Ron Windingstad

US Patent:

20110107888, May 12, 2011

Filed:

Nov 10, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/615956

Inventors:

Bruce Thielges - Fridley MN, US
Ron Windingstad - White Bear Township MN, US
Larry Villeneuve - Zimmerman MN, US
Phil Lysdahl - Nowthen MN, US

International Classification:

B21D 28/12
B23P 11/00
B21D 45/08

US Classification:

83139, 83552, 29428

Abstract:

A multiple punch and die assembly adapted to be placed in a punch press having a punch ram for imparting movement to a selected punch assembly for carrying out a punching or forming operation comprises a punch assembly for holding a plurality of selectively operable punches mounted for independent movement in the punch assembly so as to selectively engage a workpiece. The punch assembly has a punch carrier for reciprocal motion within a punch guide and a striker body engaging the punch carrier, said striker body being selectively, toollessly connectable to the punch carrier by a pair of tabs located on a lower circumference of the striker body, said pair of tabs located on a lower circumference of the striker body with a radial separation other than 180 degrees. A circumferential lip in the punch carrier receives the pair of tabs and has corresponding radially separated reliefs for allowing the pair of tabs to pass the circumferential lip, the engagement of the pair of tabs by the circumferential lip thereby locking the striker body to the punch carrier while permitting relative rotation of the striker body and punch carrier to select a punch for engagement by the striker. A detent means releasably positions the striker body in one of a plurality of operating positions, at which a punch is positioned for being struck selectively by the ram via the striker body such that one punch is driven to an operating position when at least one other punch is in inactive. In another embodiment the assembly has a stripper retainer that has precision pockets for holding strippers corresponding to the selectively operable punches.