Abutment Mechanism Control for Stopper Interference Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stopper units in bending processes face interference issues due to the special shapes of abutment mechanisms, which can lead to inaccuracies when handling versatile workpieces.

Innovation Solution

An operation control method, program, and device that determine potential interference between abutment mechanisms with offset shapes and adjust operations to prevent collisions, ensuring smooth movement and accurate positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the stopper finger is arranged offset from the carriage to be brought close to the stopper finger of the third stopper, then the versatility in handling various workpieces is improved, but the risk of interference between stoppers during operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveversatility in handling workpiecesVSAvoidinterference between stoppers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device determines in advance whether interference will occur between stoppers based on their target positions and operation patterns, and preemptively issues avoidance instructions to prevent the interference from happening during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device continuously monitors the positions and operation patterns of multiple stoppers, uses this information to determine potential interference, and adjusts the operation instructions accordingly to maintain reliable operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple stoppers with special shapes are used to support versatile workpieces, then the adaptability to different workpiece types is improved, but the complexity of controlling their operations to avoid interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different workpiece typesVSAvoidcomplexity of control operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs multiple functions: it determines target positions for stoppers, analyzes operation patterns, determines potential interference, and issues avoidance instructions, all within a single integrated control system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the determination of target positions, analysis of operation patterns, interference prediction, and avoidance instruction issuance into a single integrated control process, simplifying the overall control architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20260091422A1Abutment mechanism operation control method, abutment mechanism operation control program, and abutment mechanism operation control device

Publication Date: 2026.04.02 AMADA CO LTD

AI summary

An abutment mechanism operation control method includes determining, when, from among at least three abutment mechanisms each including a base part and an abutment part, each configured to be movable along each of a first operation axis in a first direction and a second operation axis in a second direction, and each arranged in parallel in the second direction, first and second abutment mechanisms positioned at both sides and with the abutment part offset with respect to a reference axis of the base part along the first direction, and a third abutment mechanism positioned between the first and second abutment mechanisms, are operated, whether an operation of at least one of the first and second abutment mechanisms and an operation of the third abutment mechanism interfere with each other, and causing at least one of the first, second, and third abutment mechanisms to perform an operation to prevent the interference based on a determination result.