Linearly Guided Bending Unit for Complex Sheet Metal Bends

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing swivel bending machines have design-related restrictions that limit the flexibility and precision of movement paths, making it difficult to achieve complex bending operations and small counter edges.

Innovation Solution

A bending machine with a compact, linearly guided bending unit that allows for flexible movement paths, including curved non-linear paths, and precise control, eliminating the need for articulated swivel mechanisms while maintaining high stiffness and movement precision independent of bending angle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If articulated swivel mechanisms are used to enable bending tool movement, then the bending machine can perform basic bending operations, but the movement path flexibility and precision are limited by the mechanism geometry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement path flexibilityVSAvoidswivel mechanism geometry restrictions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional articulated swivel mechanisms with a linearly guided bending unit that moves along predetermined linear paths. This substitution eliminates the geometric constraints of swivel mechanisms while achieving the desired bending functionality through linear motion combined with workpiece rotation about a bending axis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces dynamic adaptability by allowing the bending unit to be repositioned along linear guides and by enabling coordinated linear motion of the bending tool combined with rotation of the workpiece section. This creates versatile movement paths without requiring complex articulated mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If traditional swivel mechanisms are used, then the bending tool can be positioned, but movement precision varies with bending angle due to mechanical limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement precisionVSAvoidbending angle range

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces angle-dependent swivel mechanisms with angle-independent linear guides. The bending precision is maintained across all bending angles through linear motion control rather than mechanical swiveling, eliminating the variation in precision that occurs with different bending angles in traditional systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex bending geometries are attempted with traditional machines, then design flexibility is limited, but modifying the machine geometry is required to achieve different movement paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending geometry complexityVSAvoidmodification requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables dynamic reconfiguration of movement paths through programmable linear motion control rather than requiring physical modification of the machine geometry. The bending unit can be repositioned and programmed to follow different linear paths, allowing complex bending geometries to be achieved through control software rather than mechanical modifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The linearly guided bending unit serves multiple functions by combining linear motion along guides with rotation of the workpiece section about a bending axis. This universal approach can produce various bending geometries including complex shapes without requiring different mechanical configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11612925B2Bending machine and method for bending a workpiece out of a flat material

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 EVOBEND GMBH

AI summary

Bending machine and method for bending a workpiece out of a flat materialThe invention relates to a bending machine (10) for bending a workpiece (12) out of a flat material, such as a sheet for example. A section (14) to be bent may be reshaped relative to a clamped section (16) of the workpiece (12) about at least one bending axis (18), wherein the bending machine (10) comprises: a machine frame (20); a first side clamping wall (22); a second side clamping wall (24) which can be moved relative to the first side clamping wall (22); and at least one bending unit (26, 28) comprising at least one bending tool (30). The first side clamping wall (22) and the second side clamping wall (24) are designed to clamp the workpiece (12) on a clamping plane (32). Furthermore, the bending unit (26, 28) is arranged on at least one of the first and second side clamping walls (22, 24) and is designed to bend the workpiece (12) section (14) to be bent relative to the clamped workpiece (12) section (16) about the at least one bending axis (18). According to the invention, the bending unit (26) has at least one linear guide (34-46), by means of which the bending tool (30) is linearly guided in order to be moved on an advancement plane (48).