LOW PROFILE PILOT ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR METAL FORMING DIES

摘要

A pilot assembly and method for metal forming dies has a generally cylindrical pilot with a stripper that strips stock from the pilot when metal forming dies diverge. The pilot assembly is secured to one die member by a fastener by itself or in combination with a window mount. A spring within the pilot assembly contacts the stripper to force the stripper to reciprocate when the dies are pulled apart. Thus, the pilot assembly helps locate the stock within the metal forming die while also having a stripper to help strip the stock from the pilot.

主权项

1. In a multi-station progressive metal forming die having at least two mutually converging and diverging die members between which an elongate stock strip is shifted longitudinally to form parts from the stock strip, the improvement of a modular pilot assembly with self-contained stripper, comprising:
a pilot configured for operable support on one of the die members and having an outer end portion oriented toward the stock strip, an oppositely disposed inner end portion oriented away from the stock strip, and a medial portion disposed axially between said outer and inner end portions, wherein: said outer end portion has a generally tapered nose to engage the pilot hole in the stock strip and guide the same to a predetermined position in an associated die forming station; said inner end portion has a surface for engaging a surface of the one die member; a spring member having a generally hollow interior that is received over said medial portion, an outer end oriented toward the stock strip, and an opposite inner end oriented away from the stock strip and positioned adjacent a surface on the pilot; a stripper with an outer collar portion with an outer end surface oriented toward the stock strip and a first sidewall with a first outside width, an inner collar portion with an inner end surface oriented away from the stock strip and a second sidewall with a second outside width which is less than said first outside width of said first sidewall of said outer collar portion and defines a shoulder therebetween for engaging the outer end of said spring member; wherein:
said outer collar portion has a first inner width;said inner collar portion has a second inner width which is less than said first inner width of said outer collar portion and defines an inner shoulder therebetween; and a stripper retainer operably connected on the pilot to maintain the stripper on the pilot assembly by engaging the inner shoulder of the stripper when the die members are diverged.