CLIAMS:CLAIMS
We Claim:
1. A forming tool being mounted on a machine, wherein the forming tool comprises:
a main body comprising:
a front section having a plurality of slots fabricated therein;
a rear section comprising a shank capable of being retained by a tool holder of the machine;
a taper pin axially arranged in the main body and is connected transversely to a worm shaft; and
a plurality of locking members; and
an insert having a tapered leading end and a trailing end, wherein the trailing end is designed so as to guide the insert into the plurality of slots in the front section of the main body, wherein width of the insert is adjusted by the longitudinal movement of the taper pin driven by the worm shaft.
2. The forming tool according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of slots are T-slots.
3. The forming tool according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the locking members is grub screw.
4. The forming tool according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the locking members locks the taper pin.
5. The forming tool according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the locking members locks the insert after adjusting its width to the required size.
6. The forming tool according to claim 1, wherein the insert moves in the radial direction by the longitudinal movement of the taper pin.
7. The forming tool of claim 1, wherein the leading end of the insert contacts the work piece during forming operations.
8. The forming tool of claim 1, wherein the leading end of the insert has an angular profile of 118°.
9. The forming tool of claim 1, wherein the tool holder is the spindle of the machine.
10. A forming tool being mounted on a machine, wherein the forming tool comprises:
a main body comprising:
a front section having a plurality of T-slots fabricated therein;
a rear section comprising a shank capable of being retained by a tool holder of the machine;
a taper pin axially arranged in the main body and is connected transversely to a worm shaft; and
a plurality of locking members; and
an insert having adjustable width, wherein width of the insert is adjusted by the longitudinal movement of the taper pin driven by the worm shaft, the insert comprising:
a tapered leading end having an angular profile of 118°; and
a trailing end, wherein the trailing end is designed so as to guide the insert into the plurality of T-slots in the front section of the main body.
11. The forming tool according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the locking members is grub screw.
12. The forming tool according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the locking members locks the taper pin.
13. The forming tool according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the locking members locks the insert after adjusting its width to the required size.
14. The forming tool according to claim 10, wherein the insert moves in the radial direction by the longitudinal movement of the taper pin.
15. The forming tool of claim 10, wherein the leading end of the insert contacts the work piece during forming operations.
16. The forming tool of claim 10, wherein the tool holder is the spindle of the machine.
,TagSPECI:EXPANDABLE FORMING TOOL
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an expandable forming tool for forming metal work pieces and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Machine tools are widely utilized to form sheet metal work pieces into a desired configuration by cooperating upper and lower dies which are configured to provide the contours in the work piece. The forming tool is located in the head of the machine and is moved downwardly against the work piece which is disposed upon a die that cooperates with the forming tool. Many of such dies have a resiliently deformable portion which facilitates the forming of the metal about the contours of the forming tool. Such tooling may simply deform the work piece to provide the desired contours. Some tools may cut through the work piece and their components have sharp cooperating edges to shear the work piece while other tools may provide both forming and cutting action by providing forming edges on a portion of the periphery of the tool component and cutting edges about the remainder of the periphery of the tool component.
The terms "forming" and "forming tools" as used herein to encompass tools which merely form the work piece into a desired configuration, tools which cut through the work piece, and tools which combine both forming and cutting actions.
The machine tools known in the prior art have a limitation about the width adjusting capability of the insert employed in the forming tool. If the width of the insert is less than the length of the contour to be formed, multiple operations may be required to effect the formation of the full length of the desired contour. These multiple operations will add to overall cost of the process and will require use of multiple tools to obtain the desired formation.
The US 9,31,593 discloses improvements in boring bits, more especially to the adjustable or expansible type of tools whereby holes of different sizes may be made with the same tool, and its main object is to primarily provide an improved tool bit which embodies a cutter of an improved form whereby it may easily cut through the material so as to form a relatively smooth wall for the hole. It further provides a transverse blade and cutter upon the bit whereby the blade may be securely locked thereto and adjusted for holes of different diameters.
The known methods of forming employ a variety of methods to achieve the end products. One such forming method uses a special 118° Spade Drill by Plunging. This method requires a special spade drill for each and every size which results in high inventory cost. The profile for such spade drill has to be tailor made and hence delivery time also increases. Also, no re-sharpening of the spade drill is possible which makes this technique very costly to operate.
Another known technique incorporates an interpolation method for forming which requires a plurality of inserts to form on a work piece. Due to interpolation, it takes more time to machine the component that results in significant delays in man and machine time. Since there is an interruption while changing of inserts which increases the chances of breaking the insert. Further, this technique requires high skill operator to control the cutting to avoid any accident. Henceforth, such method is not industrially efficient.
Thus, there is needed a novel expandable forming tool in which the width of insert can be adjusted easily and that can be fabricated readily and relatively economically to provide a long lived assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a forming tool being mounted on a machine, wherein the forming tool comprises a main body comprising a front section having a plurality of slots fabricated therein; a rear section comprising a shank capable of being retained by a tool holder of the machine; a taper pin axially arranged in the main body and is connected transversely to a worm shaft; a plurality of locking members; and an insert having a tapered leading end and a trailing end, wherein the trailing end is designed so as to guide the insert into the plurality of slots in the front section of the main body, wherein width of the insert is adjusted by the longitudinal movement of the taper pin driven by the worm shaft.
It is another object of the invention to provide a forming tool wherein the insert moves in the radial direction by the longitudinal movement of the taper pin.
It is yet another object of the invention in which the leading end of the insert of the forming tool contacts the work piece during forming operations.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a forming tool in which the sizes of the insert can be easily adjusted as per the requirement.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a forming tool in which the leading end of the insert has an angular profile of 118°.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a forming tool which can be used to form 118° on the casing for making the seat for the stud bolts.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a forming tool in which inserts of various angular profiles can be incorporated.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a forming tool in which the insert can be made in-house which is very economical.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a forming tool which is easy to operate.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a forming tool in which the re-sharpening of the insert can be done in-house which results in very high tool life and cost saving.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a forming tool in which the form on the work piece can be made just by plunging on the pre-holes.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a forming tool which is multiple-purpose and can perform variety of operations like chamfering, drilling etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present invention hereinafter described in conjunction with the appended drawings are provided to illustrate and not to limit the present invention, wherein like designations denote like elements, and in which:
FIG.1 illustrates the forming tool according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates the angular profile of the insert used in the forming tool;
FIG.3 is the side view of the forming tool depicting the t-slot guide for the insert.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments of the present invention. However, a person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that an embodiment of the present invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatuses, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a forming tool 1 to be mounted on a machine (not shown). The forming tool 1 comprises a main body 2 and an insert 8. The main body 2 of the forming tool 1 is generally a cylindrical block whose length is greater than its diameter. The main body 2 comprises a front section 2a and a rear section 2b. The front section 2a of the main body 2 comprises a plurality of slots 10 fabricated therein; that function as guiding spaces for the insert 8. The rear section 2b of the main body 2 comprises a shank 3 capable of being retained by a tool holder of the machine. Generally, the shank 3 can be retained by the spindle (not shown) of the machine (not shown). The main body 2 further comprises a taper pin 4 and a plurality of locking members 6, 7. The taper pin 4 is axially arranged in the main body 2 and is connected transversely to a worm shaft 5. The insert 8 is having a tapered leading end 8a and a trailing end 8b, wherein the trailing end 8b is designed so as to guide the insert 8 into the plurality of slots 10 in the front section 2a of the main body, wherein width of the insert 8 is adjusted by the longitudinal movement of the taper pin 4 driven by the worm shaft 5.
In an embodiment of the invention, the main body 2 may not be necessarily a cylindrical body and can have many other geometric shapes.
In another embodiment of the invention, the main body 2 can include other machining elements like gears, clutches etc. that are specific to the forming tool 1.
The taper pin 4 is axially arranged in the interior of the main body 2 with one end connected to the shank 3 and the other end penetrated in the insert 8. The taper pin 4 is generally a cylindrical shaft with a threaded portion 4c which comes in contact of the worm shaft 5. The front end 4a of the taper pin 4 is tapered and designed with dimensions to penetrate the insert 8. The rear end 4b of the taper pin 4 is connected to the shank 3. The locking member 6 is used to lock the taper pin 4 at its desired position when required. The worm shaft 5 is integrated into the main body 2 and is connected transversely to the taper pin 4 at its threaded portion 4c. The worm shaft 5 is held in the main body 2 with the help of a bush 9. The worm shaft 5 transmits its rotary motion to the taper pin 4 which is converted into a longitudinal movement of the taper pin 4.
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the taper pin 4 may be a screw-in component externally threaded at its front end 4a to be screwed into the insert 8.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the two locking members can be grub screws 6, 7. The grub screw 7 is located near the front section 2a of the main body 2 while the grub screw 6 is located near the rear section 2b of the main body 2 as shown in FIG.1. The grub screw 6 is used to lock the taper pin 4 and the grub screw 7 is used to lock the insert 8.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the grub screws 6, 7 can be replaced by other locking members like collars, clutches, pins etc.
The width adjusting mechanism of the insert 8 primarily takes into action the taper pin 4, worm shaft 5, grub screws 6, 7 and slots 10. The longitudinal movement of the taper pin 4 by the rotation of worm shaft 5 adjusts the width of the insert 8. This longitudinal movement of the taper pin 4 causes the insert 8 to move in the radial direction in the slots 10. The taper pin 4 can be moved vertically downwards i.e. towards the front section 2a of the main body 2 as well as vertically upwards i.e. away from the front section 2a of the main body 2. The upward and downward movement of the taper pin 4 is controlled by the rotation of the worm shaft 5. The clockwise rotation of the worm shaft 5 will move the taper pin 4 vertically downwards and the anti-clockwise rotation of the worm shaft 5 will move the taper pin 4 vertically upwards. It is to be understood that this relation between the rotary motion of the worm shaft 5 and the longitudinal movement of the taper pin 4 is not fixed and can be vice-versa i.e. the clockwise rotation of the worm shaft 5 will move the taper pin 4 vertically upwards and the anti-clockwise rotation of the worm shaft 5 will move the taper pin 4 vertically downwards. This radial movement of the insert 8 into the slots 10 results in its width adjustment. While the vertically downwards movement of the taper pin 4 will increase the width of the insert 8; the vertically upwards movement of the taper pin 4 will decrease the width of the insert 8. The width adjusting mechanism requires the operator to manually move the insert 8 in the slots 10 and subsequently lock the taper pin 4 by the grub screw 6 and the insert 8 by the grub screw 7.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the worm shaft 5 can be replaced by other gear mechanisms which are responsible for the longitudinal movement of the taper pin 4.
FIG.2 shows the forming tool 1 depicting the angular profile of the insert 8. The insert angle ABC formed by the sides AB and BC of the insert 8 when they merge at the cutting point B. The insert angle is specific to the requirements of the job to be carried on the work piece. FIG. 2 depicts the angle ABC to be 118°. It is evident for the person skilled in the art that the afore-mentioned exemplary values of the insert angle only have got an exemplary character.
In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the insert angle ABC can be varied to other angular profiles as per requirement of the job to be carried out.
FIG. 3 shows the trailing end 8b of the insert 8 guided in the plurality of T-slots 10. The T-slots 10 play a significant role in the width adjustment of the insert 8. When the need to adjust the width of the insert 8 arises the machine unlocks the taper pin 4 and insert 8 from their respective locking members 6, 7. The worm shaft 5 connected transversely to the taper pin 4 is then rotated which causes the longitudinal movement of the taper pin 4. Such motion of the taper pin 4 causes the insert 8 to move radially in the T-slots 10 and its width is changed. The width adjusting capability of the forming tool 1 is dependent on the spaces available in the T-slots 10 fabricated in the front section 2a of the main body 2.
It must be noted to the person skilled in the art that in this context the T shape of the slots is not compulsory. It is possible to form slots in other shapes as well.
The forming operation is carried out by the forming tool 1 mounted on a machine (not shown) with the shank 3 retained in the spindle (not shown) of the machine (not shown). The form on the work piece (not shown) can be made by plunging on the pre-holes with the leading end 8a of the insert contacting the work piece (not shown) during forming operations. The forming tool 1 as described by the invention is used in a variety of industrial applications like chamfering, drilling etc. The 118° insert is specifically used to form 118° on the casing for making the seat for the stud bolts. The 118° insert can also be used for forming to be done in the components like HIP outer casing, HIP inner casing, IP blade ring and HIP dummy ring in the turbines. Since the forming tool 1 incorporates insert 8 of various angular profiles it can used in many other forming processes taking place in the industry.
In still another embodiment of the invention, high carbon tool steels with the appropriate hardening and tempering is used to manufacture the insert 8 of the forming tool 1. Other than high-speed steel (HSS) sintered carbide, ceramic, cobalt steel and diamond materials can also be used to manufacture the insert 8.
By the inventive measures it is achieved in an advantageous way that the insert 8 used in the forming tool 1 can be made in-house which is very economical. This tool is easy to operate and the sizes of the insert 8 can be easily adjusted as per the requirement. The re-sharpening of the insert 8 can be done in-house which results in very high tool life and cost saving. This forming tool 1 is multiple purpose and operations like chamfering, drilling etc. can be performed.
It is noted that the foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects and embodiments of the present invention. This invention may be used for many applications. Thus, although the description is made for particular arrangements and methods, the intent and concept of the invention is suitable and applicable to other arrangements and applications. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that modifications to the disclosed embodiments can be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The described embodiments ought to be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be realized by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention in ways known to those familiar with the art.