Die component for a press device

Abstract

A press device includes a base assembly having a base die component configured to form a workpiece and a punch assembly movable relative to the base assembly during a pressing operation. The punch assembly has at least one punch die component pressing the workpiece to form the workpiece. The punch die component includes a main body having a workpiece engagement surface configured to engage the workpiece formed by the base assembly and the punch assembly. The punch die component having a vibration generator operatively coupled to the main body. The vibration generator causes the main body of the die component to vibrate at a high frequency during the pressing operation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A press device comprising:
 a base assembly having a base die component configured to form a workpiece; and   a punch assembly movable relative to the base assembly during a pressing operation, the punch assembly having at least one punch die component pressing the workpiece to form the workpiece, the punch die component comprises a main body having a workpiece engagement surface configured to engage the workpiece formed by the base assembly and the punch assembly, and the punch die component having a vibration generator operatively coupled to the main body, the vibration generator causing the main body of the die component to vibrate at a high frequency during the pressing operation.   
     
     
         2 . The press device of  claim 1 , wherein the vibration generator comprises a piezoelectric actuator. 
     
     
         3 . The press device of  claim 1 , wherein the vibration generator comprises an electrical element and a piezoelectric element configured to change shape when voltage is applied to the electrical element. 
     
     
         4 . The press device of  claim 1 , wherein the vibration generator causes ultrasonic vibration of the main body. 
     
     
         5 . The press device of  claim 1 , further comprising a spacer coupled to the main body with the vibration generator sandwiched between the spacer and the main body. 
     
     
         6 . The press device of  claim 5 , further comprising a preload bolt coupled between the spacer and the main body, the preload bolt connecting the spacer to the main body, the preload bolt compressing the vibration generator between the spacer and the main body, vibration of the vibration generator being transmitted into the main body. 
     
     
         7 . The press device of  claim 5 , wherein the spacer is fixed relative to the punch assembly, vibration of the vibration generator causing the main body to move relative to the spacer. 
     
     
         8 . The press device of  claim 1 , wherein the workpiece engagement surface is configured to vibrate against the workpiece during the pressing operation. 
     
     
         9 . The press device of  claim 1 , wherein the punch assembly is moved along a press stroke and a return stroke during the pressing operation, the vibration generator causing the main body to vibrate against the workpiece multiple times during the press stroke. 
     
     
         10 . The press device of  claim 1 , wherein the workpiece engagement surface directly engages the workpiece. 
     
     
         11 . The press device of  claim 1 , wherein the main body holds a removable punch, the removable punch defining the workpiece engagement surface, the removable punch being configured to directly engage the workpiece. 
     
     
         12 . A punch die component for a press device, the punch die component comprising:
 a main body extending between a first end and a second end, the main body having a workpiece engagement surface at the second end configured to engage a workpiece formed by the press device;   a vibration generator coupled to the first end of the main body, the vibration generator operating to cause the main body to vibrate at a high frequency during a pressing operation of the press device; and   a spacer coupled to the main body at a spaced apart position, the vibration generator being sandwiched between the spacer and the first end of the main body.   
     
     
         13 . The punch die component of  claim 12 , wherein the vibration generator comprises a piezoelectric actuator having an electrical element and a piezoelectric element configured to change shape when voltage is applied to the electrical element. 
     
     
         14 . The punch die component of  claim 12 , wherein the vibration generator causes ultrasonic vibration of the main body. 
     
     
         15 . The punch die component of  claim 12 , further comprising a preload bolt coupled between the spacer and the main body, the preload bolt connecting the spacer to the main body, the preload bolt compressing the vibration generator between the spacer and the main body, vibration of the vibration generator being transmitted into the main body. 
     
     
         16 . The punch die component of  claim 12 , wherein the workpiece engagement surface is configured to vibrate against the workpiece during the pressing operation. 
     
     
         17 . A method of operating a press device, the method comprising:
 positioning a workpiece between a base assembly and a punch assembly of the press device;   holding a punch die component at the punch assembly;   pressing the punch die component into the workpiece to form the workpiece during a pressing operation of the press device; and   vibrating the punch die component against the workpiece at a high frequency during the pressing operation.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said vibrating the punch die component comprises operating a piezoelectric actuator having an electrical element and a piezoelectric element by applying a voltage to the electrical element to change shape of the piezoelectric element. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said vibrating the punch die comprises vibrating the punch die component at ultrasonic frequencies. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said vibrating the punch die component comprises vibrating the punch die component through the workpiece.