Frameless Lower Tool Positioning for Sheet Stamping Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet punching and embossing machines face challenges in achieving precise and accurate adjustment of lower tools, leading to potential deformation of frames and reduced accuracy in positioning.

Innovation Solution

A frameless holding and positioning device directly connects the lower tool to the lower table, allowing for precise alignment in three degrees of freedom (machine direction, cross-machine direction, and rotation) using stop bodies and clamping bodies with cross tables and four-bar linkages, enabling exact alignment and secure fixing of the lower tool.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a frame structure is used to hold and position the lower tool, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the frame may deform under load causing reduced positioning accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the frame structure from the lower tool assembly, extracting the source of deformation. The lower tool is positioned directly on the lower table without an intermediate frame that could deform under punching loads, thereby eliminating frame-induced positioning errors while maintaining structural integrity through direct tool-to-table connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces adjustable stop bodies and clamping bodies as intermediary positioning elements between the lower tool and the lower table. These mediators provide precise positioning and secure clamping without requiring a rigid frame structure, allowing accurate tool alignment while avoiding frame deformation issues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If traditional adjustment devices are used for positioning the lower tool, then the device complexity is reduced, but the positioning precision and alignment accuracy are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidalignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamically adjustable stop bodies and clamping bodies that can be precisely positioned and locked at any location. The stop bodies are adjustable in the machine direction and transverse direction, while clamping bodies provide secure fixation, creating a flexible yet precise positioning system that achieves high alignment accuracy without overly complicating the device structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning system is segmented into independent functional components: stop bodies for positioning in machine and transverse directions, and clamping bodies for securing the lower tool. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity and achieving precise alignment through coordinated operation of discrete elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2397285B1Stamping and/or embossing station of a sheet stamping machine
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 MASTERWORK GROUP CO LTD
  • EP2397285B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2397285B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2397285B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The station has an upper table provided with an upper tool, and a lower table provided with a lower tool (20). The upper tool comprises a punching and/or groove cutter and/or embossing plates, and the lower tool is designed as a plate-type counter tool for the upper tool. The lower tool is connected with the lower table via a frameless holding and positioning device (40), which comprises an adjusting device (41) for aligning the lower tool. A recess (21) is assigned with a stopper body (42) and a clamping body (43), where the bodies are movable in a sheet transport direction (B).