Powder Press Punch Unit Segmentation for Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing powder press stamp units face challenges with precision and machining difficulties due to the limitations of additive manufacturing processes, particularly in achieving high tolerances and preventing crack formation in components like gears with inclined teeth, and require post-processing for accurate flatness and squareness in support surfaces.

Innovation Solution

The design of sliding stamp units composed of multiple parts, where the head piece and widening area are made from different materials or produced using different processes, allowing for precise control of modulus of elasticity and connection methods like gluing, welding, or positive locking, enabling improved precision and flexibility in material choice, and the use of a powder press with a combination of one-piece and two-piece stamp units that slide into each other for enhanced setup efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additive manufacturing process is used to manufacture die heads, then design freedom and material selection are improved, but manufacturing precision and tolerances deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign freedomVSAvoid tolerances
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The die head is divided into multiple segments or components that can be manufactured separately using different processes. This allows the use of additive manufacturing for complex geometric areas while using precision machining for areas requiring tight tolerances, thereby resolving the contradiction between design freedom and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different manufacturing processes (additive manufacturing and precision machining) are combined to manufacture different parts of the die head. The additive manufactured components are then integrated with precision-machined components, allowing the system to benefit from both design freedom and high precision in the final assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If one-piece design is used for punch unit, then structural simplicity is improved, but machining difficulty and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidmachining difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The punch unit is segmented into multiple components that can be manufactured and assembled separately. This reduces the machining difficulty of individual components while maintaining the structural integrity of the overall assembly, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Components are pre-manufactured using optimized processes for each specific part, then assembled into the final punch unit. This preliminary manufacturing of individual components allows for better process optimization and reduced overall machining time compared to manufacturing the entire unit as one piece.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If additive manufacturing is used for die bases, then design flexibility is improved, but flatness and perpendicularity precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidflatness and perpendicularity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The die base is divided into regions where additive manufacturing is used for complex geometric areas and precision machining is applied to contact surfaces requiring high flatness and perpendicularity. This segmentation allows design flexibility in non-critical areas while maintaining precision in critical contact areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different manufacturing qualities are applied to different regions of the die base. Critical contact surfaces receive high-precision machining for flatness and perpendicularity, while non-critical areas utilize the design flexibility of additive manufacturing, resolving the contradiction through localized quality differentiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Length of moving object

If head is made shorter than widening section, then overall length is reduced, but structural stability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehead lengthVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The head and widening section are constructed using composite material structures or optimized material distributions that provide high structural stability despite the reduced head length. This allows the shortened design to maintain adequate stiffness and strength through improved material utilization rather than increased dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

This solution enhances precision, reduces machining difficulties, and allows for the use of materials not suitable for additive manufacturing, while improving the setup efficiency of the powder press by allowing multiple parts to be assembled together, reducing downtime and preventing component breakage during retraction.

Implementation Method 1

The connection piece connects the first component and the second component to one another

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Implementation Method 2

Possible hard machining processes include pressing or surface rolling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentEP3253566B1Shape-optimized pm tool components using connection technology
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 GKN POWDER METALLURGY ENG GMBH
  • EP3253566B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3253566B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP3253566B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The present invention relates to a punch unit of a powder press, wherein the punch unit is assembled from at least two parts, in this case comprising a headpiece as the first part and a widening region, adjoining the headpiece, as the second part, wherein the widening region flares to a diameter of a punch holder which is directly attachable to an end, located away from the headpiece, of the widening region. Furthermore, punch units of a powder press that slide one inside another, a powder press itself and a method for operating a powder press are proposed.