Sheet Metal Die Guard Assembly With Removable Anvil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metal-working die assemblies with separate die retainers and holders result in redundant components, increased height, and difficulty in accessing complex workpiece shapes, as well as the inability to remove and replace the anvil for wear maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece die guard with integral die shield and retainer sections, allowing for a removable anvil and a low-profile design that simplifies assembly and disassembly, and incorporates a separately insertable anvil and die body with a laterally enlarged flange trapped between the die guard and actuator frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate die retainers and holders are used to secure die assemblies, then the die assembly is securely mounted, but the height increases and access to complex workpiece shapes becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The die guard is designed as a single integrated component that combines both the shield function and the retainer function into one piece, eliminating the need for separate die retainers and holders. This merging reduces the overall height while maintaining secure mounting capability through the integrated structure that directly secures the die assembly to the actuator frame.
2Reliability
If separate die retainers and holders are used, then the die assembly is securely mounted, but redundant components are created
Solution Approach 1:
The die guard integrates multiple functions into a single component structure, combining the shield and retainer functions that were previously separate components. This reduces the total number of parts while maintaining all necessary functions for secure die assembly mounting and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-piece die guard performs multiple functions simultaneously: it shields the die assembly, retains the die assembly securely, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality eliminates redundant components while maintaining reliability.
3Device complexity
If the anvil is integral with the die guard, then the structure is simplified, but the anvil cannot be removed for replacement during wear
Solution Approach 1:
The die assembly is segmented into separable components: the die guard remains as the structural housing, while the anvil and die blade are separate removable components. This segmentation allows the anvil to be easily removed and replaced when worn, while the die guard maintains its simplified single-piece structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a static integral structure to a dynamic assembly where components can be separated and reconfigured. The anvil and die blade can be removed and replaced independently while the die guard remains fixed, providing maintenance flexibility without compromising structural simplicity.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate components are used, then each component can be optimized, but assembly and disassembly become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
While maintaining a simplified single-piece die guard structure, the design segments the working components (anvil, die blade) as separate insertable elements. This allows optimization of each component's manufacturing while keeping the assembly process simple through standardized insertion and retention mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
A metal joining apparatus (31) is provided. In another aspect, a single piece die guard (51) includes an integral die shield section (71) and an integral retainer section (73) wherein a die anvil (161, 461, 561) can be removed. A further aspect employs a workpiece-facing surface of a die guard having a generally uniform height at both a die shield section and a retainer section with a separately insertable anvil and/or die body (163). A method of assembling a die assembly includes inserting a die blade (121, 321, 421, 521) sub-assembly into one end of a bore of a die guard, and inserting at least a portion of a die having an anvil into an opposite end of the same bore in the die guard. Yet another aspect discloses an apparatus and a method of assembling a die assembly wherein a laterally enlarged flange (167, 467, 567) of a die is removeably trapped between a backside of a die guard and an actuator frame (33) to which the die guard is removeably secured, with a workpiece-clinching anvil projecting from the die within the die guard.