Bending Press Light Barrier Positioning by Tool Tip Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bending press safety devices, such as light barriers, often face inaccuracies in positioning due to incorrect tool data entry, leading to potential safety hazards and misadjustments, which can result in dangerous operational conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method where the controller adjusts the light barrier's position by ensuring the tool tip of the bending tool lies within a predefined region of the light field, using the tool tip as a reference point for precise and reliable positioning, and preventing misadjustments by detecting shadows and foreign objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the light barrier position is manually adjusted based on entered tool data, then the positioning can be adapted to different tools, but incorrect data entry leads to inaccurate positioning and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting the tool tip position and moving the light barrier to the correct position without manual intervention. The control unit autonomously processes the detected tool tip coordinates and actuates the adjustment mechanism, eliminating the need for manual data entry and positioning by operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment process is replaced with an automated optical-mechanical system. The light receiver detects the tool tip position optically, and the control unit translates this information into automated mechanical movement of the light barrier, replacing the manual mechanical adjustment process with an automated control system.
2Reliability
If the light barrier is positioned to cover the entire tool, then comprehensive safety coverage is achieved, but the positioning becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the tool tip position before the bending operation begins. The light barrier is automatically positioned based on pre-detected tool tip coordinates, ensuring safety coverage is established in advance rather than during the operation setup phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously determines the appropriate light barrier position based on detected tool tip coordinates and automatically adjusts itself, eliminating the time-consuming manual process of positioning the light barrier to cover the entire tool while maintaining comprehensive safety coverage.
3Device complexity
If the light barrier position is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but the safety device cannot adapt to different tool positions
Solution Approach 1:
The light barrier is designed with dynamic adjustability through a motorized adjustment mechanism that can change its position along the beam direction. This dynamic component allows the previously static light barrier to adapt to different tool positions while maintaining relatively simple overall device structure through automated control.
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
Ensures the light barrier is optimally positioned independently of the bending tool used, preventing dangerous mispositions and enhancing safety by using the tool tip as a reference for precise alignment and shadow detection.
Implementation Method 1
a safety device for creating a light barrier, in particular laser light barrier, extending between the tool mounts transversely to the working movement of the movable platform, which light barrier, in a cross-section, forms a light field
Implementation Method 2
a second mount, which carries a light receiver for receiving the light of the light barrier
Implementation Method 3
The tool tip can be recognized by the light receiver and/or the controller and be distinguished from other shadows (fingers, foreign bodies etc.)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a bending press (10), wherein the bending press (10) comprisesa first platform (1) with a first tool mount (11) and a second platform (2) with a second tool mount (12), wherein one of the platforms (1) is movable relative to the other platform (2) for performing a working movement,a safety device (20) for creating a light barrier (27), in particular laser light barrier, extending between the tool mounts (11, 12) transversely to the working movement of the movable platform (1), which light barrier (27), in a cross-section, forms a light field (7), wherein the safety device (20) has a first mount (21), which carries a light emitter (25) for creating the light barrier (27), and a second mount (22), which carries a light receiver (26) for receiving the light of the light barrier (27), and wherein the first mount (21) is arranged on a first side of the first platform (1) and is adjustable relative to the first platform (1) by a first adjustment drive (23), such that the position of the light barrier (27) relative to the first tool mount (11) can be changed in the direction of the working movement of the movable platform (1),a controller (9) that is connected to the first adjustment drive (23), characterized in thatbefore a bending operation or a series of bending operations, the controller (9) brings the first mount (21) into a working position by controlling the first adjustment drive (23), in which working position the tool tip (4) of a bending tool (8) held by the first tool mount (11) lies within the light field (7) formed by the light barrier (27).