Divided Upper Tool Positioning for Automated Press Brake Die Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for installing divided upper tools to upper tool holders spaced at appropriate intervals in a press brake require manual intervention, limiting efficiency and compatibility with configurations that assume automatic tool changers.
Innovation Solution
A method using a tool changer with a rod-shaped finger to engage and position divided upper tools between upper tool holders, allowing for automatic installation by temporarily positioning the tool and fixing it to the holder, enabling efficient and automated tool exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual tool installation is used for upper tool holders spaced at appropriate intervals, then the configuration is simpler and more adaptable to different press brake setups, but the tool exchange efficiency and automation level deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The upper tool holder is divided into multiple segmented holders spaced at appropriate intervals along the upper table. Each holder can independently hold or release divided upper tools, allowing flexible configuration adaptation while enabling automated tool exchange at multiple positions simultaneously, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The upper tool holders are designed with universal functionality to work with both manual and automated tool changing systems. The holders can be spaced at appropriate intervals to accommodate different press brake configurations while still allowing automated tool changers to access and exchange tools, making the system adaptable to various setups without sacrificing automation capability
2Extent of automation
If automatic tool changer is used for upper tool holders spaced at appropriate intervals, then tool exchange automation and efficiency improve, but the device complexity and compatibility requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The upper tool holders are designed with dynamic characteristics, including movable clamps that can open and close to release or hold tools. This dynamic design allows the holders to work with automated tool changers while maintaining simplicity, as the holders only need basic moving capabilities rather than complex mechanisms, thus improving automation without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The upper tool holders serve as intermediaries between the press brake structure and the automated tool changer. By providing standardized holding and releasing functions, they mediate the interaction between the simple press brake configuration and the complex automated tool changer, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high automation capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If upper tool holders are spaced at appropriate intervals in the left-right direction, then multiple tool positions are available for different operations, but the space requirement and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The upper tool holders are arranged in the left-right direction (horizontal dimension) at appropriate intervals, providing multiple tool positions for different operations. This horizontal arrangement maximizes the use of available space without requiring additional vertical or depth dimensions, thus increasing the number of tool positions while minimizing space requirements
Data Source
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AI summary
In an installing method for installing divided upper tools (17) to upper tool holders (15) disposed to be spaced at an appropriate interval in a left-right direction in a lower portion of an upper table (11) of a press brake (1), by using a tool changer (20), a round bar-shaped finger (53) provided in the tool changer (20) is engaged in a circular engagement hole (51) provided at a central portion in the lateral direction of each divided upper tool (17). The divided upper tool (17) is temporarily positioned in a gap between an upper tool holder (15) to which the divided upper tool (17) is to be installed, and an adjacent upper tool holder (15). The temporarily positioned divided upper tool (17) is moved in the left-right direction to be installed to the upper tool holder (15) to which the divided upper tool (17) is to be installed.