Lower Bending Tool Friction Reduction for Safer Tool Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool change systems for bending machines, particularly lower tools, face challenges in reducing frictional forces during tool displacement, leading to potential damage and increased maintenance costs due to high technical effort and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A lower tool with a friction reduction device that applies a prestressing force to reduce the apparent weight force acting on the tool holder, utilizing a sliding element, wedge, or roller with adjustable spring elements and coatings to minimize frictional forces, allowing for safer and more efficient tool changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate gliding carriage with rigid rollers and height-adjustable guide channel is used, then the frictional force is reduced and tool damage is avoided, but the technical effort and production costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A friction reduction device is introduced as an intermediary component between the lower tool and tool holder. This device includes a friction reduction element (such as a roller or sliding element) that mediates the contact interface, reducing frictional forces during tool displacement while avoiding the need for complex height-adjustable guide channels and pneumatic systems
Solution Approach 2:
The friction characteristics are changed by introducing a friction reduction element with specific material properties (such as low friction coefficients). The device modifies the physical parameters of the contact interface through coatings or material selection, thereby reducing friction without requiring complex mechanical adjustments
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the lower tool is displaced along the tool holder during tool change, then the dead weight and weight force cause damage to the lower tool surface and tool holder surface, but reducing the weight force requires complex pneumatic systems
Solution Approach 1:
The friction reduction device applies a prestressing force in the direction of the weight force, creating a counterbalancing effect. This prestressing force reduces the apparent weight force acting on the tool holder during tool displacement, thereby preventing surface damage without requiring pneumatic lifting systems
3Stability of the object's composition
If tool shoulders are formed laterally to brace the lower tool, then stability during bending operation is improved, but the combination with tool holder displacement causes increased friction and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The lower tool is functionally segmented into different zones: tool shoulders for stability during bending operations and a friction reduction device at the contact interface with the tool holder. This segmentation allows the tool shoulders to provide bracing stability while the friction reduction device independently handles the displacement friction issue during tool changes
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 solution significantly reduces frictional forces during tool displacement, extending tool life, enabling more frequent changes without damage, improving safety, and reducing maintenance intervals while facilitating faster equipping speeds.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one friction reduction device has a spring element for applying a prestressing force in the direction of the weight force
Implementation Method 2
The at least one friction reduction device is formed on the bottom side of the base body for reducing a frictional force between the bottom side and the tool holder upon a displacement of the lower tool
Data Source
AI summary
A lower tool for a bending machine, in particular die bending machine, includes a longitudinally extended base body, which has, on its bottom side, a tool shank for being received in a guide slot of a tool holder and optionally tool shoulders in the transverse direction, and at least one friction reduction device on the bottom side of the base body for reducing a frictional force between the bottom side and the tool holder in the event of a displacement of the lower tool in the longitudinal direction, wherein the at least one friction reduction device is configured such that a weight force of the lower tool acting on the tool holder, while applying a prestressing force in the direction of the weight force, causes a resulting normal force of the lower tool onto the tool holder that is lower relative to the weight force.