EP3530448A1 - Pressing device for a powder press and a tool changing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A press device (100) for a powder press (1) for the production of compacts from a compressible material, wherein the powder press (1) comprises a press frame (2) having upper and lower frame sections, upper and / or lower punch arrangements (3 ) each comprising a tool and a die assembly (4) defining a mold cavity into which the compressible material is fillable and a drive unit (5) operatively connected to the punch assembly (3) and / or the die assembly (4) ), wherein for forming the compact, the upper and / or lower punch assembly (3) and the die assembly (4) by means of the drive unit (5) along a pressing axis (6) are relatively movable and pressed against each other. The press device (100) has a plurality of tool levels (10) arranged one above the other, each of which comprises a support element (12) and a push-in element (50) which can be received and locked on the support element (12) and on which at least one of the tools can be received.

Description

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a press device for a powder press for producing a compact of a compressible material, and to a corresponding tool change system.

State of the art

Powder presses for producing mass-formed compacts or moldings from a compressible material conventionally comprise a frame, an upper and a lower punch arrangement and a die arrangement, which form a mold cavity into which the compressible or powdery or free-flowing material can be introduced, and a drive unit, which is in operative connection with the punch arrangements and / or with the die arrangement, wherein for forming the compact the punch arrangements and the die arrangement are movable relative to each other by means of the drive unit along a pressing axis and can be pressed against each other.

To produce differently shaped and dimensioned compacts tools are available, almost for each component height own, independently movable tool level is required. Generally, in presses, tool planes are stacked, with each of the tool planes comprising tool-specific structures, such as punch carriers, punches, support means, and guide systems. In general, a complemented tool plane is also referred to as an additional axis.

To produce a Presslingtypes individual tools are required, which must be replaced accordingly in a type change of the product to be produced. More recent developments mean that is manufactured in smaller product series, so that a conversion of the press is required at shorter intervals. To avoid long downtimes Presses are becoming increasingly important for efficient retrofitting. Furthermore, the conversion proves to the operating personnel as physically demanding, especially when heavy tools must be replaced overhead.

For a tool change for converting a powder press is known from the prior art to remove individual tools from the press and replace them with another. However, only a limited control panel is available for this purpose. Furthermore, long changeover times and long adjustment times must be taken into account, in which the powder press can not be used.

So-called adapter change systems are also known. So is in DE 31 42 126 describes a modular press, which consists of the actual press for applying the main pressing force and a press device that can be used like a adapter in the press. The adapter-type press device comprises a framework with tie-rods which consist of a plurality of plates, stamp carriers and in particular a die plate between also arranged in the frame or mounted connection means which connect to the press bear of the press. In this arrangement, a base plate is provided in which are arranged hydraulic means for relatively moving individual plates formed as stamp carriers. The base plate is mounted by means of a storage approach in the actual press. The further plates are movably mounted relative to the base plate in the framework, wherein a Matrizenhalteplatte is rigidly connected via the framework with the lower connecting means of the adapter-like press means and arranged displaceable relative to the upper connecting means in the framework. Other plates or punch carrier are movably mounted relative to the base plate in the framework, so that they are movable between a filling position and a Pressendstellung. The punches are arranged on the respective stamp carriers, wherein in the final press position the individual stamp carrier is supported on support devices or fixed stops. With an exchange of the adapter-like press device, which is assembled and prepared outside the press and between a set-up position and a pressing position can be moved, the downtime reduced. However, such an adapter change system is expensive and leads to high investment costs.

A tool change, whether of individual tools or adapter-type tool change systems, is always a careful adjustment of the individual punch carrier relative to each other and relative to the framework required to avoid tilting or uneven pressing. A disadvantage of an adapter change system that after the onset of the adapter required for the functions control and supply lines of the press with the tools used and with associated adjustment drives must be connected or coupled.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present application is therefore to improve a press device for a powder press for the production of compacts from a compressible material such that an installation of various tools is simplified and shortened, whereby investment costs are reduced. Furthermore, a tool change for the operator to handle easier and less strenuous.

A powder press for producing compacts of a compressible material comprises a press frame having upper and lower frame portions, upper and / or lower punch assemblies, each comprising a tool, and a die assembly defining a mold cavity into which the compressible material can be filled, and a drive unit, which is in operative connection with the punch assembly and / or the die assembly. To form the compact, the upper and / or lower punch arrangement and the die arrangement are movable relative to each other by means of the drive unit along a pressing axis and can be pressed against one another.

An inventive press device for a per se known powder press has a plurality of superimposed tool levels. The tool levels are also referred to as additional axes and include, inter alia, at least one stamp and these bearing components. The term stamp is a generic term and refers to both an upper and / or lower punch, which are needed to produce a mass-containing compact. Accordingly, each additional axis comprises, for example, a plate, a punch carrier or punch holder, a stamp, or cylinder, a support device for a fixed stop and / or a guide system.

On a respective tool level, the components are arranged on a plate-shaped plane, which according to the invention is not formed in one piece, but rather in several parts. The tool level therefore comprises a support element, which is fixedly arranged in the powder press and is not removed even when a tool change from this. Accordingly, connections and couplings can remain to the supply lines of the powder press and a complex adjustment of individual levels is not required. For complementing the plate-shaped plane of the tool level, a push-in element is provided, which is held on the support element and held and stored thereon.

Preferably, a receptacle is formed on the support element positioned in the powder press which has an insertion opening on one side. About the insertion opening, the plug-in element designed to be complementary to the receptacle can be inserted into the support element. In one embodiment, the receptacle is U-shaped, that is, each of the arranged in the powder press tool level forms a U-shaped horizontal frame, in each of which the correspondingly formed male member is receivable. The insertion openings arranged one above the other support elements are oriented in the same direction and easily accessible to the operator. In this case, a kind of drawer principle is realized in which a support element remains in the powder press and an insertion element such as a drawer can be inserted through an opening.

The insertable members insertable into the support members of the tools include those components which complement a tool level of one of the punch assemblies. These components can be constructed or arranged on the insertion elements outside the press.

Along the insertion path complementary guide elements are provided for better guidance on the support element and on the insertion element, for example formed as a cross-groove.

The insertion element is inserted along the insertion path in a defined position in the support element. A locking device can be provided to lock assembled insertion elements and support elements in the defined position. In one embodiment, a locking pin is provided on an underside of the insertion element, which engages in the defined position of the insertion element on the support element of the tool plane into an opening provided on the support element. Accordingly, the position of the insertion element is fixed relative to the support element, in particular in the direction of the press axis.

In order to achieve a positioning of the inserted insertion element in the support element of the respective tool plane perpendicular to the press axis, locking devices are also provided. In one embodiment, a locking device is movably received in a region of the insertion path between the insertion element and the support element. This locking device can then be activated by an actuator, that is moved from a first position to a locking position when the male member is received in a defined position on the support member. Preferably, the activation of the locking device by means of a pneumatic actuator, in particular locking means may be provided on both sides of the insertion path. Alternatively, the insertion element can be locked in position in an additional axis by hydraulic clamping devices.

According to the invention, corresponding tool-specific components can be arranged on the insertion element. Thus, a punch on a punch carrier can be arranged on the push-in element, while a support device for a fixed stop as well as in particular hydraulic actuators and measuring systems comprising the part of the tool level remaining in the powder press, i. the support element, are provided. Alternatively, however, support devices for fixed stops can also be provided on the insertion element and are thus removed from the powder press with a tool change with this tool.

According to the invention, the support element and inserted insertion element form an additional axis or a tool plane. The high forces acting on the individual additional axes during a pressing operation must be absorbed in such a way that there is no tilting or displacement of the largely horizontally arranged tool planes in the powder press. Accordingly, it is provided according to the invention that the respective tool plane has a shape which compensates for the differences in rigidity occurring due to the subdivision of the tool plane into the carrier element and the push-in element. For example, the multi-part plate-like tool level can be asymmetrical, so that under load during the pressing process, a horizontal parallel displacement of the complete tool level and no tilting is noted. For this purpose, strength and deformation investigations of the additional axes can be evaluated with a finite element method, which are the basis for determining the shape of a tool plane designed according to the invention, or the plate-shaped plane.

In order to improve the usability of a tool change, it is provided according to the invention that the tools necessary for a new product series can be prepared outside the powder press on the slide-in elements and easily transported to the location of the replacement. This procedure is also known for a tool change with a prepared tool adapter, which is arranged as a press device in a powder press. In contrast to the known adapter-type tool change systems According to the application a modular system is provided, which allows a much easier handling when changing tools. Accordingly, insertion elements of the upper and / or lower tool can be removed, for example, by a lift truck as a respective insertion set. According to the invention, a device or a tool carrier is provided, in which the insertion elements including the required tool components can be received. At a Einrichtstation, also referred to as Rüststation, the insertion elements can be equipped with the required arrangements of punch carrier and stamp and arranged in the tool carrier. In this case, individual plug-in elements can be equipped and then assembled into a set.

The tool carrier is designed in such a way that the insertion elements which can be removed from or inserted into the tool planes can be received in a holder and held therein by means of a clamping device. The bracket may be provided by a traveling device, as will be described. In particular, the tool carrier can be docked to the powder press located at a standstill on one side, from which the insertion openings of the support elements are openly accessible. The tool carrier may be, for example, by means of a lifting device, e.g. a lift truck or a crane device, are brought into a horizontal and / or vertical position in which the tool change is feasible. Alternatively, the tool carrier can also remain docked to the powder press, wherein the movable device removes or inserts the insertion elements and can be taken over by this for further treatment.

The movable device is integrated on the tool carrier such that it can be moved in the docked position of the tool carrier in the direction of insertion openings. For a removal of single or even several insertion elements from the corresponding tool planes, arranged in parallel horizontal planes, the respective locking and locking devices are released, which fix the insertion elements in the defined position in the tool level or additional axis. The thus released insert elements are transferred to the tool carrier and firmly connected by means of the clamping device with this. To stabilize spacers may be arranged between the levels of the insertion elements, which are receivable in position on the tool carrier. The movable device of the tool carrier returns to an initial position, so that the insertion elements are removed and removed from the support elements of the tool levels and from the insertion openings. The tool carrier and the removed insertion elements thus form a unit which can be moved as a whole in the following. It is possible to further treat the withdrawn insert elements as a set. A set may be the upper tool, the lower tool or the entirety of the upper and lower tools, with individual tools from the set, in particular the upper tool can be lifted and fed to a further treatment.

In one embodiment, the tool carrier stocked in this way can be brought to a turning station. On the one hand, the turning station is set up to transfer the insertion elements arranged on the tool carrier to a transport unit. In one embodiment, the transport unit comprises clamp plates which are arranged parallel to one another and span a space between them. In the room, the insertion elements can be accommodated, preferably these store on horizontal supports, which are arranged vertically displaceable in each case on the clamping plates. The assembled transport unit can be further transported to a set-up station. Furthermore, the turning station is set up to rotate the top tool removed from the powder press or a transport unit equipped with insertion elements by 180 °. This proves to be advantageous for the tool change of the upper punch assembly. By turning the upper tool 180 °, e.g. recorded in the transport unit, it allows the operator to build the required components of a tool level or an additional axis easily and easily accessible from above.

Brief description of the drawings

• Fig. 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Pulverpresse;
• Fig. 2 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Tragelements einer Zusatzachse;
• Fig. 3 eine perspektivische, schematische Darstellung mehrerer übereinander liegender Tragelemente der Zusatzachsen;
• Fig. 4a und 4b eine perspektivische, schematische Darstellung eines Einschubelements, welches an einem Tragelement gemäss Fig. 2 aufnehmbar ist;
• Fig. 5 eine schematische Darstellung eines Werkzeugträgers, in welchen Einschubelemente angeordnet sind;
• Fig. 6a bis 6b eine schematische Darstellung unterschiedlicher Phasen einer Übergabe von Einschubelementen an Tragelemente.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the figures. Show it:

• Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a powder press;
• Fig. 2 a perspective view of a support element of an additional axis;
• Fig. 3 a perspective, schematic representation of several superimposed support elements of the additional axes;
• Fig. 4a and 4b a perspective, schematic representation of an insertion element, which according to a support element according to Fig. 2 is receivable;
• Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a tool carrier, in which insertion elements are arranged;
• Fig. 6a to 6b a schematic representation of different phases of a transfer of insertion elements to support elements.

Detailed description of the embodiments of the invention

The FIG. 1 shows a powder press 1 for producing mass-containing compacts from forgeable material, in particular powdery or granular, comprising a plurality of known per se assemblies. The per se known powder press 1 essentially comprises a press frame 2 with an upper and a lower frame section / traverse, which are held spaced apart by means of columns and are so firmly interconnected and braced that the flow of force through them through punch assemblies 3 and The stamps, also referred to as a tool, can be constructed. The columns may be designed as sliding devices, on which a die assembly 4 can slide along and thus is height adjustable within a press unit. For adjusting the die assembly 4, a corresponding adjusting device may be provided, which tunes a height adjustment on the relative movement of the stamp. To build up a pressing force, for example, a drive unit 5 is arranged on the upper side of the press frame 2. Via an operative connection, the drive unit 5 is in operative connection with the upper punch arrangement 3, ie the upper press tool, so that it is moved in the direction of the die arrangement 4 or along a press axis 6. By the acting pressing force individual components of the pressing tools are moved relative to each other and clamped against the lower-side frame portion, so that the stamp press the powder into a compact.

It is known from the prior art that the press tool is composed of components of a modular system, with a simple adaptation to the press part to be pressed in each case is made possible. In this case, an upper-side tool of the upper punch assembly 3 and a lower-side tool of a lower punch assembly 3 may have a similar structure. A tool may have a base body, on which a connecting device enables a detachable but fixed coupling with the corresponding frame section 2. Also known is an adapter that can be prepared and set up as a tool carrier outside a powder press 1 for appropriate purposes before it is used in a few steps in a press. In general, the punches are each placed on stamp carriers, wherein the punch carrier attachment or attachment surfaces have, for example, which are circular. The top surfaces each have a passage opening centrally in order to be able to pass punches or fasteners leading to punches from punches located further inwards. The punches are preferably arranged rotationally symmetrically about the press axis 6, along which an adjustment direction or pressing direction of the punches runs.

According to the invention, a press device 100 comprises tool levels 10, which are each formed of interlocking and lockable elements. So is in FIG. 2 a perspective, schematic representation of a support member 12 is shown, which is a fixedly received in the powder press 1 element of a tool level 10 of the press device 100. The support member 12 is formed in the embodiment shown as a horizontal plane and has a in the arrangement or extension plane, ie in a plane perpendicular to the press axis 6, a receptacle 14, formed as a horizontal U-shaped receptacle with an open to one side Insertion opening 16. Along the receiving surface 14 delimiting side surfaces 18 guide surfaces 20 are formed which the insertion of a complementary designed insertion element 50 (not in Fig. 2 shown) lead. In this case, in the illustrated embodiment, the guide surfaces 20 are formed such that a vertical and a horizontal guide surface 20 are formed. At one of the insertion opening 16 opposite end portion 22 of the receptacle 14, a support surface 24 is provided, on which the inserted insertion element (not shown) can rest. At this bearing surface 24, a receptacle 26 is provided, in which a counterpart can engage and thus form a locking device 27. The horizontal guide surfaces 20 and the support surface 24 form a second horizontal plane with a recess 28, which lies within the receptacle 14 of the associated support member 12. In particular, the recess 28 is provided in an end region of the arc-shaped support surface 24.

Furthermore, 14 openings 30 are formed on the vertical guide surfaces 20 of the receptacle, in each of which a fastening element 32 is slidably received. Shown in Fig. 2 are pins 32 which are slidably received in holes as elements of an activatable locking device. Alternatively, the fastener 32 may include detents which may engage corresponding detent recesses formed on the male member 50, as shown in FIG Fig. 4b is shown. It is provided that the fastening element 32 can be moved by means of an actuator 34 in a locking or locking position. In one embodiment, the actuator 34 is a pneumatic actuator whose connections are in FIG. 2 denoted by 35.

The horizontally oriented support member 12 further comprises bushings 40, in which, for example, supporting devices 42 are slidably received for fixed stops.

In FIG. 3 a plurality of tool levels 10 are shown arranged one above the other, or parallel superimposed support members 12 are shown. In order to enable a possible compact design multiple tool levels 10, the support elements 12 are dimensioned differently. Accordingly, they differ not only in their size from each other, but can also have for receiving in the powder press 1 guide elements, which are arranged offset to one another. The receptacles 14 of superimposed support members 12 form an interior space 44, wherein tools or stamp can be carried out by stamps located further inside.

In FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a male member 50 is shown. The insertion element 50 is formed as a substantially rectangular plate, wherein on parallel side surfaces 52 in a region in each case a bore 53 are provided, in which the sliding pins formed as fastening elements 32, engage, which are provided on the respective support member 12.

FIG. 4b shows a perspective bottom view of a male member 50 in another embodiment. In this view, a locking pin 58 is visible, which can engage in the formed on the bearing surface 24 on the support member 12 receptacle 26 of the locking device 27 and thus provides a horizontal locking of the insertion element 50 and support member 12. Furthermore, as an alternative to latching of the insertion element 50 and the support element 12, a groove 54 is formed in which latching projections 56 are arranged. For example, correspondingly formed counterparts of the support elements 12, for example fixing elements 32 designed as latching lugs, can engage the latching projections 56 by the actuator 34 when the insertion element 50 is received in position on the corresponding support element 12.

That in the FIGS. 4a and 4b shown insertion element 50 serves as a storage device for it to be arranged punch or a tool. For this purpose, a punch carrier or punch holder 60 is provided, which may be formed in multiple form, in particular in round, oval, square, polygonal shape or web shape or freeform. The punch holder 60 includes a support surface 62 for a stamp, which may for example have a cylindrical shape. The punch holder 60 has a lower axial end face 64, which is designed in the form of a catchy screw surface and which comes to rest on an axial end face of a setting ring. Accordingly, punch holder and adjusting ring along a kind of catchy screw surface abut each other, so that a height adjustment of the corresponding punch is achieved upon rotation of the adjusting ring.

In FIG. 5 schematically an arrangement is shown, which on the one hand schematically a press tool, referred to as press device 100 and on the other hand, a tool carrier 70. According to the invention, it is provided that the tool levels 10 of a press device 100 each have a support element 12 and a receptable therein with the tool insert member 50th respectively. When a tool change the support member 12 remains including existing compounds in the powder press 1, while insert members 50 are removed and replaced by new ones.

In FIG. 5 It can be seen that the insertion elements 50 are accommodated one above the other lying on the tool carrier 70 and held therein, this arrangement also illustrates the pursued with the invention drawer principle. The tool carrier 70 comprises a frame 72, in which a movable device 74 is received, which can be moved so that the insertion elements 50 can be transferred to the support elements 12 of the press device 100 or withdrawn therefrom. The tool carrier 70 can in turn be moved as a unit so that it can be transported to and on the powder press 1 or to a set-up station and / or turning station. Since the insertion elements 50 are held in the tool carrier 70 on only one side, 50 spacers may be arranged between individual insertion elements in order to stabilize this arrangement.

The FIGS. 6a to 6c show individual phases of a transfer of prepared insertion elements 50 arranged in the powder press 1 Support elements 12 for complementing the press device 100. On the movable tool carrier 70, the slide-in elements 50 are held on the movable device 74, which are equipped with those elements which complete an additional axis. The preparation of the insertion elements 50, ie the assembly with a corresponding tool and the tool carrier 70, can be done in a so-called Einrichtbereich. In particular, an insertion set can be prepared in the set-up area, for example in the form of insertion elements 50 accommodated and fitted between clamping plates, which in its entirety is referred to as a transport unit. Depending on the installation position, the insertion set can be brought into a position in a turning station in which the insertion elements are installed in the powder press 1, ie either in the area of upper or lower additional axes. It is advantageous that at the insertion elements 50, the tools can always be arranged from above, which is easier for the operator to handle. The thus prepared insertion elements 50 are held between clamping plates and if the thus prepared insertion set is provided for an upper tool in the powder press 1, rotated in the turning station by 180 ° to be transferred in this position to the tool carrier 70.

The tool carrier 70 with the insertion elements 50 received thereon is brought into the installed position relative to the powder press 1, wherein this can be done, for example, by a forklift truck. As in Fig. 6b represented, the insertion elements 50 along a travel, indicated by arrow 75, inserted by means of the movable device 74 in the arranged in the powder press 1 and the press device 100 supporting elements 12 of the tool levels 10 and in an end position, the locking devices and detents are so by means of Actuators 34 activates that the insertion elements 50 are respectively locked in the support elements 12 in the direction of the press axis 6 and perpendicular thereto.

In Fig. 6c It is shown that after the transfer of the insertion elements 50 into the support elements 12, the movable device 74 is withdrawn again from the powder press and the tool carrier 70 is empty for further use available.

Claims (10)

Press device (100) for a powder press (1) for the production of compacts from a compressible material, the powder press (1) comprising: a press frame (2) having upper and lower frame portions, - An upper and / or lower punch assembly (3), each comprising a tool and a die assembly (4), which define a mold cavity, in which the compressible material is fillable, and a drive unit (5) which is in operative connection with the punch arrangement (3) and / or the die arrangement (4), wherein for forming the compact the upper and / or lower punch arrangement (3) and the die arrangement (4) are movable relative to each other by means of the drive unit (5) along a pressing axis (6) and can be pressed against each other,
characterized in that the press device (100) comprises a plurality of superposed tool levels (10), each comprising a support member (12) and on the support member (12) receivable and lockable insertion element (50) on which at least one of the tools is receivable , Press device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the support element (12) has a U-shaped receptacle (14) with an insertion opening (16) into which the complementarily formed insertion element (50) along a insertion path in a defined position can be inserted is. Press device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the insertion element (50) on the support element (12) in Direction of the press axis (6) of the punch assembly (3) and perpendicular to the press axis (6) can be locked. Press device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insertion element (50) on the support element (12) perpendicular to the pressing axis (6) by means of a by an actuator (34) activatable locking device can be locked. Press device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a unit of support element (12) and insertion element (50) is formed such that there is a constant rigidity against a force along the press axis (6). Tool change system, comprising a press device (100) according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a tool carrier (70) with respect to the tool levels (10) is positionable, so that by means of a tool carrier (70) movable unit (74) Insertion elements (50) of the tool levels (10) are removable and on the tool carrier (50) can be received or removed from the tool carrier (50) and in the tool planes (10) can be inserted. Tool change system according to claim 8, characterized in that in the tool carrier (70) received insertion elements (50) held by means of a tensioning device and between parallel, adjacent insertion elements (70) spacers are arranged. Tool change system according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the tool carrier (70) can be coupled to a turning station. Tool change system according to claim 8, characterized in that the turning station is adapted to transfer the in the tool carrier (70) received insertion elements (50) to a transport unit. Tool change system according to claim 9, characterized in that the turning station is set up to rotate with the insertion elements (50) equipped transport unit by 180 °.

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