GB2615599A

GB2615599A - Indentation marker for press tool

Info

Publication number: GB2615599A
Application number: GB2201972.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Moore Robin
Original assignee: CHASESTEAD Ltd
Current assignee: CHASESTEAD Ltd
Priority date: 2022-02-15
Filing date: 2022-02-15
Publication date: 2023-08-16
Also published as: GB202201972D0

Abstract

An indentation marker 100 for a press tool to create an indentation on a surface of a substrate. The indentation marker comprises a base part 102 and a protruding part 104 , integral with the base part, to provide the indentation on the surface of the substrate. The indentation provides a datum for a punching operation on the surface of the substrate, a calibration of the substrate for post processing operation, and a calibration of a post processing tool associated with the post processing operation. The indentation marker may be detachably coupled with the press tool, the protruding part 104 may have a circular, rectangular, or triangular cross section. The post processing operation may be laser cutting, and the post processing tool may be a five-axis laser. The punching operation may create a mounting hole that enables retaining the substrate whilst the post processing operation is performed.

Description

INDENTATION MARKER FOR PRESS TOOL

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a mechanical device. In particular, though not exclusively, this invention relates to an indentation marker for a press tool.

BACKGROUND

Typically, a workpiece has to undergo various forming processes, such as bending, punching, cutting and so on, before achieving a desired shape. Such bending, punching or cutting of the workpiece is performed at specific locations on the workpiece. For example, punching creates a punch, a hole, a cavity at specific locations in the workpiece as required for a final desired shape thereof. In this regard, such specific locations have to be specified (namely marked) on the surface of the workpiece to enable further processing thereof.

Conventionally, a scale may be used for specifying such specific locations on the surface of the workpiece. Subsequently, the workpiece is mounted on a work table and the desired post-processing operation is performed thereon.

In an example, during the punching operation, the punching is done on the specific locations measured/marked using the scale. It will be appreciated that this requires precision to calibrate the positioning of the workpiece according to the punching tool. However, conventional punching processes may have a negative effect on the workpiece during the forming process. Moreover, conventional punching processes may result in traditional 'eggbox fixture' in the workpiece.

Furthermore, conventional punching process is complex and requires frequent manual intervention to ensure accuracy in the positioning (namely, aligning) of the punch with the marking on the workpiece. Additionally, the post-processing operation on the workpiece subsequent to the aforementioned process is time-consuming and unprofitable.

There remains a need for an improved method of positioning the workpiece at the correct position to perform a forming process. It is an object of the invention to address at least one of the above problems or another problem associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the invention provides an indentation marker for a press tool to create an indentation on a surface of a substrate, the indentation marker comprising: a base part; and a protruding part, integral with the base part, configured to provide the indentation on the surface of the substrate, wherein the indentation provides: a datum for a punching operation on the surface of the substrate, a calibration of the substrate for post processing operation, and a calibration of a post processing tool associated with the post processing operation.

It has been found that the indentation marker for a press tool may advantageously provide an accurate and repeatable indentation on the surface of the substrate. In particular, such indentation marker has been found to be advantageously providing a high rate of workability while reducing the frequent manual intervention. Moreover, it has been found that such indentation marker for a press tool offers an improved method of locating the position of pressing by using bolts to restrain the pressing during a post processing operation, such as cutting. Beneficially, the indentation serves two purposes: (a) it provides a datum for a forming process, and (b) enables in accurate calibration of the substrate for any post-processing operation thereon as well as the calibration of the post-processing tool of the post-processing operation.

Optionally, the substrate may be a metal sheet, a plastic sheet, a cloth, a paper, a vulcanized fibre, and so forth.

Moreover, the indentation marker is arranged on the press tool such that when the press tool is pressed against the surface of the substrate the indentation 30 marker leaves the indentation thereon. The base part of the indentation marker may be arranged close to or inside the press tool and the protruding part, that is integral with the base part, protrudes to provide the indentation on the surface of the substrate.

In some embodiments, the indentation marker may be screwed below the surface of the press tool. In this regard, the indentation marker may comprise 5 threads corresponding to threads of press tool on a distal end thereof for a desired screwing therebetween.

In some embodiments, the indentation marker is coupled to the press tool such that protruding part of the indentation marker protrudes from below the surface of the press tool. In such arrangement, the indentation marker may be inserted into the press tool such that the base part is inside the press tool and only the protruding part is outside the surface of the press tool.

In some embodiments, the indentation marker is detachably coupled with the press tool. This enables the single indentation marker to be used on the various press tool. Optionally, also enables the press tool to be used when the indention marker is not required. Suitably, the indentation marker is easily replaceable and can be used based on the substrate. Beneficially, such arrangement of the indentation marker and the press tool allows replacing the indentation marker based on, for example, a cross-section of the substrate, a hardness of the substrate, number of parts to be produced using the substrate, a sharpness of the indentation marker, or a strength of the indentation marker.

In some embodiments, the protruding part may have a cross-section selected from at least one of: a circular cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, a triangular cross-section. Advantageously, it enables the possibility to modify the geometry of the indentation on the surface of the substrate based on a hardness thereof.

Optionally, a length of the base part may be in a range of 1 to 20 mm, and a width of the base part may be in a range of 1 to 10 mm. Optionally, a length of protrusion of the protruding part may be in a range of 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

In some embodiments, the punching operation creates at least one mounting hole on the surface of the substrate, and wherein the at least one mounting hole enables retaining the substrate while the post processing operation is performed thereon. It will be appreciated that the indentation is subsequently used for punching operation on the substrate to allow mounting thereof for further post processing operations.

Advantageously, the punching operation on the substrate enables creating mounting holes to enable easy mounting (such as on a frame) of the substrate for post processing operations thereon while maintaining a structural integrity of the substrate.

In some embodiments, the post processing operation is a laser cutting. The laser cutting is a process in which the substrate of different thickness may be cut regardless the sheer complexity of the operation. Typically, a laser beam is guided and when it strikes the substrate, the substrate heats up and melts (or vaporises) to form a cut of the substrate. Advantageously, the laser cutting provides high accuracy and precision cuts.

Suitably, the post processing tool is a five-axis laser. The five-axis laser enables the substrate bearing the indentation to be moved on five different axes at the same time. Moreover, the five-axis laser also enables the displacement, rotation and tilting of a frame configured to hold the substrate, advantageously producing complex cutting operation efficiently and accurately. Furthermore, the five-axis laser approaches the substrate from all directions in a single operation, eliminating the need to manually reposition the substrate between operations.

Alternatively, the post processing operation may be a painting process, a forming process, and so forth.

In an exemplary implementation, the press tool bearing the indentation marker is pressed against the surface of the substrate to create indentation thereon. The said indentation is used as datum for the punching operation and subsequently the punched substrate is mounted on a suitable platform or frame for further post processing operation on the substrate, such as laser cutting, to produce a desired product.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and "comprises", mean "including but not limited to", and do not exclude other components, integers or steps. Moreover, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires: in particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Preferred features of each aspect of the invention may be as described in connection with any of the other aspects. Within the scope of this application, it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1A and 1B are the perspective view and front view, respectively, of an indentation marker for a press tool, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 2 is a perspective view of an indentation marker inserted below a working face of a press tool, in accordance with an embodiment of the

present disclosure;

Figures 3 is a perspective view of an indentation left on a surface of a substrate by an indentation marker, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and Figures 4 is a perspective view of a substrate installed on a laser cutting fixture, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 5

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to figures 1A and 16, shown are a perspective view and a front view, respectively, of an indentation marker 100 for a press tool, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The indentation marker comprises a base part 102 on a distal end of the indentation marker 100 and a protruding part 104, integral with the base part 102, on a proximal end opposite to the distal end of the indentation marker 100, configured to provide an indentation on a surface of a substrate. As shown in figure 1A, the protruding part 104 has a triangular cross-section.

Referring to figure 2, shown is a perspective view of an indentation marker 202 inserted below a working face of a press tool 204, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the indentation marker 202 is coupled to the press tool 204 such that a protruding part 206 of the indentation marker 202 protrudes from below the surface of the press tool 204.

Referring to figure 3, shown is a perspective view of an indentation 302 left on a surface of a substrate 304 by an indentation marker, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The indentation 302 on the surface of the substrate 304 is a result of pressing of a pressing tool having the indentation marker against the surface of the substrate.

Referring to figure 4, shown is a perspective view of a substrate 402 installed on a laser cutting fixture 404, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, mounting holes 406 are created by a punching operation on the surface of the substrate 402, for retaining the substrate 402.

Moreover, the substrate 402 is installed on the laser cutting fixture 404 having towers 408 corresponding to the mounting holes 406. The towers 408 control the position of the substrate 402 and take out any twist during any post processing operation being performed on the substrate to ensure accurate cutting, such as by a five-axis laser (not shown).

Claims

CLAIMS1. An indentation marker for a press tool to create an indentation on a surface of a substrate, the indentation marker comprising: - a base part; and - a protruding part, integral with the base part, configured to provide the indentation on the surface of the substrate, wherein the indentation provides: - a datum for a punching operation on the surface of the substrate, - a calibration of the substrate for post processing operation, and - a calibration of a post processing tool associated with the post processing operation.
2. The indentation marker of claim 2, wherein the indentation marker is coupled to the press tool such that protruding part of the indentation marker protrudes from below the surface of the press tool.
3. The indentation marker of any preceding claim, wherein the indentation marker is detachably coupled with the press tool.
4. The indentation marker of any preceding claim, wherein the protruding part may have a cross-section selected from at least one of: a circular cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, a triangular cross-section.
5. The indentation marker of any preceding claim, wherein the post processing operation is a laser cutting.
6. The indentation marker of any preceding claim, wherein the post processing tool is a five-axis laser.
7. The indentation marker of any preceding claim, wherein the punching 25 operation creates at least one mounting hole on the surface of the substrate, and wherein the at least one mounting hole enables retaining the substrate while the post processing operation is performed thereon.