Movable Clamp Stamping Tool for Burr-Reduced Metal Forming

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing stamping processes for metal blanks are time-consuming and costly due to the need for extensive deburring and rework, especially when forming complex shapes or patterns like logos on watch crown heads, which require precise external shape adjustments and often result in significant energy loss and material waste.

Innovation Solution

A striking tool with a movable clamp system that synchronizes the closure of gripper arms with the striking action, allowing for efficient shaping of metal blanks with minimal burr removal and external rework, enabling the formation of complex shapes like grooves and relief patterns without damaging the external surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional stamping processes are used to form complex shapes on metal blanks, then the desired shapes and patterns can be created, but extensive deburring and rework are required which increases time and cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp is closed on the metal blank before the striking operation begins. This preliminary action secures the blank in position and prepares the housing geometry in advance, so that when the upper die strikes the blank, the material is already constrained and will deform precisely into the intended shape without requiring subsequent deburring or rework operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is divided into three distinct regions: an upper region formed by the clamp arms, a lower region formed by the lower block, and an intermediate region between them. This segmentation allows each region to be formed independently with appropriate geometry, enabling complex shapes to be created in one stamping operation without requiring multiple sequential operations and intermediate finishing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If traditional stamping processes are used to form complex shapes on metal blanks, then the desired shapes and patterns can be created, but extensive deburring and rework are required which increases cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp is closed on the metal blank before the striking operation begins. This preliminary action secures the blank in position and prepares the housing geometry in advance, so that when the upper die strikes the blank, the material is already constrained and will deform precisely into the intended shape without requiring subsequent deburring or rework operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is divided into three distinct regions: an upper region formed by the clamp arms, a lower region formed by the lower block, and an intermediate region between them. This segmentation allows each region to be formed independently with appropriate geometry, enabling complex shapes to be created in one stamping operation without requiring multiple sequential operations and intermediate finishing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If the clamp is closed before striking, then the metal blank can be properly positioned and shaped, but the striking force may be hindered by the clamp structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidstriking force
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp arms are designed with specific geometric features: they define an upper region with larger dimensions and a lower region with smaller dimensions, creating an intermediate region with a controlled opening. This local geometric differentiation allows the clamp to provide positioning accuracy where needed while maintaining force transmission capability in other areas, as the opening in the intermediate region prevents force hindrance during the striking operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 approach simplifies the stamping process, reduces material waste, and minimizes the need for post-processing adjustments, resulting in cost-effective and efficient production of metal parts with precise features like grooves and logos on watch crown heads.

Implementation Method 1

Industrial stamping consists of plastically deforming a metal object (without returning to its original shape) using a 'die' installed on a hydraulic, mechanical, screw press or a drop hammer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

a clamp (14) formed by two arms (16A2, 16B2) mounted to move, in a plane perpendicular to the axis of movement, between an open position in which the two arms of the clamp are spaced apart from each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical constraint: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

The striking tool further includes an actuator configured to close the gripper arms prior to striking

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4414181A1Stamping tool and stamping method therefor
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 MECO SA
  • EP4414181A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4414181A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4414181A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a striking tool (1) forming a stamp, comprising a lower block (2) and an upper block, the lower block (2) being arranged to form a housing for receiving a metal blank (12), the upper block (4) being provided with an upper die, intended to strike the metal blank (12) in place in the housing of the lower block (2), and mounted movably along an axis of movement. The lower block (2) includes a clamp (14) provided with two arms (16A2, 16B2) mounted movably, in a plane perpendicular to said axis of movement, between an open position and a closed position in which the two arms are brought close together and thus define a portion of said housing for receiving the metal blank (12) and, between them, an opening (18) the dimensions of which are smaller than the corresponding dimensions of an upper portion (12A) and a lower portion of the metal blank (12).