Punching press with tool exchanging means

Abstract

Punching press apparatus including an exchangeable tool set having upper and lower punching tools movable toward one another by a pressing ram to punch parts from sheet metal material. A stacking duct extends vertically downwardly from thepunching dies to accommodate a plurality of the punched out parts, which parts are then conveyed by endless magnetic conveyor belts arranged below the stacking duct, to remote part stacking mandrels and the like. In order to accommodate exchange of the punching tools without disconnection or emptying of the stacking ducts, the stacking ducts extend downardly to a position spaced upwardly of a press table supporting a toolholding plate, which toolholding plate supports the lower punching tool. The stacking ducts are formed as inserts in the toolholding plate so that a very simple exchange of the punching tools and toolholding plates can be effected by lateral movement of the units including the toolholding plate and punching tool out of the press ram working area. In preferred embodiments, air cushion means are provided between the press table and the toolholding plate to facilitate easy lateral movement for tool exchange operations. The conveyor belts are arranged in grooves in the press table so that they do not interfere with the exchanging operation.