Press Brake Tool Geometry for Simpler Automatic Tool Change
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for press brakes require complex and time-consuming production processes for automatic tool changing, involving elongated holes and operation members that increase the tool's height and complexity, making them difficult to produce and time-consuming to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A tool design featuring a circular cross-sectional engagement hole for the tool changer and anti-rotation bottomed depressed portions, such as conical holes, which simplifies the production process and allows for automatic change without the need for elongated holes or vertical operation members, stabilizing the tool's posture during change.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If elongated holes and vertical operation members are used for automatic tool changing, then the tool can be automatically changed, but the production process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the unnecessary elongated holes and vertical operation members from the tool structure. By removing these complex components, the tool achieves automatic tool changing capability through a simplified design that uses only a shank portion for the tool changer to grip and rotate the tool, thereby resolving the contradiction between automation and ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding complex components (elongated holes and operation members) to achieve automatic tool changing, the invention inverts the approach by using a simplified shank structure that the tool changer directly engages. This inversion eliminates the need for complex production processes while maintaining automatic tool changing functionality
2Extent of automation
If elongated holes and vertical operation members are added to the tool, then automatic tool changing is enabled, but the tool height increases beyond standard dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the vertical operation members and elongated holes that would increase tool height. By extracting these unnecessary components, the tool maintains standard height dimensions while still enabling automatic tool changing through the simplified shank engagement mechanism
3Extent of automation
If threading or rectangular cross-section bushes are used in the tool for automatic changing, then automatic tool changing is achieved, but production time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the threading processes and rectangular cross-section bushes from the tool design. By removing these time-consuming production steps, the tool achieves automatic tool changing capability through a simpler shank structure that can be manufactured more quickly, thereby resolving the contradiction between automation and productivity
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for a press brake includes a tool main body, an attachment portion formed on a base end side of the tool main body and configured to be detachably attached to a tool installation portion of the press brake by using a tool changer, and a bending portion formed on a distal end side of the tool main body and used to bend a plate-shaped workpiece. An engagement hole having a circular cross-sectional shape to be engaged with a bar-shaped finger of the tool changer extends through the tool main body in a thickness direction. An anti-rotation bottomed depressed portion configured to receive a distal end of an anti-rotation member of the tool changer is formed in a vicinity of the engagement hole.