Bending Tool Storage and Reversing Layout for Space and Takt Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool storage devices require excessive horizontal space for mounting multiple tools, leading to unnecessary space expansion, while tool reversing devices risk tool deviation and prolonged takt times due to complex mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A tool storage device with movable shelves arranged orthogonally to fixed shelves, allowing maximum tool mounting without horizontal expansion, and a tool reversing device with a U-shaped mounting part and locking mechanism to prevent deviation and simplify the reversing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the tool holder is elongated and expanded in the horizontal direction to mount more tools, then the number of tools that can be mounted increases, but the space occupied by the tool storage device and the moving space of the tool changing robot expand, resulting in increase in useless space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal arrangement of tool holders to a vertical stacking configuration. Multiple tool holders are arranged in the vertical direction (up-down direction) rather than extending horizontally, allowing more tools to be stored without increasing the horizontal footprint. The robot arm accesses tools by moving vertically between stacked holders, effectively utilizing the third dimension (height) to increase storage capacity while maintaining a compact horizontal workspace.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the turning actuator is actuated to turn the tool for reversing after mounting on the tool holder, then the tool can be reversed, but the tool may rock inside the tool holder and cause deviation in the mounting position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a positioning protrusion on the tool and a corresponding positioning groove in the tool holder that engages before the reversing operation. This preliminary positioning action secures the tool in the correct orientation and position, preventing any rocking or deviation during the subsequent turning/reversing operation. The positioning features are pre-aligned to ensure accurate mounting before the tool is actuated or reversed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pair of cylinders are shortened in the Z direction and then the turning actuator is actuated to reverse the tool, then the tool can be reversed without interfering with holders, but the takt time required for the reversing process becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the cylinder expansion/contraction mechanism from the reversing system. Instead of using cylinders to move the tool holder in the Z direction before and after reversing, the design allows the turning actuator to directly reverse the tool in place. This removal of unnecessary mechanical steps (cylinder expansion and contraction) significantly reduces the takt time while maintaining the tool reversing capability, as the tool can be reversed without interfering with other holders through direct rotational movement.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool storage device includes: a first stocker on which a plurality of tools used for bending processing are mountable in a first direction; and at least one second stocker on which the plurality of tools are mountable in the first direction, the at least one second stocker being arranged side by side with the first stocker in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, in which the second stocker is configured to be movable in a third direction orthogonal to each of the first direction and the second direction. The tool reversing device includes a tool mounting part on which a tool used for bending processing is mountable; a rotating mechanism configured to rotate the tool mounting part in a direction perpendicular to a mounting direction of the tool, in which the tool mounting part includes a mounting part body formed into a U-shaped cross section so as to constitute a pair of wall parts and a bottom part, the mounting part body being configured to allow insertion of a shank part of the tool, an locking groove provided on at least one inner wall surface of the pair of wall parts so as to be engageable with a protrusion extending in the perpendicular direction and protruding from a surface of the shank part, and a plurality of locking strips provided at prescribed positions in the locking groove and configured to engage with the protrusion from the perpendicular direction.