Bending Press Protective Unit With Retractable Tool Cover
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing production systems for free bending of sheet metal workpieces face challenges in safely covering the danger area during tool changes without forming interference contours when the protective element is in its release position.
Innovation Solution
A production system with a protective unit featuring a plate-shaped protective element and an adjusting device comprising consoles, holding arms, and linear guide arrangements, allowing for a sufficient adjustment path to securely cover the bending tool while preventing interference contours during the bending process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the protective element is positioned to cover the bending tool during tool changes, then operator safety is improved, but the protective element may form interference contours during the bending process
Solution Approach 1:
The protective element is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change position between covering the bending tool during tool changes and being moved away to prevent interference contours during the bending process. The adjustment device enables this dynamic repositioning based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective element is positioned to cover the bending tool in advance during tool changes before any bending operation begins. This preliminary protective positioning ensures operator safety during the tool change process, and then it is adjusted away beforehand before the bending process starts to prevent interference.
2Length of moving object
If the protective element is made adjustable to prevent interference contours, then clearance during bending is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a simpler system using holding arms that can pivot or slide along guide arrangements. This substitution reduces device complexity while still achieving the necessary adjustability to prevent interference contours and provide adequate clearance during bending operations.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a production plant (1) for bending sheet metal comprising a bending press (3) with pressing bars (13, 16), a bending tool (4), a tool manipulation unit (30) for the bending tool (4), and a protective unit (29) with a protective element (32) and an adjusting device (33, 34). The protective element (32) of the protective unit (29) can be moved from a protective position which covers the bending tool (4) into a release position which releases the bending tool (4). The adjusting device (33) comprises at least two brackets (37) and at least two holding arms (38), the protective element (32) being mounted on the brackets (37) in an articulated manner by means of the holding arms (38). The adjusting device (44) can also comprise at least two linear guide arrangements (45) with in each case a plurality of guide rails (46, 47, 48), by means of which the protective element (32) can be moved between the two positions.