Bending Machine Center Tool Transfer for Faster Die Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool changers for bending machines prolong processing time due to the need to wait for tool storage drums to rotate before a desired center tool can be accessed.
Innovation Solution
A tool changer with a transfer unit comprising left and right hands that move in the left-right direction, allowing simultaneous removal of a used center tool from the center arm and mounting of a scheduled tool, eliminating the need to wait for tool storage drum rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single tool storage drum is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity decreases due to waiting time for drum rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single tool storage drum into two separate tool storage drums, allowing independent operation of each drum. This segmentation enables parallel tool preparation and eliminates the sequential waiting time that occurs with a single drum, directly improving tool changing speed and reducing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
By using two tool storage drums that can rotate and prepare tools continuously and independently, the system ensures that while one drum is delivering a tool to the tool changer, the other drum is simultaneously preparing the next tool. This continuous parallel operation eliminates idle waiting time and maintains constant productive action.
2Adaptability or versatility
If tools are stored in a rotating drum, then tool variety is increased, but the loss of time increases due to waiting for the drum to rotate to the correct position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tool storage system into two independent rotating drums, each capable of storing different tool sets. This allows the system to maintain tool variety while reducing waiting time, as one drum can be rotated to the required position while the other drum simultaneously prepares or delivers tools, eliminating the need to wait for a single drum's rotation cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The two tool storage drums allow preliminary preparation of tools to occur in parallel. While one drum is rotating to position a specific tool, the other drum can be pre-positioning or pre-rotating to prepare the next required tool, thereby reducing the overall waiting time for tool access while maintaining adaptability to various tooling requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A tool storage drum (60) includes a plurality of storage slots (63) capable of respectively storing a plurality of center tools (32) having different lengths. A center tool unit (70) includes a center arm (72) to which a center tool (32) is mountable, and configured to be switchable, by pivoting of the center arm (72) about a rotation axis (A1) extending in a left-right direction, to a sprung-up state where the center tool (32) is changeable. A transfer unit (80) includes left and right hands (81L, 81R) arranged side by side in the left-right direction and configured to move in the left-right direction while maintaining a distance between the left hand and the right hand. The transfer unit (80) transfers the center tool (32) between the storage slot and the center arm arranged on an extension line of a movement direction of the left and right hands (81L, 81R). The movement direction of the left and right hands (81L, 81R) corresponds to a direction in which the center tool (32) is inserted/removed into/from the storage slot (63) and the center arm (72).