Bending Tool Longitudinal Offset Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bending technologies face challenges in accurately determining and maintaining the bending geometry of sheet metal parts due to material property fluctuations, leading to deviations in bending angles and side lengths, especially in high-precision operations, and require complex modifications for existing systems to measure bending angles during the process.
Innovation Solution
A bending tool with a longitudinal-offset measuring device integrated into the bending tool arrangement, featuring a sensor system that determines the longitudinal offset relative to the contact edge or line, allowing for real-time monitoring and adjustment of the bending process without requiring significant modifications to the machine, using contactless methods such as LED or laser illumination and image capture, or eddy current measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical measurement systems are mounted on the bending press to measure bending angles, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and modification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a laser tracker as an external intermediary measurement device that operates independently from the bending press. The laser tracker measures the position of a reflector mounted on the bending tool, providing bending angle data without requiring modifications to the press itself. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by enabling precise measurement while avoiding complex system modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex optical measurement systems with a simpler laser tracker and reflector configuration. Instead of mounting complex optical sensors on the press, the solution uses a laser tracker to track the reflector's position, substituting a mechanically simple system for a complex optical integration system, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If pressing pressure or pressing depth is adjusted based on material fluctuations, then bending geometry accuracy is improved, but measurement and control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the laser tracker continuously monitors the bending angle and provides real-time data to the control system. Based on this feedback, the pressing depth or pressing force is automatically adjusted to compensate for material fluctuations. This feedback mechanism enables high manufacturing precision while keeping the control system relatively simple, as it only requires processing position data and adjusting press parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurement of the bending angle during the bending process using the laser tracker, before the bending operation is complete. This allows the control system to predict the final bending geometry and make preliminary adjustments to pressing parameters, ensuring accuracy without requiring complex real-time control during the entire bending cycle.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If contactless measurement methods are used, then surface quality is improved, but measurement precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a reflector that creates an optical copy or reflection of the bending tool's position. The laser tracker measures the position of this optical copy (reflector) rather than directly measuring the bending geometry. This copying approach maintains contactless measurement for surface quality while achieving high measurement precision through the reflective optical path, resolving the contradiction between contactless operation and measurement accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise determination and control of bending geometry in real-time, reducing errors and ensuring high surface quality by allowing direct corrective actions during the bending operation, applicable to various bending machines with minimal modification needs.
Implementation Method 1
using contactless methods such as LED or laser illumination and image capture
Implementation Method 2
or eddy current measurements
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a lower tool (1) having a longitudinal-offset measuring device (2), which lower tool (1) is part of a bending tool arrangement for use in a bending press. The lower tool (1) has a tool body (3) having a longitudinal extension (4), in which longitudinal extension (4) a bending recess (5) is provided. The bending recess (5) extends from an upper flat side (6) of the tool body (3) into the latter and is formed at least by two contact surfaces (7). The transition from the upper flat side (6) into the bending recess (5) forms a contact edge (8), which contact edge (8) forms a contact line (9) in the longitudinal extension (4). A sensor (10) for determining a longitudinal offset (18) is arranged in the region of the contact line (9), wherein a sensing portion (11) of the sensor (10) is oriented in the direction of a metal sheet (16) to be bent.