Narrow aerial and die-mount cams

Abstract

Narrow aerial and die-mount cams, each having a cam adapter, a driver and a slide sandwiched between the cam adapter and driver. The narrow aerial cam slide has an elongate primary portion that has a T-shaped cross-section and has a primary bearing surface, and the cam adapter has a rectangular recess. An elongate keeper plate having a longitudinal slot is secured to each side of the cam adapter adjacent the rectangular recess to slidably retain the primary portion of the slide within the longitudinal slots and the rectangular recess. The primary bearing surface and a pair of intermediate bearing surfaces formed in the slide below the primary portion slidably support the keeper plates and thus the cam adapter. The driver slidably supports the slide. The narrow die-mount cam is basically an inverted version of the aerial cam.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention relates generally to aerial and die-mount cams and more particularly to improvements in cams configured to provide an increased load-bearing capacity and to facilitate the fabrication of long-lived, narrow cams having components that do not require custom fitting. [0003] 2. Background Art [0004] Aerial and die-mount cams are often used to operate tools for such manufacturing processes as punching, trimming, stamping and bending workpieces. These devices include elements that convert downward and upward forces provided by a press into laterally directed component forces that advance and retract a tool in lateral directions to effect the mentioned processes. [0005] Since some manufacturing processes require the application of considerable forces, an important feature of cams is their load-bearing capacity. Cams in present use typically have a maximum load-bearing capacity of some 1.5 tons. Previous attem...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This configuration enhances the load-bearing capacity to 4 tons, reduces the likelihood of bolt damage, and allows for easier installation and removal without removing the cam from the press, while maintaining the cam's narrow size and stability, thus improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing costs.

Problems solved by technology

Previous attempts to increase load-bearing capacity have included broadening bearing surfaces, but these have increased the width of the cams.

Having to remove cams from their presses to replace worn parts can be a costly and time-consuming activity.

Fasteners such as bolts that hold parts together are more likely to loosen or fail if they are placed under stress during press operation.

Their design and construction result in additional expenses.

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