Manipulation Device Positioning in Bending Production Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing production systems for free-form bending of sheet metal or blanks are limited by rigid transport routes and restricted working areas, which hinder flexible movement and operator access.
Innovation Solution
A production system where the manipulation device is positioned stationary relative to the bending machine using coupling elements, allowing for contactless, rail-free movement and multiple reference positions, enabling flexible transport routes and automated processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If rails or physically rigid guide devices are used to move the manipulation device, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the free working area is restricted and the design becomes rigid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rail system with an optical guidance system. The manipulation device is guided optically along transport routes without physical contact, eliminating the need for rails that restrict working area while maintaining positioning accuracy through optical reference markers and detection systems.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rails are installed to enable movement, then transport route stability is improved, but the working area becomes obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the guidance function from the physical rail structure and implements it through optical markers placed on the floor or surface. This separates the transport route definition from physical obstacles, maintaining stable routing while clearing the working area of obstructive rail structures.
3Measurement precision
If the manipulation device is held stationary on rails, then positioning precision is improved, but flexibility of movement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the manipulation device can be positioned stationary at specific reference points for precise operations, then move freely along optical guidance routes. The system transitions between stationary precision positioning and dynamic flexible movement, combining both advantages.
4Measurement precision
If coupling elements are used to define reference positions, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical reference markers (copies of reference information) placed at defined positions along the transport route. The manipulation device detects these optical copies to establish reference positions, avoiding complex mechanical coupling elements while maintaining precise positioning through optical recognition and comparison.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a production system (1) comprising a bending tool (11), a tool store (12), a bending machine (4) and a manipulation device (13) which performs a travelling movement of a tool store partition located in the region of the tool store (12), along a transport path (14) into a machine operating position located in the region of the bending machine (4). A first coupling element (18) is arranged on the manipulation device (13) and a second coupling element (19) is arranged on the bending machine (4). In the machine operating position, the two coupling elements (18, 19) are coupled together, through which the manipulation device (13) is fixed in position relative to the bending machine (4) and thus a reference position is set.