DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of mechanical engineering. In particular, the present disclosure relates to the field of sheet metal forming.
BACKGROUND
Pressure pads are generally used in sheet metal dies for holding the workpiece in place during the metal forming operations such as cutting, punching, and bending. In general, the pressure pads are machined to facilitate the aforementioned forming operations on the workpiece. For the purpose of this machining, the pressure pads are generally supported on spacers or jacks. However, the conventional spacers are not configured to support uneven surface of the pressure pad, and one entire surface of the pressure pads has to be machined separately to make it suitable to be supported by the conventional spacers. This machining is a non value added activity that increases the machining time and costs associated therewith. Also, for performing machining operations on the pressure pads, it is required that the surface on which the machining operations are to be performed is appropriately leveled with respect to the tool. It is difficult to perform this levelling by using the conventional speakers. Furthermore, the conventional spacers do not provide clamping of the pressure pads thereon, which is unsafe and may be a cause of accidents.
Hence, in order to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, there is need for a spacer that facilitates a reduction of machining operations to be performed on the pressure pads and provide adequate clamping to the pressure pads, thereby increasing the overall safety of the sheet metal dies.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows.
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a spacer for sheet metal dies that facilitates a reduction of machining operations to be performed on the pressure pads.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a spacer for sheet metal dies that provides adequate clamping of the pressure pads, thereby providing an increased safety.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a spacer for sheet metal dies that reduces the machining time and costs associated with the machining of the pressure pads.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a spacer for sheet metal dies that facilitates an easy levelling of a surface of the pressure pad on which machining operations are to be performed.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a spacer for sheet metal dies. The spacer comprises a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The first portion is engagable with an aperture that is configured at an operative bottom surface of a pressure pad. The aperture facilitates clamping of the pressure pad on the first portion of the spacer. The second portion extends from the first portion, and has a conical profile that provides substantially obstruction-free engagement of the first portion with the pressure pads. The third portion extends from the second portion, and has a cylindrical profile. The third portion includes an opening extending along the longitudinal axis of the third portion, and a plurality of slots that is configured along the outer periphery of the third portion. The plurality of slots facilitates an engagement of a tool for engaging and disengaging the first portion of the spacer with the pressure pad.
In an embodiment, the spacer is further configured to detachably receive an auxiliary spacer. The auxiliary spacer comprises an operative top section and an operative bottom section. The operative top section is configured to be received within the opening of the third portion of the spacer. The operative bottom section has a cylindrical profile and extends from the operative top section. The operative bottom section includes a cavity and a plurality of cuts. The cavity extends along the longitudinal axis of the operative bottom section. The plurality of cuts is configured along the outer periphery of the operative bottom section. The plurality of cuts facilitates an engagement of a tool for engaging and disengaging the operative top section of the auxiliary spacer with the spacer.
In another embodiment, the thread formations are formed on the first portion of the spacer, that facilitate engagement of the first portion with complementary internal threads formations configured on the aperture of the pressure pad.
In yet another embodiment, thread formations are formed on the operative top section of the auxiliary spacer.
In still another embodiment, internal thread formations are configured on the opening of the third portion for complementarily engaging with the thread formation on the operative top section of the auxiliary spacer.
In yet another embodiment, the operative bottom section of the auxiliary spacer further includes at least one through-hole. The at least one through-hole facilitates detaching of the auxiliary spacer from the spacer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A spacer for sheet metal dies will now be described with the help of the non limiting accompanying drawing, in which:
Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B illustrate different views of a primary spacer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B illustrate different views of an auxiliary spacer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERAL
100 – Spacer
102 – First portion
104 – Second portion
106 – Third portion
108 – Opening
110 – Plurality of slots
200 – Auxiliary spacer
202 – Operative top section
204 – Operative bottom section
206 – Cavity
208 – Plurality of cuts
210 – Through-hole

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Conventionally, pressure pads are machined to facilitate performing of desired forming operations on a workpiece. In the machining process of the pressure pads, the pressure pads are generally supported on spacers or jacks, wherein the machining operations are performed on an operative surface of the pressure pads. However, the conventional spacers are not configured to support an uneven surface of the pressure pad, and one surface of the pressure pads has to be machined separately, at portions that are to be supported on the conventional spacers, to make it suitable to be supported by the conventional spacers. These separately required machining operations that are performed on the pressure pads are surplus activities that increase the time and costs associated with the machining of the pressure pads. Also, for performing the machining operations on the pressure pads, it is required that the surface on which the machining operations are to be performed is appropriately leveled with respect to the tool. It is difficult to perform this levelling by using the conventional spacers. Furthermore, the conventional spacers do not provide clamping of the pressure pads thereon, which is unsafe and may be a cause of accidents.
The present disclosure envisages a spacer for sheet metal dies that facilitates a reduction/elimination of machining operations to be performed on the pressure pads and provide adequate clamping to the pressure pads, thereby increasing the overall safety of the sheet metal dies. The spacer of the present disclosure also facilitates an easy levelling of an operating surface of the pressure pad on which machining operations are to be performed. The machining processes include, but are not limited to, cutting, bending, drilling, and punching. A preferred embodiment of a spacer for sheet metal dies, of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. The preferred embodiment does not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B illustrate different views of a spacer 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The spacer 100 comprises a first portion 102, a second portion 104 and a third portion 106. The first portion 102 is engagable with an aperture that is configured at an operative bottom surface of a pressure pad. In an embodiment, thread formations are formed on the first portion 102 of the spacer 100 that facilitates engagement of the first portion 102 with complementary internal threads formations configured on the aperture of the pressure pad. The aperture facilitates clamping of the pressure pad on the first portion 102 of the spacer 100. The second portion 104 extends from the first portion 102, and has a conical profile that provides substantially obstruction-free engagement of the first portion with the pressure pads. The third portion 106 extends from the second portion 104, and has a cylindrical profile. The third portion 106 includes an opening 108 extending along the longitudinal axis of the third portion 106, and a plurality of slots 110 is configured along the outer periphery of the third portion 106. In an embodiment, internal thread formations are configured on the opening 108. The plurality of slots 110 facilitates an engagement of a tool, such as a spanner thereon for rotating the spacer 100 for engaging and disengaging the first portion 102 of the spacer 100 with the apertures configured on the pressure pads to adjust the level of the surface of the pressure pads on which machining operations are to be performed.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first portion 102 is configured to be engaged with the openings configured on pressure pads which facilitate the handling of the pressure pads via EOT cranes. The first portion 102 is threadably engaged with the apertures configured on the pressure pads. The levelling of the surface of the pressure pads on which machining operations are to be performed is facilitated by the threadable engagement of the first portion 102 with the apertures configured on the pressure pads. Furthermore, the threadable engagement of the first portion 102 with the pressure pads also facilitates the clamping of the pressure pads onto the first portion 102, thereby increasing the overall safety involved in the operation of the sheet metal dies.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, the second portion 104 of the spacer 100 extends from the first portion 102. The small profile of the second portion 104 facilitates the avoidance of any kind of obstruction by preventing the surface contact of the second portion 104 with other components present in the vicinity of the spacer 100.
Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B illustrate different views of an auxiliary spacer 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The auxiliary spacer 200 has an operative top section 202 and an operative bottom section 204. The operative top section 202 of the auxiliary spacer 200 has thread formations configured thereon. The operative top section 202 is configured to be received within the opening 108 of the third portion 106 of the spacer 100. In an embodiment, thread formations are formed on the operative top section 202 of the auxiliary spacer 200. In an embodiment, the internal thread formations are configured on the opening 108 of the third portion 106 for complementarily engaging with the thread formation of the operative top section 202 of the auxiliary spacer 200. The operative bottom section 204 has a cylindrical profile and extends from the operative top section 202. The operative bottom section 204 includes a cavity 206 and a plurality of cuts 208. The cavity 206 extends along the longitudinal axis of said operative bottom section 204. In an embodiment, the cavity is a threaded blind cavity. The plurality of cuts 208 are configured along the outer periphery of the operative bottom section 204. The plurality of cuts 208 facilitates an engagement of a tool, such as a spanner, thereon for rotating the auxiliary spacer 200, thereby engaging and disengaging the operative top section 202 of the auxiliary spacer 200 with the spacer 100. In an embodiment, the operative bottom section 204 has a cylindrical configuration. In another embodiment, the operative bottom section 204 of the auxiliary spacer 200 further includes at least one through-hole 210 that facilitates detaching of the auxiliary spacer 200 from the spacer 100.
The method of loading the pressure pads in sheet metal dies as per the present invention comprises the sequential steps as follows:
- lifting the pressure pad in reverse condition by using a crane with a belt, or eye bolts and shackles;
- fitting the spacer 100 on the aperture configured on the bottom surface of the pressure pad;
- attaching the auxiliary spacer 200 to the spacer 100 in case if height adjustments are required;
- loading the pressure pad on RDM machine; and
- inititating the drilling activity as per the requirement of the pressure pads.
The auxiliary spacer 200 is used when the height of the primary spacer 100 alone is not sufficient to support the pressure pads of the sheet metal dies. Furthermore, the threadable engagement of the spacer 100 with the auxiliary spacer 200 facilitates the height adjustment of the assembly of the spacer 100 and the auxiliary spacer 200. The number of auxiliary spacer 200 can be varied as per the application requirements.
The spacer 100 of the present disclosure can be used to support the uneven surfaces of the pressure pads by only configuring apertures on the pressure pads that complement the profile of the first portion 102 of the spacer 100. Unlike the conventional spacers, where the surface of the pressure pad which is being supported on the conventional spacer has to be extensively machined, the spacer 100 of the present disclosure only require apertures to be configured on the pressure pads. As such, there is a substantial reduction in the time and costs time and costs associated with the machining of the pressure pads. Further, the spacer 100 is also configured so as to be easily handled by a single human operator.
TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a spacer for sheet metal dies:
- that facilitates a reduction of machining operations to be performed on the pressure pads;
- that provides adequate clamping of the pressure pads, thereby providing an increased safety;
- that reduces the machining time and costs associated with the machining of the pressure pads; and
- that facilitates an easy levelling of a surface of the pressure pad on which machining operations are to be performed.
The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:1. A spacer (100) for sheet metal dies, said spacer (100) comprising:
a first portion (102) engagable with an aperture that is configured at an operative bottom surface of a pressure pad, thereby facilitating clamping of said pressure pad on said first portion (102) of said spacer (100);
a second portion (104) extending from said first portion (102) having a conical profile for providing substantially obstruction-free engagement of said first portion (102) with said pressure pads; and
a third portion (106) extending from said second portion having a cylindrical profile, said third portion (106) includes:
an opening (108) extending along the longitudinal axis of said third portion (106); and
a plurality of slots (110) configured along the outer periphery of said third portion (106), said plurality of slots (110) facilitate an engagement of a tool for engaging and disengaging said first portion (102) of said spacer (100) with said pressure pad.
2. The spacer (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spacer (100) is further configured to detachably receive an auxiliary spacer (200), said auxiliary spacer (200) comprising:
An operative top section (202) configured to be received within said opening (108); and
an operative bottom section (204) having a cylindrical profile and extending from said operative top section (202), said operative bottom section (204) includes:
a cavity (206) extending along the longitudinal axis of said operative bottom section (204); and
a plurality of cuts (208) configured along the outer periphery of said operative bottom section (204), said plurality of cuts (208) facilitate an engagement of a tool for engaging and disengaging said operative top section (202) of said auxiliary spacer (200) with said spacer (100).
3. The spacer (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein thread formations are formed on said first portion (102) of said spacer (100), to facilitate engagement of said first portion (102) with complementary internal threads formations configured on said aperture of said pressure pad.
4. The spacer (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein thread formations are formed on said operative top section (202) of said auxiliary spacer (200).
5. The spacer (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein internal thread formations are configured on said opening (108) of said third portion (106) for complementarily engaging with said thread formation on said operative top section (202) of said auxiliary spacer (200).
6. The spacer as claimed in claim 2, wherein said operative bottom section (204) of said auxiliary spacer (200) further includes at least one through-hole (210), said at least one through-hole (210) facilitates detaching of said auxiliary spacer (200) from said spacer (100).