Automated Bending Head Change for Bar Bending Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bar bending apparatuses require manual intervention for tool replacement, leading to inefficiencies and increased operational costs due to the need for stopping the apparatus and handling heavy tools.
Innovation Solution
An automated apparatus with a conveying device featuring an articulated arm and a gripping member that can interchangeably mount and remove bending heads from the bending unit, allowing for automated tool replacement and bar handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual tool replacement is used in traditional bending apparatuses, then the structure remains simple, but the productivity decreases due to stopping the apparatus and the ease of operation deteriorates due to heavy tool handling
Solution Approach 1:
The bending head is designed with self-gripping features where the bar itself grips the bending head during replacement, eliminating the need for separate gripping mechanisms. The bar's own geometry and positioning system enable the tool change process without requiring complex automated gripping devices
Solution Approach 2:
A positioning system acts as an intermediary between the bending head and the bar, providing automated alignment and guidance during tool replacement. This mediator enables precise positioning without requiring the operator to manually handle heavy tools, thus improving both productivity and ease of operation
2Ease of operation
If automated conveying devices with multiple degrees of freedom are used, then the ease of operation improves for bar handling, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying device is designed to perform multiple functions: it conveys bars to the bending unit, positions bars for bending operations, and facilitates bending head replacement. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional device, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high automation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying device merges the bar feeding function with the bending head positioning function. The same articulated arm and gripping mechanism used for bar handling are also employed to position and replace bending heads, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall device structure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The automated system streamlines the tool replacement process, enhances operational efficiency, and reduces manual labor, while also enabling full automation of bar transfer and bending operations.
Implementation Method 1
The gripping member (52) is articulated to the articulated arm (51) at least about an orientation axis (55)
Implementation Method 2
an eccentric bending pin (43) rotatably mounted around a central bending axis (B)
Implementation Method 3
The gripping member (52) is movable between an open configuration for gripping or releasing and a closed configuration for holding
Data Source
AI summary
The apparatus for bending bars includes a bending unit suitable for receiving on a work surface (α) at least one bar according to a longitudinal direction (A), and a bending head which can be engaged on the bending unit, at a bending axis (B). The bending head includes a bending mandrel and an eccentric pin rotatable on the work surface (α) around the bending axis (B), to bend the bar around the mandrel.