Manipulator Arm for Press Brake Tool Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manufacturing systems for free-form bending of sheet metal workpieces are limited in their ability to manipulate bending tools independently of the stop element and cannot effectively operate in the lateral edge areas of the machine frame, restricting tool changing and positioning processes.
Innovation Solution
A manufacturing system with a manipulator arm mounted on the back stop unit, allowing independent pivoting and adjustment, combined with a tool manipulation device that can pivot about a second axis, enabling manipulation of bending tools across a larger angular range, including lateral areas beyond the press beam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the manipulator arm is mounted on the back stop unit independently of the stop element, then the work area coverage is improved and tool manipulation flexibility is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulator arm is separated from the stop element and mounted independently on the back stop unit, allowing each component to function autonomously. This segmentation enables the manipulator to operate independently without being constrained by the stop element's position or movement, thereby expanding the accessible work area while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The back stop unit is designed to serve multiple functions: it supports both the stop element for positioning sheet metal and the manipulator arm for tool manipulation. This multi-functionality allows the same structural platform to enable both positioning and tool changing operations, improving work area coverage without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the manipulator arm can pivot about a first pivot axis independently of the stop element, then the angular range for manipulation is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulator arm is designed with dynamic pivoting capability about a first pivot axis, allowing it to rotate independently of the stop element's position. This dynamic movement enables the manipulator to access tools at various angular positions around the press beam, significantly expanding the angular range of operation while the modular pivot mechanism keeps structural complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The addition of pivoting motion about a vertical first pivot axis introduces a new rotational dimension to the manipulator's movement capability. This allows the manipulator to reach tools not only in the horizontal plane but also at different angular orientations, effectively adding another degree of freedom that expands the three-dimensional work envelope without requiring complex multi-axis mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tool manipulation device is arranged in the second end region of the manipulator arm, then the accessibility to lateral edge areas is improved, but the manipulator arm length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tool manipulation device is positioned at the second end region of the manipulator arm, which extends laterally beyond the press beam. This lateral extension in the horizontal dimension enables direct access to tools located at the edge areas and side cheeks, improving accessibility without requiring excessive vertical or depth-wise arm length, thus optimizing the manipulator's overall dimensions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the manipulator arm is adjustable relative to the base frame in the vertical direction, then the height adjustment capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulator arm is designed with adjustable height capability relative to the base frame, allowing vertical positioning adaptation. This dynamic adjustment enables the manipulator to align with tools at different elevations on the press beam and access tools in various vertical positions, improving height adaptation while the adjustment mechanism is integrated into the existing back stop unit structure to minimize additional complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a manufacturing system (1) for the free-form bending of workpieces (2) made of sheet metal, comprising a press brake (3), a bending tool (4), a tool magazine (30), a backgauge unit (31) with a base frame (33) and a stop element (32), and a tool manipulation unit (34) arranged on the backgauge unit (31) for manipulating the bending tool (4). The tool manipulation unit (34) comprises a manipulator arm (35) with a first end section (36) and a second end section (37), wherein the first end section (36) is pivotably mounted on the base frame (33) about a first pivot axis (38) having a vertical orientation, independently of the stop element (32). The tool manipulation unit (34) has an adjustment unit (40) which is in drive connection with the manipulator arm (35).A tool manipulation device (39) is arranged in the second end region (37) of the manipulator arm (35).