Hemming Device With Modular Bed For Simultaneous Inner Outer Flange Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hemming techniques require separate stations and processes for inner and outer flanges of workpieces, leading to inefficiencies, increased logistics, and space requirements, as well as difficulties in adapting to different workpiece shapes and models, especially in vehicle body manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A hemming device with a modular hemming bed and robots on both sides that can simultaneously process inner and outer flanges, allowing for overlapping operations, flexible adaptation to different workpieces, and precise measurement and calibration for improved efficiency and reduced retooling efforts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate stations are used for inner and outer flange hemming, then each flange can be processed independently, but production time increases and logistics complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple hemming operations (inner flange, outer flange, corner hemming) into a single integrated hemming device with one hemming bed. Multiple hemming robots are positioned around the same workpiece to perform different hemming operations simultaneously or sequentially without requiring the workpiece to be transported between separate stations, thereby reducing production time while maintaining processing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions hemming robots on multiple sides (front and rear) of the hemming bed, utilizing three-dimensional spatial arrangement. This allows simultaneous access to different flanges and corners of the workpiece from opposite sides, enabling parallel processing operations that reduce overall production time while maintaining quality standards.
2Reliability
If separate stations are used for inner and outer flange hemming, then each operation can be optimized independently, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple hemming operations into a single device with one hemming bed, eliminating the need for separate stations. This reduces logistics complexity by removing the need to transport workpieces between stations and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining the ability to perform specialized hemming operations for different flanges and corners.
Solution Approach 2:
The single hemming bed is designed to be universal, capable of supporting multiple types of hemming operations (inner flange, outer flange, corner hemming) through the coordinated action of multiple robots. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized stations while maintaining processing quality for each operation type.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed hemming beds are used, then setup is simple, but adaptability to different workpiece shapes and models is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The hemming bed is divided into multiple independently controllable segments or zones that can be individually adjusted or deactivated. This segmentation allows the bed configuration to be adapted to different workpiece shapes and models by activating only the necessary segments, while maintaining simple setup procedures through modular adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The hemming bed incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities, allowing its configuration to change based on the workpiece being processed. This enables the same bed to accommodate different workpiece shapes and models by adjusting bed segments or positioning, providing versatility without requiring completely different fixed beds for each workpiece type.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple workstations are used for different workpieces, then each workpiece can be optimized, but retooling time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single hemming device with multiple robots and adjustable bed segments serves as a universal platform capable of processing different workpiece types (doors, drop tailgates, etc.). This eliminates the need for retooling by completely changing to different dedicated workstations, as the same device can be reconfigured through software control and bed adjustment to accommodate different workpieces, maintaining manufacturing precision while reducing retooling time to zero.
Data Source
AI summary
A hemming device (2) and a hemming method are provided in which the hemming device (2) has a hemming bed (14) for a workpiece (3) and multiple hemming robots (8, 9) with hemming tools (20). The hemming device (2) is designed to hem inner and outer lock seams (5, 6) on both sides of the workpiece (3). The hemming robots (8, 9) lie on different sides of the hemming bed (14), and the hemming bed (14) is further designed and arranged for accessing inner and outer lock seams (5, 6) on both sides of the workpiece (3) from front and rear sides (15, 16). For this purpose, the hemming bed can have a section (19) for a rearward access to an inner lock seam (5) and a bedding for inner and outer lock seams (5, 6).