FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970)
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2006
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
TITLE OF INVENTION
A progression tool for a press machine
INVENTOR
Name : Karnik Suryakant
Nationality : Indian National
Address : Crompton Greaves Limited, Stamping Division (M6), Kanjur Marg (E), Mumbai 400 042, Maharashtra, India
APPLICANTS
Name : CROMPTON GREAVES LIMITED
Nationality : Indian Company
Address : CG House, Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli Mumbai 400025, Maharashtra, India
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a progression tool for a press machine.
This invention also relates to a press machine comprising the progression tool.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Electrical components like stator, rotor or connectors are stamped or punched out from a feed material such as metal sheet, coil or strip in a press machine using press tools like notching tools, gang slotting tools, segmental blanking tools or progression tools. Progression tools generally punch out the components in a single stroke operation and are very accurate, require reduced manpower and operate at high speed thereby increasing productivity of the press machine comprising the same. The material from which the components are to be punched out is fed to the press machine comprising the progression tool continuously mechanically through a synchronous feeding system comprising a decoiler, a flattener and a feeder. For the accurate operation of the progression tool, it is essential that the pitch accuracy ie the centre to centre distance between the various punching stations is maintained. Prior to punching out the components from the feed material, the piloting operation takes place during which the feed material is locked onto the die with the pilot holes piercing punches of the tool so as to enable the punches to punch out the components from the feed material. In order to facilitate the piloting operation, the feeder of the press machine temporarily releases the feed material because of which the feed material tends to recoil disturbing the pitch accuracy. The recoil of the released feed material also may cause damage to the feed material, the synchronous feeding system and the progression tool. To avoid the recoil of the feed material during
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the piloting operation, a S loop controller is used in the synchronous feeding system so as to keep the feed material sufficiently slack during the piloting operation and to prevent recoil of the feed material being released by the flattener and also to prevent the pitch accuracy of the progression tool being disturbed thereby avoiding resultant damages. The S loop controller is expensive, requires periodic maintenance and occupies a large area of space thereby rendering the press machine expensive and quite bulky and heavy.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a progression tool for a press machine, which tool eliminates the S loop controller, simplifies the construction of the press machine and reduces the cost of the press machine considerably.
Another object of the invention is to provide a progression tool for a press machine, which tool renders the press machine compact and reduces the space requirement.
Another object of the invention is to provide a progression tool for a press machine, which tool performs the functions of punching out the various components from the feed material and prevents recoil of the feed material in the press machine during the piloting operation.
Another object of the invention is to provide a progression tool for a press machine which tool enables to reduce the man power requirement of the press machine and to increase productivity of the press machine.
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Another object of the invention is to provide a progression tool for a press machine, which tool maintains the pitch accuracy between the various punching stations during the piloting operation.
Another object of the invention is to provide a press machine comprising the above progression tool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a progression tool for a press machine comprising a synchronous feeding system comprising a decoiler, a flattener and a feeder, the progression tool comprising a punch plate supported on a ram and a die located on a bottom plate clamped to the booster of the press machine, the punch plate comprising pilot holes piercing punches and component piercing punches, the punch plate further comprising a pair of oppositely disposed open slots piercing punches facing the die and supported on the punch plate ahead of the component piercing punches and the pilot holes piercing punches, the open slots piercing punches being adapted to pierce out a pair of oppositely disposed open slots at the sides of the feed material, the punch plate further comprising a pair of oppositely disposed feed material holders supported on the die at the opposite sides thereof, the holders being adapted to releasably engage in the open slots at the sides of the feed material and temporarily hold the feed material on the die during the piloting operation.
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According to the invention there is also provided a press machine comprising the progression tool described above.
Preferably the press machine is a high speed or H-press machine.
The following is a detailed description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig 1 is a schematic view of a press machine comprising the progression tool of the invention according to an exemplary embodiment thereof;
Fig 2 is bottom view of the punch plate of the progression tool of Fig 1; Fig 2a is a scrap view at X in Fig 2;
Fig 3 is top view of the die of the progression tool of Fig 1;
Fig 4 is an isometric view of a feed material holder of the progression tool of Fig 1;
Fig 5 is an exploded view of the feed material holder member of Fig 4; and
Figs 6 and 7 are schematic representations of a feed material and a feed material holder just before the piloting operation and during the piloting operation; respectively.
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As illustrated in Figs 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings, 1 is a press machine comprising a progression tool 2 and a synchronous feeding system comprising a decoiler 3, a flattener 4 and a feeder 5. The progression tool comprises a punch plate 6 supported on a ram 6a and a die 7 located on a bottom plate 7a clamped to the booster 6b of the press machine. The punch plate comprises pilot holes piercing punches 8 and component piercing punches 9. The punch plate further comprises a pair of oppositely disposed open slots piercing punches comprising angular members 10 depending down from the punch plate and facing the die. The angular members are located ahead of the component piercing punches and the pilot holes piercing punches. Each of the angular members comprises a trailing surface 10a at an angle of 40-50° and a leading surface 10a at an angle of 20° - 25°. 11,11 are a pair of oppositely disposed feed material holders supported on the die at the opposite sides thereof. Each of the holders comprises a bolt 12 slidably located in a housing 13 supported on the die. The bolt is biased by springs 14 located in the housing between the rear end of the bolt and rear wall 15 of the housing
fixed to the housing by screws 16a, 16b. The movement of the bolt in the housing is restricted or limited by the dowell pin 17 fitted in the bolt and slidably engaged in an oblong slot 18 provided in the housing. The dowell pin abuts against the ends of the oblong slot and limits the movement of the bolt. The outer end of the bolt lever protrudes out from the housing towards the feed material 19 and comprises an angular profile having a trailing face 12a at an angle of 40° to 50° and a leading face 12b at an angle of 20° to 25°. 8a, 9a and 10a are the pilot holes piercing cavities component
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piercing cavities, component piercing cavities and open slots piercing cavities formed in the die, respectively.
During the operation of the press machine, the feed material is continuously moved forward and fed into the press machine by the synchronous feeding system and electrical components (not shown) are punched out from the feed material by the progression tool in a single stroke operation. During the forward movement of the fee material, the open slots piercing punches pierce out a pair of open slots 19a, 19b having the same angular profile as the open slots piercing punches in the feed material at opposite sides thereof ahead of the feed material holders. The feed material continues to move forward with the outer ends of the bolts of the feed material holders pressed against the sides of the feed material under compression of the respective springs. During the piloting operation, the feeder 5 releases the feed material temporarily. At this instance the feed material tends to recoil but the feed material holders are so positioned that the outer ends of the bolts slide out into the open slots at the sides of the feed material and hold the feed material temporarily under expansion of the springs so as to complete the piloting operation followed by punching out of the components from the feed material. As the trailing and leading surfaces of the open slots are in perfect match with the corresponding faces of the outer ends of the bolts, the outer ends of the bolts sit in the open slots in full agreement thereby holding the feed material temporarily to complete the piloting operation and following punching operation. The matching trailing surfaces and faces of the open slots and outer ends of the bolts enable smooth entry of the outer ends of the bolts into the open slots and the matching leading surfaces and faces of the open slots and outer ends
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of the holes enable disengagement of the outer ends of the bolts from the open slots (Fig 7). On completion of the piloting and punching operations, the feed material continues to move forward and the outer ends of the bolts slide in against the sides of the feed material to their original positions under compression of the springs and the press machine carries out the next cycle of operation.
According to the invention the S loop controller has been eliminated and instead feed material holders are employed to temporarily hold the feed material and prevent recoiling of the feed material during the piloting operation. As the recoil of the feed material during the piloting operation is prevented by the holders, the pitch accuracy between the various punching stations is maintained and damage to the feed material, progression tool and the synchronous feed system is prevented. Because of the elimination of the S loop controller the press machine is rendered compact. It requires reduced space for occupation. Associated maintenance requirement also has been eliminated. Construction of the press machine is very much simplified and cost of the press machine is considerably reduced. Other advantages associated with progression tool like reduced man power and increased productivity are also realized according to the invention.
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WE CLAIM
1. A progression tool for a press machine comprising a synchronous feeding system comprising a decoiler, a flattener and a feeder, the progression tool comprising a punch plate supported on a ram and a die located on a bottom plate clamped to the booster of the press machine, the punch plate comprising pilot holes piercing punches and component piercing punches, the punch plate further comprising a pair of oppositely disposed open slots piercing punches facing the die and supported on the punch plate ahead of the component piercing punches and the pilot holes piercing punches, the open slots piercing punches being adapted to pierce out a pair of oppositely disposed open slots at the sides of the feed material, the punch plate further comprising a pair of oppositely disposed feed material holders supported on the die at the opposite sides thereof, the holders being adapted to releasably engage in the open' slots at the sides of the feed material and temporarily hold the feed material on the die during the piloting operation.
2. A progression tool for a press machine, wherein the open slots piercing punches, each comprises an angular member depending down from the punch plate and comprising a trailing surface at an angle of 40° to 50° and a leading surface at an angle of 20° to 25°, respectively and the feed material holders, each comprises a spring biased bolt slidably located in a housing supported on the die, the bolt being adapted to describe a restricted movement in the housing, the outer end of the bolt protruding out from the housing towards the feed material and comprising an angular profile having a trailing face at an angle of 40° to 50° and a leading face at an angle of 20° to 25°, respectively.
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3. A press machine comprising the progression tool as claimed in claim 1 or 2.
4. A press machine as claimed in claim 3, which is a high speed or H-press machine.
Dated this 21st day of November 2006
(Prita Madan)
of Khaitan &Co
Agent for the Applicants
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ABSTRACT
A progression tool (2) for a press machine (1) comprising a synchronous feeding
system comprising a decoiler (3), a flattener (4) and a feeder (5). The progression tool further comprises a punch plate (6) supported on a ram (6a)and a die (7) located on a bottom plate (7a) clamped to the booster (6b) of the press machine. The punch plate comprises pilot holes piercing punches (8) and component piercing punches (9). The punch plate further comprises a pair of oppositely disposed open slots piercing punches facing the die and supported on the punch plate ahead of the component piercing punches and the pilot holes piercing punches. The open slots piercing punches are adapted to pierce out a pair of oppositely disposed open slots (19a, 19b) at the sides of the feed material (19). The punch plate further comprises a pair of oppositely disposed feed material holders (11, 11) supported on the die at the opposite sides thereof. The holders are adapted to releasably engage in the open slots at the sides of the feed material and temporarily hold the feed material on the die during the piloting operation (Figs 1 and 3).