Gripping Fingers for Free-Form Bending Tool Handling
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool changing systems for bending tools in production systems require separate manipulators for handling both metal sheets and bending tools, necessitating additional components and increased complexity and cost for automation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a recess in the bending tool and designing the gripping fingers to allow for both metal sheet manipulation and bending tool handling with the same fingers, eliminating the need for separate manipulators and additional components by using a simple clamping movement for both operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate manipulators are provided for handling metal sheets and bending tools, then secure manipulation of both workpieces and tools is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping fingers are designed to perform multiple functions: they can grip both metal sheets (workpieces) and bending tools using the same structural element. The recess in the bending tool headpiece complements the gripping finger geometry, allowing the same fingers that manipulate workpieces to also manipulate tools, eliminating the need for separate manipulators
Solution Approach 2:
The function of manipulating both workpieces and bending tools is merged into a single manipulator system. The gripping fingers serve dual purposes by being able to engage with both types of objects through complementary geometric features (gripping surfaces for workpieces and recesses for tools)
2Reliability
If separate manipulators are provided for handling metal sheets and bending tools, then dedicated manipulation capability is achieved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping fingers are designed with universal capability to handle both workpieces and bending tools. The same physical fingers that grip metal sheets can also engage with the recesses in tool headpieces, eliminating the need for separate dedicated manipulators and reducing system cost
3Ease of operation
If additional components are provided for bending tool manipulation, then manipulation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping fingers serve multiple functions without requiring additional components. The same fingers used for workpiece manipulation can manipulate bending tools through the recess geometry, maintaining ease of operation while avoiding increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulation capability for bending tools is extracted from a separate manipulator system and integrated into the existing gripping finger mechanism. The recess in the tool headpiece enables the existing fingers to perform the additional function of tool manipulation
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a production system (1) for free-form bending. It includes a bending press (3) with bending tools (4) which are interchangeably held in tool holders (19, 20), a manipulator (28) with gripping tongs (30) having gripping fingers (31, 32), and a recess (35, 36) disposed in the bending tool (4) with stop regions (49, 50) disposed at a distance apart from one another for manipulating the bending tool (4). Additional contact surfaces (40) are provided on ends (38, 39) of the gripping fingers (31, 32) on sides of the gripping fingers (31, 32) facing away from one another. The ends (38, 39) of the gripping fingers (31, 32) are inserted in the recess (35, 36) in order to hold the bending tool (4). The contact surfaces (40) are pressed against the stop regions (49, 50) in the direction opposite the clamping force for holding the workpiece (2) to be produced.