Servo-driven cupping press

Abstract

A cupping press includes at least one blanking die that operates between a rest position and a forming position through the action of a first servomotor. At least one forming punch operates between a retracted position and an extended position. The forming punch in the extended position is at least partially disposed in a forming cavity defined in a lower die of the press. The operation of the cupping press is controlled by a control circuit that is electrically connected to the first servomotor. The control circuit operates to generate a synchronization pulse based on a parameter, and functions to coordinate the operation of the first servomotor with the synchronization pulse.

1 . A cupping press, the cupping press comprising in combination:
 at least one blanking die, the blanking die operable between a rest position and a forming position;   at least one forming punch, the forming punch operable between a retracted position and an extended position, the forming punch in the extended position being at least partially disposed in a forming cavity defined in a lower die;   a first selvomotor operatively associated with the blanking die, the first servomotor operating to move the blanking die between the rest position and the forming position; and   a control circuit for controlling an operation of the cupping press, the control circuit electrically connected to the first selvomotor, the control circuit operating to generate a synchronization pulse based on a parameter,   wherein the control circuit operates to coordinate the operation of the first servomotor with the synchronization pulse.   
   
   
       2 . The cupping press of  claim 1 , further comprising a second servomotor operatively connected to the forming punch, the second servomotor operating to move the forming punch between the retracted position and the extended position. 
   
   
       3 . The cupping press of  claim 2 , wherein the control circuit further operates to coordinate the operation of the second servomotor with the synchronization pulse, such that the second servomotor operates in coordination with the first servomotor. 
   
   
       4 . The cupping press of  claim 2 , wherein the operative connection between the second servomotor and the forming punch comprises a cupping cam and at least one roller. 
   
   
       5 . The cupping press of  claim 2 , wherein the first servomotor operates in two directions, and wherein the second servomotor operates in one direction. 
   
   
       6 . The cupping press of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of blanking-punches disposed on the blanking die; and   a plurality of forming punches;   wherein each forming punch is associated with a respective one of the plurality of blanking-punches.   
   
   
       7 . The cupping press of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of forming punches is configured to move in unison. 
   
   
       8 . The cupping press of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of forming punches is operatively connected to a respective servomotor from a plurality of servomotors. 
   
   
       9 . The cupping press of  claim 1 , further comprising a first position sensor that is configured to send information about a position of the at least one blanking die to the control circuit, and a second position sensor that is configured to send information about a position of the at least one forming punch to the control circuit. 
   
   
       10 . The cupping press of  claim 1 , wherein the parameter in the control circuit is a digital signal from a position sensor, the position sensor disposed in operable relationship with the first servomotor. 
   
   
       11 . The cupping press of  claim 1 , further comprising a cupping cam rotatably disposed around a drive shaft, the drive shaft operatively connected to a second servomotor, wherein a cam follower that is operatively connected to the forming punch contacts a curved race of the cupping cam, the curved race having at least one convex portion, such that the forming punch moves when the cupping cam rotates. 
   
   
       12 . A method of operating a cupping press, comprising the steps of:
 acquiring a position signal in a controller, the position signal relating to the operation of the cupping press;   analyzing the position signal in the controller to generate a synchronization pulse;   comparing the synchronization pulse to an operational position of a first portion of the press;   determining whether the first portion of the press is coordinated with the synchronization signal;   when the first portion of the press is not coordinated with the synchronization signal, adjusting a command to at least one component that operates the first portion of the press.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of:
 comparing the synchronization pulse to an operational position of a second portion of the press;   determining whether the second portion of the press is coordinated with the synchronization signal;   when the second portion of the press not coordinated with the synchronization signal, adjusting a command to at least one component that operates the second portion of the press.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one component that operates the first portion of the press is a first servomotor. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , the method of  claim 14 , wherein adjusting a command to the first servomotor comprises adjusting a command signal that operates to at least one of accelerate, decelerate, and instantaneously retard the operation of the first servomotor. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the position signal acquired in the controller is a position signal relating to an operational state of a second portion of the press, the second portion of the press operated by a second servomotor. 
   
   
       17 . An electrically driven dual action cupping press, comprising:
 a blanking portion including a blanking-punch operable between a rest position and a forming position;   a first servomotor operable to move the blanking-punch between the rest position and the forming position, the first servomotor connected to an output shaft having at least one threaded section, the first servomotor operating to selectively rotate the output shaft in a first direction and in a second direction;   a first jaw having a threaded portion and a sled portion, the threaded portion threadably engaged with the threaded portion of the output shaft, the sled portion slideably disposed on an inclined plane formed on a block, the block slideably connected to the first jaw such that the block is reciprocally movable when the first jaw is moving;   a cupping portion including at least one punch, the at least one punch connected to a distal end of a carriage, the carriage slideably disposed within a punch housing, the carriage operable between a retracted position and an extended position within the punch housing;   a second servomotor operable to move the carriage and the at least one punch between the retracted position and the extended position, the second servomotor collected to a mechanism that operates to rotate a camshaft;   a cupping cam having a curved race, the cupping cam connected to the camshaft, the curved race in contact with at least one roller, the at least one roller rotatably connected to the carriage, such that the carriage is reciprocally moveable within the punch housing when the camshaft is rotating.   
   
   
       18 . The cupping press of  claim 17 , wherein the blanking-punch is adapted to cut a workpiece from a sheet of material when the blanking-punch moves from the rest position to the forming position, the sheet of material disposed between the blanking punch and a lower die, and wherein the at least one punch is adapted to form the workpiece into a cup when the punch moves from the retracted position to the extended position, the forming accomplished by pushing the workpiece through a forming ring and wrapping the workpiece around a distal end of the punch, the forming ring disposed in the lower die. 
   
   
       19 . The cupping press of  claim 17 , further comprising an electronic controller operably connected to each of the first servomotor and the second servomotor, the electronic controller operable to coordinate an operation of the first servomotor with an operation of the second servomotor. 
   
   
       20 . The cupping press of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one position sensor operably associated with the cupping press, wherein the at least position sensor is disposed to sense a position of at least one component of the press, the at least one component comprising an output shaft of the first servomotor, the blanking-punch, an output shaft of the second servomotor, and the at least one punch.