Press Brake Guide with Laser Bending Line Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bending press machines face challenges in achieving precise bending of large or irregularly shaped sheet-like elements due to reliance on human precision and the limitations of external laser devices, which are not versatile, precise, or cost-effective, leading to material waste and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A guide device integrated with the bending press machine, featuring a projection portion that projects a bending line coplanar with the work tool, adjustable for inclination, and powered by a wireless laser device, allowing precise alignment and operation without external fixtures, thus enhancing precision and versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an external laser device is fixed to an upright supplied separately from the bending press machine, then the operator can achieve precise bending with reduced reliance on human eye precision, but the device requires laborious and time-consuming machining on the machine itself and is not very versatile
Solution Approach 1:
The guide device is merged with the work portion of the bending press machine, integrating the laser projection system directly into the machine structure rather than using external fixtures. This eliminates the need for separate uprights and reduces machining requirements while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide device is designed to be associated with the work portion in a movable manner, allowing it to be applied to different bending press machines and configurations. This universal design enables the same device to serve multiple machines without requiring machine-specific customizations.
2Measurement precision
If an external laser device is fixed to an upright supplied separately from the bending press machine, then the operator can achieve precise bending, but the laser device has a limited precision because it must be fixed away from the sheet-like element to be bent
Solution Approach 1:
The projection portion is integrated with the work portion, allowing the laser guide to be positioned close to the bending tool and sheet-like element. This proximity enables higher precision projection and alignment compared to external devices fixed away from the work area.
3Ease of operation
If abutment elements are used to hold the sheet-like element in position, then standard bending operations can be performed, but very large sheet-like elements or elements requiring diagonal bends cannot be effectively positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical abutment element system is replaced with an optical guidance system using a laser projection device. This substitution allows for versatile positioning of various sheet-like elements including very large elements and those requiring diagonal bends, without being constrained by the physical limitations of abutment elements.
4Measurement precision
If the operator manually verifies the positioning of the sheet-like element by inserting the head into the machine, then positioning can be checked, but this represents a risk factor for operator safety
Solution Approach 1:
Manual visual inspection by the operator is replaced with an automated optical measurement system. The laser projection device and associated sensors provide automated positioning verification, eliminating the need for operators to insert their heads into the machine and thereby removing the safety hazard while maintaining or improving positioning precision.
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
The guide device ensures precise bending of sheet-like elements by aligning the bending line with the work tool, reducing material waste and safety risks, while being adaptable to various machines and eliminating the need for external components, thereby improving bending accuracy and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The projection portion (13) is configured to project a light beam defining at least one bending line (14) on the sheet-like element (5) to be bent
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The guide device (1) for machines (2) for mechanical processing comprises: at least one housing seat (7) of at least one work tool (8), particularly for bending presses; at least one attachment portion (12) associated in a removable manner with said at least one housing seat (7); at least one projection portion (13) configured to project a light radiation defining at least one bending line (14) on a sheet- like element (5) to be bent.