Sideways Forming Cam Mechanism for Radial Hole Piercing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing progressive forming machines are limited in their ability to form products with features requiring motion transverse to the ram's reciprocation, such as tubular parts with radial holes, which can lead to premature failure of piercing pins due to stress and require significant modifications to the machine structure.
Innovation Solution
A side motion tooling mechanism using sliding cam surfaces to convert ram motion into lateral motion for tool elements, allowing for the formation of circular holes in a hollow cylindrical workpiece by shearing out slugs, with a gripping mechanism to reduce stress on piercing pins and be compatible with existing machine structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a tool moves in a path transverse to the ram motion to form radial holes in tubular parts, then the desired product geometry is achieved, but the piercing pins are subjected to high stress causing premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a lateral motion dimension perpendicular to the conventional ram reciprocation direction. By mounting piercing pins on a laterally moving carrier that traverses transverse to the ram motion, the tool achieves the required product geometry while distributing stresses away from the piercing pins themselves, thereby extending their service life.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing progressive forming machines are modified to accommodate transverse motion tools, then the desired forming capability is achieved, but significant machine structure modifications are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the transverse motion generation into separate components: a carrier assembly that moves laterally and a ram assembly that provides the driving force through cam mechanisms. This segmentation allows the transverse motion capability to be added as a modular attachment to existing progressive forming machines without requiring fundamental structural modifications to the machine itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a cam mechanism as an intermediary between the ram's reciprocating motion and the carrier's lateral motion. The cam surfaces convert the vertical ram motion into horizontal carrier traversal, enabling transverse tool motion while utilizing the existing ram structure, thereby avoiding direct modification of the machine's core architecture.
3Ease of manufacture
If piercing pins are used without lateral gripping, then the piercing action is simple, but high stresses cause premature pin failure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements preliminary lateral gripping of the workpiece by the carrier before the piercing pins engage. This preliminary action secures the workpiece in position and distributes the piercing stresses, preventing premature pin failure while maintaining a relatively simple overall mechanism.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables robust and efficient formation of transverse features in existing progressive forming machines without major modifications, reducing stress on piercing pins and extending their service life, while maintaining compatibility with existing machinery.
Implementation Method 1
The disclosed arrangement utilizes sliding cam surfaces that convert ram motion to transverse or lateral motion for a tool element.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A progressive former having a bolster and a ram reciprocal towards and away from the bolster, a plurality of workstations evenly spaced across the bolster and ram including aligned tooling piece holders on the bolster and ram, cylindrical die cases in the tooling holders on the bolster and cylindrical tool cases in the tooling holders on the ram, the tooling cases at the workstations being coaxial, a sideways forming mechanism at one of said workstations, the mechanism including a cam and a cam follower radially outward of imaginary outward projections of the associated tooling cases, the cam follower being arranged to be activated by forward motion of the ram towards the bolster, the mechanism including a tool for forming the blank by applying a sideways force on the blank.