Pneumatic Clamp with Tilting Jaws for Stamping Presses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic clamps in stamping presses with transfer systems face challenges in maintaining consistent clamping force, leading to potential sheet loss and mispositioning, especially at high speeds, and existing designs are cumbersome and costly.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic clamp with two clamping tips that utilize a tilting compensating arm and a profiled ball joint to ensure equal force application, along with a grooved surface for enhanced grip and a rotating ring for improved installation versatility, reducing manufacturing costs and increasing productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the working speed of the transfer system is increased to boost production, then productivity increases, but the clamping force consistency deteriorates causing sheet sliding or loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the clamping arm by introducing a tilting mechanism with adjustable angle α. This allows the clamping tips to be positioned at optimal angles relative to the sheet surface, ensuring equal and consistent clamping force distribution even at high transfer speeds. The adjustable geometry compensates for dynamic forces during rapid acceleration and deceleration.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping arm is designed with a tilting mechanism that can dynamically adjust its orientation. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to varying operational conditions, particularly during high-speed transfer operations where inertial forces change rapidly. The tilting arm maintains optimal clamping geometry throughout the transfer cycle.
2Device complexity
If conventional fixed-position pneumatic connections are used, then the structure is simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult installation and positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rotating ring component that serves multiple functions: it provides pneumatic connections, electrical cable routing, and positional adjustment capability. This universal component allows the clamp to be installed and connected from various orientations, eliminating the need for precise alignment and making installation significantly easier while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating ring can be dynamically positioned during installation to align with the incoming pneumatic lines and electrical cables. This rotational freedom allows installers to optimize the connection geometry for ease of installation and maintenance, while the ring remains fixed during operation to provide stable connections.
3Device complexity
If a short fixed lower arm is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inadequate sheet support
Solution Approach 1:
The lower arm is designed with a grooved surface that can tilt and adapt its orientation. This dynamic surface provides optimal support for the sheet during clamping, ensuring precise positioning and preventing sheet deformation. The grooved geometry maintains consistent contact with the sheet surface even during high-speed operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower arm features a specifically designed grooved surface geometry at the clamping location. This localized geometric optimization provides enhanced sheet support and positioning precision exactly where needed, while the rest of the arm structure remains simple and easy to manufacture.
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 clamp achieves a significant increase in lateral retention and clamping security, reducing errors and manufacturing costs while enhancing the reliability and productivity of the stamping press.
Implementation Method 1
a pneumatic cylinder is housed... This cylinder has the function of operating a clamping arm
Implementation Method 2
a compensating arm... configured to receive each clamping point inside, and wherein said compensating arm and element arm are connected by tilting means so that said compensating arm can be tilted slightly
Implementation Method 3
a grooved surface for enhanced grip
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention refers to an improved pneumatic clamp for a transfer stamping press or servo-press, wherein the clamp is of the type which holds a sheet or workpiece by means of two clamping tips, separated from each other, near the edge of the workpiece, and wherein said pneumatic clamp differs from the already known ones in that it can be assured with total reliability that the two clamping tips apply the same force to the sheet, which guarantees a perfect (i.e. non-slip) clamping of the sheet by the clamp during the operations of taking the sheet at a first station, transferring it to the next station and leaving it at this next station.