Auto power press feed system

• Main Authors: Cheng, Michael, Santos, Howard, Santos, Howell, Tan, Stevenson, Ynson, Robert
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1998
• Subjects: Metal stamping; Metal-work > Data processing; Automobiles mechanics; Metal-cutting tools industry
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/8343
• Institution: De La Salle University

This paper aims to develop an automated metal plate feed system to be retrofitted on various weight classes of electric motor driven clutch activated power press machines. Factors such as safety, efficiency, and productivity has led to the development of this thesis. This thesis involves the development of a full scale industrial quality working prototype. The design aims to optimise the stamping process by improving repeatability, accuracy, and maximising plate usage. The system is also designed to allow processing of batches of variable plate and stamp object sizes. The size of the plate, diameter of the washer being stamped, and the position of the offset needs to be fed in to the computer by the user. The system follows a set operating sequence of (1) dispense a plate to a plate handling device we refer to as the roller clamp mechanism (2) the roller clamp moves into stamping position and executes the calculated stamping coordinates (3) upon positioning, the stamping machine foot switch is activated with the use of a linear actuator (4) after the stamping stroke the stamp object is recovered through a plate retraction routine, in cases where the system is retrofitted with presses having die sets not having drop through design (5) operating cycle is over, repeat step 1. All of these functions are controlled by a 486 DX2-66 computer using Turbo C as its programming language. Provisions have also been laid out for the installation of signal lights and alarm for the purposes of operator warning and machine status indication. Also beyond the stated objectives, an additional photocell array scanning device has been included for use in real-time plate silhouette detected. This development is to better suit and make practical the project for actual high productivity and high yield industrial use. It should be noted that this group has found no previous materials directly pertaining to this kind of system ever developed in the past or present. The closest commercially available autofeeders for stamping machine are continuous metal sheet feeders, and the turret cutter. Whereas the former handles a continuous roll of thin metal sheet, the latter is a very expensive CNC controlled machine not practical for use in metal scrap reprocessing as with the case of this paper - an Auto Power Press Feed System that handles plates of variable sizes in real time.