Automatic Bending Machine With Adjustable Tooling and Plate Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic bending machines are limited in their ability to bend products with varying lengths and asymmetrical shapes, as they lack flexibility in tool length adjustment and accurate positioning, leading to inefficiencies and production challenges.

Innovation Solution

A fully automatic bending machine is designed with an electric servo bending center cutter driving mechanism, an automatic tool changer, and a positioning and clamping workbench that includes a feeding rotary manipulator, enabling flexible tool length adjustment and precise positioning for both symmetrical and asymmetrical shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single symmetrical positioning mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot position asymmetrical plates accurately

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning mechanism structureVSAvoidpositioning capability for asymmetrical plates
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning mechanism is divided into left and right independent positioning devices, each capable of being adjusted independently. This segmentation allows the system to handle both symmetrical and asymmetrical plates by adjusting each side according to the specific plate geometry, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and positioning versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning mechanism incorporates adjustable components that can be dynamically reconfigured for different plate shapes. The left and right positioning devices can be independently adjusted to accommodate various asymmetrical configurations, enabling the system to adapt to different positioning requirements while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the bending tool length is fixed at maximum folding length, then the machine can handle long plates, but it cannot bend products with varying lengths efficiently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebending capability for varying length productsVSAvoidtool length adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bending tool is designed with adjustable length capability, allowing it to be dynamically reconfigured for different product lengths. This dynamic adjustment feature enables the machine to efficiently handle products with varying lengths by optimizing the tool length for each specific task, improving productivity without requiring a completely complex adjustment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bending tool is designed to perform multiple functions by adjusting its length. A single tool can handle both long plates and shorter products with varying lengths, eliminating the need for multiple specialized tools and improving overall productivity while maintaining reasonable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If a large contact surface between table top and plate is used, then the plate is stable, but it is inconvenient to move the plate on the table surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplate movability on table surfaceVSAvoidplate stability during positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The table top is divided into multiple segmented support surfaces rather than a single large continuous surface. This segmentation reduces the contact area between the table top and the plate, making it easier to move the plate on the table surface while still providing adequate stability during positioning through strategically placed support points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If manual positioning and tool changes are used, then the device structure is simple, but labor costs are high and production efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation level and production efficiencyVSAvoidautomatic tool changer and positioning system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates an automatic tool changer that enables the bending machine to automatically change tools without manual intervention. This self-service capability eliminates the need for operators to manually change tools, significantly reducing labor costs and improving production efficiency while the added automation complexity is offset by the elimination of manual operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning system is designed to automatically position plates before bending operations begin. This preliminary automatic positioning action eliminates the need for manual positioning, reducing labor requirements and improving production efficiency. The automation is integrated in such a way that the initial complexity is justified by the ongoing productivity gains.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4147801B1Full-automatic bending machine
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 HEBEI HANZHI CNC MASCH CO LTD
  • EP4147801B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4147801B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4147801B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A full-automatic bending machine is disclosed. The bending machine includes a main machine of the bending machine and a positioning and clamping workbench. The main machine of the bending machine includes a main machine shell. An electric servo bending center cutter driving mechanism is arranged in the main machine shell, and an automatic cutter changing device matched with the electric servo bending center cutter driving mechanism is arranged on a bending operation opening of the main machine shell. A lower cutter of the electric servo bending center cutter driving mechanism is provided with a local bending mechanism, the local bending mechanism includes a local bending slide rail, a left local bending assembly and a right local bending assembly. The left local bending assembly and the right local bending assembly are slidably arranged on the local bending slide rail, and are symmetrically arranged at two ends of the lower cutter. The positioning and clamping workbench includes a feeding rotary manipulator and a supporting table. The supporting table includes a positioning device and a supporting rack, and the positioning device is connected with the supporting rack into a whole.