Modular Press Brake Display Layout for Tool Position Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional positioning systems for press brakes lack the ability to provide quantitative and qualitative information, limiting their functionality and often cause clearance issues during machining operations due to their size and design.

Innovation Solution

A modular, compact position, information, and interactive display device (PIIDD) is designed to be positioned on press brakes, providing quantitative and qualitative information through configurable displays that can be electrically linked and synchronized to show proper tool positions and operational parameters, allowing for flexible repositioning to avoid clearance issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional positioning systems (LED strips, rulers) are used to indicate tool positions, then operator guidance is provided, but the systems span considerable length and cause clearance issues during machining operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator guidanceVSAvoidpositioning system length
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning system is divided into multiple independently controllable segments or zones along the press brake table. Each segment can be individually illuminated or activated based on the current operation requirements, rather than illuminating the entire length of the table. This segmentation allows the system to provide necessary guidance information while minimizing the active display length during machining operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning system transitions from a static, continuously illuminated display to a dynamic system that activates only the specific segments relevant to the current tool position and operation. The illumination and information display are dynamically adjusted based on real-time machine state, providing guidance only where and when needed, thus reducing clearance interference during machining.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If positioning systems span considerable length to cover entire table extent, then full coverage is provided, but device complexity and clearance issues increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning system coverage areaVSAvoidpositioning system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning system is divided into multiple independently controllable segments or zones along the press brake table. Each segment can be individually illuminated or activated based on the current operation requirements, rather than illuminating the entire length of the table. This segmentation allows the system to provide necessary guidance information while minimizing the active display length during machining operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning system is designed to serve multiple functions: providing position guidance, indicating tool mounting locations, displaying operational parameters, and signaling machine status. By integrating these functions into a single system that adapts its display based on operational context, the system achieves comprehensive coverage without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If conventional positioning systems are hardwired to console, then integration is achieved, but adaptability to different machine configurations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem integrationVSAvoidmachine configuration adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning system is designed to serve multiple functions: providing position guidance, indicating tool mounting locations, displaying operational parameters, and signaling machine status. By integrating these functions into a single system that adapts its display based on operational context, the system achieves comprehensive coverage without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning system transitions from a static, continuously illuminated display to a dynamic system that activates only the specific segments relevant to the current tool position and operation. The illumination and information display are dynamically adjusted based on real-time machine state, providing guidance only where and when needed, thus reducing clearance interference during machining.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2916973B1Display device for punching or pressing machines
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 WILSON TOOL INT INC
  • EP2916973B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2916973B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2916973B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A display device for punching and/or pressing machines. The display device can be constructed to be modular and of compact size so as to be positioned as desired on new and existing machine designs. The display device is formed with displays, which are configurable to provide a plurality of qualitative and quantitative information. The display device can be configured to be function with consoles of punching and pressing machines so as to be one or more of a supplemental device, an interfacing device, and an interactive device.