Oblong Metal Bending Machine for Variable Curvature Radii

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machines for bending oblong metal elements, such as bars and rods, are limited in their ability to create small radii of curvature and are bulky and complex, requiring multiple positions for bending operations, which restricts their versatility and efficiency in producing varied bends and curves.

Innovation Solution

A machine comprising a feed unit, a support structure with lateral guides, and a bending device with a contrast roll and a rotatable bending pin, allowing for selective translation and curvature along the length of the oblong element, enabling bends and curves with small to large radii of curvature, from 20 mm to hundreds of meters, and accommodating client-specific requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing machines use fixed bending units with central contrast rolls, then they can achieve small radii of curvature, but they cannot achieve large radii of curvature and require multiple positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverange of radii of curvatureVSAvoidnumber of bending units and positions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the contrast roll radius variable rather than fixed. The bending device can adjust the radius of the contrast roll dynamically, allowing it to adapt between small and large radii of curvature. This eliminates the need for multiple fixed bending units with different radius specifications, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bending device is designed with universal functionality to perform both bending operations (small radii) and curving operations (large radii) using a single unit. The contrast roll can be selectively positioned and sized to handle the full range of radius requirements, making one device replace multiple specialized units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing machines use multiple fixed bending units for different positions, then they can handle various bend requirements, but they become bulky and complex to manage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending capability at different positionsVSAvoidmachine bulkiness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The machine employs dynamic positioning capabilities where the bending device can move along the oblong element to different positions. Rather than having multiple fixed bending units distributed along the machine, a single adjustable device travels to where it is needed, reducing overall machine bulkiness while maintaining positional versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bending device is segmented into movable components that can be positioned independently along the length of the oblong element. This allows the same functional unit to serve multiple positions through controlled movement rather than requiring permanent installation at each position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing machines require translation of rods between positions, then they can access different bending units, but they increase operation time and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to different bending functionsVSAvoidtime for position translation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the workpiece (rod) between fixed bending units, the invention inverts the approach by moving the bending device itself to the workpiece. The bending device travels along the oblong element to the required position, eliminating the time-consuming translation of heavy rods through the machine while achieving the same functional versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 machine achieves versatile and reliable bending and curving capabilities, allowing for precise control over radii of curvature throughout the length of oblong elements, enhancing production flexibility and efficiency while reducing complexity and bulkiness.

Implementation Method 1

a bending device, installed on the support structure, selectively translatable along the lateral guides, located downstream of the feed unit and provided with a contrast roll and a bending pin selectively rotatable around the contrast roll to at least bend the oblong element around the contrast roll

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS11407017B2Machine and method for bending oblong elements, preferably metal, such as bars, rod, section bars or suchlike

Publication Date: 2022.08.09 M E P MASCH ELECTRONICS PIEGATRICI SPA

AI summary

A machine for bending oblong elements, preferably metal, includes a feed unit configured to feed at least one of the oblong elements along a longitudinal axis. A bending device is located downstream of the feed unit and a curving unit is disposed downstream of the bending device and is configured to curve the oblong element along part of its oblong development.