Machine Housing for Incremental Sheet Metal Forming

Abstract

The utility model relates to a machine casing for incremental sheet metal forming. The casing comprises a box-shaped base in the shape of a parallelepiped with an open bottom, a front partially transparent cover with hinges capable of opening upward and backward, rotating, and closing, a machine off button designed to provide direct visibility and accessibility to an observer from the front, a front lower rectangular niche for information plates in the shape of a car radiator grille, a rear lower transverse protrusion in the shape of a car rear bumper, a rear upper transverse crossbar in the shape of a car spoiler, a turret, a second duplicate machine off button, and a multifunctional button with the primary function of turning on the machine. Both machine off buttons are identical and are located symmetrically on the left and right sides of the front front cover in the shape of car parking lights.The turret is designed to be disassembled for transportation, along with the front cover. The middle section of the side walls of the casing contains through-cutouts, each with a horizontal upper surface suitable for hand grips, allowing for manual transportation, installation, and removal of the casing. The front cover is L-shaped in longitudinal cross-section and contains a lock. A through-cutout window for an electrical cable or wire is provided in the rear upper section of the turret. This improves the casing's performance. 3 fig.

Description

[0001] This utility model relates to machine tool manufacturing, primarily to enclosures, outer shells, and safety devices—that is, rigid machine housings that are not load-bearing structural elements. Specifically, it relates to enclosures for metalworking machines, and even more specifically, to the enclosure of a structurally new machine for incremental sheet metal forming.

[0002] A close analogue can be considered a project for covering the machine at the stage of developing the design and functionality [1. URL: https: / / www.fl.ru / users / geliasan / portfolio / 5082466 / proekt-obshivki-stanka-na-etape-prorabotki-dizayna-i-funktsionalnosti / (date of additions: 13.02.2015; date of access 19.11.2015)]. However, the presence in its design of a massive cover and a forward-sliding table under it pushes the place of this analogue in the comparative characteristics with the declared device to a more distant place.

[0003] Military vehicles with box-shaped armored hulls and turrets are also known, in particular the Soviet serial wheeled vehicle - the BRDM-2 armored reconnaissance and patrol vehicle (with a centrally located truncated cone-shaped turret [2. File.Sloboda 2019 - defile 02 - BRDM-2MS 07.jpg. - URL: https: / / en.wikipedia.org / wiki / File:Sloboda_2019_-_defile_02_-_BRDM-2MS_07.jpg (date accessed: 18.10.2025) - see Fig. 3.].

[0004] Its hull is monocoque and enclosed on all sides, including the bottom, and the turret houses the armament. However, such vehicles, as a type of ground transport, are in many ways similar in design and appearance to passenger cars, attracting the attention and interest of a wide audience.

[0005] The closest analogue (prototype) of the claimed utility model in terms of purpose and set of essential features, adopted as a prototype, is the design of the RH200 CNC machine casing [3. CNC machine KR200 (machine casing), 2015 - URL: https: / / www.fl.ru / users / geliasan / portfolio / 5416880 / chpu-stanok-rh200-kojuh-stanka / (date of access: 11 / 19 / 2025)].

[0006] It contains:

[0007] a box-shaped base of a figured shape, close to a moderately backward-sloping parallelepiped and with a completely open bottom (without a bottom), in the shape of a cabin (front part) of a truck (vehicle);

[0008] front two-plane front cover on hinges, in the shape of car headlights, partially transparent (transparent window), with the ability to open it up and back with a turn and close it with a lock;

[0009] a prominent machine control panel with buttons for turning the machine on and off, located on the right front corner of the mating lower casing of the machine bed, in direct visibility and accessibility for the observer from the front position,

[0010] The casing material is not specified.

[0011] The casing is designed to be fixedly mounted on the corresponding lower casing of the machine bed by the perimeter of its lower edge, providing protective shielding functions, demonstrating the process of processing the workpiece on the machine and, conversely, concealing its main equipment, including drives, mechanisms and electronic units, both with the front cover closed and open, as well as attracting attention with its unusual appearance.

[0012] However, despite all its positive qualities, the prototype is not yet perfect enough, limited in its technical and operational capabilities and characteristics:

[0013] Firstly, it is not suitable in this form for the specific, designed machine for which the declared casing is intended - neither stereometrically (in terms of shape, size ratio), nor according to the chosen stylization concept;

[0014] Secondly, there are no hand-held elements to ensure ease of carrying and installation / disassembly;

[0015] Thirdly, the potential for improving machine operating safety has not been sufficiently utilized;

[0016] Fourthly, the tools for attracting attention to the machine are insufficiently developed, which is especially important in the context of internal and external competition, in the effectiveness of exhibiting at exhibitions and presentations, and in sales.

[0017] The problem that the claimed utility model (device) is aimed at solving is to develop (design) a machine casing for incremental forming of sheet metal with improved technical and operational characteristics (TOC).

[0018] The planned technical result of use is to improve the technical characteristics of the machine casing for incremental sheet metal forming and the machine as a whole.

[0019] The solution to the designated problem (task) is achieved in that the casing of a machine for incremental forming of sheet metal, comprising a box-shaped base in the form of a parallelepiped with an open bottom, a front partially transparent cover made on hinges with the possibility of opening it up and back with its rotation and closing, a machine shutdown button made with the possibility of direct visibility and accessibility for an observer from a frontal position, while the casing is made with the possibility of a fixed fit on the mating part located as part of the machine, protective shielding functions and demonstration of the process of processing the workpiece on the machine and the secrecy of the main equipment of the machine, including drives, mechanisms and electronic units of the control system, with the front front cover closed and open, according to the claimed utility model, is provided with a front lower rectangular niche for information plates in the form of a car radiator grille,a rear lower transverse protruding part in the form of a rear bumper of a car, a rear upper transverse crossbar in the form of a spoiler of a car, a turret made in the form of a truncated cone with a base in the form of an ellipse, made with a width corresponding to the width of the casing along its side walls, a second duplicate button for turning off the machine, a multifunctional button with the main function of turning on the machine, made round in an elongated recess with a vertical orientation and located in the front center of the conical generatrix of the turret, and a light indicator of the operating state of the machine, made with the possibility of electrical interconnection with the electronic control system of the machine, wherein both buttons for turning off the machine are made identical and are located spaced symmetrically on the left and right on the front front cover in the form of parking lights of the car, the said turret is made with the possibility of dismantling for transportation together with the front front cover,wherein in the middle part of the side walls of the casing there are through cutouts, each of which is made with a horizontal upper side for the hands for manual transportation, installation and dismantling of the casing, while the front front cover is made L-shaped in longitudinal section and contains a lock, and in the rear upper part of the turret there is a technological through window for an electric cable or wire, and the casing is made of thin sheet molding metal with a tight fit of part of the lower edge and the inner surface of the base to the mating parts of the machine bed.

[0020] Among the known devices, no devices were found whose set of essential features matches the claimed set of features. At the same time, it is precisely through the latter that a new technical result is achieved, which determines that the claimed device meets the first condition of patentability for a utility model—"world-class novelty."

[0021] The second condition of patentability of a utility model - industrial applicability - is also indisputable and follows from the vast world experience in machine tool building and mechanical engineering in general, as well as the presence of a pilot (experimental) machine tool, manufactured and successfully tested by the authors, complete with its casing.

[0022] The essence of the utility model (using the example of a specific pilot sample mentioned in the previous paragraph, according to a grant project) is disclosed in more detail in the following descriptions of the device and operation, illustrated in Figs. 1-3:

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a simplified view of the machine casing and the characteristic contours of the latter), a general view from the front-right-top, with the lid open;

[0024] Fig. 2 shows a 3D image of a general side view (front-right-top) of a computer model of the casing;

[0025] Fig. 3 shows a 3D image of the general view (back-right-top) of the computer model of the casing.

[0026] The following items are indicated by the positions: 1 - box-shaped base; 2 - front front cover; 2п - transparent part (window) of the cover; 2н - front lower rectangular niche of the cover; 3 - cover hinges; 4 - rear lower protruding crossbar; 5 - rear upper crossbar; 6 and 7 - side through diamond-shaped cutouts (left and right); 8 - turret; 9 and 10 machine off buttons (left and right); 11 - multifunctional button with the main function of turning on the machine; 12 - light indicator of the operating state of the machine; 13 - technological through window for an electric cable.

[0027] The casing of the machine for incremental sheet metal forming comprises (essential design features, see Fig. 1-3):

[0028] a box-shaped base of 1 figured, close to a parallelepiped shape with a completely open bottom (that is, without a bottom), with a form of a collective image of the bodies of iconic passenger cars, as well as the use of forms based on bionic principles and natural forms;

[0029] a front, L-shaped in longitudinal section, cover 2 on hinges 3, with a lock (not shown) and partially transparent (2p), with the possibility of its (2) opening (see Fig. 1) up and back and closing (see Fig. 2, 3) with a rotation of 90-100°, in the form of a hood cover of a passenger car;

[0030] front lower rectangular niche (2n) for information plates, in the shape of a car radiator grille;

[0031] rear lower transverse protruding part 4, in the shape of the rear bumper of the car;

[0032] rear upper crossbar 5, in the shape of a car spoiler (not only with a decorative function, but also a power function: a holding element when moving the casing);

[0033] lateral through diamond-shaped cutouts 6, 7, inclined forward and upward, each with an approximately horizontal upper side for the hands, with the possibility of manual transportation and installation and removal of the casing;

[0034] turret 8 in the shape of a truncated cone with an ellipse-shaped base width along the width of the casing (along the side walls of the casing), located at the top in the center, shaping in the style of bionic principles and natural forms (including a woman sitting in a car);

[0035] two buttons 9 and 10 for emergency shutdown of the machine, made identical and located symmetrically on the left and right on the front cover 2 in the direct visibility and accessibility (for emergency stop) of the observer(s) from the front position, in the form of the side lights of the car;

[0036] multifunctional button 11 with the main function of turning on the machine, made round in an elongated recess with a vertical orientation, located in the front center of the conical generatrix of the turret 8;

[0037] light indicator 12 (LED(s)) of the machine's operating status, located with a transverse shift (to the left or to the right) from the multi-function button 11 and electrically connected to the machine's electronic control system ("with the machine's electronics";

[0038] technological through window 13 in the rear upper part of the turret 8 for electrical cables or wires (electrical communications).

[0039] The casing is made of thin sheet material (for example, metal or plastic), with the latter being preferable today, with the possibility of a fixed fit on the machine bed by the perimeter of its lower edge, protective shielding functions, demonstration of the sheet metal forming process on the machine and concealment of its main equipment, including drives, mechanisms and electronic units, both with the front cover 2 closed and open, as well as attracting attention with an unusual appearance.

[0040] Other examples and particular design solutions are possible within the framework of the declared basic set of design features of the utility model.

[0041] The claimed casing operates (is used) as follows.

[0042] The casing is transferred and installed on the machine with its bottom side open, ensuring that at least part of the lower edge and the inner surface of the base 1 fit snugly against the mating parts of the bed. Handles, cutouts 6 and 7 in the casing's side walls, the upper crossbar 5, or the lower edge of the casing can be used. It is then secured in this position (the locking devices are not shown and could be, for example, similar to those in the prototype).

[0043] Between base 1 and the now internal equipment (the machine with its frame), a reasonably sufficient gap is provided, with the exception of individual contact spots for fixing the casing, possibly with rubber shock-absorbing and adjusting pads, due to which part of the functions inherent in the casing design are realized as a protective device (mechanical impacts from the outside and outside, vibration damping, noise damping, etc.) and an element of the passive cooling system of the machine.

[0044] The main thing is that the casing closes (shields) from the “unhealthy component of attention” of third-party observers and unauthorized access to the units, mechanisms and electronic blocks of the machine as a new product with its own commercial secrets (know-how).

[0045] And, on the other hand, leave authorized access (both service personnel and third parties, including visitors to exhibitions and presentations, and potential investors and buyers) to observe through the transparent part 2p of cover 2 or, with cover 2 open, the direct forming of sheet metal.

[0046] However, cover 2 is folded back and forth (rotating approximately 90°, see Fig. 7), primarily for inserting or removing a workpiece. The workpiece is pulled toward the open cover 2 by a special mechanism.

[0047] Turret 8 is a removable element and can be removed together with cover 2 for easy transportation of the casing itself and the machine in the casing.

[0048] The lower element (“Bumper”) 4 of the rear machine (see Fig. 4, 5) is intended for the movement of the structural elements of the machine when working inside the housing and is, from this point of view, a functional part of the casing.

[0049] The location of the main machine controls - the machine shutdown buttons - reduces the time it takes to perform these operations, which is extremely important in emergency situations.

[0050] The indicator light 12 reliably informs users and third parties that the machine is working.

[0051] The casing device is an independent one-piece product that meets the requirements for a utility model.

[0052] It should be noted that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between the claimed design features and the design-artistic aspect of the innovation: reproduction (repetition) of the appearance of vehicles and their characteristic parts, which justifies its parallel (with protection as a utility model) patent protection as an industrial design.

[0053] Thus, a technical solution to the problem has been proposed. Using such a casing will improve the performance of both the casing itself (as a standalone machine component) and the entire machine, due to:

[0054] Expansion of functionality in terms of using diamond-shaped cutouts for additional cooling of the machine, ventilation and for gripping the casing with hands during assembly and disassembly work and transportation;

[0055] improving the safety of machine operation;

[0056] expanding the functionality in particular, the mentioned more pronounced attraction of attention to the machine;

[0057] competitive advantages.

[0058] While maintaining other previously achieved advantages of the prototype device.

[0059] The claimed device was tested using a pilot (experimental) sample, with a positive result.

Claims

A machine casing for incremental sheet metal forming, comprising a box-shaped base in the form of a parallelepiped with an open bottom, a front partially transparent cover made on hinges with the possibility of opening it up and back with its rotation and closing, a machine shutdown button made with the possibility of direct visibility and accessibility for an observer from a frontal position, wherein the casing is made with the possibility of a fixed fit on a mating part located as part of the machine, protective shielding functions and demonstration of the process of processing a workpiece on the machine and the concealment of the main equipment of the machine, including drives, mechanisms and electronic units of the control system, with the front front cover closed and open, characterized in that it is provided with a front lower rectangular niche for information plates in the form of a car radiator grille, a rear lower transverse protruding part in the form of a rear bumper of a car,a rear upper crossbar in the form of a car spoiler, a turret made in the form of a truncated cone with a base in the form of an ellipse, made with a width corresponding to the width of the casing along its side walls, a second duplicate button for turning off the machine, a multifunctional button with the main function of turning on the machine, made round in an elongated recess with a vertical orientation and located in the front center of the conical generatrix of the turret, and a light indicator of the operating state of the machine, made with the possibility of electrical interconnection with the electronic control system of the machine, wherein both buttons for turning off the machine are made identical and are located spaced symmetrically on the left and right on the front front cover in the form of parking lights of the car, the said turret is made with the possibility of dismantling for transportation together with the front front cover, and in the middle part of the side walls of the casing through cutouts are made,each of which is made with a horizontal upper side for the hands for manual transportation, installation and removal of the casing, while the front front cover is made L-shaped in longitudinal section and contains a lock, and in the rear upper part of the turret there is a technological through window for an electric cable or wire, and the casing is made of thin sheet molding metal with a tight fit of part of the lower edge and the inner surface of the base to the mating parts of the machine bed.

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