Bending Tool Holder Position Sensing for Stable Auto Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bending systems fail to accurately recognize the actual positions of tools in the left-right direction on tool holders, leading to instability in automatic operations and potential interruptions in tool transportation due to incorrect tool placement or displacement.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a bending system that uses photoelectric sensors and two-dimensional code readers to detect engagement holes and end faces of tools, coupled with servo motors and air cylinders, allows for precise positioning and repositioning of tools on tool holders and stockers, enabling accurate recognition and stabilization of tool positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bending systems are used without tool position recognition, then the system structure remains simple, but automatic operations become unstable and tool transportation is interrupted due to incorrect tool placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual tool positioning and arrangement with an automated optical detection system. Photoelectric sensors and two-dimensional code readers automatically detect tool positions and arrangement states, substituting mechanical/manual operations with automated sensing and control, thereby improving operational stability without excessive complexity increase
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the bending system to automatically recognize and correct tool positioning issues. The detection system autonomously identifies misplaced tools and triggers appropriate responses without external intervention, maintaining stable automatic operations
2Ease of operation
If tools are manually laid out on tool holders, then ease of operation is improved, but tool positions become random and cause operation interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using photoelectric sensors and two-dimensional code readers to continuously monitor tool positions on tool holders. The system detects actual positions and compares them with expected positions, providing feedback that enables automatic correction or alarm generation, ensuring tool transportation continuity while maintaining ease of manual loading
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of tool positions immediately after tools are placed on tool holders. By detecting positions before tool transportation begins, the system can identify and address positioning issues in advance, preventing operation interruptions while allowing flexible manual tool placement
3Ease of manufacture
If tool retention member engagement is attempted without position recognition, then the operation is simple, but engagement fails when tools are misplaced causing alarms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting tool positions and verifying engagement hole locations before the tool retention member attempts engagement. The system uses photoelectric sensors to identify tool positions and predict engagement hole locations in advance, ensuring successful engagement while maintaining simple retention operation procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces simple mechanical engagement attempts with an automated detection and prediction system. By using optical sensors and two-dimensional code readers to identify tool positions and calculate engagement hole locations, the system ensures reliable engagement while keeping the retention operation itself simple and automated
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
This solution stabilizes automatic operations by ensuring accurate tool positioning, preventing interruptions in tool transportation and maintaining regular arrangement of tools, thus enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of the bending process.
Implementation Method 1
a bending system capable of accurately recognizing actual positions of tools in a left-right direction on a tool holder or on a stocker
Implementation Method 2
photoelectric sensors and two-dimensional code readers to detect engagement holes and end faces of tools
Data Source
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AI summary
On a back side of a table (24), moving bodies (50) are provided being movable in a left-right direction. A bending system (10) includes moving actuators (52) to cause the moving bodies (50) to move in the left-right direction relative to the table (24) and position detectors 54 to detect positions of the moving bodies (50) in the left-right direction. The moving bodies (50) are provided with hole detectors (68) to detect the engagement holes (14h) of tools (14) fitted to a tool holder (30). The bending system (10) includes a hole position acquisition unit (100) to acquire positions of the engagement holes (14h) of the tools (14) in the left-right direction, based on positions of the moving bodies (50) in the left-right direction at the time of the engagement holes (14h) of the tools (14) being detected.