Bending Program Creation Using Topology and Interference Checks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for bending sheet metal processing often fail to accurately perform bending operations on new parts, even when using programs based on similar parts' topology data, due to interference issues and tool compatibility problems.
Innovation Solution
A processing program creation system and method that utilizes a computing device with CAM functions to generate and manage topology data, select appropriate tools, and adjust tool orientations to prevent interference, ensuring successful bending by calculating optimal tool lengths and orientations based on interference regions and bending orders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a bending processing program for a similar part is used based on topology data, then productivity is improved by reusing existing programs, but manufacturing precision deteriorates because the part may not be actually bent due to interference issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary interference detection between the tool and the part before generating the bending program. By calculating the interference region in advance and adjusting tool parameters or selecting alternative tools, the system ensures that the bending operation can be successfully executed without collisions, thus maintaining both productivity through program reuse and manufacturing precision through pre-validation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the interference detection results to modify the bending program. When interference is detected, the system adjusts tool length, tool orientation, or selects a different tool based on the interference region analysis, ensuring that the final program is both reusable and accurate for the specific part geometry
2Reliability
If tool length is increased to avoid interference, then reliability of bending operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to tool selection and orientation adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts tool parameters (length, orientation) based on the detected interference region and bending order. Instead of using a fixed tool configuration, the system modifies tool characteristics in real-time according to the specific part geometry and bending sequence, ensuring reliable operation while managing complexity through automated adaptation
3Manufacturing precision
If tool orientation is adjusted to prevent interference, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex orientation calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs orientation calculations and tool adjustments based on the detected interference regions and bending order. The program creation process is self-service in the sense that the system autonomously determines the optimal tool orientation and parameters without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while preserving ease of operation through automation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A topology database (30) generates topology data of a plurality of parts. The topology database (30) acquires processing information including a tool name of a use tool and a processing order from a bending processing program of each part, and stores the processing information in association with the topology data. A processing information acquisition unit (103) searches for a similar part with the same topology data as topology data of a processing target part, and acquires the processing information of the similar part. A tool determination unit (104) calculates a range of a tool length which is able to bend each bending line using a tool with a tool name included in the processing information and which does not interfere with the part, and determines the tool with the tool name and a tool length within a range of the tool length as the use tool.