TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure generally relates to a field of manufacturing. Particular, but not exclusively the present disclosure relates to a die set assembly used in metal forming operations. Further, embodiments of the disclosure relate to a progressive die set assembly for manufacturing multiple variety of components using a single die set.
BACKGROUND
Conventionally, manufacturing plants utilize heavy and light machinery for mass production of a products. One such machinery which is utilized in the manufacturing plants are mechanical presses also called as press tools or die sets. Mechanical presses come in varying sizes suitable for heavy machining or light machining based on the workpiece to be machined or formed, for manufacturing the product. Presses are classified into a variety of configurations however, presses are conventionally either a hydraulic press, mechanical press or a pneumatic press. These presses may be employed for machining or forming workpieces to required shape and configuration.
Generally, press tools may be configured to perform various operations such as blanking, coining, bending, lancing, piercing and the like. Accordingly, the press tools may operate by the press, to apply an impact force on to the workpiece, for machining the workpiece to required shape and configuration.
One such conventional press tool or die set is a progressive die set which is configured to perform a series of fundamental cutting and forming operations typically on continuous sheet of metal strip, or coil stock. The sheet of metal strip may be fed and shifted from one station to another where operations are performed simultaneously one after another at each station during each press stroke. The progressive die set or press tool find applications in vide variety of manufacturing industries including horology industry where need for performing series of operations on a particular part exists. In the horology industry, series of operations needs to be performed on watch components to integrate various movements/assemblies in the watch. With the increase in complexity of watch assembly, and with development of new watch models a need for use of different die assembly has arisen, resulting in a need for die set/press tool for performing multiple operations.

The conventional die set assemblies used in horology industry includes a die plate which can perform only limited number of operations. With every change in watch model or the structure of watch components a new die set assembly has to be developed. However, the costs associated with the die sets are very expensive, and thus increase the total production costs. Also, the time taken to design and develop a new press tool needs excess time, which acts a deciding factor for the new product launching time.
The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above.
SUMMARY
One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by an assembly as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the provision of mechanism as claimed in the present disclosure.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure a progressive die set assembly is disclosed. The progressive die set assembly comprises an upper die shoe, a lower die shoe, a plurality of guide rods provisioned between the lower die shoe and the upper die shoe, for slid-ably receiving the upper die shoe, a die block and a punch plate. The die block is mounted over the lower die shoe, the die block comprises a die back plate mounted on the lower die shoe, the die back plate comprises a plurality of provisions, a die plate mounted on the die back plate, wherein, the die plate comprises a first die layout comprising a first set of die cavities, a second die layout comprising a second set of die cavities, wherein the second die layout intersects the first die layout. The punch plate secured to the upper die shoe, the punch plate accommodates a plurality of first set of tools and a second set of tools corresponding to the first and the second die layouts.
In an embodiment, the progressive die set assembly comprises a first strip guide plate corresponding to first die layout and a second strip guide plate corresponding to second die layout.
In an embodiment, the progressive die set assembly is moveable between first operating position and a second operating position to feed one or more strips from a strip feeder unit through at least one of the first strip guide plate and the second strip guide plate.

In an embodiment, the progressive die set assembly is rotatable by 90 degrees with respect to vertical axis between the first operating position and the second operating position.
In an embodiment, the progressive die set assembly comprises a stripper plate secured to the upper die shoe, to support one or more strips on the die plate, the stripper plate comprises a plurality of guide holes.
In an embodiment, the first die layout and the second die layout are perpendicular to each other.
In an embodiment, the first die layout and the second die layout comprise of a plurality of strip paths parallel to one another.
In an embodiment, the progressive die set assembly comprises a plurality of die inserts mounted to the die plate for receiving the plurality of tools.
In an embodiment, the progressive die set assembly, comprises a punch back plate positioned between the upper die shoe and the punch plate.
Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Figure 1. illustrates an exploded view of progressive die set assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 2. illustrates a perspective view of progressive die set assembly of Figure 1 operating in first operating position.

Figure 3. illustrates a top view of progressive die set assembly of Figure 2.
Figure 4. illustrates a perspective view of progressive die set assembly of Figure 1 operating in second operating position.
Figure 5. illustrates a top view of progressive die set assembly of Figure 4.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of

illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a progressive die set assembly which may find applications in various manufacturing industries including but not limiting to horology industry. In the horology industry, the progressive die set assembly may be used to perform various forming operations on a main plate or other components of watch. The progressive die set assembly of the present disclosure, may be configured to perform two different forming operations by changing the orientation of the die plate without a need for a separate die assembly.
The progressive die set assembly includes an upper die shoe, a lower die shoe, a plurality of guide rods provisioned between the lower die shoe and the upper die shoe, for slid-ably receiving the upper die shoe, a die block and a punch plate. The die block is mounted over the lower die shoe, the die block comprises a die back plate mounted on the lower die shoe. The die block also includes a die back plate having a plurality of provisions, a die plate mounted on the die back plate, wherein, the die plate comprises a first die layout comprising a first set of die cavities, a second die layout comprising a second set of die cavities, wherein the second die layout intersects the first die layout. The punch plate secured to the upper die shoe, the punch plate accommodates a plurality of first set of tools and a second set of tools corresponding to the first and the second die layouts. The assembly is operable between first operating position and a second operating position to feed one or more strips from a strip feeder unit through at least one of the first strip guide plate and the second strip guide plate to obtained desired multiple variety of components
The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures 1 to 5. In the figures, the same element or elements which have similar functions are indicated by the same reference signs.

Figure 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates exploded perspective view of the progressive die set assembly (100). The progressive die set assembly (100) comprises of an upper die shoe (10), a lower die shoe (20), a plurality of guide rods (30), a die block (40) and a punch plate (50). As shown in Figure 1, the lower die shoe (20) may be configured in any shape, and may be employed for the purpose of fixing and rigidly supporting the progressive die set assembly (100) on a bed of a press machine (not shown in the figures). The plurality of guide rods (30) may extend upwardly from the lower die shoe (20). In an embodiment, the plurality of guide rods (30) are configured in corners of the lower die shoe (20), and press fitted or secured to the lower die shoe (20). The plurality of guide rods (30) are employed for slid-ably receiving the upper die shoe (10) and to align the upper die shoe (10) with the lower die shoe (20). The upper die shoe (10) may include guide holes (10a) corresponding to guide rods (30) for receiving the guide rods (30). The upper die shoe (10) may be integrated to a ram of the press machine (not shown in the figures), wherein the ram provides required force for operation.
In an alternate embodiment of the disclosure, the configuration of the guide rods (30) and guide holes (10a) may be interchanged on the lower die shoe (20) and the upper die shoe (10) respectively, such that the upper die show (10) is in reciprocating relationship with the lower die shoe (20).
Further, the die block (40) is mounted over the lower die shoe (20) to which sections or parts of the progressive die assembly (100) may be secured. The die block (40) comprises of a die back plate (41) and a die plate (42). The die back plate (41) is mounted on the lower die shoe (20) wherein the die back plate (41) comprises a plurality of provisions (41a). The die plate (42) is mounted on the die back plate (41), and functions in receiving at least one sheet metal strip (90) from a strip feeder unit (not shown in the figure). The die plate (42) comprises a first die layout (42a) comprising a first set of die cavities (42c) and a second die layout (42b) comprising a second set of die cavities (42d), wherein the second die layout (42b) intersects the first die layout (42a). The intersection in between the first die layout (42a) and the second die layout (42b) is kept idle with no forming operations. In an embodiment of the present disclosure the first die layout (42a) may comprise of a plurality of strip paths being parallel to one another, for the purpose of feeding multiple strips (90) by a strip feeder unit (not shown in the figure) through the

first die layout (42a) direction of the progressive die set assembly (100). Similarly, the second die layout (42b) may comprise of a plurality of strip paths being parallel to one another, for the purpose of feeding multiple strips (90) by the strip feeder unit through the second die layout (42b) direction of the progressive die set assembly (100). The progressive die set assembly (100) further comprises a first strip guide plate (61) corresponding to first die layout and a second strip guide plate (62) corresponding to second die layout. The first strip guide plate (61) and second strip guide plate (62) are employed to guide the strip (90) from the strip feeder unit into the progressive die set assembly (100) press tool to perform the various forming operation.
The punch plate (50) is mounted to the upper die shoe (10), and is configured with a plurality of tools (51) to perform various forming operations on the sheet metal strip (90). The punch plate (50) may accommodates a plurality of first set of tools (51a) and a second set of tools (51b) corresponding to the first and the second die layouts (42a and 42b). In an embodiment, a punch back plate (60) is secured in between the upper die shoe (10) and the punch plate (50) to prevents the plurality of tools (51) penetrating upper die shoe (10) due to the force of the press machine during the operation of the progressive die set assembly (100).
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first set of tools (51a), the second set of tools (51b) and the corresponding first and second die layouts (42a and 42b) can be configured with a suitable design to perform required forming or cutting operations on at least one sheet metal strip (90) for obtaining desired multiple variety of components.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure the die plate (42) may comprise of a plurality if die inserts (43) mounted to the die plate (42) for receiving the plurality of tools (51) and to retain any pierced slug or blanked part of the sheet metal strip (90) during the operation of the. The die back plate prevents the die inserts to penetrate the bottom shoe due to the force of the machine press during the operation of the progressive die set assembly (100).
The progressive die set assembly (100) of the present disclosure, may be operated in a first operating position (interchangeably referred as to FOP) or a second operating position (interchangeably referred as to SOP). Referring to Figures 2 and 3, which are exemplary embodiment of the disclosure illustrating the progressive die set assembly (100) in FOP. In the FOP, the progressive die set assembly (100) may receive one or more strips (90) from a strip

feeder unit (not shown in the figures) through a first strip guide plate (61), such the strips (90) progresses through first die layout (42a) where desired operations may be performed simultaneously one after another with each press stroke to obtain desired components (91). Further, the progressive die set assembly (100) can be rotatable by 90 degrees with respect to vertical axis (A-A) from the FOP and the SOP. Wherein the vertical axis (A-A) is the vertical machine axis of a press machine along which the ram is operated. The die set assembly (100) may be operated between the first operating position and the second operating position using any conventional mechanisms. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the mechanism used for operating the die set assembly between the first operating position (FOP) and the second operating position (SOP) may be a rotary mechanism. The rotary mechanism may include holder unit which can be fastened to the ram of the punch machine in two orientations. In the first orientation [shown in FIG. 3], the holder unit may be hold the die set assembly such that the first strip guide plate (61) is positioned toward the strip feeding unit. Further, in the second orientation [shown in FIG. 5], the holder unit may be hold the die set assembly such that the second strip guide plate (61) is positioned toward the strip feeding unit.
Further, Referring to Figures 4 and 5, when the progressive die set assembly (100) is in SOP, one or more strips (90) from a strip feeder unit may be fed into the second strip guide plate (62) such the strips (90) progresses through second die layout (42b) where desired operations may be performed simultaneously one after another with each press stroke to obtain desired components (92). Similarly, the progressive die set assembly (100) may be rotatable by -90 degrees with respect to vertical axis to from the SOP and the FOP, to operate the progressive die set assembly (100) in FOP.
It is to be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art would design the progressive die set assembly (100) in any shape, dimension and configuration to produce desired components without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Also, various modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations provided they come within the ambit of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Advantages of the present disclosure:
The present disclosure provides a progressive assembly which is operable by employing a single strip feeder unit for feeding at least one strip in one direction only to produce desired variety of components.
The assembly of the present disclosure reduces cost of manufacturing of multiple variety of components by replacing multiple die sets to manufacture the components by a single die set.
Apart from above advantages, present disclosure reduces the press tool design and development of die set time considerably as a whole.
The present disclosure provides an assembly which improves production capacity, and is easy to manufacture as it has minimum number of parts.
The present disclosure provides an assembly which accommodates different thickness of strip as per the design.
The present disclosure provides an assembly which can produce plurality of components of same and different design with in a strip itself.
Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example,

as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.
In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

We claim:
1. A progressive die set assembly (100), comprising:
an upper die shoe (10);
a lower die shoe (20);
a plurality of guide rods (30) provisioned between the lower die shoe (20) and the
upper die shoe (10), for slid-ably receiving the upper die shoe (10);
a die block (40) mounted over the lower die shoe (20), the die block (40) comprising:
a die back plate (41) mounted on the lower die shoe (20), the die back plate
(41) comprises a plurality of provisions (41a);
a die plate (42) mounted on the die back plate (41), wherein, the die plate (42)
comprising:
a first die layout (42a) comprising a first set of die cavities (42c); a second
die layout (42b) comprising a second set of die cavities (42d), wherein the
second die layout (42b) intersects the first die layout (42a); and
a punch plate (50) secured to the upper die shoe (10), the punch plate (50)
accommodates a plurality of first set of tools (51a) and a second set of tools (51b)
corresponding to the first and the second die layouts (42a and 42b).
2. The progressive die set assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises a first strip guide
plate (61) corresponding to first die layout (42a) and a second strip guide plate (62)
corresponding to second die layout (42b).
3. The progressive die set assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 is moveable between first
operating position (FOP) and a second operating position (SOP) to feed one or more
strips (90) from a strip feeder unit through at least one of the first strip guide plate (61)
and the second strip guide plate (62).
4. The progressive die set assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the die set
assembly (100) is rotatable by 90 degrees with respect to vertical axis (A-A) between the
first operating position (FOP) and the second operating position (SOP).

5. The progressive die set assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a stripper plate
(70) secured to the upper die shoe (10), to support one or more strips (90) on the die plate
(42), the stripper plate (70) comprises a plurality of guide holes.
6. The progressive die set assembly as claimed (100) in claim 1, wherein the first die layout
(42a) and the second die layout (42b) are perpendicular to each other.
7. The progressive die set assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first
die layout (42a) and the second die layout (42b) comprise of a plurality of strip paths
parallel to one another.
8. The progressive die set assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a plurality of die
inserts (43) mounted to the die plate (42) for receiving the plurality of tools (51).
9. The progressive die set assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a punch back
plate (60) positioned between the upper die shoe (10) and the punch plate (50).