drilling on said metal plate; said pneumatic pistons (10) being powered by a jet of compressed air deriving from a compressor;- at least a retractable reference template (14), included inside said mobile plate (11), designed to guarantee the centering of the inserted metal plate, using specific centering points; said points being capable of performing sufficient centering if even just two points diagonally opposite each other are used;- at least a drive control panel, preferably installed behind said fixed plate (12), capable of selecting the maximum pressure to be exerted, customizing the operation of this metal plate drilling device.

2. Drilling device for metal plates, according to the previous claim 1, characterized in that said fixed plate (12) includes inside it a plurality of load cells, suitable for identifying the insertion of any metal plate; the identification of the plate allowing a microprocessor, included in said device, to automatically start the drilling process of said plate.

3. Drilling device for metal plates, according to the previous claim 2, characterized in thatsaid retractable reference template (14), suitable for using at least four centering points, is suitable for being moved by an automatic mechanical system, suitable for be controlled by said load cells arranged inside said fixed plate (12).

4. Drilling device for metal plates, according to the previous claim 1, characterized in that that said retractable reference template (14), suitable for using at least four centering points, is suitable for being moved by an automatic mechanical system, driven by an optical sensor capable of detecting the insertion of any metal plate.

5. Drilling device for metal plates, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that that said drive control panel is capable of being controlled remotely, using a wifi Internet connection, in order to create an automatic chain of drilling of metal plates.

6. Drilling device for metal plates, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises a cleaning system, capable of carrying out a rapid removal of the metal shavings obtained from drilling the plate, ensuring subsequent efficient and reliable drilling.

7. Drilling device for metal plates, according to the previous claim 6, characterized in that said cleaning system includes a compressed air system, preferably shared by the same system that powers said pneumatic pistons (10); said compressed air system being capable of removing from the fixed plate all the impurities and metal shavings obtained following previous drilling, optimizing the subsequent drilling processes.

8. Drilling device for metal plates, according to the previous claim 6, characterized in that said cleaning system includes an automatic system for suction of chips and impurities obtained following previous drilling; said cleaning system being able to be controlled by said load cells included inside the fixed plate (12), in order to detect both the moment of insertion and the moment of extraction of this plate, for the purpose of carrying out cleaning by suction of the impurities present above said fixed plate (12).

9. Drilling device for metal plates, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises a sanitization system, suitable for nebulizing a disinfectant substance at least on said fixed plate (12), after a pre-established number of holes.

10. Drilling device for metal plates, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that it is suitable for drilling several metal plates simultaneously, said metal plates being presented at said device in a configuration superimposed on each other.

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