Bending Tool Exchange Control to Prevent Adjacent Tool Dragging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bending systems face challenges in stably performing automatic tool exchange operations without increasing manufacturing costs, as oil residue can cause adjacent tools to bond and shift during transport, leading to unstable tool positioning and increased processing costs.
Innovation Solution
A bending system with a first and second tool exchange unit, controlled by a unit that retains the tool to be exchanged and stops the movement of the adjacent tool, allowing for precise transport without post-processing on the tool's side surface, using a control unit to manage the retention and movement of tools in the left-right direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single tool exchange unit is used to transport tools in the left-right direction, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adjacent tool may be dragged by the predetermined tool causing position shift and unstable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The tool exchange system is divided into two independent tool exchange units: a first tool exchange unit for retaining and transporting the predetermined tool to be exchanged, and a second tool exchange unit for retaining and fixing the adjacent tool. This segmentation allows independent control of each unit, preventing the adjacent tool from being dragged while maintaining system reliability.
2Reliability
If post-processing (escape processing or taper processing) is applied to the side surface of the tool to prevent bonding, then the reliability of tool exchange is improved, but the manufacturing cost of the tool increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solution extracts the problem from the tool itself and relocates it to the tool exchange system. Instead of modifying the tool's side surface to prevent bonding, the system uses a second tool exchange unit to retain and fix the adjacent tool, preventing contact and bonding issues without any post-processing on the tool.
3Productivity
If the first tool exchange unit moves without stopping the second tool exchange unit, then the productivity is improved, but the adjacent tool position shifts due to dragging
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls the movement of the two tool exchange units based on their respective functions. The first tool exchange unit moves to transport the predetermined tool, while the second tool exchange unit remains stationary to fix the adjacent tool in place, ensuring position accuracy while maintaining exchange efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A first tool retention member of a first tool exchange unit retains a first tool to be exchanged in a state of being engaged in an engagement hole of the first tool. A second tool retention member of a second tool exchange unit retains a second tool not to be exchanged in a state of being engaged in an engagement hole of the second tool. Subsequently, the first tool exchange unit moves in a left-right direction in a state in which a movement of the second tool exchange unit in the left-right direction is stopped.