Press Brake Tool Exchange Alignment Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bending systems face challenges in maintaining tool alignment due to misalignment issues in tool holders, particularly during horizontal reversal operations of stockers, which disrupt automatic tool exchange operations and lead to increased misalignment over time.
Innovation Solution
A bending system with a pair of tool exchange units and moving actuators that correct tool misalignment by contacting the tool surfaces and adjusting their positions to align with regular arrangement positions, using control devices to manage the movement of these units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the stocker moving mechanism performs horizontal reversal operation of the stocker, then tool exchange efficiency is improved, but tool misalignment occurs in the stocker
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member presses the tool against the rear surface of the stocker before the horizontal reversal operation to prevent misalignment from occurring during the movement, and the correction unit corrects any misalignment after the operation completes
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pressing member presses the tool in the stocker, then tool stability is improved, but stable prevention of misalignment cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The correction unit acts as an intermediary mechanism that actively corrects tool misalignment by moving the stocker or tool holder in the left-right direction, complementing the pressing member's stabilization function to achieve reliable misalignment prevention
3Productivity
If the number of bending operations increases, then production output is improved, but tool misalignment from regular arrangement position increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit continuously detects tool misalignment state, and the correction unit activates based on detection results to correct misalignment, creating a feedback loop that maintains tool position accuracy throughout extended production operations
Solution Approach 2:
The correction unit performs preliminary correction of tool misalignment before it significantly affects bending precision, allowing continuous high-output operations without degradation in quality
4Extent of automation
If the tool exchange unit is provided on the back side of the table, then automatic tool exchange is enabled, but tool misalignment cannot be detected or corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit and correction unit serve as intermediary systems that monitor and actively correct tool alignment, enabling the automatic tool exchange system to maintain reliability without compromising automation extent
Data Source
AI summary
A bending system includes a tool storage, first and second tool exchange units each having a tool retention member, and a control device. When misalignment of tools held by a tool holder of a press brake occurs or is estimated to occur, the control device is configured to (1) move the first tool exchange unit to one side in a lateral direction to a position corresponding to one end of a regular arrangement position at which the tool retention member of the first tool exchange unit contacts with the tools and (2) move the second tool exchange unit to another side in the lateral direction to a position corresponding to another end of the regular arrangement position at which the tool retention member of the second tool exchange unit contacts with the tools.