Press Brake Light Barrier Repositioning for Tool Change Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bending presses with safety devices like light barriers face challenges in accommodating tools with high weight or unusual shapes, making it difficult to change them easily due to space constraints and interference with the guide rail, which affects safety and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The bending press design includes adjustable holders that can move between working and parking positions, allowing tools to be changed by moving the safety device out of the way, with the adjustment drive controlled by a control device to manage the light barrier's position and prevent collisions during tool changes and bending processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a light barrier safety device is installed on the press brake, then operator safety is improved, but the space available for tool changing is reduced and tool changing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The holder carrying the light barrier is made movable between a first position during bending operations and a second position during tool changing. This dynamic repositioning allows the safety device to clear the tool changing path when not actively needed, resolving the conflict between safety coverage and tool changing accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder is automatically moved to the second position in advance before tool changing begins, and returned to the first position before bending operations start. This preliminary action ensures that tool changing can proceed without obstruction while maintaining safety coverage during actual bending operations.
2Reliability
If the light barrier holder remains in the working position during tool changing, then safety coverage is maintained, but access to the guide rail for tool insertion is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is dynamically repositioned to a second position that clears the guide rail access area during tool changing operations, then returned to the first working position when bending operations resume. This ensures both adequate access area and safety coverage at appropriate times.
Solution Approach 2:
The operational cycle is segmented into distinct phases: tool changing phase where the holder is retracted, and bending phase where the holder is positioned for safety coverage. This temporal segmentation allows each function to operate optimally without interfering with the other.
3Strength
If heavy or large bending tools are used, then bending capability is improved, but the ability to insert tools into the guide rail slot is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is moved to a second position that provides unobstructed access to the guide rail's end face opening, enabling heavy or large tools to be inserted from the end rather than through the slot. This dynamic repositioning accommodates tools that would otherwise be impossible to change.
Solution Approach 2:
Tool insertion is enabled from a different dimension - instead of inserting through the slot from the side, tools can be inserted from the end face opening when the holder is retracted. This dimensional change in insertion approach accommodates tools with shapes or weights unsuitable for slot insertion.
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
This design enables easy and safe changing of tools, even those with unique shapes, by automatically adjusting the safety device, ensuring high safety standards and efficient operation by preventing collisions and optimizing space usage.
Implementation Method 1
The light transmitter generates a light beam that runs parallel to the leading edge of the first tool part on the press brake and illuminates the light receiver
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a bending press (10) for bending a workpiece (19), comprising - a first platform (1) with a first tool mounting (11) and a second platform (2) with a second tool mounting (12), one of the platforms (1) being designed to carry out a working movement relative to the other platform (2), - a first securing device (20) for generating a light barrier (27) which runs between the tool mountings (11, 12) transversely to the working movement of the movable platform (1), wherein the first securing device (20) has a first mounting (21) and a second mounting (22), one of the mountings (21) has a light emitter (25) and the other mounting (22) has a light receiver (26), and the first mounting (21) is arranged on a first face of the first platform (1) and can be moved relative to the first platform (1) by a first adjustment drive (23), and - a controller (9) which is connected to the first adjustment drive (23). The invention is characterized in that the first tool mounting (11) is designed in the form of a guide rail which has a first end-face opening (13) on the first end of the guide rail for changing a bending tool (8), and the access for changing a bending tool (8) via the first end-face opening (13) is blocked in a first position of the first mounting (21) relative to the first platform (1) and is released in a second position of the first mounting (21) relative to the first platform (1).