US 20140331735A1
(19) United States
(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2014/0331735 A1
(43) Pub. Date:
SCATTOLON
(54)
NOV. 13, 2014
(52) U.S.Cl.
SPACER FOR DIES
CPC .................................... .. BZID 37/14 (2013.01)
(71) Applicant: Armenio SCATTOLON, Piombino
Dese (PD) (IT)
(72) Inventor:
USPC
(57)
Armenio SCATTOLON, Piombino
..................................................... ..
72/482.93
ABSTRACT
A die holder and spacer including a ?rst cylindrical portion
Dese (PD) (IT)
equipped With an inside recess and a solid base and a second
cylindrical portion that is at least partially solid and is
(21) Appl. No.: 14/271,795
attached to the solid base of and outside the ?rst portion, said
portions being coaxial. In a variant, an elastic damping device
(22) Filed:
is attached to the inside of the inside recess and protrudes
therefrom, and a cup element is placed outside and above the
elastic device and outside the ?rst cylindrical portion; the cup
(30)
May 7, 2014
Foreign Application Priority Data
May 7, 2013
(IT) ........................ .. PN2013U000021
element is provided With a ring-shaped edge ?rmly secured to
a corresponding ring-shaped portion of the solid base of the
?rst cylindrical portion. The ?rst and second cylindrical por
tions are made as a single part by a thermoplastic-material
Publication Classi?cation
injection process. In an improved embodiment, the material
(51)
Int. Cl.
BZID 3 7/14
includes semi-crystaline polyamides or polymers and prefer
ably includes ?berglass reinforcement.
(2006.01)
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SPACER FOR DIES
[0001]
This invention refers to a device for protecting dies
or the machines on which the dies are mounted at times when
the dies are not being used.
[0002] In the ?eld of machines which use dies or on which
dies are mounted, it is a known fact that when the dies are not
being used, they may be a source of some typical problems
involving either safety, the integrity of the dies, or even the
machines.
[0003] In FIG. 1, stamping machine 100 is shown, with
item 101 indicating the lowerportion of the die or column and
item 102 indicating the upper portion, which we shall refer to
as the “die”; when machine 100 is inactive, said items 101 and
102 are separated from each other by a certain distance “t”.
[0004] An initial cause of safety problems is the fact that,
when the machine is not active, said dies 101 and said
columns 102, which oppose each other and should be
safely secured, can inadvertently come closer to each
other and even close during maintenance; if an opera
tor’s hand is accidentally placed between these items,
there is obviously a real risk that the operator’s hand will
be trapped and crushed;
[0005] A second cause of problems has to do with the
fact that when the machine or just the assemblies con
sisting of a die and its column are being moved, these
items can come loose or vibrate or may come into poten
tially hazardous contact with each other; not only can
these items splatter shards outward, in which case they
will surely be damaged, there will also be an inevitable
economic loss given their generally high cost;
[0006]
A third possibility results from the fact that, when
the machine is inactive, said die and column items must
be kept at a certain precise distance for various technical
reasons, such as for calibrating the machine.
[0007] In order to overcome these drawbacks, solid or par
tially blocks 104 are normally made and used, as seen in FIG.
2, and are simply placed between the die and its column so as
to occupy said distance “t” and thus block said items at a
preset distance.
[0008] In particular, when the shape of said items, i.e. the
die and column, is cylindrical, said solid blocks 103 may be
similarly shaped like cylindrical bushings which match both
said items 101 and 102.
[0009]
This very empirical solution, however, has some
drawbacks which are speci?cally:
[0010] ?rst and foremost, blocks 103 are made by tum
ing metal rods; turning work is normally known to be
costly and therefore not very ef?cient at making parts
serving a very simple purpose, such as that of a “shim”;
[0011] in addition, said blocks 103 have the same diam
eter and therefore cannot be securely adapted to parts
with different diameters, given that they can slip later
ally for any reason whatsoever;
[0012] thirdly, said blocks are rigid and therefore do not
allow for even the slightest movement between the die
and column, which, due to an obvious reaction, causes
an undesirable mechanical stress between the compo
nents of the machine on which said dies and correspond
ing columns are mounted.
[0013] It would therefore be desirable to make a die spacer
that can substantially limit the above drawbacks, which is the
main purpose of this invention.
[0014] This purpose, along with other purposes which will
be more clearly speci?ed below, are achieved by a die spacer
made and operating according to the enclosed claims.
[0015] The features and advantages of the invention will
become clear from the following description, given as a non
limiting example, in reference to the enclosed drawings in
which:
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of one die
according to the prior art, which can use the present invention,
[0017] FIG. 2 shows the die of FIG. 1, to which a spacer
according to the prior art has been added,
[0018] FIGS. 3 and 4 show perspective views from two
different observation points, respectively, of a spacer accord
ing to the invention,
[0019]
FIG. 5 shows the die of FIG. 1, to which a spacer
according to the prior art has been added,
[0020] FIGS. 6A and 6B show partial transparencies of a
schematic starting condition and a working condition, respec
tively, of a spacer according to the invention,
[0021] FIGS. 7A and 7B show two ?at vertical middle
cross-sections of two corresponding installation and opera
tion examples of a spacer according to the invention,
[0022] FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of an improved
variant of the spacer according to the invention,
[0023] FIG. 8A shows the spacer ofFIG. 8 in an “exploded”
view, but with a ?at middle cross-section passing through
center axis “X” of the spacer in FIG. 8,
[0024] FIG. 8B shows a middle cross-section of the spacer
of the previous ?gure in the ?nished condition ready for use,
[0025] FIGS. 9A and 9B show two perspective views from
two different observation points of an improved accessory of
a spacer according to the invention,
[0026] FIG. 9C shows a perspective view of the accessory
in FIGS. 9A and 9B after the accessory has been mounted on
a spacer according to the invention,
[0027]
FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C show perspective views
of three subsequent operating states of the accessory in FIGS.
9A, 9B, and 9C, respectively (FIG. 10B shows an intermedi
ate transition position),
[0028] FIGS. 11A and 118 show perspective and schematic
views, respectively, of the spacer in FIGS. 10A and 10C.
[0029] In reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, an improved spacer
according to the invention consists of a single body that
comprises two cylindrical portions ?rmly connected to each
other by means of a corresponding base, in which in particu
lar:
[0030] a ?rst cylindrical portion 1 has an internal cylin
drical recess 2 open to the outside at one base, the oppo
site base 3 of which is solid,
[0031]
a second cylindrical portion 4, at least partially
solid, ?rmly connected to the outside of solid base 3 of
?rst portion 1.
As shown in the ?gures, inside diameter “D” of ?rst portion 1
is greater than outside diameter “d” of second portion 4.
[0032] This feature is clari?ed by observing FIGS. 6A, 6B,
and 7A, 7B; indeed, if die 102 is to be spaced safely from
corresponding column 101, a portion of the spacer needs to be
able to be coupled to the corresponding item without any risk
of slipping out or being ejected; this goal is achieved if one of
said cylindrical portions can be engaged by dovetailing like a
cap on the outer surface of the other item to be spaced away.
[0033] But this condition is normally achievable if the por
tion that caps the corresponding item (die or column) has a
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US 2014/0331735 A1
[0046]
recess with substantially the same dimensions so as to easily
and a second part 11 designed so as to be secured
?t with said item, be it a die or column.
against one of said elements, be it the die or column, and
[0034] Consequently, since said recess is de?ned by a
cylindrical wall and said wall obviously cannot have a zero
rotation, preferably by means of hinge 12 on an outer
into which said ?rst ring-shaped part 10 is engaged by
edge of said ?rst ring-shaped part 10.
thickness, and (see FIGS. 6A, 6B) since said cylindrical por
tion 4 is inserted into inside cylindrical part 101A of column
101, which normally has the same width as die 102, outside
diameter “D” of ?rst hollow portion 1 is necessarily greater
than outside diameter “d” of second cylindrical portion 4.
[0035]
In addition, as can be seen in these same ?gures, and
for obvious design and functional reasons, it is also appropri
ate for said ?rst and second cylindrical portions 1 and 4 and
said inside recess 2 to be coaxial with respect to the same axis
“X”.
[0036] The main solution just described allows for numer
ous bene?cial improvements which solve some problems
which may remain unsolved by the invention described
above.
[0037] One of these problems consists of the fact that, even
though said spacer improves the technique for protecting
dies, it may be that said dies, although joined to each other,
need to be connected in a non-rigid way so as not to subject
the rest of the machine to excessive streeses.
[0038] To overcome this drawback, said internal recess 2,
in reference to FIGS. 8, 8A, and 8B, can be used to insert an
elastic damping means 5, particularly a cylindrical damper
made of elastomeric material, which protrudes from the outer
edge of said recess 2 by length “s”.
[0039] A cylindrical cup element 6, which is therefore hol
low, is placed above the assembly consisting of said elastic
means 5 and said ?rst portion 1, arranged outside and above
said elastic means 5 and outside said ?rst cylindrical portion
1.
[0040]
In practice, an expert skilled in the art will under
stand that a shock-absorbing or damping element which can
elastically absorb impacts or any vibrations between the die
and the corresponding column, is thus made.
[0041] In addition, said cup element is advantageously pro
vided with a ring-shaped edge 8 ?rmly secured to a corre
sponding ring-shaped portion of said solid base 3 of the ?rst
cylindrical portion 1.
[0042] In essence, said cup element 6 is engaged securely
above said ?rst portion 1 due to the opposing actions between
said elastic means 5 and the reaction force of said ring-shaped
edge 8 against said solid base 3.
[0043] A useful accessory of the spacer according to the
inventionis shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 10A, 10B, 10C,11A,
and 11B; this accessory aims to overcome the drawback of
having to remove and store the spacer of the invention some
where after it has been used, and to ?nd and reinstall it
afterward; these work steps can be eliminated completely by
providing the spacer of the invention with a useful accessory
making it quick and easy to remove the spacer from its work
ing portion while the stamping machine is operating, but
[0047]
Said second part 11 can in turn be equipped with
attachment devices, preferably through-elements such as
bolts, pins, or the like, not explicitly shown, which are
inserted into appropriate through-holes 13 made in said sec
ond part 11, which may be made directly from a simple plate.
The operation of said attachment element consists primarily
in:
[0048] placing said second part 11 on an edge of the die
or column, as shown schematically in FIGS. 10A and
10B, by means of said bolts which pass through said
through-holes 13 and which engage with the die (or
column),
[0049] and then, while making the ?rst ring-shaped part
11 rotate on said hinge 12, said ?rst ring-shaped part is
put in the desired position so that the spacer of the
invention is placed in the working position, then alter
natively:
[0050]
inserted between the die and column, as shown
symbolically in FIG. 10A,
[0051] or removed from said working position by rotat
ing hinge 12 1800 when the corresponding stamping
machine is working.
[0052] In addition, said ?rst ring-shaped part 10 is advan
tageously made like a ?exible jaw so that it can adapt to and
clamp to different sized spacers and lock onto them so as not
to be removable; consequently, said ?rst ring-shaped part 10
is made like a ring that is radially open by a transverse slot 15,
which can be clamped by a suitable clamping device, typi
cally a bolt 14, by known design and construction features.
[0053]
Lastly, in order for said spacer to be made in an
economically sustainable and industrially practical way, it is
appropriate for the ?rst portion and the second portion to be
made as a single piece by means of a known thermoplastic
material injection process.
[0054] The preferred plastic material has been determined
advantageously to include semi-crystalline polyamides or
polymers.
[0055] In particular, in order to ensure that the thermoplas
tic material has a very high hardness and strength, it is par
ticularly useful to add a ?berglass reinforcement component
of at least 20% by weight to said plastic material.
[0056] It has been found that a perfectly suitable material
for this purpose is available on the market under the trade
name “Greenamid PA6 (GF30).”
1. A spacing holder for dies or stamping machines which
can constitute a means of spacing apart two opposing parts of
said die, wherein it includes:
a ?rst cylindrical portion equipped with:
an inside recess open to the outside at one base,
which keeps it connected to a part of the machine, be it the die
or column, so that it can be reinstalled in its working position
with the opposite base thereof being solid,
a second cylindrical portion, at least partially solid,
(when the machine is stopped) in an equally quick and easy
attached securely to and outside said solid base, with an
outside diameter that is less than the outside diamter of
manner.
[0044]
To that end, a holding element is made and
equipped:
[0045] with a ?rst ring-shaped part 10 which can be
secured ?rmly to the outer cylindrical surface of said
second cylindrical portion 2,
said ?rst portion;
wherein said ?rst and second cylindrical portions and said
inside recess are coaxial.
2. A die or stamping machine holder according to claim 1,
wherein it includes:
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an elastic damping means attached inside said inside recess
and protruding therefrom,
a cup element placed outside and above said elastic means
and outside said ?rst cylindrical portion.
3. A die or stamping machine holder according to claim 2,
Wherein said cup element is provided With a ring-shaped edge
attached securely to a corresponding ring-shaped portion of
said solid base of said ?rst cylindrical portion.
4. A die or stamping machine holder according to claim 1,
Wherein it includes a grasping element equipped:
With a ?rst ring-shaped part Which can be secured ?rmly to
the outside of said second cylindrical portion,
and a second part attached by rotating means to an outer
edge of said ?rst ring-shaped part.
5. A die or stamping machine holder according to claim 4,
Wherein said means of rotation includes a hinge.
6. A die or stamping machine holder according to claim 4,
Wherein said second part is equipped With grasping devices.
7. A die or stamping machine holder according to claim 4,
Wherein said ?rst ring-shaped part is equipped With a device
for clamping or locking to the outer surface of said second
cylindrical portion.
8. A die or stamping machine holder according to claim 1,
Wherein said ?rst cylindrical portion and said second cylin
drical portion are made as a single part by means of a ther
moplastic-material injection process.
9. A die or stamping machine holder according to claim 9,
Wherein said thermoplastic material includes semi-crystal
line polyamides or polymers.
10. A die or stamping machine holder according to claim
claim 9, Wherein said material includes ?berglass reinforce
ment of at least 20% by weight.
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