Die

Abstract

A die includes a stationary die, a movable die, which is opposed to the stationary die and reciprocatable in a first direction to change a distance between the stationary and movable dies, and a transfer mechanism, which transfers a workpiece, upon which plastic deformation work is performed between the stationary and movable dies, in a second direction crossing the first direction. The transfer mechanism includes a clamp portion, which clamps/unclamps the workpiece, a synchronizing member, which is engaged with the movable die to reciprocate in synchronization with reciprocation of the movable die, a clamp-unclamp operation converter, which converts reciprocation of the synchronizing member into clamping/unclamping of the workpiece by the clamp portion, and an advance-return operation converter, which converts reciprocation of the synchronizing member into advance-return operation of the clamp portion, whereby the clamp portion advances the workpiece in the second direction and is returned after advancement of the workpiece.

1 . A die for performing plastic deformation work upon a workpiece, the die comprising:
 a stationary die;   a movable die that is opposed to the stationary die and reciprocatable in a first direction to change a distance between the stationary die and the movable die; and   a transfer mechanism that is configured to transfer the workpiece, upon which the plastic deformation work is performed between the stationary die and the movable die, in a second direction that crosses the first direction, wherein the transfer mechanism includes:
 a clamp portion that is adapted to clamp and unclamp the workpiece; 
 a synchronizing member that is engaged with the movable die to reciprocate in synchronization with reciprocal movement of the movable die; 
 a clamp-unclamp operation converter that is configured to convert reciprocal movement of the synchronizing member into clamping and unclamping of the workpiece by the clamp portion; and 
 an advance-return operation converter that is configured to convert the reciprocal movement of the synchronizing member into advance-return operation of the clamp portion, whereby the clamp portion advances the workpiece in the second direction and is returned after advancement of the workpiece. 
   
     
     
         2 . The die according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the transfer mechanism further includes a rotatable shaft and a crank mechanism that is configured to convert the reciprocal movement of the synchronizing member into rotation of the rotatable shaft;   the clamp-unclamp operation converter is configured to convert the rotation of the rotatable shaft into the clamping and unclamping of the workpiece by the clamp portion; and   the advance-return operation converter is configured to convert the rotation of the rotatable shaft into the advance-return operation of the clamp portion.   
     
     
         3 . The die according to  claim 2 , wherein the clamp-unclamp operation converter includes a cam mechanism that is configured to convert the rotation of the rotatable shaft into the clamping and unclamping of the workpiece by the clamp portion. 
     
     
         4 . The die according to  claim 2 , wherein the advance-return operation converter includes a cam mechanism that is configured to convert the rotation of the rotatable shaft into the advance-return operation of the clamp portion.