Modular Ceramic Powder Press Tool with Adjustable Carriers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ceramic and metal powder presses are cumbersome and costly due to their rigid structure, requiring large components and high material consumption to accommodate variously shaped pressed parts, leading to increased weight, space requirements, and material costs, with complex adjustment drives and high material thickness contributing to instability and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A modular ceramic and metal powder press tool with adjustable stamp carriers and electric motor-driven adjustment drives, featuring coupling rods and spindle nuts for precise control, allowing for compact design and reduced overall height, with height-adjustable fixed stops and flexible component dimensions to accommodate diverse pressing forces and part shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If rigid structure with large components is used to accommodate variously shaped pressed parts, then adaptability is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to variously shaped pressed partsVSAvoidweight of press tool
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The press tool is divided into modular components including interchangeable stamp carriers, adjustable fixed stops, and separable die sets. Each module can be independently selected and configured based on the specific pressed part requirements, allowing adaptability without requiring the entire tool to be oversized and heavy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The press tool incorporates adjustable elements such as height-adjustable fixed stops and positionable stamp carriers that can be dynamically reconfigured for different pressed part geometries. This dynamic adjustability replaces the need for multiple heavy rigid tooling sets, reducing overall weight while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If large components with high material thickness are used to transmit pressing force, then strength is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressing force transmission capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of press tool structure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Material thickness and component dimensions are optimized locally based on the actual pressing force requirements for each specific position and application. Rather than uniformly thick components throughout, the structure uses variable thickness where needed, reducing overall complexity while maintaining sufficient strength at critical locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing force transmission capability is adjusted by changing parameters such as component geometry, material selection, and structural configuration rather than simply increasing material thickness uniformly. This allows strength to be optimized for each specific application without unnecessarily increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If height-adjustable fixed stops are used to accommodate different pressed parts, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of fixed stopsVSAvoidprecision of pressed parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fixed stops and stamp carriers are pre-adjusted to precise positions before the pressing operation begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the pressing force is applied, all components are already correctly aligned, maintaining manufacturing precision despite the adjustability feature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Mechanical adjustment mechanisms for the fixed stops are replaced or supplemented with precision positioning systems that use controlled movement and locking mechanisms to achieve and maintain precise positions. This substitution ensures that adjustability does not compromise the precision required for high-quality pressed parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 modular design reduces the overall height and weight of the press tool, enhances stability, and allows for precise adjustment and reduced material usage, enabling efficient pressing of various parts with lower material costs and improved precision, minimizing deformations and reject rates.

Implementation Method 1

electric motor-driven adjustment drives

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

adjustment drives are formed by hydraulic cylinder arrangements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP2640570B1Ceramic-powder and/or metal-powder press tool, ceramic-powder and/or metal-powder press, modular system with such a press tool, method for assembling and operating a ceramic-powder and/or metal-powder press tool or a press
Publication Date: 2016.03.30 DORST TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2640570B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2640570B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2640570B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates in particular to a ceramic-powder and/or metal-powder press tool comprising at least one main body (21), comprising a multiplicity of at least two punches (22-25), which in a pressing position are arranged such that they can be made to enter from one side a die opening (3) of a die (2) that has been filled with ceramic and/or metal powder (P), comprising a multiplicity of at least two punch carriers (26-29), to which one of the punches is respectively attached, wherein at least some of the punch carriers (28; 29) can be coupled to at least two adjusting drives (39-42) in each case and wherein the punch carriers are arranged adjustably in relation to one another and in relation to the main body, and comprising fixed-stop devices (48°, 49, 50), which are arranged so as to dissipate a pressing force (Fp) from the punches via the main body at least partially in an end position of the press, wherein at least one of the punch carriers is coupled or secured to at least two coupling rods (30-33) and each of the coupling rods can be coupled or secured to such an adjusting drive of its own in each case. Electromotive adjusting drives are particularly preferred here.