On 2021-02-01 21:47, John Dammeyer wrote:
What I'm wondering is if it's worth the trouble to add XY to a 3 ton
arbour press. The back fence for the 3:1 tool is almost done so it's
just a matter of finishing it. But I can't see how any of the CAD/CAM
software out there addresses using a small punch to nibble out a
larger hole. And truthfully my JGRO based CNC router with a small end
mill can just as easily cut out metal plate. Or for that matter the
mill.
But is an XY punch even worth the effort?
This is a project I, too, have had echoing around the inside of my head
for a long time. I have a flypress and a small 2 ton arbour press. One
application I can see that could be significantly improved by adding an
XY capability would be for pressing sheet metal to create dummy rivets,
for scale model locomotives. That is not punching through, but punching
to form a protrusion. There are some hand-operated machines for doing
that, and they offers a guide to assist in manually slipping the metal
into position.
http://www.metalsmith.co.uk/rivet-embossing-tool.htm
http://www.modelrailroading.nl/news%20articles/tools/pages/rivet%20press.htm
and the highly regarded, but no longer available, GW Models press which
has some XY manual positioning adjustment:
https://picclick.co.uk/GW-Models-Universal-Rivet-Press-tool-173452688000.html
Personally, this seems to me like a job crying out for a decent CNC XY
positioning system.
Add a controllable-depth Z axis capable of exerting modest pressure, and
you would be able to enter lists of co-ordinates and press
pre-determined patterns of rivets with ease.
Add a simple piercing punch and a bit more power and you would be able
to punch the holes for actual rivets.
You could always try using a powered toggle press, as they are designed
for this kind of task.Big and heavy, though.
A flypress might be a possibility, if you devised a mechanism for
turning the shaft (easy) then pulling it (reverse rotation) smartly as
though you were vigorously swinging the arm/handle. Moving the weight at
speed produces the force.
Or create a jig for holding the sheet, and use a conventional CNC mill,
with the addition of an arrangement for pressing or punching, and you
would have the same thing. easy for thin brass, but not quite so
straight forward where large forces are required on the Z axis.
Sounds like a useful project to me, whichever way you go.
Marcus
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