Pivotable Backgauge Stop Finger for Sheet Metal Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing backgauge units for sheet metal bending systems have limited stop areas, restricting the ability to accommodate larger workpieces and inefficiently utilize the available space behind the bending tool, requiring significant mechanical engineering efforts to overcome these limitations.
Innovation Solution
A backgauge unit with a pivotable stop finger featuring multiple stop elements and a bearing arrangement that allows the stop finger to pivot 180°, enabling the creation of additional stop positions and extending the stop area by up to 30%, thus optimizing the use of space and accommodating larger workpieces without excessive mechanical complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a traditional fixed stop finger is used, then the structure is simple, but the stop area is limited and cannot accommodate larger workpieces
Solution Approach 1:
The stop finger is made pivotable about a horizontal axis through a bearing arrangement, allowing it to rotate between a first position (extending toward the bending tool) and a second position (retracted). This dynamic configuration enables the stop area to be extended when needed while maintaining structural simplicity when the extended position is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop finger is designed as a separate, movable component that can be pivoted independently from the base frame. This segmentation allows the stop finger to be positioned in different orientations to create additional stop positions, effectively increasing the stop area without requiring a complete redesign of the entire backgauge unit.
2Area of stationary object
If the stop finger is extended toward the bending tool, then a stop position close to the tool is achieved, but the space behind the base frame cannot be utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable stop finger can be dynamically repositioned between extending toward the bending tool and retracting toward the base frame. When the stop finger is in its first position, it provides a stop position close to the tool. When pivoted to its second position, it retracts, allowing the space behind the base frame to be utilized for accommodating larger workpieces or other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop finger utilizes the vertical dimension by pivoting about a horizontal axis. This allows the stop finger to move between different vertical orientations, creating stop positions at different locations without occupying horizontal space that would interfere with the bending tool or the area behind the base frame.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate stop elements are provided, then multiple stop positions are available, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single stop finger serves multiple functions by being pivotable to different positions. It can provide a first stop position when extending toward the bending tool and a second stop position when retracted, effectively acting as multiple stop elements in one component. This multi-functionality increases adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple stop positions are achieved by merging the functionality of what would traditionally require multiple separate stop elements into a single pivotable stop finger. The bearing arrangement combines the pivot mechanism with the stop function, reducing the total number of components while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a backgauge unit (29) for a sheet metal bending machine (1) and comprises a base frame (35) with a bearing arrangement (38) and a stop finger (30) with at least one first stop element (31) having a first stop surface (32) and at least one second stop element (36) having a second stop surface (37). The stop finger (30) is pivotable about a pivot axis (39) defined by the bearing arrangement (38) from a first stop position to a second stop position. In the first stop position, a first end region (33) and the first stop surface (32) of the stop finger (30) are facing the workpiece (2) to be produced. A second end region (34) of the stop finger (30) is pivotably mounted on the base frame (35) by means of the bearing arrangement (38). In the second stop position, the second stop surface (37) is facing the workpiece (2) to be produced.The invention also relates to a manufacturing plant (1) equipped with such a backgauge unit (29).