Metal Flat Bar Embossing for Crowning Dimensional Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cambering of metal flat bars or profile bars results in dimensional inaccuracies and requires complex tool adjustments and costly post-processing due to material elasticity and visibility of deformation contours, making it difficult to maintain shape and surface smoothness.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating embossing zones parallel to the bending axis on one side of the flat bar or profile bar to alleviate material stresses during crowning, ensuring dimensional stability and a smooth surface without the need for post-processing or complex tool adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If crowning is performed to give the flat bar the desired shape, then the shape is improved, but dimensional accuracy deteriorates due to springback

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecambered shapeVSAvoiddimensional accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Embossing zones are created on the flat bar before crowning to pre-condition the material. This preliminary action modifies the stress distribution in advance, compensating for the springback effect that occurs during crowning and enabling dimensional accuracy to be maintained while achieving the desired cambered shape.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If corrective grinding is performed to eliminate dimensional inaccuracy, then manufacturing precision is improved, but production time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional accuracyVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The embossing zones are created as a preliminary step that prevents dimensional inaccuracy from occurring in the first place. By pre-modifying the material stress distribution, the need for subsequent corrective grinding is eliminated, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while avoiding the time loss associated with post-processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If complex tool adjustments are made to master the crowning process, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional accuracyVSAvoidtool adjustment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring complex tool adjustments to master the crowning process, embossing zones are preliminarily created on the flat bar. This approach simplifies the crowning operation by pre-conditioning the material to compensate for springback, thereby achieving dimensional accuracy without increasing device or tool complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Achieves dimensional accuracy within tight tolerances, eliminating the need for corrective grinding and allowing for seamless integration and sealing without visible deformation, significantly reducing production costs and time.

Implementation Method 1

embossing zones which run parallel to the bending axis are embossed on one side into a broad side of the flat bar and/or the broad sides of the legs of the flat profile bar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

In practice, when crowning, due to the elasticity of the material, the effect occurs that the flat bar or flat profile bar springs open, i.e. springs back

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2145707B1Flat bar or flat bar profile made of metal
Publication Date: 2018.05.09 GEDIA GEBR DINGERKUS
  • EP2145707B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2145707B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~3
  • EP2145707B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The bar or profile (1) has punching sections (3, 4) running parallel to a bending axis, and impressed in a flat site of the bar or profile and/or an arm of the profile, where the bar or profile is made up of metal sheet and is shaped around the bending axis transverse to the longitudinal extension of the bar or profile. Radius of the bending axis is larger than 1000 mm. The bending axis runs parallel to the flat side of the bar or profile or parallel to the flat side of the arm of the profile. The punching sections are formed in an elongated exterior shell of the bar or profile.