US3104574A

US3104574A - Means for attaching plates to tools

Info

Publication number: US3104574A
Application number: US27612A
Authority: US
Inventors: Johan M Andersen; John H Dockstader
Original assignee: DUPLICON CO
Current assignee: DUPLICON CO
Priority date: 1960-05-09
Filing date: 1960-05-09
Publication date: 1963-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 1980-09-24

Description

Se t. 24, 1963 J. M. ANDERSEN ETAL 3, ,5

MEANS FOR-ATTACHING PLATES TO TOOLS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 9. 1960 lzwezzior s: Jam Mflzzdeflsw, 1704 232 Hifiociifisiadefl,

Sept. 24, 1963 J. M. ANDERSEN ETAL MEANS FOR ATTACHING PLATES TO TOOLS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 9, 1960 z M Joi'zzz/li DoWiadefl,

Sept. 24, 1963' J. M. ANDERSEN ETAL 3,104,574

MEANS FOR ATTACHING PLATES T0 TOOLS Filed May 9, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 p 1963 J. M. ANDERSEN ETAL 3,104,574

MEANS FDR ATTACHING PLATES T0 TOOLS Filed May 9. 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 biz RD oiflci'ader', b W

p 1963 J. M. ANDERSEN ETAL 3,104,574

MEANS FOR ATTACHING PLATES TO TOOLS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 9, 1960 12201322602 15.- Jofawz lliuindefisw,

Sept. 24, 19.63 J. M. ANDERSEN ETAL MEANS FOR ATTACHING PLATES T0 TOOLS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 9, 1960 13212823303 18: Joiaaaz/Mflrzdeflsw, Jam lifloamfiadev,

6 y Pwza, M24 =1 W Hi-302 3243515 United States Patent 3,104,574 MEANS FOR ATTACHHYG PLATES T0 TOOLS Johan M. Andersen and John H. Dockstader, Hopkiutou, Mass, assignors to Duplicon Company, Westboro, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Filed May 9, 1966, Ser. No. 27,612 6 Claims. ((Il. 83-467) This invention relates to improved means for quickly and accurately removably positioning a particularly dimensioned plate on a machine tool. The plate in turn may have afiixed thereto some other tool or instrument designed to perform a particular function or to be worked on by still another instrument. For example, the plate may carry a die designed to cooperate with another die carried by a similar plate. In such case, the two plates would be attached in opposed positions to the top and bottom of a die set of a power press. In other cases, the plate may carry a metal blank to be worked on by a lathe, milling machine, shaper, drilling machine, jig borer, etc. In these cases, as in the case of a power press, the clamping and positioning means for the plate would be fixed to an appropriate part of the tool as, for example, on the face plate of a lathe, the bed of a milling machine, etc.

The present invention thus makes it possible to repeatedly position a plate or a succession of plates of particular dimensions (and having an instrumeutality aflixed to the plate in a specific position relative thereto) in an exact predetermined position with regard to the bed or supporting surface of the machine tool to which the plate is removably secured.

While the invention will be particularly illustrated in connection with its use in a power press, it is not limited thereto and examples of its use with other types of machines will also be given.

As the invention is related to power presses, it is particularly concerned with the provision of means whereby a pair of dies may be easily and quickly attached to the die set of a power press in a position which will automatically insure perfect alignment of the dies so that the press can be put into operation immediately.

The invention contemplates that a conventional die set permanently afl'ixed to a power or punch press will have means associated therewith that will permit the introduction and securing thereto of an upper die to the top of the die set and the introduction and securing thereto of the corresponding lower die to the bottom of the die set. In securing the dies to the die set, the dies will automatically be placed in operative alignment.

The invention further contemplates a novel form of clamping means which are permanently aflixed to the upper and lower plates of the die set whereby the dies may first be placed in an approximate aligned position as they are initially inserted by the operator and then upon operation of the clamping means the dies will be secured to the upper and lower parts of the die set in exact alignment whereby the press can then go into immediate operation as soon as the vertical stroke adjustment has been made.

Another object of the invention is the provision of die supporting plates which are made from a plurality of relatively thin plates punched to the correct form. These thin plates are permanently secured together and act as the primary supporting means for the dies. The aggregate number of stacked plates is sutficient to give the same rigidity as has heretofore been provided by the conventional thick plate of a single piece of material, which in some cases may be preferred over the plurality of thin plates.

Another object of the invention when used in a power press is to provide a die construction which will eliminate the need for a discharge hole through the bottom of the die set. This result is achieved by mounting the lower die in a position where it is spaced above the bottom of the die set. Thus the punched out portions of the work, on falling from the die through the central opening in the die plate to the upper'surface of the bottom of the die set, will be readily discharged from the machine at the rear thereof. To achieve this result most readily, the die set and the associated dies are mounted so as to slope to the rear at an angle suflicient for gravity to efiect discharge of the punched out portions.

Another object of the invention contemplates the use of novel means for supporting the dies in spaced relation to their respective die set parts. This result is achieved by having a pair of laterally spaced lower support blocks on which the lower die plate rests and a pair of laterally spaced upper support blocks against which the upper die plate rests. The upper and lower support blocks are a sufiicient distance apart so that dies of different dimensions may readily be positioned thereon. The span, however, is such that the die plates, without further support, might or would be, in the ordinary situation, lacking in adequate rigidity. Accordingly, the invention contemplates the use of spacing and supporting blocks of exact dimensions which may be attached to the under side of the lower die plate and the upper side of the upper die plate. These supports and spacers exactly fill the vertical space between the bottom and top die sets so that when the die plates have been clamped to their respective support blocks the die plates will be supported at all the necessary positions to prevent any deflection of the die plates or the dies as the press is put into operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide additional die supporting means in the form of transversely extending bridge supports at the rear and forward parts of the die plates, which supports are interlocked with the primary support blocks to prevent movement away from the die set bases. Thus if permanent stripping plates are attached to the transverse bridge supports, the latter will be of suflicient rigidity to prevent any upward bowing of the bottom die plate as the dies are separated and the punched work is stripped from the ascending upper die.

Another object of the invention which is common to all uses is to provide clamping means for the die plates of novel construction which will permit quick but positive actuation of the clamps so that the die plates will be properly and accurately secured for continuous operation thereafter.

Another object of the invention is to provide strippers which may be positioned to cooperate with the die plates and dies. The strippers may also function as supporting elements or spacers behind the die plates to give additional rigidity to the die plates as the punching operations are performed.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of means that will prevent the introduction of the plates into the clamping means in any position except the correct position. In other words, means is provided such that if the plates can be secured to the machine by the clamping means, then the plates and the associated dies (if in a power press) must be in correct operating relationship to each other so that'the operator can proceed .with the punching operations with complete assurance that the dies are correctly aligned.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the bottom of the die set of a power press showing the die plate and die secured thereto by the clamping means.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of FIG. 1 showing in addition the top of the die set of a power press with the upper the upper die plate and upper die, with the latter being in aligned clamped position.

FIG. is a plan view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 7 showing a different die formation and the manner in which the lower die plate and die are supported by a plurality of spacers which also function as strippers.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view taken on the line 66 of FIG. 7 showing the upper die and the supports and strippers functioning in cooperation with the upper die plate.

FIG. 7 is a vertical transverse section through the dies illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 with the upper and lower die plates 'in clamped operative position and with the die plates supported by the upper and lower support blocks and the spacers.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the upper die plate, die and related spacers shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 prior to its introduction into the press.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary section of the bottom of the die set taken on the line 99 of FIG. 1 with the die plate clamping means in released position, in which position the die plate may be removed from the press.

FIG. 10 shows the die plate clamping means secured to the bed or table of a milling machine and is representative of the manner in which the clamping means could be affixed to the work holding surface of any machine tool.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, there is shown a conventional die set bottom 2, die set top 4, and the guide pins 6. The top and bottom plates are affixed in the press so that as the press is actuated the top 4 descends toward the bottom 2 in the conventional manner. The guide pins 6, which are affixed to the bottom 2, slide in the top plate bushings 8. In this way, aligned movement of the top and bottom plates toward and away from each other is assured.

To the bottom of the die set are fixed a pair of lower support blocks 10 and 12 which extend from the front to the rear of the die set and are respectively secured thereto by

suitable bolts

14, 16 and 18 and

bolts

20, 22 and 24. These lower support blocks 10 and 12, when viewed in plan, have laterally extending legs 26 and 28 at the rear and shorter legs 30 and 32 at the front. The purpose of these legs is to give maximum stability to the support blocks as the load is applied.

A corresponding pair of upper support blocks 34 and 36 are similarly secured to the under side of the top of the die set 4.

Aligned holes are drilled in the upper and lower plates of the die set and the four supporting

blocks

10, 12, 34 and 36. In these holes are positioned and secured eight pins, four at the top and four at the bottom. The bottom pins are 38, 40, 46 and 48, while the corresponding upper pins are 42, 44, 50 and 52 (see FIGS. lto 4). The axes of each of the corresponding pairs of pins are in precise alignment and the axes of all eight pins are exactly parallel to the axes of the guide pins 6.

Two sets of stacked plates indicated collectively at 54 and 56 in FIG. 2 are then assembled. These plates have first been individually blanked out by conventional means. The locating holes are put in also by conventional punching means and the plates are then assembled in a stack of suitable number. The dies, which may have been previously individually machined and hardened, and then attached to the stacked plates, but, if preferred, the dies may be machined while attached to the plates. Thus when the die plates 54 and 5 6 are positioned on their respective sets of four pins, the upper and lower dies 58 and 66 will be in exact alignment.

The next novel feature of the invention which is about to be described resides in the means by which the dies and die plates may be inserted in the die set, approximately aligned upon insertion and then accurately aligned as they are clamped in position in the press. This novel means includes a new type of of clamping mechanism so designed that the die plates and dies can only be inserted in the machine in the correct position with; respect to each other, and then when the clamping means has been rendered effective the die plates and dies will be properly secured to the die plate supoprting blocks in correct align.- ment, whereby as soon as the vertical stroke adjustment is made the press can go into irnemdiate operation. The clamping mechanism is shown in the various figuresand will now be described. The clamps are so constructed that not only do they act to pull the die plates onto the respective locating pins but also when the dies are to'be removed from the press the clamps act in the reverse direction, forcing the die plates oft the pins so thatthey can be easily removed from the press.

When the invention is used in a power press requiring opposed dies, there are four clamps, two at opposite sides of the lower die plate and two at opposite sides of the upper die plate. In FIG. 1, the lower right clamps are numbered 70 and the lower left clamps 72. The upper right clamps (see FIG. 2) are numbered 74 and the upper left clamps 76. These clamps, which are sturdily built, have generally oval shaped openings therethrough numbered 78 (see FIG. 9), and through these aligned openings extend the

shafts

80, 82, 84 and 86. Shaft 80 conentry into the clamps and to fitwithin the corresponding;

trons clamps 70, shaft 82 controls clamps 72, shaft 84 controls clamps 74 and shaft 86 controls clamps .76. Each shaft is supported by suitable bearings mounted in the related pillow blocks 81 for

shaft

80, 83 for shaft 82, for

shaft

84 and 87 for shaft 86. Suitable means for rotating each of the shafts is provided in the form of handles or cranks 88.

Within the con-fines of each of the oval shaped openings 78 in each of the clamps is positioned a bearing 90 which comprises an outer race 92, bearings 94 and an inner race 95 mounted on an eccentric 96 which is keyed to its respective shaft by a key 97.

When the shaft 8-2, for example, is rotated, the corresponding movement of the eccentric 96 causes the outer race to move up and down and to cause corresponding up and down movement of the clamp. Since all of the eccentries 96 are in the same relative angular position with respect to each shaft, all three clamps on each shaft necessarily move up and down together as the shaft is rotated.

The clamps are guided in their vertical movement by outer clamp guides 98 and the corresponding adjacent outer vertical faces of the support blocks 10, 12, 34 and 36.

Each of the clamps is notched as at 190 to receive the edges of the upper and lower die

plates

54 and 56. When the shafts have been rotated to place the clamps in released position as shown by clamp 72 in FIG. 9, it will be seen that the bottom edge of notch 100' is above the upper end of alignment pin 38. Thus with the clamps in released position, the upper and lower die

plates

54 and 56 may he slid directly into the two sets of upper and lower clamps.

It is necessary, of course, that the four holes in each of the die plates be initially located approximately over or under their respective pins. Means for achieving this result is provided through the use of pairs of locating stops 102 and .104 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). The lower stops,

rounded recesses of the

stops

102 and 104. When each die plate has engaged its corresponding stops, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the four holes in each plate will necessarily be positioned in approximate alignment with the locating pins 3 8, 40, 46 and 48 and 42, 44, 50 and 2. The exposed ends of the eight locating pins are rounded sufliciently so that when the clamp handles are rotated through approximately 180 degrees and the clamps move the holes of the die plates toward their respective pins, the pins will readily enter the holes in the die plates, thus accurately aligning both of the die plates and the dies mounted thereon for correct punching operation. The cam operated hearings in each of the clamps are so designed to set the die plates up tightly against the support blocks at approximately dead center. If necessary or desired, means can be provided for holding the cranks in proper locked position to add further assurance that the die plates will be held securely throughout the entire punching procedure. The angular position of the cranks in relation to their shafts may be set as found most convenient.

When the punching operation is finished and it is desired to remove the die plates and dies for storage or for replacement with another set of dies, then the cranks 88 are rotated in reverse direction through approximately 180 degrees. This causes the clamps to force the die plates away from their positions against the support blocks. As soon as the plates have cleared the ends of the pins, then the plates may be manually drawn forwardly through the notches 100 of the clamps and removed from the machine.

A further important feature of the invention will now be described. Since the dimensions of the two die

plates

54 and 56 are large enough to permit mounting thereon of dies of various sizes, the distance from the opposing sides of the lower support blocks and 1 2 and the upper support blocks 34 and 36 is such that the plates would be subject to bending under certain punching conditions. Accordingly We have provided a group of interchangeable spacing and supporting elements which may be mounted on the back side of each of the die plates to abut against the corresponding face of the adjacent die set element. These spacers are made very accurately as to length, and in the preferred form they are exactly two inches, which is the same as the vertical dimension of the support blocks 10, 12, 34 and 36. Three upper spacers are shown in FIG. 2, being numbered 110, 112 and 11 4. These spacers, which are also shown in the isometric view in FIG. 8, are mounted on the rear of the corresponding die plate by means of small attachment pins 116, which are split at their lower ends for introduction into and frictional holding engagement with corresponding holes in the die plate. The spacers are placed at strategic locations in relation to the size, shape and position of the upper die 58.

Similarly, the lower die plate 56 can be supported in its central area adjacent the lower die by other spacers. However, in the form shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the lower die is supported by a transversely extending bridge support 118 at the 'front and another bridge support 120' at the rear. They act to support the die plate 56 against downward deflection and also serve as anchoring means for a stripper plate 122 which may be permanently positioned above the die 61? by the

bolts

124 and 126 which have their related nuts positioned in the longitudinal T slots 128 and 134). The flanged ends 132 and 134 of the bridge supports are locked in position under the corresponding shoulders 136 and 138 of the lower support blocks. Thus the bridge supports 118 and 120 not only support the lower die plate '56 against downward deflection but prevent it from being arched upwardly as the work W is stripped from the upper die as the latter moves upwardly following the punching operation, the work being held down by the permanent stripper 122 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 which, as explained above, is secured by

bolts

124 and 126 to the bridge supports.

It IVViiil be observed that the space between the bridge supports 11-8 and 120, as viewed in FIG. 3, is adequate to permit the punched out pieces to fall down to the top of the die set bottom 2. Likewise, the vertical dimension of the slot 140 (see FIG. 2) under the bridge support 120 is great enough to permit the punched out pieces to slide to the rear along the die set bottom to fall oil the rear edge into a collecting container.

In some types of punching operations it is not feasible to use a permanent stripper, such as 122 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. In those other cases, an alternative form of stripper may be used in which the stripper acts as a combination spacer, support and stripper. Such construction is shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. Here the die plate clamps are designated by the same numbers, 70, 72, '74 and 76. Similarly, the lower support blocks are numbered 10 and 12 and the upper support blocks 34 and 36. The upper die plate is numbered 54 and the lower die plate 56.

As can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6, the dies are designed to punch out an annulus 142. This is accomplished through the use of an \annular upper punch 144 cooperating with a corresponding lower die 145. At the completion of the punching operation, there remains a circular disk 1146 in the center. As the punch 144 ascends following the punching operation, the

strippers

148 and 154 act to hold down that part of the work surrounding the annulus 142 and the central disk 146 is held down by the strippers and 152. At the same time as the punch 142 ascends, the

bottom strippers

156, 158, and 162 force the annulus 142 upwardly from its depressed position in the lower die 145 so that it can fall out at the rear of the dies.

The upper annular punch 144 is secured to die plate 54 by a plurality of screws 164 and the lower cooperating die 145 is held in position by a plurality of screws 166.

Each of the strippers comprises a cylindrical body exactly two inches long, the same length as the support blocks. The stripper bodies thus act in the same manner as the solid spacers shown in FIG. 8 to support the upper and lower die plates and dies against deflection as the punch is operated.

Interiorly of each of these tubular members is a strong spring acting as shown on an appropriate plunger. The spring is compressed during the punching operation. As the dies separate, the plungers, forced by the springs, move outwardly to efiectuate the stripping action above described.

In summary, it can be seen that with regard to a power press we have provided several means for supporting the upper and lower die plates in secured spaced relation with respect to the die set. First, we have used spaced support blocks located where they may properly cooperate with the quick clamping and'releasing means. Secondly, the die plates are supported at appropriate locations by interchangeable blocks or spacers which may be secured to the die plates by the attachment pins prior to the placing of the die plates in the press. The spacer blocks may be solid or tubular but are always of uniform length. The tubular spacers may include stripping or holding means in the form of spring pressed pins for use in stripping the work from the punches in certain types of operations. Finally, we have provided means for quickly and easily placing the two die plates in approximately aligned positions prior to actuation of the clamping means. The clamping means, when operated, then moves the die plates and the associated dies to positions of exact alignment, permitting the press to be placed in immediate and continuous operation as soon as the vertical stroke adjustment has been made. When the punching has been completed, release of the clamping means disengages the die plates from the locating pins, permitting the plates to be withdrawn from the press for storage until required for subsequent use.

In FIG. 10, the invention is shown in use with a milling machine. The bottom plate 2', corresponding to the plate 2 of the previously described figures, is secured to thebed of a milling machine. Attachment is made 7 by

bolts

172 and 174 located in suitable slots 176 in the plate and clamp guides 93'.

With the die plates 56 clamped in the position shown by the clamps 7d and 72, it is possible for the tool 173 to work on a piece 180* secured to plate 56. The stops 1&2 insure that a succession of identical plates 56' and work pieces 180 will always be held in exactly the same position with respect to bed 170, thus facilitating the duplicating of work on successive pieces 180 by tool 1'78 which may be directed by automated controls.

From the example of FIG. 10, it will be appreciated that the plate 2' could in a similar manner be fastened to the face plate of a lathe, the bed of a shaper or jig borer, or any other machine tool capable of Working on successive pieces 1% that are maintained in a definite position with respect to the plate 56' and in turn with the bottom plate 2,.

It is our intention to cover all changes and modifications of the examples of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim: t

1. Means for positioning and holding a standard plate in determined relation to a base, said means comprlsmg two separate spaced support blocks secured to said base, pins extending upwardly from said support blocks for a limited distance thereabove, slotted clamping means disposed on the remote sides of said support blocks, the slots of said clamping means when moved to maximum position away from said base being beyond the ends of said pins whereby said plate maybe slid in a direction parallel to said base into said slotted clamping means to be above said pins, a stop affixed to one of said support blocks for limiting the movement of said plate when introduced into said slotted clamping means, said plate having a plurality of holes spaced to agree exactly with the spacing of said pins, said, stop so positioned that when engaged by said plate said holes in said plate will be approximately located above the upper ends of said pins, means for moving said clamping means and plate downwardly to cause said pins to enter the holes in said plate whereby said plate will be clamped to said support blocks, and means for moving said clamping means away from said base whereby the base sides of said slots in which said plate is positioned will engage the under side of said plate and force said plate away from said support blocks to clear the ends of said pins whereby said plate may then be withdrawn from the slots of said clamping means.

2. Means for positioning and holding a standard die plate in determined relation to a die set, said means comprising a base, a pair of spaced support blocks extending from the front to the rear of said base, a plurality of pins with their axes parallel extendin upwardly at right angles to the upper faces of said support blocks, a die plate having a die aflixed thereto and having a plurality of holes therethrough spaced the same as the spacing of said pins, vertically movable clamps adjacent the remote faces of said support blocks, said clamps having notches therein adapted to receive the opposite edges of said die plate, means for moving said clamps away from said base a suflicient distance so that said die plate will be beyond the upper ends of said pins, stop means on said blocks for insuring approximate alignment of the holes in said plate with the said pins, and means for moving said clamps toward said base to cause said die plate to be positioned on said pins and clamped to said support blocks.

3. Means for removiably supporting an interchangeable die plate on a base of a machine in a position oppositely disposed to an upper die, said means comprising a pair of spaced support blocks afiixed to said base, clamping means for urging said plate tightly against said support blocks in parallel relation to the face of said base, the space between said blocks being sufiicient to allow interchangeability of said die plate having afiixed thereto dies of varying sizes and configurations, said dies having aperunder side of said plate adjacent the area of application of said upper die and suitably spaced to allow scrapmetal deposited through said apertures during the tamping process to pass between said spacer means and be removed through said space between said blocks, said spacer means being the same vertical dimension as said support blocks in order to cooperate with said base in providing support for said plate in the area of application of said upper die, cooperating alignment means on said plate and support blocks for maintaining said plate in exact lateral relation with respect to said sup-port blocks, and means for moving said plate away from said support blocks until said cooperating !alignment means have separated whereby said plate and spacers may be withdrawn laterally from said clamping means. 7

4. Means for removably supporting an interchangeable die plate on a base of a machine in a position oppositely disposed to an upper die, said means comprising a pair of spaced support blocks afiixed to said base, clamping means attached to said base for urging said plate tightly against said support blocks in parallel relation to the face of said base, the space between said blocks being sufiicient to allow interchangeability of said die plates having dies affixed thereto of varying sizes and configurations, said dies provided with apertures therethrough to receive said upper die, said apertures in communication with apertures of equal or greater dimensions in said die plate'slin order to provide for the removal of scrap metal the punching process, said support blocks being undercut at their facing sides, a pair of bridge supports extending between said support blocks and spaced from each other,

said bridge supports resting on said base and having oppo sitely extending flanges on their ends, which flanges are positioned in the undercut areas of said support blocks, the upper surfaces of said bridge supports being in the same plane as the upper surfaces of said support blocks in order to provide further support for said plate during the application of said upper dies to stock positioned on said dies during the punching process, a portion of the undersides of said bridge supports in spaced relationship with said base in order to provide a channel therebetween for the removal of scrap metal deposited through said apertures on said base during the punching operation, cooperating alignment means for maintaining said plate in exact lateral relation with respect to said support blocks and said bridge supports, and means associated with said clamping means for moving said plate away from said support blocks and bridge supports until said cooperating alignment means have separated whereby said plate may be withdrawn from said clamping means. a

5. In a machine for working on metal, means for precisely locating and supporting an interchangeable die plate having a lower die afiixed thereto in a position oppositely disposed from an upper die, said means comprising a base, two separate support blocks secured to said base, said blocks being relatively widely spaced from each other and having their upper surfaces in the same plane, a plurality of pins with their axes parallel extending upwardly above and at right angles to the upper surfaces of said support blocks, said lower die plate having a die afiixed thereto and having a plurality of holes therethrough spaced the same as the spacing of said pins, means for removably securing said plate to said support blocks with the said pins in said holes, the distance between saidsupport blocks being so great that the said plate will bend excessively under the force exerted by said upper die on said lower die during the operation of said machine, one or more intermediate supports for said plate extending between said plate and base and positioned between said two supports, said intermediate supports being sufficiently spaced to allow for the removal of scrap metal therebetween and removably attached to the under side of said plate, said intermediate supports located at positions bewith apertures in neath said lower die and adjacent said apertures in order to prevent deflection of said die plate during the stamping process.

6. Means for positioning and holding a standard plate having a set of guide holes therein in precise determined relation to a base having raised surfaces for supporting said plate, said means comprising a set of precision alignment pins corresponding to said set of guide holes projecting from said surfaces of said base, a pair of opposed slide support members on opposite sides of said surfaces with notches forming slides spaced by the width dimension of said plate to support said plate 'by' sliding engagement therein with the edges thereof at a spaced position from said surfaces beyond the extension of said pins, an end stop extending across the path of said plate for arresting the sliding insertion of said plate in said slides, said slides and end stop being located to position said plate with said set of holes approximately in registry with said set of pins, means for moving said slide support members parallel to the axes of the said pins to engage said pins 10 in said holes and for clamping said plate in position supported by said surfaces, and means for releasing said plate by moving said slide support members away from said surfaces to disengage said pins from said holes whereby said plate can be removed by sliding in said slides.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

Claims

4. MEANS FOR REMOVABLY SUPPORTING AN INTERCHANGEABLE DIE PLATE ON A BASE OF A MACHINE IN A POSITION OPPOSITELY DISPOSED TO AN UPPER DIE, SAID MEANS COMPRISING A PAIR OF SPACED SUPPORT BLOCKS AFFIXED TO SAID BASE, CLAMPING MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID BASE FOR URGING SAID PLATE TIGHTLY AGAINST SAID SUPPORT BLOCKS IN PARALLEL RELATION TO THE FACE OF SAID BASE, THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID BLOCKS BEING SUFFICIENT TO ALLOW INTERCHANGEABILITY OF SAID DIE PLATES HAVING DIES AFFIXED THERETO OF VARYING SIZES AND CONFIGURATIONS, SAID DIES PROVIDED WITH APERTURES THERETHROUGH TO RECEIVE SAID UPPER DIE, SAID APERTURES IN COMMUNICATION WITH APERTURES OF EQUAL OR GREATER DIMENSIONS IN SAID DIE PLATES IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FOR THE REMOVAL OF SCRAP METAL DURING THE PUNCHING PROCESS, SAID SUPPORT BLOCKS BEING UNDERCUT AT THEIR FACING SIDES, A PAIR OF BRIDGE SUPPORTS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID SUPPORTS BLOCKS AND SPACED FROM EACH OTHER, SAID BRIDGE SUPPORTS RESTING ON SAID BASE AND HAVING OPPOSITELY EXTENDING FLANGES ON THEIR ENDS, WHICH FLANGES ARE POSITIONED IN THE UNDERCUT AREAS OF SAID SUPPORT BLOCKS, THE UPPER SURFACES OF SAID BRIDGES SUPPORTS BEING IN THE SAME PLANE AS THE UPPER SURFACES OF SAID SUPPORT BLOCKS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FURTHER SUPPORT FOR SAID PLATE DURING THE APPLICATION OF SAID UPPER DIES TO STOCK POSITIONED ON SAID DIES DURING THE PUNCHING PROCESS, A PORTION OF THE UNDERSIDES OF SAID BRIDGE SUPPORTS IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID BASE IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A CHANNEL THEREBETWEEN FOR THE REMOVAL OF SCRAP METAL DEPOSITED THROUGH SAID APERTURES ON SAID BASE DURING THE PUNCHING OPERATION, COOPERATING ALIGNMENT MEANS FOR MAINTAINING SAID PLATE IN EXACT LATERAL RELATION WITH RESPECT TO SAID SUPPORT BLOCKS AND SAID BRIDGE SUPPORTS, AND MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID CLAMPING MEANS FOR MOVING SAID PLATE AWAY FROM SAID SUPPORT BLOCKS AND BRIDGE SUPPORTS UNTIL SAID COOPERATING ALIGNMENT MEANS HAVE SEPARATED WHEREBY SAID PLATE MAY BE WITHDRAWN FROM SAID CLAMPING MEANS.