Gfm Gesellschaft Fur Fertigungstechnik Und Maschinenbau

Donald J Pilkington

A machine tool for processing platelike workpieces, particularly for machining the contours of superimposed sheet metal elements, comprises a work-supporting deck having a supporting surface and workpiece-fixing means, and a tool unit, which is mounted on a tool carriage and is movable over the supporting surface, wherein a holding-down device is provided, which is movable over the supporting surface in unison with the tool unit and comprises a holding-down shoe, which is adapted to be forced against the top surface of the workpiece to hold the workpiece in position close to the location at which the workpiece is being processed. For an improved holding of the workpieces in position particularly during a progressive cutting of blanks out of the workpieces and during a machining of the workpieces at their contour, the holding-down device is mounted on a separate holding-down carriage, which is operable to move the holding-down device in unison with the tool unit mounted on the tool carriage and which during the processing is adapted to be displaced relative to the tool carriage in that the movement in unison is interrupted and the holding-down device is thus held in a fixed position relative to the workpiece when this is required.

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Kettering Northants, United Kingdom

Donald J Pilkington