| 摘要 |
Disclosed herein is a sheet metal stamping device and methods for reducing the size of a blank required for producing a stamped part therefrom than is conventionally possible. The device utilizes an intermediate clamp section with projections having clamping formations located thereon which complement clamping formations located on a first die section. The intermediate clamp section projections allow for the use of a smaller blank size as less addendum material is required to secure the blank during the stamping process. The blank is secured using the intermediate clamp section and the first die section prior to the second die section engaging the blank to stamp the part. In some embodiments, retention beads resultant from the clamping process may remain in the stamped part, that being inside a trim line. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a blank shifter may be provided to locate the blank between the die sections prior to clamping. In other embodiments, more than one complementary pair of clamping formations may be provided. Furthermore, in some embodiments a trim line cutter may be provided. |
| 主权项 |
1. A stamping device for stamping a metal blank, comprising:
a first die section and a second die section, the first and second die sections operable for movement along a travel path relative to each other between a retracted position and a stamping position; the first and second die sections including complementary first and second surface portions with respective first and second work piece-forming regions located thereon, the first die section including a pair of opposed first die section boundaries and the first work-piece forming region being located in a central inner region of the first die section and spaced from the opposed first die section boundaries; die sections being configured to receive a metal blank therebetween, the metal blank having opposed edges to be inwardly spaced from the corresponding first die section boundaries, the first and second work-piece forming regions being arranged for shaping a work piece from the metal blank in the stamping position; an intermediate clamp section located intermediate the first and second die sections; the first die section including a plurality of opposed first clamping formations, and the intermediate clamp section including a plurality of opposed inwardly offset second clamping formations, for clamping the blank in a clamping position; the intermediate clamp section including at least a pair of clamp modules on opposite sides of the travel path, each clamp module having an inner peripheral region with at least one projection extending inwardly therefrom and transverse to the travel path, wherein at least one of the plurality of opposed inwardly offset second clamping formations is formed on each projection, and is inwardly offset relative to the corresponding clamping nodule, in order to clamp the metal blank in the clamping position; the second die section having cut-out regions transverse to the travel path, each cut-out region for receiving a corresponding projection; the first die section being movable relative to the second die section from the retracted position to the clamping position before reaching the stamping position, so as to clamp the metal blank between the first clamping formations and the corresponding inwardly offset second clamping formations; the intermediate clamp section being operable for travel with the first die section, relative to the second die section, to the stamping position so as to nest with the second die section with each projection resident in a corresponding cut-out region. |
