Sheet Metal Bending Tool Magazine for Fast Tool Set Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bending machines with tool magazines face challenges such as high cost, complexity, bulkiness, limited accessibility, and prolonged downtime due to the need for manual tool replacement, which reduces productivity and complicates safe operation.
Innovation Solution
A compact and internally positioned tool magazine system with a replacing apparatus that allows for rapid and efficient swapping of bending tools, enabling continuous operation by using a gripping device and actuating assembly to handle entire sets of tools simultaneously, thus minimizing machine stoppages and enhancing operator safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual tool replacement is used in bending machines, then operator flexibility is maintained, but productivity decreases and downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic tool replacement where the gripping device and actuating assembly automatically exchange tool sets between the magazine and working positions without manual intervention, allowing the machine to service itself during tool changes
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple tool sets are pre-loaded into the magazine before operation begins, allowing rapid exchange of complete tool sets during operation without requiring manual tool-by-tool replacement or machine shutdown
2Adaptability or versatility
If external tool magazine with robots is used, then tool replacement capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tool magazine is nested within the machine frame structure, utilizing internal space rather than external placement. The gripping device and actuating assembly are integrated into the existing machine architecture, with the gripping device positioned on the movable crosspiece and the actuating assembly utilizing the machine's vertical movement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping device can handle multiple different tool sets with varying dimensions and configurations. The actuating assembly serves dual purposes by controlling both the gripping device operation and the vertical movement of the crosspiece, reducing the need for separate dedicated mechanisms
3Area of stationary object
If internal tool magazine is used, then machine footprint is reduced, but operator accessibility and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tool magazine is designed with movable components that can be dynamically accessed. The gripping device can be actuated to release tools from the magazine at predetermined positions, and the magazine structure allows operator access during machine stops while maintaining a compact internal configuration during operation
4Ease of manufacture
If standardized tool dimensions are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but bending precision for specific requirements decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tooling system is divided into modular tool sets, each containing multiple tools with standardized dimensions. The selective arrangement of these standardized tools in different configurations allows achievement of various precise bending lengths while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardization
Solution Approach 2:
Different tool sets with specific dimensional characteristics are stored in the magazine and selected based on the particular bending requirements. Each tool set is optimized for specific workpiece sizes and bending angles, allowing precise local adaptation while maintaining overall system standardization
Data Source
AI summary
A bending machine for metal sheets includes a punch arrangement that supports a set of upper bending tools, a die arrangement that supports at least one set of lower bending tools, a tool magazine of bending tools, a replacing apparatus arranged to take bending tools from the tool magazine and mount them on the punch arrangement and/or the die arrangement and vice versa, and a gripping device configured to simultaneously clasp and move a whole set of bending tools. The tool magazine comprises a plurality of supporting guides that house respective sets of bending tools and a transfer carriage arranged to house a set of bending tools and movable between an exchange position to receive from, or provide to, the gripping device a set of bending tools and a plurality of loading positions to transfer to, or receive from, a supporting guide a set of bending tools.