Adjustable Punch Press Brake for Non-Uniform Thickness Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing press brakes struggle to efficiently bend workpieces with non-uniform thickness, as they are designed to provide uniform curvature only on workpieces with uniform thickness, requiring additional work such as shim placement.
Innovation Solution
A press brake design that includes a die and a punch with adjustable punch elements, allowing for individual adjustment of pressing forces and punch positions to accommodate workpieces of varying thickness, thereby achieving uniform curvature without additional shims.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional press brake with uniform punch and die is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot efficiently bend workpieces with non-uniform thickness requiring additional shims
Solution Approach 1:
The punch is divided into multiple independent punch elements (first punch element and second punch element) that can be adjusted individually. Each punch element can be positioned at different heights relative to the punch support, allowing the press brake to accommodate workpieces with non-uniform thickness by applying different pressing forces to different sections of the workpiece.
Solution Approach 2:
The punch elements are made adjustable and movable relative to the punch support through adjustment mechanisms. This dynamic capability allows the positions of the punch elements to be changed according to the thickness variations of the workpiece, enabling the same press brake to handle various workpiece configurations without requiring additional shims or fixtures.
2Manufacturing precision
If additional shims are placed to compensate for thickness variations, then uniform curvature can be achieved, but the process time increases and work efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanisms pre-position the punch elements at appropriate heights before the bending operation begins. By adjusting the punch elements in advance according to the workpiece thickness profile, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming shim placement during the bending process, thereby maintaining both precision and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The press brake system performs its own compensation for thickness variations through the adjustable punch elements, eliminating the need for external shims or additional compensation tools. The adjustment mechanisms allow the punch elements to self-adjust to the workpiece geometry, reducing manual intervention and process steps.
3Manufacturing precision
If the punch elements are made adjustable to accommodate thickness variations, then bending quality improves, but the device complexity and adjustment time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into independent adjustment units for each punch element. This segmentation allows each punch element to be adjusted independently without affecting others, simplifying the overall adjustment process and making the complexity manageable through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanisms change the positional parameters (heights) of the punch elements relative to the punch support. By controlling these positional parameters, the system achieves different pressing forces and contact points on the workpiece, improving bending quality while keeping the adjustment mechanism itself relatively simple through parameter control rather than complex structural changes.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a press brake (1) that, if subjecting a workpiece (90) having non-uniform thickness to bending, can efficiently give uniform curvature to the workpiece (90). The press brake (1) includes: a die (2) supporting the workpiece (90); a punch supporting member (4) arranged so as to be opposed to the die (2); a moving mechanism (5) that moves the punch supporting member (4) relative to the die (2); a punch (3) that is supported by the punch supporting member (4), is opposed to the die (2) or the workpiece (90) in a relative movement direction of the punch supporting member (4), and includes punch elements (3a) lined up in a direction orthogonal to the relative movement direction; and punch element adjusting mechanisms that are disposed so as to correspond to the respective punch elements (3a) and adjusts positions of the punch elements (3a) relative to the punch supporting member (4) in the relative movement direction.