Folding machine for flat materials

Abstract

A folding machine for folding flat sheet metal material includes a series of bottom clamp heads and a series of top clamp heads are pivotally coupled to the bottom clamp heads. A bottom clamp is coupled to the bottom clamp heads, while a top clamp is coupled to the top claim heads. A bottom folding apron is mounted to the bottom clamp, while a top folding apron is mounted to the top clamp. A side loader assembly transfers sheet metal material into the folding machine for processing. A series of lifting tray assemblies reciprocate vertically between a raised position above the material working surface and a lowered position. Back gauges abut, grasp and hold the rearward edge of the sheet metal material when positioned upon the material working surface. The back gauges may move under the sheet metal material when the lifting assemblies are in their raised position.

1 . A folding machine for folding sheet metal material, the folding machine comprising,
 a frame;   at least one bottom clamp head coupled to said frame;   at least one top clamp head pivotally coupled to said at least one bottom clamp head;   a bottom clamp coupled to said at least one bottom clamp head;   a top clamp coupled to said at least one top clamp head;   a bottom folding apron coupled to said bottom clamp;   a top folding apron coupled to said top clamp;   a material working surface configured to support a sheet metal material thereon, said material working surface being positioned adjacent said bottom clamp;   at least one back gauge reciprocally movable between a first position distal said bottom clamp and a second position adjacent said bottom clamp, wherein said at least one back gauge is configured to engage a trailing edge of the sheet metal material;   at least one lifting tray assembly configured to support the sheet metal material thereon, said at least one lifting tray assembly being reciprocally movable between a lower position and a raised position elevating the sheet metal material to a position above said material working surface allowing for the passage of said at least one back gauge beneath the sheet metal material as the back gauge moves from said second position to said first position, and   a side loader assembly positioned between said bottom clamp head and said top clamp head, said side loader assembly including an elongated transfer shuttle beam and a transfer shuttle movable along said transfer shuttle beam between a loading position and an unloading position.   
     
     
         2 . The folding machine of  claim 1  further comprising a controller for controlling a processing sequence with said top clamp head, said bottom folding apron, said top folding apron, said at least one back gauge, and said at least one lifting tray. 
     
     
         3 . The folding machine of  claim 1  wherein said material working surface is a top surface of said at least one bottom clamp head. 
     
     
         4 . The folding machine of  claim 1  wherein said at least one lifting tray assembly comprises a plurality of lifting trays. 
     
     
         5 . A folding machine for folding sheet metal material, the folding machine comprising,
 a plurality of bottom clamp heads;   a plurality of top clamp heads pivotally coupled to said plurality of bottom clamp heads;   a bottom clamp coupled to said plurality of bottom clamp heads;   a top clamp coupled to said plurality of top clamp heads;   a bottom folding apron coupled to said bottom clamp;   a top folding apron coupled to said top clamp;   a material working surface positioned adjacent said bottom clamp;   a plurality of back gauges reciprocally movable between a first position distal said bottom clamp and a second position adjacent said bottom clamp, wherein said plurality of back gauges are configured to engage the sheet metal material positioned upon said material working surface;   a plurality of lifting trays, wherein each lifting tray is reciprocally movable between a lower position wherein the sheet metal material is at least partially supported upon said material working surface and a raised position wherein each said lifting tray is positioned above said material working surface to a height wherein said plurality of back gauges may pass beneath the sheet metal material being supported upon the plurality of lifting trays;   an elongated transfer shuttle beam positioned below said plurality of top clamp heads, and   a transfer shuttle longitudinally movable along said transfer shuttle beam between a loading position and an unloading position.   
     
     
         6 . The folding machine of  claim 5  further comprising a controller for controlling a processing sequence with said plurality of top clamp heads, said bottom folding apron, said top folding apron, said plurality of back gauges, and said plurality of lifting trays. 
     
     
         7 . The folding machine of  claim 5  wherein said material working surface is a top surface of said plurality of bottom clamp heads. 
     
     
         8 . A method of operating a folding machine for folding a plurality of sheet metal materials comprising the steps of:
 (A) loading a first sheet metal material into a folding machine;   (B) indexing the first sheet metal material into a position for folding operation;   (C) commencing the folding operation on the first sheet metal material;   (D) loading a second sheet metal material into the folding machine while simultaneously continuing the folding operation of the first sheet metal material;   (E) completing the folding operation of the first sheet metal material;   (F) indexing the second sheet metal material into a position for folding operation, and   (G) commencing the folding operation of the second sheet metal material.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein in steps (D) and (E) lifting trays raise the second sheet metal material above a material working surface so that back gauges used to index the sheet metal material may pass beneath the raised second sheet metal material.