Low profile pilot assembly and method for metal forming dies

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016288190-A1
Application number	US-201615176196-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 8, 2016
Priority date	Aug 20, 2012
Publication date	Oct 6, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

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.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

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.

2 . A metal forming die as set forth in claim 1 , including:
a retainer for operably supporting said pilot on the one die member to define an installed condition, including: at least one fastener portion; at least one fastener engaging a surface of said fastener portion of said retainer and having a threaded shank portion configured for anchoring in the one die member to securely, yet detachably retain said retainer on the one die member; and a pilot portion for engaging a surface of the pilot.

3 . A metal forming die as set forth in claim 2 , wherein:
said retainer is a single piece.

4 . A metal forming die as set forth in claim 2 , wherein:
said pilot portion engages a portion of a shoulder of the pilot.

5 . A metal forming die as set forth in claim 1 , wherein:
said one die member includes an aperture for receiving the inner end portion of the pilot.

6 . A metal forming die as set forth in claim 1 , wherein:
said pilot has a one-piece construction formed from a solid bar of rigid material.

7 . A metal forming die as set forth in claim 1 , wherein:
said stripper retainer is operably connected on an annular groove on the medial portion of the pilot.

8 . A metal forming die as set forth in claim 2 , wherein:
said pilot portion engages a shoulder that is formed on the pilot.

9 . A modular pilot assembly with self-contained stripper for multi-station progressive metal forming dies 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, 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.

10 . A modular pilot assembly as set forth in claim 9 , including:
a retainer for operably supporting said pilot on the one die member to define an installed condition, including: at least one fastener portion; at least one fastener engaging a surface of said fastener portion of said retainer and having a threaded shank portion configured for anchoring in the one die member to securely, yet detachably retain said retainer on the one die member; and a pilot portion for engaging a surface of the pilot.

11 . A modular pilot assembly as set forth in claim 10 , wherein:
said pilot portion engages a portion of a shoulder of the pilot.

12 . A modular pilot assembly as set forth in claim 9 , wherein:
said one die member includes an aperture for receiving the inner end portion of the pilot.

13 . A modular pilot assembly as set forth in claim 9 , wherein:
said pilot has a one-piece construction formed from a solid bar of rigid material.

14 . A modular pilot assembly as set forth in claim 9 , wherein:
said stripper retainer is operably connected on an annular groove on the medial portion of the pilot.

15 . A modular pilot assembly as set forth in claim 10 , wherein:
said retainer is a single piece.

16 . In a method for making 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, with the improvement of at least one modular pilot assembly for precisely locating the stock strip in the die stations, comprising:
forming a pilot for operable support on one of the die members with 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 the outer and inner end portions, and including: forming the outer end portion with 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; forming the inner end portion with a flat surface for engaging a surface of the one die member; selecting a spring member with a generally hollow interior, an outer end oriented toward the stock strip, an

Assignees

• Standard Lifters Inc

Inventors

• Pyper Joel T
• Breen Scott M

Classifications

• B21D43/06

  by positive or negative engaging parts co-operating with corresponding parts of the sheet or the like to be processed, e.g. carrier bolts or grooved section in the carriers · CPC title

• B21D45/006

  Stripping-off devices · CPC title

• B21D45/02

  Ejecting devices · CPC title

• B21K27/04

  allowing successive working steps · CPC title

• B21D45/00

  Ejecting or stripping-off devices arranged in machines or tools dealt with in this subclass · CPC title