Press device and control method for press device

Abstract

A press device (1) is provided with: a plurality of lower molds (11) which are integrated by being held by a bolster (13); a plurality of upper molds (12) which are provided so as to correspond to the lower molds (11); a plurality of slides (14) which respectively hold the upper molds (12) and reciprocate vertically; a plurality of slide guides (32) which guide the corresponding slides (14) in the vertical direction; and a plurality of frames (31) which respectively support the corresponding slide guides (32).

Description

Pressing device and method for controlling pressing device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a press apparatus and a method for controlling a press apparatus.

[0002] Some press devices are equipped with a plurality of slides that hold an upper die and move up and down reciprocally.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a press device having three crankshafts connected in the direction of shaft extension and three slides that reciprocate up and down in conjunction with the corresponding crankshafts.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a press machine that includes a crankshaft and a slide having the same configuration as the crankshaft and slide described in Patent Document 1, and a servo motor that rotates the crankshaft.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a press device in which a plurality of slides are supported by one frame.

[0006] JP 8-206883 JP 2021-112768 JP 11-90690

[0007] In the press devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 3, a plurality of slides are supported by a single frame, which results in the press device not having a very high rigidity.

[0008] Furthermore, in the press device described in Patent Document 2, the plurality of lower dies are separate bodies, so the rigidity of the press device is not very high.

[0009] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a press apparatus that has high rigidity despite having multiple slides, and a method for controlling a press apparatus.

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the press apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of lower dies, a plurality of upper dies, a plurality of slides, a plurality of slide guides, and a plurality of frames. The plurality of lower dies are held and integrated by a bolster. The plurality of upper dies are provided corresponding to the lower dies. Each of the plurality of slides holds the upper dies and reciprocates up and down. Furthermore, the plurality of slide guides guide the corresponding slides up and down. Furthermore, the plurality of frames support the corresponding slide guides.

[0011] According to the configuration of the present disclosure, the multiple lower dies are integrally held by the bolster, and the multiple frames support corresponding slide guides, so the press device has high rigidity despite having multiple slides.

[0012] a right side view of a press system incorporating a press apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a metal strip when the metal strip is press-processed by an upper die and a lower die provided in the press apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; a perspective view of the press apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; a cross-sectional view of a feed device provided in the press apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; a hardware configuration diagram of a controller provided in the press apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; a block diagram of the press apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; a flowchart of a phase control process performed by a controller provided in the press apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; a data structure diagram of rotation data stored in a rotation data storage unit of a controller provided in the press apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; a data structure diagram of a modified example of rotation data stored in a rotation data storage unit of a controller provided in the press apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; and a cross-sectional view of a modified example of multiple upper dies provided in the press apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] A press apparatus and a method for controlling a press apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical or equivalent parts are designated by the same reference numerals. In the illustrated Cartesian coordinate system XYZ, when the length direction of the metal strip to be pressed is oriented left-right and the surface of the strip is oriented up-down, the length direction of the strip is the X-axis, the direction of the surface of the strip is the Z-axis, and the direction perpendicular to the X-axis and Z-axis is the Y-axis. This coordinate system will be referenced as appropriate below.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) A press apparatus according to Embodiment 1 includes a bolster that holds a lower die and multiple slides that each hold an upper die and reciprocate up and down. In this press apparatus, each slide is driven by a corresponding servo motor to facilitate adjustment of the phase of the reciprocating motion of each slide.

[0015] First, the overall configuration of a press system in which a feeder for feeding a material to be pressed is attached to a press device will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In the following explanation, the overall configuration of the press system will be described using an example in which the press device has four slides.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a right side view of a press system 100 incorporating a press apparatus 1 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a metal strip 2 when a portion of the metal strip 2 is press-formed by an upper mold 12 and a lower mold 11 provided in the press apparatus 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the press apparatus 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a feed device 5A provided in the press apparatus 1.

[0017] Although the press device 1 forms a plurality of components by press working, for ease of understanding, Fig. 2 shows only one burring hole among the components formed by the press device 1. Furthermore, the size of the burring hole and the thickness of the metal strip 2 are exaggerated and emphasized compared to their actual size and thickness.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the press system 100 includes an uncoiler 4 that pulls out one end of the metal strip 2 from a coil 3 to feed the metal strip 2 to be pressed into the press device 1, the press device 1 that presses the pulled-out metal strip 2, and a feed device 5A that pulls out a portion of the metal strip 2 that has been passed through the press device 1 from the uncoiler 4 and feeds a new portion of the metal strip 2 into the press device 1.

[0019] The coil 3 is formed by winding the metal strip 2. The uncoiler 4 unwinds the coil 3, thereby pulling out one end of the metal strip 2 from the coil 3. After being pulled out from the coil 3, the metal strip 2 passes through a leveler 43 equipped with a pair of pinch rolls 41, 42 located downstream of the uncoiler 4, i.e., on the right side. This reduces distortion of the metal strip 2. After passing through the leveler 43, the metal strip 2 passes through the press device 1.

[0020] The press device 1 is a progressive press device that presses the portion of the metal strip 2 that has passed through the leveler 43 while progressively feeding it. In order to perform this progressive press working, the press device 1 has a plurality of lower dies 11 that constitute a die, and the same number of upper dies 12 as the lower dies 11.

[0021] Specifically, the press apparatus 1 includes a lower die 11 and an upper die 12 corresponding to the number of steps in the following press working process. That is, the press apparatus 1 performs, for example, four steps: (1) a taper drawing process in which a portion of the metal strip 2 is formed into a truncated cone-shaped tapered portion 201 shown in FIG. 2 ; (2) a punching process in which the upper surface of the truncated cone of the tapered portion 201 formed in the taper drawing process is punched out to form a burred portion 202; (3) an ironing process in which the conical surface of the truncated cone portion is ironed to expand the inner diameter and form a cylindrical flared portion 203; and (4) a reflaring process in which the inner diameter of the flared portion 203 is expanded again to form a cylindrical portion 204 having a flange portion at the cylindrical end. As shown in FIG. 1 , the press apparatus 1 includes four lower dies 11 and four upper dies 12 for performing each of these four steps.

[0022] Each lower die 11 is fixed to a plate-shaped bolster 13 provided in the press device 1 so as to be able to withstand the pressure applied during press working. The above-mentioned feed device 5A intermittently feeds the metal strip 2 a fixed length by repeatedly pulling out a portion of the metal strip 2 that has been fed through the press device 1 by a fixed length. The lower dies 11 are arranged in the feed direction of the metal strip 2, i.e., the X direction, so that the above-mentioned four steps are performed each time the metal strip 2 is intermittently fed by the feed device 5A by a fixed length. The lower dies 11 are arranged at a pitch P that is the same as the fixed length fed each time the metal strip 2 is intermittently fed.

[0023] In contrast, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , each upper mold 12 is fixed to a corresponding slide 14. Specifically, each slide 14 is formed in a block shape. Like the lower mold 11, each slide 14 is arranged at a pitch P in the feed direction of the metal strip 2, i.e., the X direction. Furthermore, each slide 14 is disposed above the lower mold 11 and faces these lower molds 11. The same number of slides 14 as the number of lower molds 11 are provided. Specifically, four slides 14 are provided. Each upper mold 12 is fixed to the lower surface side of the slide 14 configured in this way. As a result, each upper mold 12 faces the lower mold 11.

[0024] Each slide 14 is connected to an eccentric portion of the corresponding crankshaft 16 by a connecting rod 15. Rotation of the crankshaft 16 by a servo motor 17 causes each slide 14 to reciprocate up and down. Meanwhile, a metal strip 2 that has passed through a leveler 43 passes between each upper die 12 and each lower die 11. When the corresponding slide 14 reciprocates, each upper die 12 moves downward and presses against the metal strip 2. As a result, each upper die 12 presses the metal strip 2. At this time, each upper die 12 and lower die 11 is formed into a shape corresponding to the processing in the above-described steps (1) to (4), thereby pressing the metal strip 2 into the shape formed in the above-described steps (1) to (4). The pressed metal strip 2 is fed out of the press device 1 by the feed device 5A shown in FIG. 1 .

[0025] In order to feed out the metal strip 2, the feeding device 5A has a pin 51 for insertion into the cylindrical portion 204 formed into the metal strip 2 by the press device 1, as shown in Figure 4, and a movable block 52 that moves the pin 51 while inserted into the internal space of the cylindrical portion 204 to feed the metal strip 2.

[0026] The pin 51 is a member that is inserted into the internal space of the cylindrical portion 204 formed in the metal strip 2, thereby engaging with the metal strip 2. The pin 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 204. The cylindrical axis of the pin 51 is oriented in the vertical direction. As a result, the pin 51 can be inserted into the internal space of the cylindrical portion 204.

[0027] The pin 51 also has a compression coil spring 53 at its lower end. The pin 51 is located below the compression coil spring 53 and is movable upstream or downstream by a drive mechanism including a servo motor 56 (described later). In other words, the pin 51 is supported by a movable block 52 that is movable left or right.

[0028] The movable block 52 has the pin 51 positioned at the same position in the front-to-rear direction as the cylindrical portion 204 shown in Figure 4, i.e., at the same position in the Y direction. The movable block 52 is moved in the +X direction by the drive mechanism described above, with the compression coil spring 53 pressing the upper end of the pin 51 against the metal strip 2. In this way, the movable block 52 moves the pin 51 in the +X direction.

[0029] Specifically, the movable block 52 is positioned to the left of the cylindrical portion 204, i.e., on the −X side, at the reference position P １ The pin 51 is moved in the +X direction by a distance D1 from the reference position P １ The distance D0 between the cylindrical portion 204 and the adjacent cylindrical portion 204 on the right is added to the length of the pitch P described above. As a result, when the movable block 52 moves to the bottom of the cylindrical portion 204 and positions the pin 51 directly below the cylindrical portion 204, the movable block 52 inserts the pin 51 into the internal space of the cylindrical portion 204. As a result, the movable block 52 locks the pin 51 on the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 204. Thereafter, the movable block 52 moves in the +X direction with the pin 51 still locked on the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 204. As a result, the movable block 52 feeds out the metal strip 2 by the pitch P described above.

[0030] The movable block 52 feeds out the metal strip 2 by the pitch P, and moves the pin 51 to the feed position P shown in FIG. ２ , and then moves in the −X direction by the distance D1 described above. As a result, the movable block 52 moves the pin 51 to the reference position P １ . At this time, the upper end of the pin 51, i.e., the +Z end, has an inclined surface 54 on the -X side that faces in the -Z direction as it moves in the -X direction. Therefore, when the movable block 52 moves in the -X direction and the pin 51 moves in the same direction, the inclined surface 54 is pressed against the -X side portion of the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 204, and the inclined surface 54 is pushed down in the -Z direction. As a result, the compression coil spring 53 is compressed, and the +Z end of the pin 51 moves down to the -Z surface of the metal strip 2. This releases the pin 51 from its engagement with the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 204. As a result, the metal strip 2 remains unmoved as it is fed out in the +X direction, and only the pin 51 returns to the reference position P １ Return to.

[0031] The feeding device 5A, with the pins 51 and movable block 52 having the above-described configuration, intermittently feeds the metal strip 2 by a pitch P. In the press device 1, the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 11 are arranged at the pitch P in the direction in which the feeding device 5A intermittently feeds the metal strip 2, i.e., in the X direction, and the slide 14 presses the upper mold 12 against the lower mold 11 each time the feeding device 5A intermittently feeds the metal strip 2. As a result, in the press device 1, the metal strip 2 is subjected to progressive die press working.

[0032] In this way, the press device 1 includes a plurality of upper dies 12 arranged in the direction in which the feed device 5A intermittently feeds the metal strip 2. Because the plurality of upper dies 12 are not integrated, each of the upper dies 12 is small, and as a result, the device itself is small.

[0033] For example, in conventional presses, large upper dies each having an integral shape are fixed to a common plate, and the common plate is reciprocated up and down by a slide. In contrast, in the press 1 according to the first embodiment, each upper die 12 is smaller than the shape obtained by dividing the large upper die in the intermittent feeding direction of the feed device 5A, and as a result, is short in the same direction. This eliminates the need for a large common plate in the press 1. Furthermore, the press 1 itself is compact.

[0034] Furthermore, in the press device 1, each upper die 12 is fixed to a corresponding slide 14. Since each upper die 12 is small, the slide 14 can be driven by a servo motor 17 with a small output. In particular, since the press device 1 does not require the large common plate described above, the slide 14 can be sufficiently driven by a servo motor 17 with a small output.

[0035] On the other hand, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, there is known a press machine having a plurality of slides to which a corresponding upper die is fixed. However, in such a press machine, each of the plurality of slides is connected to a large crankshaft having a plurality of eccentric portions, thereby causing each of the upper dies to reciprocate up and down. As a result, it is difficult to change and adjust the phase of each slide's reciprocating motion.

[0036] In contrast, the press apparatus 1 is provided with a plurality of servo motors 17 for individually reciprocating each of the slides 14, in order to easily adjust the phase of the reciprocating motion of each of the slides 14. Next, the detailed configuration of the press apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0037] Fig. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of the controller 20 provided in the press apparatus 1. Fig. 6 is a block diagram of the press apparatus 1.

[0038] For ease of understanding, Fig. 5 illustrates a portion of the configuration of the press system 100 electrically connected to the controller 20. The feed device 5A may be a roller 55 that feeds the metal strip 2 instead of the pin 51 and the movable block 52 described above, but for ease of understanding, Fig. 5 illustrates the roller 55.

[0039] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the press apparatus 1 includes a plurality of servo motors 17 that rotate crankshafts 16 that cause corresponding slides 14 to reciprocate up and down, a plurality of rotary encoders 18 that detect the rotation angles of the corresponding servo motors 17, servo amplifiers 19 that control the rotation of the servo motors 17, and a controller 20 that controls the servo amplifiers 19.

[0040] Each servo motor 17 has an output shaft (not shown) connected to a corresponding crankshaft 16 via an electromagnetic clutch 25 shown in FIG. 5 . When the electromagnetic clutch 25 connects the output shaft of the servo motor 17 to the crankshaft 16 in response to a command from the controller 20, the servo motor 17 rotates the crankshaft 16. As described above, the crankshaft 16 has an eccentric portion, which is connected to the slide 14 by the connecting rod 15 shown in FIG. 1 . The crankshaft 16 thus configured converts the rotational motion of the shaft into the reciprocating motion of the slide 14. Each servo motor 17 rotates the corresponding crankshaft 16, thereby causing the slide 14 corresponding to that crankshaft 16 to reciprocate up and down. Because the upper die 12 is fixed to the slide 14, the reciprocating motion of the slide 14 also causes the upper die 12 to reciprocate up and down. As a result, the press device 1 presses the metal strip 2.

[0041] Meanwhile, each of the crankshafts 16 is provided with a rotary encoder 18 shown in FIG. 6. Each rotary encoder 18 is an encoder that outputs an absolute angular position. Although not shown, each rotary encoder 18 includes a grating disk provided on the corresponding crankshaft 16, and a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element disposed across the grating disk. The rotary encoder 18 detects the rotation angle of the crankshaft 16 by detecting light that has passed through the grating scale of the grating disk with the light-receiving element. Each rotary encoder 18 transmits data on the detected rotation angle of the crankshaft 16 to a corresponding servo amplifier 19 shown in FIG. 6.

[0042] Each servo amplifier 19 calculates the power corresponding to the rotation speed commanded by the controller 20 and supplies the calculated power to the servo motor 17 electrically connected to that servo amplifier 19. As a result, each servo amplifier 19 rotates its corresponding servo motor 17 at the rotation speed commanded by the controller 20. As a result, when the electromagnetic clutch 25 connects the output shaft of the servo motor 17 to the crankshaft 16, each servo amplifier 19 rotates the crankshaft 16 at the desired rotation speed, causing the slide 14 to reciprocate up and down at the desired cycle. In this way, the press device 1 presses the metal strip 2 at the desired processing speed.

[0043] Each servo amplifier 19 is also connected to the rotary encoder 18 described above, which detects the rotation angle of the crankshaft 16 rotated by the corresponding servo motor 17. When the electromagnetic clutch 25 connects the output shaft of the servo motor 17 to the crankshaft 16, each servo amplifier 19 receives rotation angle data from the rotary encoder 18 and increases or decreases the power supplied to the servo motor 17 based on the rotation speed commanded by the controller 20, i.e., the power calculated from the rotation speed commanded by the controller 20. In other words, each servo amplifier 19 adjusts the power supplied to the corresponding servo motor 17 based on the rotation angle data received from the rotary encoder 18. This allows each servo amplifier 19 to rotate the corresponding servo motor 17 at a more accurate rotation speed. As a result, the servo motor 17 rotates at a rotation speed closer to the command of the controller 20. This allows the crankshaft 16 described above to rotate at a more accurate rotation speed. As a result, the press device 1 presses the metal strip 2 at a more accurate processing speed.

[0044] Furthermore, when the electromagnetic clutch 25 connects the output shaft of the servo motor 17 to the crankshaft 16, each servo amplifier 19 varies the power to the servo motor 17 over time based on the phase difference data commanded by the controller 20 and the rotation angle data received from the rotary encoder 18. This generates a desired phase difference between the corresponding servo motors 17. As a result, the crankshafts 16 rotate with the desired phase difference between them. As a result, in the press apparatus 1, the upper mold 12 reciprocates with the desired phase difference between the upper molds 12. As a result, the pressure force applied by the upper mold 12 pushing the lower mold 11 is applied to the bolster 13 supporting the lower mold 11 with a time lag. This prevents the impact on the press apparatus 1 itself from being concentrated over time, thereby reducing the impact.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6, the press system 100 includes, in addition to the servo amplifier 19 of the press device 1, a servo amplifier 58 for controlling the servo motor 56 of the feed device 5A that rotates the roller 55 shown in FIG. 5.

[0046] The servo amplifier 58 supplies power to the servo motor 56 based on a command from the controller 20. More specifically, the controller 20 transmits a roller operation start command and a roller operation end command to the servo amplifier 58 to rotate the roller 55 in synchronization with the rotation of the servo motor 17 described above, in other words, with the rotation of the crankshaft 16. Furthermore, the controller 20 commands the servo amplifier 58 the rotation speed when transmitting the roller operation start command.

[0047] When the servo amplifier 58 receives the roller operation start command and the rotation speed command, it supplies power corresponding to the rotation speed to the servo motor 56, causing the servo motor 56 to rotate at that rotation speed. As a result, the rollers 55 of the feed device 5A rotate at that rotation speed, and the metal strip 2 is fed out. At this time, because the servo motor 56 has a built-in rotary encoder 57, the servo amplifier 58 adjusts the power based on the rotation angle of the output shaft detected by the rotary encoder 57. In this way, the rotation speed of the servo motor 56 is adjusted.

[0048] Furthermore, upon receiving the roller operation end command, the servo amplifier 58 stops the supply of power to the servo motor 56. This stops the rotation of the rollers 55 of the feed device 5A, and stops the feeding of the metal strip 2. While the rollers 55 of the feed device 5A are stopped, the press device 1 presses the upper die 12 into the lower die 11, thereby pressing the metal strip 2.

[0049] Returning to FIG. 5 , the controller 20 includes a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 and a memory 22 configured with a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The memory 22 has a rotation data storage unit 23 shown in FIG. 6 . The CPU 21 shown in FIG. 5 reads various programs stored in the ROM of the memory 22 into the RAM and executes them, thereby performing various processes for controlling the various parts of the press system 100, including the press apparatus 1 and the feed device 5A, etc.

[0050] For example, the controller 20 performs a phase control process to control the phase of each of the servo motors 17 when the servo motors 17 rotate.

[0051] In detail, the controller 20 outputs a rotation speed command to each of the servo amplifiers 19 based on the rotation data 24 stored in the rotation data storage unit 23. As a result, the controller 20 rotates each of the servo motors 17 at a desired rotation speed. The controller 20 connects the output shaft of each of the servo motors 17 to the crankshaft 16 with the electromagnetic clutch 25. The controller 20 also rotates each of the servo motors 17 at the desired rotation speed, thereby rotating the crankshaft 16 at the desired rotation speed. As a result, the controller 20 causes the slide 14 to reciprocate up and down at a desired cycle.

[0052] Furthermore, the controller 20 outputs a phase difference command to each of the servo amplifiers 19 based on the rotation data 24 stored in the rotation data storage unit 23. This causes the controller 20 to generate a desired phase difference between the servo motors 17. As a result, the controller 20 generates a desired phase difference between the crankshafts 16, and generates a phase difference in the reciprocating motion between the slides 14. This shifts the timing of the impact caused by the upper mold 12 pushing the lower mold 11.

[0053] Next, this phase control process will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

[0054] 7 is a flowchart of the phase control process performed by the controller 20. FIG. 8 is a data structure diagram of the rotation data 24 stored in the rotation data storage unit 23 of the controller 20.

[0055] First, a user presses a start button (not shown) provided on the press apparatus 1. This starts up the press apparatus 1. Also, the entire press system 100 including the feed device 5A starts up.

[0056] When the press machine 1 is started, in the controller 20, first, a phase control program (not shown) is executed by the CPU 21 shown in FIG. 5, and as a result, the phase control process flow shown in FIG. 7 is started.

[0057] When the flow of the phase control process is started, first, the controller 20 reads out the rotation data 24 shown in FIG. 8 from the rotation data storage unit 23 shown in FIG. 6 (step S1).

[0058] In the rotation data 24, as shown in FIG. 8, the number of the servo motor 17 corresponds to the number of rotations and the phase difference of each servo motor 17 relative to the servo motor 17 numbered No. 1. The controller 20 reads this rotation data 24. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the controller 20 commands the rotation speed of each servo motor 17 in the read rotation data 24 to each servo amplifier 19 (step S2). Each servo amplifier 19 rotates the corresponding servo motor 17 at the commanded rotation speed. As a result, the controller 20 rotates the servo motor 17 at the rotation speed based on the rotation data 24.

[0059] The rotary encoder 18 may also be built into each of the servo motors 17. In this case, as described above, each of the servo amplifiers 19 may receive rotation angle data from the rotary encoder 18 and adjust the power supplied to the corresponding servo motor 17 based on the rotation angle data. This allows each of the servo amplifiers 19 to rotate the corresponding servo motor 17 at a more accurate rotation speed.

[0060] Next, the controller 20 determines whether or not the operation button (not shown) has been pressed (step S3). If the controller 20 determines that the operation button has not been pressed by the user (No in step S3), the controller 20 returns to step S3. As a result, the controller 20 waits until the operation button is pressed.

[0061] On the other hand, if the controller 20 determines that the user has pressed the operation button (Yes in step S3), it connects the output shaft of the servo motor 17 and the crankshaft 16 to the electromagnetic clutch 25 (step S4), thereby causing each servo motor 17 to rotate at a desired rotation speed.

[0062] Next, the controller 20 determines a temporary change in the rotation speed of the servo motors 17 based on the phase difference between the servo motors 17 in the read rotation data 24, and commands the determined temporary change in the rotation speed of the servo motors 17 to each of the servo amplifiers 19 (step S5). For example, the controller 20 commands the rotation speed to be temporarily changed and the timing and period for rotating the servo motors 17 at that rotation speed. As a result, the controller 20 generates a constant phase difference between the servo motors 17 through the rotation of the servo motors 17. As a result, the upper mold 12 reciprocates with a desired phase difference between the upper mold 12. This causes the pressure applied by the upper mold 12 to the lower mold 11 to be applied to the bolster 13 with a time lag, preventing the impact of the upper mold 12 on the bolster 13 from being concentrated at a single time. The controller 20 then reduces the impact.

[0063] The controller 20 then determines whether or not an operation button (not shown) has been pressed (step S6). If the controller 20 determines that the operation button has not been pressed by the user (No in step S6), it determines that operation will continue and returns to step S6. As a result, the controller 20 continues to wait in step S6 until the operation button is pressed.

[0064] On the other hand, if the controller 20 determines that the user has pressed the operation button (Yes in step S6), it determines that an instruction to end operation has been issued, and releases the connection between the output shaft of the servo motor 17 and the crankshaft 16 by the electromagnetic clutch 25 (step S7). After the connection is released by the electromagnetic clutch 25, the controller 20 returns to step S3, and waits until the user presses the operation button again to issue an instruction to resume operation.

[0065] The controller 20 executes the above steps S1 to S7. These steps S1 to S7 are executed until the start button (not shown) is pressed again to instruct the entire press system 100, including the press apparatus 1, to be stopped. On the other hand, when the start button (not shown) is pressed again to instruct the entire press system 100, including the press apparatus 1, to be stopped, the controller 20 forcibly terminates the processing of the above steps S1 to S7, i.e., the phase control processing.

[0066] By having the controller 20 perform this phase control processing, the press apparatus 1 generates a constant phase difference between the servo motors 17, and therefore generates a constant phase difference between the crankshafts 16 when they rotate. As a result, the press apparatus 1 staggers the timing at which each upper die 12 is pressed toward each lower die 11, preventing the impact of the upper die 12 from concentrating all at once and reducing the impact.

[0067] The controller 20 is an example of a control device as defined in the present disclosure, and the metal strip 2 is an example of a material to be press-processed as defined in the present disclosure.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, the controller 20 shifts the timing at which each upper mold 12 is pressed toward each lower mold 11. However, this means that the controller 20 shifts the timing at which the slide 14 moves to the lowest position when the slide 14 reciprocates up and down, i.e., the timing at which the slide 14 moves to the bottom dead center. The timing shifted by the controller 20 may be the timing at which the slide 14 moves to the top dead center. This is because the timing at which the slide 14 moves to the bottom dead center is shifted as a result. The shift time is a short time, such as 0.1 or 0.2 seconds. Alternatively, it is a time obtained by dividing the period of the reciprocating motion of the slide 14 by an integer of 3 or greater. Shifting the timing in this way effectively prevents the impact of the upper mold 12 from being concentrated at one time, thereby reducing the impact.

[0069] As described above, in the press apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the controller 20 controls the rotation of each of the servo motors 17, thereby controlling the phase of the slide 14. Therefore, in the press apparatus 1, it is easy to adjust the phase of the reciprocating motion of the slide 14.

[0070] Furthermore, the controller 20 shifts the phase between the slides 14 during their reciprocating motion. This prevents the impact of the upper die 12 being pushed toward the lower die 11, i.e., the impact of the press working, from being concentrated at one time. As a result, the press apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment can reduce the impact applied to the press apparatus 1 itself during the press working. As a result, the press apparatus 1 does not need to be enlarged to increase its rigidity, and is therefore compact.

[0071] More specifically, the controller 20 shifts the timing at which at least one of the plurality of slides 14 reaches the bottom dead center or the top dead center from the timing at which the remaining slides reach the bottom dead center or the top dead center. This allows the press apparatus 1 to distribute the loads applied to the upper die 12 and the lower die 11 over time during press working. As a result, the press apparatus 1 does not need to be enlarged in size to withstand the load, and the apparatus itself is compact.

[0072] In the press device 1, multiple slides 14 are arranged in the direction in which the feed device 5A feeds the metal strip 2, and each slide 14 is narrow in width in that direction. Therefore, each slide 14 is lighter than conventional slides that are integral with each other. As a result, the slides 14 can be driven by a servo motor 17 with low output. This allows the press device 1 itself to be made smaller.

[0073] The press apparatus 1 includes a plurality of crankshafts 16 and a plurality of connecting rods 15 that connect each crankshaft 16 to a corresponding slide 14, and each crankshaft 16 is rotated by a corresponding servo motor 17. Each slide 14 reciprocates due to the rotation of the corresponding servo motor 17. Therefore, unlike the press apparatus described in Patent Document 3, the press apparatus 1 does not need to stop the servo motor 17 once during reciprocating motion to change the rotation direction. As a result, the press apparatus 1 accurately controls the slide 14.

[0074] (Variation 1) In the first embodiment, the rotation data 24 stores data on the phase difference between a specific servo motor 17 and the other servo motors 17. The controller 20 then generates a constant phase difference between the servo motors 17 based on the phase difference data stored in the rotation data 24. However, the first embodiment is not limited to this. In the first embodiment, the controller 20 may generate a constant phase difference between the servo motors 17 in accordance with the pressure force applied by the upper mold 12 to the lower mold 11 as the slide 14 moves to the bottom dead center. In other words, the controller 20 may generate a constant phase difference between the servo motors 17 in accordance with the load applied to the lower mold 11.

[0075] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a data structure of a modified example of the rotation data 24 stored in the rotation data storage unit 23. In FIG.

[0076] As shown in Figure 9, the rotation data 24 associates the number of the servo motor 17 with the number of rotations and the load that the upper mold 12 applies to the lower mold 11 when the slide 14 driven by that servo motor 17 moves to the bottom dead center.

[0077] 9, and may, for example, shift the phase of only the slide 14 with the largest load from the other slides 14. In this way, the controller 20 may distribute the loads applied to the respective lower molds 11 over time.

[0078] Furthermore, the controller 20 may use the load data in the rotation data 24 to determine two combinations of slides 14 in which the total load applied by each slide 14 is the same or the difference is within a certain tolerance, and may shift one of the two combinations of slides 14 in phase relative to the other. For example, in the rotation data 24 shown in FIG. 9 , the total load of the combination of slides 14 No. 1, No. 3, and No. 4 is 3 tons, and the total load of the remaining combination of slide 14 No. 2 alone is 3 tons. In this case, the controller 20 may control only slide 14 No. 2 to be out of phase with respect to the combination of slides 14 No. 1, No. 3, and No. 4. In this way, the controller 20 may distribute the loads applied to each lower mold 11 over time. Although the controller 20 has been described as determining the combination of two sets of slides 14, it is also possible for the controller 20 to determine the combination of multiple sets of slides 14 and to shift one of the determined multiple combinations of slides 14 in phase from any of the remaining combinations.

[0079] (Variation 2) In the above-described variation 1, the controller 20 determines two sets of combinations of the slides 14 for four slides 14, but the controller 20 is not limited to this. The controller 20 may determine a number of combinations of the slides 14 for a plurality of slides 14 that is less than the number of the slides 14.

[0080] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the upper dies 12 provided in the press device 1. In FIG.

[0081] As shown in Figure 10, the press apparatus 1 according to Modification 2 is equipped with six lower dies 11 and six upper dies 12 to perform six steps p1 to p6 indicated by dotted lines in Figure 10. Of these six steps p1 to p6, steps p1, p2, and p3 are the first drawing step, the second drawing step, and the third drawing step, which correspond to the taper drawing step (1) described with reference to Figure 2. Step p4 corresponds to the punching step (2) described with reference to Figure 2. Step p5 corresponds to the ironing step (3) described with reference to Figure 2. Step p6 corresponds to the reflaring step (4) described with reference to Figure 2.

[0082] In Modification 2, the controller 20 reads data on the loads applied during press working in each process (not shown), in other words, data on the loads applied to each lower die 11 during press working, from the rotation data storage unit 23, and calculates the total load value. The controller 20 then reads the number of groups stored in the rotation data storage unit 23 and divides the calculated total load value by the number of groups to obtain the average load of all groups. Here, the number of groups is an integer that is smaller than the number of processes, i.e., smaller than the number of lower dies 11 or upper dies 12, and greater than 1.

[0083] Furthermore, the controller 20 divides each process, i.e., processes p1-p6, into the number of groups mentioned above. At this time, the controller 20 performs grouping to form groups in which the total value of the load applied to the lower mold 11 is as close as possible to the calculated average load. For example, if the loads at processes p1, p2, p3, p4, p5, and p6 are 3, 4, 1, 5, 2, and 10 tons, and there are three groups, the controller 20 divides processes p1, p2, p3, p4, p5, and p6 into a first group consisting of processes p1, p4, and p5 and having a total load of 10 tons, a second group consisting of processes p2 and p3 and having a total load of 5 tons, and a third group consisting of process p6 and having a total load of 10 tons. Then, in each of the obtained groups, the controller 20 synchronizes and operates the slides 14 that drive the upper molds 12 belonging to the group. Furthermore, the controller 20 shifts the phase of the slides 14 between the groups. In this way, the controller 20 distributes the loads applied to the respective lower dies 11 over time. As described above, the controller 20 may obtain a combination of a plurality of slides 14 that is smaller than the number of the slides 14.

[0084] 11 shows an example in which processes p1 to p4 are group 1, process p5 is group 2, and process p6 is group 3. By dividing the processes into groups in this way, the controller 20 makes the total value of the load applied to the lower mold 11 in each group as uniform as possible.

[0085] (Embodiment 2) In Embodiment 1, the feed device 5A feeds the metal strip 2 using the pins 51 and the movable blocks 52. Alternatively, the feed device 5A feeds the metal strip 2 using the rollers 55. However, the feed device 5A is not limited to this. The feed device 5A may be any device that feeds a material to be pressed, for example, the metal strip 2, between the upper die 12 and the lower die 11.

[0086] In the press machine 1 according to the second embodiment, the feed device 5B includes a gripping portion.

[0087] The configuration of the feed device 5B attached to the press apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 11. In the second embodiment, the configuration different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0088] Fig. 11 is a conceptual diagram of a feed device 5B attached to a press apparatus 1 according to embodiment 2. For ease of understanding, Fig. 11 shows only two arms of an articulated robot 59 provided in the feed device 5B, thereby simplifying and conceptualizing the overall structure of the articulated robot 59.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 11, the feed device 5B has an articulated robot 59 and an end effector 60 provided at the end of the distal arm of the articulated robot 59.

[0090] In the articulated robot 59, multiple arms are connected by joints. The articulated robot 59 moves the end of the distal arm to a desired position by adjusting the angles formed between the arms at these joints. In this way, the articulated robot 59 moves the end effector 60 to a desired position. Specifically, the articulated robot 59 moves the end effector 60 in the left-right direction, i.e., in the X direction, for example.

[0091] The end effector 60 has two fingers, and can grasp an object by changing the distance between the two fingers, so that the end effector 60 can grasp the end of the metal strip 2 in the strip direction.

[0092] In the feeding device 5B, with the end effector 60 gripping the end in the band direction of the metal strip 2, the articulated robot 59 moves the end effector 60 in the +X direction by a distance equal to the pitch P of the arrangement of the slides 14 described in embodiment 1. After moving the end effector 60, the articulated robot 59 releases the grip of the end in the band direction of the metal strip 2 by the end effector 60, and in this state moves the end effector 60 in the -X direction and then the +X direction to return it to its original position. The feeding device 5B intermittently feeds the metal strip 2 by repeating this operation.

[0093] In the feeding device 5B, the end effector 60 pulls the metal strip 2 and feeds it out of the press device 1, i.e., from between the upper die 12 and the lower die 11. The feeding direction is the X direction, which is the extension direction of the band of the metal strip 2. As a result, tension acts on the metal strip 2 in the extension direction of the band, making it less likely for the metal strip 2 to meander. This allows the feeding device 5B to accurately transport the metal strip 2.

[0094] As described above, in the press apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, the articulated robot 59 pulls out the metal strip 2 from between the upper die 12 and the lower die 11. This makes it difficult for the metal strip 2 to meander, enabling accurate transport.

[0095] In the articulated robot 59, the end effector 60 grips the end of the metal strip 2 and feeds out the metal strip 2. Therefore, the articulated robot 59 can transport the metal strip 2 even if the through-hole into which the pin 51 of the feed device 5A described in the first embodiment is inserted, specifically the cylindrical portion 204, is not formed in the metal strip 2. For example, the articulated robot 59 can transport a metal strip 2 in which only the tapered portion 201 shown in FIG. 2 is formed.

[0096] In the second embodiment, the case where the feeding device 5B has only one articulated robot 59 has been described, but it is preferable that one articulated robot 59 is provided on each side of the metal strip 2 in the band direction, and that the end effectors 60 of each articulated robot 59 grasp and transport both ends of the metal strip 2 in the band direction.

[0097] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the feeding device 5B includes the articulated robot 59, but any type of robot may be used as long as it includes an end effector 60 that grips the metal strip 2. For example, the articulated robot 59 may be a Cartesian robot.

[0098] Third Embodiment The press apparatus 1 may include a plurality of frames provided for each slide 14, and at least one slide guide supported by each frame. The press apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment includes the plurality of frames and the plurality of slide guides.

[0099] The configuration of the press machine 1 according to the third embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 12. In the third embodiment, the configuration different from the first and second embodiments will be mainly described.

[0100] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the press apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment. For ease of understanding, Fig. 12 does not show the feed device 5A or 5B. Fig. 12 also shows only a portion of the metal strip 2.

[0101] The press device 1 according to the third embodiment includes a plurality of frames 31 provided for each slide 14 to slidably support the slide 14, and a plurality of slide guides 32 provided on each frame 31 to guide each slide 14.

[0102] The press device 1 includes a base 30 that supports a bolster 13 that holds and integrates a plurality of lower dies 11. A frame 31 is provided on the base 30, one for each lower die 11.

[0103] Specifically, the metal strip 2 is disposed on the base 30 and on each of the lower molds 11. The frame 31 is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the metal strip 2, specifically in the Y direction, and has supports 33 and 34 that place the metal strip 2 between them, and a beam 35 that extends in the Y direction and connects the supports 33 and 34. Each of the supports 33 and 34 is formed by two elongated plates facing each other. The beam 35 is formed by a single elongated plate and connects the upper ends of the supports 33 and 34. With this configuration, the frame 31 is disposed across the metal strip 2.

[0104] The frames 31 configured as described above are disposed on each of the lower molds 11. The beams 35 of the frame 31 support the connecting rods 15 and the crankshafts 16, and as a result, slidably support the slides 14. As a result, the frame 31 allows the slides 14 and the upper molds 12 held by the slides 14 to slide on the lower molds 11. More specifically, the frame 31 allows the slides 14 and the upper molds 12 to reciprocate up and down on the lower molds 11. In order to reciprocate the slides 14 with high precision, each of the supports 33, 34 of the frame 31 is provided with a plurality of slide guides 32.

[0105] Each of the support pillars 33 is provided in the -Y side region of the upper surface of the base 30. A plate-shaped slide guide 32 extending in the Z direction along the support pillar 33 is provided on each of the +X side portion and the -X side portion of the +Y surface of each support pillar 33. Furthermore, each of the support pillars 34 is provided in the +Y side region of the upper surface of the base 30, and a plate-shaped slide guide 32 extending in the Z direction along the support pillar 34 is provided on each of the +X side portion and the -X side portion of the -Y surface of each support pillar 33.

[0106] In contrast, each slide 14 is formed in the shape of a thick rectangular plate. The longitudinal direction of the slide 14 faces the Y direction. Two slide guides 32 on the support 33 abut against the -Y end face of the slide 14, which has this shape and orientation. Furthermore, two slide guides 32 on the support 34 corresponding to the support 33 abut against the +Y end face of the slide 14. As a result, the four slide guides 32 sandwich the slide 14 from the Y direction. Furthermore, the gap between the slide guides 32 in the Y direction is larger than the Y-direction length of the slide 14 to allow sliding. As a result, the four slide guides 32 hold the slide 14 slidably in the Z direction. As a result, the four slide guides 32 enable the slide 14 to reciprocate with high precision. Furthermore, by sandwiching the slide 14, the four slide guides 32 increase the rigidity of the press apparatus 1.

[0107] Such a slide guide 32 is provided for each frame 31. As a result, the press device 1 itself has high rigidity.

[0108] As described above, in the press apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment, the frame 31 provided for each slide 14 includes a plurality of slide guides 32. The plurality of slide guides 32 slidably hold each of the slides 14. As a result, the press apparatus 1 itself has high rigidity.

[0109] The frame 32 has the support posts 33, 34 and the beam 35, but the frame 32 only needs to support the corresponding slide guides 32, and the shape, component configuration, etc., of the frame 32 are arbitrary as long as they satisfy these conditions. For example, the frame 32 may be formed only by the support posts 33, 34, or may be formed only by the beam 35 directly installed on the base 30.

[0110] Although the press apparatus 1 and the control method for the press apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure have been described above, the press apparatus 1 and the control method for the press apparatus 1 are not limited to this.

[0111] For example, in the first and second embodiments, the press apparatus 1 is provided with four slides 14, but the number of slides 14 is not limited to this. The press apparatus 1 may have any number of slides 14. Therefore, the number of slides 14 may be increased or decreased depending on the number of press working steps performed by the press apparatus 1 in progressive press working. For example, the press apparatus 1 may be provided with only two slides 14.

[0112] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, the object to be pressed by the press device 1 is the metal strip 2, but the object to be pressed is not limited to this. The object to be pressed may be any material that can be fed between the upper die 12 and the lower die 11. Therefore, the object to be pressed may be, for example, a rectangular metal sheet.

[0113] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the slide 14 reciprocates due to the rotation of the crankshaft 16. However, the configuration for reciprocating the slide 14 is not limited to the crankshaft 16. In the press apparatus 1, the slides 14 are provided on the bolsters 13 that each hold a lower die 11, and may hold the upper die 12 corresponding to the lower die 11 and reciprocate up and down in response to the rotation of the corresponding servo motor 17. Therefore, any configuration may be used for reciprocating the slide 14 as long as it satisfies this requirement. For example, the slide 14 may reciprocate downwards using a ball screw that moves in response to the rotation of the servo motor 17.

[0114] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, the feeding devices 5A and 5B feed the metal strip 2 by pulling out the press-processed portion of the metal strip 2 from the press device 1. However, the feeding devices 5A and 5B are not limited to this. The feeding devices 5A and 5B may also feed the metal strip 2 into the press device 1, i.e., between the upper die 12 and the lower die 11. Therefore, the feeding devices 5A and 5B may be provided between the press device 1 and the leveler 43.

[0115] As described above, the press apparatus 1 and the control method for the press apparatus 1 are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and substitutions can be made. Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below as supplementary notes.

[0116] (Supplementary Note 1) A press apparatus comprising: a plurality of lower dies held by and integrated with a bolster, a plurality of upper dies provided corresponding to the lower dies, a plurality of slides each holding the upper dies and reciprocating up and down, a plurality of slide guides each guiding the corresponding slide in the vertical direction, and a plurality of frames each supporting the corresponding slide guide. (Supplementary Note 2) The press apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein each of the frames supports a load applied to the corresponding slide when the upper dies and the lower dies perform press working. (Supplementary Note 3) The press apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, further comprising a feed device that feeds material to be pressed between the upper dies and the lower dies, wherein each of the slides and the upper dies held by each of the slides are arranged in one direction, and the lower dies corresponding to each of the upper dies are arranged in said one direction, and the feed device feeds the material in said one direction. (Supplementary Note 4) The press apparatus according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the material is a strip metal body, and the feeding device feeds the strip metal body in the direction in which the band extends, and feeds the strip metal body from the feeding device itself between the upper die and the lower die. (Supplementary Note 5) The press apparatus according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the material is a strip metal body, and the feeding device feeds the strip metal body in the direction in which the band extends, and pulls the strip metal body from between the upper die and the lower die to the feeding device itself. (Supplementary Note 6) The press apparatus according to Supplementary Note 4 or 5, wherein the feeding device repeats an operation of feeding the strip metal body a fixed distance in the direction in which the band extends and pausing after feeding the strip metal body a fixed distance, and wherein the plurality of upper dies and the plurality of lower dies press the strip metal body during the pauses, thereby performing progressive pressing. (Supplementary Note 7) The press device according to Supplementary Note 3, comprising: a plurality of servo motors; a plurality of crankshafts extending in a direction perpendicular to the one direction and the up-down direction and rotated by corresponding servo motors; and a plurality of connecting rods connecting each of the crankshafts to a corresponding slide.(Supplementary Note 8) The press apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7, further comprising: a plurality of servo motors, each of which reciprocates the corresponding slide up and down by rotation of an output shaft; and a control device that controls the phase of the slide by controlling the rotation of each of the servo motors, wherein the control device shifts the timing at which at least one of the plurality of slides reaches bottom dead center or top dead center from the timing at which the remaining slides reach bottom dead center or top dead center. (Supplementary Note 9) A control method for a press apparatus comprising: a plurality of lower dies held integrally by a bolster, a plurality of upper dies provided corresponding to the lower dies, a plurality of slides that each hold the upper dies and reciprocate up and down, a plurality of slide guides that each guide the corresponding slide in the vertical direction, a plurality of frames that each support the corresponding slide guide, and a plurality of servo motors that reciprocate the corresponding slide up and down by rotation of an output shaft, wherein the control method controls the phase of the slide by controlling the rotation of each of the servo motors. (Supplementary Note 10) The method for controlling a press apparatus according to Supplementary Note 9, wherein the timing at which at least one of the plurality of slides reaches bottom dead center or top dead center is shifted from the timing at which the remaining slides reach bottom dead center or top dead center. (Supplementary Note 11) The method for controlling a press apparatus according to Supplementary Note 9 or 10, wherein the plurality of slides, the plurality of upper dies, and the plurality of lower dies are arranged in one direction, and the press apparatus further comprises: a plurality of crankshafts extending in a direction perpendicular to the one direction and the up-down direction and rotated by the corresponding servo motors, a plurality of connecting rods connecting the crankshafts to the corresponding slides, and a plurality of rotary encoders each detecting a rotation angle of the corresponding crankshaft, and wherein controlling the phase of the slide controls the phase of the slide based on the rotation angle of the crankshaft detected by the rotary encoder.

[0117] The present disclosure allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and within the meaning of the disclosure equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0118] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-16012, filed on February 5, 2024. The entire specification, claims, and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-16012 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0119] 1 Press device, 2 Metal strip, 3 Coil, 4 Uncoiler, 5A, 5B Feeder, 11 Lower die, 12 Upper die, 13 Bolster, 14 Slide, 15 Connecting rod, 16 Crankshaft, 17 Servo motor, 18 Rotary encoder, 19 Servo amplifier, 20 Controller, 21 CPU, 22 Memory, 23 Rotation data storage unit, 24 Rotation data, 25 Electromagnetic clutch, 30 Base, 31 Frame, 32 Slide guide, 33, 34 Support, 35 Beam, 41, 42 Pinch roll, 43 Leveler, 51 Pin, 52 Movable block, 53 Compression coil spring, 54 Inclined surface, 55 Roller, 56 Servo motor, 57 Rotary encoder, 58 Servo amplifier, 59 Articulated robot, 60 End effector, 100 Press system, 201 Tapered portion, 202 burring portion, 203 flared portion, 204 cylindrical portion, D0, D1 distance, P pitch, p1-p6 processes.

Claims

1. A press device comprising: a plurality of lower dies held integrally by a bolster; a plurality of upper dies provided corresponding to said lower dies; a plurality of slides each holding said upper dies and reciprocating up and down; a plurality of slide guides each guiding said corresponding slide in the up and down direction; and a plurality of frames each supporting said corresponding slide guide.

2. The press device according to claim 1, wherein each of the frames supports a load applied to the corresponding slide when the upper and lower dies perform press working.

3. A press device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a feeder that feeds the material to be pressed between the upper mold and the lower mold, wherein each of the slides and the upper molds held by each of the slides are arranged in one direction, and the lower molds corresponding to each of the upper molds are arranged in said one direction, and the feeder feeds the material in said one direction.

4. A press device according to claim 3, wherein the material is a strip metal body, and the feed device feeds the strip metal body in the direction in which the strip extends, and also feeds the strip metal body from the feed device itself between the upper mold and the lower mold.

5. A press device according to claim 3, wherein the material is a strip metal body, and the feed device feeds the strip metal body in the direction in which the strip extends, and draws the strip metal body from between the upper mold and the lower mold toward the feed device itself.

6. A press device as described in claim 4 or 5, wherein the feed device repeats the operation of feeding the strip metal body a fixed distance in the direction of extension of the strip and pausing after feeding the strip metal body a fixed distance, and the multiple upper dies and multiple lower dies perform progressive pressing by pressing the strip metal body during the pause.

7. The press device according to claim 3, comprising: a plurality of servo motors; a plurality of crankshafts extending in directions perpendicular to the one direction and the up-down direction and rotated by corresponding servo motors; and a plurality of connecting rods connecting each of the crankshafts to a corresponding slide.

8. A press apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: a plurality of servo motors, each of which causes a corresponding slide to reciprocate up and down by rotating an output shaft; and a control device which controls the phase of the slide by controlling the rotation of each of the servo motors, wherein the control device shifts the timing at which at least one of the plurality of slides reaches bottom dead center or top dead center from the timing at which the remaining slides reach bottom dead center or top dead center.

9. A method for controlling a press apparatus comprising: a plurality of lower dies held integrally by a bolster; a plurality of upper dies provided corresponding to the lower dies; a plurality of slides each holding the upper dies and reciprocating up and down; a plurality of slide guides each guiding the corresponding slide in the vertical direction; a plurality of frames each supporting the corresponding slide guide; and a plurality of servo motors each causing the corresponding slide to reciprocate up and down by rotation of an output shaft, wherein the method controls the phase of the slide by controlling the rotation of each of the servo motors.

10. The method for controlling a press apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the timing at which at least one of the plurality of slides reaches bottom dead center or top dead center is shifted from the timing at which the remaining slides reach bottom dead center or top dead center.

11. A method for controlling a press apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein each of the plurality of slides, the plurality of upper dies, and the plurality of lower dies are arranged in one direction, and the press apparatus further comprises: a plurality of crankshafts extending in a direction perpendicular to the one direction and the up-down direction and rotated by corresponding servo motors; a plurality of connecting rods connecting each of the crankshafts to a corresponding slide; and a plurality of rotary encoders each detecting a rotation angle of the corresponding crankshaft, and wherein controlling the phase of the slide controls the phase of the slide based on the rotation angle of the crankshaft detected by the rotary encoder.

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