Mechanically Actuated Tool Holder With Complementary Tolerance Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool holders for press brakes are limited in accommodating tools with different tang styles, leading to issues such as improper orientation, production errors, and looseness due to variance in tool and holder dimensions, which complicates the design and increases costs with the use of hydraulic or pneumatic means for precise force regulation.
Innovation Solution
A tool holder design featuring a mechanically actuatable clamp assembly with multiple tolerance areas and clamping fingers that can securely hold tools with various tang styles, using a clamp plate with slits and depth tolerance areas to provide complementary tolerances, and a mechanism to limit adjustment and prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If hydraulic or pneumatic means are used for precise force regulation, then the precision of tool holding is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hydraulic or pneumatic force regulation systems with a purely mechanical clamp assembly. The clamp assembly uses a clamp plate with multiple tolerance areas and clamping fingers that mechanically adjust to different tang styles through physical contact and geometric constraints, eliminating the need for complex hydraulic or pneumatic control systems while maintaining precise tool holding
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by providing the clamp plate with multiple tolerance areas (first tolerance area with slits, second tolerance area with depth variations) that allow the mechanical system to adapt to different tang styles. The clamping fingers can be positioned at different depths and orientations to accommodate varying tool dimensions, achieving precise force regulation through geometric parameter variation rather than active control systems
2Adaptability or versatility
If adaptors are oriented differently to accommodate different tang styles, then the adaptability is improved, but the loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal clamp assembly that can accommodate multiple tang styles (American straight style and European grooved style) without requiring adaptor reorientation. The clamp plate with multiple tolerance areas and adjustable clamping fingers provides multi-functionality, allowing the same holder to securely hold different tool types through mechanical adjustment rather than adaptor reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment capability where the clamping fingers can be mechanically repositioned along the clamp plate to different tolerance areas. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt to different tang styles during operation without requiring complete adaptor replacement or time-consuming reorientation procedures
3Reliability
If the clamping force is increased to secure tools, then the reliability is improved, but the risk of damage to tangs and holders increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different tolerance areas with specific geometric characteristics at different locations on the clamp plate. The first tolerance area with slits and the second tolerance area with depth variations provide localized compliance zones that distribute clamping force appropriately, ensuring reliable tool securing while preventing concentrated stress that could cause damage to tangs or holders
Data Source
AI summary
Tool holder designs are described. In some cases, the tool holder has a clamp assembly that can be used with tools having different tang styles. The tool holder in some cases has at least two differing tolerance areas provided therein, wherein the tolerance areas provide complementary tolerance to the design. In some cases, the tool holder can have a mechanically actuatable mechanism that functions with one or more internal components that limit adjustment of the mechanism to prevent damage to one or more of tool and the tool holder when securing the tool therein.