BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to metal forming dies and the like, and in particular to a compact stock guide assembly and associated method incorporating a unique stock guide assembly.

Metal forming dies, such as stamping dies and the like, are well known in the art. Progressive metal forming dies are unique, very sophisticated mechanisms which have multiple stations or progressions that are aligned longitudinally, and are designed to perform a specified operation at each station in a predetermined sequence to create a finished metal part. Progressive stamping dies are capable of forming complex metal parts at very high speeds, so as to minimize manufacturing costs.

Heretofore, the dies used in metal forming presses have typically been individually designed, one-of-a-kind assemblies for a particular part, with each of the various components being handcrafted and custom mounted or fitted in an associated die set, which is in turn positioned in a stamping press. Not only are the punches and the other forming tools in the die set individually designed and constructed, but the other parts of the die set, such as stock lifters, guides, end caps, keepers, cam returns, etc., are also custom designed, and installed in the die set. Current die making processes require carefully machined, precision holes and recesses in the die set for mounting the individual components, such that the same are quite labor intensive, and require substantial lead time to make, test, and set up in a stamping press. Consequently, such metal forming dies are very expensive to design, manufacture, and repair or modify.

In metal forming machines, a die is typically mounted in a stamping press, and the material to be stamped (typically an elongated strip of metal) is fed into the die. The material can be fed by automated feed equipment meant to keep the material flowing straight through the die. Stock guides can guide the material (typically along the longitudinal axis of the material) to keep the material moving in a straight line through the die.

While such prior stock guides and methods have been proven to be generally successful, further improvements and enhancements to the same, as well as metal forming dies generally, would be advantageous and are described herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is a stock guide assembly for a metal forming die in which stock is formed into at least one part. The stock guide assembly includes a stock guide body with an outer end portion, an inner end portion, and a medial portion. The stock guide body has a centrally located aperture extending through the stock guide body. The outer end portion of the stock guide body has a width that is greater than the width of the medial portion of the stock guide body forming a first shoulder therebetween. The width of the inner end portion is less than the width of the medial portion forming a second shoulder therebetween. The die member has an aperture with at least a first portion and a second portion. A fastener is received through the centrally located aperture and the stock guide body and is coupled to the second portion of the aperture in the die member to couple the stock guide body to the die member. When the stock guide body is coupled to the die member, the inner end portion of the stock guide body is at least partially received in the first portion of the aperture in the die member.

Another aspect of the present invention is a metal forming die member with a stock guide assembly for guiding a stock piece. The stock guide assembly includes a generally cylindrical stock guide body with an outer end portion, an inner end portion, and a medial portion. The stock guide body has a centrally located aperture extending through the stock guide body. The outer end of the stock guide body has a width that is greater than the width of the medial portion, forming a first shoulder therebetween. The inner end portion of the stock guide body has a width which is less than the width of the medial portion forming a second shoulder therebetween. The die member has an aperture with a first portion sized to receive at least a part of the inner end portion of the stock guide body and a second portion. The stock guide assembly also includes a fastener that is received through the centrally located aperture in the stock guide body. The fastener is coupled to the second portion of the aperture in the die member.

In yet another aspect of the present invention is a method of advancing stock strip through a metal forming die. The method includes forming a stock guide body with an outer end portion, an inner end portion, a medial portion, and a centrally located aperture extending through the stock guide body. The outer end portion has a width that is greater than the width of the medial portion, thereby forming a first shoulder therebetween. The inner end portion has a width that is less than the width of the medial portion thereby forming a second shoulder therebetween. The method includes forming an aperture in the die member with a first portion sized to receive the inner end portion of the stock guide body and a lower, more narrow threaded portion. The method includes placing the stock guide body over the aperture in the die member such that at least a portion of the inner end portion of the stock guide body is received in the first portion of the aperture in the die member. The method includes inserting a fastener through the centrally located aperture in the stock guide body and then coupling a threaded portion of the fastener to the more narrow threaded portion of the aperture in the die member. The method includes advancing a piece of stock strip by contacting the stock strip against the medial portion of the stock guide body.

These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims, and appended drawings.

