Background of the Invention
Be it known that we – Forging Machinery Manufacturing Company, in the State of Punjab located at NKH Building, Plot No.1, Industrial Area A, Link Road, Ludhiana 141003. India, have invented new electric driven pneumatic control headgear mechanism for friction Drop Hammers, of which the following is a specification.
This invention is for the purpose of making Improvements in the conventional technology used for lifting, releasing and lowering the hammer ram or tup of a drop hammer by frictional mechanism. It relates to the simplification of mechanism, use of electronically pneumatic controlled clutch and brake system on the main shaft for the movement and control of falling ram or tup. In the conventional hammers adapted and applied for such purpose and to enabling drop hammers to be actuated by in closed guideways. It also has for an object to obviate the necessity of adjusting the length of stroke of a drop hammer by manual labor or operator through logical unit in control panel. Another object is to dispense with the transmission gears along with its mounting shaft, cooling water system for gear transmission shaft, removal of friction drum, spring carrier levers, arms, and brake liners/band. Another object is to transmit the power from both the sides of the main shaft for a reduced electrical energy.
Brief Description of Drawings
Fig. 1a and Fig 1b is a diagrammatic view of the head gear of drop hammer showing the main shaft, belt lifter drum, clutch and brake drum, brake flywheels and the electric motors as plan elevation of mechanism constituting the invention.
Fig.2a and Fig 2b is a diagrammatic view of the head gear of drop hammer showing the main shaft, belt lifter drum, with pneumatic clutches on both sides of the brake drum flywheels and the electric motors as plan elevation of mechanism constituting the invention.
Prior Art
The conventional drop hammer which is a prior art and in existence comprises of 3 main parts, Anvil, Pillars and the headgear. The mechanism to lift the ram or tup is mounted in the head gear. The power from the fly wheel shaft is transferred to the driven shaft with the help of reduction gears for operation of the main belt drum which lifts the tup or ram. This mechanism consists of two shafts, with gear transmission/ mechanism & braking system. Apart from it there is additional provision for cooling of the brake drum with the circulating water through the main shaft. This mechanism was requiring higher electrical power which has been reviewed and improved in the present innovation claimed as under.
Apart from it the drop hammers also using hydraulic control technology which is quiet cumbersome and complicated in maintenance and very costly. The application of Pneumatics is
used so far a prior art through cylinders, pistons, piston rods for giving direct impact of pneumatic force to be exerted for varied applications. Pneumatic power is also so far used for various types of hand tools.
Detailed Description of Invention
Type –I – mechanism with one pneumatic clutch & brake system.
The mechanism consists of two electrical motors providing driving power to fly wheels mounted on both sides of the shaft. This power rotates the shaft in the desired direction at predefined speed. A belt lifter drum is mounted in the center of this main shaft which is used to lift the upper half of the forging die mounted on the tup / ram. On one side of the lifter drum pneumatic clutch is attached and on the other side pneumatic brake is attached. The supply of air for pneumatic operation of clutch and brake is given through the main shaft. One end of the lifting belt is tied to the lifter drum and other end to the tup / ram. With the rotation of lifter drum the belt wounds on it and hence the ram/tup is lifted upside. On completion of fixed stroke length the clutch comes into operation automatically. It disengages the driving power to the lifting drum and simultaneously the brake shoes inside the drum starts its function and stops & holds the main shaft with its application. The pneumatics clutch and brakes inside the brake drum are PLC controlled through its independent control board.
Adequate provision of safety is also incorporated in the mechanism for, safe, trouble free and need based operation of the drop hammer.
Type –II – mechanism with two pneumatic clutches one each on both sides of the lifter drum
The mechanism consists of two electrical motors providing driving power to fly wheels mounted on both sides of the shaft. This power rotates the shaft in the desired direction at predefined speed. A belt lifter drum is mounted in the center of this main shaft which is used to lift the upper half of the forging die mounted on the tup / ram. On both sides of the lifter drum pneumatic clutches are attached. The supply of air for pneumatic operation of clutch and brake is given through the main shaft. One end of the lifting belt is tied to the lifter drum and other end to the tup / ram.

Claims of invention :
1. Developed lifting mechanism with the application of pneumatic clutch and brake mechanism in the head gear of belt drop hammers for lifting its tup / ram, to stop it & hold it for its free fall for planned stroke depth for completion of drop forging process.
2. The head gear mechanism comprising of one main shaft, duly mounted with two electric motors, one belt drum, one each pneumatic clutch & brake as shown in the drawing no.1. which is controlled by PLC’s through its control panel & foot switch etc.
3. The head gear mechanism comprising of one main shaft, duly mounted with two electric motors, one belt drum, two pneumatically operated clutches one each on both sides of the belt drum as shown in the drawing no.2. which is controlled by PLC’s through its control panel & foot switch etc.
4. The process is energy efficient with reduced wear & tear, easy maintenance, clean, oil free machine environment , less operational cost, enhanced machine output with reduction in the cost of equipment.
The said technology as a mechanism with the use of pneumatic brake and clutch controlled with the help of PLCs through control panel / foot switch etc. is the new innovation of M/S Forging Machinery Manufacturing Company, Ludhiana.