Punch press for duplicating workpieces

Abstract

A punch press for producing duplicate piece parts from workpiece blanks includes a C-shaped frame supporting an actuator operable to reciprocate a movable tool element toward and away from a fixed tool element to punch holes in an intervening workpiece blank. The latter is clamped to a carriage for movement between the tool elements within a punching area and the carriage is supported on a movable bed which, in turn, is supported on a worktable mounted separately of the press frame. The bed is slidably mounted for movement in an x direction while the carriage is slidably mounted on the bed for movement in a y direction thereby enabling x, y movement of the blank to position it in the punching area. Located on the table adjacent the punching area is a duplicating area within which a first piece part is clamped to the table in a predetermined position with respect to the fixed tool element. A stylus supported on the carriage is adapted to telescope into the holes in the first piece part so as to locate the blank in the punching area for punching corresponding holes in the blank. Clamps holding the blank for movement with the carriage include upper and lower jaws which are movable vertically with the blank to keep from being damaged during stripping. When punching holes in an angle iron workpiece, an adapter is held between the jaws of the clamps to grip against the ends of the angle iron workpiece and hold the latter for movement with the carriage. A locator on the table top below the carriage coacts with a plunger mounted on the carriage to locate the angle iron workpiece between the tool elements for punching holes in one leg of the workpiece along a preselected line extending in the y direction.